《He Was Kind If I Stopped》 Chapter 1 It was the busiest day at the Imperial Pce hunting grounds in a long time. After a lively dinner, Hazel sat in front of the mirror and let the maidens do their thing. ¡°The hunt was tiring. I had to look at the blood all day. I still feel nauseous.¡± When Hazelined, Mary, the Empress¡¯s chief maid, brought her a teacup and offered it to her. ¡°But you still had the best catch, didn¡¯t you? What are you going to make with the white deer you got from His Majesty?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Shall we hang it on the wall?¡± Hazel chuckled. ¡°The antlers are beautiful and would look great on the wall in the Empress¡¯s bedroom. What shall we make with the skins then?¡± The deer that Emperor Achilleon had personally caught and presented to the Empress was an animal that could only be found about one or two at a time in the entire forest. Not only were they cautious and inconspicuous, they were also fast and not easy to catch, yet the emperor was willing to give it to the empress. ¡°Why don¡¯t you make a winter dress out of its leather?¡± The maidservants were more excited about it than the Empress herself. ¡°I heard that the Emperor has caught many times more than the Grand Duke.¡± The maidservants, who had just helped Hazel change into her pajamas, took off her jeweled hair ornaments and her shoes, and reced them with soft silk slippers. In the meantime, to keep the Empress entertained, they made constant noises about the day¡¯s events. ¡°The Grand Duke had only caught a few foxes.¡± The Empress¡¯s expression, which had not reacted to the maid servant¡¯s words, changed drastically. ¡°How dare you mock the Imperial family?¡± ¡°¡­My sins, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± The dumbfounded maidservant hurriedly knelt and then bowed her head. ¡°Do your job. Whether it¡¯s His Majesty or the sky, all were born with different qualities.¡± ¡°Yes, of course.¡± The maid breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and beganbing Hazel¡¯s hair again. ¡°I heard white deer are precious. We could have raised it. It¡¯s a shame that it¡¯s dead.¡± To liven up the atmosphere that was frozen for a while, Mary switched the subject in a cheerful voice. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Hazel nodded. ¡°He killed it in front of me¡­I still can¡¯t breath at the sight.¡± ¡°Oh my God¡­¡± The maid¡¯s hand trembled as she held theb, as if she had imagined the scene. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, I was too.¡± Hazel narrowed her eyes and thought back to earlier at the hunting ground. The deer¡¯s eyes were like ck grapes and it was still breathing. Hazel was about to say, ¡°His leg is injured, let¡¯s help it.¡± A long sword was thrust into the deer¡¯s neck. ¡°I want to give it to you in its most beautiful condition.¡± The emperor said. ¡°My hand trembled when I saw it.¡± Hazel raised her hand and mimicked the shaking. She remembered the fear she had felt a little while ago. She knew he was a man of no mercy when it came to dealing with sinners and enemies, but the death she witnessed before her eyes was enough to make her spine tremble. And on the other hand. ¡°It¡¯s weird.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Mary asked, but Hazel was silent, remembering what she had just seen. ¡°The blood¡­¡± It was a noble beast that died with hot blood vomiting from its neck. The blood scattered over the white fur and was also sttered on Hazel¡¯s dress. ¡°Oh, so the blood on my hunting clothes was deer blood?¡± Mary heard Hazel murmuring and replied. ¡°You can¡¯t use that dress anymore, because the bloodstains won¡¯t go away. But don¡¯t worry, we have plenty of dresses, Empress.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel wasn¡¯t worried about that. It was that she thought something was wrong earlier. It didn¡¯t seem like a big deal, but when she thought about it, it was odd. Achilleon had never been the kind of man who would arbitrarily show blood to his wife. ¡°The blood spilled on the battlefield cannot be recovered. But you won¡¯t see blood while I¡¯m with you. I promise you that.¡± It was animal blood, not human, but it was aplete reversal of his promise. The deer, who was shot in the leg instead of the vital point, was too healthy, it didn¡¯t make sense that the Emperor would kill it out of mercy to end its suffocation. Besides, with his skills, the Emperor would never have missed the deer. ¡±Empress?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Hazel looked at Mary in surprise. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Hazel was constantly ruminating on the look on Achilleon¡¯s face at the exact moment when he had taken the deer¡¯s breath away. ¡°To kill such a beautiful beast with impunity. Sometimes I see that His Majesty is really ¡­.¡± Hazel was about to say something, but then she looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled as she swallowed her next words. ¡°I feel sorry for the animals. I don¡¯t know why he has such a hobby.¡± She turned the diamond ring, which shone brightly in the candlelight, removed it and ced it in front of the mirror. ¡°How I wish he had the same taste as Grand Duke Sisef¡­¡± ¡°He prefers hunting to disy. Isn¡¯t that cool? One of the maids mimicked firing a gun, and the other maids giggled, unable to contain theirughter. ¡°What about Lady Lorette?¡± ¡°The Grand Duchess was probably scared too.¡± Hazel stared into the mirror again. ¡°Lorette must have been surprised to see blood in the hunting grounds today. Please bring her some tea to help her sleep.¡± ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you, Empress.¡± ¡°Not too much.¡± ¡°You two married at the same time. As a superior, you take great care of her. I¡¯m sure the Grand Duchess appreciates it.¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t take care of her, who do you think will?¡± It was a union of empire and kingdom, the union of brothers and sisters. The funny thing was that both the grooms and the brides had one thing inmon: they were half-brother and sister, born from different bellies. Everyone talked about how King Land was not just a simple person for sending two daughters at the same time to the imperial family where everyone wanted a political marriage. Rumors about his eldest daughter, who had captivated the Crown Prince, the next Emperor, and was quickly confirmed as the next Empress. This has further strengthened the position of the kingdom under the protection of the empire that has swallowed up half of the continent, but for the kingdom, it was a ¡°profitable business¡±. ¡°Today, the Grand Duchess seemed to be in a bad shape the whole time. Herplexion was pale and she looked as if she had seen a ghost.¡± ¡°It¡¯s probably because she saw blood.¡± It was Hazel¡¯s half-sister who was in an even worse mood than she was. ¡°Empress must be tired, please get some rest.¡± Mary was right, it had been a busy day. Hazel¡¯s husband, the Emperor, had invited his brother, the Grand Duke, and his wife to the imperial vi to enjoy a day of hunting and to feast on their harvest. After eating and drinking happily, the Emperor said, ¡°I have something else to talk about with the Grand Duke.¡± Leaving the two men alone, the Grand Duchess (Hazel¡¯s half sister) and Hazel went back to their respective bedrooms. ¡°The emperor has sent a maid.¡± One of the maidservants came over and said, and Hazel nodded. She tilted her head curiously as she gazed at the maid in the mirror. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you before.¡± ¡°I¡¯m new here.¡± Then the maid lifted the box and knelt graciously in front of Hazel. The box was wrapped in red velvet and the entrance was decorated with pure gold. ¡°Open it, Empress.¡± The maid, who had been carefullybing her hair, said with curious eyes. ¡°It seems that the Emperor has sent you a gift.¡± ¡°So sudden? Didn¡¯t he have some business with the Grand Duke?¡± ¡°They are done.¡± Hazel tilted her head as she listened to the maid¡¯s words. ¡°Where is the Emperor?¡± ¡°I think he drank too much, and the servants helped him to his chamber.¡± ¡°¡­Is that so?¡± For the most part, Achilleon never slept alone. Even when he finished workte at night, he went to the Empress¡¯ bedroom and slept by her side. ¡°I guess he sent it because he felt bad that he couldn¡¯te.¡± Mary said with a smile, and the other maids interrupted her. ¡°Hasn¡¯t His Majesty given you a gift once or twice?¡± Hazel made eye contact and nced at theughing maids. The Emperor had scoured the empire, and the continent, in person for gems that would suit his wife, as only the best would qualify to be ced on her body, and as a result, the bedroom of the Demophos Empress was filled with rare gems that could not be found anywhere else. ¡°He gave me this blue diamond ne as a surprise.¡± Hazel lightly touched the ne on her neck. The water droplet shaped blue diamond was the size of a child¡¯s fist, which made its color stand out even more. The blue color was so deep that it reminded her of the eyes of the Emperor. ¡°Come on, open it.¡± The maids continued their urging. When Hazel had just reached for the box, the maid who had brought the box quickly added. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but it¡¯s for your eyes only.¡± ¡°Everyone please leave.¡± At Hazel¡¯s words, all the maids, including Mary, backed away at once. The maid who had brought the box also left after cing the box in front of the mirror. Hazel opened the box as soon as she was alone. Crack! Contrary to her expectation that it would contain a dazzling gem, inside was a small piece of paper. The note was attached to a bracelet of colored thread with an ornamental initial pattern. Hazel¡¯s eyes changed instantly when she saw it. She hastily unfolded the note. The familiar handwriting caught her eyes. [Meet me in the forest behind the annex, in front of the zelkova tree. I have something to tell you. I regret this marriage. I¡¯m always thinking about you.] It was Sisef. Hazel looked around involuntarily. There were no eyes watching her, but her mouth was dry and she was starting to feel short of breath. Because of the note Sisef had sent. Why on earth would he do that? Suddenly? Why? He was her half sister¡¯s husband, a brother of the Emperor, her husband. And he was the man Hazel once loved. Yet he married her half-sister and was bound to the family name. But he couldn¡¯t believe he wrote such a letter now. Hazel looked at the bracelet again. It was definitely Sisef¡¯s. No, it belonged to her, to be exact. A bracelet that they had made together in Land a long time ago. After their initials were carved on it, Hazel took his bracelet as a prank, and Sisef got Hazel¡¯s. What¡¯s the point of hanging on to it and sending a note¡­. The maidservant from earlier¡­Hazel thought it was strange that a new face had suddenly appeared, and that she brought such a thing¡­ ¡°Do you still have this?¡± She was lost in thought as she looked at the bracelet. It was just a prank she had yed in the past. The colored thread she had knitted it with was warped and not very borate. It was because she was clumsy with my hands. So she took the one from Sisef, who made it rtively better, and gave him her own. She never thought he¡¯d still have that humble thing. ¡®You wanted Lorette. That¡¯s why you married her. Why on earth would you do this?¡¯ Her heart began to beat uncontrobly. Achilleon fell asleep drunk. All the maids left. Suddenly, Hazel rummaged through her closet. She pulled out a long, thin robe of ck silk and pulled the hat up to her head. Just this once. Only this once. Never, never again¡­.. *** Huff. Huff¡­ Hazel let out a ragged breath as she reached the forest. The midnight hunting grounds were still and she ran along the unguarded path. When she got there, someone appeared behind a tree. ¡°Sisef?¡± Perhaps because of the extremely dark surroundings, Sisef looked taller than usual. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Her heart thumped, and for a moment Hazel felt her clouded reason gradually return. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel stepped back slowly. Just as an ominous feeling enveloped her body, the wind changed direction. The disgusting smell of blood. The servants didn¡¯t clean up the blood? That couldn¡¯t be¡­. ¡°Hello, my Empress.¡± Hazel doubted her ears at the sound of the blowing wind. ¡°Hazel, what are you doing here at this time of night?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The only thing she could see clearly were the blue eyes, as cold as the ice of the North Sea, staring at her. A devilishly beautiful face came to the woman¡¯s bedroomte at night and smiled at her, tempting her. Facing that smile, Hazel was somewhat horrified. For it was as if she had witnessed a beautiful yet cruel scene that was not of this world. ¡°Your Majesty, this is¡­What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°You.¡± She heard the sound of grass being stepped on. His body, still submerged in darkness, was notpletely visible, but his half-exposed face held a ghostly color. ¡°I, I¡­..¡± Wrong. There was definitely something wrong. Hazel tried to piece together her convoluted thoughts. Then what about the maid who was sent earlier? ¡°Why? Is it strange that I came out? Or are you disappointed?¡± ¡°¡­¡­What?¡± For a moment, Hazel thought she had misheard something. ¡°Am I not my brother you¡¯re so eager to meet?¡± ¡°Achilleon¡­.¡± ¡°I watched you the whole time in the hunting grounds. You were so sad that I almost cried.¡± Achilleon raised his hand and brushed up the hair that covered his eyes. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel gasped and withdrew. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Blood, blood¡­¡± Achilleon¡¯s face was stained with blood as he had swept his hair up with his hand. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve groomed my prey.¡± He said as if it was nothing. Chapter 2 ¡°Why¡­..?¡± ¡°Why? I have my own pleasure. I like it very much, would you mind taking a look? The ghostly voice made Hazel shudder all the more. The hand on his other side was still hidden by the trees. It was so dark around him that she couldn¡¯t even see the hazy shape of what he was holding in his hand. ¡°You know I don¡¯t like blood. It scares me.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be.¡± Thud. Hazel stared nkly as Achilleon threw something in front of her. Suddenly, time seemed to stopped, and she forgot how to breathe. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± After confirming the identity of her prey, which was thrown to her feet, Hazel hastily took a breath and backed away. ¡°Oh¡­ah¡± Achilleon slowly walked over to Hazel, who was breathing hard with her mouth open. ¡°How¡¯s it? Is this sweet enough?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, Your Majesty.l ¡°I¡¯m a husband who lets my wife have everything she desires.¡± Hazel retreated again when he saw his prey on the floor. ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t he the man you love? Don¡¯t run away like that.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the face of your lover? Or is it too bad he¡¯s not alive?¡± ¡°Achilleon, what the hell is this¡­?¡± The words didn¡¯t flow out properly due to her trembling jaw and stiffened tongue. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± Achilleon said with a smile. It was a miserable and beautiful smile, but it just looked bizarre because of his bloody face. It was as if a demon had eaten her husband and taken his skin, leaving something else in front of her, only identical in appearance. ¡°As you called my name countless times with your mouth and huddled with me, what were you thinking about in your mind?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m¡­.uh¡­¡± The bloody smell grew stronger as Achilleon approached. It was so strong that Hazel felt nauseous. ¡°Tell me, Hazel. Hmm? What did you have in mind? You imagined wrapping your legs around that man instead of me and then hips to hips with him, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t say anything. Her body began to tremble as she faced her husband¡¯s empty gaze, as if it had lost its focus. He was an infinitely affectionate husband to her. The rumors that he was an emissary of war, that the number of heads that fell under his sword would fill the rivers of the continent, were just a distant cry. But today, Hazel could see firsthand what those terrible rumors were about. It wasn¡¯t just rumors, or a conspiracy created by someone with malicious intent, but theplete truth. Achilleon gradually narrowed the distance between them. Scared, Hazel turned around and ran. At that moment, her body jerked back. ¡°Aah!¡± Her husband¡¯s arm wrapped around her waist and squeezed her tightly. She moaned in agony at the force of the hand that grabbed her hair. ¡°It¡¯s sad to see Sisef, don¡¯t you agree? After chasing you because he likes you, but you, the woman who used to show him affection, is running away now that he is like this.¡± ¡°No, no, no. It¡¯s not like that.¡± It was clear that Achilleon misunderstood something. ¡°It¡¯s not true. Who would say such a thing? Ahhh!¡± Hazel screamed at her suddenly twisted arm. ¡°You married me so you could watch him, didn¡¯t you? You go behind my back and hold him in my bedroom, to f**k like animals.¡± There was a faint whisper in her ear. Hazel let out abored breath and struggled to escape his grasp. ¡°Tell me, Hazel. Am I wrong?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± She could have told him it wasn¡¯t true. It was all a misunderstanding, an illusion, that she had only ever loved him, her husband, as Empress. She had nevermitted any injustice, and she was an honorable person. But¡­ ¡°Huh?¡± She couldn¡¯t say anything as she looked into his eyes that were glowing with blue madness. A word thrown by Achilleon froze her lips. ¡°I guess you can¡¯t deny it.¡± ¡°Please let me go, please let me go¡­¡± Achilleon stopped thinking normally and spat out nothing but futile demands. ¡°No, Hazel.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s just the beginning.¡± A cruel smile fell on the lips of her husband. **** Something cold and damp touched her face. Once, twice. Hazel gradually awoke to a hand passing over her forehead and wiping her cheeks and neck. ¡°Are you awake?¡± Under her shivering eyelids, her green eyes rolled from side to side. Someone was talking beside her, but it wasn¡¯t a familiar voice. When she woke up every morning, it was her husband who was the first to wee her. After kissing her forehead, he would quietly slip out of bed to attend to his official duties, or wake her up with a sweet caress on mornings when he had a little more time to spare. That was how the morning of the emperor and his wife began. It used to be that way. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Where is this ce? The gorgeously patterned walls and ceiling were unfamiliar. The curtains draped over the bed were also different from the usual ones. This is not the Empress¡¯s bedroom. Hazel jumped up. ¡°This is¡­ This is¡­¡± A terrible pain came over her and Hazel grabbed her head. She gasped in agony as the pain continued as if she were being pierced by arge nail. She had a very terrible dream. It was really a strange dream. It was too vivid to be a dream. Her husband was smiling gently at her in the dark forest, and¡­. ¡°Ah¡­¡± A sudden headache hit Hazel, and she held her head and let out only a groan. ¡®This is a nightmare, isn¡¯t it? I just can¡¯t wake up from a very terrible dream.¡¯ She repeated the same words over and over in her mind as if she were casting a spell. ¡°Are you okay? You must be dizzy from waking up so suddenly.¡± Hazel looked to the side and saw a maid holding a hand towel. She tried to help Hazel get back on the bed, but Hazel pushed the maid¡¯s hand away and hurriedly asked, ¡°What about Sisef?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Where is Grand Duke Sisef?¡± The maid bit her lip as she grasped the hand towel, then turned her gaze to the other older maids next to her. ¡°Chief maid.¡± The white-haired woman who was called ¡°chief maid¡± simply shook her head. Hazel looked alternately at the maids and the maid with the hand towel. It was then that she realized that not only had the scene in the room changed, but everyone had changed. The two maidservants, and indeed everyone else in the room who cared for her, were unfamiliar faces. The maidservants she had brought with her from Land, the ones she had chosen directly after marrying into the empire, were all absent. There was not a single thing left in this room that was familiar to her. ¡°Who are you¡­?¡± Hazel had an extreme aversion to strangers taking care of her, so she picked servants personally. There couldn¡¯t be a face that she didn¡¯t know. ¡°As of today, we will be serving the Empress. If there is anything you need, please let us know.¡± Hazel was taken aback when the chief maid replied politely. ¡°What about my maids?¡± ¡°Shall I bring you a meal? Or do you want a bath¡­?¡± ¡°Where are my maids?¡± Hazel asked, squeezing the maid¡¯s arm, and the maid turned to other maids with her tearful eyes. ¡°I will bring the court physician. You seem to have a headache¡­.¡± ¡°Shut up and answer my question. Don¡¯t you know who I am!?¡± All the maids in the room looked at Hazel with nervous faces at her loud roar. ¡°Grand Duke Sisef! Is he still alive? Is he alive?¡± Her flickering eyes scanned the maids one by one. But not one of them made proper eye contact with Hazel. ¡°Answer me! No, I¡¯ll check it myself¡­.¡± ¡°No, Empress!¡± As soon as Hazel stood on the floor with her bare feet, the maids rushed to her and held her back. ¡°Let go of me! How dare you! You dare to block me? Let me go! Let me go!¡± At that moment¡­ ¡°You want to know? Hazel turned around at the sounding from behind her. The man stood leaning against the door and looking at her was Achilleon. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± His cold, shining blue eyes were staring at her. There was a smile on his lips, but noughter could be found in his eyes. The maidservants who had tried to stop Hazel suddenly slipped out like an undertow as soon as they spotted the Emperor. Achilleon walked over to where Hazel was standing, gradually narrowing the distance between them. ¡°You seem to have a lot of strength.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Hazel, you need to think about your body. Do you know how many days it took you to wake up?¡± His voice was as soft as velvet. ¡°¡­Your Majesty.¡± ¡°You need to rest. You seem to be very excited, but it¡¯s better to lie down and rest.¡± Hazel¡¯s body shuddered at the honeyed sweetness of his voice. ¡°I brought you one of my gifts to see if perhaps you will feel better.¡± Achilleon beckoned, and the attendant beside him brought out a box. Then, Achilleon lifted it up. ¡°Do you know what this is? Hazel?¡± It took Hazel a moment to figure out what the box he had brought was. What was it that was in there? ¡°Why? Are you familiar with it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­.¡± Hazel¡¯s face turned white. Achilleon flipped the box over and spilled everything inside. Hazel stared at what was scattered on the floor. The letters, still neatly folded in its envelopes, were all stamped with rose patterns. It was letters that she had exchanged with Sisef when she was a princess in Land kingdom. Among them were bracelets made of colored thread, engraved with their initials. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you¡¯d keep them like this.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The Emperor stepped on the letters that were scattered on the floor. ¡°They¡¯re your treasures, aren¡¯t they? You hid them because you were afraid of who I might find out.¡± ¡°This¡­Why¡­?¡± Hazel stared at the scattered letters with horrified eyes. ¡°What? Who sent this?¡± Hazel asked, trembling. These were stored in the far end of the Empress¡¯ bedroom. Hazel was the only one who knew where they were and could open them. ¡°Does it matter?¡± A cruel smirk drew across Achilleon¡¯s lips. ¡°The thing is, Hazel¡­.¡± He held his wife¡¯s face gently. He gently grabbed his wife¡¯s face. ¡°You still had these damn things.¡± It was a fact that could not be refuted. It was something Hazel and Sisef had exchanged before they were married, but it was something that should have all been burned after she was already an empress. Nheless, what she kept was clearly her unrequited love. But, It was something she hadn¡¯t even opend recently. Achilleon approached Hazel, stepping over the letters. ¡°Oh, don¡¯te any closer.¡± Hazel struggled to retreat. The image of Achilleon was exactly the same as the one she had encountered that night in the forest. The one had thrown his brother¡¯s body at her in the dark forest¡­. It¡¯s not a dream. It was not a dream, but a cruel reality. ¡°Don¡¯te, don¡¯te¡­ Argh! Argh!¡± ¡°You can¡¯t do that. Hazel. I can¡¯t believe you rejected your husband.¡± Achilleon easily subdued Hazel and knocked her over the bed. *** Chapter 3 ¡°Get away from me, you devil¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Cold air flowed from the deep blue eyes that looked down at her. ¡°Evil and cruel¡­. How, how could you do that to your brother¡­?¡± ¡°Is your heart broken because of my brother? Or¡­.¡± ¡°No, no! Sisef and I are not like that! No!¡± Hazel stumbled back. ¡°What should I do? You¡¯re my wife. There¡¯s definitely more important things to worry about than my brother¡¯s safety.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°Do your job, Hazel. Because I¡¯ve always done mine.¡± A finger slid over her face and gently swept her chin. Hazel breathed urgently due to excessive soft and delicate hand movements. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Achilleon¡¯s lips lifted up in a smile. ¡°Your duty in bed.¡± ¡°You¡¯re crazy¡­.¡± Hazel¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°It¡¯s the most basic duty a husband can ask of his wife, why?¡± Achilleon nuzzled his face into Hazel¡¯s neck andughed. Instantly, his eyes lit up as he felt Hazel¡¯s pulse beating fast. ¡°Isn¡¯t that why you became Empress?¡± ¡°Let go of me, let go of me¡­¡± Hazel hit him on the shoulders and kicked him with her feet. But Achilleon quickly caught her feet at once and her body was held down. ¡°Listen to me very carefully. Whenever I want you, I will hold you and embrace you. If you prefer to be held in front of everyone, I will dly ept it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Her defense movements came to a halt at his words. Hazel just gasped at the sight of her clothes peeling away under his hands. ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t¡­Stop it. Please stop.¡± She reached out and gave Achilleon a firm push, but he didn¡¯t budge. She was no match for him from the start. He was strong and cruel. It was the hands that had brutally ughtered Sisef. It was disgusting and scary of him to say that he would hug her with his hands. ¡°What should I do¡­Sisef¡­.¡± The hand that was undressing Hazel stopped. ¡°You call my brother like that, don¡¯t you care about your own sister?¡± Hazel¡¯s eyes widened as his voice fell on her ears. ¡°Lorette¡­¡± ¡°Now you remember her name?¡± Hazel¡¯s head snapped up at the mocking tone. ¡°Lorette, what did you do to her?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± He smiled with a dazzling beautiful face. ¡°What do you think happened to her?¡± Hazel shuddered at his question. ¡°Answer me. No, no, no, don¡¯t tell me¡­¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Achilleonughed as he looked down at Hazel with narrowed eyes. ¡°It¡¯s horrible, Hazel, to pretend to care about your half sister after coveting her husband.¡± He bit Hazel¡¯s lip lightly and said. ¡°I feel dirty that I¡¯m reacting to your horrible body.¡± His smile twisted into a grimace. Hazel looked at him with tears in her eyes. ¡°Answer me. No¡­ don¡¯t¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t even bring herself to finish the sentence because she was afraid of the answer that would flow out of his mouth. she couldn¡¯t bear the thought of any wordsing out of his mouth. ¡°Do you want to know?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°She took her own life while holding the body of her husband.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I ced her in the same coffin as her husband because I thought she would be lonely if she went alone.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Why? You don¡¯t want them to be together even after they¡¯re dead?¡± Hazel¡¯s face turned deathly pale. Her lips, which had not opened as if they were hardened, parted. ¡°Kill me.¡± Achilleon¡¯s eyes shed hazily at Hazel¡¯s demand. ¡°Kill me, please. Just kill me¡­!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you tell me to kill my wife.¡± He clicked his tongue, then grabbed Hazel¡¯s face and pinned it to his. ¡°Hazel, think carefully. If you take your life..¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°That day, the entire kingdom you love will be on fire. The father who gave his daughter in marriage to cheat on her husband, and your younger brothers, and everyone else¡­¡± ¡°Crazy bastard, you¡­are¡­cursed.¡± Achilleonughed as if he had just heard a sweet confession of love. ¡°Oh, my curse seems to have started a long time ago.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°It started the day I fell in love with the damn Empress.¡± The hand that touched her cheek was as cold as a snake¡¯s scales. Hazel red at him with a spine chilling sensation. Achilleon held her down and said, ¡°So we¡¯re gonna be together when we die, aren¡¯t we?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Alive or dead, you¡¯re mine. Hazel.¡± Achilleon¡¯s lips touched her forehead like a seal of punishment. ¡°And you haven¡¯t even fulfilled your duty yet, have you?¡± He chuckled as he met Hazel¡¯s gaze, looking up at him as if to ask what he was talking about. ¡°We¡¯re going to have a baby, Hazel.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°Our child. The heir to this empire.¡± He pushed his hands into her thin nightgown and continued speaking. ¡°It¡¯s your duty. Empress.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not. No, it¡¯s not!¡± Holding the struggling little body to his chest, Achilleon took a deep breath. He smiled contentedly as he felt her heart pounding. ¡°Give birth to my child, Hazel. Then we can get out of here.¡± *** Ever since the day that Achilleon killed his brother and with the death of her sister, the Empress has been locked in her bedroom, unable to get out. For days on end, with bars on the windows and a huge lock on the door, Hazel was at her wits¡¯ end, with no way of knowing what was going on out there. The maidservants who served her had all been decapitated and reced by new ones sent by Achilleon, so she had nowhere to turn. Day by day, she had to live a life of suffocation. Every night, the Emperor woulde for the empress, embracing her fiercely and then leaving the bedroom. The Emperor came to Hazel¡¯s room in thete afternoon and did note out until sunset the next day. The maids could tell from the asional sobbing that she was alive. Hazel was in the highest room of the tower, and no one was allowed to enter. All that was left was for food and baths toe into the next room. Several days and nights passed in this way. The maid, who with her half closed eyes outside the door, quickly stood up, as the door swung open. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± A deep darknessy on the Emperor¡¯s face that she hadn¡¯t seen in several days. However, everything else seemed to be too uneventful. It was as if all the sounds that had been leaking from the room were a lie. Achilleon nodded to the maid, who looked at him. At the Emperor¡¯smand, the maids hurriedly opened the door and went inside. As soon as the door opened, a gloomy atmosphere covered their entire body as if they had entered the gate of hell. It was pitch-dark in the room.It was difficult to distinguish whether it was night or day. It was hard to believe that it was midday, some time after the sun had risen. The shing light on the incense burner, with only the ashes remaining, was all the light that existed in the room. ¡°Empress?¡± They saw a dim shape in the darkness. It was Hazel, buried in the bed. The maids quickly raised her body. They all sighed deeply at her soon revealed appearance. ¡°Let me wash you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The maids woke Hazel, who was as unresponsive as a corpse, and took her to the washroom. ¡°I never thought His Majesty would go to such lengths.¡± One of the maids let out a deep breath and poured water over Hazel¡¯s body. Every spot where the warm water ran down, the marks ofst night were clearly engraved. The maids began to carefully wipe Hazel¡¯s body, which hung limp in the tub. The bath was filled with medicinal herbs that were effective in stabilizing the body and mind. Each time they carefully wiped the traces left by the Emperor with the water, a moan flowed from Hazel¡¯s unconscious mouth. ¡°He was so kind¡­ He would dedicate his entire empire to her.¡± ¡°Shhhh.¡± The head maid ced her finger on her lips. Fortunately, Hazel, who was lying in the bathtub, did not show any reaction. lDo you want to die? If you move your lips unnecessarily, your head will fly off next time.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Be careful what you say. Have you forgotten what happened to all the other maids? We only have to do our jobs.¡± At the chief maid¡¯s cold threat, the maid who had been rubbing Hazel¡¯s body raised her hand and rubbed her neck. Even though she said that, the chief maid couldn¡¯t shake the sad stare she was giving Hazel. ¡°It¡¯s better to forget everything than to undo it.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± ¡°Go get her clothes and towels. I¡¯ll clean up here.¡± ¡°Yes, madam.¡± The maid set down the sponge and rose from her seat. She nced at Hazel, who was hanging in the hot water and not even moving slightly, and then hurried out of the washroom. Seeing such a maid, the chief maid shook her head and raised herself up. While the maid, who went out of the washroom and prepared to get the clothes, the maid in charge of the empress¡¯s clothing spoke to her cautiously. ¡°By the way, is it true? The Grand Duke and the Empress have been seeing each other¡­¡± ¡°Shhhh. If the chief maid hears it, she¡¯ll yell at you.¡± The maid spoke in a low voice, and the other maid covered her mouth with her hand. However, they didn¡¯t notice their conversation had leaked through the crack in the washroom door. Hazel opened her tightly closed eyes. ¡°It¡¯s better to forget everything than to undo it.¡± As the words hovering in her ears over and over again, the blur began toe into clear focus. **** Chapter 4 ¡°I¡¯d like to get dressed.¡± ¡°Oh, yes, Empress.¡± The maids opened their eyes wide in surprise at the words of the Empress who was sitting like a doll. ¡°His Majesty ising soon, and I¡¯ll be in trouble for looking so haggard. Bring me my jewelry box.¡± ¡°With Your Majesty¡¯s permission, I will do so. I will send someone right away.¡± Hazel nodded silently. A few momentster, the jewelry box was ced in front of Hazel, just as she wished. It was a jewelry box filled only with things that she valued exceptionally. Every anniversary, or even if it was not such an asion, the Emperor would often present her with the most precious and beautiful jewels. It contained earrings and nes adorned with diamonds and pearls, as well as a peacock brooch made of emeralds and onyx. Hazel rummaged through the jewelry box and took out a ring iid with red gems. The jewels sparkled under the candle and shone quite lustrously. Hazel slowly slipped it onto her ring finger. In the evening, the emperor always came to visit her. ¡°You seem a little different¡­¡± Achilleon slowly closed and opened his eyes and carefully studied Hazel¡¯s appearance, which had changed over the course of the day. She was beautiful, wearing light makeup and jewels, but there was something strange about her. ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, then¡­¡± As she raised her hand to remove the essories from her ears and neck, Achilleon gently took her hand. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen you like this.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d you like it.¡± Achilleon only smiled faintly at the faint words of gratitude that came out of her mouth without hesitation. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen that ring in a while.¡± ¡°It was given to me by His Majesty, and I cherished it. It is not amon piece of jewelry. ¡­.¡± Achilleon took Hazel¡¯s ringed hand and kissed it as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s with you all of a sudden?¡± His voice had a sharp edge to it. It was a situation that could send her to heaven or hell, depending on how she answered. But Hazel answered easily. ¡°I would like to say a prayer.¡± ¡°Why? Do you want dead people to go to heaven?¡± Hazel quickly shook her head as her face lost its pleasantness. ¡°You told me to have a baby. Somehow God will hear my words if I pray earnestly.¡± ¡°Is that really all you want?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Hazel answered quietly, though there was doubt in Achilleon¡¯s blue eyes. Hazel pleaded with him again, her gaze bing more agile as she watched his expression. ¡°Can I? I want to pray to God to give me a child as soon as possible¡­It would be nice if there was someone who could deliver my prayers to God.¡± ¡°Who would you like to join you in prayer?¡± ¡°Anybody. It¡¯s His Majesty¡¯s people anyway¡­ He¡¯ll know if I say any strange prayers. He has divine powers.¡± Hazel said obediently. ¡°You¡¯re a very religious wife, aren¡¯t you? I hadn¡¯t noticed it before.¡± Hazel shuddered at the hand stroking her chin. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s a better way to have a baby than praying.¡± Achilleon said, dropping the cloak on his shoulders. ¡°We are not innocent people who know nothing, are we?¡± Hazel, who was looking at the hand he had reached out, faltered and put her hand on it, and Achilleon caught hers with his eyes shining. ¡°Give me a child.¡± Hazel said as she sat on top of Achilleon¡¯sp with a giggle. A slight frown from his face passed over her, but she didn¡¯t let that look stop her. ¡°That¡¯s how I can get out¡­I¡¯ll do it. As much as you want, I understand.¡± ¡°¡­Are you sure?¡± Achilleon asked, lifting Hazel¡¯s chin. ¡°I¡¯m d.¡± A thin, shattering smile appeared on Hazel¡¯s lips. The next moment Hazel slowly pressed her lips to his. She bit, licked, and continued the gesture over and over, while Achilleon still only observed her obsessively. ¡°Achilleon.¡± Hazel called his name with wet eyes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. Achilleon crumpled happily and looked at her with a stiff face for a while. But a short momentter¡­ Achilleon, holding her small head in one hand, changed his posture and pushed Hazel down on the bed. His hot lips assaulted and restrained Hazel¡¯s. ¡°Hazel¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Hazel.¡± He called her name as if he was dying. He didn¡¯t stop calling her name for a long time, even when she didn¡¯t answer, even when she didn¡¯t respond in any way. Hazel¡¯s tears gushed from her eyes. *** Contrary to the idea that he might not listen, Achilleon gave Hazel time to pray with the High Priest in the afternoon. The High Priest Mameth, with his almost silver-turned-hair and beard, was a man revered by the people of the Empire as an agent of the living God. ¡°What is the most painful thing?¡± Hazel was kneeling on her knees in front of the stone statue blindfolded, and the High Priest stood in front of her, listening to Hazel¡¯s prayer. Around them were twelve ss coffins in their original form, each containing mirrors, nes, books, crowns, and other sacred objects left behind by past saints. Hazel¡¯s handnded on one of the ornate jeweled crowns and grabbed it. ¡°Please let me have a child. That¡¯s all.¡± Hazel said with a nk expression. ¡°I will pray with you that your prayer will reach God.¡± ¡°The saints will also give me strength, won¡¯t they?¡± At Hazel¡¯s question, the High Priest thought for a moment, then nodded. ¡°This is the ce where the holy relics left by the saints of the empire are kept. If you pray hard enough, it wille true.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard of the power that resides in the holy relics. It was when I first married into this empire. We had our wedding ceremony after praying in front of the holy relics of the saints.¡± ¡°I remember I was the wedding officiant. It was a prestigious position.¡± ¡°Do you still think so?¡± Hazel said, bursting withughter. ¡°I¡¯m locked up every night, tending to the emperor¡¯s desires. Being an empress is just a pretense, what¡¯s the difference between a woman who sells her body¡­. Oh, I¡¯m worse than that.¡± The High Priest spoke in a benevolent tone. ¡°God will save the Empress.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± For a moment, the gray eyes of the High Priest looked different than usual. It was the samepassionate light, but it shone umonly, as if it was trying to strongly inform Hazel of something. ¡°Perhaps Empress would like to pray alone.¡± At these words, the High Priest beckoned to the knights guarding behind him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you stand outside the door? It¡¯s not like there¡¯s another way in or out of the sanctuary anyway.¡± The knights hesitated for a while but retreated to the door nheless. A momentter, the High Priest whispered to Hazel. ¡°Have a moment of truthful dialogue with God, I¡¯ll step aside.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The High Priest smiled benevolently at Hazel and withdrew quietly. Hazel, seeing that the High Priest was gone, quickly stood up. Then she closed the door tightly from the inside and approached the ss coffin where the holy relics were kept. The ce where Hazel stood in front of was the coffin that contained the crown. She knew that she was doing something crazy, but she had no choice. Hazel lifted the ss lid and took out the crown. When she first married into this empire, she heard the words from the priests, and at the time, she had not paid much heed to them. But now¡­ Each object has its own hidden power. And this crown had the power to turn back time. However¡­ ¡°How do I prove it?¡± Faith is based on unconditional belief, not proof. And so she did not believe it. But right now, at this moment, the power of this relic was what she needed more than anything. ¡°Please turn back time.¡± Hazel whispered quietly. But the only thing that touched her hand was a cold golden touch. Her hand, holding the crown, began to tremble. ¡°Please bring me back¡­¡­.¡± But there was no response to her urgent words from the crown in her hands. As usual, it was nothing more than a beautifully crafted crown. ¡°Please, let everything be as it should be. Please save me from this cruel nightmare.¡± Hazel sat down with tears streaming down her face. The crown fell from her weak hands with a ng to the floor. ¡°It¡¯s stupid.¡± She shouldn¡¯t have been fooled by the idea of a holy object. There was no such thing as a holy object, no such thing as the power to turn back time. She just wanted to lean on such things because she was desperate. What was nned was a disaster that would befall her. Bang. Bang. Suddenly, Hazel¡¯s body bounced up as she sat on the floor. It was as if somethingrge and blunt was thrown at the door of the tightly closed sanctuary. Bang. Bang. It was noisy outside, and Achilleon¡¯s screaming voice could be heard through the crack in the door. ¡°¡­No, no, no¡­¡± Hazel strained to her feet and tried to get up, but her fear-stricken body wouldn¡¯t move. Bang! Achilleon stood in the open doorway with a sound that tore her ears. ¡°Hazel!¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Come here.¡± ¡°No, no.¡± Hazel clutched her crown like a madwoman. ¡°No, no, no.¡± ¡°You want that? If you wanted it, you should have said so. I would be happy to put anything you want in your hands.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°When did I ever fail to grant you what you want?¡± As Achilleon approached, Hazel let out a paroxysmal scream. ¡°Don¡¯te!¡± His blue eyes, tinged with anger, red at her. Achilles¡¯ face was wrinkled by Hazel¡¯s fierce rejection. ¡°Don¡¯te, no. I¡­ I¡¯m going back to when we didn¡¯t meet, when we didn¡¯t know each other.That¡¯s what I¡¯m going to do.¡± A momentter, a white light began to shine from the crown Hazel was holding. ¡°Hazel? Hazel?¡± Achilleon rushed over to her with a surprised look on his face. At that moment, the light emitted from the crown enveloped them both. **** Chapter 5 ¡°Princess, you have to get up now.¡± Hazel¡¯s eyelids lifted slowly as a voice gently called her. ¡°Princess.¡± Hazel turned her head to look at the voice calling her again from outside the curtains that hung over her bed. Behind the curtain, she could see the maids moving back and forth, irritably waiting for her. ¡°Stop calling me. I¡¯m up.¡± The maidsughed at Hazel¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ll open the windows.¡± Mary, the maid in charge, came over and opened the windows, letting in a bright light. ¡°How are you feeling today?¡± Hazel looked around the room in a daze while Mary babbled, checking on her condition. Everything was familiar: the bed, the soft bedding, the walls adorned with her favorite paintings. ¡®It¡¯s not a dream, is it?¡¯ She murmured inwardly. It just wasn¡¯t today. Every time she woke up in the morning, Hazel would think about it repeatedly. Maybe tomorrow when she wakes up, everything will be back to the old days. The days she lost her first love at the hands of her husband, her sister died, and she lived each day unable to die to protect her country. Every night, she could not sleep because of such anxiety. When she finally slept, she was afraid of waking up because then all of this might have been a dream and disappeared. But such a thing did not happen. Everything had previously returned to the days when she was not the Empress of Demophos but the Royal Princess of Land. The magical crown had granted her wish. Time had turned back just as she hoped. She was able toe back before all the horrible nightmares started. ¡®It¡¯s not so bad.¡¯ Hazel mumbled absentmindedly, looking at the ceiling, and Mary said with a deliberately cheerfulugh. ¡°Oh, good, I¡¯m d. We still have some time to get ready, but we must hurry. So you won¡¯t bete.¡± Mary took the cushion and propped Hazel up on her back, giving her a light squeeze on the shoulder. ¡°Get ready? Ready for what?¡± Hazel, who was still half asleep, asked back in a subdued voice. ¡°Oh, my God, princess. Today is the day that we have guests from the Empire. The Crown Prince ising to sign the peace agreement.¡± ¡°Ah, that day.¡± Hazel murmured casually. It was a day she would never forget, because even the day before she couldn¡¯t sleep and struggled with the fear that tomorrow would be ¡®that day.¡¯ An unforgettable day. Today was the day that Achilleon and Sisef would visit the Land kingdom together. Unlike Sisef, who often stopped by the kingdom as a delegation, this was Crown Prince Achilleon¡¯s first official visit. That showed how important this peace agreement was for both countries. ¡°The first thing to do is to take a bath filled with the finest rose petals and choose a dress. I¡¯ve selected many dresses by color. I also picked out all the jewelry.¡± Mary pointed to a line of maids with colorful dresses, shoes, and jewelry. Their expressions were quite serious, as if they were going to a battlefield. ¡°Why is it so serious? Is the empire going to attack us?¡± ¡°Even the princess is joking.¡± Maryughed like ark bird and tried to keep Hazel in a good mood. ¡°What about Lorette?¡± ¡°Princess Lorette got everything done early. That¡¯s why we have to get ready as soon as possible.¡± Mary said wistfully. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, Princess Lorette would wear a green dress.¡± ¡°Why green?¡± Mary winced at the words of the maid standing next to her, then answered with a puzzled look on her face. ¡°Why, it¡¯s the color of the princess¡¯s eyes! To choose a dress that is the same color as her older sister¡¯s eyes, it really is the worst¡­¡± Mary finally closed in on the conversation. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯d be better to choose something other than green. Our princess has fair skin and smooth hair, and her beautiful eyes would look good in any color.¡± ¡°I thank you for thepliment. I¡¯ll never forget it.¡± Hazel replied indifferently and went to lie down, but Mary raised her up and said, ¡°Princess, you have to be ready soon. We¡¯re running out of time.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Mary and the maids were dumbfounded by Hazel¡¯s question. ¡°We have important visitors from the Empire, and of course the eldest princess should stand out.¡± ¡°What does that mean?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°People only look at Lorette.¡± It was always Lorette this and Lorette that. One day, an angelic girl suddenly appeared in the pce, captivating people, including her father, the king, at first sight. Her weakness of being the daughter of a maid of honor was no problem for her half-sister. Lorette warmed everyone¡¯s heart with her nice face and bright smile. ¡°And I¡¯m crazy, aren¡¯t I?¡± The maids hastily sucked in their breaths as the words threw them nonchntly. ¡°You were ill for some time. But you¡¯re not crazy, Princess.¡± One day, princess Hazel woke up from a nightmare, screamed and fainted repeatedly. Then, after a week or so, her condition improved a lot, but after that she became extremely quiet. The princess rarely went out. Originally, she was irritated at being confined to her room, but suddenly she locked herself inside the room for quite some time.This led to frequent rumors in the court that Princess Hazel was insane. ¡°That¡¯s why you should show them that you¡¯re healthy, Princess.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too much trouble.¡± Hazel quickly shook off Mary¡¯s hand and plunged back into her bedding. ¡°I¡¯m in pain.¡± ¡°What?¡± At the same time, the maids looked at each other with surprise. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°It hurts.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think my father would like me toe out.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not true. He must have been very worried.¡± ¡°But why did he nevere to visit?¡± ¡°He is probably very busy with the uing agreement with the Empire.¡± ¡°When Lorette caught a cold, he even postponed the official meeting to rush over.¡± ¡°But Princess¡­.¡± Mary bit her lip in frustration as she was busy trying hard to find an excuse, but she seemed to be having a difficult time. ¡°I¡¯m sure His Majesty loves and cares about you very much. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡± Hazel sighed and nodded. Her mother, Queen Martina, went wild when she found out that her maid of honor was pregnant. Eventually, the maid escaped the Queen and gave birth to Lorette, who had to live outside the pce to avoid the strict eyes of the Queen. Princess Lorette, who grew up with themoners, was able to return to the pce after the death of the Queen.The opposition from her family was nothingpared to the time when the Queen was alive. Back then, the king had no choice but to listen to the Queen, the daughter of a powerful family. After the Queen¡¯s death, Hazel took over and helped with the household chores in and out of the court in ce of her mother. Sometimes she even met with ministers and handled important matters on behalf of her father, the king. Hazel was the flower of the Land kingdom. It was only when Princess Lorette came back that Hazel¡¯s position began to be threatened. ¡°I¡¯d rather just stay here than go out in public and embarrass myself, even though I¡¯m not insane.¡± ¡°But the role of the princess is¡­.¡± ¡°Lorette will do it.¡± Hazel added, pulling the nket over her head. ¡°She¡¯ll do it better than me.¡± The angelic smile on Lorette¡¯s face would be perfect for winning people¡¯s hearts. ¡°Are you serious, Princess?¡± ¡°Of course I am.¡± Hazel nodded furiously as she looked out from under the covers. ¡°Please tell her to do everything. From reading the congrattory message to going to greet people. Don¡¯t bother me. I¡¯m resting. I¡¯m a patient.¡± All the maids became troubled as Hazel¡¯s hand came out of the nket, waving and expressing the obvious refusal. ¡°Even Prince Sisef ising?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± For a moment, a silence came over the room. Mary looked quite nervous after saying it, but she looked at Hazel, waiting for her to respond to the name she mentioned as herst resort. ¡°Why does it matter?¡± ¡°Huh, but the prince¡­..¡± ¡°He¡¯sing to see Lorette¡­¡± The numb tone of the Princess¡¯s voice continued again, and each of the maids looked at each other with surprise. It was the first time Hazel had ever reacted this way. ¡°That¡¯s not true. Since he heard that the princess was ill, he already requested to see you several times.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he did.¡± Hazel said curtly. ¡°But I won¡¯t see him.¡± When Hazel still refused, Mary asked cautiously. ¡°Are you okay, Princess?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m tired. Everyone gets out. Don¡¯t wake me until lunchtime.¡± Hazel had no intention of stepping out of this room until after today. She didn¡¯t want to see anyone, especially Achilleon, who was now the Crown Prince, and Sisef, the Prince. She did not want to see those brothers again. ¡°Princess¡­¡± Hazel avoided Mary and said firmly. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± After a while, she heard the maids retreating, and Hazel sighed and closed her eyes. She wished the day would pass like this. But the peace did notst very long. Mary opened the door again and walked in. ¡°Princess.¡± ¡°I said I was going to rest.¡± ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ Princess Lorette is here.¡± Chapter 6 **** ¡°What?¡± Surprised, Hazel grabbed the covers and looked at Mary. ¡°Lorette? Why?¡± ¡°She says she wants to see princess.¡± ¡°Please tell her to leave.¡± Hazel waved her hand with a grumpy face. ¡°She has beening here wanting to see you many times. If we kick her out again this time¡­¡± The maids were well aware of how bad Hazel¡¯s reputation had be since Princess Lorette¡¯s arrival at the pce. Even the king often criticized Hazel terribly. As if he wanted to give her all the love he had not been able to give her before, the king gave Lorette all the good things and made sure that all things proceeded with Lorette as the priority. ¡°She had struggled all her life outside the pce, so we should make it up to her. Understand that she¡¯s your sister.¡± Hazel had no choice in the matter. It was a system where everything was decided and then notified. Every time she reacted by saying she didn¡¯t like it, her father¡¯s cold treatment that came back only fueled her feelings of hatred for Lorette even more. ¡°Please see her for a moment¡­¡± Finally Hazel sighed and nodded. ¡°Greetings, Princess Hazel.¡± Lorette came in as soon as the door opened and greeted Hazel. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel sat up, watching as her half-sister bowed and greeted her gracefully. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I was told you weren¡¯t feeling well.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why you came to visit me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You know I can¡¯t attend, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°¡­I just heard about it.¡± Lorette stared at Hazel the whole time, listening to her pale face. ¡°What else do you want?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± Not being able to say she couldn¡¯t bear it, Lorette bit her lips. ¡°Did you finish writing your wee speech?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°What words do you use to say wee?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s what you have to do. It¡¯s what father wants.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m not used to this kind of thing.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to get used to it. It¡¯s your job.¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes pooled with tears as she looked at Hazel, who calmly threw her words at her. ¡°I¡¯m afraid¡­ I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t live up to your expectations.¡± The words flowed out of Lorette¡¯s mouth without a moment¡¯s hesitation, and for a moment Hazel¡¯s head throbbed. ¡°Princess Hazel.¡± Tears were hanging from Lorette¡¯s eyes as she looked at Hazel. Every time she blinked hastily, the tears dropped incessantly. It was a familiar scene. It was a scene Hazel had seen many times in her previous life. Lorette was able to get what she wanted just by looking frail and shedding tears. The story of the poor maid¡¯s daughter who had to flee from the royal pce to be an imperial princess spread from the royal pce of the Kingdom of Land to the capital city and throughout the slum alleys, touching people¡¯s hearts.The hidden princess soon monopolized the attention and love of the entire kingdom of Land. Because of her mother¡¯s lowly background, the princess, who had no background of her own, naturally had a new following. Lorette¡¯s mother, with her social skills and prowess, quickly won over the favor of the nobility. The fact that the princess had lived in the slum before joining the royal court was also a source of sympathy, and the other noble families that had been at odds with Hazel and her mother Queen¡¯s family used this poprity to further strengthen their support for Princess Lorette. ¡°I¡¯m so happy I have a father.¡± Lorette said with a tone full of joy. The fact that the poor girl had a father was something to celebrate. But the king¡¯s having a new daughter meant that there was a different wind blowing in the court than before. ¡°I¡¯m very happy to have a sister too.¡± Hazel silently pushed her half sister¡¯s hand away with trembling eyes. ¡®Sister?¡¯ Hazel had never been upset at the word ¡®sister¡¯ before. ¡°Why did youe to visit me?¡± Hazel was just amazed that Lorette coulde to her with such eyes and such impunity. Despite her obvious expression of dislike every time because of Lorette¡¯s periodic visits, the king, seeing this, began to believe that Hazel was persecuting Lorette. ¡®I just didn¡¯t like you, that¡¯s all.¡¯ Hazel never tried to bully Lorette vulgarly or said anything bad about her. She just didn¡¯t like her half-sister who dared to get close to her, and Hazel just expressed it the best she could. Hazel was fifteen and Lorette was thirteen years old at the time. Indeed, Lorette was young, but so was Hazel. To a girl who had lived her life alone as a flower in the royal pce, the king¡¯s words to her to understand and ept the existence of her half-sister who suddenly appeared one day seemed like violence. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s ¡­.¡± Hazel changed her posture while Lorette was trying to say something. But Hazel spoke as if she wanted to finish the conversation. ¡°I¡¯m not well. It¡¯s hard to talk for long. I need to rest.¡± Hazel brushed her hair back and sighed. Lorette hurriedly spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡± Lorette unfolded the bundle of papers she held tightly in her hands. ¡°What is this?¡± Hazel had an idea what it was, but she pretended not to know. ¡°Uhm, my wee speech.¡± Lorette held out a sheet of paper with a few poorly written lines on it. Looking over it quickly, Hazel stared at Lorette. ¡°Did youe here to show me your wee speech ?¡± ¡°Yes, father told me to write and recite the speech because his oldest daughter Hazel is ill.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hazel ran her sharp gaze over the paper. One by one, incorrect grammar, expressions that didn¡¯t fit the tone, etc., caught her gaze. ¡°There are misspelled words¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Here, and here. Here, too.¡± ¡°¡­Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be sorry about.¡± ¡°Still¡­¡± Hazel¡¯s voice slowly faded. ¡°Did I make you feel bad?¡± Lorette startled and stepped back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I tried very hard to learn it, but ¡­.¡± ¡°The sentences are a mess and the expressions are wrong. There are words that should not be used in a formal setting. Are you going to read that in front of foreign guests?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because¡­I thought sister Hazel was going to read the wee speech today, so I didn¡¯t¡­.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not even prepared?¡± Hazel sighed as she rested her chin on her palm. ¡°What should I do?¡± Lorette continued to fiddle with the paper in her hands. ¡°You should have prepared. If you¡¯re going to take my seat, don¡¯t you think you should at least practice something better?¡± Hazel continued, ¡°How dare you look down on me. I don¡¯t think that¡­.¡± At Hazel¡¯s words, Lorette shook her head like crazy. Every time she shook her head, tears streamed down her face. ¡°I never did. It¡¯s not true. How dare I¡­.?¡± ¡°Yes, how dare you.¡± Hazel looked at Lorette with a cold stare, and Lorette shivered. The eyes looking up at her were filled with sincere fear. Seeing the tears welling up in Lorette¡¯s eyes, Hazel snatched the papers from Lorette¡¯s hand. She then smiled at Lorette, who was staring at her with an ufortable expression. ¡°You wrote all this by yourself? Without anyone¡¯s help?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± ¡°Why? You can get help from your writing teacher. Don¡¯te to me.¡± Lorette said, freaked out by Hazel¡¯s sharp point. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the congrattory speeches have been written directly by Princess Hazel. It¡¯s far better than myposition teacher.¡± ¡°Is that apliment?¡± ¡°How dare Ipliment Princess Hazel?¡± Lorette¡¯s hands were shaking as she said this. If she was so scared of her half-sister, why did shee here in the first ce? Hazel found it hard to understand. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­¡± Hazel pretended not to see her and concentrated on reading the message. Lorette stood looking at her, surprised to see her reading so methodically, because she thought Hazel would throw the paper at her at any moment. Lorette, who eventually failed to ovee curiosity, asked. ¡°It¡¯s not good, is it?¡± ¡°No.¡± When Hazel nodded, and Lorette¡¯s red-hot face plopped down. Hazel finished reading and flipping through the papers one by one, looking at her half-sister again. ¡°Not good, in many ways.¡± ¡°¡­I know.¡± Lorette dropped her thin shoulders and replied in a muffled voice. ¡°I tried to be like Hazel, but I couldn¡¯t help it. I¡¯m not talented enough to learn.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not as good as sister Hazel in many ways. I grew up outside the castle. I didn¡¯t learn anything. So it can¡¯t be helped if I get ignored. Don¡¯t be too hard on sister Hazel, father.¡± The image of Lorette appealing to the king with tears on her face suddenly popped in Hazel¡¯s head. Lorette seemed so pretentious at the time, but Hazel felt terribly bad because she didn¡¯t know any better. Hazel had to write it off as a y performed in front of her father. But now that she went back to the past and faced the Lorette of this time, she came to know. ¡°You really mean it, don¡¯t you?¡± Lorette was so pure, without a trace of malice in front of people. At one point, Hazel used to think that Lorette was a demoness, winning everything with her crying face and angelic smile. Everything Hazel had aplished in her life as a perfect princess was taken away by her by her half-sister who suddenly appeared. The love of her father, the attention and support of the people. And even her first love. *** Chapter 7 Hazel hated Lorette so much that she couldn¡¯t stand it, she couldn¡¯t forgive Lorette for taking everything away from her. What would she do if she had to face these eyes again? It was a thought she had while she was locked up in her room for so long. It was something she didn¡¯t have. An angelic smile and the ability to move people to tears at the right time. While Hazel was a girl with good nature, who wanted to help everyone and trusted others easily. ¡°But I can see the signs of effort.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lorette opened her eyes wide and looked at Hazel. It was an unexpected praise. She looked quite perplexed. It was understandable why Lorette looked like that. Purposely, she was here to be rejected by Hazel. Of course she thought Hazel would say no angrily. However, it didn¡¯t make sense that Lorette woulde here under the pretext of seeking to learn while trembling with such horror. Naturally, the poor look on Lorette¡¯s face was bound to make Hazel resentful, and eventually Lorette was going to leave the room in tears. That was the script that was set. It was made up by Lady Pais, Lorette¡¯s mother. Lorette must have just followed her mother¡¯s advice toe here. And when Hazel declined to help, the rumors would spread and Hazel would face the king¡¯s wrath. Lorette was nothing more than a stringed puppet used in puppet shows. There was another person who controlled the puppet, so no matter how much Hazel took it out on Lorette, nothing would change. Furthermore, the situation would bring disadvantage for Hazel. So Hazel decided to make a different choice this time. ¡°You¡¯ll stand there as the princess representing the kingdom, there¡¯s no shame in reading this kind of childish wee speech.¡± She clucked her tongue and smiled wistfully. ¡°I can¡¯t help it. Can you help with this?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Hazel asked, looking nd for a moment. ¡°Do you really have to do this?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± When Hazel asked back, Lorette sat down on the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t want to disappoint father. I want to be the perfect princess. Just like Princess Hazel¡­¡± Lorette grabbed Hazel¡¯s pajamas. ¡°Teach me, teach me everything.¡± Hazel chuckled as she stared at Lorette¡¯s tearful eyes. ¡°Of course I¡¯ll help.¡± Lorette was surprised by the easy answer. ¡°I have to help you properly, as your sister, don¡¯t I?¡± ¡°What¡­no, um¡­Princess Hazel, I¡­¡± Hazel grabbed Lorette¡¯s hand and pulled her up. Her eyes, which had grown wide in confusion, were still filled with fear. Hazel read the emotion and smiled inwardly. ¡®Lady Pais¡¯s puppet is about to change its owner.¡¯ ¡°Princess Hazel.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Call me sister.¡± Hazel said with a smile. ¡°What?¡± Lorett sucked in a gulp of air between her ttened, open teeth. She was so surprised that her tears stopped immediately. ¡°Don¡¯t be surprised. It¡¯s only natural for a big sister to help her little sister.¡± Hazel chuckled as she spoke in a gentle voice. Startled by theughter, Lorette lost her strength and sat down on the floor with a thump. She then looked at Hazel¡¯s hand, which was holding hers, with a shocked look on her face. ¡°Sister?¡± ¡°Why do you sound like you didn¡¯t know the word? Are you hurt? Mary, help her up.¡± ¡°Yes, Princess.¡± Mary came closer and hurriedly helped Lorette up. ¡°Are you okay, Princess?¡± Mary nced towards Hazel as she was helping Lorette to get up. Hazel nodded lightly. ¡°If someone sees my sister sitting on the ground, they might think I bullied her.¡± As Hazel nodded, Mary tried hard again to raise Lorette up. But as shocked as she was, Lorette didn¡¯t get up easily. ¡°Is it true? Really? Are you serious?¡± Lorette asked again and again with a look of disbelief. ¡°Of course I¡¯m serious. There¡¯s no reason for me to lie, is there?¡± Hazel took Lorette¡¯s hand in hers and she tried to pull her up. ¡°We¡¯re sisters.¡± She said in a gentle voice, and Lorette, at a loss, said with her wide eyes. ¡°Thank you.¡± Hazel tugged on her hand, and Lorette slowly stood up. But the look in her half sister¡¯s eyes as she observed was one of full vignce. ¡°No need to say thank you. It¡¯s only natural.