Prologue

She was born for Tristan Hellis.

『The man Seia Aden falls in love with becomes the Emperor of the Hellis Empire.』

Even the Hellis family, who unified the four families of the continent into one empire, could not refuse the oracle of the Sun God.

Thus, from the moment she was born, Seia, the young lady of the Aden Duchy, was destined to be the woman of Tristan Hellis, the Crown Prince.

“When the princess turns 10, confine her in the tower of Aden and forbid any contact with men.”

This was to eliminate any possibility of Seia Aden falling in love with another man.

The Aden Duchy, which had practically lost the war, had no choice.

The vassals silently dragged the wailing, struggling young Seia to the tower of Aden. This was the second most intense memory of Seia’s childhood.

The most intense memory was when the 15-year-old crown prince sneaked into the tower of Aden.

***

Kyle Hellis did not like midnight strolls.

“Did you secure the rope properly?”

Tristan said in a nervous voice.

Without answering, Kyle began to climb the wall, pulling on the rope.

“I told you I would go first!”

Tristan’s voice echoed under the dark sky.

Kyle still did not answer. Although he was older, there was nothing to gain from defying the esteemed Crown Prince as a mere illegitimate child.

Crash…!

As soon as Tristan reached the top of the tower, he kicked the window, shattering it completely.

An unpredictable, self-centered young tyrant.

Kyle’s head already began to ache.

“Seia!”

Tristan called out excitedly as he jumped into the room. Kyle followed him in, gathering the rope.

The girl crouching by the bed did not scream despite the loud noise.

She simply hugged her body and lowered her head, without moving an inch.

‘She must be very scared.’

Kyle thought. The girl, huddled in the darkness, looked very small.

“Tribute, your future husband and master, the Crown Prince, is here.”

Tristan said. When Seia did not react, Tristan roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her.

It was at that moment.

Thud…!

Seia pushed Tristan and climbed on top of him. The sight of the girl with her long hair hanging down was eerie.

Seia brought a shard of broken glass she was holding to Tristan’s neck.

“I hate you.”

It was a small voice, but Kyle could clearly understand her words.

He almost stood there blankly, allowing the girl to kill the Crown Prince.

Kyle quickly approached them and subdued Seia.

Her palm was already covered in blood. She must have gripped the glass shard tightly without feeling the pain.

“Are you okay?”

Kyle asked unconsciously. At that moment, Seia and Kyle’s eyes met in the darkness.

“I’ve heard that the people of Aden are no different from beasts.”

Tristan said as he got up and tidied his disheveled hair.

“I didn’t expect even my fiancée to be like this.”

Kyle looked back at Tristan.

The Crown Prince was someone who could do anything if things didn’t go his way. Killing people was no big deal to him.

Yet, for some reason, Tristan was smiling as if he was pleased.

“I like it. I hate girls who pretend to be meek.”

At those words, Seia flinched and reacted. Kyle pressed her shoulder gently, as if to calm her.

“The Tribute is injured, so we should call a physician.”

Kyle said.

“That can wait. More importantly, is it true, Tribute, that you haven’t taken a single step outside this place in the past 5 years?”

Tristan asked, his eyes gleaming.

Seia slowly raised her head. Her hair flowed to the side, revealing her face.

Dreamy lavender-colored hair and golden eyes shining in the moonlight. Kyle held his breath.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Seia said in a voice devoid of any emotion.

Tristan patted her head as if she had done well.

“In that case, I, the Crown Prince of the Hellis Empire, will personally show my fiancée the outside world.”

Seia bit her lip quietly at Tristan’s condescending tone, as if he was bestowing a great favor.

Kyle could sense that she was hesitating.

As the Tribute of Aden, she hated the Crown Prince of the Hellis Empire, who had brought down her family, but as a young girl, she could not suppress her desire to see the outside world, which had been forbidden to her.

“…I will ensure you return to the castle safely after the outing.”

Kyle said, feeling sorry for her.

At those words, Seia slowly turned to look directly at him. Kyle nodded reassuringly.

Then Seia quietly took Tristan’s outstretched hand.

Tristan pulled Seia up and approached the door, casually kicking it open.

Then he began to pound on the door recklessly.

“I am the Crown Prince of the Hellis Empire. Open this door immediately!”

The knights on guard were startled and ran to Seia’s room.

