‘What a bewitching woman…’

Prince Tolman of Lakia, the wealthiest country among the three Western Alliance nations, was in a state of great confusion.

Tolman, who had been staying in the Imperial City for a vacation, rushed to the imperial palace upon hearing rumors that ‘that’ Jurgen Drake’s fiancée would appear at today’s banquet.

Entering the banquet hall, Tolman dealt perfunctorily with those who approached to befriend him, waiting for Jurgen Drake and his fiancée to arrive.

According to the rumors, the fiancée was the former queen of Terevron, who had recently lost her royal power, and was said to be an ominous witch who brought strange misfortune.

However, at the same time— she was said to be so beautiful that once seen, she could never be forgotten, and that there were mountains of men who had fallen in love at first sight and suffered from love sickness for her.

There were countless epithets attached to her.

A nation-toppling beauty. A peerless beauty.

An angel descended from heaven, a gift from God, a fairy, a treasure of humanity…

These were extremely cringeworthy expressions that made one doubt the mental state of those who spouted such nonsense.

[What nonsense. She’s just another human, how beautiful could she possibly be?]

Tolman, born with a rebellious nature, didn’t believe such nonsense.

Living as royalty, he had seen countless beauties, but even those women were just humans with flaws, and he had never seen a beauty that truly took his breath away.

[And there’s no way a guy like Jurgen could have gotten his hands on such an amazing beauty. It must all be exaggerated rumors.]

Though he had never spoken of it to anyone as it felt humiliating just to mention, Tolman actually harbored feelings of inferiority towards Jurgen.

The cause was the jousting tournament held in the Imperial City last year.

In that competition, Jurgen had easily defeated Tolman, who represented Lakia, and claimed victory, leaving Tolman to taste the bitter humiliation of such a pathetic defeat.

Since then, Tolman had been envious of Jurgen and harbored the vile intention of finding his weakness someday. One day, he heard rumors that ‘Duke Drake is finally getting married.’

Moreover, his partner was said to be the queen of Terevron, whom Jurgen had recently destroyed on the Emperor’s orders. He was unbearably curious about how this had come to pass.

However, while he was anxiously trying to find a way to investigate, he finally heard news that could provide a breakthrough. The news that the Emperor was holding a grand banquet for Jurgen.

[This is it! This is exactly what I need! I can attend this banquet and confirm the truth of the rumors!]

Tolman, who immediately attended the banquet, was finally able to see Jurgen and his aforementioned fiancée after a tedious wait.

Jurgen looked no different from when he had last seen him, and the rumored fiancée…

[That woman…]

The moment he witnessed that woman, Vanessa Roengreen, in reality, Tolman was overwhelmed with intense shock.

He initially thought, how beautiful could she possibly be… but Vanessa’s beauty was truly beyond human comprehension.

Tolman fully understood that the talk of angels and fairies was not just empty flattery, but an expression of the plain truth.

Hair like soft moonlight and eyes like the high sky. A flawless, perfect face, clear eyes, a white slender neck and long, graceful limbs, a slim waist and a figure with subtle curves…

She was truly a perfect beauty in every aspect. Her beauty, so inhuman, was even surreal.

After staring blankly at Vanessa for a while, Tolman belatedly came to his senses and looked around. Not just him, but others too were staring at Vanessa with dumbfounded, enchanted expressions, unable to take their eyes off her.

‘…What in the world…’

Feeling as if he was in a daydream, Tolman let out a hollow laugh. As he shook his head and sighed, looking at Vanessa again, it happened.

She smoothly cast her gaze around and gently smiled with her eyes.

“……!”

Tolman briefly visited heaven with that single fragment of her smile, and as soon as he came to his senses, he was instantly plunged into hell.

‘To think that such an incredible beauty, one that might appear once in a thousand years, is Jurgen’s fiancée…’

It was too absurd.

Of all the men in the world, why did Jurgen Drake get to claim that woman?

He felt like he was going mad with jealousy. He wanted nothing more than to duel Jurgen and snatch that woman away.

However, it was impossible for an ordinary person like himself to defeat Jurgen, who was a ‘Blessed One’.

It had been the same during the jousting tournament. From the start, victory had belonged to Jurgen.

[Even the proud prince of the Alliance’s three countries is nothing special.]

[That’s right. As expected, Duke Drake is the strongest. He’s also a power user…]

[But he wouldn’t have used his power in the tournament… Even so, not being able to last even one round? Isn’t that prince too weak?]

[Pfft…]

Recalling his humiliating defeat and disgrace at Jurgen’s hands, Tolman once again felt the resentment of that time vividly.

The impulse to somehow get back at Jurgen was raging inside him. Tolman followed Jurgen and his fiancée, Vanessa, with a persistent gaze.

In his heart, a childish ambition rose like a strong wave. He had neither the confidence to win a duel against Jurgen nor the guts to directly confront him, but…

‘That woman…’

He would try to seduce that woman first, but it would be fine even if he failed. If he could just bring dishonor to Jurgen’s fiancée and tarnish his name…

A sinister smile spread thickly across Tolman’s lips.

