Episode 2
Diarin Conclester.
As she entered the secluded area, she shrugged her shoulders.
The world was always full of unexpected twists.
Who would've thought that Ezet, who was once so insignificant, would return as such a great hero?
Not even the Emperor, Diarin herself, or her adoptive father, Duke Concl, could have predicted it.
Because of that, she had to come here, covered in layers of jewelry, just to get on Ezet's good side.
Still, Diarin didn't think the process was all bad.
At least she got to see Ezet safe and sound with her own eyes.
Yes, at least she got to do that...
But the thought didn't last long in her mind.
The reason was simple.
"You're no different from a prostitute, Lady Diarin Conclester."
Despite the openly insulting voice, Diarin smiled out of habit. Still, she was curious.
Even dressed this conservatively, she was called a prostitute. What would people say if she wore something slightly revealing like a banquet dress?
Either way...
Just looking at this man blocking her way and glaring at her so fiercely, it was clear how much Ezet's status had changed.
"Marquis Angelo."
"I clearly told you to give up the engagement to the 8th prince in favor of my daughter. Did you not hear me?"
The elderly Marquis Angelo's face was full of greed and rage. He looked like a filthy parasite drooling over its prey.
He had waited by the imperial palace's carriage stop, then pulled Diarin into his carriage to threaten her. That told her everything she needed to know.
'Seeing as he came here himself...'
He must've thrown away any sense of noble dignity. He must really be desperate.
The marquis's large hand roughly grabbed Diarin's wrist.
"My daughter is a refined lady who is deeply favored by the Empress. She can't even be compared to you, a fallen, illegitimate orphan. If you don't back off when I'm being nice—"
"Yes."
"...Yes?"
"Yes. You heard right. I'll step aside."
Diarin answered calmly.
For a moment, Marquis Angelo looked confused, as if he had heard things.
Diarin continued speaking with a smile that never wavered.
"I'll return to the Concl estate as soon as I leave the palace today. I don't want to be engaged to someone I haven't even seen the face of. As you know, I was born with fair bloodline pride."
"...Are you serious?"
"Of course. Marquis Angelo."
Of course.
Of course, it was a lie.
But if needed, Diarin could tell a lie like this a hundred times over. She was confident she wouldn't even blink.
There was no reason to provoke him when they were alone. Her first priority was to get out of the carriage and escape to somewhere safe.
It took Marquis Angelo a while to regain his senses.
"...For an orphan, you understand things well. You know your place."
"Thank you."
At her obedient reply, the marquis let go of her wrist. Diarin hadn't expected him to grab her again just as she tried to leave the carriage.
Suppressing the sudden disgust, Diarin gently asked,
"Do you have something more to say, Marquis?"
"I just realized something. I might trust you, but I can't trust Duke Concl."
'And what am I supposed to do about that?'
Even Diarin found Duke Concl dark and difficult to handle. Marquis Angelo wouldn't even dare act out in front of him.
"Duke Concl is nothing but a filthy villain, isn't he? I suppose I should leave a mark on your pretty little face, just so he can't use you for another political marriage. This marquis is doing you a favor."
He pulled out a sharp jewel pin he always carried, and tried to scratch her face—only to suddenly scream.
"Argh!"
His groin. She had kicked him directly in the groin.
Had the angle been slightly different, he might never have had any more fun in bed again. Marquis Angelo found himself oddly grateful that Diarin was wearing a long skirt.
Otherwise, his manhood would've been completely destroyed.
That relief was quickly replaced by furious rage.
"You filthy wench!"
The moment Marquis Angelo grabbed Diarin by the collar—
Bang.
The carriage door burst open.
Marquis Angelo froze as if someone had cast a spell.
Creak.
A chill-inducing pair of golden eyes stared into the carriage.
Ezet Asperk Kirchen.
The same prince that Marquis Angelo had tried to shove his daughter onto. Ezet's brow furrowed at the sight inside the carriage.
"What exactly are you doing?"
"Y-Your Highness, the 8th prince..."
"Have you lost your mind?"
Though Ezet was young enough to be his son, Marquis Angelo couldn't stand his ground against the cold air pouring from Ezet.
"T-that is... Ugh!"
He couldn't even finish his sentence. Ezet had grabbed the back of his neck and dragged him out of the carriage.
The marquis was quite heavy, but the 8th prince tossed him out as if he were a rag doll.
"Ugh! Aaah!"
From outside, Marquis Angelo's screams rang out. Then the sound of him sobbing disgracefully. Soon after, the sound of imperial guards running over.
A little while later...
"Lady Diarin."
Ezet returned to the carriage and held out his hand to Diarin.
To be honest, she was surprised. She hadn't expected him to come back. But still, she took his hand.
Maybe because her hand was ice cold, Ezet's warmth felt especially strong.
Then a question arose.
'How did he find this carriage? Why did he save me?'
Despite her thoughts, the words came out at the right moment.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ezet glanced at Diarin.
To Diarin, Ezet's face was still unreadable.
Like it was covered in mist, with only his eyes faintly visible.
A moment of silence.
Then...
"You always..."
'Always?'
But Ezet didn't finish. He just quietly stared into her eyes.
Eyes like rare lilac gemstones.
Even those who hated her for being Duke Concl's puppet couldn't deny her beauty.
That's why Duke Concl had chosen to adopt her, out of all the illegitimate noble girls.
But none of that mattered to Ezet. Her looks had never mattered to him.
Only her eyes did. Those eyes, tinged like dawn light, that always kept the right amount of distance.
That innocent, clueless gaze.
Ezet spoke.
"You've been staring at my face quite a bit."
"Oh... I'm sorry, Your Highness."
Diarin quickly looked away.
It was a mistake noble-borns with pure bloodlines often made.
Since they couldn't clearly see a royal's face, they'd end up staring into the fog, dazed.
Ezet, who had been quietly watching Diarin, finally spoke again.
"I heard you suddenly left your estate."
"Ah, yes."
"Was it truly necessary to leave in such a rush?"
"I... I suddenly became very ill."
It was a weak excuse.
Ezet's northern domain, Bukmunseok, was one of the largest in the empire.
Though it snowed heavily in winter, it was a prosperous area where many noble families wanted to live.
"Was it that you hated Bukmunseok, or that you hated the political marriage?"
"...Excuse me?"
"Was it both?"
The unexpected question flustered Diarin. At this depressing ceremony for a dethroned prince, she had planned to keep her mask on. But for once, she spoke from the heart.
"Neither."
Ezet quietly looked at her. She didn't know what kind of expression he had, but it didn't matter.
Whether he believed her or not—this was the truth.
And she had nothing more to say.
Then Ezet shifted his gaze and muttered,
"You must've had your reasons."
"..."
Diarin's heart wavered like foam.
She opened her mouth slightly, then closed it again.
She knew the red-haired knight named Remd, who always stood by Ezet's side, disliked her.
Everyone at Bukmunseok probably hated her.
She had prepared herself for Ezet to feel the same.
So why...
"Lady Diarin."
"...Yes, Your Highness."
"I'll send the carriage in three days, not a week."
"...What?"
"Let's move the engagement date up, then."
After escorting Diarin to a more public area, Ezet let go of her hand.