Duke Perry’s hand supported Evelyn’s waist as they danced. Taller than most women, Evelyn carried herself with pride and dignity. She was also rare in that she held no ambition despite being second only to the Emperor in position.

“Are you really going to the Peshar Empire?”

“…His Majesty wishes it.”

“If you marry me now, you won’t have to go. What do you say? If you come to my estate by carriage tonight…”

Duke Perry’s lips brushed against Evelyn’s ear. Despite his middle age, his firm physique still made him popular among women. She had heard his first wife died of illness. 

Many young ladies were pursuing him since he had no children, and he needed to take a second wife to secure an heir, whether he liked it or not.

The current Emperor of Astia had no heir. If she married Duke Perry and bore a child, that child would become the successor to the throne.

“There are plenty of women who adore you. It doesn’t have to be me…”

“It must be you, Lady Evelyn.”

Even without a child, Duke Perry wanted to possess her. Seeing Evelyn’s indifferent demeanor stirred his conquering instinct. He wanted to pin her down and make her cry out beneath him…

“Huff…”

The front of Duke Perry’s trousers visibly bulged.

“…”

“You know, don’t you? That joining hands with me is your only chance to survive.”

Evelyn glared at him with a slight smirk.

“Sorry, but I have no intention of being used by you.”

“…Then do you have a better option, Lady Evelyn?”

“No. But I want to find another way besides marriage.”

“Hmm…”

Duke Perry frowned with displeasure. As the music ended, Evelyn curtseyed to him.

“Well then.”

“Lady Evelyn, you only have a month left. Think carefully.”

“I will.”

“…Contact me anytime.”

Fortunately, Hector wasn’t here now. Evelyn’s position was already precarious, and she couldn’t afford to display suspicious behavior. She spoke firmly.

“I won’t do anything His Imperial Majesty doesn’t wish.”

“…Hmm, but you might change your mind.”

Duke Perry was persistent.

After the music ended, Evelyn curtseyed to Duke Perry and returned to her seat. Other nobles came to ask her to dance, but she declined. Finding the place stifling, she went outside, intending to walk through the garden.

The party had started around noon, and the sun was already setting. As she walked, she found herself near the famous maze garden of the Astian Imperial Palace. Even adults struggled to find their way out once inside, so no one entered at night.

But before entering the maze garden, she realized someone had arrived before her. She heard rustling sounds and a woman’s moans.

“Ah, ahhh…! Deeper, deeper…! That’s so good! Haaahh…!”

“Ohhh, my lady…! Your p*ssy is going to break my c*ck!”

“Haaahhh…!”

When she heard the high-pitched voice, Evelyn covered her ears.

Evelyn entered the maze garden to avoid the lovers. She looked around while walking. Childhood memories suddenly came flooding back.

She remembered that back then, there were quite a few other princesses and princes in the imperial harem. Unlike Evelyn’s mother, the other consorts were mostly nobles. So even when they received little maintenance allowance, they could supplement it with their own money.

Children dressed in expensive custom-made suits and dresses played in the maze garden. There was nowhere for her to play in the Cold Palace.

Drawn by the children’s laughter, seven-year-old Evelyn came here too.

She was delighted to discover so many half-siblings and wanted to join their play. But they stared at Evelyn, with her worn clothes and unkempt hair, with cold eyes.

[Who are you? What makes you think you can play with us royals?]

[I’m…a royal too.]

[…What was your mother’s maiden name? Which family?]

At that question, Evelyn fell silent. Her mother was a commoner maid who caught her father’s eye by chance and was chosen. She couldn’t possibly have a family name or noble house.

[Well…]

Somehow she felt these children wouldn’t play with her unless she mentioned a family name. But Evelyn, who had received no education as a princess, didn’t know how many nobles existed in the country or what their family names were.

Since telling the truth would mean they wouldn’t play with her, she pretended not to know.

[I don’t know.]

[What? You really don’t know?]

Evelyn nodded. Fortunately, she was the youngest one there, so they seemed to believe she truly didn’t know. One child sneered.

[You’re really stupid.]

[Must be from a very insignificant family, right? That’s why your mother didn’t tell you.]

[Could be.]

The group of about ten children speculated about Evelyn among themselves. Evelyn stood quietly, letting them talk. Eventually, the boy who seemed to be their leader stepped forward.

[Anyway… let’s play hide-and-seek. She does look like she’s royal.]

As he said, all the princesses and princes there resembled the Emperor. Silver hair, purple eyes, and similar facial features. The girl standing next to the boy spoke.

[Good. Who wants to be “it” today?]

[Let’s make the new girl do it.]

[Yeah. You do it.]

[We’ll hide in the maze garden.]

Evelyn didn’t know much about hide-and-seek, but she nodded anyway. While she closed her eyes and counted, the other siblings entered the maze garden to hide. After counting to 100, Evelyn entered the maze to find them.

She boldly went in, but when she tried to leave, she couldn’t find the exit. All ten children had disappeared somewhere.

Eventually, her legs aching, Evelyn sat down under a tree at a dead end. Then she heard mocking laughter.

[Who would want to include someone like you?]

[When you can’t even name your family!]

[I think I overheard a maid saying a commoner woman became one of father’s consorts.]

[Wow… so this girl is a commoner’s daughter?]

[Must be. That’s why her supplies were cut off as soon as father abandoned her, right? Look at her shabby clothes and how she doesn’t even have a single maid with her.]

[Ah-ha!]

Evelyn jumped up and down, raising both hands high, begging them to rescue her. But the laughing children showed no intention of helping.