✦ ✦ ✦

The first thing to do at an imperial banquet was to pay respects to the Emperor.

Next would normally be to freely mingle with the social elite, but… Vanessa didn’t feel like talking to anyone in particular.

So as she was quietly keeping to herself, unexpectedly, a familiar face came into view. It was none other than Duke Evanwood.

As Vanessa happened to have something to ask him, she quietly slipped away after seeking permission from the Emperor, who was in a conversation with Jurgen.

She could feel Jurgen’s gaze burning into her back, but Vanessa paid no mind and approached Duke Evanwood.

“Duke Evanwood.”

“Oh… Your Highness…!”

Duke Evanwood was so delighted to see Vanessa that he nearly shed tears. Vanessa subtly probed his intentions while asking about the situation in Roengreen.

“Do you view Declan’s reign positively, Duke Evanwood?”

“Well…”

Duke Evanwood led Vanessa to a secluded spot, checking if anyone was eavesdropping. Then, from within the shadows, he continued his answer.

“King Declan is an authoritarian monarch. Very different from the previous king, His Majesty Rashid.”

Vanessa’s father, King Rashid, was a wise ruler who listened attentively to his subjects. And Duke Evanwood was his most loyal retainer.

Comparing Declan to her father meant that Duke Evanwood did not approve of Declan.

‘Well, I expected as much.’

Vanessa deliberately let her words slip.

“If you have grand ambitions, Duke Evanwood, I would like to help.”

“Do you mean…”

Duke Evanwood, who she thought would pretend not to understand and change the subject out of surprise, unexpectedly showed signs of interest. It seemed he was already working on something under the surface.

Vanessa pondered for a moment before giving him assurance.

“I mean I’ll stand on your side, not Declan’s.”

“……! I am deeply honored, Your Highness.”

Duke Evanwood’s eyes sparkled much more intensely than before. As if he had glimpsed some hope from Vanessa.

Vanessa smiled faintly and carefully changed the subject. It was something she had been curious about for a while.

“Is Mother truly unwell? I’m worried that her health might be in a very poor state.”

Duke Evanwood let out a small sigh, then lowered his gaze as he answered.

“…Yes. Though it’s not critical, they say she needs close attention…”

Vanessa was deeply shocked to learn that her mother was truly ill, but she soon composed herself.

If her mother’s health was poor… She needed to go to Roengreen somehow and see her mother. That was her duty as a child.

In truth, Vanessa had a somewhat distant relationship with her mother. She was closer to her father and had more in common with him.

Her mother was a passive person in all matters, which always made Vanessa feel frustrated.

Even when Vanessa was forced into an unwanted marriage with Leroy, her mother only briefly expressed opposition using her authority as Queen Mother, but ultimately retreated, unable to overcome Declan.

‘Back then, I was undoubtedly disappointed in Mother, but…’

That disappointment has now been diluted by time and no longer remains. Vanessa decided to understand her mother, thinking that she couldn’t help it due to her inherently weak nature.

Now she was just worried. She wondered if Declan, that son of a b*tch worse than a dog, was neglecting her mother with the intention of getting rid of her completely…

‘That bastard is more than capable of such things. What human trash…’

Come to think of it, Declan wasn’t visible in the banquet hall. He must not have arrived yet, or perhaps he wasn’t attending at all.

She had wanted to show everyone her hostility towards Declan, but it was a shame.

Vanessa exchanged more intimate conversation with Duke Evanwood before excusing herself.

A quick glance showed that Jurgen was still talking with the Emperor. Vanessa crossed the banquet hall, reconsidering how she could effectively take revenge on Declan.

Duke Evanwood… though he didn’t reveal everything, it seemed he was plotting a rebellion under the surface, from what she could guess.

Vanessa was well aware that the Evanwood ducal family and their followers had the power and wealth to do so, and she felt hopeful that it could succeed if they carefully prepared.

The problem was the justification for changing the monarch and the Emperor’s approval. That must be why Duke Evanwood was staying in the Imperial City…

‘The cunning Emperor is probably weighing Duke Evanwood against Declan.’

Who would be the more obedient dog that follows the Emperor’s words? Who would bring greater benefits…

In the end, the success of the rebellion seemed to depend on the Emperor’s decision.

‘…Then, as expected, Jurgen’s role becomes important.’

Though she wasn’t sure to what extent the Emperor accepted Jurgen’s opinions— he seemed to genuinely regard Jurgen as a son, so there was a slight possibility that if she could just manipulate Jurgen well, the Emperor would naturally follow.

‘In the end, to bring Declan to ruin, I have no choice but to make Jurgen my ally.’

Feeling somewhat stifled, Vanessa picked up a glass of champagne and downed it in one go.

As she put down the instantly emptied glass and reached for a second one, she sensed someone quietly approaching.

Frowning slightly, Vanessa turned to look. A man with dark blonde hair that looked unhealthy and pale green eyes— a man who looked vile— was lingering beside her.

‘What’s this?’

Instinctively feeling unpleasant, Vanessa shot him a wary glance. The man grinned and offered his hand.

“I am Tolman de Lakia. Beautiful princess.”