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Hazel asked, her eyes staring at Lorette carefully. ¡°It¡¯s strange.¡± Lorette spat out exactly what she expected. It was too much innocence. ¡°What¡¯s so strange about it? Why, don¡¯t you want to be my sister?¡± Lorette shook her head in panic at Hazel¡¯s question. ¡°No, that can¡¯t be. Thank you.¡± ¡°Then call me once.¡± Hazel asked again with a bright smile. ¡°Sister.¡± Lorette uttered the word smoothly, then she said it again, looking at Hazel¡¯s face. ¡°Sister¡­¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what we call each other from now on.¡± With a satisfied smile, Hazel looked at the wall clock. ¡°It¡¯s almost time for the weing ceremony.¡± Hazel¡¯s eyebrows contracted as she looked at the wee speech again, and Lorette bowed her head with a frightened look on her face. ¡°It¡¯s a mess, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I think I just need to fix a few things. Mary, give me my quill and ink.¡± Hazel reached out and nodded, and Mary quickly picked up the writing tools and brought it to Hazel. ¡°These expressions are a little more far-fetched, and this part can be emphasized more.¡± Hazel drew the red ink smoothly over the words Lorette had written. After a moment, Lorette epted the perfectlypleted note. ¡°It¡¯s perfect!¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes widened as she read it over and over. ¡°You can do a lot better than that if you learn.¡± ¡°Can I?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve spent a lot of time outside the castle, but we have skilledposition teachers here, and most importantly, I¡¯m here, so you can always ask for help.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Looking at Lorette, who still looked flustered, Hazel continued her words. ¡°Is this the dress you¡¯re going to wear today? You¡¯re so pretty in green.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but my mother rmended this dress.¡± Lorette was surprised again and tried to kneel down. ¡°Mother¡­Lady Pais picked it out for you?¡± A subtle smile hung on Hazel¡¯s lips. ¡°Yes, she said this color would look good on me.¡± Pais, a single maidservant could not be given the position of Queen, so the king gave her the title of Lady and kept her by his side. Although she was not given the title of Queen, she officially became the king¡¯s only woman. The woman who eagerly wanted to be Queen, but she couldn¡¯t do so because the aristocrats, led by the Dukes of Conces, the queen¡¯s, Hazel¡¯s mother¡¯s side, were deadly opposed. Unlike the Demophos Empire, where the emperor had almost absolute power, the influence of the Senate and many other nobles was quite strong in the Kingdom of Land. So, even if the king wanted to, he often had no choice if the nobles were against him. Of course, the king had the right to make the highest decisions. However, politics, military affairs, and diplomacy were all dominated by powerful noble families like the Dukes of Conces, so the king could not easily reject their opinions. Nevertheless, Hazel was the highest-ranking woman in the kingdom of Land, and she directly participated in all official royal events in her capacity as acting Queen. ¡°Green is Hazel¡¯s¡­.sister¡¯s favorite color, I dare not wear it, but the dress prepared for me¡­..¡± Lorette¡¯s dress was a very deep, dark green. The color was reminiscent of midsummer leaves and matched the color of Hazel¡¯s eyes. It was hard to believe that Lady Pais chose this color just by coincidence. As it should be, green was also the color that symbolized the former Queen who had eye color like Hazel¡¯s. Taking into ount the Queen¡¯s preference for green, the nobledies did not choose green essories or dresses for any official asions, including royal balls. Nevertheless, seeing her dressed in green in such a showy manner left Hazel with a good idea of Lady Pais¡¯s true intentions. ¡®I can¡¯t believe she wants my mother¡¯s seat.¡¯ Madame Pais was the handmaiden of Hazel¡¯s mother, Queen Martina. She was not the noblewoman who looked after the children closest to her, but a maid of a lower rank than them. She had risen to the position by catching the queen¡¯s eye, a position she could never have dreamed of. In spite of the Queen¡¯s favor, she was the woman who seduced the king. And the result of her seduction was Lorette. While Queen Martina was on her sickbed, the king sought out Lady Pais and had an animalistic affair with her. All of this, Hazel remembered clearly. One day, she went to look for her father to visit her mother, but what she saw with her own eyes was the sight she would never forget. ¡°Why does it matter what color your dress is?¡± Hazel turned to Mary and said, ¡°Mary, bring me my jewelry box.¡± ¡°Yes, Princess.¡± Mary hurriedly reappeared with the jewelry box. Hazel opened the lid, and took out a ne with arge square emerald and a pair of emerald earrings to go with it. ¡°Come here.¡± Lorette gazed enraptured at the emerald in Hazel¡¯s hand, then she quietly approached and sat down beside Hazel. ¡°What do you think?¡± Hazel asked, lifting the ne and cing it around Lorette¡¯s neck. Therge square emerald matched the green silk dress perfectly. ¡°It¡¯s heavy.¡± When Hazelughed at Lorette¡¯s response, and Lorette hastened to add, ¡°And beautiful.¡± ¡°It was my mother¡¯s.¡± Chapter 8 ¡°It was my mother¡¯s.¡± Hazel said casually. ¡°The Queen?¡± Lorette was startled and tried to take off the ne. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡± Hazel raised her hand and stopped Lorette. Lorette flinched and lowered her hand. Then, Hazel lifted the earrings and ced them over Lorette¡¯s ears. The emeralds dangling from Lorette¡¯s earlobes were lovely. Hazelughed and said, ¡°They look good on you.¡± ¡®¡¯No, this belongs to you. The Queen gave them to you. They¡¯re not even the same color as my eyes.¡± Loretto has beautiful eyes, as blue as the sky. Her hair was also beautiful blonde. She looked just like her mother. It doubled the reason why Hazel hated her more. The daughter of the woman who made Hazel¡¯s mother sick, had the same face as her mother and took all the heart of her father and her first love. ¡°Wear this to the weing ceremony.¡± ¡°Oh, no, I can¡¯t do that. It¡¯s too much for me.¡± When Lorette tried to take the ne off again, Hazel prevented her. ¡°Why do you think I put this on you?¡± ¡°I was just¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t put it on you just to show off.¡± Hazel said as she stroked the emerald that was hanging on Lorette¡¯s neck. ¡°I¡¯ll lend it to you, and then you can read the wee speech with pride. Do you understand?¡± ¡°You really, really want me to have this?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have the right jewelry, do you?¡± ¡°I have jewels that my mother has prepared for me.¡± When Lorette spoke cautiously, Hazel burst outughing. ¡°No, simple things are not appropriate for such an asion. You need jewelry that matches the style. Everyone in the royal family knows that. The Queen was the owner of this jewel.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°If you wear this, it means that you are proudly recognized as a member of the royal family.¡± ¡°Are you really, truly going to acknowledge me as your sister and princess of Land in front of everyone?¡± ¡°Of course. It seems rather toote. I should have done it sooner.¡± When Hazel hugged Lorette, she was at a loss for words as she was held in the arms of her half-sister. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, I promise I¡¯ll make Land proud.¡± ¡°I believe in you. Of course. I know you¡¯ll do well. You¡¯re father¡¯s daughter and you¡¯re my sister.¡± Hazel swallowed her next words and smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll make you a proud princess of Land.¡± ¡®¡¯Thank you for recognizing me.Thank you so much.¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes teared up with gratitude, and Hazel whispered softly, wiping the tears from her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t need to say thank you. We¡¯re sisters. It¡¯s only natural.¡± ¡°Princess Hazel¡­¡± Hazel again corrected Lorette¡¯s vaguely spoken words. ¡°Call me sister¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Now go and show your mother.¡± ¡°Thank you, thank you so much.¡± Lorette repeated, tears falling down her face. Hazel added quickly. ¡°Hurry up and go. You need to memorize the speech before the wee ceremony. You need to look perfect in front of the Crown Princes.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Especially for Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lorette¡¯s face, which was glowing with joy, turned red as soon as she heard the name that came out of Hazel¡¯s mouth. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°What do you know about him?¡± ¡°What?¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes grew wide with surprise as Hazel stared at her. Her eyes, as clear and blue as the sky, were filled with bewilderment. ¡°You two are close, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°He¡¯s more like my brother, the one I knew before you¡­.I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. For the sake of the friendly rtions between our kingdom and the Demophos Empire, it¡¯s good for you to get along with the prince.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°So show your dignified self. Perhaps the Prince will see you differently when you read the wee speech. You must show your dignity as the princess who represents our kingdom to the fullest.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand. I will show my dignity as a princess. Absolutely no one will be able to ignore it.¡± Lorette, who swore with a solemn look on her face, nodded to Hazel several times before getting up. ¡°I hope that sister gets well soon. I¡¯m praying for you.¡± ¡°With your prayers, I¡¯m sure I will heal. Thank you.¡± Hazel leaned her head against the cushion. ¡°I¡¯m tired from all the talking. Now, please go and give a perfect wee to the guests of the Demophos Empire.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go. Please make yourselffortable. I¡¯ll make sure the jewelry won¡¯t get scratched.¡± Lorette bowed several times and left the bedroom. Hazel, who was watching her leave, straightened up again. As soon as Lorette left, Mary came running with startled eyes and asked, ¡°Princess, are you serious?¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡°The ne and earrings. Are you really lending them to her?¡± ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I?¡± Hazel took a grape Mary had brought and put it in her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s a precious jewel that the Queen had treasured before her death. No one but the Queen can wear it.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t I share it with my sister?¡± ¡°Everyone knows that the ne and earrings belong to princess!¡± ¡°Of course they know. That¡¯s why I lent them to her.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Nothing. I just lent her a sisterly love. I didn¡¯t give her anything, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Mary put her hand on her chest, almost breathless with surprise at the answer. ¡°I can¡¯t believe Princess even helped her write the wee speech!¡± ¡°Well, it would be an embarrassment to our country if she read a bad speech, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Hazel poured out answers in a steady stream. Mary added, nodding her head for a moment. ¡°And¡­Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°What¡­what is with the prince?¡± Hazel¡¯s voice became a little sharper. ¡°What?¡± Mary whispered in a hushed voice. ¡°Thest time the prince was here, you were furious when you found out that he and Princess Lorette had met together, so why would you want those two¡­¡± ¡°Mary.¡± Mary suddenly lowered her head and stared at Hazel nervously. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the presumptuousment. But I really don¡¯t understand¡­.¡± Hazel sighed deeply as she looked at Mary, who hesitated but didn¡¯t say anything wrong. ¡°That¡¯s why you died first.¡± ¡°¡­¡­What?¡± Looking at Mary¡¯s dazed face, the vivid memory of the past flooded Hazel¡¯s mind. ¡°The Empress is thest person to cheat on her husband. His Majesty must have misunderstood something! It¡¯s not fair!¡± Mary was dragged and ced in front of Hazel and killed. She was pierced by a spear of a knight. Mary was the maid who served the Empress (*Hazel married Achilleon and became Empress in the past) as her closest aide, and she was brought directly from Hazel¡¯s family home, but Hazel could do nothing to save her life. Mary died cruelly. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s not something for you to understand.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Lorette is my half sister. And as her older sister, I have a duty to guide her well.¡± In a rather reverent tone, Mary began to speak awkwardly. ¡°Princess ¡­¡­I don¡¯t mean to tell you this, but¡­¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Are you sick or something? Are you hurt?¡± Hazel said, pointing her finger. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine. Don¡¯t worry about it. By the way, where is Titty?¡± ¡°She¡¯s drinking milk.¡± ¡°Meow.¡± As soon as the words were over, a white cat came running through the door. ¡°Titty! Come here.¡± The cat jumped up on the bed and Maryughed cheerfully when she saw it. ¡°She still scratches the person who feeds her everyday. You don¡¯t know how sharp her ws are.¡± Mary rolled up her sleeves, revealing her old and new scars. ¡°Only her master can tame her.¡± Mary looked at the cat curiously. ¡°Then I am the master, but who will she obey if not me?¡± The pure white haired cat, a gift from the Duchess of Conces on Hazel¡¯s mother¡¯s side, obeyed her owner, Hazel, very well. ¡°The only thing you do is to please them. It¡¯s amazing.¡± ¡°¡­..Your mouth.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Mary said, smacking her lips. ¡°Isn¡¯t it enough? Should I sew it up?¡± ¡°Princess¡­¡± Hazel looked at Mary, who opened her mouth as if in great shock, and gave a small sigh. ¡°If you weren¡¯t my nanny¡¯s daughter, what would have happened to your mouth?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be careful from now on.¡± Hazel chuckled and patted the cat, who rubbed her head against her hand. ¡°You know how they say that animals instinctively know who loves them?¡± ¡°By the way, animals take after their owners, or rather, they really do.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Look at those big green eyes.¡± ¡°Do I look this bad?¡± Hazel grabbed the cat¡¯s face and turned it this way and that. ¡°No way, your eyes are big and shiny.¡± ¡°Do I look like a nice person? Just like Lorette. Don¡¯t you just want to burst into tears and do everything she asks?¡± ¡°Oh, my God, that face is in. It¡¯s all over the ce.¡± Mary said, pulling the tails of her eyes all the way down. Hazel hugged the cat and giggled at the silly sight of Mary. ¡°You passed.¡± Hazel said. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Your mouth.¡± Chapter 9 ¡°Really?¡± Mary asked, her face lit up. ¡°But don¡¯t go around saying that.¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯m a fool, Princess? ¡°You¡¯re not a fool, but your mouth could cause a great deal of trouble. For example, your life could be worse than a fly¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s never gonna happen.¡± ¡°Please bear that in mind.¡± Mary nodded obediently at Hazel¡¯s wish, which became serious for a moment. ¡°I heard that the number of rats suddenly increased and they set a trap in the garden. I¡¯m afraid Titty might get caught.¡± ¡°I see. I¡¯ll have to guard her well.¡± When Hazel scratched the cat¡¯s neck, Titty stretched and purred. ¡°So today you are not to go anywhere and you are to stay with me. Understood?¡± ¡°Meow.¡± As if in answer to Hazel¡¯s words, the cat let out a long cry. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to go to the weing ball?¡± Mary asked in a disappointed tone, as if herst hope had been blown away. ¡°Of course not. I¡¯m in pain.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel hugged the cat, pretending not to see Mary was looking at her suspiciously. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a nap with Titty. Everyone leaves. Don¡¯t look for me for anything.¡± Hazel waved, and Mary sighed, then turned and walked out. As soon as the door closed, Hazel left the cat andy down on the bed, letting out a long sigh. The mischievous expression on her face had gone cold, and she mumbled. ¡°Lorette must marry the Grand Duke and be the Grand Duchess.¡± Saying the same thing over and over again, as if it was a vow to herself, Hazel closed her eyes as she exhaled deeply. Only then could a peace agreement between Land and Demophos be reached without undue difficulty. Nothing was more effective in keeping a promise between countries than marriage. ¡°The Grand Duke wants Lorette.¡± ¡°He said he would marry her.¡± It was an engagement that was arranged from the beginning, but the man had changed. She remembered the time when she was angry with Grand Duke Sisef for falling in love with Lorette, saying that it was a trick of her stepmother. (Lorette¡¯s mother) Of course, it wasn¡¯t because of her stepmother. But it wasn¡¯t all a ruse that the Great Duke fell in love with Lorette. Just as Achilleon¡¯s desire for Hazel, herself, waspletely unexpected. ¡°Of course, I didn¡¯t forget about you, Hazel. Look at the number of proposals that havee your way. You may choose one of them.¡± The King said, very much like a father cared about his daughter. But his face was full of joy. ¡°It¡¯s all far, far away.¡± All of the candidates her father had chosen for her marriage lived far from the kingdom of Land. Hazel smiled in astonishment as she stared at her father. Her father was excited about the daughter of the Queen, who was a thorn in his eyes, was married off to another country far away. So he could send the son of the woman he loves to a high position, the only one that remained¡­ ¡®And my father¡¯s son will be King¡­¡¯ (I guess his mistress, Lorette¡¯s mother, gave birth to another boy.) The son that Lady Pais had given birth to was still small, but my father¡¯s dream was as good as fulfilled. ¡°Say hello to your brother, the future King who will lead the kingdom of Land.¡± I could never forget the smile that appeared on my father¡¯s face that day. I had never seen him so seriously pleased. He looked as happy as, if not happier than, the day Lorette first came to the pce. He had neverughed as much as he did the day Hazel rode her first horse, or the day she learned to sing and dance perfectly, or the day she was praised by herposition teacher. ¡°Since she inherited the blood of the Conces family, it¡¯s natural that she did well.¡± The day I tamed a great horse given to me by a foreign country and rode it in front of the king, the king wrinkled his brow in reluctant praise, then added. ¡°Strong¡­ I cannot describe your strength, like your mother¡¯s.¡± So that was the norm, I thought. I lived my life thinking that I had to work harder and be better to getpliments. But my younger brother, even just by being born, monopolized the love of my father, the king. His very existence was love. Moreover, there was nothing more important than being the only boy in the family. The one that was able to help his mother, Lady Pais, a hidden mistress, Queen. On the other hand, there was no worries for the princess, the only child of the dead Queen, who was the biggest obstacle, was married away to another far awaynd. It was clear that the Duchess of Conces and her followers, who had lost their center of power, would be weakened as well. Even though Hazel was a princess, once she got married, she could not interfere in the internal affairs of her country. So Hazel chose Achilleon. On the same day that Lorette and Sisef announced their engagement, Hazel asked, ¡°Will you marry me?¡± It was very easy to seduce the Emperor, who was infatuated with her, because he wanted her, and even that was a fortune she could have. It didn¡¯t matter whether she was Empress or Princess. As long as she could see Sisef from a distance. Hazel was reckless at that time. She was obsessed with Sisef in a way that seemed odd now. It was natural for a princess who married into another country to lose power in her own country, but if that other country was the Demophos Empire, which had swallowed half the continent, it was a different story. And above all. She could always see Sisef from the side. At the time, Hazel had put that ahead of the influence she had on her own country. Even if it broke her heart to see the Grand Duke with her half-sister as his wife, it was better than not seeing him forever. ¡®Was I on drugs at that time to think such a thing?¡¯ Hazel let out a deep, heavy sigh as she remembered what had passed. What she had to go through in return for being stupid. All of the memories went through her mind. ¡®I would never make such a foolish choice again.¡¯ Now that she had a second chance, Hazel was determined not to make the same mistakes. She tried to organize her thoughts one by one. She and Achilleon should not meet. They should not have even started at all. Fortunately, she had traveled back in time before she had met Achilleon. It was the first time she thought she was lucky to meet him. As a princess, it wasn¡¯t easy to avoid meeting the guest of honor who visited her country, but it wasn¡¯t impossible. It was because her father was not happy about Hazel appearing in public on behalf of the dead Queen. It was for this reason that he asked Lorette to read the wee speech in ce of Hazel in the pretext that Hazel was ill. Was it for that very reason that she sat with Achilleon that day? She remembered he said how beautiful her smile was and Achilleon kissed her more times than she could count that day. There were days like that. She liked the idea of the man who ruled the empire wanting to make love to her, buried beneath her hands and the width of her skirt. Even though she couldn¡¯t get her hands on the man she wanted, Hazel thought she had the greatest power. It was a time when she was conceited that she could use her power to separate the Grand Duke and his wife. But¡­. In the end, all that was left was a bloody passion. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel slowly closed then opened her eyes again. No matter how many times she repeated the process, the scenery around her did not change. With the second chance she was given, the thoughts of doing her job right filled her mind. She couldn¡¯t let this kingdom fall into the hands of Lady Pais or her son. However, it was up to the king to decide the next throne. That was the only invible territory that the noble Council and the Senate could not touch. It was unknown how much influence they would have, but in the end, the final approval had to go through the king. And the people who bought the king¡¯s pleasure the most were Lady Pais and her daughter, Lorette. The prince, who had not yet been born or conceived, was a future that only Hazel knew. Lady Pais put all her hopes on Lorette, the only one she had for now. In order to win over the eminent nobles and Hazel, Lady Pais needed to manipte her daughter as she wished and get what she wanted. It was the reason why she constantly and regrly sent her daughter, Lorette, to see Hazel. Even if Hazel repeatedly refused and hated it to the point of gnashing her teeth. The more Hazel showed signs of unfriendliness, the more unhappy the king would be. This put Hazel in an increasingly disadvantageous position in the royal family. Even though she was the queen¡¯s daughter, she didn¡¯t know what would happen if she upset the King¡¯s daughter. So she had to make Lorette her ally. The only thought that filled Hazel¡¯s mind was to separate Lorette from her mother and make sure she was on her side. It was the anger that Lorette and her mother had to live outside the pce for a while that blinded her father. It was also a feeling of remorse for having been helpless to do anything for the ones he loved. So the king was trying to do anything he could topensate for what he couldn¡¯t do for the mother and daughter. But only if she can please the king. ¡°Lorette is your sister. I¡¯m disappointed that you¡¯re being so rough with her.¡± ¡°How can she be my sister?¡± p! Hazel ran her hand over her cheek where her father had hit her. Chapter 10 Hazel was unable to attend the ball held that evening. She was so frustrated that she broke all the fixtures in her room, which was also heard by the king, who ced her under house arrest, not even allowing her to leave her bedroom. The punishment was very humiliating for a princess who represented the royal family. But now it was different. Hazel chose to stay in her bedroom herself. It was her job to help Lorette stand out more than Hazel herself. To win her father¡¯s favor and to catch Lady Pais off guard. So, she didn¡¯t meet anyone, and didn¡¯t form a rtionship with anyone¡­she was just going to be a sickly little princess. Only then would she be able to avoid seeing Achilleon and Sisef during the half month of their stay. Lorette was enough for the princess of the Kingdom of Land. A princess who would marry the Grand Duke, Prince Sisef, that was all Hazel needed. She had just put the first button in the first hole. ¡°Meow.¡± Hazel smiled unconsciously at the warm and ticklish touch as the cat, who was ying with her hands, dug into her arms. ¡°So you¡¯ll stay with me.¡± As she held the cat and buried her nose in the soft fur, there was a smell of soft sunlight. ¡®I am not jealous of what you have. I won¡¯t be angry that you took something from me. Instead¡­. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Live happily ever after with the Grand Duke, without dying. And¡­.I¡¯m not going to meet Achilleon today.¡¯ *** After the wee speech, people gathered here and there to chat until the ball started. Lorette was still trying to quiet her pounding heart in the aftermath of the wee speech she had read. ¡°The speech the Princess read earlier was truly impressive.¡± ¡°Oh, thank you.¡± Lorette looked around for a moment, then responded to the greeting from Prince Sisef. ¡°It was truly perfect. Everyone was moved.¡± His kind and warm look was sincere. Sisef was a man of friendly and gentle personality that anyone could approach and rx their boundaries. His tender impression and warm eyes were enough to melt Lorette¡¯s nervousness. ¡°I¡¯m d you liked it. I am honored.¡± Lorette quickly bowed her head and expressed her gratitude. Her cheeks flushed red, which was attributed purely to the nervousness of reading the speech. ¡°My brother was impressed too. He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the princess the whole time.¡± Lorette¡¯s face turned redder as Sisef whispered. ¡°You could have recited one of your poems, couldn¡¯t you?¡± In the middle of their conversation, Lorette was surprised to see the Crown Prince approaching from the front and slightly bowed her head. As the Crown Prince approached, the gazes of the many noblewomen and nobledies in the banquet hall were on him simultaneously. They were busy looking at him, following him as he moved. But the Crown Prince¡¯s indifferent gaze did not stay anywhere. ¡°Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince.¡± When Lorette greeted him with a nervous look, the Crown Prince, who was alternately looking at his brother and Lorette¡¯s face, said with a faint smile. ¡°It was not I who stared at the Princess, it was Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°It was you, Achilleon.¡± Sisef coughed and grabbed Achilleon¡¯s arm, but Achilleon¡¯s words were not over. ¡°He didn¡¯t even blink the whole time, I think he was heartstruck.¡± ¡°Oh¡­.¡± Lorette¡¯s face instantly turned red up to her ears. ¡°What are you doing making fun of the princess so much when you just met her for the first time?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s teasing me.¡± Achilleon said without changing his expression, and Sisef sighed deeply. ¡°You won. Let¡¯s get some air before the ball starts.¡± As if he had read Sisef¡¯s intention to hastily chase him away, Achilleon¡¯s lips lifted slightly. The noblewomen still had their eyes on him all this time. ¡°Please, I beg you.¡± Sisef pushed Achilleon, who was taller than him, to the entrance of the banquet hall, then looked back at Lorette and bowed. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll see youter in the ballroom.¡± Lorette bowed her head, then turned and approached her mother, who was chatting with some noblewomen in a corner of the banquet hall. Lady Pais seemed to enjoy her higher status than any of the noblewomen. The people who crowded around her were uniformly royalists, people who did not get along with Hazel¡¯s mother¡¯s family. ¡°Lorette, you were great.¡± After asking to be excused, Lady Pais divided the crowd like a graceful fish and said as she arranged Lorette¡¯s dress. ¡°You are a born princess, my dear. You are graceful and beautiful.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lorette walked with her hand wrapped around her mother¡¯s arm. ¡°Hazel is no match for you. She¡¯s an angry foal.¡± As Lady Pais whispered behind her fan, Lorette looked around nervously, wondering if anyone could hear her. ¡°She¡¯s a coward.¡± ¡°But mom¡­.¡± ¡°You call me like that again?¡± ¡°Mother¡­.¡± Lady Pais, who clicked her tongue at Lorette¡¯s weak voice, saw the Princes walking in from the outside and her eyes lit up. Her eyes were especially fixed on the Crown Prince, whose bright blond hair and dark blue eyes reminiscent of the moonlight. ¡°Oh my, they say he¡¯s a madman who ravaged the battlefield, but he¡¯s so beautiful. I don¡¯t believe the rumors at all.¡± Lady Pais looked at the Crown Prince with a coveted gaze. ¡°Doesn¡¯t it seem like God made him on purpose? He would look perfect if he carried a harp instead of a sword. Hmm, he looks a little angry, doesn¡¯t he?¡± As soon as the opening of the weing party was announced, the people from the Kingdom were busy swallowing their admiration when they saw the people from the Empire Demophos who had entered. It was for the Crown Prince, who was as beautiful as a divine masterpiece. Unlike his brother, who had a faint smile on his face, the Crown Prince¡¯s face was as expressionless as an ice sculpture. Nheless, the women in the hall were busy sneaking at him. People said he was the god of war, and not a single de of grass remained where he passed. The energy surrounding him was quite horrendous and so were the rumors, adding to the story that he swept away numerous enemy troops in battle even before he became Crown Prince. They said when he took off his helmet and his face was covered with stab wounds, and some said that one of his arms was not made of flesh but ofyered iron. There was even an unfunny story about an arrow that hit him in the head and pulled it out himself. But that was not all. They even said he would eat raw and old meat and he had a foul smell. Some people thought the rumors were too suspicious and to some extent exaggerated, nheless, people in Land kingdom were nervous before weing him. However, when he finally showed up at the wee party, the Crown Prince¡¯s appearance was enough to right the wrong rumors. Though, some of the rumors were true about his cold blooded nature. Besides, the Crown Prince was a very different man from his half-brother. While Sisef was gentle, cautious, and lyrical, Achilleon was cynical and had no problem throwing twisted words. He didn¡¯t talk much, but nothing that had evere out of his mouth had sounded soft and pleasant. In the end, people finally came to an unspoken agreement. They understood why the Emperor sent prince Sisef along with Crown Prince Achilleon to the peace treaty mission. ¡°Oh, by the way, I heard his birth mother is incredibly beautiful.¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyes lit up as she pondered. The sight of her mother was so unsettling that Lorette looked at her again with nervous eyes. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I suppose it¡¯s about the same as your circumstances.¡± ¡°¡­..What?¡± ¡°I heard his mother is not an empress, but she¡¯s very talented.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But bloodline is more important than ability. After all, the throne is determined by the emperor.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You never know which one will be the next emperor.¡± Lady Pais smiled, as if snapped out of her reverie, and reached out her hand to the emerald ne on Lorette¡¯s neck. ¡°This ne and earrings look great on you. Like it has always been yours.¡± The hand stroking therge emerald was filled with a certain eagerness. ¡°Princess Hazel¡­no, sister lent it to me.¡± Lorette carefully took the emerald-pendant from her mother¡¯s hand. ¡°Sister?¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyes opened wide, as if startled by the unfamiliar title. ¡°Since when?¡± ¡°She lent me such a nice ne and earrings because I¡¯m her sister.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­?¡± Lady Pais looked at the ne carefully, her brow wrinkled. ¡°What a sight to behold. That arrogant thing.¡± ¡°Mother.¡± ¡°You¡¯re her father¡¯s daughter too, but she looks down on you. It¡¯s not a good omen.¡± As if to cool off her anger, Lady Pais fanned herself, and patted her stomach. ¡°I¡¯ll give birth to this child, and on the day of the prince¡¯s birth, she¡¯ll feel sorry for herself.¡± Chapter 11 ¡°Mother.¡± Lorette called her mother with a tearful face. ¡°Why do you keep calling me? Did I say anything wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If the child is a girl, I can just get pregnant again. I will not stop until the child is a prince.¡± Lady Pais smiled behind her fan. ¡°By the way, did Hazel fix everything?¡± ¡°Yes, she did.¡± ¡°That¡¯s odd.¡± Lady Pais folded the fan and tilted her head. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t see it¡¯s strange?¡± ¡°At first, but¡­¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she watched Lorette hesitated. ¡°I sent you there on purpose. I thought she would kick you out again.¡± Lady Pais gritted her teeth. ¡°But it was really kind of her. Instead of kicking me out, she fixed my messed up speech and lent me the ne.¡± ¡°She was sick for a few days, did she really lose her mind?¡± Lady Pais¡¯s expression became serious. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t, that cheeky little girl¡­¡± ¡°Mother.¡± When Lorette quickly pulled her sleeve, Lady Pais withdrew her hand, looking annoyed. ¡°You think I¡¯m an idiot? No one¡¯s listening.¡± There was no one in the vicinity of the mother and daughter speaking together as she spoke. ¡°Well, thanks to Hazel for lending me this jewel, I was able to catch everyone¡¯s attention.¡± ¡°It belonged to Queen Martina? I was the one who managed her jewelry, but¡­.¡± ¡°¡­Mother?¡± Lorette looked at her wryly. ¡°Yes. I was in charge of the Queen¡¯s jewels. But I had never seen this jewel.Truly¡­ all the brilliance and beauty in the world seemed to be there.¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyes narrowed as she remembered the past. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s probably because sister Hazel kept it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s her mother¡¯s legacy, of course.¡± Lady Pais continued quickly, seemingly unable to hear Lorette¡¯s voice properly. ¡°Since she had no problem lending it to you, you ask her to just give it to you.¡± ¡°What?¡± When the startled Lorette asked back, Lady Pais smiled. ¡°Why are you so surprised? You can be the owner of the jewel.¡± ¡°What do you mean? It was sister Hazel¡¯s mother¡¯s.¡± ¡°The Queen¡¯s jewels belong to the royal family. It will eventually belong to the lord of the pce, but that doesn¡¯t necessarily mean Hazel, does it?¡± ¡°Mother!¡± ¡°Someone ising. Keep your voice down.¡± Startled, Lorette hastily covered her mouth. It was then. ¡°The wee ball is about to begin. Please join.¡± A servant spoke politely as he approached the mother and daughter. ¡°I understand.¡± Lady Pais replied with a thrust of her chin, and the servant bowed his head before retreating. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± *** ¡°Without the first Princess, she seems to be getting all the attention.¡± Count Burns, one of the attendants on this official visit, said, pointing with his eyes to where Princess Lorette was standing. ¡°The first princess?¡± ¡°Oh, the king has another Princess besides Princess Lorette.¡± Sisef answered Achilleon¡¯s question for the Count. ¡°She was suddenly ill, so she couldn¡¯t make it to the weing reception and the ball.¡± Somehow a worried expression appeared on Sisef¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s unusual. Originally, it was Princess Hazel, the first princess, who appeared at these public events. The wee speech Princess Lorette just read would probably have been read by Princess Hazel.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of this before.¡± Achilleon¡¯s head tilted. ¡°You¡¯ve been on the battlefield. You don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on in other countries.¡± The Count nodded at Sisef¡¯s words, then began to add an exnation. ¡°Princess Lorette is said to have lived in the favs until only a few years ago. After the Queen¡¯s death, she and her mother came back to the pce. I¡¯ve heard that the King¡¯s love for the mother and daughter is unparalleled. I heard that they often shed with the first princess for this reason¡­..¡± The Count tilted his head curiously. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the ne Princess Lorette is wearing belongs to the first Princess¡¯s mother.¡± ¡°Did the king take it and give it to the second princess? ¡°I heard earlier that the first Princess lent it to Princess Lorette.¡± ¡°They must have a good rtionship.¡± Achilleon replied without much ado, but Count Burns was greatly amused. ¡°They don¡¯t, which is why it¡¯s interesting.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°They are not on good terms. It¡¯s inevitable.¡± ¡°Like my mother and the Empress?¡± ¡°Well, they are like sisters¡­¡± Count Burns rushed to settle the case with a pitiful face, but the table was already turned. ¡°Hmm. Anyway, Princess Hazel considered Princess Lorette as a thorn in her eyes. It¡¯s said that Princess Hazel was prone to shouting and getting angry easily.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I can handle it with a smile either.¡± ¡°But Your Highness and Prince Sisef are doing very well. Even though they¡¯re born from different bellies, they share the same father, so they are blood sisters. However, it seems that Princess Hazel did not get along well with Princess Lorette.¡± ¡°¡­So, in conclusion, does this mean that the princess had a change of heart and lent her sister the precious jewels?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what the rumors were. It makes sense, but¡­¡± ¡°But?¡± ¡°The rumors about the first princess have not been goodtely.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a rumor going around that she¡¯s crazy.¡± The Count¡¯s voice changed surreptitiously. ¡°She hasn¡¯te out of her bedroom for days. Some said she might be ill here¡­¡± The Count tapped his head with his finger as he said. ¡°The rumors seemed to have been hushed up in the pce, but rumors are not slower than the wind, you know.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure they would say something if the rest of the delegation had known about it, but bad news spreads faster than good news.¡± ¡°Then again, it doesn¡¯t seem to be asplicated as my family¡¯s situation.¡± Achilleon chuckled, and Sisef said, ¡°Brother, please.¡± ¡°While we¡¯re at it, we¡¯re only half-blooded too, so what¡¯s wrong with having the same situation in other countries?¡± Sisef¡¯s expression darkened at Achilleon¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ll just stand here, why don¡¯t you go over there?¡± Achilleon said, poking Sisef in the arm. Princess Lorette looked at where they were standing and blushed. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask her for a dance?¡± At Achilleon¡¯s words, Sisef walked over to where Lorette was standing. After a while, a waltz was yed and a man and a woman, hand in hand, began to dance. Everyone in the ballroom marveled at the beautiful scene, as if it was a decoration of a music box. ¡°Now everyone¡¯s eyes are on that baby in her belly.¡± The Count pointed to Lay Pais¡¯s swollen belly as he said. ¡°If she gives birth to a prince, he will be the next king.¡± ¡°How is that possible without the backing of a strong family?¡± Count Burns chuckled at Achilleon¡¯s words and added. ¡°Many of the opposition parties of the dead queen are said to have formed a bond with the mistress now. It¡¯s good for both sides, one gaining prestige and the other gaining power.¡± Before they knew it, the waltz was almost over while Count Burns was spilling in all the information he had learned so far. People¡¯s eyes were drawn to Prince Sisef and Princess Lorette, who were dancing in the middle of the hall as if they were symbolizing the peace agreement. *** When the dancing began in full, Achilleon slipped out of the banquet hall and walked briskly. He felt that it would be a million times easier to fight with a sword than to twirl around in a ballroom. It was a beautiful and joyous asion set aside for the peace agreement between Demophos and Land, and underneath all the pomp and grandeur, Achilleon somehow felt more drained than on the battlefield. It was hard to find any connection between peace and dancing. Sisef loved dancing, and as soon as his wish was granted, he danced, spinning around and around a lot like a ceramic doll in a music box. Achilleon decided that one clown was enough, so he came out onto the balcony on the pretext of taking a break. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­..¡± After setting down the ss he was holding, Achilleon looked around and jumped over the balcony railing. Hended lightly on the grass and walked away without even looking back. He went straight into the darkness, looking for a ce where no human foot could reach, a ce that was the furthest from the ballroom. There was no path, but branches and weeds everywhere he stepped, but he had experienced many battlefields, and the rough paths of the royal pce were as easy as walking on silks. Above all, it was the kingdom of the opponent, so it wasn¡¯t bad to know the structure in advance. He stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. It felt as if his thirst, which hadn¡¯t been satisfied even by alcohol, was slowly being relieved as he roamed the royal pce. The kingdom of Land was much smaller than the imperial pce, but there were many buildings that could be used as fortresses. The ce where the royal pce was located was also a fortress terrain of natural blessings. What peace? It was a ridiculous story until it swallowed up this continent. He uttered a mockingugh and quickly brushed aside the grass to go further inside. ¡°Meow.¡± A high-pitched wailing was heard from somewhere. There must be a stray cat in the pce, Achilleon thought little of it and moved on. ¡°Meow.¡± As soon as he stepped away, a more pitiful wailing resounded. Chapter 12 ¡°¡­What is it?¡± The voice seemed to be calling Achilleon. He went out of his way to find a secluded path, and found not a human, but a beast disturbed his rest. The moment he turned to go somewhere else, he saw bright green eyes. ¡°Meow, meow¡­¡± As soon as their eyes met, the cat began to cry deafeningly. Perhaps it was afraid of where the man would go, it poured out its remaining strength and cried, causing Achilleon to cover his ears and frown. ¡°Why¡­ why are you crying so much?¡± The cat kept on crying and wouldn¡¯t move. When Achilleon looked closer, he could see the metal hidden under the grass. A white paw was firmly bitten by the beak of a trap. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon turned to look down at the cat before walking away. ¡°Meow.¡± For a moment, the cat¡¯s monstrous voice, which had grown crazily louder, sted him mercilessly in the ears. ¡°Meow.¡± Now it was a vocalization that almost cursed him, instead of sad. If he let it go like this, the cat¡¯s spirit mighte and w at him all night. ¡°For god¡¯s sake.¡± Achilleon eventually retraced his steps. Then the cat began to cry more and more pathetically, probably because it had found its purpose in life again. ¡°Be quiet before I really leave you.¡± The cat seemed to struggle to get to its feet to escape, but the more it did so, the deeper the trap tightened. The bloodstains on his white paws had already dried up. It was a remote ce where no one woulde even if it cried so loudly. When he pressed the lock of the tightly closed trap, it opened at once. Achilleon pulled out the cat¡¯s paw that was stuck in between the trap¡¯s doors. Looking at the cat, Achilleon clicked his tongue. The marks where the hard steel had pushed its paw were deep. The flesh ripped open and the blood was flowing. Fortunately, no broken bones. However, there were no medicines or bandages, so it was going to be hard to stop the bleeding. (Tearing sound) Achilleon ripped off his cor and tied it to the cat¡¯s front paw. He had treated simple wounds himself during the war, but observing the affected area delicately felt very unfamiliar to him, who was mainly used to stabbing. The cat resisted by cupping Achilleon¡¯s hand, as if the trapped paw was hurting. Large and small scrapes formed on his hand as the cat constantly hammered in tiny ws and teeth. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched the little animal casually nibble the back of his hand. Compared to the injuries he experienced through many wars, this was nothing, but it was impossible not to be bothered by the scars that were quickly drawn on his hands. He said, staring at the small beast that kept hammering its teeth and ws into him. ¡°Live and die, it¡¯s up to you.¡± Achilleon poured out cold words. It was enough to save it from being trapped and almost died, and I wondered what else he could do. ¡°Meow.¡± Although the voice was softer, the cat cried helplessly, as if it had used up all the strength earlier. It seemed that the wound should be treated better, but unfortunately there were no such tools avable. Looking at the cat¡¯s thin, trembling legs, Achilleon became frustrated again. If he picked it up and threw it in the street, there would be at least one person who would feel sorry for it, and judging from its beautiful white fur, it must be an animal that was fed and raised in the royal pce. When Achilleon finished thinking about it and picked up the cat¡­ ¡°Titty.¡± He heard a woman¡¯s voice shouting not far away, as if looking for someone. ¡°Titty, where are you?¡± Why did he keep hearing dying voices? The woman¡¯s voice continued as if she was about to cry out. ¡°Meow.¡± What was interesting was that the cat in Achilleon¡¯s arms began to make a different sound, as if answering the woman¡¯s call. ¡°What did you do to Titty?!¡± But the angry voice finally broke all his patience. ¡°What¡­.?¡± Achilleon looked over and saw a woman standing there, as white as a melted candle. Her dark hair was scattered, and there was even blood on her feet.There were scratch marks all over her hands and arms. In a word, she was looking like a ghost. It was horrible. ¡°Are you its owner?¡± When Achilleon opened his mouth, the woman turned pale as if she had really seen a ghost. *** Hazel woke up from her nap with a sudden chill. When she woke up, she saw her hands were empty. It was at that very moment that she realized that the warmth she was used to was gone. ¡°Titty?¡± She thought it was in the room somewhere. Drinking water, chewing on a snack. But contrary to her expectations, the cat¡¯s meow was nowhere to be heard. ¡°Titty, where are you?¡± Hazel called again, but there was no cat. She jumped out of her bed with an uneasy feeling. ¡°Titty!¡± At that moment, a cool breeze blew and Hazel looked out the open window. ¡°They put rat poison and mousetraps in the garden.¡± As soon as Hazel remembered what Mary had said earlier, her face went white. ¡°Princess! What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Mary! Titty got out!¡± ¡°Titty?¡± ¡°Find it! Mary hurried out of the room, while Hazel fidgeted around, dressed roughly, and went outside. It was now dark outside. She couldn¡¯t believe that so much time had passed while she slept. ¡°Princess, please stay in your room. I¡¯ll look for it.¡± ¡°It has never been outside. I¡¯ve always kept the cat indoors.¡± Hazel was impatient. Titty was a cat that she had raised since she was a child, and ording to the pedigree, she was a cousin to the cat that her mother, Queen Martina, owned before she died. It was exceptionally selected and chosen from the Conces family, who had been raising cats of unique breeds for generations, and sent it to Hazel. It was a consideration for the princess, who was supposed to be the only one left in the pce. ¡°It might die. No, I don¡¯t know who¡¯s gonna kill it.¡± Her mother¡¯s cat died. The soft white haired cat was found hanging helplessly in a corner of the pce with blood on its mouth. The court physician believed that the cat ate rat poison. Suddenly, Hazel thought of something. It urred to her that a few days ago, Lady Pais¡¯s bird was killed by an unidentified beast. And she believed that Titty was the culprit. ¡°If you are raising such a fierce beast, you should guard it carefully, Princess. Because you¡¯ll never know when it will eat something bad and die.¡± Lady Pais said as she looked at Hazel, who was angry. Hazel clenched her fists and shivered involuntarily as she remembered that day. ¡°Why would it die? And who would dare to do anything to the Princess¡¯s cat?¡± ¡°Princess, we¡¯ll find it soon, so¡­.ouch!¡± ¡°Get out of the way.¡± ¡°Princess!¡± Hazel pushed Mary out of the way and ran outside. She didn¡¯t pay any attention to the voice calling her from behind. *** Hazel was running around outside the pce, and before she knew it, she was wandering deep into the garden, in the middle of nowhere. Cats have a habit of hiding themselves in deep ces when they are panicked or frightened, so Hazel decided that she should probably look in some deserted ces rather than public areas. But the problem was the pce was too big. ¡°Titty, where are you?¡± Her appearance was ruined as she searched for the cat, screaming like a madwoman. How long had the time passed? Through the grass, she could hear the faint purr of a cat. Hazel rushed madly over. And, surprisingly, as soon as she saw the clump of white fur on the man¡¯s arms, Hazel inhaled deeply. Or, more precisely, the moment she saw the man holding that bundle of white fur, she stopped dead in her tracks. ¡®Achilleon.¡¯ Hazel couldn¡¯t say anything as she looked at the man in front of her. She didn¡¯t realize it until she saw his golden hair, and his uniform glistening white in the moonlight. And his fierce blue eyes when he looked at her. The bad rtionship from the past that she wanted to avoid stood right in front of her. The white uniform he wore was bathed in moonlight, making his presence even more apparent. ¡°Are you its owner?¡± The man said as he shook his grip on the cat¡¯s cor. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡± ¡®Oh, how¡­.?¡¯ Of all ces, not the ballroom, but a very secluded ce, and of all people, she met him. ¡°I asked if you are the owner of this cat.¡± Achilleon approached with an even more dismal look on his face. With each step, the cat dangled as he grabbed its cor. ¡°Meow.¡± The cat recognized Hazel and began to cry happily. It was a cry that was half resentment, ¡°Why did youe just now?¡± and half relief, ¡°Thank you for stilling.¡± Even though she had searched so hard for this cat, Hazel couldn¡¯t move forward one bit. ¡°Dead or alive, you¡¯re mine. Hazel.¡± The faint whisper echoed in her ears. Chapter 13 ¡°¡­.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t get any words out, as if her mouth was stuck together. In the meantime, Achilleon¡¯s face grew harder and harder. ¡°You screamed so loud earlier, why do you keep your mouth shut now?¡± Hazel chewed the flesh at the back of her mouth. ¡®I¡¯m doomed.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was rude.¡± Hazel quickly knelt down and lowered her head. ¡°Raise your head.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You acted as if I had abused the cat.¡± ¡°Meow.¡± Titty was still crying as he grabbed it by the neck. It wasn¡¯t anything painful, but the cat in the big man¡¯s hands looked infinitely smaller, like dust on a mirror. ¡°I misunderstood.¡± Truthfully, what Hazel had seen earlier looked exactly like the man was abusing the small animal, but of course she couldn¡¯t say that. She nced up at the white bundle of fur in Achilleon¡¯s hand and saw big green eyes looking at her pitifully. ¡°That cat¡­¡­I was looking for it.¡± ¡°This?¡± The cat pounced and bit the finger Achilleon held out to point to Titty. ¡°Yes.¡± Hazel held out her hand, expecting Achilleon to give her the cat, but he just put his hand on the cat¡¯s neck and stroked it. Titty stopped biting his finger. Hazel couldn¡¯t help but gulp all over when she saw the clear teeth marks on Achilleon¡¯s finger. She was afraid that he would throw the cat to the floor right away with that temper of his. Hazel stared at the cat nervously. At that moment, Achilleon looked at Hazel. ¡°Are you the owner of this cat?¡± Hazel nodded but stopped. ¡°Owner¡­..no.¡± At that moment, Titty meowed loudly. It was a cry of disappointment. ¡°I think it recognizes you.¡± Achilleon looked at the cat, who stretched its neck towards Hazel, and then looked at Hazel again. Its sharp blue eyes were searching for answers. ¡°It¡¯s a cat that wanders around the royal pce. I¡¯ve been feeding it so it recognizes me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too clean to be a stray cat.¡± Every time Achilleon¡¯srge hand brushed the cat¡¯s snow-white fur, the sound of Titty¡¯s purring echoed through the air. ¡°Who are you, then?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a courtdy.¡± ¡°Courtdy¡­.¡± Achilleon scanned Hazel¡¯s appearance sharply. She was dressed in pretty luxurious clothes, although her clothes were messed up by branches here and there. It seemed that she was at least an aide to the royal family, not an ordinary maid. ¡°Who do you serve? The Princess?¡± ¡°¡­No¡­I misunderstood you because of the darkness¡­¡± Hazel held out her hand towards the cat, but Achilleon raised that cat higher. The cat meowed pitifully. ¡°Please give it to me. Your Highness. The cat is fierce and it might hurt you.¡± ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± The question mixed withughter. ¡°¡­¡­..¡± Hazel slumped and breathed in. She was in a panic and couldn¡¯t think straight. ¡°I asked if you knew me.¡± Hazel felt that Achilleon¡¯s fierce gaze would pierce through her head at any moment. ¡°I was told that we had visitors from the Demophos Empire today.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s how you knew who I was? Just from that?¡± ¡°¡­I saw the pattern on your clothes. The griffin.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Achilleon made a series of short exmations as if he was satisfied. The golden griffin embroidery that adorned the cor of his uniform was the symbolic pattern of the Demophos Empire, and only the Crown Prince could wear it. ¡°By the way, didn¡¯t you mention that it¡¯s dark around here?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You seemed to have a very good vision. That¡¯s an amazing ability. I¡¯d like to take you to the battlefield.¡± The words were thrown around like a joke, but it was no joke. Hazel had heard and known Achilleon¡¯s way of speaking enough to sting. ¡°Answer me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Who sent you to follow me?¡± ¡°No, no one. And I didn¡¯t follow you.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t want to meet anyone in this life and tried to avoid them as much as she could, but what kind of craziness was this? ¡°I really just went looking for my cat. Please believe me.¡± ¡°But you knew at once that I am the Crown Prince.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve never met before. What am I supposed to think?¡± Achilleon was still the same now as back then. He always hangs on to trivial things. Hazel was once again amazed at his steadfastness. But first, she had to give a satisfactory answer to this man. The Crown Prince with trust issues. Otherwise, she would be treated as a spy and die in a sh. ¡°Actually¡­¡± Hazel opened her mouth in a panic. She knew that Achilleon¡¯s character would not wait long for her. ¡°Actually?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen you¡­ from a distance. At the wee ceremony today. I¡¯m just a maid of honor, so you probably don¡¯t remember me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You only saw me once, but you remember¡­¡± ¡°Meow.¡± Hazel felt nauseous to hear the cat¡¯s cry, as if it knew she was lying. ¡°But the attendants were all men.¡± Hazel felt like she just wanted to bite her tongue and die at this moment. ¡°Actually, I heard a rumor.¡± ¡°What rumor? The ugly creatures areing?¡± ¡°Actually, they¡¯re very beautiful¡­ I mean rumors about them being very handsome.¡± Hazel spat out as much as she could, then immediately regretted it. ¡°Is that so?¡± But surprisingly, it seemed to have worked in convincing Achilleon. His brows were less wrinkled. Hazel had a little hope. ¡°Among thedies, rumors spread fast¡­so everyone knew about it. I think that¡¯s why I recognized you at once, even though it¡¯s dark¡­¡± Hazel continued to speak, greatly embarrassed. Unusually, every time sheplimented Achilleon, the cat in his hand meowed. And the voice sounded to Hazel like it was screaming, lie, lie, lie. It didn¡¯t matter. If only she could get out of this difficult situation. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the misunderstanding¡­..ah..¡± Hazel gulped as Achilleon suddenly got closer, lowered his head, and stared straight at her with his blue eyes. ¡°Is that so? Well, then.¡± It was as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Hazel stared into his eyes. His mouth curled up quickly, as if he was pleased that she didn¡¯t avoid his gaze. After a moment, Achilleon stepped back. ¡°I¡¯ll remember your face.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go now, thank you.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t know what she thanked him for, but she did anyway. ¡°Meow.¡± As the cat in Achilleon¡¯s hand purred longingly, Hazel instinctively reached out and snatched the cat from him, backing away quickly. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon looked at her with a surprised look on his face. Hazel slowly moved to the left. ¡°Stop there.¡± As his low voice rang, Hazel took another step back this time. Achilleon moved swiftly along with her steps. ¡°I said stop there.¡± A wild scene unfolded as the woman ran away with a cat and the man was chasing her. That was how it looked. Snap! ¡°Stop there, ugh ¡­.¡± Achilleon¡¯s foot got caught in a mousetrap, which was the one that caught the white hair beast earlier. ¡°Damn it.¡± He shook his foot forcefully, but the mousetrap was quite strong. Now he understood why the trapped cat couldn¡¯t get out on its own. Annoyed, he kicked his foot several more times, but the tightly closed trap could not be unraveled. Eventually he had to bend down and open the trap himself. In the meantime, the woman was moving away from his vision at a rapid pace. Watching the woman¡¯s back as she ran off into the distance, Achilleon cussed in a low voice. *** Gasp. Gasp. After running away as fast as she could, Hazel leaned against the wall at a corner of the pce and struggled to breathe. ¡°Meow.¡± The cat in her arms tossed and turned ufortably, and it was only then that Hazel realized that she had been holding Titty a little too tight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Titty, I¡¯m sorry.¡± The cat began to lick Hazel¡¯s hand as she rxed her grip. ¡°I¡¯m d I found you. You were scared, weren¡¯t you?¡± Looking into its sparkling green eyes, Hazel¡¯s palpitating heart seemed to subside slightly. Even so, the shock of what had just happened hadn¡¯tpletely worn off. ¡°How did he get there?¡± Achilleon was supposed to be at the wee party with his entourage. The whole court¡¯s attention would be there, so Hazel never expected to meet the party¡¯s main character elsewhere. And it was in a secluded part of the pce. She thought it would be very easy as long as she didn¡¯t meet him. And she thought she would never run into him. ¡°I¡¯ll remember your face.¡± Achilleon¡¯s voice resonated in her ears. Chapter 14 ¡°Princess!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Oh, my God! You found Titty. How did you¡­..¡± ¡°Stop.¡± Hazel raised one hand and covered Mary¡¯s mouth. Despite her sudden reaction, Mary did not take her hand away, but looked at Hazel with her eyes wide open. ¡°Be quiet. Please stop calling me princess.¡± Hazel was farther away from Achilleon, but he still seemed to be nearby. No matter who Achilleon was, this was the first time he had been to the Royal Pce of Land, so the roads must be unfamiliar to him, and even though Hazel was convinced that Achilleon would not be able to follow her, she was not relieved at all. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Mary nodded and Hazel slowly removed her hand. As soon as her hand fell away, Mary immediately asked back. ¡°Why, why, princess?¡± ¡°I told you not to call me!¡± ¡°What on earth am I going to call you?¡± Mary cried. ¡°Anyway, please don¡¯t call me that, not now.¡± Hazel felt a chill run down her spine, as if Achilleon was about toe after her and grab her by the neck. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, by the way? Why are you sweating so much?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Are you sick? Oh my God, it¡¯s not nothing if¡­¡± ¡°Stop talking. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Mary hurriedly walked at Hazel¡¯s urging. She had to move her feet constantly to keep up with Hazel¡¯s almost running stride. Hazel¡¯s face was still stained white, and she was sweating through her ragged, disheveled hair. ¡°Did you see a ghost or something?¡± ¡°More than that.¡± ¡°What? What on earth did you see? Sweating like this¡­¡± Instantly, the cat began to cry long and hard. ¡°I think Titty is hungry.¡± ¡°It must be. It¡¯s been quite a while since it disappeared. Poor thing. I¡¯ll give it a special treat.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good.¡± Hazel replied with a dazed look on her face. When Hazel returned to her room, the attendants and maids who were sent to find the cat returned in turn. The maids tried to call for the court physician, but Hazel hurriedly stop them. ¡°No. More importantly¡­¡± ¡°Princess?¡± ¡°Keep what happened today a secret.¡± ¡°What happened today?¡± ¡°About me went out to look for Titty. What would people say if they knew the sick Princess couldn¡¯t attend the wee ceremony but went to look for her cat?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Tell the others to keep their mouths shut.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Mary nodded as if to tell Hazel to trust her. ¡°But you look surprised. Shouldn¡¯t we call the court physician?¡± ¡°No. Prepare a bath and take care of Titty.¡± ¡°Yes, of course. Oh, someone wrapped its hurt paw.¡± Hazel¡¯s panicked gaze reached the cloth tied around the cat¡¯s white paw. The blood stained white cloth must have been torn from someone¡¯s clothes. ¡°Yeah, looks like it.¡± Hazel turned her head away in a panic. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a bath. Call the court physician.¡± Mary stepped forward quickly and hugged the cat. Perhaps tired of wandering alone in the vast garden, Titty quietly slipped out of its master¡¯s arms and into Mary¡¯s arms. Under her order, a warm bath was prepared, and Hazel went straight into the bath after dismissing all the maids. ¡®I met him again.¡¯ Hazel had no idea that just running into Achilleon again would cause such a rush of fear, as if all the blood was drained from her body. It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t think about running into him again at all, but she didn¡¯t expect to see him so soon. ¡®It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay now, right?¡¯ Hazel ruminated to herself as if she was casting a spell. There was nothing between them now. She would never make a connection with him in the future. That should be fine. ¡°I¡¯ll remember your face.¡± She was sure that Achilleon said it out of anger. It was understandable because she was being a cheeky maid. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± No matter how much she soaked in the hot water, her fingers seemed to feel cold. Hazel sped her hands together and scooped up the water. The clear water turned red in the blink of an eye. The reflection on it was the dead body of Sisef, thrown on the floor. Hazel closed her eyes tightly and opened them again, then tried to get out of the bathtub. ¡°Ahh¡­¡± However, she couldn¡¯t get out after much struggle. The maids immediately rushed in at Hazel¡¯s scream. ¡°Princess! What¡¯s going on?¡± Mary wrapped her body with a towel. ¡°Ah¡­ah¡­¡± Hazel cried out in pain as she cradled her head, then copsed. ¡°Princess!¡± Mary¡¯s startled cry became someone else¡¯s voice, bellowing in the distance. ¡°Did the Princess of Land drown herself?¡± *** *This scene is either a shback or Hazel is having a dream of the past.* The imperial delegation¡¯s wee party in the morning was concluded by Hazel¡¯s congrattory speech. ¡± ¡­With today¡¯s meeting, the two countries have established a friendly rtionship ¡­ . ¡° Hazel calmly read the congrattory speech. It was not once or twice that she had met foreign envoys on behalf of the Queen and read congrattory speeches, so she could memorize them with her eyes closed. It was a job so familiar to her that even if she didn¡¯t have the speech paper, she could make up one on the spot. ¡°¡­I assure you of the trust between our two countries¡­¡± She averted the danger of stammering if she was not good enough by looking around at the people in the banquet hall and smiling graciously. The people wouldn¡¯t have noticed, but she had already been in that situation many times. It wasn¡¯t that it was cold in the hall, or that she was extraordinarily nervous. It was all because of that damn Crown Prince that she narrowly escaped failure today, despite the fact that it was a job she was soul-crushingly familiar with. ¡®Why is he looking at me like that?¡¯ Hazel¡¯s head seemed to twitch the entire time she was reading the speech. It was for the man who sat in the center of the Demophos Imperial Mission, and stared at her with sharp eyes as if he was devouring her with a knife. In his cross-legged, nted posture, he stared at Hazel, not moving an inch. She had never seen eyes that blue before. The same with his silvery blond hair. Lorette and her father, the king, had blond hair, but it was a warm brownish color, and Prince Achilleon¡¯s was different. He looked extremely beautiful for a Crown Prince living on the battlefield, and during the weing ceremony, the attendees¡¯ eyes were fixed on him. However, when Hazel began to read her speech, the Crown Prince did not even blink, and for a while she thought he was a puppet. ¡®Did I do something to offend him?