The captain’s gloomy expression finally brightened. Now that the responsibility had fallen on Hinael, he was completely free of any accusations.

Even if things went wrong, Hinael would have to bear the brunt of it.

She was also greatly afraid, unable to gauge just how far the Prince’s fury might reach. Her desperate efforts to avoid being killed might just end up causing the worst outcome.

She might even lose her life at the Prince’s hands tomorrow.

The eerie moonlight seeping through the path was truly unsettling.

* * *

Back in her quarters, Hinael took off her robe and locked the door.

She had succeeded in obtaining the almoner, but the risk was too great, and her whole body was trembling. She couldn’t even count how many times she had looked back on her way here.

She felt as if Prince Viant would come chasing after her and snatch her by the nape.

“Phew… Now that I’ve cleared one hurdle, let’s think about how to persuade him tomorrow.”

She hid the almoner under her pillow and changed into fresh clothes.

Slipping into a long negligee that fell to her ankles, she snuggled into the comfortable bedding.

The intense tension that had knotted her shoulders was only now starting to ache.

Hinael gently massaged her stiff shoulders a few times, then took out the almoner to examine it closely.

“It’s truly radiant.”

The surface of the pouch was exquisitely embroidered with the image of a goddess, and violet gems were set in the eyes, sparkling. Even with her limited knowledge of jewelry, it was evident that a skilled artisan had put in great effort.

“What story could be behind this, that she searched for it so desperately?”

Wanting to inspect it more closely, she went to the table and lit a candle. Shifting the almoner under the dim light, the faceted gems scattered beams of light in various directions.

“Can I sway the Prince’s heart? If I clumsily try to bargain, will I just end up angering him further?”

The ‘War Devil’… How many lives must be taken on the battlefield to earn such a nickname.

He might have a demonic and cruel nature. She pictured the Prince, drunk on red blood, rampaging in a terrifying frenzy.

In her previous life, she had seen him just once at the banquet. He’s remarkably handsome, but the aura he exuded was so chilling that she couldn’t feel any fondness for him.

Hinael shuddered, rubbing her goosebump-covered arms.

“I’ll have to tread every word carefully, so as not to provoke him.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

She was so startled that the scream got stuck in her throat and couldn’t come out.

How did he get in, didn’t she lock the door?

Moreover, she hadn’t even sensed his presence.

Hinael’s gaze shifted to the window. The glass door leading to the balcony was open, and the curtains were fluttering in the night breeze.

“But I didn’t hear a single sound…”

“Hiding one’s presence is child’s play.”

“Who… are you?”

She asked, though she already knew.

The situation was so surreal that she couldn’t help but ask. Hearing his voice again and seeing his face up close might bring back a sense of reality.

A faint anger surfaced on his otherwise expressionless face. He was someone who could skillfully handle the fear of an imminent outburst, rather than a raging fury.

Lutz slowly stepped forward. It was hard to believe that such a towering man could move so silently.

“Lutz Viant. The Second Prince of the Trycas Empire.”

“T-Tomorrow…”

“Meeting you tomorrow? You dare give orders to someone, without fear.”

Tilting her head back, she could barely see his dark eyes. As he approached, towering over her, her breath caught in her throat.

His shoulders, arms, and broad chest loomed like an imposing mountain range, instantly overwhelming her.

Hinael instinctively stepped back, only to trip over a chair, losing her balance.

“Ah!”

Flustered by his sudden intrusion, her mind became disoriented, and she thoughtlessly tried to put weight on her twisted ankle.

As a result, she swayed even more while trying to stand up.

She managed to grab the table and get up, and he let out a faint chuckle.

“So this is the great woman I’ve heard about? What a pathetic display of courage. I’m disappointed.”

His massive body loomed over her like a roof. Quickly closing the distance, he blocked any escape route with his presence.

Though she couldn’t make out his expression, the solid lines of his physique were vividly apparent. Her heart plummeted, then erratically shot up.

Hinael pushed against the chest that filled her vision.

“P-Please, s-stand back and speak.”

Unknowingly gripped by fear, she stumbled over her words, then painfully bit the inside of her mouth.

Fortunately, it seemed he was quite accustomed to seeing such meager courage in others. A muffled snort was heard in the silence.

Hinael pretended to be mad and shoved the almoner into her negligee. Then, with a death-defying resolve, she blurted out.

