Chapter 1 – Facing the Former Lover Who Once Cheated

“Seilia.”

A sweet name rolled off the tongue. 

Inside the carriage, which was lined with crimson velvet, the name sounded even more endearing.

Platinum blonde hair flowed down to her waist, cascading over a body sculpted like a doll. Her slender waist was tightly wrapped in a soft lavender dress that perfectly matched her strikingly crafted figure.

She looked as though she had been painted with a brush for ten painstaking years—an ideal woman in every sense. The woman, who had been absentmindedly resting her chin on her hand as she stared out the window, slowly turned her head.

“Yes, Mother.” 

Her voice, neither too high nor too low, carried a mysterious allure with every word she spoke. 

“I must have told you countless times not to rest your chin on your hand while looking out.”

At her mother’s sharp scolding, Seilia’s smooth forehead wrinkled instantly. 

As Seilia clicked her tongue in irritation and lowered her arms, the Duchess, who had the same platinum blonde hair elegantly twisted up, raised a single eyebrow. Her cold expression made her appear rather strict.

“It seems you’ll need to start etiquette lessons from the beginning.”

But Seilia shrugged her shoulders indifferently, as if to say, ‘What’s the problem?’ 

Caught in the middle of the tense exchange between the two women, the Duke, who shared her platinum hair, held his breath and watched them carefully. 

Though he had been witnessing this same exchange in the carriage every time they headed to the palace for years, the icy tension always seemed to make him uncomfortable. 

“Seilia, I still can’t understand why you act like you’re angry every time we go to the palace.” 

Even her mother’s gentle tone of persuasion failed to soften Seilia’s furrowed brow. 

Seilia suppressed the urge to shout, ‘How could I possibly be in a good mood? The person I want to kill lives in that imperial palace!’ 

The frozen tension in the air finally broke when the coachman announced their arrival. 

As the Duke and Duchess adjusted their attire before stepping out, Seilia simply stared blankly at them. 

Just as she was contemplating feigning madness and running away, the Duchess sternly warned her, as if reading her mind. 

“I can see exactly what you’re thinking, Seilia. It would be best if you got out of the carriage immediately.” 

‘Of course, you would.’ 

Finally, Seilia stepped out of the carriage leisurely, drawing everyone’s attention in an instant. 

No, it would have been stranger if she hadn’t drawn attention. 

The House of Ernian. Since the founding of the empire, this ducal family had enjoyed the Emperor’s favor and was second only to the Emperor in wealth and power. Though it was never officially decided, the names of the Empress and Crown Princess of the Belton Empire always seemed to include the surname “Ernian.” 

Born into such a prestigious family, Seilia Estelle Ernian was a woman who could captivate and charm everyone around her like a flower dripping with honey, no matter which social gathering she attended. 

But this flower wasn’t always sweet and delicate.

Seilia had always been bold—never one to quietly endure things, never one to compromise on her values.

However, even someone as daring as her had something she absolutely dreaded: entering the imperial palace. 

And the reason for that dread was none other than her former lover, Leo Ares Belton, the 34th Emperor of the Belton Empire, who resided in that palace. 

“What?! Really?” 

This was the reaction of her only confidant, Revelia, when she had learned the truth. And if others knew, they would undoubtedly react the same way. 

Despite inheriting the throne early due to the former Emperor’s illness, Leo had flawlessly maintained his position with unwavering composure and discipline.

Rumors about him always followed the same pattern: he was maddeningly handsome, flawless in every aspect.

If anyone asked Seilia whether she’d want to chase after such a perfect ex-lover, letting her pride fall just to cling to him again…

She’d shut them down with sharp words before they even finished their sentence.

Some people could stay on good terms with their exes, treating them as nothing more than friends. Seilia could understand that—she herself had no lingering feelings for a few men she had briefly dated in the past.

But if the reason for the breakup involved something as disgraceful as cheating…

That was a completely different story.

And if the betrayal was because of another woman?

That was something she could never, ever forgive.

***

The banquet hall of the Eastern Palace, where the Emperor’s birthday celebration was being held, was already so crowded that it seemed ready to burst. 

Following behind the Duke and Duchess, Seilia walked into the banquet hall with a calm expression, moving gracefully through the crowd, which parted like the Red Sea at the sight of her. 

The grand hall, towering high, made even the smallest sounds resonate impressively. 