When they opened the door, they found two grown boys standing in the secluded room where the Tribute was supposed to be sleeping alone. It was a terrifying moment for the knights.

A fully armed knight grabbed Tristan, who was about to force his way out.

“How dare you! A lowly Aden scum dares to touch the body of the Crown Prince!”

Tristan shouted, struggling, as Kyle slowly walked out from behind.

“This is the legitimate son of the Hellis Imperial Family, the Crown Prince Tristan Hellis, who bears the name of the almighty Sun God.”

Kyle said, holding out a golden badge that could prove his identity.

The knights stared blankly at the golden badge and the golden-haired Crown Prince, who shone brighter than gold.

Glowing green eyes. A radiant face as if surrounded by a halo. He was indeed the son of the Hellis Imperial Family, favored by the Sun God.

“I-I apologize, Your Highness.”

The knight, who seemed to be the highest-ranking, knelt, and all the knights behind him knelt in unison and bowed to him.

“Should I really kill them all?”

Tristan muttered nonchalantly, holding Seia’s hand.

“Y, Your Highness. But the Tribute…”

Tristan ignored them and walked past. The knights were at a loss, unable to stop the Crown Prince.

“His Highness has graciously allowed the Tribute to get some fresh air tonight.”

Kyle said, drawing all eyes to him.

Although he was much younger than them, the boy exuded an oddly noble aura.

“We will bring the Tribute back to the tower before midnight, so do not worry.”

The knights nodded, trusting the boy who gave off a reliable impression. Kyle handed over his badge as collateral.

“Keep this until we return.”

The knight commander looked down at the badge. The golden badge shone brightly even in the darkness.

[Kyle Hellis]

The knight commander immediately recognized the boy’s identity.

The illegitimate son of Emperor Catheon. The only illegitimate child of the Hellis Imperial Family with black hair.

“…But we cannot send Your Highness without any escort.”

“…….”

“We are merely……”

Kyle put a finger to his lips and whispered quietly.

“Follow us from behind without His Highness noticing.”

Having quickly sorted out the situation, Kyle hurried to catch up with Tristan and Seia, who were walking ahead.

“I am your master and savior. If you marry me, you will escape this miserable tower and become the Empress of the greatest Imperial Family on the continent.”

Tristan was trying to win Seia’s favor.

But Seia just quietly looked down at the floor as she descended the stairs.

Tristan and Kyle were on their way back from a short hunting trip to celebrate Tristan’s birthday.

It was, of course, Tristan’s idea to sneak into the tower of Aden on their way back.

Kyle thought it was a ridiculous idea, but as an illegitimate child, he was not in a position to oppose Tristan’s stubbornness.

‘Seia Aden.’

Kyle recalled her face when their eyes met.

Even in the darkness, her eyes shone languidly like a nymph.

‘She is much more beautiful than her portrait.’

Kyle thought.

Every year, the Hellis Empire sent Tristan’s portrait to the Aden Duchy and received Seia’s portrait in return.

It was a ploy to make the betrothed feel affectionate towards each other by looking at each other’s pictures.

And Kyle, too, would often stand in front of the portrait, staring at the image of Seia for a long time.

“Aden.”

Seia whispered quietly. She was looking at the outside world with eyes full of wonder.

She took a step forward and stepped onto the land of Aden. The earth crumbled softly under her sandals.

At that moment, Seia felt as if she was alone in the world.

As if Tristan and Kyle standing next to her did not exist. Seia was alone with the land of Aden.

“Let’s go where the people are.”

Tristan said, pulling up his hood. As the castle gate closed behind them, a dusty wind swept over them.

The night market was crowded.

Even with torches, it was dark, and with their hoods on, no one recognized the three of them.

They just looked like three teenagers sneaking out to see the night market without their parents’ permission.

“Not that I expected much, but.”

Tristan said in a grumpy voice.

“Aden is really insignificant.”

Kyle glanced at Seia’s expression at that grumbling.

But Seia was just looking around, watching the people of Aden. Kyle could see the wonder in her eyes.

Seia Aden loved her land and people. Kyle could tell for sure.

“Maybe I’ll buy you some jewelry, Tribute.”

Tristan bent down towards a stall selling necklaces.

It was then.

Seia Aden shook off Tristan’s hand and started running away.

Her light purple hair fluttered wildly as her hood fell off.

Kyle stared blankly at her back for a moment.