“But won’t that ruin everything we’ve planned?”

“What a waste, such a pity. I should have made certain from the start that Gerard was chosen as her match.”

The Princess of Callithea, Anita had long been the object of the Empress’s desire. Even after the marriage to Cedric was arranged, she could not let go of her regret. For years, her most secret design had been to see Cedric dead, and to unite Anita with her own son instead.

“But now I see it clearly, It’s far too late. I should have known the moment she wed that fool. That vacant, simple face of his said it all.”

Yet the greater problem was Anita herself. The princess from Callithea was nothing like the pliant, obedient woman the Empress had envisioned. The Empress had expected Anita to mirror her own beliefs and temperament, to stand by her side and share her cause. Instead, however, the girl looked upon the very man who despised her with such open affection that it made the Empress’s blood boil.

‘If only that wretched boy had died sooner, then the one to meet the Crown Princess would have been Gerard. How unjust. Had fate been kinder, her heart would have belonged to my son instead.’

The Empress could hardly endure the bitterness that festered within her. Anita’s affection for Cedric ran far deeper than she had imagined, it was maddening, intolerable, a wound that throbbed with humiliation.

‘If only they had never met. If only she had met my son first.’

She reflected on the years she had spent in the shadows, silently suffering the pain of being dismissed, overlooked and unwanted. It was unfair, unbearably so. Yet self-pity was a luxury she could not afford. If she dwelled on the past, she would never defeat that cunning viper. Losing was not an option, not when her survival depended on victory.

“No matter what he does to her, the Crown Princess will never turn away. She’s already chosen her side and will cling to it to the end, foolish girl. She doesn’t even see that she’s chosen her own grave.”

“Then… what should be done?” the maid ventured hesitantly.

“What use is a crown princess whose heart belongs to the crown prince? From what I’ve learned, Callithea is crumbling faster than expected. Soon enough, she won’t even be able to call herself its princess. Once her nation has fallen, what will she be worth? Without her title, she’s nothing but an empty shell, neither easy to discard nor useful to keep.”

“…”

“It’s dangerous, yes, but a path must be cleared. Conveniently, His Majesty still sees her as a symbol of unity, and so he protects her too much, in fact.”

“…”

“So, if the Crown Princess were to suffer harm because of the Crown Prince…”

A grotesque image flashed through her mind, blood, stillness, her daughter-in-law lying lifeless and then, her husband, the Emperor, turning his back on their eldest son.

“But no matter how dearly His Majesty cherishes her, she’s still not his blood. She isn’t his child. Surely his love for the Crown Prince outweighs—”

“No.”

The single word cut through the air like a blade.

The Empress’s eyes darkened.

“I heard it myself. If the Crown Prince harmed his wife in any way, His Majesty would turn against him. There’s someone he treasures more than his son. And because of that…”

Her voice trailed off. Something unspoken flickered in her gaze; something the maid dared not question. The silence that followed was heavy with calculation.

After a long pause, the Empress sat up straight and folded her legs gracefully beneath her gown. Her decision was made.

“Summon Marquis Sez. Tell him I have something of grave importance to discuss.”

··· ✦ ···

“From here, I will continue alone with my maid. I have already caused Your Highness enough trouble.”

As soon as they stepped beyond the Empress’s palace, Anita’s voice became polite yet firm. Gerard, who had been chatting animatedly beside her, stopped abruptly. Her gentle attempt to create distance between them hit him with a pang of disappointment and quiet worry.

“Please don’t say that. Even if it hadn’t been Mother’s request, I would have gladly escorted you myself.”

It was the first time he had seen Anita since the night of the banquet, the same night that Cedric had been attacked. Since then, Cedric’s treatment of her had become unbearably cruel. Gerard had long wanted to check on her and offer her some comfort, but he knew that interfering would only make matters worse. So he had endured in silence until now, holding back his concern.

Yet the moment he saw her again, it felt as though she were deliberately keeping her distance. The thought left him quietly hurt, though he tried not to show it.

“You look thinner than the last time we met. Does Lexion’s food not suit your taste?”

“Oh my, do I look that way?”

But some things could never be hidden. Seeing the faint sorrow in his eyes, Anita felt a twinge of guilt.

“The meals at the Crown Prince’s palace are excellent. I’m more afraid of gaining weight than losing it. And from time to time, they even serve dishes I used to enjoy back in Callithea.”

Her words were gentle, and her smile was bright and deliberate, intended to reassure him. For a moment, Gerard simply gazed at her radiant face before muttering under his breath.

“That’s a lie.”

It was quiet, but Anita could still hear it, and she froze, unable to hide her surprise. Gerard lowered his gaze at once, scuffing his shoe against the floor as though ashamed of his boldness.

“Please don’t pretend everything is fine. I know how disrespectfully the servants treat you in the Crown Prince’s palace. And ever since that day, my brother has been…”

He stopped abruptly, realizing too late that he had gone too far.

