Liliana wasn’t alone. She was with Duke Seta, who adored her deeply.

The two, who anyone could see were father and daughter, surrounded Acelia and drowned her in a flood of compliments.

“Haha! Your Highness the Princess. I never expected the gift I gave you would lead to such a result. All I can say is that you’re amazing. Perhaps you have a talent for diplomacy?”

“Princess, you’re truly wonderful! You had a plan all along, didn’t you? That someone like you hasn’t stepped into politics until now is a tremendous loss for the Empire.”

These people are saying dangerous things. Moreover, Acelia, who’s meeting Duke Seta for the first time, felt shy. What an energetic father and daughter, truly.

If she had been involved in politics, she would have been in the newspapers every day. Like they say, ignorance breeds courage—Acelia simply hadn’t held back.

It was something someone seriously engaged in diplomacy would never have done.

Acelia forced a smile and tried to dissuade the two.

“Thank you, both of you. But I was just lucky.”

“Humility that attributes skill to luck, how admirable.”

“Princess, I like you even more now! May I introduce you to the ladies I’m friends with?”

Is she some kind of amazing-bot? Acelia felt embarrassed rather than flattered.

“Later, later please.”

Acelia held back Liliana, who was trying to drag her immediately to where the ladies were.

Though she usually maintained at least minimal sociability, today her condition was truly awful.

The energy she had prepared already showed signs of bottoming out.

Liliana, though disappointed, was happy to have Acelia all to herself.

‘Huh?’

But then she heard people around them speculating about the relationship between Duke Seta and Acelia.

To summarize briefly, they wondered if Duke Seta—who enjoyed the Emperor’s firm trust and was called the messenger of the State Council—had suddenly recommended her as diplomatic envoy because he considered her the next successor to the throne, despite showing no interest in the other princes who had succession rights.

‘Me? When did he even see me?’

Acelia couldn’t help but snicker. Even the people saying it seemed to know how absurd it was, waving their hands and saying, “No way,” and “But still, Her Highness the Princess……”

‘Actually, the more I hear this, the more offensive it gets. What’s wrong with me?’

While Liliana might not hear, Duke Seta couldn’t possibly miss those comments, yet he remained strangely calm. Weren’t politicians sensitive to such things?

Perhaps he didn’t care because it was just about being friendly with the youngest daughter.

Since Liliana had such a strong image as a daddy’s girl, Acelia also didn’t think much of it.

He had mentioned something about repayment, though she didn’t understand why. Anyway, once the banquet ended, she would be confined to the palace again.

Just then, someone entered Acelia’s field of vision. Honey blonde hair and red eyes. With a sturdy build and a stoic face, he was…….

‘Someone I’ve seen in Acelia’s memories!’

Acelia nudged Liliana.

“Who’s that person over there……”

“Oh, Prince Diego? I didn’t think he would come, but he did.”

Liliana answered cheerfully, knowing nothing. Second Prince Diego Hedwig. It was indeed him.

—If you want to live, live like you’re dead.

A chilling, deep voice echoed in her ear, and Acelia excused herself and moved toward Diego.

She needed to meet him, if only to solve the mystery of her secret.

* * *

Joachim, who attended the banquet due to his friendship with Fifth Prince Roberto, had just escaped from the prince’s endless whining.

How could he keep complaining so fluently when people sensed a wall around Joachim and could see his face screaming with boredom?

Thinking that the prince’s shamelessness was truly a talent, Joachim habitually gauged the princess’s location.

‘Duke Seta and Liliana Seta.’

Joachim’s gaze landed on Duke Seta’s face as he laughed heartily.

In Joachim’s memory, Duke Seta had been deeply depressed after losing his beloved daughter.

A gloomy atmosphere had pervaded the funeral on that rainy day.

Joachim, who attended the funeral to pray for the deceased’s peace as a priest, viscerally felt how parents change when they lose a child.

The Duke had seemed devoid of life, his eyes hollow, like a walking corpse with his soul ripped out.

It was remarkable how small he appeared despite his considerable size.

