Translator: Nox

Chapter 15

2. I Declare the End of My Unrequited Love.

The grand iron gates of the Rosen Duke Family swung open on both sides.

From within, a jet-black carriage adorned with gold shot out like an arrow.

It was the duke's carriage, racing toward the Imperial Palace. A smaller carriage followed closely behind it.

More eye-catching than the flashy decorations were the two coachmen seated rigidly on the driver's box.

"Are those people or dolls?"

People whispered like that, as the pair moved only their hands while frozen stiff.

'Am I shaking?'

The coachman and apprentice coachman wore such expressions as they drove the carriage and finally arrived at the Imperial Palace.

The attendant opened the door, revealing Duchess Aristina on the seat.

Dressed even more beautifully than usual for today's audience, she was intently reading a book. Underlining it vigorously.

'Ah, no wonder it was so quiet. Of course.'

The coachman and attendant exchanged wry smiles inwardly and bowed their heads.

"Miss, we've arrived at the Imperial Palace."

"Ah, already?"

The duchess hurriedly disembarked.

In her haste, the book she had left on the seat fell to the floor as her dress hem brushed it.

"Ah!"

The apprentice coachman quickly picked up the book.

"Impressive. The miss reads books too?"

"It's not reading—it's a magazine compiling all sorts of gossip about Crown Prince Aldensis. She memorizes even the tiniest details with fiery eyes. If even a speck of dust gets on it, she'll have a fit, so clean it well."

"Yes. Huh? But the cover says '<Analysis of Rosen Duke Family Finances>'?"

"Ah, that's a decoy. Look closely."

The coachman shook the book upside down, trying to show a magic trick where the cover detached...

"Hm?"

It didn't separate. Puzzled, he opened the book.

"'...The list of assets currently confiscated from the duchess by her father...' Huh? It's not about Crown Prince Aldensis?"

"This really is an economics book!"

"What? What's going on?"

The economics book was filled with underlines and circles, especially starred heavily in one part as if extremely important.

<Imperial Merchants' Conference>.

The coachman and attendant turned with baffled faces.

"Imperial Merchants' Conference?"

Ahead, the miss's back was rapidly receding as she walked behind the duke.

* * *

'Finally arrived at the Imperial Palace.'

I placed my hands on my waist and looked around.

The maids had put extra effort into dressing me for the Crown Prince's audience.

Dominated by deep, subdued colors, the dress with delicate jewels and embroidery exuded duchess-like dignity.

Yet to avoid looking too somber, bold accessories added vibrancy. I sparkled from head to toe.

"She's here. Here."

Even those frowning at me couldn't tear their eyes away.

Duke Karnel's side was the same. The red accents in his formal attire made his pale complexion and ruby-like eyes stand out more.

Before his refined face with pale blond hair neatly tied back, even handsome young nobles instantly seemed ordinary.

The duke rarely visited the Imperial Palace unless necessary, so his appearances became half-day sensations... and it was true.

'We're drawing all the stares in the area.'

We walked at a distance, as if not father and daughter, but that was fine.

Thanks to it, I could organize my thoughts undisturbed. About the person I was about to meet: Crown Prince Aldensis.

The most important info related to him was, first and foremost...

'His dragon bloodline.'

I turned my gaze to the Imperial Palace ceiling's grand mural.

A massive dragon. And a small human before it. Their first encounter depicted in vivid style.

Legend says the founding emperor married the 'mother of all dragons.' Their child was a human-dragon hybrid.

This hybrid trait didn't dilute over time but appeared randomly in descendants.

'For a while, only ordinary humans were born, but suddenly the current emperor's two sons awakened it in succession.'

My gaze lingered briefly on the corridor window.

The dragon shape carved into the window frame gleamed golden in the sunlight, as if embodying a certain person.

'Heir to the gold dragon bloodline and empire's Crown Prince. Aldensis Valkaid.'

Dragon hybrids possessed superhuman abilities, called 'transcendents.'

Of course, with corresponding side effects. Still, the Crown Prince had become a proper adult after twists and turns.

Well, practically treated as the empire's flower.

Handsome face, strong, kind and gentle. Elegant demeanor with perfect manners.

No wonder people idolized him. Aristina was one of them.

But one difference from others: she firmly believed she, perfect in every way, was worthy of him.

'Thus leaving a massive black history.'

Memories stored in my brain flooded back. Mixing with info I'd heard, they vividly played before my eyes.

'Ahh, stop...!'

The onslaught of black history made my vision spin.

I flailed to steady myself, grabbing whatever— a lion-shaped door handle.

Duke Karnel, walking ahead, turned sharply.

"Still drunk? Not there—here."

"Ah, yes."

I stood behind the duke. Before us, doors engraved with a golden dragon swung wide open.

The Crown Prince's audience chamber.

I followed Duke Karnel inside.

A crown prince of the empire could sit high and look down on people without issue.

But Aldensis preferred equal seating, so a large table sat in the center.

Duke Karnel sat there and glanced at me.

"Remember: nothing but what's permitted to you..."

"Of course. I have no right to speak."

I cut him off quickly.

I was too busy surveying the place anyway.

The table inspired by the world tree and gold-painted chairs felt familiar despite first sight.

Due to memories filling my head.

How desperately she'd schemed excuses to visit this chamber even once.

'Ugh...'

More black history surfaced, making me clutch my dress hem unconsciously.

How aggressive her unrequited love was. Sometimes blatant, overt, public approaches.

To such Aristina, the Crown Prince drew firm lines gently yet surely.

But she missed the coldness hidden within.

Incidents piled up. Finally exhausting even his patience.

'In the end...'

A memory sharpened vividly.

"Duchess Aristina Rosen."

In the twilight rose garden, Crown Prince Aldensis's low, clear voice echoed.

"If you keep acting like this, I won't stay silent."

Against crimson roses, his chilling blue eyes gleamed.

He wasn't his usual kind, gentle self.

Proving inhuman blood flowed in him: utterly ruthless and merciless.

'Intimidating. So intimidating.'

Even just the memory raised goosebumps on my arms.

Even creepier? Right after that talk, passersby appeared, and he instantly reverted to kind gentleness.

'Maybe... a psychopath?'

Antisocial personality disorder.

Or not? Just no personality? Because of dragon hybrid?

Anyway, even if not full antisocial, he had creepy aspects.

And the timing was exquisite.

Right after that terrifying rose garden warning, the Serene poisoning attempt happened.

He must have been furious.

'I'll execute this demon myself!'

With such resolve, sneaking into the annex to kill Aristina? Possible.

'Of course, just my speculation—no evidence yet...'

One thing certain: never get entangled with Aldensis from now on.

I'd heed his warning and vanish cleanly from his life.

'But in this boy-who-cried-wolf situation, how to convey that effectively?'

After much thought, I found one way.

In this minefield survival game, the ideal direction for me.

It related to a certain event.

Noticed everywhere while walking the corridors, now on this chamber wall: that poster's star.

"......"

I shifted my gaze to the wall, and Duke Karnel followed.

<Imperial Palace Grand Ball>.

Spotting the poster announcing the Crown Prince's upcoming ball, the duke frowned.

"What're you staring at."

He lost interest immediately, snorting and turning away.

Then, the palace attendant outside rushed in to report.

"Your Grace, Miss. Crown Prince Aldensis is coming."

Ah, here he comes.

Duke Karnel and I shot up, eyes on the door.