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CHAPTER 02
When I opened my eyes and slowly pushed myself upright, the delicate lace cushion beside my head slipped to the floor with a soft thud.
It had already been weeks since I ended up trapped inside this novel.
But every morning when I woke up, something still felt slightly misaligned in my heart.
Then I whispered quietly.
“…It wasn’t a dream.”
Rubbing my eyes, I muttered to myself. My head was still hazy, and a faint ache lingered in my chest.
Last night. The banquet.
The crystal chandelier pouring light over dozens of gazes, and at the center of it all—the crown prince looking directly at me.
And… the one sentence I had spoken.
“I’m sorry, but I already have a fiancé!”
My heart echoed quietly, deeply, as if something inside me had split the moment I said it.
The crown prince’s gaze and silence were like blades. The banquet hall felt unfamiliar, not a single person speaking.
Ignoring Aydin’s sharp stare, I escaped the hall.
But then—
“Lady Floris.”
A low, cold voice came from behind me. The moment I tried to stop, someone grabbed my shoulder. I didn’t need to turn around.
Because I already knew who it was.
Crown Prince Aydin Eskaril.
“So that’s what you said.”
His voice carried something strange. Not anger. Not confusion. Almost… amusement.
“You said you have a fiancé?”
His grip on my shoulder tightened slightly. It didn’t hurt—but it made one thing clear: he had no intention of letting go.
I slowly turned to face him.
And looking at the man whose eyes were already clouded with possessiveness, I swallowed and said,
“That is correct, Your Highness.”
“How interesting.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips. It was not a warm one.
“Then…”
His gaze locked onto me.
“I would like to meet the two of you. May I invite you to the palace garden? If you are engaged to Lady Floris, I believe I should at least offer my greetings. After all, you are the fiancé of the empire’s final saint.”
It wasn’t a suggestion.
It was an invitation that didn’t allow refusal.
And beneath its polite surface… the intent was clear.
Dangerous.
Aydin’s obsession had already begun.
“…Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but that won’t be necessary.”
“You don’t need to refuse.”
His voice dropped, cold and low.
“I simply cannot rest until I verify things I’m curious about. Especially your… fiancé.”
With that, he let go of my shoulder and turned away. But his presence made one thing unmistakable—
He would not stop here.
A few days later, as expected, an imperial invitation arrived.
“Lady of House Floris, you are invited to a luncheon in the Imperial Garden. Please attend with your fiancé. — Crown Prince Aydin Eskaril”
Lina handed me the invitation with trembling hands.
“Lady… what should we do?”
I placed the invitation down and smiled faintly.
It had already begun.
The crown prince’s obsession.
Knock.
The door opened carefully. Familiar footsteps.
Even without looking up, I knew who it was.
“Lily.”
My brother’s voice was low and heavy.
Kael Floris.
Neatly styled golden hair, deep navy eyes. His gaze was complicated.
“Why did you say something like that last night?”
He didn’t ask further. He had already seen the letter in my hand. Already read my expression. As if he understood everything without words.
“You’re saying you’ll go to the North Duke… and ignore the crown prince’s invitation?”
His voice was firm.
I met his gaze.
Concern. Confusion. And above all—protectiveness.
“I’m going to the ducal estate, brother.”
He said nothing for a moment. Then exhaled quietly.
“…You’ve changed, Lily.”
There was sadness in his voice. But also acceptance.
“Still… you’re my sister.”
I stayed silent.
The moment I step into the imperial palace, everything returns to the original story’s path.
And once Scarlet learns of it, everything will collapse.
“You should still inform Father and Mother.”
Right. The real challenge begins now.
We entered the study together.
Before I could speak, my parents already seemed to understand everything.
“Father, Mother… I should say this myself, even if you already know.”
A heavy silence filled the room.
After a pause, my mother spoke carefully.
“Lily… are you truly going to the North?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“And what about His Highness? You received an invitation…”
Her voice was filled with concern.
“I’m still going.”
My answer was firm.