But now, Duke Seta showed no such signs. Because Liliana Seta hadn’t died.

Should this be considered fortunate?

Joachim knew well how cruel fate could sometimes be to humans, how it insisted on taking its natural course.

It bore an immutable quality—what must happen will happen. That’s why humans can only kneel before the enormous wall of fate and eventually conform to it.

Joachim wondered if Duke Seta could truly escape fate. He also felt confused. Was it supposed to be this easy?

“High Priest Joachim, look at me for a moment.”

When Joachim turned his head, Liam stood there. The handsome man with vivid red hair raised his hackles like a beast encountering a natural enemy and issued a warning to Joachim.

“No matter how handsome you are or how promising your future might be! You can’t compare to me, the future heir of the Wade ducal family.”

“……”

“So why don’t you stop hovering around Acelia and stick to your duties? This is advice for your own good. It’s not that I feel threatened by you, but the ecology of noble society……”

Though Liam was talking enthusiastically, Joachim wasn’t really listening. He knew why Liam was acting this way.

Since the scandal with the Princess broke, he had occasionally noticed Liam watching him from afar with jealous eyes.

Liam, too, was different from what he remembered. Liam, who should have been engaging in a passionate affair with Lady Ensia Monium, was strangely wavering toward the princess.

That shouldn’t happen.

“In other words, you’re an unsuitable match for Acelia……”

“I’ll handle my own affairs, so mind your own business and go your way.”

“……What? I’m trying to be nice here!”

“Instead of saying this to me, say it directly to Her Highness the Princess.”

“Hey!”

Whether Liam got angry or not, Joachim left the spot.

Today, Liam and the princess had entered separately. That meant the princess had rejected his partner proposal.

Rather than bothering Joachim, Liam should have gone to the princess to court her or make a scene.

While moving, Joachim’s gaze remained fixed on the princess.

‘Her complexion is bad.’

The princess had never been particularly healthy. But now her face had turned completely pale, and she kept touching her forehead, suggesting she might be sweating cold sweat.

Joachim frowned, recalling the scene where she had coughed up blood.

Then the princess spotted someone among the crowd and began walking. Following her gaze, Joachim’s blue eyes widened slightly.

‘The Second Prince?’

It was Diego Hedwig. Joachim’s mind raced quickly.

‘Those two shouldn’t meet yet.’

Joachim’s steps quickened as he crossed the hall.

* * *

Diego had been watching Acelia since she started moving.

Acelia currently felt a chill she had never experienced before, like walking into the jaws of a predator.

‘Is he really the same person? Why do I feel like a serene deer grazing in the savanna, unaware of the lion stalking it?’

Was this what a ruler’s aura felt like? It was different from when she faced Ian.

If anything, it resembled the Emperor’s. A suffocating, quiet pressure. She hadn’t expected to feel this in a crowded hall.

Acelia deliberately pretended to be unfazed as she reached Diego. Despite drawing on all her acting skills, her poor physical condition made her feel like her nerves were snapping one by one.

Contrary to her inner state, a bright smile appeared on her lips.

“Brother. It’s been a long time.”

Diego’s thick eyebrows twitched at the friendly greeting, which Acelia had benchmarked from Ian. Pretending not to notice his reaction, Acelia imitated being close.

“You’re so busy, it’s hard to see your face. Have you been well?”

“Ridiculous.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you think you’ve become something just because you wrapped up one measly meeting?”

The atmosphere in the hall turned cold, like someone had dumped ice water. Acelia was shocked inside. Having glimpsed his memories, she expected her relationship with Diego to be poor.

But enough to show it in a place like this? Does this guy think he lives in this world alone?

Practicing self-restraint, Acelia felt irritated. She wanted to respond in kind, matching his personality, but she hadn’t finished figuring Diego out, and there were still things she needed to discover.

“I-I’m sorry. If I’ve offended you, brother……”

When Acelia reached out her hand, pretending to be flustered and not knowing what to do—

Smack!

Her white hand was harshly pushed away.

“Don’t touch my body.”