¡¯ He was a prince who was famous for mercilessly beheading his enemies. Hazel suddenly felt a chill on her neck. Achilleon¡¯s gaze that followed her didn¡¯t change when she stepped off the stage after finally finishing her speech. She could clearly feel the dark blue eyes following her every movement. Officially, Achilleon was the man who would be the next emperor, but those who knew the affairs of the empire well believed that he had merely donned the veneer of the crown prince¡¯s uniform, and that in reality the throne should belong to his half-brother, Prince Sisef, who was the son of the empress. When Achilleon was crowned Crown Prince, the entire continent was in the throes of war. The Demophos Empire was engaged in a series of wars every day in order to acquire a significant amount of territory. With far-reaching dreams of continental unification, the emperor needed someone who could lead the imperial army, and he hoped it would be his son. However, the Empress did not wish for her son, Sisef, to die in battle or be crippled on the battlefield, so instead, she pushed Achilleon, the son of a concubine, to the forefront. With the usible argument that since Achilleon was the emperor¡¯s eldest son, he should go to war and make a contribution. And with the belief that Achilleon would die on the battlefield, her son Sisef would inherit the throne. However, the Crown Prince, who expected to return as a corpse soon, won great victories and increased the fame of the Demophos Empire. It was said that enemy troops would flee in fear at the mere sight of the Crown Prince¡¯s g fluttering in the distance. By the time he had swallowed up half of the continent, there was no one who did not know his name. The sessor of Emperor Demophos in name and reality was already Achilleon. Under such circumstances, even the Empress could not overturn the decision. This was because the war could have discouraged morale at a sensitive time. However, with the Empress still holding eminent power in the empire and the Emperor¡¯s great fondness for Prince Sisef, Achilleon¡¯s position could be overturned at any time. So, even during this delegation¡¯s visit, the one who put more effort into the ceremonies than Crown Prince Achilleon was Prince Sisef. This was because he had been close to the Land kingdom through tireless artistic exchanges, and was also very popr thanks to his soft and gentle personality and appearance that one could not help but like. On the other hand, people¡¯s thoughts about the Crown Prince, who had the heinous nickname of the war messenger, were closer to fear than hope. When he actually showed up at the weing ceremony, though, the fearfulness ended in amazement. However, whatever the Crown Prince looked like, it was not a matter of much importance to Hazel. As she walked down the tform, she surreptitiously turned to where Prince Sisef was sitting. When his eyes met hers, he smiled and apuded quietly. His gaze filled Hazel with pride. On the seat where she was sitting was a bouquet of roses that Sisef had brought her. It was the bouquet he had brought to her in person before the wee party began, saying he was sorry he couldn¡¯t be there thest time they had a field trip. Hazel, who had been cold towards him, instantly softened her heart and smiled. And after putting the bouquet in ce where everyone could see, she began walking to her seat. ¡®He was sorry.¡¯ The bouquet of flowers that was presented to her with those words made her heart melt. However, Sisef¡¯s gaze immediately went to Lorette, where the Land royalty were seated. Chapter 15 As if she felt his gaze on her, Lorette turned to look at where Sisef was sitting. Hazel saw clearly that in the crowd of people, only two people whose eyes met were exchanging smiles. A shy smile appeared on Lorette¡¯s face. Hazel knew exactly what the reddened cheeks were saying. And also Sisef¡¯s eyes, which shone brightly at Lorette¡¯s cuteness. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t help but look away hastily. Her heart began to pound. She felt horrible, as if she had made a very big mistake. For a very brief moment, the scene passed through her vision. No one would have seen it. It was only for a short time. Struggling to calm her heart, Hazel walked over to where her seat was arranged. ¡®What¡¯s wrong with him?¡¯ Meanwhile, Achilleon¡¯s eyes that followed her persistently continued. She felt every muscle in her body tense up at the intensity of his gaze, which she couldn¡¯t ignore. ¡®Does he dislike something?¡¯ Was there something about the speech that he didn¡¯t like? Or was her reading that bothered him? No matter how much Hazel thought about it, she couldn¡¯te up with a clear answer. The back of her head hurt from the stare, and before she knew it, the weing ceremony was over, and the weing banquet was waiting to follow. ¡°It was beautiful, Hazel.¡± Sisef approached and spoke to her, Hazel replied with a big smile. ¡°Thank you.¡± As Hazel nced around, Sisef corrected his words. ¡°Oh, I must call you Princess.¡± He added in a slightly mischievous tone. Hazel¡¯s cheeks flushed red at his words. Just as Lorette did earlier. ¡°It was an honor to hear the princess¡¯s wonderful speech today.¡± Hazel gave a happy smile as Sisef spoke in an exaggerated manner. All eyes in the hall were on Hazel and Sisef. Their eyes, visible through the fans, were half curious and half expectant. ¡°I wonder if His Royal Highness will ever want to have Demophos son inw?¡± ¡°I heard they have been close since they were young.¡± The princess and the prince, who had first met as children during an exchange between the two countries, had simr interests to the extent that they had takenposition sses together, and after a few visits they became quite close. There were even whispers that they would soon be talking about marriage. It was all a result of King Land¡¯s borate n. ¡°Thank you for the speech, Hazel.¡± Lorette greeted the two and bowed gracefully. ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± Hazel had no choice but to ept the greetings. Normally, she would have ignored Lorette and walked on by, but there were too many eyes watching her now to do so. Hazel nced over Lorette¡¯s outfit. Contrary to Hazel, who wore a dark green dress, emerald earrings and ne, Lorette was dressed in a pale sky blue dress and aquamarine trinkets. It was a gift directly from the king, who said it perfectly matched Lorette¡¯splexion. The clear sky-blue ne and earrings were something Hazel had wanted too, but the king sent them to Lorette, saying they were not suited for Hazel. ¡°You look good, Hazel.¡± Reluctantlyplimenting her, Lorette averted her gaze and looked at Sisef. He too looked at her with a subtle gaze. At that moment, a waltz music began to flow through the hall. As the dance began, everyone¡¯s eyes were drawn to the couple who began to dance. Hazel gently held out her hand towards Sisef, expecting him to hold her hand. But contrary to her expectations, he did not take her hand. Sisef was standing between Hazel and Lorette. He was close enough to catch either of them with his hand. At that moment, Hazel saw Sisef¡¯s eyes were on Lorette. Lorette was also staring at him naturally. The situation that followed was all too obvious. Hazel swallowed a gulp and looked at the two. ¡°¡­¡­!¡± Suddenly, someone snatched her hand out of the air. The hand wrapped around her slender waist and led her to the center of the hall. Hazel didn¡¯t have time to refuse, and it was only when she stood in the middle of the hall that she was able to see her partner¡¯s face. Cold blue eyes. Hazel¡¯s eyes fluttered when she met them, visible through the thickshes of her eyes. The man was so tall that she had to raise her head to see him perfectly. Sisef was also tall, but this man seemed to be at least half a head taller than Sisef. ¡°His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.¡± Achilleon smiled faintly at Hazel¡¯s unintentional call of his name. ¡°May I have your permission for our first dance?¡± It was the rudest request for a dance Hazel had ever received in her life. *** ¡°Princess, are you all right?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You fainted in the tub.¡± Hazel opened her eyeszily at the sound of a concerned whisper. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine.¡± Passing out in the tub was an embarrassment. ¡°Meow.¡± When the soft ball of fur approached her and rubbed its face against her hand, Hazel felt a little better. ¡°How¡¯s the wound? (*that cat¡¯s paw wound) ¡°The treatment went well. Fortunately, the bone is okay.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± Hazel breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at the cat. Its furry paws had been shaved short to treat the wound, and the bandaged paw was still swollen, but it didn¡¯t seem to have any trouble moving. ¡°And this was wrapped around Titty¡¯s paw.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel looked at the bloodied piece of cloth. ¡°There¡¯s a gold thread embroidered over here. It looks like it¡¯s from a noble person.¡± ¡°It seems so.¡± ¡°He must have a difficult time dealing with Titty.¡± ¡°I suppose so. Anything else? Is everything alright?¡± Hazel averted her gaze. ¡°Yes.¡± Hazel gently cupped the cat¡¯s face and smiled. ¡°And the wee banquet?¡± ¡°It went well.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Princess was sweating a lot. I think you were having a nightmare the whole time.¡± ¡°It was just a bit of a bad dream.¡± It was a vivid dream, a dream Hazel never wanted to have again. The most frightening part was the fact that it was never a dream, but part of her memory. ¡°Oh, while you were sleeping, Princess Lorette came.¡± ¡°She did?¡± ¡°She came to say thank you for lending her the ne and earrings. She was so surprised to hear that you copsed, but I stopped her froming in to see you.¡± ¡°¡­Very well.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t want Lorette to see her like this. Acting sickly and actually looking shabby were two very different things. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten anything, so I prepared a light soup. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll feel a little better once you¡¯ve had some.¡± Mary said, offering the warm soup. Hazel tried to tell her that she had no appetite, but she felt the hunger rushing through her, so she took the spoon, scooped up the soup and began to eat. ¡°But what in the world did you see yesterday that surprised you so much?¡± ¡°It was dark, perhaps a hallucination.¡± Hazel roughly scooped more soup and began to eat. Knock. Knock. Just then a maid came in to announce someone¡¯s visit. ¡°His Royal Highness the King is here.¡± ¡°My father¡­?¡± Clink. Hazel was so surprised that she dropped the spoon she was holding on the floor. ¡°I¡¯ll be out in a moment. I look like a mess. ¡­.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t have to look in the mirror to tell how she looked like at this moment. Messy hair, dry skin, sunken eyes, sweaty. ¡°Come on,e on¡­.¡± Just as Hazel, bewildered by the unexpected visit, was about to hurry down to bed, the door opened and the King, Ileos, appeared. ¡°Hazel.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t move any further and stopped where she was. ¡°Oh, father.¡± Hazel tried to move her frozen body to greet him, but the king stopped her and had her sit on the bed again. ¡°I heard that you were hurt. No need to be so formal.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Hazel nodded with a puzzled look on her face. ¡°What did the court physician say? Ileos looked a little surprised to see his daughter¡¯s severely thin face. ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­tely I¡¯ve been having a lot of nightmares, so I was told to get some rest.¡± ¡°Nightmares?¡± Hazel nodded quickly. ¡°Just a dream falling from a high ce, or seeing a ghost¡­ It¡¯s a mess. They say that dreams like that happen when your body gets weak.¡± Hazel made up the story. Ileos looked at his daughter¡¯s face and his brow furrowed as if he was concerned. Since she didn¡¯t show up for the wee ceremony or the banquet, he figured something must have gone wrong. ¡°¡­I apologize for not being able to attend this important official event.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not ming you.¡± ¡°You can me me for not fulfilling my duties as a princess.¡± Hazel said as she dropped her gaze, and Ileos opened his mouth after a brief silence. ¡°¡­You¡¯re the one who taught Lorette¡­.¡± Ah, that was it, wasn¡¯t it? Hazel smiled inwardly, then said as she slowly raised her head. ¡°I was just doing what a sister is supposed to do. Since I can¡¯t attend, it is my duty to guide Lorette on how to do it perfectly.¡± ¡°You really thought so?¡± With a slightly surprised tone, Hazel nodded with a smile. ¡°Of course. You always told me to treat Lorette like my own sister.¡± Hazel smiled gently. It was easy for her to put on the expression she had always wanted since she was a child, and it wasn¡¯t hard to smile brightly at any time of the day. It was very easy when she thought about it. Pretending to be a good sister, act the part, and be the kind daughter who would not go against her father¡¯s will. But why was it so difficult back then? And why is it so natural now? A strange feeling arose in her. Chapter 16 ¡°It¡¯s a bit sudden.¡± There was a hint of suspicion in the king¡¯s tone. ¡°I¡¯ve been a bad sister, so I did some reflection.¡± Hazel smiled weakly. ¡°Poor Lorette. She grew up outside the pce and didn¡¯t get to enjoy all the things a princess should have. That¡¯s why I think she deserves to have more happiness.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m proud of you for thinking like that.¡± A smile appeared on Ileos¡¯s mouth. Hazel felt indescribably strange seeing her father¡¯s sincere smile, which she had not seen in a long time. Her father¡¯s face, as he held Lorette in his arms, was always filled with that kind of smile. He evenvished the words, ¡°My beloved daughter.¡± His whole world revolved around Lorette. It was as if he had never had a daughter before. It only made Hazel feel terribly awkward that her father¡¯s smile was now directed at her. ¡°The imperial delegation has just arrived at the royal pce. We have a lot of things to digest. You know as well as I do that it has not been easy to make this happen.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± It was a peace agreement with an empire that had swallowed up half of the continent. The reason why they had set a half-month long date for this agreement was to further strengthen the rtionship between the two countries. If the Princes had a good time in the Kingdom and showed a friendly attitude towards the Kingdom of Land, it would be an opportunity to clearly instill the Land¡¯s status in the surrounding countries. ¡°You two are my only children. It would be nice if you two can get along with the Princes¡­.¡± Hazel realized the intention behind the king¡¯s words. Since his two daughters and the Princes were at the same age, he wanted them to consider marriage. The king wanted Sisef. It was not the Crown Prince that Ileos had in mind, but the empress¡¯s son, Sisef. And the partner for Sisef was¡­.Lorette. ¡®I didn¡¯t know it back then.¡¯ Ileos had a higher opinion of Sisef, who was well educated and lived in the imperial pce, than the Crown Prince who rolled around on the battlefield surrounded by harsh rumors. In fact, he was certain that it would be Sisef, not Achilleon, who would inherit the throne. Sisef was the one who had the best qualities as a chieftain to lead a country. So this agreement was able to be reached by his outstanding skills. And the king didn¡¯t hesitate to use his daughters in this agreement. The benefits of marrying into the Empire would be greater. Even if the political marriage was not consummated, it was not a bad thing for a beautiful princess to show up at a ball or wherever. The king knew better than anyone that a beautiful appearance would arouse the favor of the other party. Ileos was born with a brilliant mind, and he managed the affairs of state well. It took a great deal of meticulous ability to defend the throne among the powerful nobles, but he maintained the bnce of power by properly appointing people from each family. His marriage to Hazel¡¯s mother, Martina, was part of such a goal: to form a political alliance with a family that would be of great help to him. But that marriage was another shackle and bound Ileos. The Duchesses of Conces often offended him by tantly supporting Hazel, the only flesh and blood left by their own family. The rtionship between a father and his daughter could only worsen as he saw the child as a threat to his royal authority. ¡°I think it would be better for Lorette to take on the task of entertaining the delegation rather than me, father. I heard she did well at the wee party yesterday.¡± ¡°Yes, she did. I wish you could have seen it yourself. You would be proud of her.¡± ¡°I know. I¡¯m sad too.¡± Hazel sighed deeply. ¡°Are you going to be able to attend all the special pics and huntingpetitions? ¡°¡­Probably.¡± ¡°The guests from Demophos seemed to be eager to meet you. They even said that because you¡¯re beautiful, you¡¯re kept hidden and they could never see you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a polite way of putting it. Lorette alone would have been enough.¡± Hazel smiled and closed her eyes slightly, her rich darkshes casting shadows over her white skin. ¡°Martina was one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom. You don¡¯t need to be modest because you look exactly like her.¡± ¡®That¡¯s why you hated her.¡¯ Ileos didn¡¯t like the peculiar appearance of the Conches family very much. Dark green eyes reminiscent of a cat¡¯s, slightly raised eyes, and pitch-ck hair as shiny as ck velvet. Hazel had it all. Just like her aunts and cousins. That¡¯s why Ileos liked Lorette, who resembled him in appearance. They had bright golden hair and a soft impression that indicated a meek nature. Lorette looked so different from Hazel that when they stood together, they didn¡¯t look very much like sisters. ¡°I¡¯m just grateful that you think I¡¯m pretty. I¡¯d love to be there, of course, but I¡¯m worried that I might look bad to the guests from Demophos when I¡¯m not feeling well. It would be nice if I¡¯m in perfect condition.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s an arrangement we went to a lot of trouble to install, and I don¡¯t want to inconvenience you in any way.¡± Ileos nodded, seeming to understand Hazel¡¯s answer. ¡°The first thing you need to do is to recover, so get some rest.¡± ¡°Thank you, father.¡± As soon as Ileos left, Mary said in surprise. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect His Highness to visit you¡­¡± As she looked at the seat where Ileos had sat, Mary kept repeating the exmation, ¡°Oh my. It was just a fathering to see his sick daughter, but it was too much of a reaction. But you¡¯re well deserved.¡± ¡°I know. When was thest time my father visited the Rose Pce?¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t quite remember. Apart from stopping by when her mother was still alive, the day Hazel came to this Rose Pce after Lorette¡¯s return¡­. Hazel tried to think of more, but stopped. ¡°It seems he was worried about the princess!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t suppress a bitter smile. ¡°As expected he loves you the most.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± Hazel only smiled ambiguously. ¡°I thought he came to scold me because I didn¡¯t attend the ceremony and thought I was protesting.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it¡­¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe he went easy on me.¡± Hazel gave an empty smile. Even before Lorette came back to the pce, the king hadn¡¯t been a very attentive father. ¡°I guess he was proud of me.¡± Mary tilted her head andughed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you d?¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m happy.¡± Hazel was smiling, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. ¡°He praised me for being nice to Lorette.¡± So in the end, it wasn¡¯t that her father was starting to care about her. If he was really worried about his daughter being sick all night, he would havee to her in the middle of the night, no matter what. ¡°That would have been sweet.¡± Hazel sighed spontaneously as she remembered her crazy past to crave such affection. It was a kindness like sand that no matter how hard she tried to catch it, she could not. The only kindness her father had finally given her was when he was kind to her half-sister and polite to her stepmother. ¡°Perhaps if the king treated the princess very kindly, the world would look down on him?¡± ¡°Perhaps, but ¡­.¡± Ileos was not the kind of father who was stern in the eyes of the people, but warm in private. If he was, Hazel would not have hated Lorette for being loved by him. ¡°Whatever it is, I¡¯m done with it.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t want conditional love, because that wasn¡¯t real love. It may seem like she possessed it, even temporarily, but it would eventually slip through her fingers. All the time she spent longing for love and recognition from her father has been wasted. For a moment, it was like looking at a sand castle that had been swept away by a gust of wind. No matter how much effort she put into it, Hazel thought, there was no need to risk her life for something that was useless. ¡°It¡¯s a beautiful day¡­¡± Hazel looked out the window absentmindedly. ¡°Yes! The flowers in the rose garden are so beautiful. Would you like to go for a walk?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll stay in the pce only.¡± Hazel wasn¡¯t going to go outside, at least not until the imperial delegation left. One encounter with Achilleon yesterday was enough. ¡°I¡¯m going to the greenhouse.¡± Hazel¡¯s reply didn¡¯t ur to Mary for a while, but she soon answered with a bright smile. ¡°Then I¡¯ll tell the greenhouse to prepare some tea and refreshments! *** The Rose Pce, where Hazel lived, was, as the name suggested, a pce where roses bloomed all year round. It was the pce that Queen Martina loved the most when she was alive, and the greenhouse in the middle of the garden grew dozens of varieties of roses. Hazel loved this space the most because she could always see the magnificent roses in the greenhouse, even during the season when they were not in bloom. It was also the ce where her happy memories were all stored. Running around and ying with her mother in this greenhouse, and learning to pick and arrange roses together. Hazel looked around as she sipped her thick rose-scented tea. ¡®It¡¯s only two weeks from now.¡¯ The imperial delegation would be leaving the pce. Until then, she had toy low as if she was dead. Then the rtionship with Achilleon shall be broken. ¡°I¡¯ll remember your face.¡± Hazel still couldn¡¯t forget the sound that Achilleon whispered bitterly. ¡°So what if he remembers¡­?¡± No matter how much he looked for her, she was just a servant girl as far as he knew. Hazel closed her eyes, listening to the sound of water from the fountain in the greenhouse. It was then¡­ ¡°Princess, the chambein has sent people.¡± ¡°What for?¡± Hazel raised her head, frowning at the sudden noise. It wasn¡¯t everyday that the quiet atmosphere of the Rose Pce was so noisy. ¡°I..in the rose garden.¡± ¡°Speak properly.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to¡­ pick the roses.¡± Chapter 17 ¡°What did you say?¡± Hazel jumped out of her seat, and the shawl around her shoulders fell easily to the floor. ¡°What do you mean? Call the chambein at once.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Mary quickly picked up the shawl from the floor, draped it over Hazel¡¯s shoulders, and went out. The chambein was soon summoned and bowed before Hazel. ¡°Lady Pais sent me.¡± ¡°For what?¡± ¡°She said we needed more beautiful flowers to decorate the banquet hall.¡± ¡°¡­my flowers? What about the ones in the private greenhouse?¡± ¡°The flowers in the Rose Pce are especially beautiful. She also said that the flowers are intended to be disced for important guests from the Empire, so don¡¯t be offended.¡± The chambein spoke quietly, avoiding Hazel¡¯s gaze, which was fixed on him. ¡°What¡­ what?¡± It was Mary who spoke louder first. ¡°Take the flowers from the Rose Pce?¡± While Mary eximed, the chambein smiled and answered. ¡°We used many fine roses to decorate the banquet hall. Lady Pais wants to bring roses, the symbol of Land, to the guests¡¯ rooms as well, but we don¡¯t have enough.¡± The chambein calmly gave reasons without raising an eyebrow. ¡°It¡¯s not just the Rose Pce that has roses! There are roses scattered throughout the gardens of each pce.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been raining a lottely, and many of the petals are damaged. Some of them have been eaten by insects. We can¡¯t give such flowers as gifts to our guests.¡± The chambein¡¯s words spilled out very smoothly. Hazel watched him closely and said. ¡°How long have you been working at the pce, Carl?¡± ¡°Less than a year, Princess.¡± ¡°You¡¯re very good at your job, even though you¡¯ve only been working here for a short time.¡± The people in the pce were slowly turning into Lady Pais¡¯s people. This was all because of the king¡¯s power. All of the households in the pce,rge and small, were ced under the control of Lady Pais, so her influence in the pce was bing greater and greater. Although Hazel, the imperial princess, still had a higher position, all the people were busy pleasing Lady Pais because it was the way of the world to bow to the real authority. It was not surprising that they did so, since her one word would change their sries and treatment. The more it happened, the narrower Hazel¡¯s position became. Lady Pais had be more and more rough around the edges since giving birth to her children, and she was able to wrestle her way out of everything mundane. Even though the Duchess of Conces was a powerful noble family, the royal pce was strictly owned by the king, and the nobles could not act unnecessarily. If they do something wrong, it would be a good excuse for treason. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Lady Pais has taken great pains to assist the court on my behalf. I would be happy to help.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that why the princess took such good care of the roses?¡± Mary said with a sigh. ¡°The gardener did, to be exact. But the Princess waters it too.¡± ¡°Mary, give it to him.¡± ¡°Princess.¡± Mary looked at Hazel in astonishment. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. The flowers are for the guests.¡± ¡°What?¡± Hazel smiled cheerlessly at Mary, who looked at her in disbelief. It was a good cause too. To decorate the bedrooms and banquet hall of the delegation from the Empire. ¡°Take it away. It would be a good idea to choose something especially beautiful to please the people from the Empire.¡± Hazel gave an order with her eyes fixed on him, and the chambein left with a satisfied smile on his face. ¡®If I don¡¯t cooperate, my father will give me another lecture.¡¯ It was only natural that everything would be decorated in the best possible way, as the eyes of the entire court, or even the kingdom, were on this big event. Taking the Princess¡¯s flowers was nothing important. Lady Pais was using her pregnant baby as a weapon to oppress Hazel. She thought it was her weapon and waved it around, that was all. Hazel said with a smile. ¡°Select only the best ones and send them to Lady Pais.¡± ¡°For Lady Pais?¡± Mary asked in bewilderment. ¡°It¡¯s a gift for her pregnancy.¡± Hazel added lightly, and Mary whimpered. ¡°It¡¯s a nice thought, a gift of flowers for Lady Pais.¡± Mary kept her voice low andnguid, but when her eyes met Hazel¡¯s, she had no choice but to nod. ¡°Well, Princess. You have another visitor¡­.¡± ¡°Visitor? Did someonee again?¡± Hazel mmed the teacup she was about to drink on the table with a thud. She thought she¡¯d stay in the greenhouse quiet and let the time pass, but she didn¡¯t understand why so many people wereing. It was as if someone had decided to w at her heart. ¡°Who was it again this time? Just say that I¡¯m sick.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­.¡± Mary was in a panic and at a loss at what to do. ¡°I insisted oning in.¡± Startled by the voice, Hazel turned and stared at the voice¡¯s owner, bewildered. ¡°I heard the Princess was sick.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel was a bit speechless at the sight of the man who had appeared in a grand stride behind Mary. Prince Sisef. The man who would be the future Grand Duke of Avinov and Lorette¡¯s husband. Hazel had tried so hard to avoid him, but it seemed that her life would not even begin this time without meeting the brothers of the Emperor Demophos. Disappointed, Hazel gave a short sigh. Earlier it was Achilleon, today it was Sisef. Hazel had bad rtionships with both of them from the past and she never wanted to see them again. One was the crazy husband who killed her stepsister, and the other was her first love who married her stepsister. ¡°I asked her to let me in. Please don¡¯t be angry with Mary.¡± Mary looked up at Sisef with a touched expression on her face. ¡°I¡¯ll get some more tea. It¡¯s been a while since the Prince saw the Princess. ¡­.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have tea for the uninvited guest.¡± Mary widened her eyes in surprise at Hazel¡¯s snapping tone. ¡°You¡¯re right. I came here rudely.¡± Sisef nodded and epted, and Mary stood between them, looking pale. ¡°No need for tea, but may I talk to Hazel alone for a moment?¡± ¡°Prince.¡± Hazel stepped forward quickly and said, ¡°Since when do you call me that?¡± Sisef looked at Hazel with a slightly shocked expression on his face. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel and Sisef¡¯s gazes collided in the void. Mary, noticing the suffocating air, hastened to answer. ¡°Please talkfortably. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± Mary smiled broadly at Sisef¡¯s gentle request and quickly left the greenhouse. ¡°Mary, you¡­..¡± Without a chance for Hazel to talk, Mary quickly disappeared from her sight. Meanwhile, Hazel could hear the door of the greenhouse closing and Mary asking nearby maids not to go into the garden. ¡®Mary, that¡¯s not it.¡¯ Hazel moaned in a low voice and touched her head. But Mary did the best she could. She was only keeping her master¡¯s word to make things happen with Sisef somehow. But Mary didn¡¯t know that her master had changed. (*In previous life Mary knew that Hazel liked Sisef and she didn¡¯t know Hazel is a changed person now, so that¡¯s why Mary tried to bring them together.) ¡°What brings you all the way here?¡± Hazel stood up and the shawl on her shoulders again fell to the floor. She stared at Sisef as Sisef picked up the fallen shawl and slowly approached her. ¡°Hazel.¡± She looked at him as he brushed off the dirt from the shawl. The gesture and the color of his eyes made Hazel feel emotional. Sisef was always so kind and gentle even when they first met. ¡°Are you the owner of this ribbon?¡± It was from the time he helped her find the ribbon that had flown away in the wind and hung on a tree branch. Yes, it was from that exact moment. It wasn¡¯t because the person who found her cherished ribbon was an Imperial prince. Hazel just liked the hand that reached out to her. The warm look in his eyes, the gentle way of speaking. He left her world shaken. Hazel sighed at the memory of the past that hade so suddenly to her when she saw Sisef picking up her shawl with the same nonchnce as that time. He had always impressed her with such small acts of tenderness and consideration. Knowing that it was nothing more than an acquired habit, she fell in love with him. At the time, Hazel thought that Sisef¡¯s actions were only for her. What a great illusion. ¡°Give it back.¡± Sisef stared at her as Hazel spoke sternly, and Hazel stepped toward him, who was unresponsive. ¡°It¡¯s a job for the maids to do. It¡¯s not for you, Prince.¡± When Hazel reached out and tried to grab the shawl, Sisef held it tightly instead of handing it over. ¡°Prince?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± Sisef smiled disappointedly at Hazel¡¯s gaze, which looked up at him as if confused. ¡°Are you mad at me?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel stopped snatching at her shawl again and looked at Sisef. ¡°What makes you think that?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t even bother to look at my face like before.¡± Sisef said. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken.¡± Hazel cut him off without hesitation. ¡°Is it because of Lorette?¡± Sisef asked. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Lorette is not like you. She¡¯s like a little sister to me.¡± Sisef said calmly. Chapter 18 ¡°It gives me great pleasure to know that you think of my half sister more like a sister than I do, Prince.¡± Hazel smiled slightly. Perhaps because Sisef¡¯s words were not different from before, they were digging a hole in her heart. ¡°So I guess It makes you want to care for the little sister.¡± ¡°She¡¯s a little different from the perfect you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m good on my own.¡± Perhaps Sisef never knew but each of his words tore at Hazel¡¯s heart. He was her only friend until Lorette came to the pce. ¡°The heart you have for Lorette, I hope it will remain the same forever.¡± Hazel managed to finish her sentence. Regardless of the feelings she had for him, she owed him. It was Achilleon who had killed Sisef, but she was the very one who had caused the misunderstanding. Someone had left room for the Emperor (Achilleon) to use the Empress (Hazel) of wrongdoing. ¡°I do not wish to see our friendship broken, Hazel.¡± Sisef¡¯s voice was the softest it had ever been. ¡°We¡¯ve been friends since the first time we met. That will never change.¡± ¡°Friends, my prince?¡± A wry smile spread across Hazel¡¯s lips. Even though she tried not to, it was difficult to suppress the emotions that kept welling up in her. ¡°I am the princess of Land, and you are the prince of the Demophos Empire. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°This was before we¡¯re Hazel and Sisef.¡± Hazel tried hard to suppress the emotions that had been boiling in her chest earlier. It was all over. It was an emotion that had once again tried to crumble into a terrible mess. She remembered the tragedy that had resulted from such a foolish mistake of madly clinging to what she could not have. ¡°I hope that in the future you will not visit me in such a rude manner. Now then¡­¡± It was the moment Hazel turned around. ¡°I was worried.¡± She heard a very gentle voice. At that moment, the hand that was grabbing her dress began to shake. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel stood frozen like a stone statue. ¡®He was worried¡¯, Sisef¡¯s kind words had be a soft de that stabbed her heart. It was funny that his words could still have this effect on her. There were times when she wanted to give her everything to that one word. She wanted to listen to whatever he wanted her to do. I never doubted that she wanted to be there for him. But Hazel knew very well the cost of putting everything on the line for that simple word. ¡°When you didn¡¯t show up for the wee ceremony or the ball, I thought you were really sick. I¡¯ve asked to visit you, but you¡¯ve always refused.¡± A troubled expression appeared on Sisef¡¯s face. ¡°Why on earth would you do this? Please let me know if I hurt your feelings. I¡¯ll fix it¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel swallowed a deep breath inwardly. The supremely gentle tone in which he spoke to her, he meant it. It drove her even crazier. Hazel opened her mouth, putting more pressure on her clenched fists. ¡°Make no mistake. What can you do wrong to me, the noble prince of the Empire.¡± Hazel made an effort not to look back. In retrospect, she knew that if she did, it would be irreversible. So it was better to just stay like this. ¡°I really didn¡¯t feel well. I didn¡¯t want people to see me in pain. That was all.¡± Even with Hazel¡¯s exnation, Sisef still had doubts. ¡°You¡¯re not avoiding me on purpose?¡± He had a submissive temperament, but he could be relentlessly stubborn at times. When Hazel saw him in those moments, it was hard to believe that he and Achilleon were blood brothers, but it made sense. And the fact that he was almost always right disturbed Hazel even more. ¡°I need to rest. Can you leave, please?¡± Hazel¡¯s voice sounded polite, but sharp. Even so, Sisef did not move an inch. In the end, it was Hazel who made the first move. ¡°If you wish to stay here a little longer, I¡¯ll leave you to it.¡± Hazel stepped towards the side door of the greenhouse. ¡°Hazel.¡± As the sound of impatient footsteps approached, Hazel clenched her fists and stopped walking, ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Sisef came closer, his face unusually emotional. ¡°Don¡¯t just keep avoiding it. Tell me if you¡¯re angry.¡± ¡°It hurts¡­¡± When Hazel whispered low, Sisef was surprised and hurriedly grabbed her arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, are you hurting?¡± His brown eyes shed with panic. He could see that the skin on Hazel¡¯s arm was red and swollen. But Hazel wasn¡¯t surprised, as her exceptionally white skin rubbed and scraped easily. ¡°Thank you for your concern. Prince Sisef.¡± Hazel said, pulling on her shawl to cover the red marks. ¡°Excuse me¡­¡± Hazel turned again and tried to walk away, but Sisef caught her and wouldn¡¯t let go. ¡°We met when we were twelve. After that, we were always together whenever I came to the pce. I came here to see you.¡± Hazel¡¯s exhaled, feeling heavy. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry if that¡¯s thest time I saw you.¡± The longer his apology grew, the more sincere his words were, the more horrible Hazel¡¯s mood became. ¡°I just don¡¯t understand what you mean.¡± Hazel tried to keep herposure. She didn¡¯t want to be hurt again by her past after all this time. ¡°I broke my promise. Because Lorette copsed from heatstroke.¡± That was thest time Hazel saw him too. She remembered it clearly. On the day they decided to go on a pic together, Sisef rushed to Lorette¡¯s pce when he heard Lorette copsed while taking a walk. It was a sunny day, but the pic was cancelled and all the food Hazel had painstakingly prepared for the day was thrown into the trash can. Sisef went to apologize to Hazel then, as he did now. He rushed to Hazel¡¯s side after he checked on Lorette, but he was already toote for the appointment. ¡°Didn¡¯t the promise you made to me mean anything?¡± ¡°Lorette copsed. I had no choice.¡± ¡°She has a court doctor! What difference does it make if you¡¯re there?¡± Sisef quietly added. ¡°¡­Yes, but she¡¯s your sister. Hazel.¡± Hazel could clearly see the disappointment that suddenly crept in in Sisef¡¯s eyes at that moment. It may have happened to Sisef during hisst visit to the pce, but it had already been a long time for Hazel. Nevertheless, such vividness was strangely felt. Of course, besides that, it wasn¡¯t just once or twice that he had broken his promise to Hazel for Lorette. It had always been that way, and it would always be that way. Sisef had arger axis of concern tilted towards the woman he had justid eyes on than the friendship that was made across the border. ¡°It¡¯s only in the past. I didn¡¯t know I still had it in my mind. I¡¯m rather sorry. That day¡­ I was very angry. I apologize. Prince.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Sisef looked at Hazel nkly. Hazel¡¯s nonchnt tone made it seem like what she was upset about was just a lie. ¡°I think we have enough of a rtionship that we don¡¯t need to diminish its prestige. We¡¯ve always been friends, Hazel.¡± Hazel shook her head at the prince¡¯s words. ¡°Not anymore.¡± Hazel said with a smile on her face. ¡°We were inseparable in the past, but not now, aren¡¯t we? We¡¯re not children, we¡¯re adults¡­ Each of us has a country to protect. It means that even if we used to befortable with each other, it¡¯s no longer possible.¡± The moment heid his eyes on Lorette, everything was over. She should have known that sooner. She was in denial, and then she remembered one day when it was shattered. ¡°Do you wish for me to disappear? I will rise to a higher position than you and look down on you.¡± (The talk of the past.) Hazel was embraced by the emperor that day. She went into the emperor¡¯s chamber and didn¡¯te out for ten days. No, she couldn¡¯t get out. Achilleon didn¡¯t let her leave. Hazel didn¡¯t care if she was broke like this. It didn¡¯t matter if people around her made a fuss about her being a woman who sold her body, or what they said, it didn¡¯t matter to a woman whose world was already falling apart. She wanted to be left in their hearts after she was thoroughly destroyed. Ten days passed, and when she stepped outside, Hazel was announced as the Empress of the Empire. Everyone bowed and lowered their heads before her. She was the woman who seduced the Emperor with her body and wore the Empress¡¯ crown. That was Hazel. And in the end, she became the Empress who loved her brother-inw and betrayed her husband. Hazel stared at Sisef¡¯s face. ¡°No more. Your friend is not here, Prince.¡± With a more serene look in her eyes, Hazel dered. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Because I¡¯ve decided to do that.¡± ¡°Hazel, this is not like you.¡± Hazel wanted to ask, ¡®Then what was I like?¡¯, but she stifled the words that pinched the top of her throat. It didn¡¯t do any good to vent her emotions carelessly. ¡°So please forget about all the rudeness. It was childish whining.¡± Hazel stepped back slightly and greeted Sisef. ¡°Please leave now.¡± Hazel caught him off guard and snatched the shawl from Sisef¡¯s hand. ¡°Don¡¯t do this to yourself in the future. Do not pick this up and kneel down in front of me.¡± ¡®You have someone else to kneel to.¡¯ Hazel swallowed her next words. Chapter 19 ¡°Thank you foring to visit me. I have to go in now.¡± ¡°Hazel.¡± Standing in front of her, Sisef looked at Hazel with narrowed eyes. Her shoulders ached when he grabbed her. ¡°Prince Sisef.¡± Hazel called him in a low, somber voice. The longer she talked with him, the more she became afraid that the foolishness of the past wasing back to haunt her. ¡°I hope you have a good time in Land until the day you return to your home country. I will not be able to join you for the rest of the schedule due to my health.¡± The step back to the bedroom was fierce. The marble-strewn hallway was filled with the sound of nervous soles. The maidservants and attendants, realizing that the mere sound made the princess very agitated, were uniformly busy avoiding her gaze. Bang! mming the door shut hard, Hazel walked straight to the bed and copsed. It couldn¡¯t be any more worse. ¡®I wasn¡¯t going to do this¡­¡¯ All kinds of regrets were floating around in her head. She wouldn¡¯t be able to avoid meeting Sisef. But if she had to see him again, she wanted to face him in a more resolute manner. She was somehow happy to see him, but at the same time she didn¡¯t want to see him. This was the very reason why Hazel hated to see Sisef again. It was obvious that seeing him would bring back all the emotions, all the glimpses of the past, that would torment her. ¡®It¡¯s probably because he¡¯s so kind.¡¯ It was a useless kindness. It was a kindness that was too much and poisonous. But it was also true. Sisef was a kind and gentle man by nature, always loved and nurtured, so he was not heartless in giving anything to others. ¡°I was worried.¡± The Hazel of the past felt like she was on the moon with just that one word. Even though she knew it was a hostile remark. Hriously, it was the first time she had ever heard such words in her life. A voice seriously asking her if she was okay. He was worried about her. She always had to be okay, because she was forced to always look only her best in front of others. ¡°You¡¯re Land¡¯s first princess. You have to look perfect everywhere and anytime. I won¡¯t forgive you if you cry.¡± Queen Martina was cold to her daughter. She didn¡¯t allow Hazel to cry orin. She strictly educated her only daughter and emphasized that she must appear undisturbed in front of people even to the moment she left the world. Hazel had lived her life that way, and she knew she would continue to do so. But the kindness that somehow entered through the gap broke her. She wanted kindness and gentleness and more. She didn¡¯t think it would be anything, but when she ran into Sisef, she felt helpless. But¡­. ¡°I have to get rid of it. This feeling, this unrequited love.¡± ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have wanted that kindness because it wasn¡¯t mine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s enough that I¡¯m alive.¡± That was fine, and it made Hazel¡¯s eyes water. Now he would receive the title of Grand Duke and live happily with Lorette in his own estate once Achilleon became Emperor. If she wasn¡¯t sure, she would be. It had to be. *** ¡°I thought you liked Land a lot.¡± ¡°Oh, brother.¡± Sisef leaned his head back when he heard the voiceing from the door. ¡°Wee.¡± ¡°I thought His Majesty was only sending you to Land because you have something hidden here.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t Land the ce you visited if you were bored? Has it be inconvenient for you now?¡± The building where the imperial delegation stayed was located to the east of the royal pce. An entire pce attached to it was vacated, and attendants and maidservants were ced there so that they would not feel inconvenienced during their stay. Most of the servants in the pce were also the ones who had taken care of Sisef when he visited Land. ¡°It¡¯s not inconvenient. The people at the pce are all very kind.¡± ¡°Then why do you seem to be in a daze?¡± Achilleon looked at Sisef with a grin. ¡°Why? Did you get rejected?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡± Sisef replied with a smile. Nevertheless, the shade on his face did not disappear easily. ¡°It¡¯s just something that bothers me a little.¡± Sisef had a gloomy expression on his face. Achilleon found it strange that his half-brother, who always walked around smiling and being friendly, was sitting there with an expression that was so unlike him. ¡°By the way, everyone here seemed to be looking at me and my brother in an unusual way.¡± ¡°Did they?¡± Sisef replied indifferently and leaned forward. ¡°It must be interesting to them that we¡¯re half brothers but get along well.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure Demophos isn¡¯t the only one with a half-brother in the Imperial family.¡± The Prince was the son of the Empress and the Crown Prince was the concubine¡¯s son. To others, it would be natural if they fight like mice and cats. ¡°Not all can get along. We¡¯re all brothers, even if we¡¯re half rted.¡± ¡°Do you really think so?¡± Achilleon looked at Sisef with a face as if he had seen a strange creature. ¡°My mother was worried about you too.¡± Sisef said. ¡°¡­ The Empress?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Achilleon ruffled his hair, covered his mouth with his hand, and looked out the far window. ¡°Brother?¡± Sisef called out to Achilleon, but he was still staring at the distant mountains without making eye contact. ¡°Brother? Why?¡± He looked closely and saw Achilleon¡¯s broad shoulders rising and falling. ¡°I salute you, Sisef. You¡¯re making meugh.¡± After finally removing his hand, Achilleon stood up,ughing hysterically. ¡°What?¡± Sisef looked at Achilleon in confusion. ¡°The Empress is a verypassionate person. You are right.¡± Achilleon nodded and touched the roses on the small side table with his fingertips. ¡°Roses are everywhere.¡± Within a day, the room was filled with roses. ¡°Lady Pais sent them. They are all the finest in size and color.¡± ¡°Yes, they look much better than the ones I¡¯ve seen in the Empire.¡± Even though flowers were just flowers in Achilleon¡¯s eyes, there was something different about the roses that decorated the pce. ¡°The gardeners at the Imperial Pce would drool if they saw them. They kept trying to create new varieties.¡± The rose petals were sorge and richly scented that his head was spinning. And that scent reminded Achilleon of someone. For example, a certain woman who ran away with the cat, while he was caught in a trap. ¡°What are you doing to Titty!¡± Even though there was not a single rose flower blooming in the vicinity at that time, Achilleon could smell the scent of roses in the wind. However, now he smelled it again, the insolent maid came to mind. It was really an iprehensible train of thought. ¡°Are there any cats in the royal pce?¡± He posed the question out of the blue. ¡°Cats?¡± Sisef tilted his head at the sudden question. ¡°Why do you ask that?¡± Sisef looked at his brother and gave him a curious look, then his eyes fell on Achilleon¡¯s hand. ¡°Oh, by the way, I noticed a scar on your hand.¡± At the ball, when Achilleon disappeared for a while and then reappeared, his hands were covered with scratches of various sizes. Surprised, Sisef asked him how it happened, but all he said was that he was bitten by a passing cat. ¡°All of a sudden the cat attacked you?¡± ¡°I just touched it a little.¡± Achilleon said as he explored the long drawn marks on his hand. Next to the scratch marks was a deeper mark, as if teeth had dug in. Looking at the deep scratches, it seemed to have been caused by a cat that resisted quite violently. ¡°You touched the cat?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Achilleon stared at his wounds. He¡¯d been fine after the war without a scratch on him, but to think that his hand was scratched by a cat made Sisef gasp. ¡°Why don¡¯t you get some treatments? The wound looks pretty deep.¡± There was still a red, puffy scar on the back of his hand. He hadn¡¯t put any medicine on it, so the angry scar seemed to grow back over time. ¡°I¡¯ll call the court physician.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Achilleon declined with a wave of his hand. ¡°What?¡± A faint smile appeared on Achilleon¡¯s lips as he looked at Sisef. He had a roguish look on his face, as if he had found something interesting. ¡°This is how I can collect my debts.¡± ¡°What do you mean¡­?¡± Sisef tilted his head as he couldn¡¯t understand a word Achilleon was saying. ¡°It may sound like a cat, but cats are quite fearsome animals. Their ws and teeth are both sharp and long, and once you get scratched, your wounds won¡¯t heal easily.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± ¡°It would be terrible if you don¡¯t heal.¡± ¡°That would be even better.¡± ¡°What?¡± Sisef looked dumbfoundedly at Achilleon, who kept talking nonsense. Achilleon seemed to be enjoying the scars on the back of his hand instead. It was impossible for Sisef to guess why. ¡°I¡¯m going to find someone to collect the debt before this scar disappears.¡± The thought of the insolent and cocky maid who left him in the trap and took the cat with her made his head spin again. ¡°I¡¯ve only seen her once, but I can¡¯t forget¡­¡± Achilleon couldn¡¯t find any reason why the maid gave him theme excuses. It was the same with her overly tense face. It wasn¡¯t a big deal, but when he kept thinking about it in his head, he strangely felt the urge to hunt the maid down and question her. Because it was the first false confession he had ever received. Chapter 20 The maidservant made up her mind, left him while he was caught in the mousetrap, and disappeared. It was the first time in his life that he got caught in a trap set by someone else. It was a moment of trampled self-esteem. Achilleon patted the long drawn mark on the back of his hand again. He decided to find the maidservant until this wound disappears. Knock. Knock. The door opened and a servant entered, bowing respectfully. ¡°Prince Sisef, Princess Lorette¡¯s waiting for you at theke.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Sisef then lifted himself up from the chair as if he remembered. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± Achilleon¡¯s eyes narrowed as he saw the panic on Sisef¡¯s face. He seemed to havepletely forgotten his promise. ¡°It¡¯s not like you to keep the princess waiting.¡± Achilleon said teasingly, and Sisef smiled awkwardly. ¡°I was distracted, I suppose. I can¡¯t believe I forgot my appointment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a nice day to sail together.¡± Achilleon said, staring out the window. He was right, the sky was as clear as ss without a cloud. It looked like the best ce to float a boat. ¡°Maybe we will go sailing together sometime. I¡¯m going now.¡± Achilleon took the ce of an answer with a nod. No sooner had Sisef left than Count Burns entered. He had a constant smile on his face. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy with thedies. You seem to be busier than I am.¡± Count Burns waved his hand in surprise at Achilleon¡¯s words. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡± Count Burns, who came to Land with the Princes, had already been entertained by many noblewomen with his suitably well-shaped face and his peculiarly brazen personality. He had his own rules, and kept to his own good ways, mainly mingling with widows, while leaving the wives of high-ranking nobles untouched. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be coy in front of me.¡± ¡°There are many beautiful women, after all, it¡¯s a royal pce.¡± Count Burns immediately agreed and said, ¡°The wheel turns only when it engages. Why do the butterflies stay still when flowers are all over the ce?¡± The delegation from the empire was the most popr in the court. The delegation wasposed entirely of young noble men, including the Crown Prince and the Empress¡¯s son, with titles, status, and mind dizzying appearances. It was the same no matter which country they went to, as they loved the newly-arrived beautiful men and women. The delegation that appeared at the court created a new spring wind. There was even a funny story circting that the Empire intended to send beauties to other countries to do tricks. In particr, the interest in Prince Achilleon was overwhelming. ¡°The entire delegation, however, is nothingpared to His Highness. The women of the court are always talking about you.¡± Count Burns whistled softly. Achilleon himself was not very interested in whether or not the people around him were looking at him. ¡°There were rumors that were nted that changed people so the groundless rumors that were sent are going around.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been listening a lot, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes, perhaps because of the mild climate, the people of the kingdom seem to be of good character. They are not cautious. The king of Land is quite intelligent, and it seems that even a small country is quite blessed. The food is good too.¡± At the storm of praises, Achilleon wrinkled his brow and said, ¡°I think you should take this opportunity to be a naturalized citizen. I¡¯ll write a letter of rmendation.¡± ¡°I am a man who swore allegiance to Demophos.¡± Count Burns said with a straight face, raising his hands in the act of swearing. ¡°My soul and body are entirely Demophos¡¯s.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not at all surprising that another woman¡¯s name is in the seat of Demophos.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡± Count Burnsughed out loud. ¡°By the way¡­I¡¯ve seen most of the beauties in the pce, but I haven¡¯t seen one person.¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Princess Hazel.¡± ¡°You mean the king¡¯s eldest daughter?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve heard she¡¯s as pretty as a good breed of cat¡­¡± Count Burns said, clicking his tongue as if he was disappointed. ¡°All I¡¯ve heard is that she¡¯s been ill and has refrained from all outside activities.¡± ¡°Is she seriously ill?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know for sure. However, seeing this situationtely, I am guessing that her health is rapidly deteriorating.¡± ¡°Could it be our fault?¡± ¡°¡­¡­ No way.¡± Count Burns shook his head absurdly. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve heard that Prince Sisef is close to the princess.¡± ¡°Sisef?¡± ¡°It seems that he is now close to Prince Lorette, but I heard that it was Princess Hazel who first developed a friendship with him. From the atmosphere inside and outside the pce, it seems that everyone is wondering where the king¡¯s daughters are going to marry. Since he only has two daughters at the moment, the diplomatic map will change depending on who the princesses¡¯ spouses will be.¡± ¡°That is, if he is nning to form a marriage alliance with the Empire.¡± ¡°I think it is highly unlikely that the Empress will let Prince Sisef marry the Princess of Land. I was told that there are daughters of various families who have been considered for the position.¡± For years, the Empress of Demophos had been trying to find the best potential bride for Sisef. Achilleon knew that she was desperate to find a woman from the family who could give Sisef more power while listening to her well. It was also known that she cut off the marriages that came to Achilleon like a knife. Nheless, it was better for Achilleon. Having someone to protect meant increasing weaknesses. Therefore, under the guise of concentrating on the war, he spoke to the emperor without hesitation about marriage. ¡°I think you are probably right that the princess is ill, otherwise she wouldn¡¯t stay in her room at such a critical time. Especially if the king wants to form a marriage alliance with the empire.¡± Count Burns said, tapping his hand. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much she¡¯s hurt. But judging from the fact that the second princess is taking over the itinerary, it seems like a serious illness¡­. I¡¯m sure the King is deeply concerned.¡± He said while rubbing his chin. ¡°ording to one of the maids I met yesterday, the Princess had a severe seizure not too long ago¡­¡± Count Burns, who had been chatting the whole time, said quite seriously. ¡°Of course, I only met with the maid to find out what Your Highness ordered.¡± (*Achilleon ordered Count Burns to find out about Hazel¡¯s ¡®the maid¡¯ information) ¡°And?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Count Burns let out a small sigh of disappointment. Achilleon hadn¡¯t expected much, so he wasn¡¯t disappointed by his words. Since that day of the meeting, Achilleon ordered Count Burns to secretly send a man into the pce and investigate, but it was hard to find a person with just a description of green eyes and ck hair. It was much smaller than the Imperial Pce, but the number of courtiers working in the royal pce of Land was also significant. It was even more difficult to remember and contrast their appearances and find a particr person. ¡°I think she¡¯s someone who has a crush on you, rather than a spy.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what she said.¡± The problem was that it was aplete lie. ¡°What will you do if you find her?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Achilleon said with a smile on his face. ¡°Apparently, I have other interests.¡± Count Burns nced at Achilleon, probing his intentions, and the moment he did, he stepped back, avoiding his cold gaze. ¡°Do you know how many cats there are in the Royal Pce of Land? If it¡¯s hard to tell people apart, how about cats?¡± ¡°Cats?¡± ¡°I want to find the cat¡¯s owner. The cat has snow white fur without a speck of stain, and green eyes.¡± ¡°A pure white cat would narrow down the scope. Do you have any other leads? It¡¯s not as big as Demophos, but it¡¯s pretty big here, too.¡± ¡°The tips of his ears are pointy¡­they curled up a little.¡± ¡°Hmm, pointy and curled¡­¡­like this?¡± Count Burns said, turning his ears. ¡°Yes.¡± Achilleon nodded, thought about it for a moment, then tapped his temple with a finger. ¡°It¡¯s probably a cat from the Conces family. Doesn¡¯t the Empress have one, too?¡± It was then that Achilleon noticed the simrity in the appearance of the two cats. ¡°It¡¯s a breed of cat kept only in that family. It¡¯s a species that originated there. They are popr because they look beautiful, but they are very difficult to get.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s not everyone¡¯s cat?¡± ¡°At least they have a connection to the Conces family, or someone close enough to receive gifts from them, or they have the power to do so¡­. There are many possibilities.¡± ¡°That narrows it down.¡± ¡°That makes sense. I think it¡¯s an important clue.¡± The Count thought for a moment, then said. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve heard that Princess Hazel likes cats. That¡¯s why she¡¯s the opposite of Lady Pais.¡± ¡°When did you hear such a rumor?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been asking around. That¡¯s what I found out.¡± Count Burns had been hanging out with thedies of the court and asked all kinds of questions. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to find out what Your Highness ordered.¡± He raised his hand to his chest as if he didn¡¯t mean anything impure. ¡°¡­It¡¯s true.¡± Achilleon nodded in response to the repeated emphasis of his words in an exasperated manner. ¡°Does raising a cat make Lady Pais sick?¡± The eldest daughter of the king, and ady-in-waiting from a maidservant background, and that alone should not be enough to keep the two of them close. Achilleon wondered why a cat would interfere with that once again. ¡°Princess Hazel¡¯s cat had eaten Lady Pais¡¯s birds.¡± Count Burns said, waving his hand in the air like a cat was hunting. ¡°Lady Pais was furious and said she¡¯d boil the cat right away, and Princess Hazel said she¡¯d make a bird roast to make Lady Pais go crazy.¡± ¡°The Princess has a temper.¡± Achilleonughed in amusement. ¡°It is well known that Princess Hazel isn¡¯t a normal person. Buttely, her temper has diminished and she¡¯s confined herself to the Rose Pce.¡± As Achilleon listened to the Count¡¯s words, he tried to bring back the memories of that day. ¡°What are you doing to Titty!¡± When the voice of the woman who was shouting vigorously came to mind, a smile appeared on Achilleon¡¯s lips ¡°The cat¡¯s name.¡± ¡®Why didn¡¯t I think of it before?¡¯ ¡°Titty.¡± Chapter 21 ¡°Rayburn, how¡¯s Titty doing?¡± Hazel said, watching carefully as the court doctor applied medicine to the cat¡¯s paw and changed the bandages. The little white cat was crying bitterly as it looked at Mary, who was holding it so that it couldn¡¯t move. ¡°Fortunately, the wound is healing well. Just apply some more medicine and try not to let it lick it.¡± The court doctor finished the treatment with a careful hand. ¡°Thank you.¡± Hazel hugged the cat and smiled. When the cat in her arms began to whimper softly, she gently stroked its neck. ¡°It won¡¯t have any problems walking again now, will it?¡± When she saw its swollen and bleeding paw, Hazel was worried that it would never be able to walk again. ¡°Yes. Thanks to the fast care, it was able to prevent the foot from necrosis. Thanks to the Princess¡¯s early arrival.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d.¡± Hazel sighed, relieved. ¡°The princess really cares for Titty.¡± Mary added, and Hazel could only smile vaguely. ¡°Thank you, Raburn, for taking care of the cat while you were so busy.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be here whenever you need me, Princess.¡± ¡°Okay, then¡­..¡± Hazel was about to say goodbye, but when the court physician seemed hesitant to leave his seat, she looked at him suspiciously. Their eyes met, and the court physician spoke up in a respectful tone. ¡°Since the Princess is here, I would like to examine the Princess.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been worried because you¡¯ve been saying you were resting and refusing to be examined, but I¡¯m d to see you today. I think I¡¯d like to thank the cat.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°May I examine you?¡± The court physician said with a smile as if he wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Hazel hesitated for a moment, biding her time. She wasn¡¯t in any real pain, and she was worried that her temporary illness would be discovered as soon as he examined her, but she had no particr reason to refuse. ¡°¡­Yes, go ahead.¡± Hazel reluctantly agreed. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re sick.¡± When Rayburn tilted his head after checking her said that, Hazel hastened to make an excuse. ¡°I had a bad headache the other day, and my heart beat fast and it was difficult to breathe.¡± ¡°Was it when you were out looking for the cat?¡± ¡°Yes¡­wasn¡¯t it?¡± Hazel answered momentarily and the court physician nodded as if he understood. ¡°I guess because you were running around.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Probably had a headache from all the tension of finding the cat, too.¡± ¡°Rayburn, it¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°From what I can tell, the princess is in very good health.¡± ¡°But for a while, I¡¯ve had nightmares, I haven¡¯t slept, I¡¯ve been screaming, I¡¯ve been throwing things¡­ You know that.¡± ¡°Yes. At that time, I thought you were seriously ill.¡± ¡°You did?¡± ¡°But you¡¯re very well now.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be. I¡¯m very sick right now, and it¡¯s not good.¡± Hazel sighed heavily. She was surprised at herself as she spoke, but she only hoped that Raburn wouldn¡¯t know about her performance. ¡°Physical health and mental health don¡¯t always go hand in hand, for example, if you¡¯re having a bad day, you might not feel well. But it doesn¡¯t mean that my physical health is actually not functioning.¡± Rayburn¡¯s every word made her conscience prickle, but Hazel pretended not to know. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Rayburnughed again at Hazel¡¯s question. ¡°We¡¯ve had guests at the pce, but the princess hasn¡¯t shown her face, so everyone¡¯s been very curious. Interest is at an all-time high.¡± ¡°Me?¡± No, it can¡¯t be. Her action was not meant for that. It¡¯s amazing how an action intended to dissuade interest can instead arouse it. ¡°Why? Lorette is there.¡± Hazel thought that if she put Lorette out there instead of herself, people would naturally turn their attention to Lorette. However, she didn¡¯t expect people to focus on herself. The situation was different from what she had intended, and she was confused. ¡°People show a deeper curiosity about things they can¡¯t see. Since you haven¡¯t shown your face, all people do is spread rumors. Like the Crown Prince of Demophos.¡± ¡°¡­The Crown Prince of Demophos?¡± Hazel asked cautiously, and Raburn nodded. Hazel asked cautiously, and Raven nodded. ¡°He has been on the battlefield for a while now, so he hasn¡¯t had much interaction with people. Especially when we heard news of victories everywhere he entered, we heard words like he looked like a demon, his whole face was covered in scars, and he had no hair.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But after the wee party, those rumors disappeared.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Hazel let out a series of exmations as if she had never heard of it before. ¡°Is he very different from the rumors?¡± ¡°Yes, I think you¡¯ll be surprised when you see him yourself.¡± Rayburn said with a twinkle in his eye. Hazel did not know what he meant by that. Probably he meant that the Crown Prince had a very impressive face, everyone should see it once. ¡°Now¡¯s your chance.¡± ¡°What chance?¡± ¡°If the Crown Prince leaves, we may not be able to see him. There are numerous rumors that the courtdies go out of their way to wander around the vicinity of the delegation¡¯s quarters, waiting for the Crown Prince to make eye contact with them.¡± ¡°I guess he must be very handsome.¡± Rayburn nodded fiercely at Hazel¡¯s words. ¡°So, Princess, why don¡¯t you show your good health to everyone around here? His Majesty is very concerned.¡± Rayburn added coyly. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me my father told you to check on my condition and report back?¡± ¡°I¡¯m only loyal to my duty.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a patient! Patientse first. If my father ordered you to go and find out if I was using a temporary illness, and you came, I have nothing more to say.¡± Hazel shouted with a straight face, and the court physician immediately said with a dainty expression. ¡°Well, that¡¯s too bad. I was specially asked by the princess to even take care of the cat¡­.¡± ¡°Oh, my thoughts were short. I can¡¯t believe I questioned your loyalty.¡± ¡°No, Princess. I¡¯m d you understand my true feelings.