Chapter 2

Rohana, due to her noble status, was engaged to the crown prince out of friendship. However, after the appearance of Aurelia, Rohana, who only wished for the male lead’s happiness, entered into a political marriage with his cousin for the greater good.

That wasn’t so pitiful on its own.

The real problem arose when it was revealed that Kaiden Delcliff, the male lead’s cousin whom Rohana married, was the true villain.

This issue became even more serious because Rohana was killed by him.

Her death became a critical trigger for the war between the two factions, marking the climax of the novel. Most importantly, it was the moment when the true nature of the ‘cousin’ as the real antagonist was revealed.

“My Lady.”

The reflection of Jody in the mirror was filled with worry.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Rohana smiled and shook her head. Her gaze was fixed like a magnet on Jody’s small hand, brushing her long hair.

Numerous new scratches. Hidden by long sleeves, but it was clear how her arms must look.

‘Like a madman.’

And there was another reason why Rohana’s situation was more pitiful than she had thought.

A common reason for a person’s fate to become miserable: family.

Her father, Gregory Hanover, was barely mentioned in the original work, so his character was unknown, but he was truly formidable.

A strategist who manipulated his most precious asset, his daughter, and meticulously used those around her. Maids, nannies, servants, even her younger brother Brandt, were no exception.

Despite being thoroughly obedient and kind, and doing her best, Rohana died without achieving anything, and the female lead Aurelia mourned her as if she had lost a sister.

“It’s nothing.”

Jody regained her cheerfulness at Rohana’s smile and began chatting again. Her excited voice filled the air as she tried various hairpins on Rohana.

“How much do you think His Highness the Crown Prince missed you, Lady?”

To stop her father’s tyranny, she tried all sorts of rebellions.

But having lived as an adult, Rohana easily understood that any of her actions were merely childish defiance.

In the end, what she needed was power.

So Rohana utilized her resources.

Just a month after she reincarnated, at the age of eight when the original story began, she first met the male lead Bardi Rentworth, who shone brightly like he had stepped out of a fairy tale.

With blue eyes shining under his thick auburn hair, he smiled sweetly, as if he had no worries in the world.

The meeting of the male lead Bardi Rentworth and the female lead Aurelia Bree was scheduled to take place at a southern resort that winter. It was the beginning of the novel.

Rohana swallowed hard.

What if the crown prince never met her?

What if she changed the beginning?

It was an impulsive thought. So, on a beautiful autumn day like today, young Rohana stopped the departing crown prince.

Everyone was surprised at her voice, as she was usually too shy to speak in crowded places.

“Don’t go.”

Could she really prevent the male and female leads from meeting like this? As the short silence felt endlessly long, a clear voice echoed in her ears.

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Why don’t you want me to go?”

His blue eyes stared intently at her. His auburn hair fluttered softly in the wind. Rohana bit her dry lips.

“Because…”

Her heart beat rapidly.

“I feel something terrible will happen if you go… It’s too far…”

It wasn’t a lie. If he went, he would meet Aurelia and bring her to the capital.

And at their engagement ceremony, Kaiden would fall in love with Aurelia, leading to betrayal by the true villain and a massive war.

A war between the Arin tribe and Nopthal representing the royal family and the empire, and the Kark tribe representing the forces of the east.

“Are you worried about me?”

It’s not a lie.

“Yes.”

The crown prince’s face, which had been staring at her, trembled slightly before lighting up like a bright light in a dark room.

“Alright.”

His rosy cheeks flushed red.

“Rohana doesn’t want me to go. She’s worried about me.”

His cheerful smile sparkled like sunlight.

“Then I won’t go.”

And after that day, he fell for Rohana at a terrifying speed. Strangely so.

If he didn’t see her for a single day, his face would darken to his knees, and on days they attended a ball together, he did his best to look manly despite his young age.

If she became the empress, she could gain power. She could stop Gregory. She couldn’t bring back the dead nanny, but at least she could prevent those around her from suffering the same fate.

She wouldn’t end up being killed in a ridiculous political marriage with the true antagonist.

Initially, it was a relief. And just as the original ‘Rohana’ loved him, she too eventually fell for him as if it were a lie.

And so, without much difficulty, the lady of Hanover, the most prestigious family in the realm, naturally became engaged to the crown prince.