“If you grant my request, I will return the item you’ve lost!”

Cornered, her earlier resolve not to provoke him had vanished without a trace.

The eyes like the night sky gleamed intensely.

Lutz’s face was one of impatience, as if he wanted to tear off her clothes right then. But since she was a royal, he refrained from laying his hands on her body.

She slipped the almoner into the folds of her negligee, tucking it securely between her arm and body. It was a rather unsightly and absurd act, but she couldn’t think of a more dignified way.

She carefully freed herself from Lutz, who was about to pounce on her. She crouched down and slipped past him, avoiding the cage of his body.

In that fleeting moment, a menacing hiss of breath came from beside her, but she didn’t miss the chance to slip through the opening.

Having safely escaped, Hinael stood a few steps away, fidgeting with her hands.

“Please, have a seat first.”

In her heart, she wanted to scream for the palace servants. But there was no way anyone would drag the crown prince of the empire away unless they had two lives.

“Enough of this nonsense.”

It might be just her imagination, but he seemed to be panting. She couldn’t clearly make out his complexion, but it appeared somewhat pale.

An ominous aura, as if emanating black smoke from the darkness, was seeping out from him, who was barely restraining his anger.

Hinael cautiously observed the situation and tried again.

“I have something to discuss with you, so please sit and listen carefully.”

Lutz sat down in the chair, still catching his breath from the run.

He irritably pressed his temples and growled through gritted teeth.

“This is the last time I’ll show any courtesy.”

The low, raspy voice sounded like it was scraping his throat. It felt as if a mere poke would ignite him into an indiscriminate firestorm attack.

Faced with his formidable presence, Hinael was drenched in cold sweat.

He arrogantly gestured with his chin, as if to say he had no intention of treating her like a princess.

“What is your request?”

“I’ve heard that one of the Sarr Kingdom’s princesses will be marrying you this time.”

“Are you saying you want to become my wife?”

“…Yes.”

She expected him to ask for a reason, but Lutz seemed to have a thorough grasp of the Sarr Kingdom’s court situation and rattled it off.

“Your quarters are far too humble and shabby to be called a princess’s residence. And your mother was a maid, isn’t that right? Your status is even lower than that of a noblewoman who entered the palace as a lady-in-waiting… I suppose you must be eager to leave the palace.”

“…”

“But how different is Trycas? Yes, I could perhaps generously grant you the title of Imperial Princess. But it would just be a fancy name, without any real power, authority, or respect — and certainly not my attention.”

Hinael was now thoroughly confused. She didn’t think her life after being dragged into this unknown world would be a happy one.

But she couldn’t just sit idly and throw herself back into hell, either.

Suddenly, a surge of defiance welled up within her.

Everything was so unfair. How much contempt and persecution had she endured because of her lowly status?

Thinking back, tears welled up in her eyes.

With her eyes reddened, Hinael responded in a trembling voice.

“It would still be better than here.”

“I can’t promise that. You have no idea how I might treat you.”

“I will never make any unreasonable demands of Your Highness.”

“Of course not. But in Trycas, you’ll have to comply with my demands, such as bearing an heir, for example.”

He may not show any affection, but he intends to claim her body…

The blunt statement made her swallow hard.

She had memories of being with a man, but since the man had changed, her recollection seemed distorted. The mere thought of moaning beneath Lutz’s weight made her limbs tremble, and her heart raced.

Hinael averted her gaze from his persistent stare and continued.

“As a wife, I will dutifully fulfill my obligations.”

“I like your spirit.”

His sticky gaze lazily swept over Hinael.

As her shadow on the wall flickered with the dancing candle flames, Hinael realized her state of undress.

Lowering her eyes, she saw the sheer fabric revealing the contours of her body.

The curves and peaks of her br*asts, her slender waist and thighs — her silhouette was unabashedly exposed.

“Ah!”

Hinael hastily covered her chest. In the process, the almoner tucked between her arm and body slipped out and fell.

She was mortified, as if her very flesh had been bared, but even in this situation, her body moved instinctively to prevent the almoner from being taken.

She quickly bent down and snatched up the almoner.

But her relief was short-lived, as a brutish force descended upon her.

“Ugh!”

“Shh… We don’t want anyone to hear, do we?”