¡± ¡°You may think I¡¯m faking sickness, but it¡¯s a misunderstanding. I just really don¡¯t want to show my sick physical condition.¡± ¡°You look beautiful enough, Princess.¡± ¡°Thank you for thepliment, but please go to your father and tell him that I still need to recuperate and that my body is not strong enough. Please.¡± ¡°¡­I understand.¡± ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯ll see you at Titty¡¯s next check up.¡± Hazel smiled and greeted him, and the court doctor stood up with his house call bag. As he left the room and the door closed, Hazel immediately turned her attention to the cat. ¡°Now, I¡¯m going to train you again.¡± Titty, wearing the blindfold that Hazel had sewn for her directly, cried out in a frustrated voice, but after a light tap on the buttocks, it soon fell asleep. ¡°I¡¯m d it¡¯s safe. It was caught in a trap.¡± Hazel said to Mary as she returned to her room. ¡°I¡¯m very careful when ites to venttion. It must have been very scary that day.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s better to be cautious than to let something like this happen again.¡± Hazel thought about him briefly. As soon as she remembered the Achilleon she had run into in the middle of the night, her heart immediately started beating faster. ¡°It¡¯s really amazing that Princess found the cat and even set it free.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t release the trap, but she pushed someone into it. (TL:*I thought Achilleon was caught in the mousetrap by ident, but it sounds like Hazel pushed him and ran away. That¡¯s even funnier and¡­. bad lol) In fact, she had met the much-talked-about ¡°Crown Prince,¡± and it bothered her that he couldn¡¯t exactly say that he had saved Titty, and lied about it. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡± She was trying to buy time to escape, but she did a pretty bad job of it. Anyway, it was Achilleon who had saved the cat, but instead of thanking him, she pushed him into the mousetrap and took off with the cat. ¡°Then who did it?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. A passerby must have helped it.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a good man¡­¡± ¡°Good man.¡± Hazel sighed as she looked at Mary. If Mary knew what that good person had done to her master, Mary would never be able to say something like that. ¡°I don¡¯t know why people would think cats are enemies of the eyes. They would even do something like this.¡± ¡°Lady Pais?¡± Mary nodded furiously at Hazel¡¯s reply. ¡°There are more cats in the pce, and Lady Pais seems to be getting nervous. She¡¯s afraid they might attack her birds at any moment.¡± ¡°Titty isn¡¯t very good at hunting either.¡± It really wasn¡¯t. Not only could it not jump high enough, but it was even attacked by birds. ¡°Titty grew up inside all its life, so it¡¯s different from wild cats. If it meets cats like that, Titty will be busy running away.¡± This time, Hazel would definitely protect it. In herst life, Titty was caught and brutally killed by Lady Pais. She said Titty hurt her birds. When Hazel cried and even went to the king to find justice, Lady Pais showed a long scar on her wrist andined in tears that the princess¡¯ cat had also hurt her. ¡®Not this time.¡¯ Hazel shuddered involuntarily as she remembered what had happened. ¡®I will protect this kitten from that wicked woman from harming it again, no matter what it takes.¡¯ Hazel assured her once more. ¡°That¡¯s true. But¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not going to attend the ceremony?¡± ¡°How many times do I have to tell you that?¡± Hazel was getting tired of answering the same questions over and over again, so she answered irritably. ¡°But as the court physician said earlier, everyone wants to see the princess. And the Princess is the representative of Land, the master of this Rose Pce, and everyone wants to see her beauty¡­¡± ¡°Stop it.¡± Mary, who had been continuing with her praise, stopped talking immediately, but then she started to speak again with a scowl on her face. ¡°I don¡¯t quite understand why the person who said that this was an important diplomatic event for which we had to make all possible preparations would suddenly say something like this.¡± ¡®That¡¯s because you don¡¯t know.You don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve been through, what I¡¯m going through now, and you won¡¯t know until you die.¡¯ ¡°And Prince Sisef¡­you pretended you didn¡¯t know him¡­and even kicked him out.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t I do that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s really strange, you know. It¡¯s a very sudden change.¡± Hazel averted her gaze and asked, ¡°How about Lorette?¡± ¡°She went boating with Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°¡­Is that so? Sounds fun.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all you got to say¡­.¡± ¡°Then what?¡± Hazel looked at Mary with furrowed brow. ¡°If you were like before, you would tell me to turn their boat over right now¡­¡± ¡°What!?¡± Hazel shouted and grabbed a cushion and threw it. Chapter 22 There was a somewhat awkward silence as the boat floated on theke. The sky was beautiful and the water was clean. Lorette called out to Prince Sisef, who was sitting across from her, admiring the scenery of theke, full of flowers and trees. ¡°Look, there are fish gathering there. I heard that they recently bought a lot of beautifully colored fish and pooled them, let¡¯s go there once.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Prince¡­?¡± But Sisef¡¯s gaze was still far away. After calling several times, an answer came back. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Is there something on your mind?¡± Lorette asked cautiously, and Sisef smiled and shook his head. ¡°No.¡± ¡°If you are busy¡­..¡± ¡°No, I am not.¡± Sisef said with a smile. ¡°You look unhappy.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°I wish Hazel woulde with me.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to see me now.¡± Sisef said with a bitter smile. Lorette was perplexed and spoke after seeing his expression. It can¡¯t be. You two are friends. You¡¯ve been friends for a long time, so if there¡¯s been a misunderstanding, it¡¯ll be resolved soon.¡± ¡°Actually, I went to apologize earlier.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°I was kicked out. With the sudden disrespect, I was asked not toe anymore.¡± ¡°Is that my sister?¡± Lorette opened her eyes wide in surprise. ¡°I was sent away without giving any tea. I was so embarrassed.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think sister would do such a thing.¡± ¡°She¡¯s very angry. She acted as if she would never see me again.¡± ¡°She must be angry, but she forgets quickly if the Prince apologizes.¡± ¡°Yes, I did.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like it will be easy this time. It seems that what happened before caused her a great deal of hurt.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try to make sister feel better.¡± Lorette¡¯s words brought a big smile to Sisef¡¯s face. ¡°By the way, since when did you start calling Hazel that?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You call her ¡®sister.¡¯¡± ¡°Not long ago.¡± Lorette¡¯s face began to blush slightly. ¡°Sister¡­.she gave me permission.¡± ¡°What about Hazel?¡± Sisef looked incredulous. ¡°She said she would treat me as a sister from now on.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°She seems to have changed so suddenly.¡± ¡°I was a little surprised, too¡­ But I think sister meant it. And so¡­I¡¯m happy.¡± Lorette smiled. It was a smile filled with pure joy. ¡°It seemed that she would never ept me as her sister. But, I was really surprised that she helped me at the wee party the other day and lent me the queen¡¯s ne.¡± ¡°She¡¯s changed a lot, hasn¡¯t she? But why all of a sudden¡­.¡± Sisef¡¯s face was still full of suspicion as he nodded in agreement with Lorette¡¯s words. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But from now on, she said she¡¯d consider me as a younger sister, so I¡¯m happy to have an older sister to rely on. I envied my close friends whenever they bragged about their sisters or brothers.¡± ¡°You¡¯re about to have a brother.¡± ¡°My mother will probably devote all her love to her new child. Even more so if it¡¯s a prince.¡± A bitter smile spread across Lorette¡¯s face. ¡°So I have to do better.¡± ¡°You are doing well enough.¡± At Sisef¡¯s encouragement, Lorette straightened her sullen face. Thepliment that she was doing a good job seemed delightful, but her face was immediately filled with another worry. ¡°¡­I¡¯m concerned about Hazel, she hasn¡¯t been feeling welltely. I¡¯m acting on her behalf, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s perfect. ¡°As long as Hazel trusts you, you¡¯ll do well.¡± ¡°Compared to sister, I¡¯mcking a lot. Sister is regal and beautiful in all positions.¡± ¡°There is no need topare.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lorette looked a little relieved by Sisef¡¯s words. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure sister will calm down soon. I wish there was something I could do to help.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no point in trying. I¡¯ve been kicked out so many times, no matter how hard I tried.¡± ¡°Maybe I should try to convince her.¡± Lorette said, thinking it over. Sisef¡¯s eyes widened, as if her words were a surprise. He had never seen Lorette try to do something like this before. ¡°You?¡± ¡°She likes fancy and fun things. There are a lot of things that she might like about the delegation¡¯s visit. If I can get her to attend the event, she¡¯ll be able tomunicate much more calmly.¡± ¡°But she didn¡¯t seem to want to attend. She even said she wasn¡¯t feeling well.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s very sick.¡± When Lorette said that, Sisef started to chuckle. ¡°Seeing as how she was so angry¡­.. Still, if she is not willing to attend, it¡¯s no use.¡± ¡°My mother is doing her best to prepare for this event. She said there will be a masquerade ball the night after tomorrow.¡± During the stay of the imperial delegation, various events were prepared in the royal pce to promote harmony between the two countries. There were various balls, including a wee ball on the first day, as well as jousting and huntingpetitions and other martial arts events. Of these, the most anticipated by the court was the masquerade ball. ¡°Whether you are from Demophos or Land, we should be in harmony together. It will be held in thergest and most beautiful banquet hall in the pce, so it will be really interesting!¡± Lorette said cheerfully, thinking that Hazel would have to move at least this much. However, thinking how Hazel had changed, Sisef asked in an unconfident voice. ¡°Do you think Hazel would attend?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask her. And since sister likes masquerade balls the most, I think she¡¯ll be into it when she hears about it.¡± Lorette¡¯s voice quickened. ¡°I think Hazel will be happy to hear this.¡± Lorette smiled happily as Sisef said. ¡°What kind of mask will you wear?¡± Lorette smiled, ¡°That is a secret.¡± Sisef said mischievously. ¡°Then I¡¯ll keep it to myself.¡± Then, Lorette said with a shy smile. ¡°But the masquerade¡­.I¡¯m worried about your brother.¡± ¡°Achilleon?¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem to be good at dancing or talking. As if sociability was removed from birth.¡± ¡°Because he spent most of his time on the battlefield.¡± ¡°He gets bored with all the talk at the balls and other social gatherings. And if he even has to wear a mask, it is likely it would make him irritated. He would definitely say ¡®Are you going to make me y the ¡®geisha¡¯s game¡¯?¡± As if he could already see the whole scene, Sisef said with a deep sigh. ¡°Well then¡­ What shall we do? Everyone will be disappointed if the Princess and the Crown Prince won¡¯t attend.¡± ¡°Nevertheless, he¡¯s here on behalf of the Empire, and it is essential for an important event. Land has carefully prepared for this event.¡± ¡°Yes, if the Crown Prince attends ¡­ I believe that sister must also attend.¡± Lorette smiled. ¡°I will certainly bring her to the ball. Please wait for me.¡± ¡°Also, no one will see her face at the masquerade ball.¡± ¡°But her voice, the color of her eyes and her hair¡­ you¡¯ll recognize her at a nce.¡± It was true that the voice could tell the identity of a masked person in numbers of ways. ¡°However, I think Hazel is quite good at disguises.¡± Sisef sighed. ¡°We made a bet before on who would recognize each other first at the ball, and I lost terribly. Hazel really hid herself well.¡± ¡°Oh, really? I didn¡¯t know that.¡± ¡°That was before you came to the pce, so you wouldn¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Oh, I see. By the way, what kind of bet did you make?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Sisef seemed to think about it for a moment, but then burst intoughter. ¡°What is it?¡± Lorette urged. Suddenly, the ship lost its bnce for a moment as Lorette approached Sisef, eager to know. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Lorette blushed and sat down again. The swaying boat slowly stopped its movements. Sisef smiled and stared at Lorette, who was waiting anxiously for an answer. However, instead of answering the question, he reached out and grasped the oar. ¡°It¡¯s time to go back.¡± He began to paddle as hard as he could. *** When Lorette returned from ying in theke and quietly mentioned the day¡¯s events, Lady Pais¡¯s eyes shed. ¡°Hazel refused to meet Prince Sisef?¡± Lady Pais, who was sitting on the sofa, leaning against the feather pillows, sat up quickly. Lorette stood in front of Lady Pais, looking at her mother with an ufortable face. ¡°Yes, she did.¡± ¡°Hazel, what¡¯s wrong with her?¡± ¡°Well, the prince looked a bit flustered.¡± Lorette looked carefully at her mother¡¯s face and said so. ¡°The Prince went there to apologize for something he did in the past, but Hazel gave him a hard time?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that either. But I have a feeling that sister is really angry this time.¡± ¡°Could you please stop with the ¡®sister¡¯?¡± Lady Pais made a crisp sound and Lorette flinched. ¡°She only loaned you the ne once. Do you really think she¡¯s your sister now?¡± ¡°¡­But¡­¡± ¡°Hazel thinks you¡¯re no better than a towel to wipe her feet with!¡± With a heartbreaking thought, Lorette sank lower and lower. ¡°But really, she¡¯s changed a lottely. She even sent me cookies through my maidservant and told me to tell you whenever I needed jewelry¡­..¡± ¡°How can you be deceived so easily by such ttery?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous. It¡¯s because you don¡¯t think about it enough. You haven¡¯t the slightest idea what that fox-like thing is thinking right now!¡± ¡°Oh, mother.¡± ¡°How frustrating.¡± Lady Pais, sat on the sofa, fanning herself as if to cool off her heat. At the sight of her, Lorette cautiously reached out to her. ¡°The baby will be surprised. Please calm down a little.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take care of myself!¡± Lady Pais shouted and threw her fan at Lorette. The fan grazed her face. ¡°Oh.¡± Lady Pais, momentarily startled, paused and said, as Lorette covered her face with a puzzled expression. ¡°¡­Why are you provoking me like that?¡± Chapter 23 ¡°¡­¡± When Lorette lowered the hand she had on her face, there was a red mark of injury. Lady Pais, whose heart was pounding for fear that the princess who had to show it to others had suffered a serious injury, looked at Lorette¡¯s face and sighed. ¡°If you apply enough medicine, it won¡¯t hurt. Fortunately, it¡¯s a masquerade ball, so you don¡¯t have to show your face.¡± Lorette grabbed the fan that had fallen to the floor and brought it to Lady Pais. Lady Pais snatched the fan out of her daughter¡¯s hand and fanned her face again while ring at Lorette. ¡°Hazel, what is the meaning of this?¡± Lady Pais folded up her fan and shouted loudly. ¡°Hazel was obviously concerned about Caeseph. Why did she refuse to even meet him? She¡¯s a girl who seems to run to wherever Sisef is.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lorette looked at her mother, who was talking to herself, with some trepidation. Not knowing how her daughter looked at her, Lady Pais was busy thinking alone. ¡°Well, it¡¯s going to be a good thing, because she¡¯s losing her love interest.¡± The best solution was to keep Hazel apart from Sisef in order to have Sisef as Lorette¡¯s partner. But the question still persisted. ¡°But, why all of a sudden?¡± Lately she thought that Sisef¡¯s heart was leaning towards Lorette. Everywhere he went, Sisef¡¯s eyes were fixed on Lorette, and Hazel seemed to care less. Hazel often became angry, and Ladu Pais was happy inwardly, as Lorette¡¯s calmness and gentleness stood out more. ¡°And she¡¯s been very obedienttely, haven¡¯t she?¡± Lady Pais looked at the vase of roses in one corner of the room. ¡°Those flowers¡­ The vase, made of gaily colored ss, was decorated with roses withrge, lush petals. There were various kinds of pink, red, and scarlet colors. ¡°She thought of her rose garden as if it was her life.¡± Lady Pais didn¡¯t expect Hazel to be so willing to give her precious flowers when she requested. After all, her goal from the beginning wasn¡¯t the roses.The roses were just an excuse to cause a conflict between Hazel and the pce. The reason why she sent the chambein to pressure Hazel was because she was waiting for Hazel to show her defeat. The Hazel she knew would naturally have expressed her anger at that moment and tried to grab her by the hair. After that, all she had to do was make a y. She should break down in tears and fall down holding her stomach. Then the incident would naturally go to the king¡¯s ear, and it was a great opportunity to separate the father and daughter. But Hazel told the chambein to take all the roses. Even after filling up the lodgings where the delegation stayed, it was enough left over roses to decorate her own ce and Lorette¡¯s. ¡°We must find out what she is hiding?¡± ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± ¡°The reason she killed that fiery nature. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s in her heart, but I feel uneasy.¡± Lady Pais murmured to herself, then folded her fan and looked back at Lorette. ¡°You¡¯re trying to win the Prince¡¯s heart. Don¡¯t be distracted by the fact that Hazel treats you well.¡± ¡°The prince is as good to me as ever.¡± ¡°Do you think you¡¯vepletely captured Prince Sisef?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lorette couldn¡¯t respond. She was sure that Sisef treated her well, but she felt that this feeling was only simr to the way he treated his sister. ¡°It¡¯s not enough to just treat you well. You have to make him fall in love, make him lose his mind.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± So now it was all submissive replies. Mrs. Pais, who was watching Lorette¡¯s sullen face, clicked her tongue in a pathetic way. ¡°You said the Prince seemed worried that Hazel would not ept his apology?¡± ¡°I think so. After all, the two of them have been close for a long time.¡± ¡°You idiot. If he was really crazy about you, he wouldn¡¯t be concerned about Hazel¡¯s feelings.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what His Majesty (Hazel¡¯s father) told me. He didn¡¯t care about the queen or anything. Even though she was pregnant.¡± Lorette was silent, her collected hands sped tightly together. ¡°We need to get Sisef. The current Crown Prince is nothing more than a puppet. The Empress sent him to war on behalf of her son, using him as a tool to build her reputation and expand her territory.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°¡®Even the Crown Prince had no choice. If he misses one shot with his sword on the battlefield, he will die instantly.¡± ¡°Mother, please stop it.¡± Lorette spoke with a look of horror on her face as she looked at Lady Pais, who said horrible things and was not afraid that anyone would listen. ¡°This is my room. Who dares listening?¡± Lady Pais snorted and continued. ¡°But his face was actually pretty unlike the rumors. People might listen to him¡­¡± Lady Pais, who was pondering for a while, quickly lifted her head. ¡°But the Emperor¡¯s seat belongs to Prince Sisef. As long as the Empress holds on to it. It is said that most of the nobility of Demophos came from the Empress¡¯s family.¡± Lady Pais beckoned for Lorette, and she hesitated and stood in front of her. ¡°So if you want to keep your position as Empress of the Empire, you have to listen to me very carefully. No matter what happens, hold Sisef in your hands.¡± Loretto finally smiled at her mother¡¯s rapid voice and replied. ¡°I understand, Mother.¡± As usual, Lady Pais liked the submissive reply, and a smile appeared on her lips. She reached out and took Lorette¡¯s hand in a firm grip. Her voice was gentle as she continued, but her eyes shone brilliantly. ¡°I want to raise you to the highest position.The most precious and beautiful ce in this country, or even in this continent. And I¡¯m going to give it to you.¡± Hazel looked into her mother¡¯s ambitious eyes as she held her hand and was too afraid to say anything. ¡°So don¡¯t try to call her ¡®sister¡¯ or anything. Throw the cookies away.¡± ¡°Yes, mother. I will.¡± ¡°Even if I can¡¯t be queen, I¡¯ll make sure you be Empress.¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyes were full of will. ¡°When that happens, you will thank me.¡± ¡°Yes, mother.¡± ¡°By the way¡­I¡¯m gonna have to see what¡¯s going on with Hazel.¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyes lit up as she tapped her cheek. She turned her gaze to the boxes of presents piled high in a corner of the room. Those were the gifts that the nobles had sent her as soon as they heard the news of her pregnancy. ¡°That should do it.¡± Lady Pais had a mysterious smile on her face. *** ¡°I¡¯m surprised that Lady Pais would visit me in person.¡± Hazel greeted Lady Pais with a smile as bright as an angel¡¯s. They sat across from each other in Hazel¡¯s parlor and looked at each other with bright smiles. ¡°I hope it wasn¡¯t rude of me toe to you so suddenly. I was afraid I would get kicked out.¡± Although she was smiling kindly, Lady Pais¡¯s two eyes were closely watching Hazel¡¯s condition. From whether Hazel was really in pain, if it was a temporary illness, what her intentions were, to if she was really seriously ill. Despite the questioning look in her eyes, Lady Pais remained calm as she continued the conversation, inquiring about Hazel¡¯s well-being. ¡°It can¡¯t be. How can I kick you out?¡± ¡°That¡¯s fortunate.¡± Lady Pais was a little puzzled by the clear, crystal voice, but said with a smile on her face. ¡°The cat is¡­adorable.¡± Lady Pais said, looking at the cat in Hazel¡¯s arms. Hazel¡¯s hands were very gentle as she stroked the cat¡¯s fur, and the cat enjoyed her touch with a little cry. ¡°If you like, I can send one over to your house.¡± ¡°No, that won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Lady Pais waved her hand quickly. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s because of the birds in your house, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Well, not really. I just don¡¯t like four-legged animals.¡± ¡°Really? I don¡¯t believe in animals with two legs.¡± ¡°¡­¡­ what?¡± Lady Pais narrowed her brows. ¡°It¡¯s a new word. The other day I was walking in the garden and one of the birds stole the candy in my hand and flew away.¡± ¡°¡­Oh, my.¡± ¡°People say cats are vicious animals, saying it would steal other people¡¯s things without a second thought. Birds are no different, aren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s just the way animals are.¡± Hazel smiled at Lady Pais¡¯s cleverment about what she had done, and brought the cup to her mouth. ¡°By the way, what brought you here?¡± Lady Pais answered with a bright smile. ¡°I was told you were ill.¡± As her agile gaze nced up and down Hazel, Hazel answered in surprise. ¡°Oh, my. But you¡¯re also very heavy (Lady Pais is pregnant), so why bothering?¡± ¡°I¡¯m in charge of the pce, and the princess is sick, so¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lady Pais deliberately said with a lot of force that she was in charge of the royal pce, and she saw Hazel¡¯s lips close for a moment. ¡°I have to know everything that is happening in this royal pce. That way, I can manage it smoothly. It is also a way to ease the mind of His Highness the King.¡± ¡°My father¡¯s heart goes out to the unborn child in your belly. It is only when your heart is at peace that my father¡¯s heart will be at peace.¡± Hazel¡¯s green eyes turned to Lady Pais¡¯s belly. ¡°How far along are you?¡± ¡°Four months.¡± ¡°I have to give you a gift to celebrate your pregnancy, but I couldn¡¯t because of the state I¡¯m in.¡± ¡°Not a problem at all. I did receive the roses. So it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d that you liked the roses I grew. Please take them whenever you need.¡± ¡°Thank you, Princess¡­.. But I did that because I really didn¡¯t have enough flowers at that time. I wasn¡¯t trying to steal the princess¡¯s flowers.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to be petty with just a few flowers.¡± Hazel trailed off. ¡°By the way, are you sure you want just a few flowers? I haven¡¯t been feeling welltely and things haven¡¯t been going well, but as soon as I¡¯m well, I¡¯ll be sure to send you a suitable gift.¡± ¡°The Princess being healthy is enough of a gift. You have no idea how painful it was for me to hear that you were stuck in the pce, not going out at all¡­¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern.¡± ¡°I must be worried. Land¡¯s first princess shouldn¡¯t be weak. Whether it¡¯s medicine or food, she needs to eat well to regain her strength.¡± As she finished speaking, Lady Pais pointed to the packages she brought. ¡°I brought you some good food and medicinal herbs from my pce.¡± Hazel took a quick look at the boxes Lady Pais had brought. ¡°I just had a few coughs, and all the nobles sent all this stuff. There were too many, so I brought some to share.¡± ¡°It seems that everyone was worried about you since you are pregnant. That¡¯s understandable.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been struggling to raise Lorette on my own in the favs, and I¡¯m not in good shape. And now that I¡¯m older, it¡¯s a little awkward¡­..¡± Lady Pais covered her mouth and pretended tough. ¡°I thought I would never have children.¡± Chapter 24 Lady Pais whispered as if she was telling a big secret. ¡°Why?¡± When Hazel asked with a smile, Lady Pais¡¯s voice was even more hushed. ¡°If I were to give birth to a prince as well, wouldn¡¯t the session be a littleplicated?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I do not wish for brothers and sisters to fight each other over blood. We are a family, and isn¡¯t harmony the most important thing? I do not want the princess to be offended by this.¡± ¡°I appreciate your sentiments, but you don¡¯t need to worry too much.¡± Lady Pais¡¯s eyes lit up as she waited for Hazel¡¯s reaction. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Whoever takes over the throne, that¡¯s a matter for father to decide. It doesn¡¯t matter how many children you have.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s a grown princess¡­ If a new prince is born, that¡¯s a bit of a problem. I hope, for the sake of peace in Land, that the baby in my belly will be a lovely girl like Princess Hazel.¡± ¡°If you give birth, the baby will look like Lorette, not me.¡± When Hazel pointed out, Lady Pais flinched for a moment. ¡°Still, you are sisters by the same father, so there will be some resemnce.¡± ¡°I look more like my mother. You¡¯ve been by her side for a long time, so I¡¯m sure you know that well.¡± ¡°Indeed, the princess looks a lot like Queen Martina. Even the color of her eyes and her hair. It seems that as she grew up, she became more like her. Sometimes¡­¡± ¡°It looks like my mother hase back alive, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Lady Pais paused once more at Hazel¡¯s words, then smiled. ¡°For it is only natural that mothers and daughters should resemble each other. Queen Martina¡¯s beauty could not have been matched by anyone in the kingdom.¡± ¡°Lorette is a beauty, just like you.¡± ¡°Compared to Princess Hazel, she can¡¯t even reach your feet. I just want to make sure she marries into a good ce with her beauty.¡± ¡°I will also do my best as her sister to make sure that Lorette finds a goodpanion.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± When Hazel was finished, Lady Pais looked somewhat dumbfounded. This was because all the replies and responses she had hoped for were off. After all this time, Hazel might as well bite her with words, but could she say it politely like this? In the end, Lady Pais had no choice but to take out thest card. ¡°I brought this one separately because it¡¯s exceptionally valuable.¡± She held out the small box she had been holding in her hand in front of Hazel. The box was engraved with a pattern that she was familiar with. ¡°This is¡­.¡± It was a fig tree, the symbol of the Duchess of Conces. ¡°You can tell from the box, can¡¯t you? It was a gift from the Duchess of Conces.¡± ¡°The Conces?¡± Hazel¡¯s peaceful expression changed slightly. Noticing the change in her expression, Lady Pais opened the box with a happy face. ¡°Yes, upon closer inspection, it¡¯s a very valuable medicine. I was told that it was made from herbs that can only be found in the Duchess of Conces¡¯s domain. I heard that everyone wanted it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Inside the box was pills made by the pharmacists of the Duchess of Conces. The way the medicine was made had been a secret technique for generations, and was never leaked out. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that it has such good medicinal properties. It can even bring the dead back to life. ¡­.¡± Lady Pais said with augh behind her outstretched fan. ¡°Of course, that¡¯s an exaggeration. Still, it¡¯s such a good medicine that it must have umted a lot of fame.¡± ¡°I suppose so.¡± ¡°They said that it will never be leaked to the outside world without the permission of the Duchess of Conces, but thankfully they sent it to me.¡± ¡°Why did you bring it, if you can use it when you received it?¡± ¡°The nicer it is, the more I¡¯ll share it with you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if I should take something so valuable.¡± ¡°Why do you say that?¡± Lady Pais waved her hand and burst intoughter. ¡°What belongs to me belongs to the princess. There is nothing for a princess to desire. If there is anything you want, just let me know. I will give you everything.¡± She added with a very warm smile as she sped Hazel¡¯s hand. ¡°Just as your mother would have wanted.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Her light blue eyes that looked just like Lorette¡¯s were staring at Hazel. It was as if they were waiting for Hazel¡¯s evil and anger to explode shortly. Hazel counted secretly and opened her mouth. ¡°Now that you mention it, I remember something.¡± Hazel looked at Lady Pais in the eyes and slowly lifted the corners of her mouth. ¡°Before she died, my mother told me about you.¡± ¡°The Queen?¡± ¡°She said you were a truly capable and loyal maid. You were also by far the best looking.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°She said you were incredibly perceptive of her mind and have the ability to see what she needs immediately. You were a good maid of honor.¡± The smile gradually faded from Lady Pais¡¯s face as she looked at Hazel. ¡°So it was no surprise that you were favored by my father, the king.¡± Lady Pais couldn¡¯t have missed the insinuation that she was just a woman who listened to the king¡¯s ravings. ¡°Thank you for taking the trouble to bring this to me, but I¡¯m sure you have a lot of work to do helping out at court, so please take care of yourself.¡± Hazel put the lid on the box and slid it back to Lady Pais, and said, ¡°Always keep this medicine with you, just in case. I¡¯ve heard that it¡¯s so potent that it can decipher even the strongest poisons.¡± ¡°Are you worried that I will be poisoned? Who dares to hurt the king¡¯s child?¡± Did you dare to kill your wife with the king¡¯s child¡­?¡± ¡°Dead men tell no tales, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°The feeling of ¡°no way¡± is what ultimately makes the difference between life and death. Even if that regret is cleared up after death, or even if the killer is punished, it means nothing. I only feel sorry for those who are already dead.¡± Hazel whispered with a smile to Lady Pais. ¡°So don¡¯t trust anyone. Not the maids or the servants. Because no matter how close they are, no one will ever know who has the poison.¡± ¡°I will.¡± Her lips were stiff, but Lady Pais kept her smile until the end. After Lady Pais was gone, Hazel stared for a moment at the ce where the medicine box had been ced earlier. The Conces family¡¯s territory was surrounded by mountains and valleys where many medicinal herbs were produced, and they had many herbalists, so they knew how to handle the precious herbs. Medicines made with the special secret techniques of the Conces family were famous for being sold to the entire continent at a high price, and many of them were hard to get even if they had a lot of money. In particr, the medicine that Lady Pais had brought earlier was used for important transactions, so why did she want to give it to Hazel? It was simply the king¡¯s courtesy treatment for thedy, and it was too valuable a gift to have been given like other nobles. It was made of medicinal herbs that could not be obtained for ten thousand gold. Lady Pais¡¯s true intentions for bringing it to her were transparent. Today Lady Pais must havee to explore her thoughts. She certainly thought it strange that Hazel was suddenly being so kind to her daughter. ¡®It¡¯s still early.¡¯ Lady Pais should not be wary of her (Hazel). It was just the whim of a princess, so it is best to think about it. The child Lady Pais was bearing was a prince. Hazel remembered clearly everything that had changed with the birth of the prince. The nobles who had stood by Hazel¡¯s side until the very end turned to Lady Pais¡¯s side. Their tribute in due course became Lorette¡¯s, not Hazel¡¯s. There was nothing Hazel could do. Her ce in the pce disappeared one by one. It was shocking for her, who had been in the most noble position of the pce since birth. Hazel was thus pushed out. She didn¡¯t give it up voluntarily, but at a certain moment, her presence in the royal court faded to that extent. And it was the Conces family that had the greatest influence to do so. Her grandfather, her uncles, and her cousins. They all turned their backs on her one by one. They didn¡¯t care about a Princess who would soon leave the kingdom and marry into another country. ¡°You must be someone the family will always need.¡± These were the words that Martina had said to her daughter almost under duress. By the time she realized that they were not false, it was toote. Hazel was slowly bing alone in the royal pce, and in the end, the only one she could reach out to was Achilleon. ¡°I had forgotten.¡± They say the biggest enemy is on the inside. The Duchess of Conces had been put on the back burner as she was busy confronting the oing enemy at the Royal Pce. In fact, they were the most formidable of all. The Duchesses sent the potion to Lady Pais because they anticipated the effect that her future baby would have on the royal court. Trying to look good for Lady Pais, who was greatly favored by the king, whoter had a child, and whose skills were so outstanding that she enjoyed the greatest power even if her status was low, was a measure to prepare for the future, which could change any time. ¡°It was so fast.¡± Hazel thought of her mother¡¯s family. It was true enough when she thought about it. The Duchesses of Conces were famous for their family style of pursuing pragmatism more than any other noble family. No matter how many people were from their own family, if they did not benefit the family in any way or caused great damage to the family, they would immediately cut ties and punish them. Born into such a family, Queen Martina was obsessed with the fact that she had to benefit the family more than anyone else. What was important to her was that she should always be someone who was necessary to the family, and she devoted her whole life to it. To her, her husband, Wangdu, and her daughter, Hazel, were also next in line for the family title. Chapter 25 ¡°Hazel, you must remember that you have the blood of the Conces in your veins. You are a member of the Conces family before you are a Land. Therefore, you must be a person that the family must need.¡± Those were the words that Martina used to say. Hazel still has vivid memories of the day when the words were passed on to the king, he got very angry. Ileos was not easily angered by his wife, but he finally exploded when he overheard the words his wife kept forcing Hazel to say from the mouth of a maidservant. After that, the rtionship between the king and his wife grew colder and colder. It was around that time that the king often left the pce to see his mistress. Martina had a nervous breakdown around that time, and she couldn¡¯t sleep without medicine. It was Hazel¡¯s job to sit with her and read to her until she fell asleep. She would read over and over until her hands would clench and her voice would be hoarse. When her mother, who had been ill all night, fell asleep at a certain moment, Hazel was finally able to leave her mother¡¯s bedroom. These were the people who would not hesitate to use even the daughter who had married the king for the glory of their family. They were the ones who put on the kindest faces and could do the most cruel things. They were the ones who caused the queen to have a nervous breakdown and obsessivepulsive disorder. ¡°How did my mother die?¡± After Hazel¡¯s birth, Queen Martina had a series of miscarriages and stillbirths with each pregnancy. Tormented by the obsession of having to give birth to more thrones, the queen grew weaker and weaker as she did so, and finally gave birth to the son she had waited so long to have, and died with the child. Hazel, who had held her mother¡¯s hand all the time by her side, watched as a white cloth was ced over her mother¡¯s sharp eyes. Hazel¡¯s maternal grandfather, whoter rushed to the pce after hearing the news of the queen¡¯s death, said only a few words in the face of his dead daughter. ¡°Useless.¡± ¡°Princess, I¡¯ve sorted out all the presents Lady Pais left for you. Ah!¡± Mary screamed as she entered the room. ¡°Princess, what¡¯s wrong with your hand?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Hazel dropped her gaze and looked at her hand. Her fingers were bleeding when she nibbled at the thin flesh around her fingernails. ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call the Court Doctor!¡± Hazel barely suppressed the anger that was building up as Mary ran screaming. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Ladu Pais hadn¡¯t given birth to her child yet, and yet she was giving gifts to a political rival who had already taken her daughter¡¯s ce. The Conces had been preparing to abandon her for quite some time now. They didn¡¯t suddenly change one day. They had prepared for everything meticulously and slowly. What Lady Pais wanted was a reassuring supportive force, and the Conces family was perfect for that. The Conces family also needed an excuse to maintain asting blood rtionship with the Land royal court. The marriage of another daughter of the Conces to Lady Pais¡¯s son, who had not yet been born, would have created a perfect alliance. ¡°That is, if I can¡¯t help it.¡± A faint smile emerged from Hazel¡¯s lips. ¡°I can¡¯t let it be the power of my enemy.¡± Meow. The cat came up to Hazel¡¯s feet andid down, feigning charm. The angry look in her eyes became a little calmer. ¡°Right, Titty?¡± The clueless cat purred again and touched her dress with its front paws. *** ¡°It¡¯s very strange.¡± Count Burns said, nodding his head. Achilleon stood by the window, looking outside. ¡°I couldn¡¯t find a servant anywhere with the clues you mentioned, Your Highness.¡± ¡°I suppose so.¡± He replied sleepily, touching the window frame. ¡°Are there no maidservants among them that you like?¡± Count Burns tapped on the window as he spotted a group of maidservants passing along the walk. ¡°They¡¯re quite beautiful. There are so many beauties in our amodation, who are you looking for?¡± As soon as the conversation was over, the maids found Achilleon standing at the window, smiling at each other. When Achilleon unintentionally met their gaze, some of the maids shouted happily, ¡°Yay!¡± ¡°¡­.she¡¯s not even among the maids of the pce where the princess resides.¡± The cat named Titty was Princess Hazel¡¯s cat, so he assumed that she must be one of the attendants at the pce where the princess was staying. However, none of them were the maid who had pushed Achilleon into the mousetrap. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve seen a vision. It¡¯s like the after effects of war¡­.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Oh, no.¡± Count Burns fell silent quickly, and there was a knock on the door just in time. ¡°I¡¯ve brought some clothes.¡± The door opened and the attendants with their gorgeous clothes and masks walked in. ¡°What kind of clothes are they?¡± Achilleon frowned when he saw the colorful costumes and all kinds of gorgeous decorations filled the room. ¡°What? It¡¯s costumes to wear to the masquerade ball. Pick one.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Hmm, I meant choose one.¡± Seeing the still dissatisfied expression on Achilleon¡¯s face, Count Burns immediately stepped over and started rummaging through the clothes. ¡°How about this?¡± Count Burns said, applying the clothes to his body, which were exactly divided in half. ¡°They seem to have sent it with a great deal of care. This one. This one, too.¡± He opened the box that the servants brought a littleter, and found it filled with more fancy clothes. ¡°You can pick anything you want and¡­.¡± The Count, who had been making a happy noise, turned to face the bleak, shining blue eyes and just went silent. It was then that Achilleon parted his lips. ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that you¡¯re attending the ball wearing a mask.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to be there.¡± ¡°What the¡­ Your Highness is the representative of our empire!¡± ¡°I heard you¡¯re going to cover your face. Who cares if I¡¯m there or not? ¡°But¡­but¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m out. Take Sisef with you. I think it¡¯s right up to his alley. The masks, that is.¡± Achilleon spoke after a quick look through a box stacked with colorful clothes. ¡°I think that one will do.¡± Achilleon pointed to a mask with jewels under the eyes, dotted with tears. ¡°That one? Are you sure?¡± Count Burns said incredulously. ¡°Why? It¡¯s perfect for him. He¡¯s always been quick to cry, even as a child.¡± ¡°Do you know why this mask is crying?¡± Count Burns said, lifting the mask. ¡°He was beheaded for the crime of coveting his brother¡¯s wife.¡± *** ¡°It¡¯s not easy to change hobbies.¡± Hazel threw out her embroidery frame with a deep sigh. ¡°You haven¡¯t finished it yet?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The cloth hanging on the embroidery frame had something embroidered on it, presumably a white cat. ¡°So why are you doing this all of a sudden? You never want to sit still and concentrate.¡± Mary looked as if she had no idea what was going on. ¡°I know. Why am I doing this?¡± When Hazel answered, she felt very miserable. She couldn¡¯t stand it because she had to pretend to be sick in the room. The whole pce was abuzz with the visit of the Demophos delegation, but she was alone on an isted ind, and that didn¡¯t feel good. This was true even if it was istion of her own choosing. ¡°Princess Lorette is here.¡± The maid of honor said as she entered, and Hazel nodded with a frown on her face. ¡°Let her in.¡± Lorette bowed as soon as she walked in. ¡°Good morning, Hazel¡­ uh sister.¡± ¡°Wee.¡± Hazel put away the mirror she was holding and smiled at Lorette. ¡°I didn¡¯t interrupt you, did I?¡± ¡°Of course not. I was just waiting for you.¡± Lorette smiled, ¡°The cookies you sent were a treat. This is my way of thanking you. I made them directly for you.¡± Lorette held out a small pouch with an embroidered cat on it. The bag,plete with beautiful sewing, looked very thoughtful at first nce. The white cat, which looked just like Titty, had a small golden bell around its neck, and the pouch was decorated with small beads. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so beautiful.¡± Hazel¡¯s gaze turned to the embroidered frame she¡¯d tossed. She felt badpared to Lorette¡¯s embroidery. ¡°I¡¯m so d you like it.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to bring me these things. You can juste and hang out.¡± ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m d there was something I could give you.¡± ¡°¡­Is that right?¡± Hazel looked carefully at Lorette¡¯s face. It was a little strange to see Lorette smiling at her after all the fuss she made with Lady Pais yesterday. She wasn¡¯t sure if Lorette didn¡¯t care about Lady Pais or if she had received some other request from her mother. Either way, Lady Pais treated her daughter like a rat, and in doing so, no matter how much of a mother she was, the odds were that Lorette would turn to others who were nicer to her than she was. Just like Sisef did. Unable to avoid Hazel¡¯s gaze, Lorette finally broke the conversation hesitantly. ¡°Actually, I came here to ask a favor.¡± ¡°What kind of favor?¡± ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll listen.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll listen¡­¡­.¡± Hazel was curious. She said she would treat Lorette like a sister, and now she woulde and ask for favors with confidence. She was pretty cute. As if she felt hope in Hazel¡¯s answer, Lorette said, her eyes sparkling like a squirrel looking at an acorn. ¡°I want you to go somewhere with me.¡± Chapter 26 ¡°Where are you going?¡± Hazel asked, and Lorette hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth. ¡°Mother said she¡¯s going to throw a masquerade ball tomorrow.¡± ¡°A masquerade ball?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That sounds interesting. Have fun ying.¡± As if Hazel¡¯s words had been an expected reaction, Lorette continued without hesitation. ¡°It¡¯ll be more fun if you join us.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Lorette added quickly as Hazel stared at her. ¡°You like masquerade balls. I know you used to hold them from time to time at the Rose Pce.¡± ¡®I wasn¡¯t invited¡¯, but Hazel, who understood the omitted words, said, ¡°You were too young at the time¡­..you know that. Masquerade balls are dangerous. You know how debaucherous they can be when they hide in masks.¡± It was the same with a masked ball held at the royal pce. As everyone drank and danced, they often forgot all about their status and position and became animals. It started in the banquet hall, but there were countless cases where people found themselves lying naked in their respective rooms. ¡°It¡¯s okay. We¡¯re going to¡­ Just invite lots of people.¡± ¡°As you say.¡± Hazel nodded and Lorette chuckled. ¡°So let¡¯s go together this time. It should be fun.¡± ¡°This time, though¡­ I don¡¯t feel like it.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re not going to the masquerade!¡± Lorette eximed incredulously. ¡°I¡¯ve been a little sick, so I guess I¡¯ve lost interest in such things. I think I¡¯m going to spend some of my time now doing some quieter activities like sewing and such.¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes widened. ¡­She was even more surprised when she saw the frame earlier. ¡°You never had a hobby like this.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°You liked to be active. You liked riding horses, loud parties, going to balls every night¡­¡± ¡°Stop.¡± Hazel had a very hard time listening about herself from Lorette¡¯s mouth. ¡°You are only staying in the Rose Pce, so your recovery is slow. Meeting people, dancing and ying happily will make you healthier.¡± ¡°Well, Lorette, I¡­¡± ¡°I need my sister.¡± ¡°Have fun ying with Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°I want to go with my sister.¡± Lorette was determined not to back down. ¡°I tell them to prepare the most beautiful masks and dresses. Come with me, please?¡± ¡°Lorette, I¡­¡± ¡°Prince Sisef is noting.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± As if she couldn¡¯t believe Lorette¡¯s words, Hazel¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. Thinking she had finally gotten a response from her, Lorette giggled and put her forefinger to her lips. ¡°I heard he¡¯s going hunting with Prince Achilleon. Oh, that¡¯s a secret.¡± ¡°¡®They are important guests, why aren¡¯t they going to attend?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it a masquerade ball anyway? So let¡¯s go together.¡± ¡°No.¡± At Hazel¡¯s t refusal, Lorette said with a more desperate face. ¡°I know that you two have been feeling irritated because of me.¡± Of course it wasn¡¯t for that reason. She didn¡¯t know what Hazel¡¯s real intentions were in deliberately trying to get away from Sisef, so she just said what she guessed. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m here to apologize. It¡¯s just that I wasn¡¯t feeling well that day and the prince broke his promise to sister.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡± ¡°What?¡± It was just that his heart was leaning towards Lorette. Because he was more worried about her. She needed confidence. Not wanting to ept the simple truth, Hazel had always hated Lorette. But she didn¡¯t have to do that now after realizing the clear truth. ¡°You were sick, you couldn¡¯t help it. It¡¯s not your sin. I didn¡¯t even go¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know I was going to be sick all of a sudden. I was fine before I drank the tea, but I suddenly had a fever¡­..¡± ¡°You drank tea?¡± Lorette nodded in response to Hazel¡¯s question. ¡°¡­¡­Hmmm.¡± Hazel smiled faintly. She knew Lady Pais was mean, but she didn¡¯t expect her to y tricks by giving her that kind of tea. Hazel burst outughing as she realized she had a long way to go to catch up with her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, sister?¡± ¡°No, nothing.¡± So that was it. Lorette¡¯s illness was real, not a coincidence, not an act, not anything. However, there were other tricks that only the parties did not know. ¡°Come with me, sister.¡± Lorette clung carefully to her again, and Hazel stared at her. Was this a trick or a pure intention? Hazel was lost in thought while looking at Lorette. It was easy to analogize Lady Pais¡¯s thoughts. She was the kind of person who only waited for the day when Hazel would make a mistake, and then she would make a big deal about it, hoping to further widen the gap between her and her father and ruin the reputation of the princess. But there was something Lorette had no idea about. ¡°If there¡¯s a problem, just beg her. Your sister will have no choice but to do what you asked her to do.¡± Perhaps because she was aware of Hazel¡¯s gaze on her, Lorette suddenly became serious. Then Hazel said. ¡°¡­Okay.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go to the ball.¡± Lorette was absolutely vulnerable to anyone who would do her a favor. So if Hazel takes the risk and does what she asked, Lorette would surely rely on Hazel more and more. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Hazel smiled at Lorette, who opened her eyes wide in surprise. ¡°There¡¯s no reason I can¡¯t go.¡± *** Everything about the ballroom that Hazel hadn¡¯t been in in so long was unfamiliar. The sight of people dressed like fish, each boasting gorgeous fins, dancing under the morous chandeliers seemed out of touch with reality. Seeing them made her feel a little dizzy. And most of all. ¡®They¡¯re more sincere than I thought.¡¯ Hazel murmured, looking at the people in the hall. The scale of the masquerade ball was the most spectacr she had ever seen because Lady Pais had spent the court budgetvishly, saying that she would tten the noses of the people from the empire. And the costumes of the people attending were also unimaginable. Everyone seemed to have waited only for today, and all kinds of costumes and masks took over the hall. There were gods and heroes from myths and legends, fairies and demons, as well as hideous creatures to look at. The effort to stand out from the gap between them was tearful. ¡°Sister, look over there. There really is a dragon.¡± Lorette said in a dazed tone. When Hazel turned her head in that direction, she saw someone who had really made a costume that resembled a dragon and was strutting around the ballroom waving its huge wings and tail. The wings, wide open on both sides, were directly framed and iid with silk, and everyone who saw him was busy avoiding him. ¡°¡­It¡¯s horrifying.¡± ¡°It¡¯s really well done. Isn¡¯t it?¡± Lorette eximed excitedly, the flowers on the butterfly mask she wore swaying as if they were dancing. ¡°It¡¯s a very well made mask.¡± ¡°Mother specially ordered it for me.¡± No doubt about it. Hazel swallowed her words inwardly. ¡°Still, sister¡¯s is the most beautiful.¡± The mask that Hazel wore was white that covered her entire face with a gorgeous golden pattern. It was a beautiful mask with a crown on one side decorated with artificial flowers and jewels. ¡°By the way, what do these masks symbolize?¡± The masks and costumes were inspired by characters from myths, legends and folktales. However, Hazel couldn¡¯t think what her mask was inspired from. ¡°The Empress. The empress from the y ¡®Gars¡¯s jealousy¡¯.¡± Gars was an evil woman who seduced the emperor with her outstanding beauty. She was a person who was jealous of the other emperor¡¯s women and plotted to kill them. ¡°I didn¡¯t think she was that scary.¡± ¡°But she is so beautiful.¡± Hazel¡¯s feelings became even moreplicated when she saw Lorette speaking with a bright smile. ¡°Dance, sister.¡± Unaware of her feelings, Lorette pulled Hazel into the dance hall. As the two entered the dance hall, many eyes were on them. Even though they wore masks to hide their faces, the two of them definitely stood out. One man approached Hazel and was about to ask her to dance, but her hand was grabbed by another man¡¯s hand. As soon as she raised her head to trace that hand, she was met with the familiar look. Lorette, who was standing beside her, looked at them alternately and grabbed the hand of the man who had asked Hazel to dance. ¡°I¡¯ll dance first.¡± Lorette disappeared at a fast pace, leaving only those words. Hazel didn¡¯t have time to say anything. ¡°How rude.¡± Hazel said, ring at the man who had grabbed her hand. Even though he was wearing a mask, she could almost always tell by the color of the hair sticking out. It was Sisef. There was no way she couldn¡¯t recognize him since they had known each other since young. ¡°Prince.¡± ¡°Shh, you can¡¯t call me that.¡± Sisef smiled behind his mask and covered his lips with his fingers. ¡°You said you weren¡¯t going to attend today. Did you order Lorette to bring me here?¡± Hazel asked, feeling dumbfounded. If they had met face to face, she would be angry at him, but since they were each hiding their true faces behind masks, they somehow couldn¡¯t do so. ¡°¡­Yes, that¡¯s what happened. I owe Lorette.¡± ¡°¡­¡± The white mask that Sisef was wearing was studded with crystals in the shape of tears under the eyes. Near his neck, he was adorned with tiny red gems as small as grains of sand, seemingly like blood. ¡°¡­What the hell did you dress up as?¡± Hazel, who had been staring at his costumed form, furrowed her brow in her mask. ¡°I¡¯m Jasper the Conte.¡± (*I¡¯m not sure if this is a real y or not. If anyone knows, please leave ament.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Hazel looked up at him, at a loss for words. ¡°¡­Do you remember me? He was in the book we read together, but he¡¯s a tragic figure. He loves his sister inw and they cut off his head. ¡° ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Hazel?¡± ¡°Why on earth would you dress up as that?¡± At that moment, Hazel¡¯s voice went high. ¡°I didn¡¯t want everyone else to do it.¡± Hazel¡¯s hand, hidden in the hem of her dress, shook. ¡°I¡¯ll apologize again. It was my fault that day. Lorette was ill, and I had to make sure you¡¯re fully aware of it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. I¡¯m not going to keep it in my mind anymore.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re angry.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s really hard for you to be so cold towards me.¡± Hazel stared at his face through her mask. Somehow, the crying mask seemed to ovep strangely with what Sisef had said. She couldn¡¯t think of anything else but stared at his appearance, dressed as a tragic figure, shedding tears as his head was cut off. The only thing that came out was a bitter smile. Sisef looked at her with a flustered gaze. Hazel finally stoppedughing and said. ¡°So this is how I¡¯ll treat you then.¡± ¡°Hazel.¡± Sisef then saw the look in her eyes that said,¡®Don¡¯t call me by name¡¯, ¡®what if someone hears.¡¯ Sisef said, eying at the crowd. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ept your apology. But this is as far as our rtionship will go from now on.¡± With that, Hazel turned and walked away. Before Sisef, who was following after her, got closer, Hazel jumped in the sea of people. The ballroom was crammed with people with no clear space to step. Because of the more exaggerated than usual costumes, people often stepped on each other¡¯s clothes or bumped into each other. The light reflected off the crystals of the chandeliers made the hall even more spectacr. Among the many people, Hazel waspletely lost. In the middle of looking around, she tried to avoid the wide walking wings of someone dressed as a dragon, but lost her bnce, and then someone grabbed her and lifted her up when her body almost fell on the long dragon¡¯s tail. Chapter 27 ¡°Oh¡­?¡± The arms wrapped around her waist lifted her body very easily. Relying on her strength, Hazel managed to keep her bnce and stood up. She felt a slight sprain in her leg from the fall, and a sharp pain shot through her. Before long, the dragon, the source of her defeat, hummed majestically as he waded through the crowd of people. ¡°Thank you.¡± She expressed her gratitude and tried to untangle the arm around her waist. But the arm around her waist didn¡¯t shake off with her strength in the slightest. Most importantly, the owner of the arm didn¡¯t seem to be willing to let her go. ¡°Well, remove your¡­¡± Even after she asked, the owner of the hand remained still. Hazel raised her head to look at the man¡¯s face, but what she saw before her was the ck man¡¯s outfit. His body was sorge that it blocked all of Hazel¡¯s vision. Hazel¡¯s eyes level was fixed on the man¡¯s chest, and his ck outfit stood out from the crowd of people dressed in all kinds of colors. He even wore ck silk gloves on his hands, hiding all the skin. ¡°I¡­..¡± The moment Hazel lifted her head, the tempo of the music suddenly became faster. The gestures of the circling people also quickened in time with the fast music, and Hazel, snuggled against the man¡¯s chest, was instantly in the middle of the vortex. There was no time to shake off her surprise. And In no time at all, she was being pushed out into the middle of the hall and forced to dance. It was just strange that her legs were moving on their own. She almost fell over and was flopping around, getting run over everywhere by people, but the dance went on smoothly. The man holding her skillfully continued to dance. She tried to find out who he was, but the strength of the arms holding her was too strong. She was just pulled along like a marite. ¡°When this song is over¡­¡± Hazel looked around and then decided that for now she had no choice. Everyone was busy dancing like crazy to the fast music. The hall was so tightly packed that it seemed impossible to get out or get in. ¡®Who the hell is this?¡¯ She couldn¡¯t tell since he was wearing a mask, but it felt strange to be dancing in the arms of a strange man. However, they were perfectly in sync, as if they had already tried dancing together many times. ¡®How many times already?¡¯ Hazel was engulfed in an somehow ominous energy. The man¡¯s body heat, his body¡¯s scent, even the feel of his arms around her. It reminded her of someone. Meanwhile, Hazel danced against the man¡¯s chest. She groggily tried to pull her face away from him. The first thing she saw was a mask as ck as his clothes. And¡­ ¡°¡­¡± The deep blue eyes were looking down at her. Hazel forgot how to move her body the moment she met the eyes of the man in the mask. ¡®Achilleon.¡¯ She almost spat the name out of her mouth. It didn¡¯t matter if he was hiding behind a mask or wrapped up in a costume. Every nerve was responding to him. For all the time she had lived as his wife and Empress of Demophos, his presence was clearly imprinted on Hazel. When the flowing steps got faster, the man picked her up, and ced her feet on his own feet, and danced away like that. The man¡¯s blue eyes remained fixed on her. It was just like that day. ¡°So rude.¡± That day, Hazel red at the man who had his arm wrapped around her waist. ¡°Can I shake it off then?¡± Achilleon nced at Sisef, who was asking Lorette to dance. In the end, Hazel quietly finished her dance in his arms. ¡°¡­¡­ don¡¯t ever do that again.¡± As soon as the dance was over, Hazel abruptly moved away from him. She had thought that was the end of her encounter with Achilleon. The day she had first met Achilleon, the day he had taken her to dance with impunity, the moment when Lorette had stolen all the attention from her, it was Achilleon who unwillingly saved her. The light from the chandelier hanging on the ceiling brought Hazel back to her senses. The blue eyed man was still not looking at Hazel. Hazel hastily lowered her head. But the feeling of the gaze looking down at her from above was not going away. The song was almost at its peak. Hazel clung to him like a puppet with a broken chain, and continued to dance helplessly. Thump, her heart that had seemed to stop for a while, started again. It felt as if a telegraph was ringing. Hazel bit her lip in frustration, wondering if Achilleon could hear the thumping sound of her heart. It had never been so fortunate to be wearing a mask. ¡®I don¡¯t think he recognized me.¡¯ Hazel believed that. On the other hand, she couldn¡¯tpletely escape Achilleon¡¯s insistent gaze. In the midst of chaos, the dance song was finally over. Hazel still couldn¡¯t move in his embrace. ¡°¡­¡± For a few moments between songs, someone excused themselves for a break, while those who continued to dance adjusted their posture, waiting for the next song. Then the others changed partners. Hazel stared at them in a daze. Among them was Sisef, who was still searching for Hazel. Achilleon didn¡¯t seem to want to let her go, so he finally opened her mouth after a series of hard swallows. ¡°I¡¯d like to take a rest.¡± She said in a deliberately low voice, hoping Achilleon wouldn¡¯t remember the voice she shouted at him the night he saved Titty. Surprisingly, he let her go in a straightforward manner. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°¡­?¡± ¡°I think I sprained my ankle when I fell earlier.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Hazel finally remembered the pain she had forgotten. She also realized why the man was holding her the whole time so that her foot didn¡¯t touch the floor. ¡°Oh, It¡¯s okay.¡± Startled, Hazel removed her feet that had been ced on top of his to the floor. For a moment, the sharp pain returned, and Hazel wrinkled her brow in her mask. ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m going to¡­.¡± At that moment, the dance music began to y, much slower than before. The movements of the people dancing to the slow music also slowed down. As the man picked Hazel up casually and pushed his way through the dancing crowd, there were murmurs of discontent here and there, but all suchmotion soon died down as everyone concentrated on dancing again. Hazel was helpless as she was being held by him. In no time at all, Achilleon had made all the way to where there was a balcony with open curtains, and it was not until after he entered it that he lowered her onto the spacious railing. Hazel sat nervously on the balcony railing and looked down behind her. Would it hurt to jump down from here? It wasn¡¯t like her leg was broken, so she could just manage to hold on and run. Achilleon¡¯s arms trapped her sides while her thoughts mingled. ¡°¡­¡± Hazel looked up softly at the man who had cast a bow shadow. She had no idea what Achilleon looked like in the mask. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to run away with that foot.¡± Hazel held her breath as she gazed at the man, who seemed to have read her mind. It felt like she was facing his bare face despite the mask he was wearing. The blue eyes inside stood out even more as they went pitch ck, and Hazel felt suffocated even more. It was quiet on all sides. The sound of music and theughter of people could be heard from very far away. Even just out on the balcony, it was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the dance hall. She couldn¡¯t run away, and was trapped in the silence, alone with him, a troubling situation that she couldn¡¯t describe. ¡°I¡¯m going back.¡± Hazel managed to spit out the words. ¡°Step aside, please.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure we have a lot to talk about.¡± ¡°What¡­¡± Achilleon stuck his hand under my mask and took it off. Hazel sucked in a hasty breath as the man¡¯s face appeared like a delicate piece of sculpture in the moonlight. He looked down at Hazel as he lightly brushed off her pale, shiny blond hair, and she bit her lip softly behind her mask. ¡°You still don¡¯t recognize me?¡± The tone he threw slowly had a horrifyingly sharp edge to it. Hazel¡¯s hand, gripping the railing, tightened. Waiting for an answer, Achilleonughed and, in a very natural manner, flipped up Hazel¡¯s dress as he knelt on one knee in front of her. ¡°Ah¡­!¡± She was startled and tried to pull the dress down, but Achilleon¡¯s hands were faster. Hazel was confused and didn¡¯t know what to do when her white, thin legs appeared under the dress, which was quickly rolled up to her knees. The man examined her legs, keeping a firm grip on them. He was too brazen. ¡°What are you doing? Please let go of me. I¡¯ll scream¡­.¡± ¡°Scream.¡± He replied nonchntly and began to look carefully at Hazel¡¯s ankle again. ¡°Let me go!¡± Hazel twisted her legs, trying to escape from his grasp. But she was no match for his strength. Chapter 28 ¡°Ugh¡­¡­.¡± Hazel was frustrated by the fact that her resistance was useless against him. She wanted to kick him in the head as he focused on her ankle. ¡°What do you know? You don¡¯t look like a court doctor.¡± ¡°I can tell that it¡¯s swollen and you have trouble walking.¡± Her ankle was swollen. Hazel jiggled her toes and the pain began to creep up. ¡°I¡¯ll scream.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t hear any response from Achilleon, as if he thought it was a boring threat. ¡°¡­¡± Hazel looked down at him with a strange look in her eyes. He must have felt that look, because Achilleon suddenly raised his head. ¡°You said you were going to scream.¡± A smudged smile on his lips as if provoking her. ¡°That¡­.¡± When Hazel was about to scream, her mouth fell agape. What would happen if she screamed now? It would be a perfect way to get everyone¡¯s attention. People woulde running, and saw this, and since Achilleon had no mask on, they would be interested in the woman who was with the Crown Prince of Demophos. So¡­. The fact that the sick princess at a masquerade would all be known. As the thoughts continued one after another, Hazel found it was even harder to speak. She was trying to escape the situation at hand, but she might invite more disaster if she screamed. On the other hand, the man stared at her with narrowed eyes, as if her hard-working brain could be seen through the mask. ¡°Should I make you scream?