Chapter 1.2

‘What do I do now…?’  

The thought of her future suddenly felt overwhelming. Even though her mother had been more of a burden than a help, even though she hadn’t loved Andrea or even recognized her properly, she had still been Andrea’s only family in the world.  

Andrea walked aimlessly, her mind blank. She didn’t want to return to the now-empty house. Even though she knew she would have to go back eventually, she wandered through unfamiliar streets, circling and circling. Her vision blurred and cleared repeatedly.  

Right, left, right, left…  

As she walked wherever her feet took her, Andrea suddenly noticed how noisy her surroundings had become. When she looked up, she saw a large square filled with people.  

She had passed through this square many times as a child, but she had never seen such a large crowd gathered there before.  

‘What’s going on?’  

Andrea grabbed a passing newspaper boy and asked,  

“Hey, who’s here? Why is it so crowded?”  

“The Crown Prince has arrived! Everyone’s been talking about it for days.”  

Had they? 

Andrea wouldn’t have known. For the past few weeks, her mind had been entirely occupied with Nina.  

But Andrea did know a little about the Crown Prince, who had recently come of age. He was a man who had been adored by the citizens of the Empire since the moment he was born. Every move he made was reported in the news, and every portrait of him that was released drew immense attention.  

After a brief moment of hesitation, Andrea pushed her way into the crowd. Since she wasn’t planning to go home anyway, she thought it wouldn’t hurt to spend some time here.  

The closer she got to the platform, the clearer the once-faint voice became. The soft and gentle voice, like milk mixed with honey, made Andrea’s eyes widen.  

“Many have lost someone dear to them to the plague. I, too, recently lost my Master, so I can somewhat understand that sense of loss. This is a harsh time for everyone.”  

Andrea struggled through the crowd, pushing past large men to move forward. Finally, her view opened up, and the figure on the platform came into focus.  

Ah.  

At that moment, Andrea was struck by a shock so intense it felt like her head was ringing.  

The man standing on the platform was the most handsome person she had ever seen. No, even if she added together everything beautiful she had ever seen in her life, he would surpass it all.  

His slightly curly golden hair swayed gently in the breeze, as if it were bathed in light. His skin was white and smooth, and his eyes sparkled like gemstones.  

Perfection. Completeness. Flawlessness.  

Though these words might seem excessive when describing a human being, they were the only impressions that came to Andrea’s mind at that moment.  

“But no matter how long the night may seem, the morning will surely come. I believe this trial will also come to an end. No, I know it will.”  

He exuded a calm confidence, unfazed by the crowd gathered to see him. His posture was impeccable, his gestures were measured, and his smile was kind. His voice was low but powerful.  

It was a grace Andrea had never seen in anyone she knew.  

The vulgar curses and shrill screams she heard daily through the walls, the fierce arguments over petty sums of money, Nina’s desperate shrieks—all of these were the kinds of words Andrea was familiar with.  

Loyalty, justice, honor, glory…  

The refined words flowing from Michael’s lips made Andrea’s heart race. Though she could barely read, and couldn’t fully grasp their meanings, she felt an inexplicable surge of emotion, her chest tightening with an unfamiliar feeling.  

When the short speech ended, Michael smiled gently at the crowd cheering for him. Speeches by high-ranking figures were usually tediously long, but this one was an exception. Andrea found herself wishing it had lasted longer.  

‘The next speech will probably be years from now… Moments like this are rare.’  

Andrea etched every one of Michael’s movements into her memory. He waved lightly, then scratched his nose shyly, as if embarrassed. He pressed one ear gently, as if the cheers were deafening, then released it. It was a boyish and refreshing sight.  

When Michael stepped down from the platform, he was surrounded by knights who escorted him protectively. Andrea sighed softly, disappointed that she could no longer see him. Michael slowly crossed the square, flanked by his guards.  

And then,  

“Wait.”  

At Michael’s single word, the knights, who had been walking in measured steps, came to an abrupt halt. The crowd, which had been moving aside to make way for him, also stopped momentarily.  

Step, step.  

