The prince, Peter Edencrown, watched blankly.
Never in his life had he felt this way, even when he was an illegitimate child who constantly endured ridicule and criticism from various people.
The woman named Josephine von Konrow was initially perceived by many, including Peter, as a wicked villainess who enjoyed tormenting Adele, the woman he loved.
However, the more Peter learned about her, the more obsessed he became.
The moment he saw her happily eating in the garden, his whole perception of her changed.
"How could a villainess like her make such a face while eating?" he thought.
His thoughts remained steadfast, but his curiosity grew. Determined to understand her better, he challenged her to a duel and, to his shock, was defeated by her.
"I lost?" he muttered, incredulous that he, considered one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom, was bested in pure swordsmanship.
"Just… who the hell are you?"
Such a talented woman, unknown to the empire, piqued his curiosity.
He conducted a background check on her and discovered multiple dealings in the underworld, her arranged marriage with Marquis Jhake, her identity as the fashion designer, Nephi, and even as the most skilled alchemist in the kingdom, Montgomery.
"How could such a woman not be known?" he wondered.
There was no way such a woman wouldn't be recognized.
Why would she hide her achievements?
Despite this, his perception of her as an evil woman persisted.
But the more he observed her, the more his perception changed. Living far from the mansion, people thought of her badly.
Most importantly, she was just trying to get her family's attention, like him.
She wanted to be recognized and loved by her family, yet not once did they gaze upon her, as Adele told him.
Eventually, he saw himself in her—a child desperately trying to prove their worth. Unlike her, he proved himself through revelation and eventually rose to his current position.
But he knew that without his talent, he would be nothing, discarded and ignored, just like Josephine.
He realized he had conflicting feelings about her and that's why, once and for all, he confronted her to resolve his doubts.
"She changed," he thought.
Her aura and demeanor were different from what people had described.
"She's strong..." It was different from the last time they clashed in the duel.
He didn't know the reason why, but he wanted to make a good impression on her.
First, he apologized, albeit reluctantly. Surprisingly, she accepted it. He thought she would do something, but she didn't.
"Isn't the only reason why you're here, right?"
He was dumbfounded, not having anything more to say. In fact, he didn't really think he'd get this far.
"What's the most convenient excuse?" he inwardly thought.
"Swordsmanship."
This woman was far more skilled than him. He'd love nothing more than to ask her to teach him. No one in the empire was willing to teach him, and this woman might utilize that for her revenge.
He thought if she taught him swordsmanship, he could eventually use it against her to help Adele achieve her revenge.
For the second time, he was proven wrong.
"You must not approach Adele for the duration of your training."
It was weird, along with the clause that he could not speak until it was over. On the other hand, she promised to take care of his lodging and meals while also keeping her mouth shut.
"What is she playing at?"He couldn't understand her at all. She was so unpredictable from the information he garnered about her.
Eventually, he agreed, both as a gamble and out of curiosity.
Peter's body was aching, and his mind was swimming with confusion.
Training under Josephine was hell, but it was a strange kind of hell that he almost enjoyed.
She was unpredictable and inconsistent, her style changing with the wind, making it impossible for him to read her.
In the mornings, they'd exercise, and she'd beat him thoroughly, yet she kept her promise to provide breaks and meals.
She was harsh but reasonable, and that problem left Peter unsure of how to feel.
He found himself staring at her blankly, trying to understand her.
She appeared cold and uncaring, but in her own way, she was kind. She beat him up, yet would offer him food and comfort him afterward.
"Why does everything she does seem… so lovely?"
Peter was growing wary of his feelings. Was it because he saw himself in her? Because she was kind to him? Seeing her smile at him stirred something deep within his heart.
One warm day, Peter stumbled during training, his body covered in bruises and scars. He felt exhausted, wanting to give up.
"Stand up!"
Josephine commanded, her voice sharp. He was looking down, feeling defeated. Then she spoke with an intensity that surprised him.
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill."
She looked at him with a solemn expression.
"When funds are low and debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh."
Peter looked up at her, confused by her words. He realized she saw through him, recognizing his struggles. All his life, he had sought recognition, and though he achieved it, people only saw his reputation, not his efforts. Yet, here was Josephine, treating him harshly but equally, seeing him for who he was.
"Rest if you must, but don't quit."
Memories he had buried deep resurfaced. The words he desperately wanted to hear as a child were now being spoken by her.
"Stick to the fight when you're hardest hit—it's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
Tears welled up in his eyes as emotions he had long suppressed came flooding back.
"You can do it."
For the first time in his life, Peter felt a sense of acknowledgment for his pain and efforts. He knew he was weak, but he also felt a surge of determination.
He knew what he wanted to do.
"I want this woman."
His feelings for Adele were overshadowed and long gone.
"I will make her mine no matter what because I get whatever I want."
His heart was set, but his thoughts were twisted.