¡± It was a moment when thenguid, questioning voice chilled her spine. ¡°Ugh!¡± The scream burst out as the hand that gripped her ankle tightened. The sound wasn¡¯t very loud as she was gasping for breath from the sudden pain. It was never loud enough topete with the buzzing sound of the ballroom. ¡°Ah, ah¡­¡± As her pained, weightless body wobbled on the railing, Achilleon stood up and held Hazel in his arms. ¡°Huh¡­¡­¡± She was surprised by the pain that had been inflicted at the moment and couldn¡¯t continue her words. Earlier, she really thought she was going to lose her breath. Hazel despaired at the fact that she wanted to run away right now, but the only ce she could rely on was this man¡¯s arms. ¡°Let go, let go¡­¡± Hazel leaned against his chest and gasped for air. She tried to hit his body with both hands, but it was like hitting a stone wall. It was a natural result. Her hands were bound to ache when she thought about the muscles in his body. She had always thought he was just good-looking and lithe when he was constantly hidden inside his well-cut uniform. But the day they were intimate for the first time, when she saw his body without a single thread of clothing, she was scared and wanted to run away. It was Achilleon who never let her go. ¡°Ugh¡­.¡± Tears flowed out of her eyes due to the excessive pain. The tears were so humiliating that they wet the cloth on her mask. As if to soothe her, Achilleon tapped her lightly on the back. Hazel drew in a still breath as she felt the man¡¯s hot breath on her neck. It was because she felt the threat that if her head turned, he would stick out his teeth and tear her neck off at any moment. He was well disguised in a graceful shell, but he had a personality that bordered on savage. He was the kind of person who put everyone at ease and then attacked without hesitation. Hazel knew that better than anyone. Even after she knew that. She was caught again like this. And the way out was nowhere to be seen. Hazel took several deep breaths at the pain rising from her ankle. Her small, frail body was shaking so hard that even Achilleon¡¯s sturdy body could feel the vibrations. ¡°Let me go. I¡¯ll take care of it myself.¡± Her sobbing voice sounded like the cry of a mountain bird. Achilleon¡¯s mouth stretched long as he stared at the weeping woman leaning against his chest. ¡°Why did you push me into the trap?¡± ¡°¡­.¡± The blood seemed to chill coldly. Hazel shuddered slightly. ¡°I fell and couldn¡¯t walk.¡± The hand stroking her hair was the softest thing she¡¯d ever felt. Like stroking a wounded animal. ¡°Let go. Let me go.¡± After holding her, Achilleon grabbed both her arms and stared at her. Both eyes, glowing bright blue in the moonlight, were just piercing through her. The beautifully disguised masks were of no use. How did he know, what did he see? He said he would note to the ball. Was she too careless? But it didn¡¯t ur to her for a moment that if he went, he would recognize her all at once. With her ankle injured and the man in front of her looking like he was about to bite her off, there was nothing she could do. Hazel was as helpless as unimed prey. Except just die. Other than denying what happened. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t?¡± He nodded and the corners of his eyes softened at Hazel¡¯s reply. She could feel his eyes watching her somehow, but Hazel decided to go out shamelessly, which she had already done. ¡°Today¡­.it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen you.¡± Her jaw was trembling, but Hazel managed to hold it together. Achilleon looked down at her, and an amused smile appeared on his face. ¡°It¡¯s your first time, huh.¡± His voice was suddenly low, and she could feel the heat in it. Hazel cowered in instinctive fear. She knew. She knew how a man who wrapped himself so appropriately and gracefully in public could change in the presence of a truly appetizing being. So Hazel was even more afraid. ¡°We have to talk face to face to find out.¡± He moved a little closer to where Hazel was sitting. His thick thighs pushed into the gap where she was trying to close her legs together. Achilleon¡¯s hand caught the tip of Hazel¡¯s mask. His lips twisted cruelly at the sight of her shaking jaw. ¡°Oh, no.¡± Hazel pleaded, holding on to his hand. But the mask was pushed up slowly. Only to the exact point where her lips were visible. His dangerously shining blue eyes were fixed on her reddened lips that she bit it too much. Her half-open lips were quivering as if she was trying to say something. Hazel couldn¡¯t see a thing as the mask was raised and her vision was blocked. As soon as she raised her hand to pull down the mask, the man¡¯s ragged breath entered her lips. ¡°Ugh. ¡­..?¡± Hazel resisted the sensation of his tongue as it was invading inside her mouth. Her whole body shook. Achilleon sat up and lifted Hazel¡¯s leg and pulled her towards him. His other hand held Hazel¡¯s head and held it tightly. Hazel could only whimper and sob. Hazel ran out of strength. The man¡¯s hand hugging her weak body was surprisingly gentle. ¡°Let me take it off for you.¡± Hazel was horrified at the hand stroking the top of her mask. ¡°Please don¡¯t. Please.¡± It was hard to see what was going on. But she was helpless, because he was holding her body. ¡°Your Highness.¡± At that moment, Achilleon turned around at the sound of someone calling him. The man opened the curtain a little and he had a bear mask on his face. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Leaving the man¡¯s call behind, Achilleon looked down at Hazel. He slowly withdrew his hand that was on the mask. Hazel hurriedly pulled down the mask and covered her lips, which he had just sucked so greedily. As her vision opened up, she saw a man standing behind Achilleon. Achilleon waved his hand and the man turned his body away from them. Looking down at Hazel¡¯s green eyes that were filled with fear, Achilleon smiled again. ¡°Shall we stop ying hide-and-seek?¡± As he looked at Hazel, he saw Hazel¡¯s chest heaving. Her skin, hot from what he had just done, looked more tempted and he was even more aroused. He went on and pressed his lips on her white neck. ¡°¡­!¡± The skin was thin and fragile. The lips that lowered over it were hot and ruthless. ¡°¡­What are you doing¡­¡± The man¡¯s lips were like a beast as he sucked the flesh of her neck mercilessly. Hazel hit him madly against his actions as he bit into her skin this time. The lips that had been lusting after her skin with all their might fell away. A trail of red marks like red flowers bloomed on her snow-white skin. The breath exhaled by the man who had imprinted his mark on her like a seal spread around her neck. The ce he had touched was hot, as if it had been burned by fire. ¡°What have you done?¡± Hazel frowned as she looked at Achilleon. On the contrary, a refreshing, moonlit smile spread across the lips of the man who had devoured her. Achilleon raised his hand and gently swept Hazel¡¯s earlobe. ¡®I marked you.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll let you go for now.¡± The faint whisper made Hazel freeze in ce. He was like a messenger who hade to warn her of her next death. ¡°¡­¡± Hazel¡¯s shallow breaths gently ruffled Achilleon¡¯s fine hair. The frightened image of herself was reflected in his blue eyes that could be seen through the hair that was hidden in front of his eyes. As if the mask meant nothing, her emotions were reflected in his eyes. Then his hand came down from her earlobe and fiddled the ribbon that was adorned in the center of her dress as it rose and fell. His hands were careful, like handling a fragile ss doll, but at the same time dangerous, like he was about to crumble it. ¡°But next time, you¡¯ll take it off yourself.¡± Hazel was frozen in front of his overflowing vigor. ¡°That mask, this dress.¡± Chapter 29 *** As Hazel stared nkly at Achilleon, he whispered in her frozen ear. ¡°So try to escape before then.¡± Achilleon bent down and picked up a pair of shoes that were lying on the floor and put them on Hazel¡¯s feet. *Tearing sound* Achilleon ripped one of his sleeves and began to wrap it around Hazel¡¯s ankle. Hazel just watched the scene in a daze. Before she had time to feel the pain from the tightly bandaged ankle, Achilleon stood up and left the balcony. Hazel watched him disappear behind the curtain and slowly closed her eyes. Everything was like a dream, but feeling the pain in her ankle, it was never a dream or an illusion. Achilleon found her. Of course it wouldn¡¯t be his past self, but the fact that he was so relentless in his search for someone meant that Hazel already caught his attention. He was not a man who would let go of something once he had it in his hands. Why? She was in the middle of rescuing a cat, and things suddenly got out of control. ¡®Does he have a grudge against me?¡¯ A few momentster, the curtains opened and Lorette and Sisef stepped out the balcony. ¡°Sister!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Hazel looked at Lorette silently. ¡°Sister, are you okay?¡± When Hazel was unresponsive, Lorette shook Hazel¡¯s shoulders, then she carefully untied the string of her mask. Inside the mask, Hazel¡¯s soulless expression revealed, as if she had seen a ghost. ¡°Hazel?¡± ¡°I¡­ I saw him.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°He recognized me. And just like that¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Lorette gave Hazel a big shake, and she came to her senses like she¡¯d just woken up from a dream. ¡°Oh, Lorette.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been calling you for a while.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Hazel looked away with a hint of indifference. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking all over for you. There are so many people here. I thought you¡¯d be having fun.¡± ¡°I was resting because my feet hurt.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your feet?¡± Sisef quickly knelt down and probed Hazel¡¯s leg. ¡°It¡¯s fine, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s swollen. I¡¯ll call the court physician.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it myself.¡± Hazel hastened to say, and Sisef hesitated for a moment, then rose from his seat. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes went to the bite mark left by Achilleon earlier. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Hazel quickly covered her neck, but Sisef had already seen it too. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I must have been bitten by an insect.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± The question still shed in Lorette¡¯s eyes, but she didn¡¯t ask any more. A sharp light appeared in Sisef¡¯s eyes as he looked at the red mark on Hazel¡¯s neck, but Hazel pretended not to know and climbed down from the parapet. Her ankle was still swollen and puffy, but it was easier to get to the floor than it was earlier. The pain hadn¡¯tpletely disappeared, but it wasn¡¯t as bad as it was before. Apparently, Achilleon knew first aid somehow. She was in pain to the point where she couldn¡¯t breathe properly earlier, but now it had subsided considerably. ¡°I¡¯m going back. Help me. My mask, please.¡± Lorette put the mask over Hazel¡¯s face again and held out her hand. Hazel grasped her offered hand without hesitation. ¡°Lean on here.¡± Sisef quickly stepped forward and held out his hand, but Hazel stared at it and ignored it. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Oh, yes.¡± Hazel said as she held Lorette¡¯s arm for support. ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone that I¡¯m here today, as we agreed.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lorette nodded hastily. ¡°Not even your mother.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Lorette replied cautiously and looked at Sisef. Being rejected, he followed them quietly from behind. ¡°Why are you so depressed?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I should go.¡± Hazel, who was in the carriage that would take her to the Rose Pce, hurriedly pulled on the rope to get the carriage started. ¡°Call the court physician. Make sure your feet don¡¯t swell up anymore.¡± She nodded softly, trying to pretend that she hadn¡¯t heard him. As soon as the door closed with a bang, Hazel buried herself deep in the carriage couch and sighed. Looking up, she saw Sisef through the carriage window as the carriage gradually moved away. He stood watching her, listening to Lorette¡¯s words. *** Heavy footsteps echoed in the dark hallway. There was a noisy banquet going on in the hall across one wall, but the rest was fairly quiet. Two people¡¯s shadows were walking in the darkness. ¡°They were all Westerners, flying in from Demophos. The Empress seems to be nning something unusual.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what she always does.¡± Achilleon replied as he hurried down the corridor. ¡°Her Highness is already trying to be emperor, and she is devoting herself to it.¡± ¡°Nursing a sick person is a tearful effort for those who hate it to death.¡± Achilleon chuckled. The fact that the Emperor of Demophos was ill was a top secret. The emperor, who had been in good health, copsed once, and after several seizures, his body had be quite weak. ¡°As long as this peace agreement is sessfullypleted and you return home, there will be no more shaking from Her Majesty.¡± ¡°..Is that right?¡± Achilleon gave a somewhat hushedugh. ¡°We¡¯ve incorporated half of the continent into our territory, and we¡¯ve signed an agreement with the key city of Land on terms favorable to Demophos. We can¡¯t form alliances with other nations, so I¡¯m sure that¡¯s what you want, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The words thrown by Achilleon startled Count Burns. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want a war.¡± Earl Burns shook his head, drawing arge cross in front of his chest. ¡°I just want to go home and sleep.¡± ¡°Of course you do.¡± With that, Achilleon smiled again, this time inwardly. Count Burns, who could not hide the awkwardness in his expression, lowered his hands and spoke softly to him. ¡°It¡¯s strange.¡± ¡°What is it? ¡°Why are you being so hard on me?¡± Count Burns looked at Achilleon curiously. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re hungry for a woman. You¡¯re surrounded by women who will strip naked and jump on you at any moment.¡± ¡°I never did.¡± ¡°No, Your Highness, is there anyone?¡± ¡°No.¡± Achilleon said decisively, and Count Burns said, ¡°Yes, yes.¡± ¡°Just hold her gently and soothe her if you like, why ¡­.¡± ¡°I am being gentle.¡± ¡°What?¡± Count Burns asked back with a puzzled look on his face at Achilleon¡¯s reply. ¡°But she still tries to run away.¡± Achilleon said with a bright smile. ¡°So I had no choice but to snatch it.¡± *TL: The conversation is very confusing. I couldn¡¯t make it any clearer. I apologize.* *** ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Rayburn said after bandaging Hazel¡¯s ankle. ¡°I gave you some painkillers, so you should feel better after a good night¡¯s sleep.¡± The court physician was called in the middle of the night and treated Hazel¡¯s leg without a singleint. He didn¡¯t even ask where or how she got injured. ¡°Thanks, by the way. ¡­..¡± ¡°You have to be careful going down the stairs.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Hazel looked at Mary, and Mary shrugged and looked at the court physician. ¡°Thank you. Rayburn.¡± Mary said, ¡°Ever since she was a child, she loved to y around and got scolded by the Queen. She told her to keep her nobility.¡± ¡°Every time I did that, Rayburn, you healed me, and that¡¯s why I¡¯m walking on both feet now.¡± Rayburn sighed deeply at Hazel¡¯s words. ¡°The pain in your ankle is less than it was when you were first injured, what is the reason?¡± Hazel nodded. ¡°Someone gave you first aid treatment? The pain must have been tolerable because of the cloth wrapped around your ankle.¡± ¡°It was¡­it was.¡± Goosebumps broke out all over her body as Hazel thought of the pain Achilleon had caused her when he grabbed her ankle. But in the end, it was also Achilleon who wrapped the cloth around her ankle that relieved the pain. ¡°I¡¯m going back now. Please take your medicine on time.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± When Rayburn left, Hazel was relieved. After Mary had cleaned up the bedding, pulled the covers up to Hazel¡¯s neck, and spilled a few small words and left, her room became quiet. It waste and the prescribed sleeping pills and painkillers were making her drowsy, but she didn¡¯t sleep well. ¡°But next time, you will take it off yourself. That mask. This dress.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t say anything when Achilleon revealed his naked possessiveness. It was because of the memory that meshed precisely with a point in the past. ¡°Why?¡± ¡®I came back to try to change that past. To avoid a bloody future. But, why do I feel like I¡¯m trapped in a predetermined wheel of fate?¡¯ Before, Achilleon had shown a strange liking for her from the moment he first met her. He wanted her for himself, but he didn¡¯t kneel down and beg for her love. He just waited for her toe to him. He acted as if it was a set procedure. ¡°You wille to be held in my arms. Hazel.¡± He said to Hazel. Despite her refusal to push him away each time, Achilleon courted her relentlessly. In the end, it was Hazel, who walked into his arms herself. And she was his, just as he had said she would be. And from that day on, everything began to fall apart. Chapter 30 Inmemoration of the second anniversary of Emperor Achilleon Pines Demophos¡¯ enthronement, the establishment ceremony was held on a considerablyrge scale. It has been the fourth day since Hazel visited the imperial pce in Demophos as a congrattory delegacy of the Land. ¡°Wow, the Imperial Pce of this Empire is really different in size. There¡¯s no end to this even if I keep walking and walking.¡± Mary said while hand-fanning herself. ¡°The territory is huge, and there are many more people living here. The size is different.¡± Hazel replied as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. They looked around at the size of the pce that was bigger than what they had expected, and were also astonished at the garden¡¯s size that seemed to have no end even if they kept walking and walking. ¡°Phew, it has two different temperatures so it makes it a lot harder. I brought an umbre and a shawl because I thought it would be cold if it rains.¡± Mary gripped the shawl and umbre tightly in one of her hands. ¡°So who told you to carry it?¡± ¡°You never know, the rain might pour out all of a sudden. There was a strike of thunder and lightning in the clear sky yesterday.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather get rained on.¡± ¡°Then what if you catch a cold? His Majesty The Emperor would be worried.¡± Mary was startled at Hazel¡¯s response while saying that, but closed her mouth at her re. But she did so for a moment as well, and soon began to turn the conversation to other topics. ¡°The distance between each pce is so far, so it¡¯ll take at least half a day to look around one by one. I thought the Royal Pce of Land was pretty big, but ifpared to this¡­¡± Mary, who had been babbling on and on once again, closed her mouth. ¡°I apologize.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s true. If Land was to bepared with Demophos, Land is simr to a countryside.¡± Because it was a fact that the capital of Demophos was equivalent to the entire territory of Land. ¡°But still, thanks to the Emperor¡¯s invitation, I¡¯m still excited to see the Imperial Pce.¡± ¡°I am d you¡¯re excited as well.¡± Hazelughed helplessly at Mary¡¯s delightful voice. Emperor Achilleon sent invitations to each country ahead of the Demophos¡¯ establishment ceremony. Two invitations arrived in Land. One belonged to Hazel, and the other belonged to Lorette. ¡°Demophos invited both princesses to this establishment ceremony.¡± King Ileos said as he sat Hazel and Lorette next to each other. ¡°Be especially careful of your actions. You two represent the kingdom, so go and fulfill your duties as a celebratory delegacy in order to protect your dignity and not to be reprimanded.¡± Unlike most of the time when he usually sent just the invitations, the reason for mentioning the names of those who would attend was the silent pressure to make sure that particr person was going to attend. ¡°¡­what is he invoking us for?¡± She didn¡¯t want toe to the Empire. Achilleon¡¯s intention of inviting her and bringing her here was not pure at all no matter how much she thought about it. ¡°Well it¡¯s not like he did this because he wanted to see Your Highness again¡­¡± Mary closed her mouth again when Hazel stared at her. ¡°My mouth is very reckless, oh gosh.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it? Every time hees to Land for all sorts of excuses, he would be looking for Her Highness ¡­.¡± ¡°Mary! Close that mouth.¡± ¡°How much do you think he wanted to see you this time that he called you under the pretext of an establishment ceremony? The quarter amodated for Your Highness is also famous for being the most beautiful in the pce!¡± Mary fled away while spitting out the rest of her words in case she got caught by Hazel. Achilleon openly showered her with all kinds of favors. After arriving at the Imperial Pce, he continued to stay by her side throughout the ball and celebration that followed for three days. ¡°The courtdies also treat Your Highness differently. As if they are attending to the next empress¡­.¡± ¡°There are so many outstanding countries. But I will only remain and marry as Princess of the Land.¡± Hazel cut her words off tly. Even now, she knew that there were endless letters everyday sent to the emperor from various countries to select candidates for the empress position. ¡°But still, he is so nice to you.¡± ¡°If I were you, I would have asked him to marry me earlier.¡± Achilleon did not propose to her. Instead he said, ¡°You¡¯lle into my arms yourself, Hazel.¡± Achilleon said that thest time she met him in Land, back when he was still a Crown Prince. He told her calmly, as if to predict a rightful future. She left after shouting to him it wouldn¡¯t happen like his way and it would never, ever happen. That she would throw herself in his arms. ¡®Not even a chance.¡¯ Hazel bursted outughing just thinking about when he was at loss for words because of it. She didn¡¯t know what kind of confidence he had to be able to say that. ¡®What I love is¡­¡¯ ¡°Then why are you doing this?¡± ¡°¡­I just want to y. It¡¯s like some sort of trick to catch and y with it, dump it afterward.¡± ¡°Come on, don¡¯t tell me.¡± Mary replied as she freaked out at Hazel¡¯s answer. ¡°Why are you surprised? He doesn¡¯t have to be married to have a woman, he¡¯s the emperor anyway. Well, any woman would be excited to lie down next to him.¡± ¡°B-But you are still a princess, Your Highness¡­.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m an ordinary princess. The perfect position for a wedding sale.¡± ¡°But I think His Majesty¡¯s heart for Your Highness seemed sincere.¡± ¡°How do you know that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ if you see¡­ that. There is no other exnation than that. His Majesty has been offered for marriages to all kinds of people ever since the day he became a Crown Prince. If he¡¯s not yet married, it means there¡¯s someone that he wants.¡± ¡°¡­youprehend it in your own way.¡± Actually, there was nothing wrong with Mary¡¯s words. He made all sorts of excuses toe to Land and dropped by the Rose Pce every time he visited. Achilleon came, had a cup of tea, and gently tempted her to y chess with him, the result was a series of defeats by Hazel. He would intentionally drag on the game without catching the King, and then he would leave when he catched the King at thest minute and scratched her insides. And the next day, he provoked her by suggesting a bet hunt. Eventually, Hazel continuouslymented the fact that she had been involved with him again just by epting his request as she was motivated to win. Sometimes she didn¡¯t understand why he did that. It was just that every woman in the world wanted him, but he became curious and only thought of one woman who didn¡¯t act the same toward him. ¡°Oh, my God, even if he¡¯s not. Those eyes! You can tell if you see those eyes¡­¡± ¡°Stop it.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it simr to when Grand Duke Sisef sees Princess Lorette? I am certain that I saw¡­¡± Mary hastily pped her lips when she saw Hazel staring at her with a more horrifying look than the one she had before. Whack. Just in time, the sky began to dim as if to redeem Mary. ¡°Well¡­ I guess it¡¯s going to rain.¡± Mary looked up at the sky with anxious eyes. Dark clouds concealed of rain were seen descending from the other side of the sky. ¡°Let¡¯s go back now.¡± It was when Mary pulled Hazel¡¯s arm. Mary called Hazel over and over again when she said nothing while wondering what had happened to herdy. ¡°Your Highness?¡± Hazel¡¯s steps came to a halt while staring at a corner of the garden. The huge shock and anger were entwined on the face that turned pale at the same time. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you¡­.¡± Mary shut her mouth in surprise and turned her head toward where Hazel¡¯s gaze was. Sisef and Lorette. The two sat facing each other in a pavilion surrounded by flowers. The hands that were holding each other tenderly and the eyes that looked at each other affectionately were shy. ¡°Stop, let¡¯s go back.¡± Mary grabbed Hazel, but she shook off her hand without any hesitation and walked to where they were. The two continued the conversation while looking at each other without even realizing that Hazel was near. ¡°I can wait.¡± Lorette said to Sisef as she shyly lowered her eyes. ¡°When my sister¡¯s marriage partner has been decided, I will tell my father. I¡¯ll also feel awkward until then ¡­.¡± ¡°Lorette, Hazel would be so happy to have a sister like you.¡± Sisef smiled and swept Lorette¡¯s hair to the back of her ears. When Lorette raised her head, both of their attention happened to meet heatedly in the air. The two people who were clung to each other at first, then began to covet each other after they had kissed. Having witnessed the scene with both of her eyes, Hazel stepped back and rushed out to the opposite side. The scene she just saw was ying without an end inside her mind. She knew it. Sisef chose Lorette, but he just couldn¡¯t propose to Lorette because he was worried about her. She could tell even if he didn¡¯t listen or talk about it. There was no more of herself in their world. She waspletely pushed out of the picture. She felt as if she had never existed in their world from the start, as if she had be a nobody in everyone¡¯s eyes. Hazel quickly left the garden. Raindrops began to fall one by one from the cloudy sky. Mary seemed to be looking for her in the distance, but she just kept walking ahead. Raindrops that fell on her forehead then came down through her eyes, hanging on his eyshes, and then fell to the floor. The falling speed of the rain and the size of the raindrops were growing bigger, so Hazel was soon greeted by the falling rain. Her entire body got wet in an instant. The green silk dress clung to her body, and her ck hair had gotten wet and the bottom part hung low. Nevertheless, Hazel¡¯s slow steps didn¡¯t fasten. Meanwhile, the rain gradually turned into heavy rain. ¡°Your Highness!¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The direction of the sound was also obscured by the sound of rain, so she couldn¡¯t figure out who the owner of the voice was. Hazel continued to walk unconsciously like a wounded doll. ¡°Your Highness! I¡¯ve been looking for you for a while!¡± Mary spotted her from a distance and rushed over her with an umbre in hand. ¡°Oh my God! You¡¯re all wet. What if you catch a cold¡­.¡± Mary held the umbre over Hazel¡¯s head and draped the shawl over her shoulder. She had already be so wet that it was meaningless for the umbre to be put on her head, but Mary was eager to put it on so that her owner wouldn¡¯t get anymore wet. ¡°It¡¯s cold, isn¡¯t it? The rain has been falling down on you a lot, so let¡¯s go back¡­¡± The shawl that was barely draped on Hazel¡¯s shoulder then slid to the floor. It was when Mary hurriedly bent down to pick up the shawl. ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon me?¡± Mary asked while blocking the rain hitting on her face mercilessly with her palm. ¡°I said I don¡¯t need it.¡± Tsk, Hazel quickly got out from under the umbre. ¡°What if you catch a cold, Your Highness? Your Highness!¡± Hazel was getting irritated while lifting the hem of the dress around her legs, and soon walked along the trail where there were puddles of rain everywhere. ¡°Lorette, Hazel would be so happy to have a sister like you.¡± She couldn¡¯t believe that words didn¡¯te from others, but Sissef¡¯s mouth instead. What, how. Knowing how much she hated Lorette, and how angry she was every time she found out they were together. Even knowing all of that, Sisef still said such a thing. Did he think he would be really happy with Lorette¡¯s small consideration? Unlike her body that was cooled down by the rain, the inside of her head grew hotter and hotter. Chapter 31 ¡°Your Highness, please stop!¡± Even though the puddle sshed all over the ce at her steps as she walked ahead without a slightest sense of carefulness, Hazel continued her steps without paying any attention to it. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Mary ran as if she was out of breath and put back the umbre above her head. ¡°It¡¯s raining so hard! I don¡¯t know where you¡¯re going, but please stop for a while¡­¡± ¡°Get out of my way.¡± ¡°Pardon me?¡± ¡°I said get out of my way.¡± Hazel red at Mary who blocked her and proceeded to push her away. Mary, who blocked her, ended up tumbling backward because of the unbelievably strong force that came from her slender arms. ¡°Argh!¡± The wind also knocked Mary¡¯s umbre in her hand down into the puddle. After she looked up at Hazel for a brief moment, then Mary was busy picking up her umbre and getting up, while Hazel rushed back to the rain without any hesitation. When her heels got stuck in the wet soil, Hazel attempted to move her feet several times before leaving her shoes there and walked barefoot. As she walked while listening to the thunder, she suddenly remembered the time when she went hunting with Achilleon. Hazel said when she saw a deer shivering pathetically and with its leg missing. ¡°Why don¡¯t you let that pathetic animal escape?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll think about it if you agree to get married with me.¡± When he turned toward Hazel, he raised his hands when he saw her pointing a gun toward him and said, ¡°Surrender.¡± Achilleon¡¯s spite was reaching the point where it got twisted, but she still even recalled him having a well-shaped mouth. What would he say now if he happened to see her in this kind of situation? Hazel smiled like crazy and quickened her steps. Rumble. The lightning shed and followed by the thunder roaring loudly. asional screams of startled people were heard here and there, but Hazel couldn¡¯t even hear them all. *** ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Upon hearing the words of his servant, Achilleon¡¯s brow wrinkled slightly. His eyes turned out of the stormy window and came back. His attention turned toward the window which disyed stormy and ferocious rain. ¡°Do you want her to go back? Your Majesty said it is the time for you to have a nap, but she said you must meet her¡­¡± The servant said to him nervously while wondering if she shouldn¡¯t have said it to her superior. The emperor had just finished taking a bath because he got caught in an unexpected rain while riding the horse. ¡°I shall tell her to go back. Then¡­.¡± At those words, Achilleon stood up without saying anything and walked toward the door. When the servants who stood in front of the door immediately noticed his presence and opened the door for him, Achilleon then saw the woman¡¯s back standing in the meeting room. The carpet had turned dark due to the water that was dripping down around the woman as she had been soaked in rain. The originally small woman looked even smaller because she had gotten wet. Her green dress was so wet that it seemed almost ck, and thick drops of water also dripped down from her ck hair. ¡°I¡¯d believe it if you said you had just walked out of the pceke a moment ago.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel slowly turned around and faced the Emperor who was looking at her. Achilleon¡¯s face seemed to turn to be more serious perhaps because she had been rained on and her eyes had turned wet. ¡°I am here to see you, Your Majesty.¡± She greeted him with an absent-minded look and even without bending her knees. Achilleon looked closely at Hazel¡¯s face, as if she had been losing her mind somewhere. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°So that¡¯s the way it is.¡± Hazel didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°The pce where The Princess is staying would be in the opposite direction from here. Did you get lost or something?¡± Hazel answered the question thrown by Achilleon toward her while blinking nkly. ¡°Because ¡­the rain is pouring down.¡± Hazel¡¯s thin body was shaking. It was because the body that got soaked in the rain cooled down quickly and took away her body heat. The flesh revealed outside the dress was so white that it almost looked somewhat blue. The appearance of Achilleon¡¯s neck moving vividly caught her eyes. But he didn¡¯t even move just a bit from where he was originally standing. Hazel raised her head and looked up at Achilleon. She felt a warm atmosphere emanated from him as if he had just done washing up. Her eyes fell on the golden hair that was slightly wet, and the firm muscles could be seen through the gap in the loosely-tied robe. Looking up at the man who filled thisrge room with his presence, Hazel raised his hand and hugged himself in the inevitable cold. However, that alone wasn¡¯t enough to warm up her body which had already gotten cold. ¡°So you came here to avoid the rain?¡± ¡°I¡­.¡± Hazel bit her lips, not trying to answer. When her white-cold lips was bitten deeply, the red light shone and disappeared instantly. Achilleon¡¯s neck seemed to move vividly once again. His stiff and tense neck muscles trembled slightly, but his eyes were still tainted with dull light. When he looked into those eyes, Hazel somehow felt thirsty. Even though she got all soaked, instead she felt as if she was walking in the middle of a hot desert. Perhaps because of her mood, but her mouth just wouldn¡¯t stop drying up. ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°Then get out of the rain. The imperial pce isrge enough for the guests who came to escape from the rain and take rest.¡± Achilleon turned away after stopping her from answering. The door opened promptly, and he was just about to step back into his room again. ¡°¡­¡­!¡± Hazel ran in a sh and clung right onto his back. ¡°¡­it¡¯s cold.¡± Her slender arms filled with additional strength were wrapped around his waist like a vine. Her thin white hands and arms stole his attention. Achilleon didn¡¯t move from his ce. It wasn¡¯t because he couldn¡¯t untie the tightly wrapped arms around his waist. It wasn¡¯t even because her thin and trembling body touched his firm one. ¡°It¡¯s cold, Your Majesty.¡± Unlike her cold body, her breath was hot. As the warm breath on his back tickled him, Achilleon turned his body around slowly. Her tearful eyes were gazing up at him. Her lips that turned blue moved slightly toward him. She slowly opened her mouth without avoiding his gaze which looked down at her gently. ¡°I would like to be your handmaiden¡­ Let me be with you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t want to go back to Land.¡± The moment her tears were mixed with the rain flowed down her cold cheeks. The man who had turned his back quickly pulled her against him. ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± The moment her arm was loosened, Hazel was devoured in the arms of the man who had been swooping her like a tidal wave. His strong grip was on the back of her head and pressed it against his. He chewed her lips hard while squeezing his burning tongue inside her mouth. It was useless trying to free herself with her heavy breathing at that moment. Her wet body pressed against him and clung tightly to him, controlled only by the power of the man who devoured her relentlessly. ¡°Ungh, umhh.¡± Body of the man who hugged her wasrge and hot. Unlike his cold-blooded face, his whole body was growing hot. Her body, which was cold like the skin of a snake, quickly began to heat up in an instant. ¡°Your High¡­ uhmh.¡± The man who was out of breath then turned the angle of his head and began to devour her inside deeper than before. The man¡¯s energy was both fierce and affectionate. Hazel¡¯s body began to melt like a sweet chocte that had just been heated after his tongue entered deep, trampled her inside without any mercy and then sucked it gently and soothingly afterward. Her weak hand instinctively gave him small forces, trying to push his hard body away. ¡°Don¡¯t whine.¡± When Hazel raised her head at the sound of a smallugh, the visible red line severely scratches were drawn straight along hisrge and hard pectoral muscle and The Emperor¡¯s nightdress hade loose due to her wildly shaken hands. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Hazel¡¯s face turned red in embarrassment. At the same time, some memories about a moment ago came back to her mind. ¡°I-I¡¯m¡­¡± Her dark green eyes shook loudly and turned away to get out of his arms. At the same time, her body lifted up. With no time to scream, the blood was drained out of Hazel¡¯s face. Achilleon held her in his arms and headed for the bedroom. The door they walked through looked like the jaw of a monster, and Hazel swallowed loudly thinking about it. Thud. When the door behind his back finally closed, the bedroom waspletely blocked from the outside. The emperor¡¯s bed was filled only with both of their breathing sounds. Hazel forgot how to breathe while they were walking to a huge bed that was supported by carved marble pirs. The distance from the door to the bed was pretty considerable. The small body in his broad arms curled up more and more nervously, and the emperor¡¯s arms that supported Hazel were protruding out. Standing on the edge of the bed, Achilleon thenid down Hazel on the white sheet. When her wet body came in contact, the sheet immediately turned dark. After putting her down, Achilleon, who kept his eyes on her, proceeded to throw off his nightgown. Hazel looked at the man with her eyes wide open. A creature created by special care of God was alive and breathing right in front of her eyes. The smooth-shaped muscles held the dignity of the ruler. Firmly tightened back muscles, beautifully ved arms, chest, and abdominal muscles. She didn¡¯t know that such a body was hidden under the tailored uniform that he always wore neatly. Suddenly frightened, Hazel faltered and stepped back from him. She felt like her mind that had been blown away for a while finally came back. ¡°You started it.¡± As he drew near Hazel, her body was gripped with instinctive fear. The bed was wide, but there was no way to escape from him. Hazel was quickly dragged down by his ankle as she gasped for breath, and Achilleon¡¯s mouth which elongated widely. He was clearly far from being affectionate. He was thirsty. Her whole body was wet, but she didn¡¯t like it. The thirst that began when she came to his bedroom and faced him seemed to be getting worse. ¡°You maye here with your feet, but you won¡¯t be able to walk with those feet of yours when you are finally able to get out.¡± ¡°Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Cause I¡¯m not going to let you walk.¡± Chapter 32 Achilleon, who threatened her in a cold voice, came closer again to sh their lips. ¡°Ungh¡­ Your Highness.¡± Hazel was overwhelmed by his violent force as she fought and tried to avoid his attack by moving her head from side to side. ¡°Why, have youe to your senses now?¡± He held a smile in his mouth as if the situation were the same as earlier. ¡°What should you do, Hazel?¡± ¡°It¡¯s toote.¡± He smilednguidly. Hazel finally realized what she had done once she saw that face. No one could save her by this time. He was never the type to let go of the prey that finally walked into his arms with their own feet. ¡°Your Highness, Your¡­ Ugh¡­.¡± Achilleon lowered his head and buried his face in Hazel¡¯s neck. His lips went down without hesitation, passing through her earlobe, the nape of her neck, and corbone. ¡°Don¡¯t cry.¡± He said while licking the tears that ran down on her cheeks. ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to stop here.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to give yourself to mepletely.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m¡­.¡± Achilleon grabbed Hazel¡¯s chin when she was trying to push him away again and made her looked up at him. ¡°What did you see, Hazel?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± With his dark blue eyes asking incisive questions, Hazel stopped all resistance she hadunched to break away from him. ¡°What the hell did you see that you came here while looking so dumbfounded, huh?¡± His gentle and amused voice reminded Hazel of the scene that unfolded before her eyes in the garden a while ago. Sisef and Lorette fell into their own world to the point they didn¡¯t care about her existence there. ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡± Her white and firm lips began to be tinged with color as soon as Achilleon nibbled on it. ¡°Achilleon.¡± Achilleon looked at Hazel as if he was a little surprised and smiled at her. ¡°You¡¯ve never called me by my name before.¡± His smiling face with the voice smeared with deep ecstasy. ¡°Disgracefully.¡± Contrary to what he said, a faint smile spread on his lips. Hazel¡¯s tearful eyes looked at him. ¡°¡­Achilleon.¡± Achilleon¡¯s mouth was curved upward when she called him one more time. ¡°Give me a hug.¡± Hazel whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Tears that were dripping down her cheeks dampened her chest. ¡°Please¡­¡± She kept thinking of Sisef and Lorette kissing passionately whenever she closed her eyes. ¡°So I won¡¯t¡­ be able to think of anything.¡± The moment when the arms that embraced her were in full strength. Scrack. The wet dress was torn apart mercilessly by Achilleon¡¯s hands. Hazel gasped breathlessly as she wasying under him at that moment. Hazel shuddered and hugged Achilleon when her wet body came into contact with his hot one. The warmth felt really good that it burrowed into her like crazy. ¡°Achilleon, Achilleon¡­.¡± Hazel cried while wriggling her body around whenever the man poured kisses and she called his name over and over. Achilleon with the obvious face as a ruler, a strong and beautiful man whose body was situated over her and then he lowered his body against her. Ah, well. Hazel smiled with watery eyes. A face that only desired and looked at her. She even liked this kind of brief illusion. If she could cut off the thought about Sisef only for a moment with this. Hazel stretched out her hand again, and Achilleon responded by reaching and digging deeply into her. He grabbed Hazel¡¯s hand that was trying to push his body away and kissed each knuckle of her finger while she was squirming in pain. ¡°How pretty you are being like this.¡± Even among the continuous rough gestures, he coaxed her with his talking manner which was as sweet and gentle as ever. ¡°Gasp¡­¡± Hazel cried while clinging to him, and even in the rtionship that built between them, she still threw herself at him, putting everything aside. Hazel woke up from her deadly sleep. She wondered how much time had passed. The sound of rain could no longer be heard. Single groan automatically escaped Hazel¡¯s mouth when she felt pains all over her body. Even though she had woken up from her sleep, her body couldn¡¯t move freely. Because of Achilleon who was asleep with his arms wrapped around her body. Their bodies were covered by the white sheets. It was clear evidence that everything happened in this bedroom wasn¡¯t a dream. Hazel looked at Achilleon¡¯s face quietly in the dark. The shadow was visible as a result of his long eyshes beneath his closed eyes. Hazel turned a little to get out of his arms. It was when she took off his steel-like arms that were wrapped around her and untied his fingers carefully. ¡°What are you doing?¡± His previously closed eyes opened slowly. Overwhelmed by the blue eyes from eyelids that just opened, Hazel flinched and shuddered. ¡°I guess I fell asleep while waiting for you to wake up.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Hazel dragged the sheets to cover herself with an embarrassed face. There was a dark smile on Achilleon¡¯s lips looking at the hand that worked hard to hide her body from him. ¡°But even so you woke up earlier than me.¡± Hazel¡¯s face became even redder when she realized what hisnguid smile meant. The two were covered by the same sheet, and the fabric that was covering Achilleon¡¯s body wasing off little by little every time Hazel groaned and pulled on the sheet toward her. Perhaps because he woke upter than her, Achilleon looked messy, his side which she had never seen before. His naturally disheveled hair on his forehead and half-closed eyes reminded her of a defenseless beast. His rxed state when knowing that no one would harm him. It was possible for Achilleon to do that because this was his own ce. Hazel has spent a long time looking at the body and face of the beautiful face with a fascinated look on her face. ¡°What are you looking at with that kind of look?¡± Hazel came back to her senses at Achilleon¡¯s question. He was looking at her with an interesting look. By the time Hazel realized that she had gawked at him while observing him thoroughly, she just wanted to find and enter a hole. But there was no other choice. She was enraptured by Achilleon¡¯s appearance, which was different from his usual cold and elegant appearance. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll go now.¡± ¡°What?¡± He asked her with an exasperated smile. ¡°I said I¡¯m going now.¡± Hazel said again in a firm tone because Achilleon didn¡¯t seem to take her words seriously. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because¡­ I¡¯m done with this.¡± He took her as he pleased. He hugged Hazel greedily, and now his time hade to an end. Hazel was thinking about the price for what he had done to her. The princess of another country threw herself into the emperor¡¯s arms. It was an intercourse without marriage. Even if the emperor treated her simply as his one-night-stand partner, she didn¡¯t have a say in this kind of situation. She dishonored her own reputation andmitted a disgraceful act at the event she had attended under the name of her kingdom. ¡°You said you would like to be my handmaiden.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Then go.¡± He said with a drowsy smile. Hazel looked for her dress hastily, but sighed when she found it far away from her. Then she covered herself with her hands while gathering the sheets together around her body as much as possible. In the meantime, he¡¯s been watching her like he was about to stab her in the back. She could feel Achilleon¡¯s gaze. Hazel tried to ignore it as she finally got down to the floor. ¡°Ack¡­¡± Her legs held no strength. Hazel copsed on the floor with a thud. ¡°I told you, Hazel.¡± He got up from the bed with a rxed smile. As the daunting body that had been tossing around along with her approaching, Hazel had no choice but to withdraw as much as she could. His touch on Hazel¡¯s cheeks were soft. She quivered like a captured bird. ¡°You can¡¯t walk out of this bedroom.¡± Achilleon held Hazel, who was tangled inside the sheets and took her back to bed without any hindrance. He gently grabbed her frantic hand andid Hazel under his body. When Hazel was pushed into him without warning, she clutched the sheets under her while bending her body. ¡°Hazel.¡± She was out of breath when he sunk in her ear. ¡°Look at me.¡± Hazel looked up at him pressing down on her with hisrge body. ¡°I¡¯ll give you everything you want. In exchange¡­.¡± Achilleon, who etched himself deeply into her, told her while clenching his teeth. ¡°You¡¯ll have to give your everything to me.¡± ¡°Ah, ahh¡­.¡± The Crown Prince¡¯s bed was filled with the groans of Hazel. Her breath weakened for a brief moment and soon continued again precipitously followed by the Crown Prince¡¯s harsh movement again. She didn¡¯t know whether it was day or night. No light had pervaded into the bedroom. When was thest time she visited the emperor¡¯s bed recklessly? One day? Two days? A few days should¡¯ve passed already. But in Hazel¡¯s mind, it was impossible for her to even count the days properly. To be exact, it was because Achilleon pushed her into his bedroom without giving her a chance to escape. After crying in his arms, she lost consciousness and fell asleep as if she was dead, then she started again ever since the moment she woke up. In between, the sincerity of pushing anything into her mouth and feeding her to keep her physical strength not dropping down from time to time was heart-wrenching. As he said, she wouldn¡¯t be able to walk out of the room, because Hazel had a hard time standing on the floor, let alone walking on her own. ¡°Did you step into my bedroom without much determination?¡± She was afraid of those green eyes. Until now, it was hard to tell how long and how far they were going. What the hell was he trying to do with her? Meanwhile, Achilleon has never proposed to her. ¡°Do you want to go back?¡± Hazel shook her head unconsciously. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back ¡­to Land.¡± It would be such a terrible thing if she did that. The people of the kingdom would know what they had done. From the moment she stepped out of the door, it was hell for her. When she returned to the pce, she might be whipped by the king and imprisoned in the tower all the time. Lorette, on the other hand, would lead a happy life by marrying the Grand Duke Sisef. She had to see it all with her own eyes. After Hazel became miserable and being the only one left, Lorette would be happier than ever after she left the pce. It was hard to hold back the tears gathered in Hazel¡¯s eyes when all kinds of fears surged into her at once. All the talks of people in the imperial family would sound seriously annoyed by Hazel¡¯s presence. She didn¡¯t want to face that kind of reality. ¡°I¡¯ll do anything ¡­so that you let me stay by your side.¡± Chapter 33 * * * ¡°Anything?¡± He asked back as if he was pleased to hear it. His dark blue eyes looked at her as if he was going to hypnotize her, then she stated her answer as if she were possessed. ¡°¡­anything, Your Majesty.¡± Hazel nodded her head slowly. She couldn¡¯t help but be servile toward him. Because there was only one person she could depend on for now, that was Achilleon. No one could ignore her position if she became the woman of Emperor Demophos, a person who everyone feared and looked up to. Even if she wouldn¡¯t be the empress. Since the empress position was currently vacant, if she gave birth to a prince before that, she may be crowned as the empress. Of course, everything was in the hands of Achilleon to decide. And above all that. She could order Sisef and Lorette around so they wouldn¡¯t forget her existence. She really wanted to stand on a higher ce than them so she would be able to look down on them. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you are thinking about,¡± Achilleon smiled sweetly as he held Hazel¡¯s chin and turned it to face him. ¡°But you have to know that you can¡¯t reverse what you had said with your own mouth by now.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel¡¯s big green eyes were filled withplete fear when she looked at him. Hazel was frightened by the sensation of the tip of his tongue licking on her earlobe as if to soothe her. ¡°And I wouldn¡¯t share you with anyone else.¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ umph.¡± ¡°Youpletely belong to me. If you ept it, you can achieve everything you want.¡± Hazel moaned deeply as Achilleon¡¯s firm body came closer to her. She nodded her head as if she was getting crazy when he demanded from her. She didn¡¯t have any other options anyway. Because she chose to be his woman on her own.¡± ¡°I will.¡± ¡°Again.¡± ¡°That¡­ I will do as you- umph.¡± His lips roughly crashed against her, dominating her in an instant. When their bodies touched each other again, Hazel inhaled as she was out of breath already. Once again, two people who had be a clump fell onto the bed. ¡°You¡¯re mine, aren¡¯t you?¡± He repeated the same question over and over again, as if he was demanding confirmation from her. Each time, Hazel simply answered with yes while just obeying him. ¡°Yes, yes¡­ umph!¡± The movementsted beyond what she could handle. He still unted a huge impact for Hazel. Even if she was going to spend countless nights with him, she didn¡¯t think she would get used to this. ¡°Slowly¡­ slowly, please. Ungh¡­..¡± When Hazel finally cried and clung on to him, the speed that seemed to slow down a bit was quickened by him again. The result was the opposite of what Hazel had been wanting, forcing her to cry louder. Hazel cried out andmented throughout the night before falling asleep under the strong but affectionate touches and gestures. The next day, Hazel suddenly felt an unfamiliar air after she woke up from her sleep. Something seemed off today. She somehow seemed to feel the cold air, but when she woke up, the warmth that had always surrounded her was gone. There was no feeling of the arms that hugged her tightly as if it was tying around her body. She felt a strange feeling of emptiness when her arms and legs, which had been stubbornly entangled, all disappeared. Having adapted to such feelings even though just a few days have passed by, Hazel felt strangely empty. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± When she lifted up her heavy eyelids, she could see a bright light pouring into the previously dark bedroom. All of the curtains in the bedroom which had blocked the ray of sunlight seemed to have been pulled off. There was no piercing light because the curtains on the bed had gently blocked it. She closed and opened her eyes again several times while looking around the brightened surrounding. When she got used to the light, she realized that the seat next to her, which had been upied all the time, was empty. There was no sign of Achilleon anywhere on the wide bed. Without him, the already wide bed looked even wider, and Hazel shivered with an even greater feeling of emptiness. Achilleon left her in bed alone. What was that simple and clear fact trying to tell her now? Did he be tired of her now? So he left after he felt satisfied with her, so he thought that¡¯s enough and left her alone. She sighed deeply when an unknown emptiness came all the way to one corner of her heart. ¡°Have you woken up?¡± Hazel leapt up and sat herself down at the sounding across the bed curtain. The window curtains were pulled away, which meant someone hade in, but she didn¡¯t know there was also someone else in the bedroom. ¡°W-Who¡­!¡± The voice outside the curtain was heard again, the frightened Hazel hurriedly gathered sheets around her to cover her naked body. ¡°May I draw away the curtains?¡± ¡°¡­yes.¡± Hazel unknowingly answered to the person with an utterly polite speaking manner and voice. After some time, the curtains surrounding the bed were drawn away and she couldn¡¯t close her mouth to the view before her. This was because the maids were on their knees, sitting around the bed and bowing their heads. ¡°Everyone¡­ Who¡­¡± They all didn¡¯t lift and kept bowing their heads. No one made eye contact with Hazel, it was as if they didn¡¯t dare to do so. Upon closer inspection, they were all holding something in their hands. It was a perfectly prepared outfit, including dresses, shoes and even underwear. There were also maids holding colorful essories such as nes, earrings, and bracelets. They were all used by the imperial family, not supposed to be used as everyday¡¯s attire. It wasn¡¯t until she saw the essories that were decorated with intricate and delicate craftsmanship that could be only used by the empress, jewelries adorned by expensive gems that were emitting sparkling light under the pouring sunlight. A dazzling bright diamond crown wasid in the middle. In the center of the crown was a golden griffin with arge diamond inside its mouth. ¡°What ¡­is this.¡± It was when she murmured absent-mindedly. Then the woman who seemed to have the highest-ranking among the maids spoke. There was nothing in her hand. ¡°My name is Lize, the head of the Imperial Pce¡¯s handmaiden. Your Majesty sent me to attend to the Empress.¡± ¡°The Empress¡­?¡± To Hazel, who spoke with a puzzled face, the maid of honor continued. The handmaiden continued when Hazel mumbled with a bewildered face. ¡°May I raise my head?¡± Hazel nodded at her polite question. ¡°¡­¡­Please raise your head.¡± When Hazel said that, the handmaiden raised her head and bowed to Hazel to show her respect. ¡°What happened to me? Please exin for a bit¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Her Majesty. His Majesty will announce the Princess of Land, Miss Hazel as the Queen of the Demophos Empire today.¡± ¡°What?¡± Hazel asked back, wondering if she had heard it wrong. ¡°What did you say, now?¡± ¡°Your Majesty The Empress, you are now the owner of the empress position. Congrattions.¡± As the handmaiden knelt down on her knees and bowed her head even lower, other maidens also followed suit. Hazel¡¯s gaze fell on the luxurious crown. She could tell at a single nce that the crown wasn¡¯t just used to make her look good and pretty. But she still couldn¡¯t believe that she had be an empress. It happened too suddenly in just one day. Hazel couldn¡¯t guess Achilleon¡¯s intentions at all. Since Achilleon became the emperor, many have wondered who would upy the empress position that was next to him. The influential noble families of Demophos, and royal princesses from other continents, were keenly aiming for that position. The list of dowries they would bring was also extravagant. Fortresses in the important point, beautiful castles and even gold coins. Achilleon could pick any of them. As the emperor, he was able to make the most profitable choice for the Demophos Empire. However, Land was rtively small territory and not particrly wealthypared to other countries. At least the reason why he chose her was not because of those. Then for what reason¡­ ¡®Really, me?¡¯ She remembered what Mary said when teasing her. If he was really sincere about being with her, and that he has a great ambition. ¡°His Majesty is waiting for Your Majesty. I¡¯ve prepared some water for washing up, so I¡¯ll help with the makeup after Your Majesty took a bath.¡± Hazel was surprised when the maid talked to her while her mind was still wandering everywhere. ¡°Th-then¡­¡± The other maids approached Hazel, who was still sitting in a daze after the handmaiden beckoned at them. ¡°Help Her Majesty wash up first.¡± Hazel went into the bathroom led by the gentle touch, sat in the bathtub and bathed while being served by the maids. It felt strange for her to sit in the emperor¡¯s bathroom alone. She has been with Achilleon all the time when she was here. He had personally attended to her ever since he locked Hazel inside his bedroom. Washing was one of the things he did for Hazel. When she opened her eyes after being hugged like crazy, she was sat in the bathtub and he left her as soon as she started washing up. Most of the time she was either dozing off or just half-awake, so she couldn¡¯t even remember how big the bathroom was or what the bathtub looked like, therefore the current sight felt unfamiliar to her. When she hade out of the bath, it was time for her to be dressed up with the outfit and essories she saw that were brought by the maids earlier. She has never enjoyed wearing such a luxurious dress as the princess of Land. Now that she thought about it, the people of Demophos who came to Land were all dressed up in luxurious attire. Lize said while looking at Hazel who was momentarily embarrassed by her luxurious attire. ¡°Oh, the people of Demophos tend to dress morevishly than people of Land. This is nothingpared to the robes Your Majesty will wear for your coronation.¡± She was going to wear something more luxurious than this? ¡°All of these essories are only made and used by the empress. No one can put it on.¡± Lize carefully picked up the ne with the red velvet gemsid over it and fastened it around Hazel¡¯s neck. Her earlobe was then filled with earrings and bracelets on her wrist. It was the first time for her, a princess, to see such a luxurious essory. ¡°You¡¯re done.¡± Thest thing left to wear was the Empress¡¯s crown adorned with golden griffin. The maids left it in front of the mirror and walked out of the room. Chapter 34 When she was left alone, Hazel looked at herself in the mirror. They made her more luxurious and also adorned beautifully than ever. It wasn¡¯t just on her appearance, but she also had the dignity of the empress. ¡°Are you satisfied with it?¡± As she tried to turn her head to the direction of the sudden voice, arge hand held her head and aimed it to the front. She could see Achilleon approaching her through the mirror. Achilleon was also dressed in the emperor¡¯s uniform. From the dazzling white uniform down to the cape that was dragging on the floor, it was a perfect attire for him. His chiseled forehead, nose ridge, and those dark blue eyes were clearly visible because his hair was pulled to the back. Hazel had a close look at him as if she was bewitched. The golden griffin embroidered on his sleeve as well as on his cor was magnificent. But of course, Achilleon himself was more dazzling than all of those. ¡°I am¡­ satisfied.¡± She found it harder not to be satisfied seeing him. Because what he was currently wearing wouldn¡¯t simply be converted into money. It was given to only one person, who deserved a certain honour. ¡°But is what the handmaiden said true?¡± Hazel asked while looking up at him. However, as soon as their eyes collided against each other gently, she lowered her head hurriedly again when his eyes seemed as if they were going to pierce her. Instead of answering, Achilleon picked up the crown in front of the mirror and ced it on top of Hazel¡¯s head. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± The diamond-studded crown was quite heavy. But it was extremely beautiful. ¡°So from now, this is yours, Hazel.¡± Hazel looked at herself in the mirror as if she was bewitched. Everything had been prepared. She was dressed full of dignity and elegance like an empress of the Empire. The only ce where she didn¡¯t wear anything was on her fingers. Achilleon looked down at her empty fingers and pulled a small box out of his arms. When she opened the box, there was a red jeweled ring that gave off a blinding powerful glow from inside. Next to it was a heavy tinum ring. ¡°It¡¯s a ring that had been handed down to the empress for generations.¡± Hazel looked at it with a surprised look. But something even more surprising happened after that. Plop. Hazel looked down at the man kneeling on one knee with his cape spread out. ¡°The Emperor of Demophos, Achilles Pines Demophos, proposes to the princess of the Kingdom of Land, Hazel Martina Land.¡± Hezel couldn¡¯t move even just for a bit when she saw the ring he held out onto her. It felt as if her body was stiffened and she was facing a situation that was not realistic. ¡°Are you going to just keep me kneeling in this kind of situation?¡± Hazel quickly came to her senses when he asked in a yful tone and held out her left hand to him. Achilleon watched silently how her hand was shaking when she pushed it out into the air and he slowly wrapped his hand around her. After a while, her ring finger was attached with a sparkling ring when he let go of her hand. Achilleon slowly pressed his lips over Hazel¡¯s hand which was still trembling. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve received this ring, you¡¯d better not think about anything else.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You can never return back.¡± Hazel nodded her head at him who gave out warning once again. ¡°I swear.¡± ¡°Count in my pledge as well.¡± Hazel picked up the tinum ring next to the Empress¡¯ ring and slowly inserted it into his held-out finger. Seeing the ring on each finger made her feel even more strange. From now it was really irreversible for her. It was both surprising and frightening. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Hazel looked at Achilleon¡¯s extended arm and put her hand around it softly. The banquet hall was crowded with invited guests to celebrate thest day of the establishment ceremony. They were wondering about the emperor¡¯s attitude who had not been seen for days. At the same time, the murmur quickly disappeared when the emperor finally appeared. Their gaze shifted from the emperor to the woman standing next to him, and soon surprise spread over the faces of everyone in the hall. ¡°Today¡¯s banquet was arranged to announce the Empress of Demophos. Hazel Martina Demophos, my only wife and Empress.¡± The words that came out of Achilleon¡¯s mouth triggered many noises in the wide hall at once. ¡°The only wife?¡± Various voices were hearding out among the people in the hall. ¡°Your Majesty, that means¡­¡± Hazel could feel his wrapped arm around her waist tightened. It was an iparable expression of his possessiveness. She looked through the faces of the people in the hall while being trapped in that firm arm. Delegations from each country and those from the prestigious families of the Demophos Empire all looked disappointed. Perhaps it was because the n to push their daughter into being the candidate for empress position or concubine had gonepletely wrong. Looking at their faces one by one, Hazel felt some euphoria boiling deep from the inside. Especially when she met Sisef¡¯s eyes on one side of the banquet hall, he was looking at herself and Achilleon. He was looking at Hazel with an unexinable look. He seemed surprised. The same look was on Lorette¡¯s face. She looked really surprised that she even forgot about her wide-open mouth. A meaningful smile spread across Hazel¡¯s mouth when she saw both of their faces. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Achilleon looked down at Hazel when her voice called for him. A smile spread across Hazel¡¯s mouth when she read through his calm blue eyes filled with passion toward her. A mighty man who wielded power all over the continent came into her arms. Having a twinkle in his eyes while looking at her. Extreme tingling and dizzying sensation ran through her body. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°That¡­.¡± Hazel continued while rubbing against his hand softly and went up to his arm. ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon¡¯s eyes narrowed as he examined her expression. ¡°Are you tired?¡± Soon his gesture of pulling her waist and holding her was getting unkind. ¡°Yes.¡± Hazel sighed lowly while leaning in his arms. ¡°I suddenly got a lot of people¡¯s attention, and¡­ It¡¯s burdensome.¡± Her quivering eyshes caught his eye. ¡°I want to go back and rest.¡± Hazel averted her eyes slightly and stole a nce toward Sisef and Lorette. The two were still standing stiffly at their ce while looking at Hazel. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want.