“I—I’m sorry, Your Highness. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s all right. There’s no need to apologize.”

But Gerard could see the sorrow beneath her calm smile and the quiet ache that words could not hide. Of course she wasn’t all right. Knowing how deeply she loved Cedric, he silently berated himself for his own helplessness.

“I know how kind you’ve been to me. I’ve never forgotten your thoughtfulness, and I’m truly grateful.”

Gerard finally lifted his head, drawn by her warm tone, only to find her eyes turned away. The faint gleam of hope in his eyes seemed to startle her. She looked down quickly, unable to bear it.

“But I feel ashamed to always be on the receiving end of your kindness. So please, let me go from here. I’d rather not trouble you any further, Your Highness.”

The distance between them was unbearable. He was so close to her that he could almost reach out and touch her. Yet something immovable separated them. Gerard opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. He couldn’t bring himself to burden her any further.

So instead, he merely bowed his head and watched her go, the faint echo of her footsteps fading like a quiet farewell he didn’t have the right to stop.

“Then please go ahead first. I’ll follow once you’re gone.”

“Very well.”

Anita began to turn away after dipping into a graceful bow, but Gerard suddenly reached out and grabbed her sleeve. It was such an instinctive movement that he didn’t realize what he had done until Anita and her maid, Renéee, stared back at him in startled silence.

“I… I’ll see you again soon, Your Highness.”

Startled by his own actions, he immediately released her and bowed deeply. His ears burned crimson, and Anita, taken aback, said nothing. She simply nodded once more and turned away, quickening her steps as she left.

‘Why does my brother treat her like that…’

Gerard straightened slowly, his thoughts circling the sight of her retreating figure, so delicate, so burdened by worry. It pained him to look away.

‘That madness was the act of a deranged woman, not hers. She’s innocent… and fragile. Someone ought to protect her.’

Even after Anita had disappeared from view, Gerard remained rooted to the spot. The image of her slender figure and tearful face lingered painfully in his mind.

She was as gentle and pure as ever. Someone like her should never be hated or exploited.

As he finally forced himself to move, her name still echoed in his head. The thought of how the servants in the Crown Prince’s palace had mistreated her and how his own brother had turned a blind eye filled him with uncontrollable fury. Even worse, he knew his mother wanted to use her, too.

Gerard stopped again after only a few steps.

‘If my brother won’t protect her… then I must.’

It was a thought he had never dared to entertain before. The realization startled him so much that he shook his head sharply, as if to cast it out.

‘No one needs to know. It isn’t wrong… no, it can’t be wrong. Protecting family is my duty.’

But desire born of instinct and denial had already taken root. And once given shape, it would never stay pure.

“I only mean to protect her…”

Yet a heart that seeks to justify itself can never remain clean. As if reflecting that truth, Gerard’s silver eyes glimmered darkly, burning with a quiet, unshakable resolve.

··· ✦ ···

“Do you have something you’d like to say?”

Noticing Renee’s hesitant glances, Anita spoke first. Renee stepped closer at once, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Your Highness should have married the Second Prince, just as the Dowager Empress once suggested. His background may have been questionable at first, but that has long since been resolved. In terms of temperament, appearance, and standing, he is hardly inferior to the Crown Prince.”

“Renee.”

Anita’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unmistakable. The quick, fluttering words stopped instantly. Her expression so rarely stern toward her maid hardened with quiet authority.

“I’ve told you time and again. Watch your tongue.”

Renéee realized her mistake and bowed deeply, her shoulders hunched in apology. But Anita’s anger soon softened. Despite her determination to be firm, the sight of her maid shrinking like a frightened sparrow tugged at her heartstrings.

“You know it already. I’ve never thought of anyone else. Not anyone… but His Highness.”

Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke, but she managed to smile. Reaching out, she rested a hand lightly on Renee’s shoulder and spoke to her not as a mistress to a servant, but as an elder sister might.

“Please be careful with your words. You’re the only maid from Callithea who is still with me. If I were to lose you too, I don’t know if I could bear it.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. It’s just that being out of the palace made me so excited that I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me.”

“You’re like a sister to me, Renee. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll try not to disappoint you.”

“Good. I’ll be watching so mind yourself.”

And just like that, what was supposed to be a telling-off turned out to be rather mild. As Anita quietly reproached herself for being too lenient, she reached out and gently patted Renee’s tense shoulder.

The rest of the walk back passed more easily. Renee chattered away, reminiscing about Callithea and pointing out flowers blooming in the royal gardens. Gradually, the tension in Anita’s chest eased, and a faint, contented smile appeared on her lips.

However, when they finally reached the Crown Prince’s palace, that peace did not last.

As she climbed the stairs towards her chambers, Anita noticed a group of armored knights moving hurriedly through the corridor, searching for someone. Before she could ask what was happening, the highest-ranking knight among them stepped forward and blocked her path.