A few hours before hosting the party, she had been smoking drugs and rolling around in bed with her lovers. After scrubbing her entire body clean and pouring on perfume, there was little chance any smell remained. That’s why Hari’s unexpected question had such a strong impact.

“…Well, I should go attend to the guests now. I’m sorry we couldn’t talk more, Miss Hari. Please enjoy yourself.”

Selina left the place with quick steps, seemingly fleeing. What if people found out about the painkillers, the drugs, the orgies? What would happen if Achilleon learned all about her shameful secrets? Her breath quickened with swirling thoughts. No, no, no.

Selina, walking in panic, found her answer when she returned to her beloved fiancé’s side.

“Achilleon!”

The man’s handsome appearance, tinged by the light, pierced her vision. When her eyes met Achilleon’s as he slowly turned around, her anxiety-ridden heart began to race rapidly, comparable to the sensation of inhaling drugs. A dark smile appeared on Selina’s lips.

“How lonely must a party be without a partner? I should make sure no one misses out on this joyful time.”

* * *

“You’ll guide me through the garden?”

“Yes, Miss Hari. Duke Karnos built this beautiful water garden for his beloved daughter Selina.”

Someone approached Hari and spoke to her while she was watching slaves working in the garden with bent backs. When she turned her head, she saw a woman standing against a blood-red sunset. Hela, Selina’s maid, wasn’t it?

“It connects to the lake at the back, so you can enjoy diverse scenery. Did you know that Mount Odepotos is a volcano? If you don’t mind, I can guide you.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

She politely declined, planning to just pass the time and return before sunset, but Hela shook her head again.

“My mistress ordered me to sincerely attend to the distinguished guests at the party. She said everyone should be happy and enjoy the party without feeling left out. Since you’ve come all this way, don’t spend time alone—come take a look. It’s not a common opportunity. Ah! Since you don’t have a partner, may I volunteer for that role?”

Though reluctant, she couldn’t cut off the persistent persuasion. Hari followed the delighted Hela along the forest path that led to the lake. The forest, thick with dark green leaves, resembled a giant cave with its mouth wide open. The red sunset pouring through the leaves rippled over her feet.

“My mistress is often misunderstood. She has a prickly personality… but that’s all because she lost her mother when she was young. Lady Karnos was a beautiful and wise mistress.”

Hela led the way, starting a conversation.

“After the mistress passed away, our young lady was so heartbroken. She grew up lonely without peers or siblings. So please don’t judge her too harshly if she acts a bit sharp. Oh my, of course she can be quite unlikable at times, but what can I do! I, Hela, must take good care of her.”

Hari unconsciously frowned. Was that really the only reason for her foul personality?

“Oh, these are cookies provided to party guests. They’re really delicious, please try one.”

Hari took the honeycomb-shaped cookie Hela offered. Having been tense and unable to eat anything throughout the party, she suddenly felt hungry when she smelled the savory cookie. While eating the cookie with its sweet honey and crunchy nuts, Hela’s chatter continued. It was mostly praise for her mistress’s character and unparalleled beauty. Hari responded appropriately, but she began to feel something strange after eating about two cookies.

“Are you alright?”

Her head throbbed. The dark lake and Mount Odepotos, shrouded in darkness, appeared distorted like strange stains. Hela’s concerned face, standing beside her and looking at her, also twisted bizarrely like a demon’s.

“My head…”

Just as she was about to ask for support, Hela’s red lips curved into a grin. It was neither an illusion nor a misconception. Hari reached out her hand looking for something to hold onto, but what came back was a dull impact.

“Ah!”

Her body, pushed hard, floated over the lake. The last thing she saw was Hela laughing joyfully with both arms stretched out.

“That’s what you get for falling out of favor with my mistress. You’d be comfortable if you just stayed quiet and kept your place. Goodbye.”

* * *

“Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you, please spare me a moment.”

Achilleon raised his eyebrow slightly as he put down his wine glass. The host of this party now volunteered to be his companion, displaying no fear. Achilleon read the anxiety in the eyes of Selina, who eagerly pretended to be his fiancée.

“What is your business?”

“Please dismiss the people. Now that the situation has come to this, don’t we need to sort things out? From the misaligned Imprinting Ceremony until now, I want to hear your opinion.”

“I understand what you mean, Miss Karnos—”

“Stop saying we’ll talk later. You hardly ever give me time! I’ve prepared a separate place, let’s go there. It’s time we clarify our positions.”

Indeed, like father, like daughter—her audacity reached the sky. Her boldness in expressing her opinions without blinking an eye before a prince of the nation was admirable, but her arrogance became increasingly difficult to overlook. Achilleon put down his half-empty wine glass. The woman, whose face had brightened, began to act coquettishly as she grabbed his arm.

“I know. I know who the woman is that you spent the night with instead of me.”

Only when they reached an elegant tent, divided by partitions and platforms, did Achilleon realize the woman’s true purpose. A tent placed in a secluded location, a luxurious bed and refreshment table that didn’t match the outdoor setting.

“Should I compliment you for finally noticing?”

After surveying the astounding interior of the tent, Achilleon let out a hollow laugh. The messily hung curtains reminded him of the moonlit night when he had brought in Margharita. Achilleon closed his mouth at the woman’s face that suddenly came to mind at such a moment.

“How can you speak so coldheartedly? You’re the one who brought another woman while I am your fiancée designated by the King!”

“Just as you spend nights with multiple men pursuing pleasure, I simply followed my heart.”

“Why did I become like this! It’s because you neglected me. If I hadn’t been hurt…”

If she hadn’t been hurt, she wouldn’t have turned to drugs, nor would she have crossed the line by taking Stadion athletes with handsome faces and sleek bodies as her lovers. Her chest tightened with indignation. Hoping that Achilleon would understand her lonely feelings, Selina pleaded earnestly.

“It’s regrettable, Miss Karnos. But I don’t see what benefit our marriage would bring to either of us. I cannot give you as much affection as you desire, nor can I spend much time with you.”

“That doesn’t matter to me.”

Though she felt Achilleon’s gaze staring at her with disbelief, Selina wasn’t hurt. Tonight, she would achieve what she wanted.

“This seems like it will be a long conversation, so let’s talk while we eat.”

She whispered affectionately as she placed some honeycomb cookies brought by a servant onto Achilleon’s plate. She could no longer endure this absurd situation, this terrible circumstance where she, who should be the protagonist, was completely excluded.

Kill the intruder and take the man. Then get pregnant, and all the complicated problems would be solved. Why had she been worrying and losing sleep over something that could be resolved so simply? Selina placed her hand under the table, cradling her lower abdomen, and stretched the corners of her mouth into a long smile.

“Please eat, Your Highness. Though you’re infinitely cold to me, I hope you won’t reject even the sincerity of these cookies I baked myself for you, having never gotten my hands wet before.”

Eat it. Eat it now.

Flutter!

Just as Achilleon sighed and was about to bring the cookie in his hand to his mouth. The forest across the lake shook, and a flock of black birds simultaneously took flight into the sky.

Splash—a loud sound of water disturbed the tranquility. Both of them turned their heads toward the lake at the same time. The moment they spotted a golden afterimage struggling on the water’s surface, Achilleon’s face contorted. With a clatter, Selina grabbed the spilling teapot and cried out like a scream.

“Ah, Achilleon? Wait… Where are you going!”