[Selina. At last, you’ve been entrusted with a truly important task.]

[To ally with Thalia, a nation that dared defy the Empire, is unthinkable. The Empire will claim Thalia. And to do so, we must eliminate Calix, their central figure. Killing him by ordinary means will be nearly impossible. That’s why you must go to Thalia and discover Calix’s weakness. It’s said that those who possess the power of the sun are bound to have a fatal flaw. Find it, and report back to me. Burn this letter once you’ve read it.]

Selina’s hand trembled violently as she clutched the letter.

She’d always known how much her father hated Thalia, but she never imagined that even after arranging the marriage he’d so desperately wanted, that hatred would still be burning.

‘So that’s what he meant when he said I’d passed the first trial…’

She had believed—hoped—that once she reached Thalia, all her fears would melt away. The constant dread of living at her father’s mercy, and the fragile hope she’d begun to feel seeing Calix’s changed demeanor…

But the moment she read the letter commanding her to find Calix’s weakness, all those hopes shattered.

[You’ll find the antidote included with this letter. I’ll send more every three months, so don’t even think about betraying me.]

Selina stared down at the tiny vial tucked inside the letter.

This was why she could never disobey the Marquis’s orders.

From childhood, she had been forced to ingest poison. At first, it seemed harmless enough, but it built up in her body over time. Without the antidote, which had to be taken at regular intervals, her entire body would turn black and she would die a gruesome death.

Her mother had had special abilities, and the Marquis had hoped that Selina would inherit them too. He had trained her with poison, intending to exploit her powers if they ever manifested. However, when Selina failed to demonstrate the same abilities, he simply regarded her as a disposable pawn.

‘Monstrous.’

But what was even more monstrous than her father’s cruelty was the fact that, even now, she needed the antidote to survive.

Selina poured the bitter liquid into her mouth. The acrid taste lingered, but it could never compare to the bitterness in her heart.

“If you’re finished here, shall we go change you into your ceremonial dress?”

Maya, completely unaware of the letter’s contents, guided Selina with a calm smile.

Once she’d finished getting ready in the dressing room, Selina forced herself to swallow her nausea as she made her way toward the banquet hall.

“Miss, are you all right? You look so pale…”

Maya asked anxiously, noticing how Selina kept stumbling as they walked down the corridor.

“My stomach’s a little upset.”

“Did you eat something bad?”

But there was no way she could explain it was because of the marquis’s letter. Instead, Selina simply pointed to the terrace.

“I’m just going to get some air before I go in.”

“But—”

Maya looked worried, but her gaze kept darting back toward the banquet hall. It was clear she was anxious about being scolded if Selina was late.

“I’ll be there soon, don’t worry.”

“Then, I’ll wait by the door and go in with you.”

“No, Maya. Go ahead and tell them I’ll be a little late.”

Maya’s expression brightened a little, relieved at the suggestion.

“All right, then. If the marquis is there, I’ll let him know you’re not feeling well.”

“Thank you.”

With a quick, hurried step, Maya headed back to the hall. Selina watched her go before turning to the terrace herself.

‘I can’t face them yet…’

Inside the banquet hall, not only the marquis and Iden, but Calix as well, would be waiting.

‘Calix.’

For a moment, the image of his golden hair, glowing in the sunlight, flashed through her mind—immediately followed by the contents of the letter: Find Calix’s weakness.

‘If I can’t find it… does that mean I’ll die?’

Her father had promised to send the antidote once every three months. Even he, with all his impatience, couldn’t expect results in just three months… could he?

‘So he wants to see how hard I’ll work to find Calix’s weakness.’

Selina realized her father would undoubtedly send someone to watch her once she left for Thalia. Even there, she’d never be free of his surveillance.

‘Was it a mistake to go to Caiyx last night?’

Trying to persuade him hadn’t just put herself at risk—it had endangered Calix, too.

Her unsettled stomach now felt as if it had seized up completely. She needed somewhere—anywhere—to breathe.

Reaching the terrace, Selina pushed the door open. She had expected it to be empty, thinking everyone else would be inside the banquet hall at this hour. But—

“…Oh?”

Someone else was already there.

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

At the same time Selina was excusing herself to change, Calix was enduring the imperial princess’s ceaseless chatter.