¡± Achilleon hugged Hazel as if he was embracing her inside his ceremonial cape. Before her sight beingpletely blocked, Hazel imprinted their expressions in her memory for a long time. A king who was getting repeated bows from everyone and a man who was endlessly kind toward her. And that king was a man who didn¡¯t hesitate to kneel at her. That was enough. Hazel smiled at the power she had grasped. ¡°You must¡¯ve been bitten by a big bug.¡± Mary was checking Hazel, who was sitting with a nk face all the time when her hair was being brushed. ¡°Huh?¡± Hazel just stared nkly at the mirror and came back to her senses once she heard Mary¡¯s words. ¡°You must have been up all night. Your eyebags are darkened.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­?¡± Hazel said while looking at the mirror. Like Mary said, there was a dark shadow under her eyes. Hazel knew the reason very well. She had a disturbing dream all throughout the night. It wasn¡¯t exactly a dream, those were parts of the event urred in the past. She ran and hugged Achilleon by herself, became the empress in front of everyone, and enjoyed that moment. And even the expressions of Sisef and Lorette looking at both of them like that. The whole thing was vivid. If she closed her eyes, those thoughts woulde back again. ¡°But what did you just say?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡­ that mark. On your chest.¡± There was a vividly red swelling at the ce where Mary pointed out with her gaze. Hazel¡¯s face instantly heated up when she recalled the man who left that mark. ¡°Are you feeling hot?¡± Mary put theb down and fanned Hazel¡¯s face. It was fortunate that Mary was so naive to the point that she didn¡¯t know what this mark meant. ¡°No, I¡¯m okay.¡± ¡°I should have asked the courtdy to treat it as well.¡± When Mary spoke worriedly, Hazel dried her hands while waving them. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay as well. Why would you do that for an upied person such as me? It¡¯ll be gone in no time.¡± ¡°But that means you can¡¯t wear a fine dress for a while.¡± Mary said as if she seemed to be even more upset. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not even going out. I shouldn¡¯t have gone out yesterday knowing this would happen.¡± Hazel said while gesturing at her ankle. ¡°Now that I think about it, how¡¯s your ankle?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m able to walk a little now.¡± Hazel showed her ankle to Mary and lifted the hem of her dress. The swelling has subsided significantly and her movement has gotten quitefortablepared to yesterday. Although it was still difficult for her to put all the weight on her feet when she walked. ¡°What more has happened with your already thin ankle?¡± Mary sighed as if she was upset. ¡°It¡¯s not like I can¡¯t walk, so don¡¯t be worried too much.¡± ¡°But, still.¡± ¡°Because I would be better if only I consumed my medicines properly, so please bring them here a littleter.¡± ¡°Yes, I will.¡± When Mary left, Hazel rubbed her ankle while recalling what had happenedst night. He swooped her up like a vicious hunter as if he was on a hunt, and ravaged her on the balcony without hesitation. Watching Achilleon act as if it was his instinct to have her, she couldn¡¯t resist anything he did to her. She could not move, like a mouse in front of a cat. ¡°But next time you¡¯re going to take these off by yourself. This mask, this clothes.¡± Hazel suppressed her ears and made it seemed like she could still hear what he said. The empress¡¯ seat he gave to her was sweeter than anything else in the world. The power to make everyone lie under herself and bow their hands. The confidence of the past, which had nothing to fear in the arms of the most powerful man on the continent. It was herself in the past which had nothing to fear when she was already in the arms of the most powerful man on the continent. It seemed that the childishness was still dominating her mind at that time. Chapter 35 The power that was able to look down on everyone and put them below her. But it became useless from the moment Achilleon could not believe her anymore. After raising his suspicion, Hazel became even more powerless and weaker than a flower petal, only an empress in name. The memories of the maids who refused all her requests and saying that they had been ordered to do so by the emperor, came to her mind one after another. In the end, the most dangerous thing was that Hazel became intoxicated with that power itself. The price of being too careless. The cost of believing that the sweetness he gave to her would not change no matter what. Looking back at her haughty and foolish past, Hazel felt utterly disgraced. Hazel calmly calcted her future. She had to be someone¡¯s wife as long as it wasn¡¯t Achilleon. Whether it would be a country far away from Land, or a powerful family in Land. Because the position of king¡¯s daughter was a very useful trading item in the kingdom before the fact that she was a human being. She knew that her father, the king, was picking up a marriage partner early to be with her after she became an adult. Wherever it would be, Ileos would try to marry off his daughter in search of the ce where they are willing to pay for the highest price. The happiness of his daughter was not included in the price. Hazel knew it all too well. Immediately after turning back time, she only cared about not having any rtions to Achilleon. It was the same with Sisef. She didn¡¯t want to have any sort of connection with the Demophos¡¯ brothers. Running away from them and being strangers to them forever. That was what she wanted. But she wondered if that would solve everything. Could she have a future like the one she really wanted? Achilleon will be emperor in the future. That one was the future that couldn¡¯t be changed. It was out of her reach. He was born with a talent, defeated the continent, and made everyone submit under his feet. Even if he was still a crown prince now, he would soon ascend the throne and look down on everyone. Land was also included there. The great blessing was bestowed upon Land as soon as she became the Empress. Just because it was the former home of the Empress, Achilleon offered Land an exceptional privilege. It was something that other conquered countries didn¡¯t get to enjoy that. Ever since Hazel became Achilleon¡¯s wife, the king has changed his attitude and been kind to her. It wasn¡¯t just her father who had changed. The same happened to her maternal family, Duchess of Conces. She sent tribute to her whenever she had time, and sent uncle to ask how she was doing. She was also willing to wee the Duchess of Conces. This was because her mother¡¯s family, which had connections with foreign countries, was a great help to her. A foreign empress needed a strong background regardless of how much she had gotten the emperor¡¯s favor. But now. ¡®Conces Family has been preparing to abandon me.¡¯ Hazel recalled the medicine box Lady Pais had brought along with herself thest time she came here. She knew really well that Lady Pais didn¡¯t really bring it to give it to her. ¡®This reminded me of reality.¡¯ The queen was dead and gone now, her condition was like a broken sailboat copsed and just dumped into the stormy sea if without the power of her mother¡¯s family. She would be pushed back and forth by the sea waves and eventually sink deep into the sea. No one from the Conces family came to visit her pce, despite the rumors that Hazel had fallen ill. Leaving aside the elderly Duke Seymour Conces, the same with the sons of Hazel¡¯s uncles, and their children. ¡®Why didn¡¯t I think about that?¡¯ She was too sure and believed he was on her side. But then it was only possible because Hazel was the Empress of Demophos at that time. Things were different this time. But now, Hazel needed the support of the Conces. In order for her to survive in this empire. ¡®I¡¯m sure they are aiming for the next duke position.¡¯ Seymour Conces had lived for too long. If his wife left him first, or if some of his children had gone, he was still living. He lived longer than the kings he served. As a child, Hazel sometimes believed that his grandfather was under a magic which made him immortal. Her maternal grandfather¡¯s appearance in her memory has not changed ever since she was a child until now. His hair was white, but he was still healthy to the point that he didn¡¯t need a cane. Ten yearster, and ten years more, he still looked the same. In front of Seymour, even her mother, the Queen, could not kneeled properly. Even though she was his daughter, she was still the queen, therefore it was thew to bow down in front of her and show his courtesy, but Seymour remained stiff in their private meeting. Rather, it was Martina¡¯s mother who bowed her head to show respect. After following her mother, his maternal grandfather opened his mouth and asked how she was doing. Perhaps time haspletely eluded him, Seymour has shown signs of weakness in the recent years. His visits to the court began to be reduced gradually to the court and sent his sons instead of himself to take care of things. It¡¯s time for her uncles to take over his position. All three uncles were struggling to impress her maternal grandfather. Of course, his eldest son has the right to inherit the family¡¯s properties, Wilves, but unfortunately, he had a weak body unlike his extraordinary intelligence. It was often said that it would be difficult to inherit and lead the family and lead them due to the frequent Hemoptysis[1] and copsing. ([1] Hemoptysis is a state when someone coughs up blood from their lung.) The next were her twin uncles. They were born five minutes apart from each other but they were the total opposite. Theodore, the older one between both of them, was delicate if she had to speak well of him, and extremely narrow-minded if she talked about him on the bad side. He had the temper to remember what the other person had said and done to him before retaliating against themter on. The other brother, Bredan, on the contrary, had a short-tempered personality. If she was to speak on the good side, he could be dismissed as just being arrogant, but in most cases, it mostly went the wrong way. Wilves, the eldest son, was struggling to deal with the big and small idents his brother had made, in return for his personality, who wasn¡¯t holding grudges, letting his anger go toward everything before him. Needless to say, both of them often fought and hit each other. To the point that Seymour once sent his twins to two countries with each of them located on the end of the continent, saying he would leave them behind. It was simply amazing how their personalities differed so much when they were brothers born from the same mother. And that was the reason the tension around them was heightening, Hazel thought that way. ¡°Who would be suitable for this position?¡± The elderly maternal grandfather had been utterly left out from the target list. All she needed was someone who could be manipted well by her ande into her hands willingly. The eldest son, Wilves was older than Martina and only weak in his body, however he had a genius brain. He was meticulous and cold enough to be considered as the most simr to Seymour among his children. The age difference between the middle child of Martina and her twin uncles was quite below, so their age gap with Hazel was only 13 years apart. Twin uncles certainly had so many advantages to pull her onto their side. Hazel began topare between them both, the narrow-minded Theodore and short-tempered Bredan. Uncle Theodore had high self-esteem due to his sensitivity, and he surely had a sense of retaliation. He was not a great man to bear if he was falling behind his younger brother, Uncle Bredan was on the opposite side as he waspetitive, but he just felt immersed at the moment, he didn¡¯t bear a grudge against the other person for a long time. Which one would be easier to deal with and able to help her more? Hazel put the two on the scale and began topare them again. The pendulum, which had been tilted to one side, continued to lean toward that side for a long time before leaning to the other side, and soon leaning back and forth. She got so lost in her own thoughts that she didn¡¯t realize Mary hade in and spoke to her. ¡°Your Highness, Her Highness Princess Lorette is here.¡± Hazel nodded openly after she retorted, ¡®Again?¡¯ ¡°Tell her toe in.¡± ¡°Sister!¡± As soon as Lorette entered the room, she immediately ran to Hazel and knelt down on the ground. Lorette looked as if she were about to burst into tears. She might have stayed up all night tossing and turning in her bed like Hazel, so her eyebag were dark as well. ¡°I was really, really sorry about yesterday.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lorette bit her lips as she said to Hazel who was asking her with a smile. ¡°Y-You got hurt because I asked you to go to a masquerade ball with me. I also upset your feelings by being with Prince Sisef¡­.¡± You do know that. Hazel replied inwardly while still maintaining her smiling face. ¡°No way, Lorette.¡± Hazel said while holding Lorett¡¯s hand after she lifted her up. ¡°It¡¯s a requesting from my younger sister, but I, as your older sister, do so because I listened to your wish.¡± Hazel then said again while nodding her head. ¡°And what you did was only to fulfill your duty as a princess.¡± ¡°Duty¡­?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you trying to reconcile with him because you¡¯re worried about being ufortable with Prince Sisef?¡± ¡°¡­but.¡± ¡°We are the daughters of the king. Would he use us if we didn¡¯t get along with the prince from another country?¡± Lorette looked puzzled, wondering if what Hazel had said was true. ¡°That could have turned into a diplomatic dispute. Right now Prince Sisef is paying a visit to bring a peace treaty with the Land, and because if we don¡¯t get along with him, it can bring a negative impact to the country¡¯s affairs.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Fortunately, Lorette seemed to believe it. Hazel didn¡¯t want to leave any animosity between herself and Sisef. I¡¯ve already gone through the false usation of desiring my younger sister¡¯s man in the past. As long as Sisef¡¯s heart had already fallen to Lorette, she didn¡¯t have any intention to force it back toward herself. ¡°Thanks to you, we were able to make a peace treaty with Prince Sisef. All of the credits are yours, Lorette.¡± Hazel added while looking at Lorette¡¯s face who was still puzzled in her ce. ¡°I¡¯m grateful to have you.¡± Chapter 36 ¡°M-Me?¡± Lorette widened her eyes in surprise. ¡°Thanks to your wisdom and kindness, things were able to go well. The misunderstanding with Prince Sisef has been resolved, and also it was never your fault that I fell, but because I was narrow-minded.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you think that way, I¡­.¡± A faint light was lingering in Lorette¡¯s eyes. ¡°I know I¡¯ve treated you unfairly a lot before.¡± Lorette was hesitant and unable to deny it right away. She should¡¯ve denied it even if those were simply empty words, but Hazel could see that she was bewildered because she couldn¡¯t do so. In that sense, Lorette¡¯s pure side was more apparent. She was born with a personality that couldn¡¯t lie easily. She was just a doll who did as his mother wanted her to do, because she was the type of person who had no intention to do anything bad by her own will. ¡°I-I¡¯m¡­.¡± Lorette stuttered at her words and her face turned red. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Hazel continued to speak in a soft voice as if to soothe her. ¡°We are the daughters from the same father, but I was so selfish. I¡¯m regretting it deeply. If you ept thiscking sister¡­¡± ¡°What are you talking about! You are a savior to me. You¡¯ve helped me so much.¡± Lorette hastily waved her hands at Hazel¡¯s hands. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°I want to be taught more by you in the future. About how to be a real princess.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you already a princess? Very wise and beautiful one. You were endowed with the natural qualities of a princess.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s still not enough. I¡¯ll learn anything you would give me, so please teach me a lot of things.¡± Hazel looked at Lorette¡¯s face quietly. Lorette was sincere all the time. Especially her determination to be a proper princess and that she was worthy of living highly. She could understand her to think that way. ¡®Because she was doubted as soon as she was born into the world.¡¯ Since Lady Pais gave birth to Lorette outside the pce, the public was also doubting about Lorette¡¯s blood when they both entered the pce. Ileos threatened to not let those who spread false rumors live, so the talks gradually died down, but he could notpletely stop the attention for that matter. Lorette didn¡¯t know that she made the whole pce an uproar. No matter how deep the king¡¯s affection toward her and her mother, he could not easily get rid of the inferiority situation that was directed to both of them. ¡°I want to be like you, sister.¡± Lorette said sincerely. Hazel could feel a sense of desperation in those words. Those who were not recognized from birth had no choice but to try hard in order to prove themselves. For Lorette, it was a symbol of her dignity as a princess. The ¡®real princess¡¯ she could watch and follow and imitate was Hazel. That was the reason why Lorette had been afraid yet yearned for her half-sister at the same time. Just like Hazel who envied and jealous of the father¡¯s love toward Lorette. ¡°¡­I¡¯m proud of you.¡± Hazel stood by the window and looked down at the rose garden. Unlike a greenhouse that was filled with abundance of flowers, the garden looked quite lively because the roses were cut down. It reminded her of an idea when she was looking at it. ¡°It¡¯s a nice day, so why don¡¯t we go for a walk in the greenhouse together?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good idea!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have the maids bring the tea to the rose greenhouse.¡± Hazel frowned when she stepped her legs on the floor as soon as she finished talking. ¡°Ouch.¡± The pain in her ankle that she had forgotten for a while rushed back in as soon as she stepped on the floor since she didn¡¯t walk much. As she reflexively bent her legs and soothed her ankle, Lorette approached her with a worried look on her face. ¡°Are you okay? If your feet hurt so much¡­¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. I think it would be nice if I wear crutches.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell the maid to prepare crutches for you. Until then, let me help you.¡± Lorette quickly grabbed Hazel¡¯s arm. She smiled softly at Hazel¡¯s hard grip so she couldpletely lean into her. ¡°Thank you.¡± *** The greenhouse of Rose Pce was made by weaving ss built into a regr hexagonal structure. The roses grown inside the pce were more beautiful than the flowers anywhere in the kingdom, as they were meticulous calction and taken care of. In the middle of the regr hexagonal building, there was a separate room for drinking tea. Hazel and Lorette were sitting there drinking their tea. ¡°It¡¯s a tea made of dried rose petals which were grown here. Please drink it.¡± Hints of surprise crept to Lorette¡¯s face when she heard Hazel¡¯s rmendation. ¡°It really smells like roses! And the roses in the greenhouse are so pretty. I guess it is because they grew up after receiving your affection.¡± ¡°I simply give them water sometimes. Most of the time, they are carefully raised by greenhouse managers.¡± ¡°They¡¯re so beautiful.¡± Lorette murmured in a dreamy voice. ¡°It¡¯s a ce specifically designed to maintain the temperature all time throughout the year. It is more beautiful than the roses in other ces because they only give these roses a certain amount at a fixed time.¡± ¡°This greenhouse is The Queen¡¯s favorite ce, right?¡± ¡°Yes, this is where she grew her own roses.¡± Martina chose to grow flowers as a way to control her undisclosed anger and anxiety. She used to tell young Hazel that growing flowers for a long time was able to relieve her anger. But Hazel didn¡¯t feel like it. She was just getting more angry when she saw those flowers. There was no connection between growing flowers carefully and controlling the mind. Hazel couldn¡¯t understand her mother. She would rather rip off those flowers, she couldn¡¯t believe taking care of them would control her anger. That was ridiculous. ¡°I think about it sometimes.¡± ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± ¡°If we hade out of the same mother, you wouldn¡¯t have to grow up while struggling in that slum.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a natural princess, no matter how people look at you. I¡¯m sure those people who are talking about your origin will admit it. It¡¯s just that the person who gave birth to you is different¡­.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Lorette answered quickly. Seeing her biting her lips, Hazel then smiled and added. ¡°Of course, I understand how you want to keep being Lady Pais¡¯s daughter because the mother that gave birth to you will be the most precious person in your life. I¡¯m just saying it out of disappointment. If we had been born from the same mother, I would have cared for you since we were young.¡± Hazel put the red rose that she had just picked to the side of Lorette¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯m d I have a sister, too.¡± Lorette looked a little surprised and bewildered at Hazel. ¡°I know you had a hard time when you first came to the pce.¡± No matter how popr Lorette was among the public, she could not be given the same treatment inside the pce. The king¡¯s illegitimate child was inevitably simr to an impurity. ¡°You were also questioned about your legitimacy.¡± Lorette blushed as if she was stabbed on the face. Hazel smiled when she saw her face tinged the same color as the rose on her head. ¡°But no one cares about that. Now, who would say you¡¯re not a princess?¡± Hazel said proudly and her hands around Lorette¡¯s hands which were used to hold the teacup. ¡°I¡¯ve been stuck in the Rose Pce because I¡¯ve been feeling unwell, but like you said, I think I¡¯ve be weaker because I¡¯ve been in the pce for too long. I feel energized after going to the masquerade ball with you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Lorette said with a bright smile. ¡°I think I¡¯ve recovered a bit now.¡± ¡°So now¡­ Are you also doing social activity?¡± ¡°Of course. However I think it would be difficult to attend a ball right now. What if I make a mistake?¡± ¡°Then we can invite people to the Rose Pce!¡± ¡°Should we do that?¡± ¡°Yes, of course. Your pce is the most beautiful pce in the Land. It would be great to have a tea party.¡± ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do it. Why don¡¯t you invite the family members that you are in close rtions with?¡± Lorette widened her eyes at Hazel¡¯s suggestion. ¡°Can I do that?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Hazel smiled and nodded to Lorette, whose eyes were sparkling. In fact, Rose Pce was a pce that many people wanted to visit. However, in order toe to the Rose Pce, the first thing people must have in hand was the favor of the owner, Hazel. Hazel was extremely picky in choosing people who were able to enter the Rose Pce. Hazel had the highest position in the royal pce which was currently without the presence of a queen, so many people struggled to impress her. The reason was because it would be a great honor to be invited to the Rose Pce. But ever since Lady Pais became pregnant, the situation began to change subtly. The number of people trying to enter the pce where Lady Pais was living had increased. Nevertheless, it was true that Hazel was still in highest position, and many people were cautious because it was unclear whether the child in Lady Pais belly would be recognized by the king as an official prince or princess. Of course, Hazel already knew the child¡¯s gender. ¡®A prince is going to be born.¡¯ On the day the child was born, King IIeos was really happy. He didn¡¯t care about the fact that the child was not born from the queen¡¯s belly. After the prince was born, it became really hard for her. Before that, Hazel felt the need to pull as many people as possible to her side. The Duchess of Conces was apparently on Hazel¡¯s side since the family¡¯s blood was flowing in her body. Thus, it was against them when Lady Pais was brought in and her daughter, Lorette was recognized as a princess. The other noble families who were following the Conces also did the same thing. ¡®But when the child was born, everyone will change their attitude.¡¯ The Conces Family used to stick to the stronger side. The side that carried more power than just their family¡¯s blood. Even though they were opportunist and dirty, it was because of such a way that made the family to prosper for a long time and have been able to umte wealth as well as maintaining their power. So there was only one way to keep them from switching into Lady Pais¡¯s side. Lady Pais would lose her power. *** T/N: You may notice the names of the characters have changed here and there, it¡¯s because a different trantor took over the trantion. I apologize. We¡¯ll try to be consistent with the names from now on. Chapter 37 No matter how well it was for someone to act as a wife, The Conces Family would have a different reckoning if she didn¡¯t hold much power. Even if they tried to line up again after the child was born, she would consider ying safe for now. ¡°Then I¡¯ll bring along my close friends.¡± Lorette said with an excited look. ¡°Who are they?¡± ¡°The Count of Fn, The Marquis of Minan¡­ There is also The Viscount of Taupe. There are still more of them.¡± Hazel put the names of noble families that came out of Lorette¡¯s mouth in her head one by one. Of course, they were apparently on bad terms with the Cornchez Family, Hazel¡¯s maternal family. ¡°Well, then invite everyone to the tea party. Tell your best friends.¡± ¡°I will.¡± Hazel smiled while gazing at Lorette¡¯s excited face. After Lorette got excited with the thought of inviting her friends to the Rose Pce, Hazel immediately called for Mary. ¡°Mary, get the caretaker of the greenhouse toe see me.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After Mary left, Hazel was lost in thought while looking around the greenhouse. She didn¡¯t mean to use the greenhouse left by her mother like this, however it was the best choice for now. Pressing Lady Pais to the corner. Lady Pais was in charge of all the royal pce affairs. Originally, it was shared with the Queen. Because it was purely the King¡¯s wish that Mrs. Pais had the authority instead of Hazel which led her to hold a grudge against him. It was also the king¡¯s wish to take it away from her. *** ¡°Tea party¡­?¡± Lady Pais said while stopping the stroke to the bird which was sitting on her finger. ¡°In the rose pce?¡± Her voice increased a little louder than before. She was lying down on the couch leisurely a moment ago and ying with the bird but immediately sat up at her daughter¡¯s words while she was busy preparing to join the tea party. ¡°You¡¯re going to Hazel¡¯s pce? Did you call the friends you¡¯re close with?¡± ¡°Yes, my sister invited me and my friends.¡± Lorette replied with a discouraged voice, wondering what she had done wrong after hearing her mother¡¯s voice asking her seriously. ¡°Hazel is not an ordinary person. You¡¯ll be in trouble if you don¡¯t listen to my words.¡± ¡°I want to be recognized by her.¡± ¡°For what reason?¡± ¡°She is the recognized princess of Land.¡± ¡°And are you not?¡± Mrs. Pais frowned her eyebrow. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Lady Pais asked impetuously as Lorette repeatedly grabbed only the hem of the dresses to open each one of them without answering. ¡°Do you think that you haven¡¯t been recognized as one just because I, who had given birth to you, wasn¡¯t the queen?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Mother¡­.¡± Lorette tried to scoop up the spilled words from her mother¡¯s mouth, but to no avail. ¡°Impudent kid!¡± The teacup on the table next to the sofa was thrown to the floor. The bird which was sitting on her finger flew away in surprise at the same time. It flew around the room and escaped quickly through the crevice of the unlocked window. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Unlike Lorette, who was surprised at the bird that flew out of the room, Mrs. Pais vented her anger with great force. ¡°How dare you ignore your mother?¡± It was when Lorette¡¯s face turned pale at the frantic shouting voice. ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± The handmaiden immediately came into the room out of surprise due to the sound she just heard from the inside, and winced when she saw Lady Pais panted hard, she quickly walked out after closing the door at Lorette¡¯s nce. Lorette began to pick up the shattered teacup that fell on the floor instead of ordering the maid to do it without saying a word. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I made a slip of the tongue¡­.¡± ¡°It was not a slip of the tongue, but your real intention.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯ve been thinking all this time, right? Huh? That you were born from a low mother and being ignored by Hazel.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± ¡°What the hell did that girl coax you into?¡± ¡°She had never done that. She was just being nice to me, why do you have that kind of suspicion?¡± ¡°What an easy one.¡± Lady Pais turned her back to face her daughter while clicking her tongue. Lorette added in a soft tone to convince her mother. ¡°Mother, don¡¯t do this. Not everyone can be invited to the Rose Pce. Moreover, the greenhouse is a ce where only the people who got the most favor are invited¡­ She invited me to go there. The way people look at me will change as well.¡± No matter how hard Lorette tried to exin, she didn¡¯t know if Lady Paice¡¯s expression could hardly be appeased. ¡°And if I can get along with Hazel, my father will see me differently. It would be a great thing for me as well. You told me to be a daughter who is recognized and loved by my father.¡± Lady Pais was uncannily quiet. In the prolonged silence, Lorette watched her mother with an ominous expression. ¡°Mother?¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re going to a tea party at the Rose Pce?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then bring a gift. Or you want to go empty-handed?¡± Lorette gulped down the saliva around dry mouth when she saw her mother who suddenly changed her attitude. ¡°I¡¯ll get you the present. Bring the tea back, too. You must have been surprised, so have a cup of tea that is good for your mind and body stability.¡± Lady Pais said while pulling the bellrope. *** ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s going on here?¡± Lorette said while looking at the rose greenhouse with a horrified look. ¡°¡­as you can see.¡± The rose greenhouse was not as beautiful as she saw yesterday. Large flowers were stuck on the floor and petals were scattered messily on the floor, the stems were broken apart and there were some that were swept away while the roots were emerging because water filled up so high inside the greenhouse. There were puddles all over the greenhouse as well as soil in the flower bed where roses were nted. The bottom of her dress became dirty as soon she entered the greenhouse. ¡°The rose greenhouse was flooded due to the caretaker¡¯s mistake.¡± Hazel said while exhaling a deep sigh. Lorette was at a loss for words when she looked around the greenhouse that just turned disastrous overnight. ¡°It rained a lot yesterday¡­¡± Lorette looked around the rose greenhouse with a surprised face. ¡°Because of it, all the flowers have gotten wet. All the flowers are gone, and there are no flowers to see and enjoy even if the young girlse here.¡± Hazel took a deep breath and continued. ¡°Oh my God, in just a day¡­.¡± Lorette had a sad look on her face as if her own greenhouse had been destroyed. ¡°But they were really, really pretty¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sad as well. But if it¡¯s recovered quickly, it will bloom again soon. Let¡¯s have a tea party in the greenhouse afterwards.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You must have been looking forward to it. What should I do because I¡¯ve disappointed you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m more worried about you because the greenhouse is destroyed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine as well. The flowers are surprisingly strong, so they will bloom bigger and more beautiful soon.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll look forward to it, too.¡± Hazel smiled at Lorette¡¯s reply. ¡°Anyway, I decided to move the event to another ce. It will be held at the rose garden because the weather is nice after it rains, so the outdoors would be better.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s do that.¡± The ce of the tea party was moved to the outdoors, and covered with a wide awning. The round table was decorated with colorful tablecloths and a variety of desserts that were too pretty to eat. ¡°I wanted to show you the beauty of the rose pce, but what should I do? All the flowers in the greenhouse are destroyed.¡± Hazel gazed at the nobles who were sitting around the round table and shed them a warm smile. ¡°It¡¯s not bad here either.¡± Said one of the young girls. But Hazel could know right away that it was just said out of courtesy. It was difficult to find a proper rose even in the rose garden. This was because all of them were destroyed for the sake of her mission. ¡°There must also be appreciation while looking at the green leaves of the trees!¡± ¡°Of course.¡± They agreed together along with the other young girls and lifted up the teacup. ¡°Ah¡­¡± When Lorette paused her movement from lifting the teacup, everyone¡¯s attention was focused on her. ¡°Lorette, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s n-nothing.¡± But the teacup in her hand was shaking. There was a cold sweat on her forehead, and her face looked really flushed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it too hot for you? I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re sweating so much even while staying under the awning.¡± When Hazel asked with a surprised gaze, Lorette shook his head and answered. ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m all right, I¡¯m¡­¡± Lorette blinked hastily. But at the next moment, she copsed in her seat. *** ¡°His Majesty The King is here.¡± ¡°d to see you, Father.¡± When Hazel stood up and tried to show courtesy, Elios waved to stop her from doing so. ¡°There you go, Lorette¡¯s fainted, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Yes, she is sleeping after taking the medication.¡± ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Lady Pais began to cry and immediately fell in front of Elios. ¡°How did this happen?¡± Hazel immediately knelt down hearing Elios¡¯ words. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, Father.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Elios said while frowning at her. ¡°The ce for the tea party was supposed to be in the greenhouse, but the greenhouse was flooded because of the caretaker¡¯s mistake, so I moved it to the garden. Even though I¡¯ve already set up an awning¡­¡± ¡°It can¡¯t just be a heatstroke!¡± Lady Pais broke in while screaming at her. Hazel looked back at her and asked after she was being pushed by the wind. ¡°What do you mean, Mrs. Pais?¡± ¡°The princess would know better than me about that. Is that all you have to say now while pretending to be nice?¡± ¡°Lady Pais, that sounds to me like I have a very impure intention.¡± Lady Pais burst into even greater tears as Hazel retorted with a straight face. Hazel asked back with a straight look on her face as Lady Pais bursted into tears louder than before. ¡°You¡¯ve been unhappy with Lorette being here this whole time, and I thought it was weird of you to be nice with her all of a sudden. You were plotting to hurt my daughter, Princess.¡± ¡°Pardon me?¡± ¡°The girl was suddenly burning up like that, and it¡¯s not just because she¡¯s staying in a ce under a lot of sunlight. I¡¯m sure you did something to her¡­¡± ¡°Am I?¡± Hazel asked while smiling as if she was taken aback. ¡°Isn¡¯t this pce under the control of Princess Hazel? It¡¯s a space where you can do whatever you want. Food or whatever it is.¡± ¡°Do you mean that I added something to the tea?¡± ¡°The Princess knows the best about that.¡± ¡°All the girls who drank tea with me earlier were just fine.¡± ¡°So you just added something to Lorette¡¯s tea?¡± Chapter 38 Hazel looked at Lady Pais in surprise at her spiteful words. ¡°Lady Pais, are you trying to impute a false usation toward me right now?¡± ¡°What if that false usation is true?¡± ¡°Why would I hurt Lorette? She¡¯s my sister.¡± ¡°Yes, she¡¯s your sister. A mean sister who took all the love of your father, but to me, she is my daughter whom I gave birth to with my blood and flesh, Your Highness. No matter how low she was, I¡¯m the one who raised and cherished her affectionately. You¡¯d rather hurt me.¡± Hazel stod nkly with a surprised look while looking at Mrs. Pais shedding tears before her. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to say?¡± Ileos asked Hazel. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Howe?¡± ¡°Father will decide everything. I don¡¯t have ¡­any power to talk.¡± Hazel shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s actually my fault. Because Lorette suddenly copsed when she was staying in my pce¡­.¡± Soon, thick tears began to escape from Hazel¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hazel.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take the punishment. I¡¯ve put my sister in danger¡­ I¡¯m guilty.¡± Hazel continued between her sobs and tears. Next to her was Lady Pais who saw her with an unpleasant look, which made Hazel¡¯s cry grow louder. ¡°I just¡­ I just wanted to have tea with my sister while showing her the roses, but¡­ I really couldn¡¯t do that, Father.¡± Hazel began to cry with a sorrowful voice and covered her mouth. Lady Pais eximed impetuously the moment when a sad glint flickered across Elios¡¯ face. ¡°Ileo¡­ I mean, Your Majesty, we need to investigate the tea that Lorette had drank earlier. I¡¯m sure there was something added to it¡­¡± ¡°Eleisha.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°How dare you say that my daughter had done such a wicked deed?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, I¡¯m just¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s your fault for not taking care of your daughter¡¯s health.¡± ¡°Your Majesty¡­.¡± With her mouth widened in surprise, Lady Pais could not say anything to answer the king. ¡°How is Lorette¡¯s condition?¡± ¡°Her fever has gone down, and I think she just needs to drink plenty of water while resting.¡± Rayburn came running into the room and gave a detailed exnation, Ileos asked while furrowing his eyebrows. ¡°Why did Lorette copse all of a sudden?¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably because¡­¡± Rayburn eyed Lady Pais before stating his answer. ¡°I think it¡¯s because of excessive dietary restrictions.¡± ¡°Dietary restriction?¡± ¡°What are you talking about¡­ It¡¯s not because of that!¡± Lady Pais shouted, but Rayburn continued his words. ¡°I asked the Princess and she said the only thing she eats these days is just a few slices of fruit, a little milk and a small amount of grain bread these days. She has been trying to control her weight because she had to attend consecutive balls.¡± ¡°I said it¡¯s not because of that!¡± Lady Pais¡¯ shriek reverberated throughout the room. ¡°I understand. Why don¡¯t you stop finding fault with her?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, I feel victimized. She can¡¯t abuse my daughter like that, right?¡± ¡°It seems like I have given someone too much responsibility to the point she doesn¡¯t even have time to take care of her daughter¡¯s health.¡± ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡± Lady Pais looked at Ileos as if one of her ominous hunch just came true. ¡°Take a break from the royal affairs you have been in charge of for a while. Therefore you can focus on prenatal care and Lorette¡¯s health.¡± ¡°Why did you say that, Your Majesty- Your Majesty?!¡± Ileos turned to his feet and left Mrs. Pain who was screaming behind him. ¡°Wake up, you are my daughter and the first princess of Land. I never taught you to kneel anywhere.¡± Ileos reached out his hand and Hazel took it quietly. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Attend to Mrs. Pais and Lorette in the pce.¡± Lady Pais began to cry even louder as soon as the order escaped Ileos¡¯ mouth. But Ileos didn¡¯t care about it and went out with Hazel. *** ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I stroll around like this.¡± ¡°I see. It¡¯s because you¡¯ve been busy.¡± Ileos smiled and looked at his daughter when Hazel spoke up. ¡°I was too busy with political affairs to care about you. But¡­¡± Ileos¡¯ eyes were scanning through the empty rose garden. There was a dubious glint on the King¡¯s face when he looked at the scenery where the flowers in each rose tree hadn¡¯t bloomed properly. ¡°The garden looks quite empty.¡± It was even more difficult to find a tree filled with roses on it. Even if they managed to find it, the rose blossoms were either too small or the petals were not pretty because they were eaten by the insects. There were also some rose stems that were severely damaged after their flowers had been cutted off. A deep wrinkle was formed between the king¡¯s eyebrows when he looked at them. ¡°Why is the garden bing like this?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ they said they didn¡¯t have enough roses to decorate the delegation¡¯s quarters and banquet hall, so Gungnaebu pick the roses from here.¡± [Gungnaebu or ¡®Department of The Royal Household¡¯ is a Korean Government Office in charge of affairs rted to the royal household back in Joseon Dynasty of Korea.] ¡°There should¡¯ve been a separate ce used to grow flowers for that purpose.¡± ¡°I guess raising them in a private greenhouse wasn¡¯t enough for that. But then they must¡¯ve thought of the Rose Pce. As the name suggested, there are many roses blooming around this pce.¡± Hazel exined with a smile, but on the contrary, an unpleasant expression was shown on Elios¡¯ face. ¡°All of the flowers are ced where they¡¯re needed. They are used to adorn the quarters of our precious guests. It¡¯s a flower that blooms and withers after all, so it¡¯s worth it if used in a meaningful ce.¡± Ileos had an even more perplexed look when he looked at Hazel who spoke calmly. ¡°I¡¯ve seen roses in the pce a lot, it turns out that they¡¯re all from your pce. I didn¡¯t know about that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think all of them are from here though¡­ They said to pick up the roses at my pce as they didn¡¯t have enough roses.¡± Hazel answered carefully. ¡°They don¡¯t have to use roses to decorate the pce. Moreover, those are from your pce. How dare they pick roses in the princess¡¯ garden? Also this ce used to be the Queen¡¯s pce.¡± ¡°My mother will be happy to see the flowers she grew are used in a good ce. She might be willing to give it as well if she was still alive.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Because she always thought of you and Land first.¡± ¡°Martina?¡± Elios said while shing a self-mocking smile. ¡°For your mother, her family always came first before her husband and daughter. She forced you to do the same.¡± ¡°It was around the time when she was sick, both physically and mentally. However she was worried about you until the end, father. I heard it even when I stayed by her side the moment she breathed herst breath. She prayed for you, Father.¡± ¡°¡­you mean Martina?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Of course such a situation never happened in the past. Martina only reiterated while holding her little daughter¡¯s hand, saying that she should somehow survive inside the pce. Hazel felt like she finally came to know the thing she couldn¡¯t understand at that time. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to see your roses being cutted off like this. You must have gotten upset, but I¡¯ll have the gardener send you new seedlings. I heard that the new varieties of seeds are resistant against pests and diseases.¡± ¡°Thank you, Father.¡± Hazel bowed slightly while thanking her father. ¡°There¡¯s an important event in the pce, and it won¡¯t be a waste if you give these away for the sake of it. It is all for this country. That¡¯s how important this event, a peace treaty, is.¡± Half of the countries on the continent have been seized by the Demophos Empire. Other countries had to give numerous offerings or sign papers full of treaties, such as trade and taxes that were more beneficial to the empire each year. Land also had some unfavorable provisions because of this agreement, but it was a fairly favorable agreement to the country itselfpared to others. On top of all that, there was also a pledge that there would be no war during the period of the agreement, therefore it was really important for the Land. ¡°You sound as if you¡¯ve grown up quite a lot.¡± There was a surprised look in Ileos¡¯ eyes. ¡°Even if it was Eleisha¡¯s order to pick these flowers?¡± ¡°The roses in my pce are especially beautiful. It¡¯s because Lady Pais has a keen eye to choose this ce.¡± ¡°Do you really think that way?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Hazel said whileughing lightly. ¡°That must be the reason why she fell for you, Father.¡± Hazel¡¯s remark made Ileos look even more surprised as it sounded like she was either half-joking or simply saying her wild guess. ¡°You seemed like a different person after getting sick.¡± ¡°It happens to everyone. Lorette worried about me a lot. So I must have misunderstood her. She is actually a good kid.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯ve changed your mind by now. You were so vicious.¡± Hazel just smiled at Ileos¡¯ments. Her father¡¯s ¡®vicious¡¯ words were referring to the whole thing back when she used to spray water on Lorette¡¯s face whenever the poor girl came to visit, shouting she didn¡¯t like Lorette, or openly using sarcastic words to the girl. When she recalled each of those events, she could understand that her father¡¯s eldest daughter would never have looked pretty in his eyes. Because parents originally wanted their children to get along well. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ll try to do better in the future. Lorette seems to follow me well, too. I¡¯m going to tell her about everything I know before leaving.¡± ¡°¡­leaving?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think I will be getting married soon? I¡¯ll live far away after I get married, but before that, I¡¯ll have to spend a short but friendly time with Lorette.¡± ¡°Are you only thinking about leaving your father¡¯s arms?¡± Hazel was about tough hearing her father¡¯s words, so she hurriedly lowered her head. ¡°Hazel?¡± She felt tears welling up when she tried to bite on to the flesh inside her mouth. Tears were running down Hazel¡¯s face as she raised her head again. ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave, but¡­ There¡¯s nothing I can do. I want to be a good daughter who will make you proud as much as I can.¡± Then Hazel entrusted herself into his father¡¯s arms after saying so. Ileos hesitated for a moment, but then patted her daughter¡¯s back gently. ¡°You really seem to have grown up well. I think I can leave a responsible position to you now.¡± ¡°You will take over the responsibility of the royal affairs that Eleisha previously was in charge of.¡± ¡°Father¡­¡± Hazel lifted her tearful eyes and looked at Ileos. ¡°This is where you were born and raised, so you must be able to manage it better than anyone else.¡± Chapter 39 ¡°But¡­ the Lady won¡¯t be pleased with that. I don¡¯t want to cause such a conflict with her. If you are doing it because of what happened earlier¡­¡± ¡°She dared to use my daughter. She seemed to have forgotten about her duty after I gave her my trust.¡± Ileos¡¯ face stiffened again. ¡°I think it¡¯s because she loves you so much, Father. And she felt worried for Lorette as well¡­.¡± ¡°I was about to change the person in charge of royal affairs anyway, even if she didn¡¯t act that way earlier.¡± Hazel¡¯s eyes, which were a mixture of wonder and bewilderment at his unexpected words, reached Ileos¡¯ ears. ¡°For what reason?¡± ¡°The problem is that Eleisha spent the money somewhat recklessly because she likes luxurious things. She always held fancy balls and boughtvish jewelleries which exceeded the budget.¡± ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to interfere, but I actually knew about all of it. We should be vignt to those who squander the country¡¯s funds.¡± Hazel hurriedly put her hand around the mouth to stop herself fromughing. ¡°I understand. Indeed, there is nothing you don¡¯t know. You are fully aware of what is going on inside the pce as if you are looking at the palm of your hand.¡± ¡°Therefore, please take care of yourself well.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to do my responsibility.¡± Ileos smiled pleasantly at Hazel¡¯s answer. *** ¡°Shh, anyone could hear you!¡± A smile was shown on Hazel¡¯s mouth even though she pretended to lower her voice quickly. ¡°But this is the Rose Pce. Can¡¯t I at least congratte you?¡± Mary said with an impatient look on her face as she wanted to talk all around the pce about this right now. ¡°So now, you are going to take charge of the pce¡¯s management, right? Do you also manage everything such as the royal pce¡¯s budget?¡± ¡°Yes I will be the one to manage it as well.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s really great for you, Your Highness!¡± Mary stomped her feet out of excitement. ¡°It¡¯s me, Your Highness!¡± Then she heard an urgent call of someone from outside. When Mary opened the door, a maid who turned pale rushed into the room. ¡°Your Highness, I, I¡­¡± ¡°What? Just say it.¡± Hazel looked at the pale face of the maid and assumed it was unusual. ¡°T-That¡­ Tity, it¡¯s about Tity.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Tity? Is she sick?¡± The maid took a short breath and finally managed to speak up. ¡°It¡¯s not like that¡­ Tity escaped again.¡± Hazel straightened her body and leapt up from the couch. ¡°What?¡± *** A considerably serious voice was heard in the living room of the pce where Achilleon stayed temporarily. ¡°The empress seems to be in secret contact with strong and rich families in each country. It seems like a civil war is imminent if necessary.¡± ¡°That is nothing to be surprised about.¡± ¡°If we return home after finishing this treaty safely, isn¡¯t the only thing left is the session phase? No wonder you are being impatient now.¡± ¡°His Majesty is still healthy, that can¡¯t be true.¡± Achilleon answered tly. ¡°Prince Sisef doesn¡¯t have any idea about this, does he? Her Majesty the Queen seemed as if she was being impatient on her own.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better if her son has less thought about this. I will have more excuses to interfere between them.¡± ¡°It is said that no one is allowed to enter the Emperor¡¯s chambers except the family doctor, and that he has been caring for the king alone. There are rumors that His Majesty is already dead.¡± Since leaving Demophos, Achilleon has been hearing about the situation of his home country through an informant imnted there for him. The empress was bing even more aggressive when Achilleon was sent out of the country under the very good pretext of settling a peace treaty. She was trying to make the situation in the Empire happen ording to her n while Achilleon was not present. ¡°It¡¯s understandable for her to be angry when the person who she thought was going to die ising back alive every time.¡± He was sent out to die in the war, but Achilleon managed to return with a victory on his hands while staying in a good condition every time. Each time, his position within the empire surged up without her realizing that he was high up in the sky. Every time she saw him that way, the empress started to dwell with even deeper fearness and it was shown in her eyes. It was because he had grown from just an annoying pup to a scary beast who was difficult to deal with and became even more fearful. The stronger the enemy became, the more intimidated and desperate the opponent would be. The number of Achilleon¡¯s supporters had already increased within the Empire, and the empress still tried to constantly pressure him, even though he knew that empress could barely hold him back with just her own power. ¡°But in this situation, I can¡¯t act with ease because I brought her precious son along with me.¡± At first, Achilleon was the only one who was sent out to attend this treaty. However, contrary to the empress¡¯ intention to leave Sisef with her to stay in the pce, Sisef followed her half-brother which made the empress go rampant and passed out afterwards. ¡°It is fortunate that Prince Sisef likes you, Your Highness.¡± Count Burns said while smiling to his superior. ¡°Thanks to Sisef, the people of Land are finally able to let their guard down. So they can walk around without feeling worried anymore.¡± ¡°Land is a small territory, however, due to the location which is simr to a fortress makes it easier to defend itself from neighboring countries.¡± The decision to sign a peace treaty with Land was due to the fact that there could be great damage to the empire during the war. Therefore, their ultimate goal was to make an agreement as a friendly country of Land and to take various benefits that could ur in the near future. But Achilleon couldn¡¯t be satisfied with just that. He wanted to have this kingdom. This small and beautiful country has rich resources and was blessed with a natural fortress. Meow. Their conversation was interrupted at the sudden cry of an animal. Swish. The subsequent p of the wings made Count Burns rush to the window. ¡°What is this¡­¡± Count Burns¡¯ voice sounded odd after he opened the window to check the source of the sound. ¡°What¡¯s going on there?¡± ¡°What ¡­is it?¡± The Count Burns¡¯ face, which was ced at the window sill, became contorted as if he had seen something disgusting. ¡°What is it?¡± Achilles got up firmly and then headed for the window frame, pushing Count Burns out of the way as he opened the window and checked it for himself. ¡°Bird¡­?¡± A bird which had already lost its breath was ced on the window sill. ¡°It looks like it was attacked.¡± Count Burns said as he looked at the bird. Like he said, the bird was injured all over its body, as if it had been attacked by sharp teeth and ws. Nevertheless, it was weird that the bird wasn¡¯t eaten up after being attacked into that state. ¡°By looking at it, someone must¡¯ve actually raised this bird.¡± It was a beautiful bird with a mix of blue and orange feathers on its wings. Its ankle was also filled with silver rings. It meant that it actually had an owner. ¡°There must be a ce to raise birds in the royal pce¡­¡± Count Burns said and thought while narrowing his brows. ¡°I heard Lady Pais likes birds. She has a private cage and raises the bird there. Maybe the bird flew from there? But in this state¡­¡± Poor bird seemed to have died after being preyed on by an animal with sharp ws and teeth. Meeow. Achilleon turned his head at the familiar sound heard nearby. There was a snow-white cat sitting on a branch and licking its body using its tongue. The cat stopped brushing its fur and turned its head toward the gaze that had fixed toward it. The cat approached him gently after it caught Achilleon¡¯s gaze, and sat in front of him with its tail curled up. As Achilleon reached out his hand, the cat drew closer to him and began rubbing its nose against his hand. ¡°It must be a cat that woke up early and had a lot of power.¡± While the cat was rubbing its mouth and cheeks on his hand, Count Burns bursted intoughter as if he was astonished at the sight of the cat sweeping Achilleon¡¯s arms through its entire body. ¡°Do you know this cat?¡± ¡°Hm.¡± There was a smile on Achilleon¡¯s lips when he said it. Meanwhile, the cat repeatedly rubbed itself against his big hand. White fur was seen tangled on the sleeve of his white uniform. ¡°But this cat¡­ I think it¡¯s raised inside the royal pce.¡± Count Burns said while watching the cat closely. The cat¡¯s white fur was shiny with a red ribbon tied around its neck. ¡°It must have hurt its foot.¡± There was something wrapped around the cat¡¯s paw. It couldn¡¯t be seen easily because of the thick fur, but upon closer look, he could see that its front feet were wrapped with bandages. ¡°Take a look at it, white fur, green eyes, pointy and curled ears¡­¡± Count Burns said as he thought about something while stroking his chin as if he was struggling to remember something. ¡°¡­It looks like the cat you are currently looking for.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Achilleon reached out his hand to stroke the cat¡¯s chin gently. ¡°This cat must have been chased.¡± The cat raised its chin happily at his touch and squinted its eyes. ¡°But why did it not eat the bird?¡± Count Burns looked at the cat and the bird alternately, as if he was wondering for the possible reason. A poor bird and a cat who acted cute to the Crown Prince. What a really strangebination. ¡°Maybe it brought the bird to me so I can eat it.¡± Count Burns¡¯ expression turned to surprise when Achilleon spoke with a delightful voice. ¡°This cat?¡± ¡°You seem to be less ungrateful than your master.¡± Achilleon reached out his hands to the cat who was still sitting on the high branch. The cat, who previously acted cute to Achilleon while going back and forth between the window and the tree, then jumped into his arms. Meow. ¡°I think the owner is looking for it. It must¡¯ve sneaked out.¡± When Count Burns spoke carefully, Achilleon swept the cat¡¯s neck a few more times before speaking up again. ¡°I think so.¡± As Achilleon moved his finger, the cat bit his finger in excitement and began to smack aroundzily with its hind legs. ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to find the owner?¡± Count Burns asked while thinking about each of the strange events that had urred until now as he watched Achilleon y quite well with the little animal. ¡°Tell its owner toe directly.¡± There was a suspicious smile on Achilleon¡¯s mouth. Chapter 40 ¡°Your Highness, Prince Achilleon sent you a message.¡± ¡°¡­who?¡± Hazel¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Who did you say just now?¡± ¡°Achilleon¡­ His Highness the Crown Prince.¡± The maid looked at Hazel anxiously as she watched her superior¡¯s reaction, wondering if she had done something unpleasant. ¡°H-Have I done something wrong¡­¡± Hazel managed to regain herposure when she saw the maid had a terrified expression. ¡°¡­No. So, what was the Crown Prince calling me for?¡± Hazel asked as she sat gracefully again. ¡°We¡¯ve never met each other before.¡± Achilleon acted as if he already knew everything about her. Nheless, it was strange that he has been quiet until now. That was why he didn¡¯t miss even a faint gleam of hope to get her. ¡°I-I think Your Highness has something precious that she just lost recently.¡± ¡°Something precious¡­¡± Hazel asked while tilting her head. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The Crown Prince told Your Highness toe and check it out by yourself.¡± Hazel barely breathed out a harsh sigh when she looked at the maid who was talking while feeling diffident inside. ¡°What kind of nonsense is that?¡± ¡°Pardon me?¡± Hazel managed to hold back herughter when Mary and her maid looked frightened at the same time. ¡°Nothing.¡± Hazel struggled to regain herposure. ¡°What is that precious thing? Tell him I didn¡¯t lose anything.¡± Did he think she would be fooled easily with this kind of trick? Hazel was soothing her rising anger when the maid spoke again. ¡°With that being said, I was told to deliver this for you.¡± The maid held out something she held in her hands. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel¡¯s expression hardened after she examined the thing brought by the maid in her hands. ¡°Did Prince Achilleon have this?¡± Tity¡¯s name was embroidered roughly on one side of the broken ribbon. ¡°This belongs to Tity.¡± Hazel¡¯s expression stiffened when she saw the end of the bluntly cutted ribbon. ¡°How did- how did this happen?¡± ¡°Maybe Tity escaped and managed to enter the Crown Prince¡¯s quarters?¡± ¡°Why did Tity go to that ce¡­¡± Why did she go to the ce where Achilleon was staying, out of all ces here? Moreover, that ce was far from the Rose Pce, why did she go there? ¡°I-I¡¯m not sure.¡± ¡°Go get her right now.¡± ¡°That ¡­Your Highness must have toe by yourself to get it¡­ If I do that¡­¡± ¡°How dare you.¡± Hazel shouted while trembling. ¡°Even though he¡¯s a Crown Prince, how rude of him to ask me to go there!¡± ¡°ording to His Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness should make sure you are indeed the owner of the cat.¡± ¡°Everyone knows that I am Tity¡¯s owner!¡± ¡°But if you let go of the cat without much thought and choose to retaliate, you can cause serious harm to the cat¡¯s safety, so you have to be careful, Your Highness¡­¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Hazel bursted into anger at the continuous words of the maid. Looking at the maid¡¯s panic look reminded her of the way Achilleon treated Tity. ¡°This?¡± Also, his gesture when he pointed at the cat. The fact that Tity even bit and stratched his hand mercilessly which then caused him a lot of injuries. Moreover, she went as far as to get him trapped in a mousetrap. Seeing that he even mentioned it at the masquerade ball, she thought it must¡¯ve hurt his pride quite badly. Achilleon was a man who held a grudge. In the past when she knew him, also in the days when she lived as his empress. He was a man who definitely paid back others¡¯ deeds. Whether it¡¯s because he was indebted or because he bore a grudge against others. Having experienced that tenacity, she knew he was not the type of man who gave up until his spite disappearedpletely. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s go.¡± Hazel murmured. ¡°If you are looking for the cat owner, I¡¯ll go there.¡± There was nothing to fear, Hazel muttered repeatedly inside her mind to reassure herself. She was just going to find her lost cat. That would be all. ¡®This is for the better.¡¯ It was something she couldn¡¯t avoid forever. This was her chance to make a clear decision. *** ¡°It¡¯s an honor for the Princess to see me.¡± Achilleon greeted Hazel with a provokingly friendly face. Sitting obliquely with his long legs crossed on the wing chair, the man was so perfect that he nearly felt unreal which made her feel even more annoyed than before. And in his big hand¡­. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Her white catynguidly in the man¡¯s arms. All this time, she was wondering where the cat might have been and feeling nervous about her whereabouts, or whether Mrs. Pais might¡¯ve taken her and done something right away, but her cat turned out to be fine. She even looked delightful. She seemed to not realize her actual owner. ¡°I¡¯m so grateful and surprised that you were the one who saved my cat.¡± Hazel just wanted to get her Tity back and get out of here. ¡°Tity.¡± Tity snuggled more in Achilleon¡¯s arms as if it was entirely her own ce, whether acknowledging her owner¡¯s worried heart or not. Achilleon also caressed the cat¡¯s nape as if he was pleased to do that. She was aghast by the sight before her which waspletely different from what she had seen that night. ¡°Tity,e here.¡± Meow. ¡°I saide here.¡± Meow. Contrary to the impatient feeling of her owner, Tity seemed unwilling toe near her no matter how many times she urged the cat to do as she said. She looked sofortable and happy in his arms, as if she was staying in paradise. ¡°Now that I think about it, we¡¯ve never met before.¡± Achilleon said while caressing the cat in his arms. His slight smile was so impudent that she wanted to p it off his face, however she tried to suppress her anger while speaking with a friendly tone. ¡°¡­I wasn¡¯t able to participate in the previous event with the delegates because I was feeling unwell. But I didn¡¯t expect we¡¯re going to meet each other like this.¡± ¡°What a meaningful fate which led me to see the Princess, all thanks to this cat.¡± Contrary to his rxed tone, his eyes were watching her keenly. Her skin felt like they were stinging in the ces where he rested his gaze. ¡°No, perhaps we had met before this?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel paused for a moment to think about what she was supposed to say. She had many thoughts while walking on the way here from the Rose Pce. What should she say the moment she faced Achilleon? Should she pretend to not know everything about that night? Or¡­ Achilleon was testing her as if a cat ying with a mouse. Unless someone hit him on the head which caused his memory to vanish, he would¡¯ve known that the person who saw him was her on that night. Besides, it was also her whom he met at the masquerade ball. If he was going to test her here, she was thinking of answering him willingly. Achilleon would pry and burrow deeper if his opponent ran away and avoided him, he was the man who would not give up until he got what he wanted. She had expected that the more she tried to deny and avoid this, the more likely she would provoke him. At times like this, she reckoned that admitting it frankly would be a better way to reduce his interest toward her. ¡°I am sorry for that night.¡± ¡°Which night?¡± Achilles asked her as if to irritate her furtively. ¡°It¡¯s the night you remember, Your Highness.¡± She intentionally chose to useprehensive words. Achilleon stared at her as if his eyes could pierce her. Hazel seemed unaware that her mouth had gone dry, but she managed to open her mouth again. ¡°That night I had no choice but to do so. I was in a lot of trouble when they found out that the sick Princess who was supposed to rest in her pce, had wandered around, you would do that if you were in my ce, right? I didn¡¯t even attend the weing event for the delegates.¡± Hazel said as she met his gaze. ¡°We¡¯re in the situation where we¡¯ve been making up white lies.¡± A small smile spread across Achilleon¡¯s mouth when he listened to Hazel. ¡°I thought so.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± A brief silence passed over between the two of them. ¡°I came here by myself like you wanted, so I¡¯d like you to return her.¡± Hazel said while pointing to the cat in his arms. ¡°But, are you really the owner of this cat?¡± Achilles said while chuckling. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°This cat follows others so well.¡± Achilleon said while stroking Tity¡¯s back. ¡°The cat was very clever. She knows how to repay the favor to me.¡± Achilleon said, easily ignoring what Hazel had said earlier. ¡°Unlike somebody else.¡± An evil smile was shown on Achilleon¡¯s lips. ¡°She had paid back the favor to you?¡± Hazel asked with a suspicious look. ¡°She requited the favor with a very cute reward.¡± ¡°Cute¡­¡± Achilleon pointed toward the white side table next to the armrest using his eye gesture. The cloth seemed to hide something under it because it was protruding out. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± The servant approached the side table and carefully removed the white cloth once Achilleon beckoned them to do so. ¡°Gasp¡­¡± Hazel covered her mouth when she finally saw what was wrapped inside the white cloth. ¡°This, what is this¡­¡± ¡°The cat brought it here. Unfortunately, it had lost its breath.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± ¡°From what I know, that bird seems to be owned by Lady Pais. He must have hunted something that he flew from his owner¡¯s enormous cage.¡± Hazel looked at the silver ring on the bird¡¯s ankle. Needless to say, that jewellery was clearly inserted by Lady Pais onto her birds. ¡°Don¡¯t you think the owner of that bird should know this?¡± ¡°No.¡± Hazel said quickly. Achilleon lifted his head and looked at her with his chin resting in his hands. ¡°Why?