It was a perfect match politically, socially, and personally. A perfect parallel world without Aurelia.

Days of happiness that seemed almost too good to be true continued, and now the wedding was just a month away.

‘It’s already very different from the original.’

Calming her oddly anxious heart, Rohana stared at her reflection in the mirror.

“But why did His Highness the Crown Prince go to such a dangerous place? The east, where those terrifying Kark people are swarming! On such a beautiful day, he should be glued to our lady’s side!”

“The east is also part of the Ardgold Empire.”

Rohana explained gently. Jody pouted, not wanting to hear such obvious talk, and soon resumed her singing-like chatter.

“Well, it’s a good thing Duke Kaiden Delcliff is there in the eastern Nopthal.”

Rohana smiled, trying not to be affected by the mention of the ‘villain’ she hadn’t heard in a long time.

Everyone firmly believed in Kaiden Delcliff. The lord of Nopthal, who subdued the Kark tribe where the empire’s rule had not reached, and the bloody ruler was renowned as the protector of the Ardgold Empire.

“Will he come to the royal wedding? He’s always in that cold, rugged east… He seems very determined to protect his cousin, the crown prince.”

“Isn’t it because of all those rumors about how handsome he is?”

Jody blushed and laughed at the words of another maid who suddenly joined in.

“Anyway, thanks to him, we don’t have to worry about the Kark tribe.”

“But still, be careful when talking about the Kark tribe. No matter what, Duke Delcliff is still…”

“I know, I know. He’s of mixed Kark blood.”

Jody responded, emphasizing what was considered the only flaw of the perfect man.

“Shh!”

The head maid, who had just entered the room, scolded the two young maids and glanced at Rohana, who merely indicated with her eyes that it was fine, lost in her own thoughts.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is expected to arrive at noon today.”

The head maid spoke in a calm tone. Everyone seemed a bit worried about the two-day delay in the schedule, but Rohana was not particularly concerned.

She had one remaining concern.

Kaiden Delcliff.

Knowing his true intentions, she was worried about his interest in the royal family.

However, when she looked at the imperial palace and the duke’s mansion, already decorated as if for the eve of the wedding, it seemed impossible for her to end up in a political marriage with the antagonist.

“Since it feels like autumn today, how about this dress?”

It was a deep cream-colored autumn dress that matched her purple eyes. The dress had a full skirt and an off-shoulder top adorned with sparkling lace.

“Yes, that would be nice.”

Rohana replied with a smile.

***

“Lady Rohana.”

Vivian, the daughter of Earl Huxley, her father’s closest aide, greeted her.

Wearing a green dress that matched her red hair, she seemed eager to ask more about the wedding.

“Lady Vivian.”

The grand hall soon filled with high-ranking nobles. The jewels on the magnificent chandeliers shone brightly in the sunlight.

Then, the sound of trumpets echoed. Rohana, feeling excited, rose from her seat and moved to the grand hall to greet the guests.

“His Majesty is not feeling well today, so he won’t be coming out.”

Jody whispered. Constance Rentworth, the first emperor of the empire and Bardi’s grandfather, had been bedridden for several months with worsening health. The wedding was being expedited because of this.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is arriving.”

As the servants blew their trumpets, all the marquises, earls, and nobles of the court bowed their heads.

Rohana also bowed her head, watching Bardi’s footsteps as he entered the banquet hall.

But something was strange. Next to the familiar sight of his footsteps, there was a pale blue dress hem.

‘A dress?’

As Rohana lifted her head after exchanging pleasantries, a woman appeared in her line of sight, almost like a dream. She was so small that she had initially been hidden behind him.

A petite woman with golden hair and golden eyes stood next to Bardi, her face showing a hint of nervousness.

Her shimmering golden hair flowed down to her waist, and her rose-red cheeks were blushing. Despite her shy and awkward demeanor, her golden eyes sparkled with confidence and showed no signs of weariness.

Her bright and lively appearance seemed entirely out of place for someone coming from the eastern lands, where the ominous and malevolent Kark tribe resided.

“Rohana.”

Bardi’s voice sounded slightly dreamlike. Rohana slowly turned her gaze towards Bardi.

“Greetings.”

The golden woman, Aurelia.

“Aurelia.”