“The Grand Duke must be terribly disappointed. Perhaps that’s why he almost refused to appear at today’s ceremony?”

The princess prattled, her tone falsely sweet.

Calix listened, thinking he’d rather listen to crows cawing than to her voice.

“If this marriage makes you uncomfortable, I can speak to my father. He’s always happy to grant my requests.”

As if the Emperor of the Empire would overturn a political marriage on his daughter’s whim. If he did, he’d have no business ruling a country.

Suppressing a sigh, Calix replied with a polite, insincere smile,

“An interesting idea. I, too, would be curious to see how His Majesty might react.”

“So you feel the same way, then? Shall I go speak to him right away—”

“But that really won’t be necessary. My goal is the harmony of our two nations, not to trouble His Majesty. There’s no need to add to his burdens.”

“But… My father…”

“His Majesty is the center of the Empire. I’m sure he’s quite busy. Let’s not tire him out with unnecessary discussions. If you’ll excuse me…”

With that, Calix excused himself with practiced politeness, making it clear he wanted no further conversation. He left the princess behind and, together with his longtime friend and guard, Zenfri, exited the hall, loosening his tightly knotted tie as they went.

Every moment in the Empire felt even more suffocating than walking a battlefield.

“Are you all right, Your Grace?”

Noticing his mood, Zenfri fell in beside him and asked quietly.

“I’m more tired than I expected.”

“At this rate, we might leave without learning anything useful.”

“Still, I’ve gained a little.”

Calix replied, giving a slight shrug. He began to list what he’d gathered from his brief conversation with the emperor.

“It seems the Empire doesn’t want another war for now. But refusing to send the princess means they still haven’t given up their ambitions of swallowing Thalia whole.”

“And yet they still treat Your Grace with such strict courtesy?”

Zenfri looked curious. Calix just shrugged again.

“I suppose I must frighten them a bit.”

Zenfri nodded as if this was only natural.

“Of course. The Empire’s lost to you more than once. You must be a real thorn in their side, and yet, they haven’t managed to get rid of you.”

He emphasized the phrase ‘thorn in their side’ as he continued.

“Poison didn’t work, bribery didn’t work, even sending their best assassins failed. Now that they realize they can’t kill you so easily, all they can do is form an alliance.”

“Let’s hope that isn’t how you really feel.”

“Whoops. Nearly let that slip…”

Calix shook his head and continued walking. Even now, he was running calculations in his mind: how much peace could he secure by marrying the Marquis’s daughter? Six months? It would be nice to get at least a year.

But it was hard to predict anything. She was a wild card.

“That Lady Selina… She doesn’t seem to know much about the Empire, let alone able to offer any useful information.”

Zenfri shared the same concern that had been troubling Calix.

“She always claimed to be unwell, but I suppose she was simply treated like a fragile ornament. It’s insulting to offer a noblewoman who’s never attended a single social event, isn’t it?”

Calix hadn’t said so aloud, but he’d been thinking much the same thing. In fact, he’d taken it a step further.

‘Maybe the rumors that the marquis cherished his daughter were lies, too. Did the Empire send someone they considered expendable—or is there some deeper plot at play?’

‘If the marquis really did send me a throwaway pawn, he’ll come to regret it.’

No matter what happened, Calix couldn’t allow himself to come out of this at a loss. He was determined to find a use, no matter how insignificant the piece they’d handed him.

‘Selina Ilios Axell.’

He found himself picturing her—how she’d pressed a blade to his throat, the way her violet eyes brimmed with tears.

Just the memory of those eyes, shining with unshed tears, felt like a sharp needle pricking at his heart.

“Of course, Your Grace must have a plan. I’ll go finish getting ready to leave.”

As Zenfri disappeared, Calix headed for the terrace himself. Out in the open air, he lit a cigar. As he drew in a deep breath, it was as if some of his tangled, uneasy feelings faded away with the smoke.

Right now, Thalia couldn’t afford to worry about anyone else. So Calix told himself he had no reason to worry about Selina, either.

But just then—

“…Oh?”

Someone stepped into his space.

He turned to find an unexpected guest, her expression uncertain and troubled.

Calix exhaled a slow, heavy cloud of smoke.