¡± Hazel bit her lips with his persistent questioning voice. ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± When Lady Pais found out that Tity had hurt her bird, she would be in full force and nearly scream for the cat to be taken out right away. There was no proof that Tity was the one who had done that. The other cat might have hurted the birds¡­. It didn¡¯t seem to make sense to her, however she had no choice but to persist with the truth stubbornly. ¡°I don¡¯t agree with this. Tity is so gentle and nice. She can¡¯t even catch a mouse.¡± Not long ago, she recalled having seen Tity bit a mouse which scared her to death, but she tried to erase it from her memory while saying the opposite. ¡°Lady Pais¡¯ birds died because of another reason.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon stared at her with his blue eyes piercingly quietly. ¡°So, shall we talk about that?¡± There was a pleased smile spread across his mouth when he began to talk after being quiet for a moment. ¡°But I think it¡¯s a bit harsh for me to ask about this.¡± Hazel bit her lips softly while listening to his next words. Chapter 41 ¡°Is this how the people of the Land ask for help?¡± A slight smile hung around Achilleon¡¯s mouth. His eyes even gleamed as if he had found a very interesting toy. The gleam in his eyes was never a good sign. At least that was what I¡¯ve been experiencing in the past. ¡°I¡¯m¡­.¡± Lady Pais would never sit still if she found out that Tity had caught her bird and killed it right away. Now that Lady Pais¡¯ forces have finally deted, she couldn¡¯t create a disadvantageous situation for her. Moreover, she was the one who beat Tity to death ruthlessly for killing her dearest bird. There was no way it would happen again this time. ¡®I have to think about it.¡¯ Achilleon seemed to know about the rtionship between Hazel and Lady Pais very well. It looked like he was relishing over her troubled face. Meow. Tity yawned sleepily and stretched in his arms, whether knowing her owner was in trouble or not. The way he stroked the cat with his fingertips seemed pretty experienced. It was obvious. ¡°¡­the cat, you get along with them.¡± Achilleon tilted his head slightly at Hazel¡¯s remark. Achilleon narrowed his eyes and waited for the next remark from Hazel, as if he was curious about what she was going to say. ¡°I think you¡¯ve dealt with them a lot.¡± The emperor¡¯s concubine and Achilleon¡¯s mother, Consort Helene, liked cats. Obviously, Achilleon also spent time with cats back when he was still young. That information was unknown by people outside the Empire, so Achilleon simply thought it was just her wild guess. He would never abuse or hate cats even though he didn¡¯t raise them on his own. ¡°How do you know that?¡± ¡°People who raise cats will know about it well. You must¡¯ve dealt with cats so many times that they treat you sofortably, Your Highness.¡± After taking her as the Empress, Achilleon gifted a cat to the Empress¡¯ pce. It was thoughtful of him to make sure she was not bored at the times when he was busy with state affairs. ¡°I believe that you have saved my cat out of love and because you care for little animals.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°So I believe you¡¯re not going to do anything that can put the life of this little animal you had saved by yourself back in danger.¡± She didn¡¯t realize that she had spoken regarding her feelings with Achilleon. But at least now, she has more information about him than what he knows about Hazel, so using it was the only clemency she could hold on to. ¡°It¡¯s not easy to say that you trust other people.¡± Tity let out a cute cry again as his big hands stroked her soft fur. She wondered if he might have put a lot of cat drugs on his hands before. ¡°But I will still believe in you.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Achilles looked as if he was a bit stunned. ¡°There¡¯s no way a bad person would follow such a little animal by her instinct. I heard that all the rumors that circted around you are false.¡± ¡°What kind of rumors did you hear?¡± ¡°Many things. I¡¯m sure you already know those, Your Highness.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s not a lie that I killed people in the war.¡± He replied calmly, and Hazel was barely able to draw a smile at that. Hazel wasn¡¯t quite sure if she had seeded in changing his mind and watched him cautiously, but Achilleon then opened up his mouth while ncing at the bird still wrapped in white cloth. ¡°So what are you going to do about this?¡± ¡°The bird¡­ I¡¯ll bury it for you.¡± ¡°Without informing Lady Pais?¡± ¡°You have to tell her this. One of the birds she loves so much is dead. You may tell Lady Pais exactly the way you found it for the first time, Your Highness. The bird died here, and you just found it.¡± Hazel added with a smile on her face. ¡°But as soon as you tell her that Tity was involved in the death of this bird, you would never be able to pet the cat¡¯s fur again.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a great threat.¡± The sides of Achilleon¡¯s mouth stretched. ¡°Your Highness has saved this cat¡¯s life. Therefore you have to take responsibility for that.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± At Hazel¡¯s quite impudent request, Achilleon burst intoughter for a brief moment before stopping abruptly. ¡°What if I want to take on other responsibilities?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel gulped as he looked up at her with cold eyes. His deep blue eyes slowly descended from her face down to her bandaged legs. Although it was well-hidden by the hem of her long dress, his eyes seemed to pierce through the fabric of the dress. Hazel resisted the urge to run away by clutching at the dress as tight as she could. ¡°The kindness you¡¯ve given to my cat is enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really interested in receiving verbal gratitude.¡± ¡°I will return it to you¡­ I¡¯ll definitely repay you.¡± Achilleon stared at Hazel when she said those words. A smile slowly spread across his mouth that somehow sent shivers down to Hazel¡¯s spine. ¡°It¡¯s up to the recipient to decide.¡± ¡°Please do.¡± Hazel sighed in relief inwardly. As long as Tity had not been in a dangerous situation anymore, that was all that mattered. She would think about the restter on. Achilleon rose from his seat with Tity in his arms and walked closer to where she was standing. As he drew closer and closer, Hazel felt as if the air around her had been sucked into one ce and vanished. It was hard for her to breathe and she felt as if the heat had been spreading throughout her entire body. It was inevitable reactioning from her. Hazel clenched her fist in order to not lose her mind. Achilleon was staring deep through Hazel when he finally stood right before her. Hazel gave a lot of strength to her toes, thinking she shouldn¡¯t get caught by him feeling nervous more than necessary. Achilleon handed over the cat, which was still cuddling in his arms, to Hazel¡¯s arms. Hazel felt her hands shaking involuntarily as her fingertips brushed against his in the midst of handing over her cat. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon also stood back and looked down as if he just felt the trembling of her fingers. ¡°Thank you.¡± Hazel quickly took Tity into her arms and backed away from him. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to repay you.¡± Hazel added with a smile as she looked straight into his suspiciously gleaming eyes. ¡°Because that is the formality of the Land.¡± *** Upon receiving the news of her bird¡¯s death, Lady Pais immediately stormed into the Rose Pce. ¡°My bird was found dead, Princess Hazel.¡± The day before, she had seen Lady Pais cry and beg desperately in front of Ileos, but this time Lady Pais looked quite imposing. ¡°Is that so?¡± Hazel took a sip of tea and looked at Lady Pais. ¡°I heard it was found in the garden of the pce where Crown Prince Demophos was staying.¡± ¡°Oh, our dear guest, they¡¯ve seen something ugly.¡± ¡°What¡­¡± Lady Pais took a deep breath and opened her mouth again once she realized Hazel¡¯s in gaze was directed toward her. ¡°Why was my bird found there? Moreover, it¡¯s already dead.¡± ¡°I suppose. How could that happen?¡± ¡°What do you mean by ¡®How could that happen?¡¯ Obviously the Princess¡¯ cat has been attacking my bird.¡± ¡°How can you be so sure of that?¡± ¡°Everyone knows that you have a cat. Even if you tried to deny it¡­¡± ¡°Before that,¡± The door opened and a maid came into the room when Hazel pped her hands. ¡°We have found him, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Bring the gardener in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± While her maid went out of the room again, Lady Pais stared at Hazel as if the woman couldn¡¯tprehend her calm response. ¡°Princess? Can¡¯t you hear me?¡± ¡°I want to show you something first as well.¡± Hazel said while pretending to sh a kind smile to the woman. After a short while, the gardener came in with an armful of beautiful roses in his hand. ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯ve never told you before.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lady Pais frowned at the roses brought by the gardener. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll know when you take a look at it. Here, here, and here.¡± On every trace Hazel pointed was a sharp cut on the petals of the flower bud which hadn¡¯t bloomed and there were leaves still attached to the stem. ¡°I¡¯ve been raising new roses ever since the previous geaden¡¯s flower cutted off in my gardenst time. Among them are the rose varieties that my father had sent me. Take a look here.¡± Mrs. Pais frowned as she looked to the ce where Hazel was pointing at. ¡°So what¡¯s with that?¡± ¡°What do you mean? Aren¡¯t you familiar with those punctured holes?¡± ¡°¡­what?¡± Lady Pais said while hesitating. ¡°It¡¯s the trace of a hard peck from a bird¡¯s beak.¡± ¡°What ¡­that can¡¯t be.¡± ¡°No way. ording to the gardener, this is the wound from the bird¡¯s beak. Right?¡± ¡°Yes, I swear for my gardener career. Your Highness.¡± The gardener said while lowering his head. ¡°I¡¯d like to ask the price of your bird flying into my garden and hurting my flowers.¡± ¡°The bird has wings, princess.¡± ¡°Then?¡± ¡°Was it really my bird who had done anything to damage the rose that you have raised?¡± ¡°Then you would understand what I just said to you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lady Pais bit her lip, perhaps because she wanted to curse. ¡°How do you know it was Tity who had hurted your bird? Tity has been ying around with me all this time.¡± ¡°But she might have escaped when you didn¡¯t realize it¡­¡± ¡°I told you I never did. Are you trying to frame me and my cat again? Like yesterday?¡± ¡°What happened yesterday was a misunderstanding, Princess.¡± ¡°You were so merciless. I almost got punished severely by Father.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Lady Pais opened her mouth and Hazel stopped her from talking again. ¡°As far as I know, the bird was usually kept in your cage, how could it fly to Crown Prince Achilleon¡¯s quarters?¡± Lady Pais only bit her lips, seeming as if she was unwilling to answer. ¡°You didn¡¯t take care of the bird properly. That¡¯s why there could be an ident when it flew through an open window freely. Because the bird has wings.¡± Hazel made wings with both of her hands and pretended to make a pping gesture. ¡°And people have tongues to talk.¡± Lady Pais turned pale at her following words. Chapter 42 ¡°So don¡¯t you think you need to take good care of your own first?¡± Mrs. Pais¡¯ face turned even paler as Hazel added calmly. ¡°Princess, are you threatening me? By telling me to keep my tongue safe?¡± ¡°How can you utter such a scary thing?¡± ¡°Then what¡­¡± ¡°Oh, of course, some of the old punishments in ancient days include pulling or cutting out the tongue of a person who had lied or cheated.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°But it¡¯s true that most of the human¡¯s sinse from the tongue. If you keep your tongue safe, it will increase your chance to live.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m extremely grateful to receive the teaching from the Princess. I¡¯ll make sure to keep that in mind.¡± As if Mrs. Pais¡¯ answer was satisfactory, Hazel showed a meaningful smile as if she was satisfied with Lady Pais¡¯ answer. ¡°This pce needs both birds and cats, Lady Pais.¡± Mrs. Pais¡¯ mouth quivered when she saw Hazel¡¯s smiling face. ¡°We have no choice but to live together. In order not to hurt neither birds nor cats, the owners have no choice but to keep a good eye on them.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take care of my cat, and you will take care of your birds, Lady Pais. Let¡¯s not put false usations on each other rashly.¡± Lady Pais barely felt better at Hazel¡¯s closing remark. ¡°And.¡± Hazel called out to Lady Pais, who was about to turn away. ¡°I don¡¯t think you can¡¯t just mp down on your birds.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lady Pais¡¯ face was contorted again as if she was ufortable with this. ¡°I¡¯ve been checking the budget of the Imperial Pce that you have spent during your time in charge of the pce¡¯s administration.¡± Heisel pointed to the documents piled up on a table. ¡°Is that so?¡± Mrs. Pais held her chin high in the air and retorted. ¡°You spend quite a lot. I was surprised. It was at least double the amount than when my mom was in charge ¡­the expenditure for items also has nearly reached as much as five times.¡± Hazel took out one of the documents and tapped it with the tip of her fingertips. ¡°The amount of items which were used up for the events such as ball, banquets, dinners, and other items have increased gradually.¡± ¡°Since the Princess grew up while being confined in the pce, that must be why you seem to not know much about the reality of the world.¡± Lady Pais deliberately put a lot of entuation in when she said, ¡®the reality of the world¡¯. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel red back while raising one of her eyebrows as a response. ¡°As the number of people as well as the number of households increased, the cost has also increased on its own. Managing household affairs is always hard. We can¡¯t always be unconditionally frugal. His Majesty is the king of this country, and he will lose reputation if you do that.¡± Tsk, Mrs. Pais covered her face with a fan she was holding while clicking her tongue. ¡°Then how are you going to exin this?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I also checked the expense details of each pce ¡­but the numbers didn¡¯t add up.¡± ¡°No way. I managed all of those things perfectly.¡± ¡°The one over here, and also here. Can you see this amount was stated too high? Candles, soap, and private supplies, even all of these. You intended to lie about the expenses on purpose, what do you think?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know about this matter. Why do you insist unreasonably, Princess?¡± ¡°Because your expenses for jewelry and clothing are five times more than mine. Even more than Lorette. Hair piece, perfumes, cosmetics, and everything else.¡± ¡°Are you educating me now, Princess?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t me you. It must cost a lot of money to maintain your dignity as the king¡¯s woman, so I can consider that. The Lady is currently leading the society.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Mrs. Pais¡¯ face stiffened terrifyingly at Hazel¡¯s words. ¡°But I must¡¯ve told you beforehand that there are certain limitations to it. Moreover, the biggest thief is the one who holds the key.¡± ¡°Thief¡­?¡± Heisel finished talking as Lady Pais¡¯ face turned red in anger. ¡°I won¡¯t tell my father about this. I don¡¯t want a person who¡¯s already suffering from political affairs to also worry over this matter.¡± A gracious smile appeared on Hazel¡¯s mouth. ¡°Let me know if you need money. I¡¯ll always give you as much as you need anytime.¡± Hazel smiled when she saw Lady Pais¡¯ lips trembling slightly. ¡°Of course, I will tell my father about that as well.¡± ¡°I am really grateful and thank you for your consideration.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to say that. You are Lorette¡¯s biological mother. It¡¯s only natural for the Princess¡¯ mother to be treated well like this.¡± ¡°What a sentimental consideration.¡± ¡°Of course, it must be.¡± Lady Pais took a deep breath as she saw Hazel¡¯s cheeky smile as well as her response, the tip of thece around her neck was shaking as she released a snort. ¡°Then I¡¯ll get going now. Ah.¡± Lady Pais suddenly beckoned to the maid she had brought in. The maid brought a small box and held it out in front of Hazel. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Mrs. Paisughed at Hazel¡¯s question. ¡°Can you please put it away? Princess. I don¡¯t have the courage to face it again in my weak state. The maid who I brought here has to help me afterall.¡± When the maid opened the box, the pitiful dead bird was already lying dead inside. It was the bird found in Achilleon¡¯s window. ¡°If you wish for me to do so.¡± Lady Pais red at her sharply before leaving the room. Thud. With the sound of the closing door, Hazel then stretched her legs while leaning her back against the sofa. ¡°Phew¡­¡± Hazel pulled the bell rope and called for the maid while looking at the dead bird that was left behind by Lady Pais. ¡°Bury it in a sunny ce. Like a flower.¡± ¡°Pardon me? Ah, yes.¡± ¡°Prick out a handful of Tity¡¯s fur and add it there as a sign of condolences.¡± ¡°What? Ah ¡­yes.¡± ¡°Then it¡¯ll be born as a cat in its next life. The enemy will have a chance to avenge Tity after it¡¯s reborn.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Hazel shook her head when the maid looked surprised by Hazel¡¯s reasoning in which she couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Hurry up and take it away.¡± When Hazel gave a wave of her hand, the maid quickly picked up the dead bird¡¯s body wrapped in a white cloth and left the room. After the maid turned away, Hazel tossed her body to lie down on her back while pressing her aching head with her fingertips. It was good that she could control Lady Pais¡¯ attitude and press her down, but her promise toward Achilleson was lingering on her mind the entire time. ¡°I¡¯m not really interested in receiving verbal gratitude.¡± I remembered his rxed face as if he was looking at an animal which had been caught in a trap. ¡°It¡¯s up to the recipient to decide.¡± For some reason, I felt like I crawled into the lion¡¯s den when I was trying to avoid the fox, but it was an inevitable choice to immediately escape from danger. ¡°What is he going to ask from me?¡± I couldn¡¯t even make a single guess. However, I had a feeling that his demand would never be favorable for her side. And her hunch was very urate. *** ¡°Hazel, that d**m child.¡± Lady Pais kicked and knocked it over as soon as she entered Lorette¡¯s Pce right after returning from the Rose Pce. ¡°What happened?¡± Lorette asked carefully, looking at her mother¡¯s viciousplexion. ¡°Isn¡¯t this all because of your close friendship with Hazel?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You looked very happy after betraying your mother.¡± ¡°Did you really want to do that to me, mother?¡± Lorette spoke in a prickling tone. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®that¡¯?¡± Lady Pais said while frowning at what her daughter had said to her. ¡°What do you mean, Lorette?¡± ¡°¡­You know it.¡± ¡°Tell me so I can understand what you are talking about.¡± Lady Pais¡¯ expression when asking her daughter was even more vicious. ¡°The thing you had fed me before.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lorette let out a deep sigh as she stared at the gaze that began to shake slightly now. ¡°The tea you had fed me. What was in it?¡± ¡°What¡­ Hear me out. Are you telling me that I had given you something terrible?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mother know it better?¡± Lorette said as if she was getting tired of this. Lady Pais was taken aback at the expression and tone her daughter had never used to talk with her before. ¡°Lorette!¡± Lady Pais screamed out loud, but Lorette said while adjusting her gaze to stare straight at her mother, rather than feeling dejected. ¡°Did you only add the tea leaf in it? Was there anything else other than that?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about. But if I gave you poison¡­¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have given something to me that I ate and died because of that. I know it.¡± ¡°Do you think it¡¯s fine just to say anything you want?¡± ¡°I also drank tea that was given by mother before, at the time when I was with Prince Sisef.¡± Loret exhaled deeply and continued. ¡°I suddenly had a fever that time, and the prince couldn¡¯t fulfill his promise to sister because of that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a coincidence. That¡¯s what the imperial doctor said. Your body was weak¡­¡± ¡°The imperial doctor is on mother¡¯s side.¡± Frustrated by Lorette¡¯s snap, Lady Pais only able to open and close her mouth again as she was taken aback when Lorette retorted sharply. ¡°I¡¯ve done everything mother has told me to do. But what was in your mind when you fed me with fever-inducing herbs? That is too much!¡± p. Lorette¡¯s face suddenly turned away followed by a sibnt sound. She hit Lorette so hard that the girl lost her bnce and fell on the floor. ¡°I¡¯ve given birth and raised you as much as I could and even turned you into an Imperial Princess¡­ How can you say that?¡± Lady Pais sat on the floor facing her daughter who was slumped down on the floor as well while gently bit her trembling lips. ¡°I did all of that for your sake. What happened to you after you ate a little bit of such herb? No. The herb is said to produce just a mere fever. Do you know how hard it was for me to get it?¡± ¡°¡­Was it true?¡± There was a huge shock on Lorette¡¯s face. ¡°And the Prince couldn¡¯t leave because he was worried about you. Hazel wouldn¡¯t have been able to control you if you hadn¡¯t gone to see her that day, and your father wouldn¡¯t havee to see us. Foolish little thing, resentful even if I had created an opportunity for you.¡± ¡°M-mother.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m your mom. I¡¯m your mother even though I may not like it because you are not an heir of the Queen.¡± Lorette looked at Lady Pais while wrapping her cheek that had begun to swell and turned red. ¡°So you just do what I tell you to do. Got it?¡± Chapter 43 ¡°I-I¡­¡± ¡°Answer me!¡± Lorette cowered away once she heard Lady Pais¡¯ scolding. ¡°You can be the princess if you listen to me. Don¡¯t ever let go of the prince, got it?¡± ¡°Yes, I got it, mother.¡± Her arm caught by Lady Pais shook helplessly in the air. ¡°The rest would go well once you had be the Empress of Demophos. It¡¯s not hard for me to be a queen.¡± ¡°Mother will be a queen?¡± Lorette¡¯s big eyes looked at Lady Pais. ¡°Yes, I will be the queen.¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Lorette shut her mouth again when she was about to say it would be difficult for her mother. Because I didn¡¯t think it would be fine to intrude her mother¡¯s temper anymore. ¡°Of course it will be hard. I¡¯m not a noble, I¡¯m nobody.¡± Lady Pais said as if she had read Lorette¡¯s thoughts. ¡°But think about it. Nevertheless, I made you an official child of the king. Do you think I can¡¯t put the queen¡¯s crown on my head?¡± Her gleaming eyes were filled with determination. Lorette waspletely aware of how strong her mother was. ¡°Simple, you can live if you buy as many noble positions as you can afford. As long as you have money and power. So you have to help me, understand?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Lady Pais¡¯ hand moved up to her head when she responded weakly. ¡°My lovely daughter, a seamstress wille in a short while. You have to try on a new tailored hunting dress, okay?¡± ¡°I will.¡± When Lorette nodded, Lady Pais smiled contentedly as if she had forgotten what just happened a while ago. *** The huntingpetition was scheduled even before she was in charge of court receivership. King Ileos entrusted the responsibility to Lady Pais who had been overseeing the event so she could hold the huntingpetition during the delegation¡¯s visit safely, since both of the delegation¡¯s visits and celebrations were directed and managed by her from the beginning. The forest used as a hunting ground for the royal family started to get crowded from early morning. The King¡¯s Forest was normally protected by tightly enclosed iron railings and was not an essible ce for just anyone. The iron railings were just opened today after a long time. ¡°How long has this been, princess?¡± Mary said excitedly next to her. ¡°It¡¯s a hunting contest, it¡¯s sort of an asion for the princess.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Huntingpetitions were scheduled way before she took over the administration of the court. Since the delegation¡¯s visits and celebrations were all directed and supervised by Mrs. Pais, King Ileus entrusted the responsibility to Mrs. Pais, who oversaw the event to ensure that the hunting contest held during the mission¡¯s visit was held safely. ¡°It¡¯s been a really long time since I¡¯ve attended a huntingpetition. His Majesty doesn¡¯t like this sort of thing.¡± ¡°Hunting was something my mother enjoyed.¡± King Ileos did not have much interest in hunting to tear the sh apart and saw animal blood. So this forest was not opened often. King Ileos did not enjoy outside activities such as hunting, archery, and shooting. He stayed the same even on the days when the queen was still alive. He was extremely different from the queen who liked outdoor activities. Having inherited the queen¡¯s tendency, Hazel also preferred outdoor activities such as horseback riding, shooting, and hunting. Meanwhile, Lorette¡¯s modesty was seen in a more favorable perspective because she enjoyed reading, knitting, and sewing as hobbies. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s nice to go outside after a long time, right?¡± Hazel replied in a faint voice. She didn¡¯t go out purely because she wanted to do so. Two days ago, Achilleon had sent her a note. I would like to invite you to attend the huntingpetition. It was such a polite and elegant handwriting. Until she couldn¡¯t believe he was the person who wandered on the battlefield. She would have thought the same way if she had seen his handwriting for the first time. It was a very polite note, but in her eyes, it was nothing but a threat that demanded a price for not revealing the cause of the bird¡¯s death was actually Titi. She was dragged onto the huntingpetition, which she tried to avoid with such an appropriate excuse. However, I have a goal to achieve since I have to attend anyway. I would move forward determinedly. People were busy setting up hunting tents here and there in the forest. There was also a tent engraved with a royal crest and a tent for the delegations of the Demophos Empire, the most important guest for this huntingpetition. Inside the tent, there was a soft and simple bed, a table where you can enjoy some refreshments, and even a firece to prepare for the daily temperature difference between midnight and at dawn. The hunting tent prepared by each family represented the wealth of the family, therefore everyone tried to show off arge and impressive tent in front of others by all means. The second in the list of the most spectacr tents following the royal family and Demophos was the one owned by Concez. Theodore and Briden attended as representatives of the Concez family, with the exception of Wilves, the eldest son who fell ill. Hazel recognized Briden from afar and took a step closer toward him. Briden was looking around as if to show off along with the hawk on his thick hunting gloves because he originally liked to show off. With its big eyes and sharp beak, the eagle was small but had a sleek body in size, and seemed to be well-trained. ¡°Your hawk looks so brave, uncle Briden.¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, the Princess is here.¡± Briden presented an exaggerated greeting to Hazel. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since thest time I saw you.¡± ¡°By the way, where did you get it? I don¡¯t think it¡¯s an ordinary bird.¡± As Hazel approached, the hawk opened up its beak, lowered its body and spread its feathers, as if it just entered its alert mode. ¡°It seems to follow uncle well. Dealing with these birds of prey like this is not for everyone.¡± ¡°Of course. The princess seems to know about it very well. This hawk is a specially trained species, so it¡¯s very difficult to get.¡± ¡°¡­I can¡¯t believe you got such a precious thing, I can¡¯t follow uncle¡¯s natural luck and talent.¡± The corner of Briden¡¯s mouth raised high without even realizing it once he heard Hazel¡¯spliment. Hazel added after seeing his smile. ¡°There are a lot of things that can¡¯t be done merely with money. You have a natural destiny, uncle.¡± ¡°Destiny¡­?¡± ¡°To lead a family, you have to be a man of innate distribution of the family itself and destiny. Concez¡¯ future looks very bright thanks to Uncle Briden.¡± At Hazel¡¯s words, Briden grinned in surprise toward the bird on his forearm. ¡°As expected, the Princess really owns the blood of our family, the Concez. You have a good eye to see this kind of thing.¡± ¡°But is the old uncle still not feeling well?¡± Briden sighed deeply right at that moment. ¡°Tell me how he is doing. I think he almost spent one third of the year in bed. He lives and suffers from a cold¡­¡± Hazel said with a sad face. ¡°Oh, my. I should go and see him.¡± ¡°Are you going to meet him in person?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t I? I want to see grandfather as well¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that you can¡¯t see them, Princess. Isn¡¯t our family the maternal home for the Queen, the Princess¡¯ mother?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for your invitation.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Hazel gave herst remark as Briden bowed. ¡°I hope you will catch the most precious animal in today¡¯s hunt.¡± ¡°It is an honor to be blessed by the Princess.¡± The hawk sitting on his forearm replied by letting out a long cry toward the sky when Briden replied with a grin. As soon as they turned around and walked away from the Concez¡¯ tent, Mary said. ¡°What a wonderful bird.¡± Hazel nodded when Mary said so. ¡°It¡¯s quite different from other hunting hawks, right? The beak looks unique as well.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Hazel replied half-heartedly. It was obvious that he would have deliberately chosen a bird with noticeable appearances to get such attention. ¡°How much would such a bird cost? Look, other nobles eyed the bird as well.¡± ¡°Maybe they still can¡¯t get it even though they have spent so much.¡± ¡°No matter how much they spent? Why?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to get such a hawk, but it¡¯s a lot harder to tame it. First of all, it has a very violent characteristic, so he is more likely to be attacked and be fatally injured if he fails to tame it even just the slightest bit.¡± Mary widened his eyes at Hazel¡¯s exnation. ¡°Then it¡¯s better not to raise it, right?¡± ¡°However once the bird is tamed, its hunting speed is fast and fearless, which is very helpful for hunting. Naturally, it¡¯s great for catching people¡¯s attention due to its impressive shape, as well as worthy for fulfilling uncle¡¯s long-awaited desire.¡± ¡°Then¡­ How did he get it?¡± ¡°You must have paid with something other than money.¡± ¡°Jewel¡­ You mean that sort of thing?¡± Hazel just shed a mysterious smile at Mary¡¯s question. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure about that either.¡± But her mind was filled with different thoughts. The hunting hawk owned by Briden, who oftenly liked to show off his things, was a difficult species to get, at least in Land. They lived in the cold northern region and the main habitat was a dangerous cliff. Moreover, because humans could not raise them, they had to steal from their nest where the birds were born and tame them. Everything from catching and taming the hawk was possible only by tribesmen living near the cliff. They took the hawk out of its nests and never leaked to the outsider on how to tame them. Furthermore, the route to bring in hawks was extremely limited. They only wanted to have a deal with the royal family or imperial family of each country because they act very cautiously. Therefore, it was impossible to deal with them without the help of any member of the royal family. Without the help of someone who has power equal to the king¡¯s. It was supposed to be Lady Pais. At that moment, Hazel was walking ahead while deeply immersed in her thoughts. ¡°Are there a lot of people in that tent?¡± Mary¡¯s eyes were gleaming while looking at the tent used by the delegation of Demophos. She could immediately recognize the man with shiny golden hair at a single nce as Achilleon even from afar. He stood there while surrounded by noblewomen and youngdies. It was not difficult to recognize him because his hand could be distinguished easily among them. Even if it wasn¡¯t because of that, his presence always stood out anytime and anywhere, as if a hawk was surrounded by a flock of chicks. ¡°Looks like the poprity of Prince Sisef has reduced drastically.¡± Mary said while looking amazed. She casually averted her eyes to him, and suddenly felt a piercing gaze directed toward herself. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon¡¯s deep blue eyes were looking directly at Hazel. Chapter 44 Hazel was rigid and unable to move when she made eye contact with him even if it was just a brief moment. She must¡¯ve just mistaken, it must have been a coincidence, and it was just useless thinking about it. Even though the distance between them was quite far, it was difficult to ignore his gaze. It felt like she had be an animal who was hiding really well in the forest but ended up being caught. It was difficult to hide the fear that surged up from the depth of her lungs. Hazel hurriedly pulled down the veil of her hat to cover up her face. Nevertheless, he was still looking at her as if he could see her through the veil. The threat she felt just by making eye contact with each other was already intense, even without him pointing a gun at her. ¡°I think he is looking at this way.¡± Mary spoke in an excited voice beside her, but Hazel¡¯s expression was stiff. ¡°There are so many prettydies around him ¡­yet I think he is only looking at Your Highness?¡± Mary talked endlessly just like ark. ¡°Oh my, there are many married women over there. It looks like everyone is trying to exchange words with the Crown Prince.¡± ¡°What do you know about him?¡± Hazel spoke sharply without realizing it. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go there and see him as well?¡± ¡°What am I going to do there?¡± ¡°What do you mean? Having fun talking to each other about the weather and hunting¡­¡± ¡°No need.¡± Hazel turned her head away from him, lowering the veil on her hat even further down to cover her face. She just wanted to walk away quickly and get out of his sight as soon as possible. ¡°Why? You two grew so close with each other because of Tity¡­ It¡¯s good to grow closer.¡± ¡°What do you mean that is a good thing?¡± Hazel thought to pinch on Mary¡¯s mouth while quickening her steps forward. ¡°Oh my, Princess, let¡¯s walk together. Your ankle hasn¡¯t fully healed yet.¡± Hazel moved forward stubbornly despite Mary¡¯s cry. Hazel felt a stinging pain in her ankle, but she was losing her mind that she endured the pain. Come on, let her get out of here. It was the only thought that filled her mind at that moment. The gaze on her back was like a terrifying arrow that was about to pierce her. Moreover, he took a deep breath and exhaled repeatedly to calm down her heart which started to beat quickly. ¡°It¡¯d be nice if you two could talk together¡­¡± Mary followed her with quick but short steps and continued to speak frustratedly. ¡°If you like him that much, go there alone and greet him¡­ AH!¡± Hazel¡¯s body fell down with a short scream. ¡°¡­¡­¡± She could see her feet buried in the mud just below her calves when she looked down. The rain was falling down on the day before and her feet were stuck on the muddy ground. ¡°Oh my god! Hold on a second. I¡¯ll take your feet out for you.¡± Mary came closer and tried to lift up Hazel¡¯s feet as she held it. It was difficult to pull her feet out again because the ground she had stepped on was muddy. Her pride sank down even more as the breeze swept past her. The pain in her ankle felt even worse when her maid suddenly tried to lift it with all her might. ¡°Ouch¡­¡± Hazel frowned and let out a groan. ¡°Does it hurt a lot? Hold on a second.¡± Mary dug out the mud near her feet before grabbing Hazel¡¯s feet and tried to lift it up again. She tried to raise it, but it wasn¡¯t easy to get out of the muddy pit that had turned into a swamp. ¡°I have to ask someone for help. It¡¯s probably the only thing I could do for you, Princess¡­¡± When the two women groaned and tried to pull their feet out of the muddy ground, their bodies suddenly lifted up. ¡°Ack!¡± Hazel suddenly let out a short scream in bewilderment at the unexpected lift of her body. However, the thick arms wrapped around her waist which lifted her up was even more bewildering. ¡°Wh-who is this¡­¡± The mud sttered all over the ce when she struggled with her legs up in the air. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Hazel was very ashamed as she felt like a fish which was caught on the shore. Who in the world dared to lift the Royal Princess¡¯ body up like this? She was grateful to the one who had saved her, but she wasn¡¯t going to let this one slide. ¡°I will let you go if you stay still.¡± Hazel stopped struggling at the voice above her. ¡°You ended up making yourself covered in mud even before the hunting began.¡± Her heart started to pound at his shuddering voice since she wasn¡¯t used to it. Her arms and legs which were kicking into the air had already calmed down at this point. A short breath passed through her ears, and she could step and stood slowly on the ground a few momentster. She was freaked out by what she had gone through at that brief moment. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The sight of Achilleon¡¯s figure gently fragmented appeared through the veil in front of her. Hazel sighed slightly while feeling grateful of the veil that had covered her face in the least. ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± Hazel said the most appropriate words for this sort of situation. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± The other party said nothing even after hearing her gratitude. However, a veil covering her face was lifted right after that moment. ¡°What is¡­¡± Achilleon smiled after lifting up Hazel¡¯s veil with one hand. His face was so close against Hazel that she forgot how to breathe. ¡°I was wondering who it was, but then it turned out to be the Royal Princess.¡± Heisel was dumbfounded and speechless. Did he pretend to not know who she was now? His insidious expression was nasty and she couldn¡¯t stand it. ¡°Why are you checking behind the veil¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious.¡± ¡°What¡­¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be okay for me to at least know the face of the person I helped?¡± Hazel was speechless and bursted into an absurdughter at Achilleon¡¯s brashness. ¡°Are you hoping for something in return?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the kind of person who hopes for such a thing after helping others.¡± There was no end to his brashness. Hazel gave up on keeping this conversation going even further. ¡°Oh, I see. I¡¯ve forgotten that the Crown Prince of the Demophos Empire is a generous man who helps others without hoping for something in return.¡± Achilleon smiled again when he heard the remark from Hazel. ¡°Then I should get going now. I need to treat this. Move aside ¡­please?¡± Achilleon stepped aside when Hazel said so and said. ¡°I can hold and carry you as well.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Just like I did before.¡± Hazel¡¯s breath became rough at the sound that was secretly reaching and distracting his ears. ¡°Isn¡¯t your ankle still sore?¡± ¡°That is nothing to worry about, Your Highness.¡± Hazel raised the corners of her mouth as high as she could and said. ¡°Then I will get going.¡± Mary quickly grabbed Hazel¡¯s extended hand. Mary¡¯s curious gaze busily going back and forth between Achilleon and Hazel. ¡°Stop looking at him.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Mary¡¯s eyes gleamed even more as she walked and supported Hazel at the same time. ¡°You¡¯re still looking that way.¡± She was acting like a fool. Of all times, it happened right at that moment. Hazel didn¡¯t even stop walking even though she was limping. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you new shoes.¡± When she reached the exclusive ce for royals with the shading curtain pulled down, Mary roughly wiped off the hem of Hazel¡¯s dress with a wet towel and left to pick her shoes up. Hazel sighed after sitting herself down, she looked around before finding Lorette. Under the awning curtain where the royal family gathered, Loret sat helplessly. Her sagging shoulders and downward gaze were very different from usual. ¡°Lorette, you don¡¯t look so good.¡± When Hazel approached and said so, Lorette was surprised when Hazel approached her and said so, then she put her hand on top of her chest. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Just from a moment ago. I guess you didn¡¯t notice me.¡± ¡°I was just in a daze¡­¡± Lorette¡¯s face turned white, she also looked really sick. ¡°Why does yourplexion look worse? Has your body not recovered yet?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. The sunshine was just so strong, I had been avoiding it for a while.¡± It was not unusual that high-ss women who only stayed indoors copsed due to sudden outdoor activities. ¡°Perhaps because when you copsed back then at the tea party and still¡­.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. That¡¯s because I¡¯m weak. That¡¯s why I ended up like that the other day. I¡¯m sorry for troubling you that day.¡± Lorette hurriedly uttered her words as if she was being chased by something. ¡°Yeah, because your body was weak.¡± Hazel nodded and epted her excuse. ¡°But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s better for you to take a break? You don¡¯t have toe to the huntingpetition if it¡¯s too much¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it by myself.¡± Lorette said so and lowered her head again. Hazel felt somewhat suspicious as she withdrew after seeing her setting up a strange wall against them. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your feet?¡± Only then did Lorette open her eyes wide when she gazed at Hazel¡¯s dirty shoes. ¡°I fell and got stuck in the mud on my way here. I had a hard time getting my feet out of it.¡± ¡°Are you okay? Your sprained leg is still hurt after all.¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost better. I still felt a little bit of pain, though.¡± Hazel smiled as if it was nothing and looked at Lorette. Lorette was known to be weak because she was born earlier than the scheduled time. Sometimes she had a high fever and often copsed. But was it just because of her weak body? There was a doubt that Lorette showed symptoms of fever at a favorable time. She thought the girl was seriously ill because she had a fever so often, but turned out that wasn¡¯t the case. Even if Lady Pais had yed such a trick, it would be most unlikely that she would risk her daughter¡¯s life. If so, it was obvious that she had a herb which caused fever but was harmless to her body. The ancestor of the Concez family was a wealthy herbalist. Hazel was well aware of the herbs that hadn¡¯t been acknowledged by others, and the secret ways of using those herbs were passed down well. Hazel¡¯s mother, Martina, also did the same. Among the legacy passed down to her daughter after Martina¡¯s death were a book and a box full of herbs. The book, which I read beforehand just in case, contained herbs that had such effects. Without urate usage and dose, it was just grass that had a bitter taste. If someone has used it over the regr dose and in a certain dose. This was clearly a betrayal toward the Concez family. ¡®But there¡¯s no evidence yet.¡¯ She was going to get evidence that uncle Briden had made some sort of deal with Lady Pais. Things may be a little easier if she managed to get the evidence. ¡°We areing to see you, Princess.¡± A group of youngdies approached and greeted Hazel while she was lost in thought. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± The women bowed down at Hazel¡¯s answer and stood up at once. ¡°I heard you had fallen ill, but we are finally able to see you in this state of yours.¡± Among them was Mie, a youngdy from the Concez family. Chapter 45 ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we saw each other, Mie.¡± Mie gave a smile at Hazel¡¯s answer. Mie was the only child of Wilves and in the same age as Hazel. Mie was having Wilves¡¯ love all for herself since the man had no other son or daughter. ¡°Are you feeling better now?¡± Mie asked while looking at Hazel. Hazel has been feeling ufortable facing this arrogant and confidentdy since she was young. The strange thing was that Mie¡¯s status in the pce and social circles was more than the youngdy of a duke. Because it was certain that his father would be the next head of the Concez family as well as the brother of the Queen. ¡°Is it because you¡¯re both cousins? I think you resemble each other even more now.¡± Ante, ady of a family close to Mie, spoke in a friendly tone. ¡°Because our blood is mixed.¡± Hazel answered while staring at Mie. The Concez family¡¯s unique ck hair was well groomed and hung down her back, as well as the delicately cut hunting dress that also went well with her sensuous body shape. ¡°Looking at them like this, I would believe they are sisters, not cousins.¡± Another youngdy seconded the remark. Not to mention that Mie¡¯s green eyes and ck hair resembled Martina, her aunt, and also looked quite simr to Hazel. If Hazel had a slightly thinner frame, petite, and a lovely appearance, Mie was impressive with her strong features that resembled her father, Wilves. ¡°But it can¡¯t bepared to sister¡¯s gracefulness. Sister is a royal princess.¡± All the youngdies¡¯ eyes turned to the voice heard alongside them. ¡°Oh, there was also Princess Lorette.¡± The corners of Mie¡¯s mouth went up. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were here. It waste for me to greet you.¡± When Mie expressed her courtesy gently, Lorette rolled up the dress over her knees and clenched it. If Hazel was just ufortable associated with Mie, Lorette was openly hostile against Mie. ¡°Are you also ill, Princess Lorette?¡± ¡°No.¡± Lorette said as she red at Mie. ¡°Really? Then I was mistaken.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But if you are sitting on the hunting ground with such a pale face, people would think someone is aiming a gun at the royal princess.¡± The sound of muffledughter unraveled from around them at her words. ¡°Mie.¡± She looked at Hazel who called her name. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s something to say to the princess.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Mie looked at Hazel with a slight surprise in her eyes. It looked strange that Hazel suddenly sided with Lorette. Lorette looked at Hazel, who took her side, with tearful eyes. ¡°Princess Lorette¡¯s skin was so white and beautiful, I was just joking about that. You¡¯re not offended, are you?¡± Lorette looked at Mie and nodded reluctantly. ¡°Thank you for understanding.¡± Mie sat down soon after she looked back and forth between both of the princesses and spoke to Hazel again. ¡°How is Tity doing? It¡¯s a pet especially picked and sent by Father to you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s in the age where it loves to cause big troubles. Even though it¡¯s still technically a child in human terms. It even tore out the long curtains and ran off this morning.¡± The youngdies burst intoughter at Hazel¡¯s answer. ¡°By the way, I heard Young Lady Concez¡¯s dog had puppies. It¡¯s the rare breed from Wilves, right?¡± When Ante asked that, Mie replied with a smile. ¡°Yes, my father is about to bring the dog to the royal trader¡­ but it recently gave birth to puppies.¡± ¡°Oh, they must be cute. Are you going to raise all of them?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m thinking of killing all of them. But they are too cute.¡± ¡°Oh my¡­.¡± Everyone was surprised and looked at her because they heard such a creepy word that came from the mouth of the duke¡¯s beautiful daughter. ¡°Why?¡± Mie smiled as she wondered, unable to hold back her curiosity. ¡°The mother dog had tarnished the lineage. Because it had a liaison with a hybrid dog.¡± ¡°Oh my god¡­¡± ¡°So I¡¯m going to kill both the mother dog and its babies. The male dog has a good lineage, so he would need to find a new partner.¡± The youngdies nced at each other and smiled awkwardly at theck ofpassion in her tone. ¡°Well, you can¡¯t let the dog live when it has tarnished a good lineage.¡± Ante seconded as she stood next to Mie as if she was her maid. ¡°Because blood determines everything.¡± Mie¡¯s pride in her family¡¯s ancestry was very deep. Moreover, her status as the eldest daughter of the Concez Family made her proud since she was young. Even in front of Hazel, who was literally the daughter of the king. ¡°Your Highness can¡¯t do anything without our family. There¡¯s no aunt there anymore. But do not worry. I will tell my father and grandfather to take good care of the Princess.¡± Mie was the kind of person who threw such words at Hazel so casually. For her, Lorette was like a rock that could be kicked away someday. She was going to dump the stone after feeling unsatisfied with it because its existence didn¡¯t matter in the first ce. ¡°About the Crown Prince.¡± While talking, everyone¡¯s eyes turned at once toward someone who brought up a conversation about him first. Their expressions also simultaneously turned to be raptured all at once with the new topic. ¡°I don¡¯t think only lineage would represent everything. There¡¯s ¡­an exception for that.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement at the person¡¯s remark. ¡°It¡¯s a shame that he¡¯s not born from the Empress.¡± ¡°But he¡¯s still the emperor¡¯s child, though.¡± ¡°There was once a saying that the more blood got mixed, the descendants would be stronger and more beautiful. What do you think, Young Lady Mie?¡± When someone asked Mie, the youngdy stared at Achilleon with an awkward face. However, the spark flickering in her eyes was an obvious crush toward the man. Hazel looked at her surroundings while smiling softly. His figures looked busy roaming here and there to prepare for the huntingpetition. Although the asion was designed for the two countries to reconcile with each other, it was still difficult to expect such a friendly atmosphere in apetition that determined the result based on the number and the quality of prey that would be caught. ¡®Everyone is bound to turn around when they see blood.¡¯ The tension spread throughout the hunting ground made Hazel worried. The huntingpetition naturally became a struggle of pride between the nobles of Land and delegation of the Demophos Empire. They also were having a psychological war even when they used a gun. The youngdies were waiting quietly for the beginning of the huntingpetition as they cheered for their respective families. A muscr ck horse with bluish luster stood not far off. It had a nice mane as well as a muchrger physique than other horses, therefore he stood out almost immediately. ¡°Whose horse is it? It¡¯s really beautiful.¡± Then, the answer to that question came out unexpectedly easy. Achilleon took the hold of the horse¡¯s reins and began to check at the saddle. The eyes of young nobledies were scanning over the wide shoulders and firm thighs of Achilleon, who was well-dressed in his hunting clothes without seeing the need to try hiding it. ¡°Such a horse could resemble its owner.¡± Subtleughter bursted out again at the way they spoke in a manner that implied highly sexual intent about the man. Mie was also in the conversation. Hazel and Lorette were the only people who didn¡¯tugh at that. ¡°Oh, my. Crown Prince¡¯s attire¡­.¡± Achilleon¡¯s clothes were stained with sttered mud when Hazel tried to run away and struggled in his arms earlier. Mie, who also realized it, suddenly took out the handkerchief from her arms and got up from her seat. Surprisingly, Mie headed to the direction where Achilleson stood with a handkerchief in her hand. Mie approached him when the man was standing next to the horse and held out a handkerchief toward him. Achilleon looked at Mie¡¯s handkerchief and picked it up before starting to shake off the mud from his clothes. ¡°He is receiving Mie¡¯s handkerchief.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe that Young Lady Mie handed over her handkerchief to him directly. The dog would meow and cry out soon.¡± [T/N: I think thest line implied that it is such a nearly impossible thing to do by Mie.] The youngdies continued to look at Mie with excited eyes. Mie¡¯s face turned slightly red as she looked at Achilleon. ¡°That¡¯s weird. Before the delegation arrived, she didn¡¯t care about the man because he wasn¡¯t born from the Empress¡­¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it worth forgetting from whom he was born if you see his face?¡± ¡°I heard the Crown Prince was put up as a puppet instead of the Prince.¡± ¡°But his reputation across the whole continent is already so huge¡­¡± What, the Crown Prince who was being put up as a puppet? Hazelughed inwardly. He would be an Emperor in the future and take over the hegemony of not only Demophos, but would also dominate the continent. ¡®Since all of Demophos¡¯ prestigious families are under the influence of the Empress, it would be difficult for him to seed the throne smoothly, right?¡± ¡°Because the foundation will be strong only if he earns the support from his maternal family.¡± They didn¡¯t take off their gazes off Achilleon when they whispered andid down the information they knew to each other. It wasn¡¯t just those youngdies. Numerous women who gathered in the tent, and even men, didn¡¯t take their eyes off the Achilleon the entire time. Hazel wasn¡¯t very surprised because she had grown familiar with that kind of situation. It was also the reason for people who disregard him for being born off a concubine at first then be attracted to his appearance and the intimidation he exuded. Achilleon was the person who climbed up to that position by himself after being recognized by the emperor for his own power, and the power that emanated from such a person was something that people could not dare to withstand. Hazel felt indescribable when she recalled her past self was feeling actually happy to own such a man. She wondered who would be his empress in this life. He was currently wary of the Empress of the Empire, but after he seeded to the throne, many young daughters from various origins would be brought to him for matrimony. The delegations have less than ten days to stay in the country. Once the representatives of two countries have signed the peace agreement as thest step of the official procedure, then¡­. I wouldn¡¯t have to see him anymore. That would be the end of Achilleon¡¯s strange curiosity toward me. So until then. Hazel looked carefully at the sight of them again. Mie wasn¡¯t just handing over a handkerchief to him, but she was keeping the conversation going for quite a while. ¡°What am I talking about?¡± After their conversation, Achilleon put the handkerchief given by Mie in his pocket and climbed on the horse. The man turned secretly and happened to exchange a gaze with Hazel just before he turned the horse¡¯s head. It was just a moment, but she could definitely feel it. Mie was smiling when she returned to the tent with a light step. She held her chin up in the air and enjoyed everyone¡¯s gaze toward her when she got an envious look because Achilleon epted her handkerchief without anyints when she handed it over to him. ¡°Oh my! Young Lady Mie. His Imperial Highness deemed the Young Lady¡¯s handkerchief as a very precious thing.¡± Chapter 46 ¡°What? I just wanted to give him one because I thought he needed help to wipe his clothes.¡± There was a subtle nuance of confidence in her tone. It was not normal for a noble youngdy like Mie to hand over a handkerchief almost so casually. Moreover, doing it directly in front of so many people. Many people threw nces filled with slight curiosity from all over the ce toward her, perhaps because they thought about the same thing. ¡°What were you two talking about? You look quite close to each other. Maybe you¡­.¡± ¡°Please refrain from making any kind of assumptions. I was just showing a bit of kindness to him.¡± While saying so, a slight smile was stered on Mie¡¯s face. Hazel came up with some sort of questions in her mind when she looked at that smile. Does The Duke of Concez have Achilleon in mind as the next Emperor of Demophos? It was difficult to understand what Mie had done earlier because of how arrogant she had been regarding her ancestry and family. But if the choice of Duke Concez was Achilleon, not Sisef. Briden¡¯s coboration with Lady Pais was another possibility in her mind. ¡®Is this the idea of grandfather?¡¯ Perhaps it was Seymour Concez who nned this to happen. With his long and keen eye, he was able to make the Concez Dukedom be the most prestigious family. It wasn¡¯t enough for them to make one of their members as the Queen of Land, but they were also aiming for the Empress position in the Empire this time. ¡®If I was not to be an Empress.¡¯ It was obvious that they were trying to make someone from the Concez family the Empress. If she couldn¡¯t be the Empress, she must obtain the position as a concubine, at the very least. ¡®Was it Mie?¡¯ Why did she not notice it before? Clearly, she was just looking at Sisef and didn¡¯t bother to see anything else due to the fear of losing the man to her half-sister. While she was still absorbed in her love game, her maternal family were preparing everything so meticulously. It felt as if she had be a discarded figurine thrown out of the game board. The discarded figurines were naturally removed from the table, and a new game was about to begin soon. Everything was progressing secretly and thoroughly without her involvement. ¡°What are you so serious about, Your Highness?¡± Mie spoke to Hazel, who was lost in thought as she returned to her seat. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Everyone must be curious regarding why I gave him a handkerchief. It was just a handkerchief, why are you all being like this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just a handkerchief. Didn¡¯t you realize the attention that came from your actions and your way of speaking?¡± ¡°Did I?¡± Hazel just smiled as the response to Mie¡¯s answer. The daughter of the Concez Family, the highest family in the Land Kingdom with a considerable amount of influence owned outside the country, handed out a handkerchief to the Crown Prince of Demophos. Doing such an act as if showing it off on purpose so proudly was nothing but to proim something openly. Achilleon is her man. His grandfather, Seymour, was nning to use the daughter of the family to make money. Her value has naturally fallen below the daughter of the Concez family after the death of Martina. If Mie would really get to marry Achilleon¡­ ¡®She will be the Empress of Demophos.¡¯ She felt somewhat ufortable when that sort of thought shed in her mind. Mie was still a high-ss noble youngdy when she dared to ignore the royal princess openly. However, she didn¡¯t know how far she would rise and how much power she would¡¯ve obtained if she managed to be the Queen of Achilleon and not to mention, the Empress in the future. ¡°I just wanted to be of help.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t like how it looked earlier.¡± ¡°But you don¡¯t have to be that spective¡­ You all are so mischievous to me.¡± ¡°You are the daughter of the Concez Family, so everyone has to pay attention to you.¡± Hazel scoffed inwardly because she could clearly see that she had intentionally done something noticeable but, then saying people¡¯s attention directed toward her was burdensome. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Mie smiled and added. ¡°A living daughter is valuable, so she would attract everyone¡¯s interests.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel took a hold of the chair handle firmly. Mie¡¯s voice changed secretly as she observed Hazel, then the girl leaned toward Hazel and whispered. ¡°You¡¯re going to leave Land soon, right? I heard from Father that all of the Princess¡¯ marriage partners are far away.¡± ¡°¡­How do you know about my marriage partner so well?¡± Hazel asked without averting her gaze away. ¡°Not long ago, His Majesty the King was involved in a deep conversation along with Father. The Princess is going to get married soon, but there is no suitable partner in the kingdom.¡± Hazel quietly listened to Mie to see what she was going to say. ¡°The Princess can¡¯t get married to a lower family than yours, am I right? Seemed like they had decided that you¡¯d rather be the queen of a foreign country or the wife of a prince (in principality) because Your Highness needs a higher and proper rank. Whether it¡¯s the kingdom of Patran or the Principality of Kent¡­¡± The countries that came out of Mie¡¯s mouth were so far away that it was impossible to determine their distances from Land. The road on the way there was also rough. And all the rulers there were already over fifty years old. ¡°Your Highness won¡¯t be able toe back again after you set off, so I want to get along with the Princess as the cousin who shared the same blood during this time.¡± Mie¡¯s face was filled with flowerlike smiles, but it was actually full of hidden mockery. ¡°Thank you for saying so.¡± Hazel yed along without intending to lose and followed her with a meaningful smile. ¡°But it¡¯s too early for me to be disappointed. Maybe we¡¯ll stay together longer than you think.¡± ¡°What?¡± Mie made a wry face at Hazel¡¯s words. ¡°We both might¡¯ve gotten married in the same country, right? I heard that the Queen of the Patran Kingdom diedst year, and I was very curious about who would go there and fulfill the position.¡± Mie shouted with an angry face because she was getting furious at Hazel¡¯s words. ¡°Isn¡¯t it most likely to be yours? A queen needs to be someone as suitable as the Princess¡­.¡± ¡°You are more than enough to be a queen, Mie.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell my father that I really want my one and only cousin to climb up and im such a prestigious position. Then he won¡¯t regret it.¡± ¡°W-what did you say?¡± Hazel smiled and put her hand over Mie¡¯s hand. ¡°What I mean is, we have the same fate.¡± In the kingdom, there was only one way for the Princess and daughters of high ranking families to carry out their usefulness for the family. Marriage was the best trade in order to have a good alliance with other countries. It could not be avoided no matter how noble a princess or young daughter was born. ¡®How dare she mock me even though we are in the same situation.¡¯ Seemed like she had been too quiet all this time. She came to realize that it was useless to be born as the daughter of the king when she also was the princess who got neglected and not treated properly because the queen had died. ¡°No one knows where or whom we will marry. His Majesty will decide our marriage, right?¡± ¡°My father said he would marry me to a man of my age. He also said he didn¡¯t want to send me far away.¡± What Mie said was true. Wilves must¡¯ve been looking for every single way to marry her daughter into a prestigious household. She already knew that his love for his daughter was overflowing even though he had difficulty because of his infirmity. As a result, Mie naturally became arrogant, she has often ignored Hazel as well, who was in fact the royal princess, since they were young. However, there was one important thing that Mie had ignored this entire time. ¡°Your marriage requires the King¡¯s permission, Mie.¡± Hazel said as if she was feeling sorry for her. ¡°It will never be established without the approval of the King. Even if uncle wanted you to stay close with him.¡± No matter how much Wilves cared for his only daughter, he still could not proceed with his daughter¡¯s marriage while ignoring the king¡¯s orderpletely. ¡°Of course, I can congratte you as much as you want when you have be a queen. If you get in a more prestigious position than me, I may greet you while kneeling down below you.¡± ¡°Father didn¡¯t raise me just to marry an old man on the outskirts like that.¡± ¡°Be careful with whatever you are saying. Old man on the outskirts. There are a lot of ears. There are many families who maintain friendship with the Patran Kingdom as well. Will it be alright for us to have diplomatic issues just because of you?¡± Mie stood up from her seat with trembling lips at Hazel¡¯s sharp remark. Hazel raised her head as she followed the girl movement. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that obligations follow with as much as enjoyment, Young Lady Mie. This is my advice to you as a royal princess.¡± (T/N: Mie is actually referred as ¡®the Princess of the Dukedom¡¯ here, hence the Hangeul is ¡®??¡¯ they both are technically princess but Hazel is higher in society as she was the daughter of the king, I decided to refer her as ¡®Young Lady¡¯ to differentiate their title.) Mie¡¯s trembling lips and eyes turned toward Hazel. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that advice in mind. But I don¡¯t know who would need it moreter on.¡± The unusual atmosphere between the two had drawn attention from people around them. As if conscious of those gaze, Mie said nothing more and beckoned at her attendant. ¡°Bring my horse and gun.¡± A littleter, Mie stepped on the saddle of the horse driven by her servant and immediately jumped up. Then she received a gun from her attendant and loaded it. ¡°Well, Your Highness is not feeling well yet, so hunting is too much for you, isn¡¯t it? I think it would be better if you just watch thepetition along with Princess Lorette.¡± Mie sat on the horse and said so while looking down at Hazel. Then she turned the horse¡¯s head to the side and headed to where Achilleon was. She kept an eye on Hazel while chatting with Achilleon as if telling her to look at both of them. Hazel received the gaze without wanting to lose at her. ¡°Sister, are you okay?¡± Hazel nodded while smiling when Lorette, who was sitting next to her, asked that. ¡°Of course.¡± There was no reason not to be fine. Because she did it on purpose. ¡°Will you be alright after doing that? Everyone knows that Young Lady Mie has a lot of pride¡­.¡± Lorette¡¯s eyes, which were wide open, were seen shaking relentlessly. ¡°Moreover, Mie¡¯s father is a very scary person.¡± Lorette said while shivering. Uncle Wilves was as scary as her maternal grandfather. Facing that expressionless face, there used to be a deep unknown fear that woulde up for some reason. He was a very rational and cold-hearted person, but it was an exception for his one and only daughter. A long time ago, a servant identally saw Mie¡¯s naked body, and he dug out the servant¡¯s eyes on the same day. Young Hazel was trembling with fear and cried after hearing about that incident. ¡°¡­Well, I don¡¯t know. Will unclee and confront me?