"Pick it up and leave," Cynthia ordered Duke Dorian.
The brown-haired young man bit his lips, feeling humiliated beyond measure.
Not only was this happening before his lover's eyes, but he also felt a deep sense of shame he couldn't overcome.
No matter how much his blood boiled, he had to obey the princess—she was of higher rank than him, a duke.
Reluctantly following the princess's order, Duke Dorian bent down and reached for the shining blade on the dark, plush carpet.
Cynthia slowly approached him, leaning closer to his ear and whispering, "This is where you belong."
Dorian flinched and glared at the young woman before him. However, Princess Cynthia had already exited the audience hall, leaving the Duke and his lover alone, trembling in embarrassment.
"Damn it!" Duke Dorian cursed, clenching the sword in his fist.
"It's alright, Your Grace," Lady Valentine said with a smile, gently placing her hand on Dorian's shoulder to soothe his anger.
Dorian nodded and inhaled deeply.
I haven't lost anything. It is the princess who lost the only person willing to marry her despite the outrageous rumours surrounding her!
***
Cynthia strode through the hallway with quick steps. The garden seemed a long way off. No matter how fast she walked, the palace walls felt too large and oppressive, giving her a sense of suffocation she could barely handle.
Though relieved that the burden of her engagement had been lifted, a strange heaviness lingered in her chest—a feeling she couldn't quite comprehend.
Perhaps, now her reputation would crumble to the ground after everyone hears about her broken engagement.
Perhaps now, no man would dare approach her and ask for her hand in marriage.
However, she wasn't saddened by those probabilities.
Her engagement to Duke Dorian had been a facade, a way to present an illusion of perfection to the nobles. There should be no doubt that she was glad he had broken it off himself.
"Your Highness," the horseman who had brought the princess back to the palace appeared before her, struggling to catch his breath. He had changed into a knight's uniform.
"What is going on, Hans?" Cynthia demanded, noticing the frown on his face.
"His Majesty, King Alistair, has returned!"
Cynthia's worried expression brightened at the news of her brother's arrival.
"That's great news. Lead the way," the princess ordered, unable to keep her feet still. She needed to see her brother! It had been a year since she last saw him.
Hans bowed and turned, leading the princess to the entrance of the main palace.
The king's castle—the Ruby Palace—was built for the ruler and was also where the court held trials and executions. The place was often occupied by a large number of people. Smaller trials were held on the west side of the Ruby Palace, but major crimes were discussed with the king in the main building located at the center.
Cynthia looked at the dazzling decorations of the king's castle. A smile formed on her lips—there was a clear distinction between her residence and the king's, her brother's.
"Your Highness, the king is said to be in the courtyard," Hans, who had asked a guard about the King's whereabouts, said as he returned to the princess.
"Let's go."
Hans tilted his head, confused.
"I beg your pardon?"
Cynthia's soft gaze intensified.
"Are you deaf, Hans?"
The man shook his head quickly and bowed in obedience before the silver-haired young woman, leading the way to the courtyard.
Hans had been Princess Cynthia's personal knight for a year, ever since she returned from a mysterious "vacation." No one knew where she had gone or where she had stayed during that time. However, upon her return, everything about her had changed—her aura, her strength—leaving most of the palace servants trembling in fear.
Perhaps she is possessed.
I'm sure there is an evil spirit in the princess's body.
She is a villainess! Keep your distance from her!
Don't catch her attention. You might become her next victim!
Rumours about the princess were endless, but one that particularly frightened the nobles claimed she enjoyed torturing her servants—stripping them naked, whipping them, and laughing as she did so. However, no one ever confirmed that rumour.
Upon reaching the courtyard, Princess Cynthia glanced at the guards who promptly lowered their heads and bowed to her.
"Open the door," she ordered.
"B-But Your Highness…His Majesty, the king…" one of the guards stammered, his lips trembling.
Cynthia inhaled deeply before bursting through the large golden-coloured door, entering the court hall, startling the noblemen seated in their chairs.
On the red carpet, the princess's gaze fell on a man kneeling on the ground facing the throne, his hands bound. His face was pressed to the floor by one of the guards, ensuring he could not escape.
The nobles rose from their seats and bowed to the princess, despite their unease at seeing her in the court. It was not a place where women belonged.
Cynthia's violet eyes travelled from the man standing to the man seated on the throne, which was decorated with gold and adorned with a few carefully placed jewels.
The man's blonde hair was longer than Cynthia remembered, and his violet eyes were locked onto hers.
The silver-haired young woman smiled at her brother, lowered her upper body, and lifted the sides of her long dress.
"I, Cynthia De Luminas, greet Your Majesty, the king of Eldoria," she said softly, surprising the nobles present.
The king took a deep breath before waving his hand to the others in the room.
Understanding the king's command, everyone bowed and exited the court hall.
Cynthia, puzzled by why her brother hadn't asked her to rise, frowned as she heard the noise of departing footsteps.
Once the hall was empty, the king rose from his throne and walked toward his young sister. He gently lifted her from her greeting and embraced her.
"It's been a long time, sister," he whispered, audible enough for the shorter young lady to hear.
The frown on Cynthia's face disappeared, and a smile nearly reached her ears.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," she said in a low voice.
"How have you been?" King Alistair asked, pulling away from the hug.
"I have been well…" Cynthia slightly averted her gaze.
He doesn't need to know about what happened at the balls, right?
Alistair, who could read his sister's mind, decided to let her lie slide. There were more pressing matters to discuss.
Trying to change the topic, Cynthia quickly asked, "Now that you're back… it means the war is over, right?"
Alistair hesitated before nodding. Although it had been announced as over for now, it could resume at any moment if a peace agreement wasn't reached soon.
"Brother?" Cynthia, noticing the king was spacing out, gently placed her hand on his arm to regain his attention.
"Yes? Were you saying something?" The blonde-haired man smiled.
"We need to organize a party for your return and for the knights. We also need to support the families of those who couldn't…" Cynthia's smile faltered, her bright expression giving way to a sombre one.
"… return," she finished, meeting her brother's gaze.
"Cynthia… you…"
"I will take care of everything!" Cynthia exclaimed, regaining her composure. "Do not worry about anything. Everything will be perfect at the banquet."
The king smiled wryly.
What was perfect in his sister's eyes might not meet the nobles' expectations.