Chapter 3

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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I thought I might’ve heard wrong.

“Here, I wish to formally announce the engagement between my daughter Ellie and Carriel.”

Engagement? Ellie and… me?

“Be mindful of your expression and posture.”

The voice beside me snapped me back to reality.

That illustrious Imperial Princess was calmly observing the shocked hall without so much as a flicker in her demeanor.

‘Did she know?’

If not, that composed reaction simply made no sense at all.

Why? Why would she…?

“…”

Is this another one of those blasted political judgments?

The Hero Emperor.

And my father, the foremost among the Nine Heroes.

There aren’t many in the empire who receive as much unwavering support as these two.

Thus.

The power elites didn’t exactly welcome such absolute rulers.

Even during the chaotic times when the Demon King rose and the world plunged into turmoil, the high-ranking nobles of the empire held their ground. Though not all survived, their bonds grew even stronger despite the reduction in numbers.

But, that alone isn’t enough to stop the tide.

“I didn’t get a single heads-up about this… what is this?”

“You probably weren’t someone they thought would listen, huh? Am I right?”

“…”

Glancing unintentionally toward my parents, our eyes met briefly, and there it was—my dad’s annoyingly awkward smile caught my attention. Mom, on the other hand, remained relatively calm.

“So, finding me on the terrace wasn’t a coincidence after all?”

“…There’s no such thing as coincidence in our plans.”

The princess revealed with a calm tone.

A soft mutter, almost a whisper, but none of us missed it.

“Even if you exclude me, wasn’t the bond between Father or His Majesty already strong enough?”

“The world doesn’t believe that.”

Huh?

“Showcasing unity isn’t enough. The strongest tie is one that can’t be severed even if someone tries.”

Which is…

“Blood relations. Also, the greatest weapon of the royal family, wouldn’t you say?”

“…”

This woman…

Does she see herself as nothing more than a tool too?

“…”

As the emperor finished his announcement-cum-speech, she promptly closed her mouth as if waiting for something.

The commotion continued, but no one openly voiced complaints or negative reactions.

“What a joyous occasion indeed!”

“We have yet another reason to celebrate!”

“Ha-ha! This is truly a blessing for the empire!”

They acted as though everything had been planned from the start.

Clapping hands cheerfully, nodding vigorously like it was all natural, or casually throwing out blessings as if it were completely ordinary—all while maintaining an utterly shameless façade.

It made me feel sick to my stomach.

Especially since even the supposedly great descendants of the hero seemed unaware of this development, judging by their looks of shock, confusion, and some outright anger.

Still, they didn’t make it obvious.

Just glaring daggers at me instead.

If only someone not here could quietly drag me away somewhere upon hearing this news. Like how the 2-years-younger prince is currently glaring at me like he wants to tear me apart.

All sorts of flowery words are flying around now. Even the nobles who were badmouthing me earlier are now approaching with feigned sincerity, congratulating us like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Watching them act so smugly nauseated me to no end.

====

Red hair, black eyes.

Coupled with good looks inherited evenly from the emperor and empress.

Even his devilish expression somehow fits him—whether that’s pure aesthetics or malicious criticism, who knows?

“Wow! This is totally unexpected!”

“…”

“Hideous brat. Do you really think pretending to be high and mighty will cleanse your filth? And dare you bring that attitude near my older sister…”

“Prince, please calm down.”

“Calm down? You dare tell me to calm down?!”

They sure know how to play their games.

Back in the day, I used to be swayed by such airs and attitudes, but now, even amidst this storm, I remain unfazed.

And perhaps because of that…

“How long do you plan to keep up this haughty and shameless act? Truly remarkable that you can pull it off like this. What exactly did they do to brainwash you into accepting such an inappropriate decision…”

“Your Highness, that’s going too far.”

A composed-looking boy steps in to restrain the prince, though more to keep him from crossing the line rather than fully stopping him.

And behind him, several younger boys and girls are still glaring at me with hostility.

Mostly younger by two or three years, except for the one restraining the prince.

“…”

Among them, one girl sighs, looking more troubled than hostile.

“Are you done speaking?”

“What? What did you just say?”

“…”

Clearly, associating with these people only brings unnecessary hassle.

I’ve ignored them all along for this very reason.

Though ignoring doesn’t solve everything either.

“Say that again. What? What did you say?”

“Highness.”

“If I kill this guy right now, who cares? Only child of one of the Great Heroes… Ah, wait, isn’t he irrelevant now?”

An overt sneer forms on his face.