All eyes turned to me.
“This is my choice. My life.”
My father silently studied me.
After a long pause, he nodded slowly.
“…I see.”
My mother looked shocked, but he continued.
“Looking at your eyes… you’ve already decided. We cannot stop you.”
“My dear—!”
“But look at her. She’s made up her mind. We should trust her.”
My mother sighed, then gave me a small smile.
“Be careful, Lily.”
“Thank you, Father. Mother.”
I bowed deeply.
Back in my room, Kael walked beside me in silence.
Once the door closed, he spoke.
“Lily… are you really okay?”
His voice was filled with worry.
“The crown prince won’t leave you alone. If he follows you…”
I looked out the window.
“I know, brother. I know exactly what kind of person he is.”
I turned to him.
“He’s already fixated on me. You saw his eyes last night. That wasn’t normal—it was obsession.”
Kael’s expression hardened.
“That’s exactly why I’m worried.”
“But if I’m engaged to the North Duke, he can’t touch me easily.”
My voice was steady.
“The North is not a place even the empire can interfere with. Even the crown prince would hesitate.”
Kael’s expression softened slightly.
“That’s true… politically, it would be difficult.”
“So this is the only chance.”
If I hesitate now, everything resets.
And then it becomes irreversible.
The original Lillian failed to escape the crown prince’s obsession.
But I won’t end up like that.
No. I don’t have to act like the heroine.
Why was I even trying to survive according to her rules?
The saint Lillian… no longer exists.
The obedient saint who followed divine will, forgave everyone, and sacrificed everything.
That ending? She was trapped in eternal damnation, watching everyone she loved die—until she broke completely.
I won’t live like that.
I’ll use whatever means necessary.
My fate is mine to decide.
No one can stop me.
Kael looked at me for a long moment, then nodded.
“…Alright. When will you leave?”
“At dawn.”
“…Even if the duke accepted you, the North won’t be easy.”
“I know.”
“Then go—and come back stronger.”
I laughed softly.
“Come back stronger? It’s not like I’m going to war.”
But Kael was serious.
My chest tightened warmly.
Kael Floris.
My first family in this world.
My ally until the end.
So I answered him honestly.
“I will.”
After Kael left, I began packing quietly.
I told Lina nothing. Too many people knowing would be dangerous.
Only essential clothes. Simple supplies. No extravagant dresses—only practical travel wear.
From a drawer, I took a small jewelry box from my mother. Emergency funds.
“This should be enough.”
I closed the bag.
At dawn, under a sky covered in faint mist, the carriage headed north.
Frozen fields passed by the window.
Cold air seeped in, and I pulled my cloak tighter.
I had already twisted fate.
Sent the proposal.
Declared I would become a villain if necessary.
Now I would live my own story.
Eventually, the carriage stopped.
Outside—snow-covered land and a massive black fortress.
A gate that felt like silence itself.
The door opened. Cold wind rushed in.
I stepped down.
“Lady Floris?”
A calm voice greeted me.
A man in a black coat bowed.
“I am Ian Peldin, secretary to the Duke. Welcome to the North.”
I nodded quietly.
The gates opened one by one.
The North Duke’s estate.
Cold. Silent. Heavy with authority.
The Shadow of the North… it wasn’t just a rumor.
As I walked through the corridors, I felt it everywhere—black iron patterns, still air, restrained grandeur.
Then—
“You’ve arrived.”
I stopped.
That voice.
I knew immediately.
Iris Hiver.
The man I had proposed to.
I slowly lifted my head.
He stood at the end of the corridor, half-hidden in dim light.
Silver hair like frost. Pale skin. Eyes colder than winter itself.
And those eyes… watching me.
Like a sealed gate.
No emotion.
No warmth.
Just stillness.
“Welcome, Lady Floris.”
His voice was low and calm.
But beneath it… something unreadable.
Curiosity? Caution?
Or simply observation?
I bowed my head.
“Thank you for accepting my letter, Your Grace.”
