Unlike the wedding, the reception was prepared with great care. Contrary to expectations that the reception would be over in an instant, Mathias put considerable effort into it. The reason soon became clear.

“There’s nothing quite like standing in front of people to remind someone of their place. I think it’s good for you to regularly reflect on your situation.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”

Leticia now behaved obediently. However, this didn’t mean Mathias was pleased with her demeanor. He was well aware that beneath Leticia’s submissive appearance lay hatred directed toward him.

Instead, Mathias tested how far Leticia’s compliance could go. The method was simple. Among the things he possessed, the most valuable was the crown princess, Milona, who had once been friends with Leticia.

The fact that two people who were once friends had ended up with such drastically different fates made for an excellent topic of gossip among the aristocracy.

“Milona, I’ll leave first.”

“Don’t worry and go ahead. Leave this place to me.”

Leticia and Milona’s lives were like a strange decalcomania. Noble bloodlines, top students at Damian Academy, and the sole heirs of their families—everything about them had once been similar.

But now, Milona had become the crown princess thanks to the Marquis of Holdein’s foresight, while Leticia, due to her family’s downfall, had become a plaything for the prince.

In any case, their friendship had ended long before Milona, in her lofty position by her husband’s side, watched Leticia’s downfall with an air of detachment.

Milona had blue hair and blue eyes, reminiscent of a massive iceberg floating in the middle of the cold North Sea.

Mathias had organized the reception for Callius and Leticia and left early to greet the guests. On this particular day, Milona was tasked with watching over Leticia. Perhaps Mathias thought that, given the occasion, he couldn’t risk embarrassing himself in front of the nobles by leaving Leticia with mere servants, so he entrusted her to Milona instead.

“If you stay quiet like this, a day will come when all of this will seem like a thing of the past.”

It had been weeks since Leticia had been confined to the prince’s palace. However, this was her first conversation with Milona since the day, three years ago, when Milona left Damian Academy to become the crown princess.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Milona glanced at Leticia with her cold eyes, as if Leticia’s voice grated on her.

“If it weren’t for Mathias, you’d already be dead. Shouldn’t you feel grateful by now?”

Milona’s voice was no different from their days at Damian. It was the voice of someone who had never bowed her head to anyone, filled with arrogance.

For that reason, Leticia had never understood why Milona wanted to become the crown princess. The position of crown princess was glamorous only on the surface; in reality, it was like a piece of junk no one else wanted. As long as Mathias was the prince, it would remain that way.

Milona knew this, yet she sacrificed her nobility for something so fragile, simply because it was her father’s will. She chose to follow her father’s wishes, severing ties with Leticia in the process. It was as if she couldn’t remain friends with Leticia, who didn’t respect her decision.

Leticia had respected Milona’s choice, but that didn’t mean she hated her.

Milona furrowed her brows, as if deeply insulted by Leticia’s silence.

“Rearbon’s downfall is all because of your commoner brother. Why are you angry with me, Leticia?”

At first glance, it seemed as though Milona was trying to console Leticia. But Leticia increasingly found it difficult to understand what Milona was trying to say.

It was a well-known fact that Mathias was behind Rearbon’s downfall. Of course, Leticia’s stepmother, Isabella, and her stepson, Cedric Hentke, played a significant role. Rearbon had fallen into ruin because of the massive debts Cedric incurred.

Mathias had made this possible. Without him, what noble family would have lent such a large sum of money to a commoner who had only joined the aristocracy through his mother’s remarriage?

Paradoxically, Cedric’s actions couldn’t have been carried out without Leticia’s father’s approval. Especially when he wagered his title, Mathias had meticulously prepared authorized documents to ensure there would be no issues later.

Mathias had skillfully involved the Duke of Rearbon in his plans. If Mathias wasn’t responsible for Leticia’s father losing his title and wealth and subsequently taking his own life, then who was?

So yes, Mathias was indeed the one who brought about Rearbon’s downfall.

