Chapter 1 – Pressure (Part 3)

It was Elysia’s 12th birthday. Her parents, sister, and the servants all gathered to celebrate. After the birthday song ended, she was about to blow out the candles, pondering what wish to make, when she took a breath.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly, everything went pitch black, and the scene before her eyes changed to an unfamiliar place. People were gathered in groups along a riverside illuminated by streetlights. She was there, stumbling drunkenly. The unpleasant screech of tires skidding filled the air, followed by screams. And then, a heavy impact hit her head.

Instinctively, she realized it was the last moment of her past life.

Along with the memory of her death, she recalled what happened right after she closed her eyes for the last time. Was it a god or a demon? She didn’t know, but in a bright halo of light, someone spoke to her, offering her a chance.

<< You lived diligently. Oh dear… But to meet such an unfortunate death, you deserve compensation in your new life. With a little effort, you could become a wealthy magnate or the greatest scholar. You could even marry an Emperor, succeed him, and have your children follow. Of course, it won’t just happen; you’ll need to work hard like you did before you died. How about it? >>

Elysia cried out in dismay.

“Do I have to go through all that hardship again? I’m tired of effort!”

She wasn’t wishing for something grand like becoming an Emperor’s wife or a magnate. The reason she had worked so hard before dying was simply to live a slightly more comfortable and less arduous life than she had.

“No way. I worked myself to the bone like a slave and died on my one day off, and now you’re telling me to live diligently again? I have no ambition for a grand life. If I were to be reborn, I’d want to live peacefully, playing and relaxing in a moderately affluent environment without drawing attention.”

<< Hmm… Really? Looking at your destined fate, you seem to have a knack for work and a diligent personality. A person’s fate or personality doesn’t change easily. >>

“No, I can do it. I’ll do my best to live a laid-back life!”

<< Doing your best to live a laid-back life… It sounds contradictory, but alright. I’ll arrange it as you wish. A household that’s decent but not too conspicuous, where you can live moderately well. Let’s see if things go according to your plan. >>

“Wait a minute, when I’m reborn, I won’t lose all these memories, right? If I can’t remember, I might end up working hard again without realizing it.”

<< …When the time is right, I’ll make sure you remember this conversation and even your past life. >>

The light grumbled as it gradually faded, remarking that while it had encountered people who wanted to remember their past lives for revenge or success, Elysia was the first to request it to live lazily.

“…lisha… Elysia!”

12-year-old Elysia blinked at the voice calling her. The candles on the cake in front of her had almost melted away, and her family, watching her standing there blankly, looked slightly concerned.

“Elysia, why are you just standing there? Blow out the candles.”

‘Ah… right, the candles.’

On her 12th birthday, Elysia suddenly recalled the last moments of her past life and the conversation with the mysterious entity that followed. She blew out the candles in a daze, not fully awake from what felt like a memory or a dream.

Because of this memory, Elysia’s future aspirations changed significantly.

***

Recalling that memory inside the swaying carriage, Elysia regretted her actions back then.

‘Before blowing out the candles, I should have wished once more for a comfortable, lazy, and peaceful life… I was so flustered, I just blew them out. Is that why I’m in this situation now?’

Before Elysia could further contemplate her current life, the carriage arrived at the royal palace.

The dazzling sight of the palace, illuminated with countless lights for the occasion, and the long line of carriages, along with the nobles stepping out, dressed to the nines, made Elysia feel overwhelmed already.

“Stand up straight and walk confidently. You look quite presentable yourself.”

“I wish I didn’t stand out, Mother.”

At her mother’s sharp gaze, Elysia sighed and straightened her posture. She needed to survive this daunting place and return home safely.

***

By the time the Serenze family’s carriage reached the designated spot, the evening sun had already set. They had to wait for the nobles in the carriages ahead to disembark one by one, and since many had arrived around the same time, it took a while to be guided into the ballroom.

Prompted by her parents, Elysia entered the grand ballroom. Even someone like Elysia, who disliked balls, couldn’t help but be impressed by the sight.

The grand ballroom, nicknamed the ‘Glass Palace,’ symbolized Brunchia’s national power and the royal family’s wealth.

Built with high arch frames and a glass ceiling, sunlight streamed in during the day, and starlight poured in at night. The current ballroom was particularly enchanting, with light refracting off dozens of chandeliers made from luminous stones enhanced by alchemy, gold, and meticulously cut jewels. The ballroom was already bustling with people.

“Because you dawdled, aren’t we late? We should have arrived earlier.”

“I preferred it when they announced each name upon entry. That’s how I fell for you at first sight.”

“Oh my, what are we doing reminiscing now? The royal family has already entered! This means Elysia has even less chance to be noticed.”

Lillian exclaimed, looking around the ballroom.

Elysia shuddered at her mother’s words. She detested unnecessary attention on herself.

In the early Spring Ball days, attendants recited the lengthy titles of noble families as they entered, and once the King entered, no one else could.

However, starting with the previous King, the practice of announcing lengthy titles was condensed, and the atmosphere of the ball became more relaxed, eliminating such entry procedures. As a result, it became difficult to know who entered the ballroom when, so nobles attending the ball would often familiarize themselves with portraits and information about families they were interested in beforehand.

Although the tradition of the King entering last remained, even that disappeared with the current King. The young King Clois, known for his practical and unconventional approach, either entered before the ball started or suddenly appeared midway, making it impossible to predict the King’s entry order.

‘Thank you, Your Majesty! Because you’re already here, I’ll attract less attention!’

Elysia suddenly felt a surge of loyalty toward the King of Brunchia.

The ball was a free-spirited event where nobles mingled casually and marriageable children freely sought partners, so neither the King nor the Queen sat on the podium but wandered around the ballroom greeting nobles.

With his dazzling golden hair and jewel-like blue eyes, King Clois de Brunchia drew attention wherever he stood. Beside him was Queen Agnes, of foreign origin. Following the King and Queen closely was Princess Karinsa, reputed as the kingdom’s most beautiful woman, with golden hair and blue eyes like the King. The jewel-like eyes of King Clois and Princess Karinsa were a characteristic of the royal bloodline.

King Clois and Queen Agnes had two children. However, the young Princess and Prince were likely in bed by now.

But even without the royal family, there was someone beside King Clois who drew even more attention at this moment.

That person was perhaps the true star of the ball, or the ultimate trophy everyone desired—Duke Cassius de Grendel. A descendant of the royal bloodline, his family was the only one outside the royal family to use the title ‘de.’ He was the young head of his family.

His black hair, reminiscent of a starless night sky, and sapphire-like blue eyes that darkened and lightened with the ballroom’s light, revealing his royal lineage, made him the fourth in line to the throne after the King’s two direct descendants and Princess Karinsa.

Not only was he acknowledged by even his rivals for his looks, but he was also a top graduate of the academy.

Most importantly, he was still an unmarried 27-year-old. It was said he hadn’t even had a single engagement proposal, making him the most sought-after figure at the ball.

‘There’s someone else dragged to the slaughterhouse like me.’

However, Elysia thought this as she observed the Duke standing beside the royal family, looking like a statue moved there for decoration without any will of his own.