Chapter 1.1

Violet sat in a chair, gazing out the window with a sigh. Her bright and clear face was unlike her usual cheerful self, now subdued.

However, unlike her gloom, the imperial palace of Scotia was filled with bustling noise for the first time in a while.

The power of the nobles had grown stronger, naturally weakening the imperial authority. As a result, the national strength of the Scotia Empire had also declined, leading to an invasion by the Lybian Kingdom, which seized the opportunity.

Due to internal power struggles within the empire, there was no time to consolidate military power, so Scotia decided that defense tactics using human waves were the best option.

However, the gathered army became unexpectedly aggressive, and Lybian’s surprise attack, which they were confident would be an easy victory, was swiftly subdued.

The defense battle turned into a conquest war, and only after Scotia seized one-third of Lybian’s borders did it end with a victory agreement.

The return of the army, which rekindled the empire’s strength, should have been a joyful day for Violet as well.

Although she was the youngest imperial princess of the empire, the commander who achieved this unbelievable miracle was her fiancé.

Yet, she couldn’t hide her dark expression because of the various noises within the imperial family that she couldn’t help but hear.

‘Now, it’s as if Dein Bates holds the real power in Scotia.’

‘He’s much better than the imperial family who does nothing or the high-ranking nobles who only fill their bellies, so the public sentiment is bound to change.’

‘But he’s a close confidant of the imperial family. No matter how capable he is, he wouldn’t have reached that position without the support of Princess Olivia.’

Dein Bates.

His reputation was due to his skills, but it was also true that he couldn’t have reached that position without the strong backing of the First Princess Olivia.

In the past, Dein was chosen as Olivia’s sparring partner by chance because they were of similar age, and his exceptional skills caught her eye.

With the support of the imperial family, he became the first imperial knight commander from a viscount family, and during Olivia Ryle’s coming-of-age ceremony, he became her first partner, officially making his name known in society.

Afterward, he continued to rise, receiving the title of Earl after subjugating monsters in the northwest region, and opinions were divided when he suddenly became engaged to the youngest princess Violet, who had neither political power nor ability.

In the Scotia Empire, which had only two princesses, it was said that the emperor forcibly pushed for marriage with the youngest princess Violet because he wasn’t satisfied with accepting him as Olivia’s consort and future emperor, but didn’t want to lose him.

Or it was said that he was already appointed as Olivia’s partner and future emperor, but to avoid backlash or controversy from the nobles, he maintained safe cooperation through an engagement with Violet.

Whichever was the truth, it didn’t matter. After winning the war against Lybian, where he was dispatched after the engagement, and becoming the best man in Scotia, he had already overcome all his weaknesses.

Now, the irreverent talk that the engagement partner could be changed was so convincing that anyone could understand.

The rightful partner for Dein Bates was not the politically powerless and incapable fiancée Violet, but the eldest daughter who could support the throne, Olivia.

“I know everything even if you don’t gossip like that…”

Violet leaned against the window frame as if collapsing. The words that poured out like a sigh revealed an undeniable gloom.

Two years ago, when she had just come of age, she was young and innocent, but not foolish. She wasn’t unaware of the words surrounding the engagement with Earl Dein, and she thought the same.

Nevertheless, she accepted the engagement. It wasn’t because she understood the political situation. It was the joy of having Dein Bates as her own, even for a moment.

It’s a phrase that doesn’t fit being in the midst of a fierce power struggle, but to Violet, Dein was her first love.

She had occasionally seen him with her sister, but like others, she also properly recognized him at her sister Olivia’s coming-of-age banquet.

A shining person. Dein Bates, dancing with her sister, looked perfect like a knight from a fairy tale.

However, the admiration was only to that extent. It stirred thrilling longing, but Violet had long known her place and position.

Someone as radiant as him only looked upward, so there was no way someone like her, who always stayed in the same place, could catch his eye. Only someone like her confident and beautiful sister, who also aimed high, could suit him.

Not daring to be greedy, her heart, which had no spark to ignite, blossomed not in a single moment.

At first, it was just frequent encounters. Not anything special between the two, but naturally frequent as a princess and the knight order.

After paying respects, the attention and topics focused on Olivia were always familiar, but even within them, Dein was often the only one who looked at her.

When even her assigned escort was captivated by Olivia, he would come and stand by her side, or offer small greetings to break the silence, like telling her to be careful because the weather was cold.

She knew it didn’t mean much. He was just a bit more polite than others. Besides those few moments, he was naturally someone who stayed by Olivia’s side.

But those trivial moments gradually filled her with excitement and expectation. Even knowing it was an illusion, the accumulated feelings blossomed when he offered a greeting before leaving for the subjugation expedition.

‘All glory to the empire’s flower, Second Princess Violet.’

The empire’s flower.

There was always the order of ‘second’ attached to the formal epithet given to Violet. Only Olivia was recognized just for being herself.

A knight’s pledge to fulfill his mission. This was also likely just a ceremonial greeting, but perhaps because of the gradually accumulated feelings, it resonated with great significance.

It created the illusion that Dein Bates was uniquely discovering her.

That moment sparked desire. Enough to feel envy toward her sister who suited him. Enough to dream of standing beside a man who didn’t suit her.

So she was happy. Regardless of any rumors or words that followed.

When she found herself beside him, who was rising even higher as he succeeded in the subjugation and became an Earl. Even with just short visits for obligatory meetings due to the formal engagement, she was happy to have time with him.

Though she might not have been a satisfactory partner for him, Violet selfishly appreciated that he was still an insufficient match for her brilliant and outstanding sister.

So while wishing for his safe return, her heart sank every time she heard about Dein’s rising status.

Violet wished for his return, yet hoped he wouldn’t come.

Knock knock.

A small sound of friction pulled her from her thoughts. Her purple eyes, filled with melancholy, turned to the firmly closed door.

“Who is it?”

“Your Highness the Princess, it’s time for the return ceremony.”

“…Alright. Just wait a moment.”

Ha. Violet sighed deeply and stood up, looking at her faint reflection in the window.

A glamorous dress and wavy pink hair. Except for the drooping corners of her mouth, she was beautiful enough today.

“…”

Violet blinked a couple of times and forcibly lifted the corners of her mouth. Though excessive and awkward, it was almost similar to her usual bright and cheerful appearance with a radiant smile.

Resolutely, Violet took a breath and finally turned her steps toward the door.

* * *

The return ceremony was grand and magnificent. Despite the long expedition, the quick return made preparations a bit challenging, but it was only natural to honor those who elevated the empire’s declining stature.

Violet greeted them from the highest seat. Of course, she knew that the object of Dein’s respect and loyalty was her father, the emperor, and her sister Olivia, who would bestow the position of the next emperor.

When the army entered, a small commotion spread. The cautious gaze of the nobles, the envious gestures of the imperial servants, and even the small murmurs within.

“The war was swift, and the return is just as quick.”

“I would do the same. Now they can boldly obtain what they want, so their hearts must be impatient.”

Most of the sounds were small enough to be buried, but Violet couldn’t miss the small voice coming from just behind her. She knew well what the slightly excited voices were saying, but Violet just calmly held her ground. These words were familiar now.

Though slightly bitter, she occasionally glanced at the expedition members who curiously observed her with curious eyes.

‘Is he wary that I might cling or become a hindrance?’

It might be a crooked thought, but she couldn’t help but lean towards negativity due to her gloom. The atmosphere made her feel as if she was on the wrong stage.

Still, Violet maintained her smile and changed her mood. There was a benefit of sorts. It was a rare chance to freely see Dane, who she should no longer look at.