Chapter 3

Her rosy cheeks, once flushed with the warmth of autumn sunshine, had grown cold. Yet, the only change was in the color of her cheeks.

Crown Prince Bardi Rentworth felt a sense of pride, as if he were looking at an army of ten thousand strong, when he saw Aurelia unperturbed by his presence.

Only then, upon seeing his eyes, did the harsh reality hit Rohana like shards of ice down her spine. Those eyes were no longer the same ones that used to look at her.

Nevertheless, Rohana continued speaking without wavering, so much so that everyone marveled, saying she was indeed her father’s daughter.

Gracefully, calmly.

After greeting them, Rohana made her way to the duke’s mansion with footsteps she tried to slow down but that quickened nonetheless.

The grand imperial palace was unparalleled in history for its scale and magnificence, particularly its vastness. The closest nobles had their own quarters within it.

Though walking to the duke’s mansion was sometimes convenient, at times like this, it was very inconvenient.

Under the Crown Prince’s strict orders to create the most beautiful event, the marble floors gleamed like glass, and the interior adorned with various floral decorations was as splendid as if it were already the wedding day.

Despite this, Rohana did not forget to offer elegant nods and smiles to the nobles she encountered.

It was only upon reaching the duke’s mansion that her heart wavered.

Rohana turned around and walked away.

The study of the Duke of Hanover, the most prestigious and respected family in the empire, was larger than a library in the capital. Rohana entered after opening the heavy, broad door.

“What is it?”

The workroom inside the study, accessible only to the bloodline of the duke’s family, was where Duke Gregory Hanover sat at a marble desk larger than most beds, slightly leaning back.

“What did you find out?”

“It seems you already knew.”

Duke Gregory Hanover clicked his tongue at her calm voice.

“I knew there was such a woman.”

His cold violet eyes, the same as hers, glinted.

“I had investigated upon hearing rumors of a woman catching the eye of the Duke of Delcliff in Nopthal. They said she was a beauty, so I thought the duke might be using a fallen noble girl as a plaything, but it’s regrettable that things have come to this.”

Rohana gritted her teeth. The Duke of Nopthal. The story implied that the black sheep and Aurelia were already so well acquainted they were living together.

The duke raised an eyebrow, seemingly displeased with her expression.

“It seems you keep forgetting what you stand to lose, judging by that look.”

The duke’s gaze quickly shifted to a portrait hanging on the wall.

Brandt Hanover.

Rohana felt a chill seeing his gaze turn to her younger brother’s portrait, but she was accustomed to hiding her emotions.

“Brandt is no longer…”

“Yes, that half-wit wouldn’t be much of a match for me, would he?”

Rohana bit her lip.

“We were supposed to go hunting together this weekend.”

Seeing her furrowed brows, Gregory chuckled.

“He was eager to finally earn his father’s recognition for the first time in his life, yet you keep souring my mood.”

Rohana lowered her eyes and gritted her teeth. After a moment of silence, she added a word.

“It’s not over yet, so leave others out of this.”

Gregory’s eyes widened as he twisted his lips into a smile.

“Just get married.”

Their eyes met.

“If you become the empress, you wouldn’t have to endure this anymore, would you?”

His pale face turned calmly towards his daughter.

“Don’t hate someone you can’t defeat. It’s a waste of emotion.”

The sound of Rohana’s heels echoed sharply as she walked away in silence.

***

“Why a debutante ball when a royal wedding is scheduled?”

The head maid muttered reproachfully in a low voice.

Vivian’s debutante ball, which had been postponed in respect for proper etiquette, was suddenly scheduled for today, just a few days after Aurelia appeared at the imperial palace.

The debutante ball of Vivian Huxley, which was to be held after her marriage, was now set to coincide perfectly with her birthday.

“Such unnecessary concern.”

Rohana spoke indifferently.

Of course, Earl Huxley must have wanted to hasten the debutante ball somehow.

After all, how fortunate to seize the opportunity to host the first party with Aurelia Bree, presumed to be the Crown Prince’s woman, making her debut.

Given the anticipated grandeur of the debutante ball, he wouldn’t want to miss its potential popularity.

Indeed, the sound of carriages had been nonstop since dawn in front of the Huxley Pavilion, one of the palace’s annexes.

Everyone was relishing the misfortune of the once haughty Duke of Hanover’s family. Other people’s misfortunes were always the best appetizers.

“Why such a fuss over something so trivial?”

Marie, one of the maidservants, said curtly in place of Jody.

Jody, severely injured by Gregory’s brutality, hadn’t been able to return, saying she needed some rest. Remembering her hand, which had been covered in cuts, made Rohana’s head ache.

To calm her racing mind, Rohana took a deep breath in and out.

“We need to prepare.”