Michael’s footsteps headed toward Andrea.  

Unbelievably, he stopped right in front of her. Andrea looked up at the man before her, her eyes wide and dazed.  

“Why are you crying like that?”  

“……”  

“Hmm?”  

His gentle voice, asking again, startled Andrea. She blinked in surprise, her eyes widening.  

Only then did she understand his question and raised her hand to her cheek.  

‘Was I… crying?’  

Her dry palm came away damp. Only then did Andrea realize she had been crying all along. Her frozen cheeks began to sting.  

Michael, watching her silently, narrowed his eyes slightly.  

“It’s okay to cry on sad days, but the air is cold today. Your wet cheeks will sting.”  

Swish.  

Andrea stared blankly at the pristine white handkerchief held out to her. It was neatly folded, with the Imperial Family’s emblem, a lily, embroidered in gold thread on the corner.  

“Wipe your face with this.”  

As if urging her to take it, he extended the handkerchief a little further. Andrea, her hands trembling, reached out and carefully accepted it. The soft fabric brushed against her delicate fingers.  

Only then did Michael smile, his lips curving gently. In a kind voice, he spoke as if soothing a child.  

“Go somewhere warm now, okay?”  

“…Yes.”  

“Good girl.”  

Tap.  

Michael lightly placed his hand on Andrea’s head before pulling it back. That light touch made Andrea’s heart drop to her feet.  

The clean scent of soap, the curve of his smiling eyes, his white, even teeth, the soft handkerchief…  

At that moment, Andrea had a faint premonition.  

She would live a very long time, cherishing this moment in her memory.  

***

“Here’s your pay for today.”  

“Thank you.”  

“Come in an hour earlier tomorrow. Can you manage that?”  

“Yes, of course.”  

Andrea stepped out of the restaurant kitchen and glanced into her pocket. The money she had earned washing dishes all day wasn’t much, but it was enough to fill her stomach.  

It was cruel to say, but Nina’s death had made Andrea’s life a little easier. Without being tied to the house, she could take on more work, and her nights were more restful. The small scratches on her arms from Nina’s nails had healed, leaving new, pale skin.  

But why was it that she felt so little? Andrea wandered aimlessly around the neighborhood until the sky grew dark before finally heading home. Returning to an empty house was unbearably lonely.  

Today was no different from any other day—until she reached the entrance of the last alleyway leading to her house.  

‘Hmm?’  

Andrea’s gaze fell on the polished tip of a leather shoe. Though she didn’t know much about fashion or trends, she could tell that these shoes didn’t belong in such a worn-down, impoverished neighborhood.  

‘Did he lose his way?’  

Andrea raised her head and met the man’s eyes. His neatly combed gray hair and sharp, intelligent features gave him an air of authority. His stiff trousers without a single wrinkle, his perfectly fitted vest and jacket, and the silver chain connecting his monocle—all of it was of the highest quality.  

She swore she had never seen this man before. Yet, instinctively, Andrea knew who he was. His piercing blue eyes, shining even in the dim alley, were identical to her own.  

After scrutinizing Andrea’s face for a long moment, the man finally spoke.  

“What is your name?”  

“……”  

“Your name.”  

There was an undeniable authority in his voice. After hesitating briefly, Andrea answered in a small voice,  

“Andrea.”  

“Your surname?”  

“Hans.”  

The man nodded briefly, lifting his chin slightly as he spoke.  

“Other than your eyes, you look exactly like your mother. You’re fortunate. She was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”  

A surge of emotion, hot like molten lava, welled up within Andrea. He seemed to already know about Nina’s death. The fact that he knew something only a few neighbors might have mentioned meant he must have been watching them all along.  

Fifteen years—no, sixteen years. That was how long Nina had waited for him. If only he had come a month earlier, paid for medicine that would have been pocket change to him…  

Her mind filled with regrets over things that were now too late to change. If he hadn’t appeared at all, she wouldn’t even be having such thoughts. This man, who claimed to be her father, was cruel to the very end. Andrea bit her lip and looked him straight in the eye.  

“Do you know who I am?”