As she scanned the room with an indifferent expression, her gaze briefly caught a group gathered in the center. 

Amid the sea of people adorned in dazzling attire, it was difficult to focus on everyone, but the two people she least wanted to see stood out annoyingly well. 

One was a woman with luscious, striking violet hair, who laughed sweetly at every word spoken to her. The other was a man sitting on the golden throne, staring coldly at the crowd. 

Every time Seilia saw those two, the same thought crossed her mind, unchanged and relentless. 

Surely… this must be fate’s cruel joke.

***

Seilia wanted nothing more than to storm out of the room and turn her head away from those loathsome faces, but she knew her mother would never let her get away with that. 

If anyone had looked closely, they might have noticed the eerie incongruity in her subtle, forced smile as she muttered venomous curses under her breath. She took a single step forward. 

As she greeted those who approached her with polite formalities, matching their words, one of the two accursed figures finally spoke to her. 

The intensity of her internal curses, which had been swirling in her mind, grew even harsher. 

“Lady Seilia.” 

Judging by the delicate voice, it was undoubtedly Princess Blair. 

What confidence did she have to approach me so casually? Was it sheer audacity, or had she decided on her own that everything was settled now? 

Seilia wanted to ignore her, thinking, ‘Bark all you want, dog,’ or hurl sharp words at her. However, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Duke and Duchess watching her closely with stern expressions. 

This is maddening. 

Rolling her eyes upward, she turned her head and forced a smile that barely lifted the corners of her lips. She replied, 

“Princess Blair.” 

She even added a sweet little smile, as though she had long since put the past behind her.

Perhaps the Princess had expected Seilia to lash out at her, as her face briefly showed a flicker of surprise before she hesitated to speak further. 

‘Foolish, as always.’ 

But foolishness doesn’t simply disappear. 

After Seilia gave her one response, the Princess began to prattle on. Seilia, too uninterested to retort, spaced out momentarily, lamenting her situation. 

Where did everything go so wrong? 

It felt as if she were trapped in a web of sharp, tangled threads. 

At that moment, the Emperor, who had been silently seated at the head table, rose from his seat. The noisy banquet hall quickly fell silent. 

He opened his mouth to speak. 

“I thank you all for gathering here to celebrate my birthday. Let us leave it at that and begin the banquet now.” 

On cue, the musicians stationed on the right began to play, their music filling the grand hall. 

Traditionally, the Emperor and Empress would open the dance at such events. However, as the Emperor had no appointed Crown Princess or Empress, various distinguished guests stepped forward with their partners to begin the dances. 

Not in the mood to laugh and enjoy herself, Seilia retreated to a secluded corner. Even there, she had to fend off persistent suitors asking her to dance. Finally, she escaped into a group of young noblewomen who were chatting animatedly. 

“Lady Seilia, have you heard the news?” 

One of the young women, recognizing her, approached and struck up a conversation. Seilia shook her head. 

“What news?” 

“Well, it seems that His Majesty the Emperor will finally select an Empress on the upcoming Selection Day!” 

The excitement was evident, as some of the women squealed and stomped their feet in delight. 

Seilia let out a dry laugh. 

Was he planning to marry someone else while continuing his selfish indulgence with Princess Blair? 

Then, one of the women, covering her mouth with a fan, brought up a different topic. 

“There’s also a rumor going around that he has a hidden lover.” 

The subject quickly shifted back to Leo. 

“I’ve also heard he’s so coldhearted that it’s chilling.” 

“But still, his looks are…” 

At that, everyone fell silent, nodding repeatedly in agreement. 

None of it seemed untrue. 

What they failed to mention, however, was that he was also shameless and despicable. 

With a twisted smile, Seilia glanced around the room absentmindedly. She noticed the Duchess, her mouth hidden behind her hand, subtly approaching her. 

What now? 

“Seilia, it’s time to prepare to greet His Majesty.” 

Seilia tossed her head in annoyance, but the Duchess’s gaze only grew sharper. 

***

The moment she dreaded most had arrived. 

It felt as though shackles were dragging her feet as she walked toward the head table, where a bright red carpet stretched endlessly before her. 

“The House of Ernian presents itself to His Majesty.” 

The chamberlain, standing beside her to assist with the formalities, announced their presence. Seilia forced herself to bow. 

“…Raise your head.” 

At the Emperor’s commanding voice, Seilia slowly lifted her head.