As Rohana lifted her cold, lowered eyes, her pale face stood out starkly against her overly red lips in the mirror.

‘How on earth did Aurelia end up in the East?’

Aurelia was the only daughter of the southern Viscount Bree. How could she have been in the East, and with Kaiden Delcliff, of all people?

‘And that the villain let Aurelia leave so easily?’

That was truly unbelievable. Just then, another maid entered, carrying a small box with a massive floral arrangement.

“Chocolate from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

It was from a small shop that Rohana liked. She gazed at them thoughtfully, recalling yesterday’s conversation. The Crown Prince had come to see her, opening with his usual dazzling smile.

“Rohana, nothing between us has changed.”

“What hasn’t changed?”

Rohana couldn’t understand why the Crown Prince, who had met his destined woman, hadn’t suggested breaking up.

“Aurelia is just a friend. That’s why she’ll debut in society with Silvius instead of me. We must avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, don’t you think?”

The protagonist of the original novel, whom she had known for 15 years, was not someone who would behave ambiguously. It seemed he genuinely considered Aurelia just a friend, at least for now.

By now, the maids had lined up beside her, each holding several dresses. All of them were luxurious and glamorous. Rohana chose a wine-colored dress that revealed her shoulders.

“How should we do your hair?”

Marie asked as she skillfully finished combing it.

She needed a new plan to avoid death. The soft combing made her ebony hair fall elegantly to her waist in waves.

“Make it glamorous.”

There was no need to appear as if she were tied to a leash.

***

Despite the pouring rain, the banquet hall was filled with people.

No one in the capital would miss the scene of Rohana and Aurelia meeting, so it wasn’t surprising.

Expensive, fragrant champagne glasses were quickly emptied. Then, murmuring began as everyone’s eyes turned to one side.

When Rohana turned her head, Aurelia was entering the banquet hall. As Bardi had mentioned, she was accompanied by Silvius, the heir to Count Boudier, the Crown Prince’s close friend.

Aurelia, now dressed in a splendid ivory lace dress in line with the palace fashion, had her golden hair flowing down.

It was then. For a moment, the eyes of the two women met. Her golden eyes glinted like a cat’s. Aurelia approached with a bright smile, as if meeting an old friend, and greeted her.

“Hello, Lady Rohana. It’s truly an honor to meet you again.”

“You’re too kind.”

With everyone’s eyes on them, Rohana calmly smiled.

She wanted to avoid a lengthy conversation, so she turned her body away after a short while.

“Lady Rohana.”

Aurelia, however, had no intention of letting her go so easily. She approached with a bashful smile, her face slightly flushed from the wine.

“His Highness has told me a lot about you. Just as he said, you’re truly magnificent. So tall and elegant.”

Aurelia spoke like she was singing, her golden hair swaying.

“Yes, thank you.”

“I heard you’re His Highness’s one and only childhood friend and betrothed, like an older sister.”

Rohana silently read between the lines as she stared into Aurelia’s golden eyes.

“I thought His Highness would escort you.”

Rohana said slowly. Aurelia’s face showed a slight crack as if Rohana had hit a nerve.

“Perhaps he was worried about unnecessary misunderstandings.”

It felt necessary to say it like that. Though she believed she had no personal animosity, seeing Aurelia’s innocent face instinctively angered her.

Bardi Rentworth was a good person. The past 15 years had been good.

Facing her now, despite knowing the original story, imagining for a moment that she’d be fine, the reality made her face burn with embarrassment. It was regrettable things had turned out this way.

And then, a sharp, icy pain pierced her chest. Rohana shook her head as if trying to dispel her emotions.

Let’s go somewhere else.

She was about to turn away when something stopped her. Suddenly, Aurelia grabbed Rohana’s hand. Her hand was chillingly cold and small.

“My Lady, can we go up there?”

Her eyes were directed at the spiral staircase. The hall had stairs on both sides leading to the second floor, where a grand organ was placed under a magnificent chandelier.

“I’ve never seen such a grand and beautiful organ. Do you think I could ever hear it play?”

Rohana, half led, followed Aurelia up the stairs. Despite her small frame, she had considerable strength. It was relatively quiet around them now that they had left the crowd.

“If you stay in the palace, you’ll surely hear it.”

Rohana responded mechanically, her polite words lacking sincerity.

“Really? I’m so happy! Just as I heard, you’re very kind, Lady Rohana. May I go to the organ?”

Her face was so bright it almost made Rohana feel guilty for her cold demeanor.

When Rohana nodded, Aurelia quickly trotted up the stairs towards the organ.

Her small hand gently touched the instrument. Decorated intricately with gold, the organ gleamed like a jewel under the bright chandelier light.

Then, it happened.

Creeeeak.

A chilling metallic sound came from above her head.