¡± There was a good chance that Wilves woulde to attack since she had provoked his daughter as much as she could earlier. And that was exactly what Hazel had wanted. Chapter 47 After having the conversation with Mie, she could guess that Uncle Wilves and her father were trying to marry her somewhere. At least, it meant that both of them had only one intention. But Hazel never intended to move like they wanted her to. Having touched Wilves¡¯ daughter would bring some retaliation back to Hazel. Whatever it was, Hazel was thinking to endure it whatever it would be. Because this was an arranged scenario. Hazel¡¯s father, King Ileos, was a man with high pride. The same reason could be used to remove Lady Pais¡¯ authority managing the royal pce, who tried to frame Hazel for Lorette¡¯s copsest time. He absolutely couldn¡¯t stand others ignoring what was his. Just as Hazel ignored Lady Pais and Lorette in the past and gradually fell into disfavor over something so serious, he was angry at how Lady Pais dared to suspect and even insult his daughter. It wasn¡¯t anger for the sake of his beloved daughter. Hazel was also not a daughter who got blinded by the affection of her father. She rather learned how to be loved because she didn¡¯t crave for her father¡¯s love. She needed the power of the king, her father in the royal pce after all. She could¡¯ve done any sort of deeds to gain that power. ¡°Is she looking this way?¡± Lorette whispered in Hazel¡¯s ear. ¡°Well, maybe.¡± ¡°Is she doing that¡­ on purpose?¡± As she followed Lorette¡¯s gaze, she could see Mie secretly bumping her leg against Achilleon. She seemed to ask him a lot of things from how to hold the reins until how to hold the gun. ¡°She probably wouldn¡¯t even know how to use a gun.¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t think she would use it well.¡± It has already been a famous story that Mie often hit the tree trunk or dug the ground with bullets because of her shooting mistakes. Therefore when she grabbed the gun, the vicinage would be empty. ¡°Indeed, sister¡¯s shooting skill is better than her. She¡¯s still going to join the hunt even though she doesn¡¯t know how to use a gun well. I¡¯m worried that someone might get hurt because of thatter.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I mean. It¡¯s a relief that I can¡¯t join the hunt.¡± She could be a target, but Lorette bursted outughing when she spoke again only with her mouth moving. Hazel turned her head and caught sight of the tent where the king was resting currently. Ileos was going toe out soon to announce the start of the huntingpetition. As much as he hated hunting, he had no choice but to participate in this huntingpetition because this asion was also a diplomatic event. ¡°I brought it, Your Highness.¡± Mary put down the new boots she had brought after returning from somewhere and took off the boots which were currently worn by Hazel on her feet. ¡°I was d I had brought you extra clothes and shoes. If I had not done it, you would¡¯ve been covered with mud.¡± Mary stepped back after she had done changing Hazel¡¯s shoes. ¡°I should go see Father.¡± Lorette looked at Hazel as she got up. There were still youngdies around them who were close to Mie. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Lorette nodded at Hazel¡¯s words and asked again. ¡°Are your legs okay? For you to walk to the tent¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± It wasn¡¯t long after Hazel left. ¡°It¡¯s Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°But I heard hunting is not his hobby.¡± The girls¡¯ attention was drawn to Sisef as he appeared sitting on a white horse. ¡°He looks quite dashing when riding a horse. I thought he was just reading every day.¡± Some of them bursted intoughter as if agreeing with the remark. Although Achilleon had a strong appearance, Sisef was also quite handsome. At least, his poprity was at its peak in the pce of Land until Achilleon appeared. ¡°But he can¡¯t just miss it. His half-brother is also participating, and it would be weird if the prince is missing.¡± Lorette¡¯s gaze naturally turned to Sisef. She seemed desperate to be recognized and approached by him. However, Sisef didn¡¯t turn his head toward Lorette. Instead, he found Hazel¡¯s back walking toward the king¡¯s tent and followed her immediately. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lorette sat still and looked at his figure the whole time. Sisef¡¯s horse quickly narrowed the distance between them and Hazel raised her head as soon as she felt his presence. Hazel suddenly stopped at the sound of horseshoes beside her. As she raised her head, Sisef was seen looking down at her while sitting on the horse. He even had a gun on his back. He had a strange and unusual appearance. ¡°Your Highness the Prince.¡± ¡°Are you going to look away from me again today?¡± He asked with a gentle voice. ¡°I¡¯ve never done that.¡± Hazel said as she turned away from his eyes again. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°Seeing my father¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take you there.¡± ¡°I can walk there on my own.¡± ¡°It must be hard to walk with those legs of yours. It¡¯s quite far even if it seems close at first nce. The road is rough because it was raining.¡± Sisef reached out his hand toward Hazel as he jumped off the horse before she realized it. ¡°His Highness the Prince is right. Take a ride to go there, Your Highness.¡± Hazel red at her faithful maid as if Mary had been waiting for that moment and stepped aside. Meanwhile, Sisef lifted Hazel in his arms and sat her on the horse¡¯s saddle. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Sisef sat himself behind Hazel as he held her waist firmly while pulling on the horse¡¯s reins. ¡°Oh my, where are you two going?¡± The youngdies looked intensely at Sisef and Hazel as the two entered the forest after putting Hazel on his horse. ¡°Do you know something, Princess Lorette? You¡¯re close to Prince Sisef, though.¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know either.¡± Lorette said while clutching on her handkerchief. ¡°I guess they both have something to say to each other.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen Prince Hazel alone with Prince Sisef.¡± Lorette was highly conscious of the girls¡¯ remark. Lorette grabbed the dress quietly. *** ¡°Where are we going? Stop now and put me down.¡± Sisef just held the reins silently despite hearing Hazel¡¯s request. The hand holding her waist as if wrapping her body from behind didn¡¯t even budge. It¡¯s been a while since she had seen him using his physical strength in this sort of situation, so Hazel was a little bewildered by this. ¡°Please put me down.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°What?¡± Hazel was taken aback by his response, so she looked up and gazed at him. ¡°Then you will avoid me again.¡± Sisef said so as he made eye contact with her. ¡°Are you nning to keep going like this?¡± They had gone quite far from where the hunting tents were located. No one dared to stop them because the one who took her was none other than the Prince of Demophos. ¡°It doesn¡¯t sound bad either.¡± ¡°What?¡± Hazel was surprised, wondering if what she had just heard was right. ¡°Until you won¡¯t ignore me. Until we make eye contact,ugh, and y with each other again like before. I think it would be okay to keep running like this.¡± ¡°You¡¯re speaking like a horse. Are you losing my mind?¡± Hazel cried out in surprise. Now she was sitting on a horse led by Sisef, trapped in his arms. If he did what he really said just now, there was no way out for her. ¡°Let me go. You are being insolent¡­¡± Hazel noticed a twinkling light in his hand when she hit his arm. A bracelet made of red and pink thread. ¡°What is this?¡± It was difficult for her not to know that the bracelet was made by weaving the thread with her initials engraved together in it. Because she also owned a thread bracelet that looked exactly the same, the only difference was in color and initial. The remembrance of the bracelet thrown out by Achilleon in front of her was still vivid in her memory. Her body began to tremble slightly when she recalled those moments. To her, the bracelet was like a lingering regret that couldn¡¯t be cut off. And he was clearly engraving the things which were triggered by that lingering regret in his body and mind. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sisef asked while holding Hazel tightly after noticing her movements right away. ¡°¡­No, but why are you still wearing that?¡± Hazel asked in a heavy voice. She rolled up Sisef¡¯s left wrist to reveal his braceletpletely. ¡°Because you gave it to me.¡± Sisef replied casually and turned his hand over to show the inside of his wrist. ¡°Look, it has gotten really short that I have to wear it with the loop. I have grown up a lot, right?¡± Like he said, several more gold loops were connected at the end of the dyed thread. Having seen that, Hazel took a deep breath. ¡°What¡¯s the point of keeping it?¡± ¡°Hazel.¡± ¡°It was a joke I made when we were young.¡± ¡°You gave it to me. You have mine as well.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°It¡¯s precious to me.¡± Hazel let out a deep sigh at Sisef¡¯s words. ¡°I managed to keep it so it wouldn¡¯t break.¡± ¡°What about you? Where did you keep it?¡± Sisef looked down at her with a twinkle in his eyes. His eyes were like a puppy looking at their owner. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t remember.¡± Hazel said while turning away from his gaze. ¡°You don¡¯t¡­ remember?¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be like that.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Hazel argued in an agitated voice to Sisef who spoke virtuously. ¡°What¡¯s the point of keeping it since it¡¯s not even gold nor jewelry. It¡¯s strange that you still had it until now. I don¡¯t even remember where I put it. It might have been broken and thrown away soon after.¡± ¡°¡­are you serious?¡± Sisef¡¯s eyes opened wide as if he was genuinely surprised. ¡°What about the words we said to each other?¡± Sisef grabbed Hazel¡¯s shoulder with one of his hands and spoke. ¡°Look at me. Are you really going to say that you don¡¯t remember it too?¡± ¡°I really am.¡± It was a lie. There was no way she couldn¡¯t remember that. The conversation they had while decorating their wrists with the bracelets made of poor craftsmanship was still vivid in her mind. It was an unforgettable day for Hazel. ¡°Sisef, I- when I grow up, then¡­ Take me out of here. I don¡¯t want to live here.¡± ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go to the Empire together.¡± Sisef promised to her. He said he¡¯d take her to the Empire. However, he couldn¡¯t fulfill that promise. No, she was the one who didn¡¯t fulfill it. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡± Never, no matter how much effort he would put into it. Her previous life was more than enough to hurt her. ¡°Hazel¡­¡± Sisef seemed shocked by her cold words. ¡°Let¡¯s return now. Everyone must be waiting. It doesn¡¯t matter even though you are the prince¡­.¡± Right at that moment, the strength of his hand holding Hazel¡¯s shoulder was getting even stronger. ¡°I can¡¯t stand you any longer, Hazel. Why are you being like this out of nowhere? I felt strange with you who doesn¡¯t want to listen to me or even ept my apology. I wonder if you¡¯re really the person I knew.¡± Sisef¡¯s frowning face was strange to her. She had never seen him so angry and emotional before. ¡°Let go! Let me go!¡± Hazel shouted in panic. While quarrelling on top of the horse, the horse moved its body as if it was taken aback, then straightened its body up as and raised its front feet soon after. ¡°Aahh!¡± It was the moment when she nearly slid down from the horse saddle. Then Hazel fell right into the arms of someone. Chapter 48 She fell down, but the ce where her bodynded was not on the ground. The first thing she felt was the firm yet warm arms of someone, followed by a familiar scent. ¡°Hazel!¡± Sisef¡¯s voice reverberated loudly. Before falling off the horse, what Hazel saw was the blue sky and the surprised yet pale face of Sisef. At the moment it felt like things were moving very slowly, unlike in most urgent situations. She heard something approaching quickly as the ground beneath her shook. Once her body jumped into the air and almost plummeted to the ground, the arms that extended out from somewhere quickly grabbed and lifted her body up. Everything happened in an instant. Nevertheless, the whole incident was vivid to her. Thump thump. Hazel breathed out shallowly with her eyes closed tightly. Arge hand wrapped behind her head pulled and hugged her even closer. ¡°Hah¡­ Haah.¡± Hazel opened her eyelids slowly. Her head was ringing and spinning in all directions. It took quite a while for her to realize the one holding her as she calmed her stunned mind because she had just almost fallen off the horse. ¡°Brother?¡± Hazel swallowed her heavy breath at Sisef¡¯s startled call to the person. Only then did she remember that the arm holding her with this much strength was too familiar for her. ¡°¡­¡­¡± She saw blue eyes looking down at her as she raised her head slowly. ¡°Achilleon.¡± Achilleon¡¯s eyebrows slightly curved up when Hazel unknowingly uttered his name out of her mouth. He looked like he was having a lot of fun with this situation. ¡°From where did you¡­¡± Hazel didn¡¯t even realize what she had called him with. She looked up at the Achilleon with confused stares because she couldn¡¯t figure out the situation well. ¡°Of course, just now.¡± The moment she slipped from the horse¡¯s saddle and was brought by his hands, the blue eyes she once encountered came to her mind again. It was also the fact that Achilleon reached out to catch her as he leaned over with his legs extended toward the horse¡¯s saddle. Hazel became puzzled as all those came to her mind one after another. At the stroke and affectionate pat of his hand on her back, it was difficult for Hazel to tell whether this was just a dream or reality. How could Achilleon be here? He obviously was with Mie earlier¡­ ¡°Hazel, are you okay?¡± I heard Sisef calling from behind, but she didn¡¯t even have the remaining energy to answer him. Hazel¡¯s vision was blocked by Achilleon¡¯s arm. She could only make out Sisef¡¯s face faintly, who was frozen in surprise with his eyes barely narrowed at her. ¡°Please stop lifting Hazel and put her down now. I¡¯ll be taking her.¡± Sisef said in a somewhat bewildered and angry tone. The hands around her waist held her with even more strength at his remark. ¡°I¡¯ll take the Princess.¡± ¡°Hey, what are you¡­ Brother!¡± Achilleon grabbed the reins without waiting for his answer. The ck Tourezil horse then began to run in the direction he led. ¡°Brother, brother!¡± Sisef¡¯s voice could be heard rushing toward the horse from behind them. The horse¡¯s speed which was ridden by Hazel became even faster and faster, and soon Sisef¡¯s voice became so small until it sounded like a very distant echo. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Her head was pounding and she felt nauseous. Hazel let out a low groan as she burrowed herself into his arms. Achilleon slowed down his horse due to Hazel¡¯s unusual strength in his arms. ¡°You can let it all out.¡± Hazel was about to vomit in his clothes if she could, but strangely, those symptoms disappeared when he took a deep breath in his broad arms. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel grew even more hateful at the sound of low-pitchedughtering from above her. ¡°Are you alright now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I would be this bad.¡± Hazel jerked her head up but ended up mming his face down onto his chest again. It was because the dizziness and vomiting havee back again. It took some time for such symptoms to disappearpletely. Meanwhile, Achilleon just waited for her quietly. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fine now.¡± She was fine except for the slight dizziness that was still lingering in her head. When Hazel was still struggling to control her soft breath, Achilleon took the handkerchief out of his pocket and put it under Hazel¡¯s mouth. Hazel, who was spacing out and entrusting herself to him, removed her jaw the moment he realized whose handkerchief he had used on her. Mie¡¯s initials were embroidered with gold thread on the handkerchief. ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine.¡± I felt sick again when I recalled what face Mi had shown to him earlier. She didn¡¯t even know the man¡¯s intention when he casually gave her the handkerchief he had received from another woman. ¡°I can¡¯t make others dirty.¡± ¡°I thought you were after my clothes.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m not.¡± Hazel managed to smile and spoke up. ¡°How dare I do such a dirty thing to His Majesty the Crown Prince of Demophos?¡± ¡°Someone who has pushed me into a trap doesn¡¯t seem to think that way.¡± It was a very long grudge. ¡°Just how far are we going to go?¡± When I thought of the speed at which the horse was running currently, I had a hunch that it would have been quite far from where they wereing from earlier. ¡°Everyone will find out. I¡¯m going to return now.¡± Hazel¡¯s eyes looked around as if she was anxious. Where in the world was this? Even when she tried to figure out where she was, she could only see fields and forests around her. Both of them were surrounded by the densely packed forest. We¡¯vee too far. Such a thought suddenly came to her mind. Shh, anxiety filled up her mind as the wins passed by. Achilleon looked down at her when he felt her body which had been leaning against him tensed up. Hazel looked into his eyes for a while. It seemed to her that his savage and cruel feelings were hidden beyond his sparkling blue eyes, as if he had no sort of emotion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± When asked by him, Hazel averted her eyes quickly when asked by him. ¡°How did we manage toe here?¡± Did he happen to see Sisef and her, then he decided to follow them? But, why? Even though I received help in the end, this situation wasn¡¯t very pleasant. ¡°I just saved you from being kidnapped, but I guess you¡¯re not really grateful to me.¡± ¡°Because I was caught by another kidnapper.¡± Hazel red at him without losing to the blue eyes which were looking down at her. Whether he was the Crown Prince of the Empire or anything, her present self had not sinned against him. It had nothing to do with Achilleon if she didn¡¯t marry him, Whether she loved Sisef or not, it had nothing to do with Achilleon if she did not marry him in this life. ¡°Do you happen to¡­ hear it?¡± After the life-threatening moment passed by, Hazel became curious about it. She wanted to pretend not to know if it could be tolerated, but she hated to feel ufortable again. ¡°Because my ears are functioning well.¡± Achilleon said while closing and opening his eyes slowly. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had such a deep rtionship with my brother.¡± Hazel let out a sigh in response to his indifferent reply. You¡¯ve heard it all. ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding. We¡¯re just a bit¡­. close. The Prince has feelings for Lorette.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t ask about that.¡± Hazel wanted to bite her tongue when he answered with an indifferent face. ¡°Well, you saved me¡­ so thank you.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Is it when I save you from falling off the horse? Or when I took you from my younger brother?¡± The first one was right. If I had done something wrong at that moment, I would have fallen off the horse and died because of a broken neck. However, thetter could not be answered so easily. Could she really say this situation was safe for herself? She wasn¡¯t sure. Even the fact that she was alone with Achilleon in a ce far away from people was already dangerous. ¡°If we keep running like this, we¡¯ll be arriving at the border area. At this speed, we¡¯ll probably reach it in a day.¡± ¡°¡­.are you crazy?¡± Hazel had just forgotten about the situation and asked him with an aghast face. The corners of Achilleon¡¯s mouth curved up nicely. His lips was full of mischief, but not with the twinkle on his blue eyes. ¡°How if we keep running like this instead of going back?¡± ¡°What ¡­do you mean?¡± Hazel had to hold her breath several times, hoping he wouldn¡¯t really drive the horse like this. ¡°We may get busted by a guard on the border before we even get to cross it and get a hole in our bodies.¡± Hazel really hoped that her remark would pose a threat to him. ¡°There¡¯s plenty of room for this matter to be a national dispute. There could be ¡­a war.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a bad thing.¡± His eyes was filled by the dangerous gleam. Hazel felt like a lightning struck her head when she looked up at him for a brief moment. Achilleon. The war god who carried the Demophos Empire. If we somehow stirred up a trigger for a war, then¡­ Regardless of which side was at fault, the winning rate would be higher on the Demophos side. No, it was already obvious. Hazel felt his whole bodypletely rigid as she recalled how the peace treaty between the two countries would be passed off if such a thing ever happened. She remembered how hard Ileos had worked for this treaty, how hard he had worked all these times to avoid war, and not to put Land under Demophos¡¯ control. All sides have tried to ask Land to unite with them, but Ileos rejected them. She didn¡¯t want to give Demophos an excuse to do an invasion. She has been trying to y safe and stay alive with all her might. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s bad for the border guards to pierce a spear or a sword into my body.¡± ¡°Are you going to start a war?¡± Hazel didn¡¯t feel like joking anymore. ¡°¡­Well.¡± Achilleon looked down while squinting at her. Chill ran down Hazel¡¯s spine as theughter unraveled from his mouth. ¡°We¡¯d better go back.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°For maintaining peace between the two countries.¡± In response, Achilleon waited for Hazel to continue with a look of surprise on his face. ¡°I have to put my country first. I don¡¯t think Your Highness will be any different from me.¡± Hazel tried to answer calmly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that the Princess would be so fond of her country.¡± ¡°¡­because it¡¯s my country.¡± She meant it. At Hazel¡¯s answer, Achilleon seemed to think for a bit and suddenly pulled the reins hard. Then the horse lifted its front paws and straightened up his body. ¡°Ahh!¡± At that exact moment, her body bnce shifted back which led Hazel to let out a short scream. Chapter 49 The memory of a while ago struck her, and her fear grew even bigger. However, the arm wrapped tightly around her waist pulled and hugged her body firmly, so she wouldn¡¯t fall off the horse. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± She had opened her eyes which were closed tightly without realizing it. Hazel pushed his chest away with a hard thump when she realized that her body was almost buried in Achilleon¡¯s arms. But it wasn¡¯t enough. And when Hazel realized that she was clutching his clothes without knowing, she hurriedly removed her hand. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± When a sense of relief washed over her, Hazel let a shout all of a sudden. ¡°You do whatever you want, and now what again?¡± Achilleon pulled the reins once again. ¡°What is this, ahh!¡± The horse began to dash again after turning its head in the direction it had passed through earlier, and Hazel chewed on his tongue. A smile shed on Achilleon¡¯s mouth once again when she shut her mouth due to the stinging pain which spread through her body. Fortunately, the horse¡¯s head was turned the opposite way, and they were getting closer to the hunting ground again. That¡¯s enough for now. After a while, the rxed Hazel spoke up while barely staring at him. ¡°The Crown Prince of Demophos is such a gentleman.¡± She looked at him with eyes with tears hanging on her eyshes, but Achilleon was just rxed on his own. ¡°I led a rough life on the battlefield and there was no time for me to learn such a thing.¡± He responded with a smiling face again. He had such a detestable face that made her want to hit him right away if only he was not the owner of the horse. ¡°Why don¡¯t you expect that kind of etiquette from Sisef, Princess?¡± Hazel finally decided to stop arguing with him any further. She turned away from him and fixed her gaze only at the horse¡¯s head. It was wonderful to see its ck mane fluttering lightly in the wind. It was a familiar sight to her. But it¡¯s probably the first time for Achilleon. ¡°Were you satisfied with what I said?¡± Achilleon seemed to have sensed that Hazel¡¯s sudden silence was not just to keep herself not talking to him. ¡°¡­This horse¡­ What¡¯s its name?¡± I already knew its name. Because this horse was a war horse that even apanied him on the battlefield. ¡°Callius. It¡¯s named after the famous knight of Demophos.¡± ¡°I see. It seemed to be a very precious horse.¡± Hazel watched the horse mane fluttering in the wind and reached out to it with her fingertips. The feeling of his stiff yet soft mane brought back the memories of her previous life that had already passed. ¡°He¡¯d have gotten the hump if I wasn¡¯t there. He didn¡¯t eat nor sleep, he even broke the door of the stable, and managed to escape several times.¡± There was a slight chuckle in his voice while talking about Callius¡¯ atrocities. It was natural for him to sit on it as it was the horse he brought to the battlefield and the one who he shared his life and death with there. It¡¯s a horse who was full of loyalty and affection for its owner, perhaps that was why she felt the horse was grumpy on the day he took Hazel to ride on this horse. ¡°¡­I guess it took after its owner.¡± Hazel said while watching the mane swaying in the wind. She felt pretty much disordered when recalling the memory of riding this horse with Achilleon as it ran through the fields of Demophos. ¡°How do you know that?¡± Whenever Achilleon spoke, Hazel flinched a bit because his breath tickled her ears. ¡°Horses are the animals that can rte most closely to their owners. It¡¯s no doubt that theymunicate with each other a lot.¡± Callius resembled Achilleon. Either because of simr things they shared with each other such as the arrogant attitude that wouldn¡¯t have been allowed if not because of its owner, or fierceness concealed behind an elegant appearance at the first nce. Hazel, who was looking at the horse, suddenly lifted her head up. ¡°How much time do we have left?¡± It was not easy to gauge the distance to the royal hunting ground because there were all forests and trees surrounding them. ¡°Why? Because you¡¯re afraid Sisef has been waiting for you with his neck stretched out?¡± Hazel let out a chuckle at his sarcasm. ¡°There must have been people waiting for Your Highness.¡± At his nce that looked like he was asking her who was waiting for him, Hazel quickly began to speak again. ¡°I think Princess Mie would¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡± ¡°You were keeping an eye on us?¡± Achilleon asked as if this kind of matter was interesting to him. ¡°Other than me, a lot of people also gazed at both of you. They said there seemed to be something special between the two of you.¡± Through Mie¡¯s actions, she could guess what the Concez Family was thinking. Then, what would Achilleon think about this? From Achilleon¡¯s sight, the marriage to Mie would never cause any sort of disadvantage to him. He was the child of a low-ranking concubine who was born from a foreign country, so the support for his foothold was extremely weak within the Empire. If he couldn¡¯t set a strong foothold within his homnd, it would have been beneficial for him to draw power even if it meant he would have to depend on the foreign power. In the past, she wasn¡¯t even aware that the Concez Family had an intention of marrying their daughter to Demophos, but now the circumstances have been different. ¡®I wonder if Lady Pais knew that Duke Concez was trying to send Mie to Achilleon?¡¯ Lady Pais was trying to bring the Concez Family to be on her side. But if Mie would get married to Achilleon. The power of the Concez would¡¯ve just be stronger, and if Lorette would¡¯ve also be Sisef¡¯s wife¡­ She would¡¯ve be an even more unnecessary person to both the King and the Concez family. [tn: ¡®she¡¯ in this line refers to Hazel.] ¡°Are you thinking of marrying Young Lady Mie?¡± Hazel asked boldly on purpose. Hazel didn¡¯t ask that as a mere girl, but as the Royal Princess Hazel. ¡°I don¡¯t know, what do you think I should do?¡± His way of speaking sounded as if he was wondering. She noticed that he was avoiding this topic on purpose. ¡°I want to hear what the First Princess thinks about it first.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s the wedding of Your Highness?¡± ¡°The more reason for me to ask you regarding this.¡± He smiled lightly as he urged Hazel to answer. It was an utterly dark smile. ¡°¡­The power from the wife¡¯s family is a huge support to her husband. You should¡¯ve known about it.¡± Hazel gave a clear answer. ¡°What kind of power?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t Your Highness going to ascend the Imperial Throne?¡± ¡°Everyone said I was just a puppet who became the Crown Prince. Or a cannon fodder.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you will never be like what they said.¡± He curved the corner of his lips up as if it were funny. ¡°But I¡¯m thinking of abdicating the throne to him at the right time.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon me, what?¡± Hazel stared at him in bewilderment. He was originally the person who had such an idea. ¡°Have you imagined how the fate of the Crown Prince who couldn¡¯t be an Emperor would¡¯ve ended up as?¡± Hazel was curious about his real feelings. Was he just trying to confuse her, or was this his hidden n in which he was trying to reassure his opponents by telling them publicly that he didn¡¯t have any interest in the throne? ¡°If I was Sizef, I won¡¯t be kind and affectionate, therefore even if I was just his half-brother, there won¡¯t be any pity and I kill myself right away.¡± ¡°What are you talking about¡­¡± Hazel said while feeling the chill ran down his spine. ¡°Or perhaps, should I grant myself the position of Grand Duke? To live far from the capital and to hunt leisurely.¡± Achilleon was actually calm as if he was talking about someone else¡¯s life. ¡°Sisef is not the type who can kill his own brother, so you don¡¯t have to be concerned too much about that.¡± ¡°Your judgment of my brother is quite nice.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± ¡°But you know what? If you leave your opponent without eliminating them beforehand, you will be disqualified as a ruler.¡± ¡°Not everyone is like that. In history¡­ There have been many cases where half-brothers were spared. Rather, they have exchanged for political help to each other.¡± ¡°I believe that the smart princess will know well-enough that there are more cases where the situation is not the same every time.¡± He spoke again in anguid voice. ¡°There¡¯s no blood nor tears in the presence of power. The same case would¡¯ve happened if I¡¯m against my own brother, but then again, Sisef and I were born from different mothers.¡± Hazel tensed up and asked. ¡°Then I will ask you again. Your Highness, will you kill your half-brother when you ascend to the throne?¡± He looked down at her with narrowed eyes. Then, Hazel continued without avoiding Achilleson¡¯s eyes which was asking as if he wanted to hear her answer. ¡°I don¡¯t think Your Highness will do that.¡± ¡°How could you guarantee it?¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Everyone said that Achilleon would kill Sisef. The reason was, if he saved the child born from the Empress after he became the Emperor, it meant that he would¡¯ve kept the cause of the useless rebellion alive. However, not only did Achilleon keep Sisef alive, but he also granted the peerage of the Grand Duke so that he could lead a peaceful life and enjoy his life as a member of the Imperial Family as well. Since Achilleon did so in his previous life before returning to the past, his faith that Sisef would let him live could have been sincere when he became the Emperorter on. Because people just judge others based on what they want to believe in. ¡°I can see that you care about Sisef a lot.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s hard to believe that the Crown Prince will abdicate the throne.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to conceal your ambition in front of me.¡± Hazel smiled and said so. He was like a snake crouching his body while concealing his venom now. He wasn¡¯t a man who would beme enough to easily give up what he had. If he did, he wouldn¡¯t have survived and won every time on the battlefield. ¡°Ambition.¡± He seemed to dwell on what she had said just now. ¡°Then what is the ambition of the Princess?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hazel thought quietly for a brief moment and shut her mouth. Rather than being ambitious, she just thought of ideas on how to survive in this kingdom. ¡°There is no such thing. I¡¯m just a mere Princess. I do not wish to be ambitious.¡± My ambition was actually to protect this country and myself from you. Hazel reiterated to herself. He was a man who kept his promise, even if he was convinced that his wife hadmitted infidelity with his half-brother, he still didn¡¯t touch his wife¡¯s country. Of course, on one condition in which she wouldn¡¯t take her own life. ¡°I¡¯m just following my destiny.¡± Hazel looked up at him with serene eyes. ¡°Just like Your Highness who follows your own destiny.¡± They just have to follow their respective destiny. Achilleon would¡¯ve be the Emperor, and Achilleon couldn¡¯t even have her unless she walked over and hugged him. That was her fate in this life. ¡°Hazel.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Hazel stiffened unconsciously at the extremely low-pitched voice as hepletely dropped the yfulness in it which was still there a moment ago. Because it was the same voice she had heard in her previous life. Chapter 50 ¡°Why are you so surprised when I simply called your name?¡± He shed anguid smile at Hazel¡¯s reaction. ¡°It¡¯s too¡­ formal.¡± Hazel said while trying hard to ignore her fast-beating heart. He only called her name. It was just strange that her body reacted as if her heart was startled that much. ¡°I think you broke the formality first.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± When Hazel asked with a doubtful face, Achilleon only gave her a mysterious smile. ¡°It¡¯s good that you called me by name first.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be true. I don¡¯t think I¡­.¡± Hazel suddenly stopped talking. Her green eyes was full of confused twinkles as she reminisced on her past memories. Then she uttered a short exmation when the memories finally rushed to her mind as if he was just throwing a stone on the calm water and causing it to stir. ¡°Ah.¡± Even if she wanted to not remember any of those moments, she simply couldn¡¯t do that. Her mind had already be familiar with the man whose blue eyes were shining toward her. ¡°Keep calling me that.¡± He showed a smile on his mouth as if he was satisfied with it. ¡°No way, that, that¡¯s ridiculous.¡± The Crown Prince and the Princess from separate countries call each other¡¯s names casually. ¡°But you do that with my younger brother.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± Hazel stopped talking when she was about to say it was a different case. Because Achilleon has got a point about that. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the Prince since I was young. We¡¯re like friends to each other¡­¡± ¡°¡­And you mean it¡¯s different when you are with me?¡± ¡°¡­you are not the same.¡± Hazel was hesitating before uttering an answer. ¡°Prince Sisef was an exception. Regardless of the fact that we are the children of the King and Emperor, I¡¯ve seen him since I was young, so we¡¯ve been keeping such things as manners and formality aside. But we decided not to do that for a while.¡± ¡°But it didn¡¯t look like that earlier.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because the Prince¡­¡± When she remembered about their intense argument on the horse earlier, Hazel was left speechless again. Out of all moments, Achilleon had to witness that specific one, therefore she couldn¡¯t hide them properly. ¡°We haven¡¯t gotten used to it yet. We¡¯re going to change our ways gradually. Because we are not children anymore.¡± ¡°Then, what about my reward?¡± ¡°Reward?¡± ¡°I saved you from falling off the horse and suffering from a broken neck a while ago, so you should¡¯ve given me something in return.¡± He yfully raised the corners of his mouth. ¡°You have something in mind, huh?¡± Hazel asked back sharply. Like what he¡¯d said, she wanted to act nice to him because he was the one who saved her earlier, but somehow it looked like he would be asking something difficult in return, so it didn¡¯te out easily from him. ¡°You saved my life, so please tell me.¡± ¡°It sounds like you are going to listen to everything I ask you.¡± ¡°¡­I will listen to it.¡± She couldn¡¯t bring herself to promise she would listen to everything he asked for. She knew what kind of person he was, but it was still great for him if she got caught in the trap even though she just answered with empty words. ¡°Then I¡¯ll think about it.¡± He smiled and hugged Hazel tighter than before. Hazel¡¯s ck hair tickled the tip of his chin as it fluttered in the wind. At that moment, the strength applied in the arm which was wrapped around Hazel¡¯s waist intensified, and he increased the speed of his horse even more. As they passed through the narrow road, she finally could see a familiar sight. ¡°Brother!¡± The first person to spot them was Sisef. Lorette followed him. Mary rushed right away to her side after previously crying as she stood next to Lorette. ¡°Sister, where have you been?¡± As Lorette approached Hazel, Achilleon got off the horse and opened his arms to Hazel. After hesitating for a brief moment, Hazel then leaned on his arm to get off the horse. ¡°Where have you been? I¡¯m about to send people so they can track you down. How did you¡­¡± Sisef was in an agitated state which was an unusual sight to see. She didn¡¯t know what he was going to say if she left him as he was. ¡°Prince Sisef.¡± Hazel quickly cut off Sisef¡¯s words. ¡°The horse of His Highness must have been surprised. We had a hard time because it didn¡¯t stop for a while.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Sisef looked alternately between Hazel and Achilleon. ¡°It¡¯s just that His highness took some time trying to calm his horse down. I know you were worried but¡­¡± It¡¯s your fault that you took me to another ce first. Hazel stared at Sisef and held back what she was about to say next. As if he noticed the thing which hadn¡¯t been spoken by Hazel, Sisef couldn¡¯t say anything and only clenched his fist. ¡°What? Callius didn¡¯t listen to you?¡± This time, Sisef asked Achilleson. ¡°Because the horse was so surprised. Horses are normally out of control when they are surprised.¡± Hazel stepped up and replied once again. Achilleon, Hazel, and Sisef. People¡¯s stares toward them were shing unusually toward them. Mie¡¯s gaze was also blending among them. Mie looked as if she had lost her precious toy. Her pride must¡¯ve gotten hurt enough that the gun in her hand trembled. ¡°Your Highness the Prince, I heard it could happen if the horse has gotten surprised. But it¡¯s okay now because you two have managed toe back safely.¡± Lorette said as if she was trying to calm Sisef down, but he didn¡¯t loosen his expression easily. ¡°What Lorette says is right, Prince Sisef.¡± When Hazel called him in a soft tone, Sisef¡¯s eyes shifted slightly. ¡°What should¡¯ve I done when the horse leapt up all of a sudden? If the Prince¡¯s horse hadn¡¯t leapt up in the first ce, I wouldn¡¯t have fallen off¡­ It was simply an ident.¡± Sisef¡¯s expression became even darker as he looked at Hazel, who spoke inly. Sisef¡¯s eyes shook as he realized she regarded him in an extremely polite way. ¡°Hazel, I¡¯m sorry. Because my horse leapt up and made you¡­¡± ¡°I think Hazel is the one who almost got hurt. Why are you the one being mad here?¡± ¡°Brother¡­¡± Sisef was surprised and turned to where Achilleon was. The same thing was done by Hazel. Sisef looked alternately between Hazel and Achilleon with a confused look. Achilleon only turned to face Hazel without even giving him any nce. ¡°I thought you allowed me to do the same thing because you had called me with my name earlier.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Achilleon took a step closer to Hazel when Hazel looked at himself with bewildered eyes. ¡°In return for saving her life, the Princess allowed me to address her more intimately.¡± Hazel couldn¡¯t help but stare at him with nk eyes. ¡°Aren¡¯t you?¡± Achilleon smiled and tilted his head. The answer has already been decided by himself, so it was an implied pressure to agree quickly. ¡°I¡­¡± Hazel tried not to contort her facial expression. Everyone was watching them. In this situation, she didn¡¯t dare to humiliate the Crown Prince. Hazel looked at Sisef for a moment and then turned toward Achilleon as if she had made up her mind. ¡°Please do as you please, Your Highness. You saved me from almost dying, therefore it wasn¡¯t such a big deal to call me by my name.¡± When Hazel smiled brightly, Sisef stared at her from the side with the shock that was apparent on his face. ¡°Of course, I will keep using honorifics. I was just flustered earlier, so I ended up calling you that.¡± ¡°¡­Suit yourself.¡± Achilleon¡¯s mouth stretched out widely. He had a rxed face as if he had seen through Hazel transparently. ¡°We came back safely without getting hurt, so it¡¯s alright now. The hunt will begin soon, so each of us needs to do our own thing.¡± Hazel said and looked around the crowd of people. ¡°Princess! I was worried for you.¡± ¡°Very much.¡± Hazel smiled bitterly as Mary approached her again after making a way for her to pass through the crowd of people. Mary¡¯s look was ridiculous when she tried to keep a low profile of herself but was noticed by people regardless. ¡°Lean on me.¡± Hazel let out a sigh andid her hand on the back of Mary¡¯s arm. ¡°Everyone worried a lot. The Crown Prince suddenly disappeared following Prince Sisef and the Princess¡­.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine because we just returned.¡± Hazel was lost in her own thoughts when she gave a half-hearted answer. It was the first time she had ever seen Sisef expressing his feelings to Achilleon like earlier. It was something she had never seen before, at least that was as far as they knew each other. Except at one time, on the day Achilleon dered her as his empress. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him today?¡± Sisef has always been obedient to Achilleon. In a sh, he took Hazel and she was deeply surprised as well as feeling bewildered at his action because he was not a person who would be edging on Achilleon like what he did earlier. Lorette approached her while she was still preupied with strange changes that took ce today. ¡°Sister, I¡¯m so d you came back.¡± Lorette held Hazel¡¯s hand. At that moment, Hazel found Mie looking over Lorette¡¯s shoulder with a piercing gaze directed at her. Mie finally made eye contact with Hazel, but rather than avoiding or sending a greeting, she almost red at her. Hazel also looked at her without avoiding her gaze until the end. Lorette approached and whispered in her ears once she noticed the staring contest between the two. ¡°The Crown Prince followed Prince Sisef¡¯s horse after picking you up earlier. Thanks to that, Young Lady Mie was left alone right in front of everyone who watched the whole scene.¡± Lorette¡¯s voice when conveying the scene earlier was filled with subtle hints of joy. How dare he to openly ignore the daughter of the Concez family in front of many people. However, her opponent was the Crown Prince of the Empire after all. ¡°Sister, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Lorette asked Hazel curiously while staring at Mie¡¯s direction. Hazel was wondering about what Mie had said earlier. ¡°The Princess can¡¯t get married to a lower family than yours, am I right? Seemed like they had decided that you¡¯d rather be the queen of a foreign country or the wife of a prince (in principality) because Your Highness needs a higher and proper rank. Whether it¡¯s the kingdom of Patran or the Principality of Kent¡­¡± If it was like what Mie had said, in which Ileos and Uncle Wilves was nning to marry her to the Patran Kingdom. ¡°Father didn¡¯t raise me just to marry an old man on the outskirts like that.¡± She was afraid it wouldn¡¯t work out the way she wanted. Because Hazel was willing to give Mie the concubine position of the old king. ¡°Mary, get my gun for me. As well as a horse.¡± Hazel said without taking his eyes off Mie. ¡°What¡­ Excuse me?¡± Mary looked at Hazel because she thought she might have heard it wrong. ¡°Sister Hazel?¡± Lorette was also taken aback and asked her. ¡°I¡¯m going to join the hunt as well.¡± Mary eximed in surprise once she heard Hazel¡¯s remark. ¡°Oh, no way. Your legs haven¡¯t recovered fully yet¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine to hunt in this state.¡± Hazel gently nipped with her teeth and stared at Mie¡¯s direction. Mie¡¯s eyes which were directed at her were still full of resentment. Bang. The sound of a gunshot resonated in the air from somewhere. It was finally the start of the hunt. *** Chapter 51 ¡°Then I¡¯ll follow you suit.¡± When Lorette said so, Hazel turned to look at her. ¡°You too? But you don¡¯t know how to use a gun, do you?¡± ¡°But I will be bored if I stay here on my own. I want to go and¡­ watch you hunt too.¡± While saying that, Lorette¡¯s eyes turned briefly toward Sisef and then turned back at her again. Hazel, who noticed it, nodded her head. ¡°Do as you please. But you have to stay close to the knight escorts so nothing dangerous would happen to you, got it?¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Bang, bang. Once again, the gunshots echoed in the air. Participants, who were all scattered in their respective tents and vacant lots, rushed to gather in the king¡¯s tent which was located in the center of the hunting ground once they heard the sound of a gunshot. The huntingpetition began in full swing after they vowed to Ileos that they must return safely and would catch a rare prey for him. Participants intended to go deeper into the forest because of the scoring method which was designed to benefit those who would bringrger and more precious prey than others. Therefore, it has been decided that the forest was divided into northern and southern parts to prevent them from ovepping the hunting spaces. Hazel headed for the northern part of the forest along with Achilleon, Mie and Lorette, while Sisef headed for the southern part. Hazel made eye contact with Sisef as he looked in her direction from afar. ¡°If you wish, you can go along with Prince Sisef.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯¡¯ be with you.¡± Lorette replied while shaking her head. Meanwhile, Sisefpletely turned away from Hazel. ¡°You can protect me, can¡¯t you? Afterall, you are famous for your hunting skill.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not that good.¡± Hazelughed as Lorette alsoughed along with her. ¡°What do you want to get?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°For today¡¯s prey. I heard that the most precious and amazing animal will earn a high score.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure, what animal should we hunt for today?¡± Hazel nced at Mie, who could be seen over Lorette¡¯s shoulder. Today¡¯s prey wasn¡¯t a four-legged animal. Hazel¡¯s prey was that aloof and overly confident princess. *** Entering the northern part of the hunting forest, it quickly darkened all over the ce unlike the vacant lot where tents were installed. ¡°It¡¯s always dark whenever Ie here.¡± Hazel looked up at the dark sky because of the ovepping branches of tall trees. ¡°I¡¯m afraid our journey may be dyed. Wouldn¡¯t it be difficult if we can¡¯t find the prey properly because of the Princess?¡± Mie said while secretly ncing at Hazel¡¯s ankle. ¡°Before that, should I hope that your feet won¡¯t get shot, Your Highness?¡± Hearing that, Hazel then stared at Mie¡¯s gun with a pitiful look. Bang, there was the sound of something tumbling down with a thud in the woods after a gunshot echoed into the air. Smoke came out from Achilleon¡¯s gun. Whilst she calmed her chest down after getting surprised by the sudden shoot, the prey, which had been shot, then disyed to them. It was a stag with big horns which had fallen dead to the ground. The bullet that pierced its vital pointpletely took the poor animal¡¯s life at once. ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful skill.¡± Mie widened her eyes as she apuded him. Achilleon seemed to instruct the servants something as he looked at the dead stag while leaning to the side. ¡°Princess Hazel has caught a deer.¡± Hazel¡¯s forehead narrowed when the person who was engraving the letter of the hunter shouted loudly. ¡°Me¡­?¡± Hazel turned to look at Achilleon with a confused face as the deer, which was imed to be hers, didn¡¯t even get shot by her own gun in the first ce. ¡°¡­What are you doing?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you can hunt.¡± Achilleon looked at Hazel¡¯s ankle while saying so. ¡°I didn¡¯t really wish for this kind of help from anyone, Your Highness.¡± ¡°The Princess is currently not able to hunt now, is she?¡± ¡°But my hand didn¡¯t even hurt.¡± Hazel showed her waving hands which were wrapped in hunting gloves. ¡°I still have a finger to use my gun.¡± ¡°Then should I take it back?¡± When she was asked by Achilleon, Hazel stole a nce at Mie. She replied while smiling slightly at the watching eyes behind her as if the girl¡¯s gaze was about to burn her entirely. ¡°Since you had given it to me, I¡¯ll take it as a token of my gratitude toward you.¡± Hazel slightly bowed her head while she was still sitting on the horse to express her gratitude. It was exactly what Mie did to her earlier. ¡°If I ever win the prize, I will give some of it as your share for this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s an honor for me.¡± Achilleon turned his head to the front again and went deeper into the forest. The guards followed him, but he shook his hand to stop them from doing so. ¡°¡­You must be happy.¡± Mie opened her mouth as soon as Achilleon disappeared from their sight. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s good to get free prey.¡± Hazel smiled while turning her body to look at Mie. ¡°If you¡¯re envious of me, ask the Crown Prince to get one for you too.¡± ¡°Who said I¡¯m envious?¡± Mie shouted angrily, but Hazel pulled the horse reins harder and increased the speed of her horse, so she could barely hear it. An unexpected twist just happened because Achilleon decided to give the stag to her, but she had no reason to turn it down either. Afterall, even stones on the side of the road had to be used in order to carry out her purposes. Mie looked quite angry like what she had expected. ¡®The more she does that, the more it will benefit me.¡¯ Even if this was the world ruled by Mie, there were things that still wouldn¡¯t work out in her way. She had already acted overly proud and openly ignorant of others, so she almost got upset all the time throughout the hunt because I would often ignore her. She had known about Mie¡¯s personality since they were young, where she had to get back at people who had humiliated her ordingly, whether they did it on their own or unintentionally. She waspletely different from her father, who was nned and meticulous, he also didn¡¯t show his true intentions to others. Therefore, she was easy to use. ¡°You looked quite close to the Crown Prince, but you must have gotten close to him way before, right?¡± Before she realized it, Mie had gotten close to her horse and whispered. ¡°Does it look like that?¡± ¡°It won¡¯t do you any good if you get involved with the Imperial Family of other countries before you get married. The Princess¡¯ reputation will be damaged if your name slipped¡­¡± ¡°Before marriage, you say? If someone hears that, they would¡¯ve thought my marriage has been decided.¡± ¡°I told you, the position of Patran¡¯s new queen. It¡¯s going to be yours, isn¡¯t it, Your Highness?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never heard that sort of decision has ever been made. And it could be yours, so why don¡¯t you put aside your hasty judgment for now?¡± ¡°I think His Majesty the King will be able to make a wise decision as the head of the kingdom. It¡¯s Princess Hazel who suits the position more than anyone else.¡± ¡°Why do you consider Patran¡¯s queen position as the worst option, Mie? Patran is thergest ally of our kingdom. We also share an important trading ce with them, moreover it¡¯s a rich ce, so it will be fine to have as much luxury as you want, right?¡± Mie simply smiled at Hazel¡¯s words as if it was ridiculous. ¡°Moreover, being a queen is an honor. Not alldies can be one.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s the empress position.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°There¡¯s also the empress position which can be upied bydies of the royal family too. Although there¡¯s certainly just one position for it in the whole continent.¡± Mie¡¯s eyes scanned at the Achilleon¡¯s back, who was running ahead of them. ¡°When the Princess marries the king of Patran, I will kindly ask my father to provide the best support for the Princess. My father said he would also pick up stars from the sky for me¡­¡­¡± Swish. ¡°What¡­ are you doing?¡± Mie turned pale when she saw Hazel¡¯s gun directed toward her all of a sudden. Bang. When Hazel¡¯s bullet cut through the air, it plunged into something which let out a screeching sound soon after. Mie looked at the turtledove that fell to the floor afterwards and red at Hazel in anger while stroking her chest. ¡°Hazel!¡± Mie screamed out. ¡°Are you surprised? But I was targeting the bird.¡± Hazel said while brushing the muzzle of her gun as if nothing had happened. ¡°No matter how surprised you are, you should address me with my name, right? I¡¯m not the cat you raised, got it?¡± Mie gulped the air as if she was upset when Hazel smiled while warning her. ¡°Princess, you got one point.¡± Hazel nodded when the servant informed her. The prey she had caught then got carried in a cart. Hazel said to Mie after watching them. ¡°Of course, His Majesty will consider the benefits that Land will gain beforehand. His Majesty would probably send someone to marry for alliances.¡± There were currently three candidates. Hazel, Mie, and youngdy of the Count Family, the distant rtives of Concez Family. Last time, the youngdy from the Duke Family became the second wife of King Patran. However, there was no way that they would¡¯ve made a simr decision this time. If Wilves strongly suggested Hazel to be the candidate for it¡­. ¡°We just have to abide by the decision, Mie.¡± Hazel spoke with a smile on her face. Bang. Gunshots echoed from afar. ¡°My father will decide for my future.¡± ¡°Uncle Wilves must have promised you the position of Empress.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Mie looked at Hazel as her expression hardened. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were dreaming such a big thing.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t do about it, right?¡± Mie said with a smile as if the position already belonged to her. ¡°Of course, the bigger the dream, the better it would be.¡± Mie married the son of the noble family of Land after Hazel became an Empress. It was a rtively small family ifpared to Concez, but thanks to that, he married into the Duke¡¯s family and became Mie¡¯s husband, moreover he got to inherit the family soon after. ¡®After that happened, Mie acted like she was the Queen of Land.¡¯ In the Land Pce where there was neither Hazel nor Lorette, Lady Pais, mother of the Prince, took over the entire power of the pce, however at the same time, the power of the Concez Family, Hazel¡¯s maternal family, was also formidable. Everything fell in Mie¡¯s favor. Since all the youngdies of her age who she was wary of have been married. Moreover, since her cousin, Hazel, became the Empress, there was no need for her to be wary anymore. Hazel also tried to maintain a good rtionship with her mother¡¯s family. Wilves nned all of this for his only daughter, whom he had raised so dearly. Therefore, Mie wouldn¡¯t be sacrificed even though one of his ns had gone wrong. It was indeed such a great fatherly love. But in the end, because that love turned Mie to be arrogant, it might be a blessing in disguise for Hazel instead. King Ileos would somehow try to marry ady from Land in order to form a cordial rtionship with Patran. It would be an honor for her family if she got to be the Queen of a country, but it was a terrible thing for her to do. ¡®What should you do, Mie?¡¯ It was also the same for her. Chapter 52 She had returned to the past with all her might. She was an emissary used as a political tool by her father. She never wanted to be the concubine of the old king and quarrelled with his grown-up sons until her death. It was even more rejected for the Concez to decide their future. Just like they abandoned her mother, she didn¡¯t want to let herself be used and thrown away like that. ¡°My father has very high expectations for me.¡± Mie¡¯s voice was filled with a condescending tone. ¡°Probably.¡± Hazel answered frankly, lifted the gun and aimed it to the woods. When Mie gasped at the sight, Hazel smiled lightly when Mie was taken aback by that, and she proceeded to pull his finger on the trigger. Bang, the sound of the gunshot hurtled through the air, and then a raven was spotted falling down with its wing producing a pping sound in the process. ¡°You¡¯re really amazing.¡± Lorette pped her hands and eximed when she watched the two from behind. Mie, who had been frozen in her spot, sighed in relief before ring at Hazel again. Hazel aimed exactly at Mie this time. Mie seemed to believe that there was another prey behind her, but she still couldn¡¯t loosen up her stiff body this time. ¡°W-what are you doing¡­¡± Clink, clink. Her fingertips was stuck at the trigger tight as if they were going to pull the bullet out. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± An eerie silence passed by them. Rustle. Lorette grabbed the reins with a pale face at the sound of the rustling tree branches in the forest. ¡°S-Sister, there must be something in the forest.¡± Hazel was just aiming in the forest without uttering any words as a response. Mie, who has been yelling vigorously since earlier, also stiffened her body again and withdrew closely to them at the unusual air surrounding them. Rustle. After a while, Achilleon, who had entered the deep forest earlier, appeared followed by the sound of tree branches that seemed to be shaking. He was looking at Hazel with both hands up in the air. ¡°Drop it.¡± She didn¡¯t like the way his mouth sagged up loosely when he said so. Hazel could barely press down the urge to really pull the trigger for a moment and then lowered the gun she had aimed at him. An enormous gray wolf was carried in the hands of his servants who followed Achilleon from behind. ¡°¡­It must be the leader of a wolf pack.¡± Hazel said as she opened her eyes widely. ¡°Probably?¡± It was rare to see such a huge wolf. Hunting was obviously harder than before, and they only heard one shot even though it wasn¡¯t long after he entered the deep forest. ¡°His Highness forgot to load the bullets in his gun.¡± Count Burns said while letting out a sigh. Meanwhile the Count looked quite serious, Achilleon was justid back. After passing over the empty gun to the servant, he looked rather rxed while picking up the new gun. ¡°If that one shot wasn¡¯t aimed urately, I would have been attacked back by it.¡± When Count Burns clicked his tongue, Hazel averted her gaze toward the wolf again. There was a hole in the center of the wolf¡¯s head. Hazel shivered slightly at the sight of blood oozing out of the apparent bullet mark. ¡°I think you couldn¡¯t ovee the smell of blood, even though your shooting skill is considerably good.¡± Achilleon said while looking attentively at her. ¡°Just because I¡¯m good at shooting doesn¡¯t mean I would like the smell of blood. That¡¯s such a barbaric idea.¡± Hazel frowned at the wolf being carried out on the cart. Her head was dizzy due to the smell of blood. There was a hole in the middle of the wolf¡¯s forehead, which reminded her of Sisef¡¯s decapitated head. ¡°What will happen to that wolf pack?¡± ¡°They will pick a new leader because they just lost the previous one.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Or they will disintegrate just like that.¡± Although it had died, Mie was flinching when she moved her horse aside at the sight of the hideous appearance as if it could wake up and plunge at her in any moment. ¡°Now that I catched this as well, I let the Princess have all my preys.¡± ¡°¡­I refuse.¡± Hazel turned her head away from the wolf with her face which turned even paler than before. Because she felt nauseous the moment those opened yellow met her gaze. And she could feel the way those eyes pierced her even more. ¡°You are really amazing. My father also said that it is not easy to catch this kind of wolf.¡± Mie said while pping her hands. ¡°Your hunting skill is outstanding.¡± While hearing Mie¡¯s praise, Achilleon suddenly raised the gun high after taking the one that had been loaded up earlier. Then everyone¡¯s eyes naturally headed to the sky. There was a bird spinning in a circle above them. The gun fired into the air and prated through the bird¡¯s body, which made it fall right in front of Hazel. ¡°¡­It¡¯s Uncle Briden¡¯s bird.¡± The bird, which had showed off its wonderful wings to her earlier, had died andnded in front of Hazel. The bird, who had been pping its wings for a while, inclined its head before it finally stopped moving. ¡°Do you know this bird?¡± He asked nonchntly. He still asked even though he clearly knew the answer. ¡°It had annoyed me because it was hovering around like a spy since earlier.¡± Hearing he said so, gave Hazel shiver running down her spine. ¡°It¡¯s the favorite bird of Uncle Briden, he¡¯s going to make a fuss¡­.¡± ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of hunting anyway. He just didn¡¯t know it was uncle¡¯s hunting assistant because it had gotten so far away from its master.¡± Mie stepped out to cut Hazel off. ¡°If I tell my father, he¡¯ll be able to get the same bird as much as he wants, so it¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t think it would be easy, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Hazel responded as if she was being provocative on purpose. ¡°There are things that even the Concez Family can¡¯t do.¡± ¡°Nothing is impossible for our family.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯m very proud of Uncle Wilves.¡± Hazel smiled at Mie. Sensing the ufortable air at that moment, Lorette looked at the two with an anxious look. ¡°Of course. Because I¡¯m the only daughter of the Concez Family.¡± Mie said while lifting her chin. ¡°Yeah, because you are the most useful daughter.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Mie looked at Hazel with a look as if she had something wrong. Seeing her giving such a look, Hazel pulled her horse closer to Mie, and whispered. ¡°You know well what I mean, right? You¡¯re about to go to Patran, Mie.¡± ¡°No way. I told you, my father wants the Princess to be a queen, and my father is doing his best to make me remain, so the queen¡¯s position will surely belong to the Princess.¡± Mie said with a haughty smile. ¡°If I also manage to rise into a high position, I will do my best to be of help for the Princess. We share the same blood, so it¡¯d be nice to help each other even when we get married to different countries, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yeah, the Great Uncle Wilves is also a trader.¡± Hazel whispered so that only Mie could hear it. ¡°Mer¡­chant?¡± Mie¡¯s face was crumpled greatly. ¡°You have a big dream indeed. However, you do know how weak the support for the Crown Prince is in the Empire, right? Uncle is trying to be prepared, just in case.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Mie gripped the gun with a pale look. Seeing such a gesture, Hazel added. ¡°If you really wanted to be the Empress, you would have been sent to Prince Sisef, who has a strong maternal family on his side. Why would they shove you to the Crown Prince?¡± Hazel smiled and continued. ¡°You¡¯re just a card just in case.¡± ¡°No way father would ever do that.¡± ¡°Did you forget? The members of Concez are people who can use their children as much as they want for the sake of the family. You¡¯re no different from those children.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Shaking her head at those words, she then pointed the gun at Hazel. ¡°Mie?¡± Hazel grabbed the horse reins gently as she looked at the gun aimed at her. Sweat came out of her palm, but Hazel didn¡¯t turn her head away. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°You see it.¡± Mie replied sharply. ¡°Apologize to me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°To me and my father, how dare you insult my family and me¡­¡± Mie said as her hand that was holding the gun shook. ¡°That gun, you¡¯d better drop it.¡± Hazel warned in a hushed voice. However, her heart began to pound loudly. ¡°Young Lady, please lower your gun.¡± The knight who was escorting Mie hurriedly told her. Bang. Mie turned the gun and shot at the knight who had warned her. The bullet hit the direction of the horse¡¯s foot which the knight was riding and bounced off even though it seemed as if she had aimed it urately at the knight who warned her earlier. Neighh! While the horse was thrashing around after being surprised by the sudden fire, Mie¡¯s gun was aimed back at Hazel. ¡°Sister!¡± Lorette looked at Hazel with a shocked look. However, Hazel still gazed at Mie with unwavered eyes. ¡®Shoot me.¡¯ Hazel yelled inwardly. She could see Mie¡¯s hand trembling in front of her when they made eye contact with each other. The sound of a gunshot echoed in the forest, at that moment arge and ck shadow swooped her down. Thud. Hazel slipped off the horse together with that shadow. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± When she slowly opened her tightly shut eyes, she realized that she was lying on the soft grass. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± An eerie silence took over the forest. She could tell the man who was holding her as if blocking her with his body, without having to look at his face first. ¡°Achilleon?¡± ¡°You always call my name only when this kind of thing happens.¡± The corner of Achilleon¡¯s mouth stretched out beautifully while looking down at her. His blue eyes slowly skimmed through her up and down as if to examine her slowly. ¡°Are you¡­ okay?¡± Hazel could barely let those wordse out of her mouth. It was a strangely unpleasant silence. The moment when a very brief time somehow went by slowly. Hazel had experienced this before. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m talking to you like this.¡± Hazel slowly opened her hands at the damp sensation sticking on her hands. It was none other than Achilleson¡¯s sticky blood that stained her hand. ¡°Why is your face like that?¡± ¡°Blood¡­Blood.¡± He looked too indifferent for a person who was losing blood. He continued to talk as if the oozing blood belonged to someone else. ¡°Since you have taken advantage of me once, why don¡¯t you use me one more time until you¡¯re satisfied?¡± A cool smile hung on his mouth. ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Achilleon¡¯s body tilted sideways more toward Hazel. The sudden st of blood made Hazel feel dizzy for a moment. Srug. The body which was tilted toward Hazel had gonepletely rxed. ¡°Achilleon!¡± A tearing scream filled the quiet forest. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!