Chapter 1

Logan, the aide, stood before Princess Adela, who was intently reading documents. Though she had been buried in paperwork for a long time, her posture remained perfectly straight and composed.

Logan glanced resentfully at the new document in his hand.

‘Really, she never gives me a break.’

“Your Highness.”

When Logan called, Adela looked up.

“It’s a document sent from the Kingdom of Lambro regarding the royal marriage.”

Logan placed the document with the orange label on the right side of the desk. Orange meant it was urgent.

“It must be handled quickly.”

Adela pushed aside the document she had been reviewing and instinctively reached for the new one.

“Your Highness, why not have a cup of tea first?”

Adela roughly gauged the pile of unsigned documents. Even if she had a cup of tea, she could finish before dinner.

“Shall I?”

“I’ll prepare it.”

As Logan left, Adela stretched her shoulders. They felt stiff. She hadn’t moved since lunch, so it was no wonder.

Adela rose from her seat. Sitting for so long made her hips and legs tingle.

Maybe she should walk a little. Even if it was just to the terrace.

Adela opened the window and stepped onto the terrace. Not long ago, the air had been warm, but now the breeze was quite cool. She saw new flowers being planted in the garden.

‘Were they planting chrysanthemums?’

She remembered approving that just a few days ago.

“Your Highness, would you like your tea on the terrace?”

Joy, who had prepared the tea, asked Adela.

“No, it’s fine.”

Adela, leaving the door open, came inside and sat on the sofa in her office. Having tea on the terrace would require setting up a table, which would only delay things further.

“It’s autumn.”

Adela spoke, almost to herself.

“Yes. It’s cool in the mornings and evenings.”

When spring came and tulips of various colors and yellow daffodils started to be planted, she had thought, ‘I should walk around the garden.’

But as tulips changed to peonies, and peonies to roses, she never managed to step into the garden, even though it was so close.

There were many major events this year, leaving her with even less free time. She welcomed and bid farewell to the flowers of each season from her office, in this very spot.

Next year, perhaps she could stroll through the garden.

Adela glanced at the signed and unsigned documents on her desk.

Not many days left to look at these documents.

A faint, almost invisible smile crept onto Adela’s lips.

The royal marriage was soon. Her younger brother, the King, would marry a Princess from the Kingdom of Lambro. After eight years, the Edel Kingdom would finally have a ‘Lady of the House’.

Now, everything would return to its rightful place. The King’s duties to the King, the Queen’s duties to the Queen.

At last, she would gain her freedom. Just the thought of it made her heart flutter, making it hard to focus on work.

Less than two months left. Just a little longer, just a little more patience.

Though she tried to comfort herself, lately, every day seemed to drag on endlessly.

Where should she go first?

The beach in the warm southern Kingdom of Lambro?

Just as she was about to indulge in pleasant thoughts, Logan came in and reported.

“Marquis Adamante requests an audience.”

Adela’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

But there was still one mountain to cross before she could gain her freedom.

Adela stood and sat in the chair before her desk. The softness in her expression was replaced by a hard shell.

“Let him in.”

Soon, Marquis Adamante entered the office.

Though in his sixties, Adamante, a former commander of the royal knights, still had a robust build and an overwhelming presence. Those with weak spirits couldn’t even meet his gaze.

“I greet Her Highness.”

“What brings you here?”

Adela’s blue eyes, calm as the deep sea, looked at her maternal grandfather, Adamante.

Soon, a thick envelope was placed on Adela’s desk.

“These are the opinions of the nobles.”

It was a short sentence, but the heavy voice carried much meaning.

Inside the envelope were papers bearing the names and seals of nobles who wished for Adela to become the Monarch.

So they finally did it.

Adela’s gaze turned icy.

“This is treason. Do you realize that?”

Standing before the towering Adamante, the 22-year-old Princess Adela seemed small and fragile in comparison. But her spirit never wavered.

“Your Highness!”

“I won’t even open this envelope to see who participated in treason.”

Adela stood, threw the envelope into the blazing fireplace.

The flames consuming the paper cast shadows over Adela’s black hair and her distinct, small, pale face.

“Tell the nobles this: His Majesty has been on the throne for only three months. Only now have all kingly duties been handed over.”

“These are duties you are already accustomed to, Your Highness. The one making things difficult is you, Your Highness.”

“According to Kingdom law, unless a Princess is specially named Crown Princess, the throne passes to the son. Are you trying to ignore the law?”

“The late King didn’t name you Crown Princess because the throne was naturally yours. The nobles and the people all agree. Denying that is just your doing, Your Highness.”

A tense debate passed between them.

“I’ll say it again. I have never, and do not now, intend to become the Monarch.”

Adela enunciated each word clearly.

“This is a matter of the Kingdom’s fate. This isn’t the time for personal feelings, Your Highness.”

“These are not personal feelings. His Majesty was top of his class at the academy and set to graduate early.”

“Theory and practice are different. Surely you know that, Your Highness?”

“He just returned from the academy, so it takes some time to learn practical matters. Can’t you wait even a little?”

It was true that Holden had made a few minor mistakes. But everyone makes such mistakes.

“Do you think three months is a short time?”

“If the late King hadn’t died suddenly, there would have been time to learn slowly.”

“Your Highness, you managed everything alone. Without mistakes. At an even younger age.”

“I must have made mistakes too. People were simply more forgiving then. So don’t question His Majesty’s abilities any further.”

“Your Highness!”

“That’s enough. The officials assisting His Majesty are capable, and I’ll help as well. I won’t hear more of this.”

Adela turned her back firmly on Adamante.

“The excuse of lacking time won’t last forever. I’ll take my leave for today, Your Highness.”

After bowing, Adamante left the office.

“Whew.”

Adela sat on the sofa, holding her head. After such a battle of wills, she felt all strength drain from her body.

The late King should have named Holden Crown Prince while he was alive.

Regret surged.

The late King’s death was sudden. He had a chronic illness, but no one expected such a sudden passing. Embarrassingly, it was a death in bed.

The late King, distracted by his concubines and uninterested in state affairs, cared little for succession.

Adela had repeatedly urged him to name Holden Crown Prince, but he always put it off, saying, ‘When he returns for this break.’

How troublesome could a Crown Prince’s investiture really be?

Because of the late King’s laziness, those left behind faced even more trouble.

Holden, just come of age at 18, hurried back from the academy to ascend the throne.

The problem was that the nobles were dissatisfied with Holden’s accession, citing his lack of skill compared to Adela.

“It’s only just begun, so why can’t they wait even a little?”

A sigh escaped Adela’s lips.

“Your Highness.”

Joy rushed in urgently.

“What is it?”

“You should go to His Majesty.”

‘Is he drinking again?’

It was late afternoon, with the sun just beginning to set. It was too early to be drunk. Lately, the King had been drinking more often.

Of all days, why today?

This mustn’t reach her grandfather’s ears.

Adela quickly rose from her seat.