Yet Milona looked at Leticia with a face full of unjustified grievance, as if accusing her of blaming the wrong person.

“I’m not angry with Your Highness.”

“……”

Leticia understood that Milona had her own circumstances and position. Milona had chosen to sacrifice herself for the Marquis of Holdein, and she didn’t need Leticia’s understanding for that decision.

For that reason, Leticia thought Milona’s actions were inevitable. But she hadn’t expected Milona to look at her with the same disdainful eyes as Mathias.

Milona didn’t seem convinced by Leticia’s response. Her expression suggested disbelief.

“I truly understand Your Highness’s intentions.”

‘We are no longer friends.’

“Please don’t concern yourself further.”

Leticia’s words were meant to assure Milona that she wouldn’t seek her help.

“……”

Milona didn’t respond for a moment. Her expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of emotion. Having heard what she wanted, she seemed uninterested in continuing the conversation.

“If that’s what you think, I won’t say more. And Leticia.”

At the cusp of autumn, Milona’s eyes glowed with an even sharper light. Leticia quietly met her gaze, as Milona commanded. The innocent look they once shared was long gone.

“Smile. It’s your reception too, after all. Right now, you look like an animal being dragged to the slaughterhouse.”

“……”

Milona, in her lofty crown princess demeanor, ordered her.

“Your Highness, it’s time for you to head to Le Deia Hall.”

Two maids belatedly approached and informed Milona.

Le Deia Hall, where the reception was being held, would now be filled with predators waiting for their prey. And the prey, of course, was Leticia.

After steeling herself, Leticia stepped out of the carriage.

However, the situation she encountered was entirely unexpected.

“Aaah!”

A piercing scream rang out.

The attention that should have been directed at Leticia instead shifted elsewhere. Standing there was her now-husband, Callius Maxis, with a limp body slung over his shoulder. The person looked dead.

Callius threw the body into the center of the hall. It was a treatment befitting an animal. Shortly after, the man sprawled on the floor coughed and gasped for air.

“He’s… alive!”

Someone exclaimed.

But no one dared to step forward. Callius Maxis, who had been dominating the room with his menacing gaze, finally spoke.

“I’ve captured an assassin who infiltrated the prince’s palace, Your Highness.”

His demeanor was as unwavering as when he pledged loyalty to the emperor.

Mathias, who appeared late after pushing through the crowd, alternated between looking at Callius and the assassin before smirking.

“Well, well. I owe you a great debt.”

“I only did what was expected of me.”

At that moment, Leticia found Mathias’s reaction strange. He wasn’t the type to remain calm after hearing that an assassin had infiltrated his palace. Normally, he would have grabbed his guards by the collar, demanding to know how this could have happened.

But instead of grabbing Sir Ivan Chester by the collar, Mathias simply smiled nonchalantly.

“Without you, Marquis Maxis, things could have gone terribly wrong.”

“An assassin in the palace… Who could have sent them?”

While Leticia, like everyone else, was consumed with curiosity, Callius wiped the blood off his chin with the back of his hand. His fierce gaze then landed on Leticia.

At that moment, the term “the emperor’s hunting dog” came to her mind. A smart hunting dog that knew its prey and brought it back in advance.

Indeed, his blood-soaked appearance was that of a hunting dog.

Leticia steeled herself and approached him. The metallic scent of blood grew stronger as she got closer.

“You’re covered in blood.”

“It’s not my blood.”

His response was chilling. But Leticia remained as calm as possible.

“Let’s say it is your blood. That way, we can use it as an excuse to leave this place for treatment.”

“……”

Callius stared at her for a long moment. Then, he let out a soft laugh, like air escaping a balloon.

“Leticia.”

Hearing him call her name still felt unfamiliar. Leticia feared what strange thing he might say next.

“It’s a relief that you’re smarter than I expected.”

Though it sounded more like an insult than a compliment, Leticia decided to take it as praise.