Yet, I remain undisturbed, accepting it all calmly without any ripples.

“You must’ve felt threatened, leading you to resort to such dirty tactics, hmm?”

“Staying here won’t improve your reputation. Shall we head inside?”

“Why should we butt into adults’ games? Just stand aside and watch?”

What sharp instincts for someone so young.

Not born idle, but destined to be a prince, huh?

“Let me personally offer you the best option, dullard. Go straight to His Majesty and ask to annul this engagement yourself. That way, everything can resolve peacefully. How dare you… touch my sister…”

“Highness.”

Both the meddler and the talker are equally detestable.

Still, I avoid engaging.

Dogs bark, cats meow, chickens cluck.

Can anything be harsher than telling a creature with a mouth to stay silent?

“…”

Even in this secluded spot, the gathering crowd at the ballroom has thinned somewhat, but I can feel the attention of a few lingering nobles, their attendants, and workers shifting towards us in the corner of the palace garden.

Surely an interesting topic for gossip.

“…I warned you. Execute it by tomorrow.”

“You do it yourself.”

“What?”

“Has my opinion ever mattered once?”

At merely seven years old, I remember leaving the capital city, spending three years abroad, including in enemy nations, under diplomatic arrangements—part sacrifice, part dedication. Now, I barely recall those details. After returning at twelve, I never quite adapted to life back in the capital.

“I’m a puppet. Everyone knows it, including myself.”

So.

“Don’t argue with me; take it up with the decision-makers. It’s like when a kid begs for candy—it’s up to the financially capable guardian whether to buy it or not. You know that well.”

“Again! Again, you’re trying to sound important! All show, aren’t you? What makes you so great that you always…”

“Was I ever… that great?”

Strange.

They’re the ones who seem better off, so why do they constantly pick fights with me?

Rather, shouldn’t I be the one feeling inferior? Yet why does this happen every time?

Thinking about it too much leads nowhere.

Once, I even blamed myself, questioning if there was something wrong with me.

But that was wrong.

They just…

Use me as a target to vent their frustrations and hatred.

Realizing this too late caused me immense mental suffering.

“I’ll take my leave.”

“I haven’t given permission! Who said you can just leave?!”

“Highness.”

“…Grrr!”

This guy, born male, will surely lose out to women in the competition for imperial authority.

“…”

If I marry the princess, I wonder what expression this guy would make?

A twisted curiosity arises but quickly dissipates with a snort.

Impossible.

Even if it somehow happens…

There’d be nothing ahead but hell.

Just as I was about to leave the palace grounds…

“Hmm? What was that?”

Invisible to others but crystal clear to me, that presence.

That voice.

It guided me somewhere.

Urgently.

Curiously pulling me forward.

Crossing vast stretches of the enormous palace, before I knew it, I’d arrived here.

“The Treasury?”

Why am I here…?

If discovered, this situation could spiral wildly out of control.

Being found anywhere near here would cause major problems…

“???”

Why isn’t anyone around?

This area is notoriously well-guarded. There are triple-layered gates, and without an imperial decree, it’s impossible to enter.

Yet, for some reason…

It was wide open.

Entranced, I stepped inside. Among countless treasures, one particular item caught my eye.

“No, this is wrong.”

I tried to resist the impulse to approach, turning away reluctantly…

– Are you leaving already?

That voice… inexplicably tugged at my ankle.

“What?”

-Yes. So, you can hear me, huh?

An unsettling wave of anxiety swept over me.

My lips and tongue frozen stiff, I forced myself to turn around.

And then…

– Quite familiar, aren’t you? Let me guess… Black hair is her trait, golden eyes. Unadorned but strikingly handsome features that could easily charm women… You’re their child, aren’t you?

‘Them’?

-Luelde. Hermine. Yeah, those two fit. Right. Such nostalgic names.

Speaking as if reminiscing fondly, recalling cherished memories—it was a golden-skinned woman.

Her key parts covered by an elegant white robe.

Porcelain-like skin, and flowing luxurious golden locks cascading over everything else.

Above all…

Even her mesmerizing golden eyes pulled me in.

Radiant gold, deep and familiar, glowing intensely.

The Golden Woman.

No other description came to mind.

As if condensing beauty and splendor into one being.

Something that captivated not just the gaze, but the soul itself.

Such allure.

Such magnetism… I felt it all.

“Who… exactly are you?”

Answering the spirits’ desperate call, following its echo, I ended up here.

– Before wondering about me, shouldn’t you worry about something else first?