“Do you have a reason to go that far?”

“I just want to completely trample down my family.”

Adelia shrugged her shoulders at Lucian’s question.

It was something incomprehensible to him, who grew up in a happy and peaceful imperial family.

But it was different for the Emperor. He had risen to his position by killing numerous brothers.

The Emperor’s face twitched slightly as he caught on to Adelia’s situation at a glance.

Ordinary nobles would have kept their mouths shut out of pride, but Adelia did not hide her family’s disgrace.

“How could I stay still when I’ve been wronged? The only one who can avenge me is myself. They swung the sword first. I’m just responding.”

Adelia, who disappeared, longing for attention all her life.

For some reason, I ended up in her body.

The only thing I could do for her, who had already left, was this revenge.

The Emperor and Crown Prince remained silent after hearing her words.

Only the sound of tapping armrests and kicking the floor could be heard in the room.

Lucian’s eyes darkened slightly as he fell into thought.

‘The conditions aren’t bad.’

He had no one in mind anyway, and was even less intent on marrying.

Even today’s ball was hosted with the intention of shutting up the nobles about marriage issues.

But if he were to marry, even for a moment, the nobles would no longer have grounds to bring up the topic.

He could also create an excuse that he couldn’t remarry because he couldn’t forget her even after divorce.

‘Even if it’s temporary, that kind of courage fits being the Crown Princess.’

No matter how good the conditions or how great the benefits were, if she were someone who could tarnish the honor of the imperial family, he wouldn’t have considered it at all.

It was better to refuse such things if they would harm his family.

But he liked how she stood her ground and voiced her opinions confidently in front of the Emperor and Crown Prince.

As a companion for a while.

‘The answer is delayed….’

As their deliberation time extended, Adelia grew impatient. Was it a problem that she offered the trade rights and holy sword too quickly? If they were thinking rationally, they should have reached a conclusion already.

She wouldn’t be anxious if she knew their thoughts, but unfortunately, that was beyond her capabilities.

‘I didn’t want to use this method. If rational methods won’t do it, then I should at least stir their emotions.’

No matter how cold-hearted they were, they had formed a harmonious and happy family. Especially a family with a beloved youngest sister.

In the end, she played her last card.

“You’ll understand my thoughts if you see this.”

Adelia sighed lightly and stood up from her seat.

She lifted her hands towards her neck. The clasp on the front part of her fur shawl was unlocked and fell onto the sofa.

“What are you doing?”

Lucian narrowed his eyes in displeasure and spoke.

His father grimaced in the same manner.

Adelia continued as if she didn’t care.

She gathered her long hair from behind to the front and turned her body in her seat.

Her back, which had been hidden, was fully revealed through the deeply cut back of her dress.

“What….”

The expressions of Lucian and the Emperor hardened instantly.

Her back was mottled with bruises.

Long diagonal marks, as if whipped, scratches from sharp objects, and burns.

Although time had faded them, the mottled marks were still there.

“These were made by the people who call themselves my family. The longest scar is from my stepmother when I was seven. The burn mark below it is from my younger sister, who was curious about it when I was eleven.”

Adelia spoke calmly about her scars. The more she told her story, the more their expressions grew rigid.

This was a ‘gift’ given to Adelia by Robelia and the Countess. A painful and terrible gift she never wanted, but was forcibly given.

The Emperor frowned deeply and glared.

“Why show this? Are you seeking sympathy?”

To his sarcastic tone, Adelia shook her head.

“No. It just shows how desperate I am. It’s not a losing deal for me.”

The value of the revenge she sought would cost tens of thousands of gold coins.

‘In a way, it’s the goal of my life.’

The memories of Adelia being abused were still vivid.

Whenever she tried to do nothing and ignore the past, those memories made her into a petty person who tacitly participated in and condoned their abuse.

It wasn’t just revenge for Adelia. It was about resolving her grievances and lightening her heart.

“I’ll drag them down to the ground and make them miserable. If that happens, this much loss is nothing.”

As miserable as Adelia had been all her life. Perhaps she would plunge them into even deeper despair.

As she continued, her blue eyes darkened as though they were meeting the end of the sea.

She adjusted her shawl and sat down, and the lounge was silent.

‘I’ve stimulated both their logic and emotions after all.’

Adelia sighed softly. Although she said it wasn’t about sympathy, mentioning revenge had inevitably touched on emotions.

She thought that since the imperial family were logical people, presenting just the terms of the contract would suffice.

From the perspective of having a daughter, having a sister, how would they view the traces of abuse?

The answer was obvious.

“There’s no reason to refuse if we’re writing a contract, right?”

Lucian slowly sought agreement from the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded his head in agreement.

“A contract is the basis of an agreement.”

Adelia narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled gently.

Then, the three discussed the contract further.

The Emperor did not interfere much, only offering advice from time to time, thanks to Adelia’s clear demands and the definite benefits they would receive. Their interests aligned well.

When things were somewhat organized, Adelia quietly added one more condition.

“And if possible, please allow me to enter the palace as soon as possible. Whether it’s for education or to adapt to imperial life, any reason will do.”

“Let’s assign one guest room for now.”

Adelia nodded. Whether it was a guest room or a room in a corner, as long as she didn’t have to see the faces of the Count’s family, it didn’t matter.

Lucian promised to send a carriage and knight the next day, and the contract was roughly completed.

“Tomorrow, we’ll get legal notarization and magical certification for this contract. Better to be sure.”

“That suits me fine.”

When the conversation concluded, Adelia rose from her seat.

She bowed lightly.

“Then I’ll be in your care, Your Highness.”

Her voice was smooth and gentle.

No emotion showed on her face as she looked down.

* * *

By the time Adelia left the palace, it was already late at night.

The Count’s house was quiet, and she fell asleep quietly.

The next morning. She had to give up on sleeping in due to the noisy sounds echoing through the mansion.

“You! What did you do yesterday!”

Her half-sister Robelia stormed in banging loudly.

Adelia, just waking from sleep, rubbed her eyes and glanced at her.

She pointed it out in a half-sunk voice.

“What kind of manners is it to enter someone’s room without knocking in the morning?”

“Tell me right now! What did you do to be in the lounge with His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Robelia didn’t seem to listen to her at all and just kept shouting loudly.

She always had to be below her. Not a sister or family member but an object for her to vent her anger on.

And yet, she dared to receive attention from His Highness the Crown Prince? She must have used some wicked trick for sure.

Adelia pressed her deeply furrowed brow as she watched Robelia fuming.

‘Ah… annoying.’

This is why she wanted to leave quickly.

Seeing Robelia throwing a fit right after waking up soured her mood even more.

After deciding it wasn’t worth engaging with her, she spoke indifferently.

“Why should I tell you that? Turn off your interest in me and just leave, will you?”

“You! You dare talk back to me!”

Robelia clenched her fist with a scrunched face.

She reacted only to ‘Adelia talking back’.

Ugh. Adelia let out a small sigh.

‘If only she could understand words.’

Robelia was simple. She’s weak in front of the strong and strong in front of the weak. That made her an easy yet difficult opponent.

Without logic, she just raged in front of Adelia, whom she considered weak from the start. No matter how logical Adelia was, she just kept raging on and on.

‘A typical nuisance type.’

And a particularly nasty nuisance at that.

Based on my past life experiences, the best approach with such people was to be just as shamelessly persistent.

“Jealous?”

“What!”