- Year 310 of the lunar system calendar -

A large wooden carriage rumbled along the rocky streets in the darkness of the night. It came to a stop in front of a large shop where only a dim light was visible.

The roads were deserted as the sun had already set—no one ventured outside after dark in Eldoria. Due to the long years of war, providing enough light for the entire city was challenging and costly.

"We've arrived," the horseman announced, gently lifting his hat to reveal a face marked with a few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

He extended his hand as he opened the carriage door, gazing up at the princess seated inside.

A silver-haired young lady, dressed in a dark blue gown adorned with pearls along the edges, descended from the wooden carriage, holding the horseman's hand.

"Your Highness..."

Princess Cynthia turned toward him, her violet eyes glimmering like amethysts in the darkness of the night.

"What is it?" she coldly demanded.

"Duke Dorian is waiting for you at the palace. We should return…" he hesitantly answered.

Cynthia snorted, shaking her head before stepping back into the carriage.

"Right! I completely forgot. Another fool is here tonight," she chuckled, signaling the horseman to resume his duties.

The man bowed and took his place at the front of the carriage, leading the princess back to the palace.

Although Princess Cynthia had a dire reputation in high society, it didn't stop nobles from approaching her in the hope of gaining some support for their businesses. They prioritized their desires over the fear they felt regarding the princess's harsh personality.

The silver-haired young woman clicked her tongue, shaking her head.

"Poor Princess Cynthia," she mumbled.

After a journey of two hours, the carriage came to a stop.

The horseman rushed to assist the princess, but she exited the carriage.

"Change your clothes and join me in the audience room," the princess instructed, walking into the palace.

The magnificent palace was painted white, mirroring the color of the princess's hair. Inside, the walls were a pastel blue—Princess Cynthia's favorite color. The grounds were adorned with vibrant flowers, and the path leading into the castle was paved with asphalt.

As the silver-haired young woman reached the corridor, maids greeted her with respectful bows. A smile formed on her lips as she observed their nervous expressions.

"You're back, Your Highness," an elderly woman said, bowing deeply. Cassandra, the head maid of the Jade Palace, had been by the princess's side since her youth.

Cynthia nodded in acknowledgment and, without further comment, made her way to her chamber.

When she clapped her hands twice, several maids hurried into the room.

"Help me get ready; Duke Dorian is waiting for me," Cynthia said in a softer tone, smiling at her reflection in the mirror.

The servants gulped nervously. Whenever the princess smiled, it often signaled something troubling was about to happen. All they could do was wonder what she had in store.

"What are you waiting for?" Cynthia's violet gaze shifted to the side, her soft tone from earlier disappearing in an instant.

"N-Nothing. We will get you ready," one of the maids stammered.

***

Once the maids finished dressing the princess, a faint smile formed on their lips, as if rewarding themselves for their hard work.

The princess didn't seem displeased by the reflection in the mirror either, as she didn't frown at what she was seeing. That alone was enough to satisfy the maids.

"Let's go meet my dear fiancé," Cynthia grinned.

Walking through the majestically decorated hallway, the princess glanced at the portraits hung on the wall—they were of the royal family.

Her stern expression softened as she gazed at the family portrait, where a younger version of herself sat on her mother, the queen's lap. Her father, the king, was beside the queen, and her two older brothers stood proudly behind the throne, smiling brightly.

It has been a while since I last saw them.

"Your Highness, is something wrong?" Cassandra's voice broke through Cynthia's deep thoughts, pulling her back to reality.

The princess didn't reply and kept walking, keeping her upper body in a straight posture as she was taught from a young age.

"Open the door," she ordered the guards who stood in front of a large wooden door. The entrance was decorated with a large lion illustration, representing the royal family.

The guards lowered their heads, greeting the princess before opening the door.

Once the entrance was opened, Cynthia entered the room, not surprised to see the brown-haired young man sitting on a couch, accompanied by a beautiful dark-haired young lady.

"It seems you weren't bored without my presence," Cynthia remarked in a harsh tone.

The smile on Duke Dorian's face disappeared once he heard the princess's sharp voice.

"Your Highness," he rose from his seat, followed by the woman beside him.

They both bowed before her, although the expression on their faces illustrated their clear hatred toward her.

Despite noticing their deliberate disrespect, Cynthia took a seat opposite the couple, who still awaited her permission to sit.

"What brings you here?" Cynthia demanded, crossing her arms, looking up at her fiancé, and then shifting her gaze toward the lady beside him.

"I-I came here to..." the man hesitated.

"Just tell her the truth," the dark-haired lady whispered in his ear.

The man's hesitant expression changed into a determined one upon hearing his beloved's words.

He gulped before parting his lips.

"I came here to break off the engagement! I'm in love with Lady Valentine," he held Lady Valentine's hand in his, showing the princess his earnestness toward his lover.

"Is that so?"

Cynthia's expression hadn't changed for a second, not even after hearing her fiancé's statement.

"Yes?" Dorian whispered, confused.

"If that's all, then you may leave. I don't care what you do, Duke Dorian."

The coldness in her statement enraged the duke. The princess had always been distant, never displaying the affection, care, or love he expected from a woman. Whenever he stood beside her, he felt as though he were in the presence of a stern, emotionless lady.

"I'm saying that I'm breaking off the engagement!" the duke lashed out. "Because I love her," Dorian wrapped his arm around Lady Valentine's waist, pulling her close. "And not you."

Cynthia pressed her chin on the back of her hand and carefully looked at the disgusting couple before her. One was her fiancé, who dared to visit her with his mistress, while the other was blushing as she was held by the duke as if she were the most innocent woman in the kingdom.

"Alright, goodbye," Cynthia smiled brightly, waving her hand at him.

Irked, Duke Dorian shouted.

"No man will marry a woman like you!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Duke Dorian," Cynthia rose from her seat, stepping closer to the man before her.

Duke Dorian gritted his teeth furiously, unable to utter another word.

As he was about to speak, he felt a cold sensation against his neck. He slowly lowered his gaze and flinched, stepping away.

Princess Cynthia was holding a sword against his neck.

As he reached for the sword tied to his waist, his eyes widened. It had disappeared!

"Don't look for it there. It's with me," Cynthia maneuvered the sword, chuckling.

Seeing the couple's shocked and terrorized expressions, Cynthia dropped the sword to the floor.

"Pick it up and leave," she grinned at them innocently, despite her outrageous statement.