YWUSB~01

Chapter 01

The first day I met Shioden was the day a Harvest Festival banquet was held at the Imperial Palace.

My father, Caphren Rowen, dressed me in fashionable clothes and expensive jewels before attending the banquet.

Right before shoving me into the ballroom, Father grabbed my arm roughly. Then, in a voice far gentler than his harsh grip, he softly threatened me.

“You know the Crown Prince is interested in you, don’t you? The marriage talks are already half-settled, but conduct yourself well.”

Father wanted to bind himself to the imperial family by blood.

All to find a way to cure the chronic illness he had suffered from for years.

He had been born with a heart condition.

They said he had used every medicine the family’s power could obtain, yet none had fully cured him.

That was why Father turned his attention to magic.

But the magic that had once filled the land now remained only within the imperial family and far away in the northern territory of Laslet.

And the relationship between Laslet and Rowen was the worst possible.

Because it was considered common knowledge that the death of the former Duke of Laslet had actually been a poisoning orchestrated by my father.

There was a forest in Laslet’s domain where special trees grew.

It was said the sap of those magic-infused trees could cure any illness.

Back when the former Duke of Laslet was alive, Father had tried to strike a deal to obtain that sap. When he was refused, he held onto his resentment.

Not long after, the Duke of Laslet was poisoned by someone.

Everyone in the world knew that “someone” was my father.

And Father himself never denied the suspicion directed at him.

To kill someone in pursuit of curing his own illness.

It was horrifying, but Father had always been the type to stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Just like now.

“That necklace of yours was chosen by that red-haired maid, wasn’t it?”

Still refusing to release my arm, Father spoke in a low voice.

Among my maids, there was only one girl with red hair.

Apple.

She was the only person in Rowen who truly loved me.

“I just want you to be happy, my lady.”

In a household where every corner was filled with the watchful eyes of my father and half-brothers, Apple alone genuinely cared for me.

And Father knew that too.

“When a master makes mistakes, the servants below must also bear responsibility. Don’t forget that.”

“…Yes.”

My throat felt as stiff as though a stone were lodged in it, but I somehow managed to answer.

Father’s yellow eyes slowly swept over me from head to toe.

“Your face looks gloomy. Someone might think that maid’s already stopped breathing.”

His words made my breath catch.

Just recently, Father had only threatened to have Apple whipped.

But now he was bringing up her life itself.

His cruelty grew day by day like the interest of a loan shark.

It was like a noose on a gallows.

Father had placed my neck inside it and was threatening that he could kick away the platform whenever he pleased.

“Smile. Nothing has happened yet, has it?”

If you do well, nothing bad will happen, Iella.

With that final whisper—falsely gentle—Father stepped forward.

Still gripped by him, I moved with him.

Now I really had to smile.

Because we were close enough for the servants guarding the doors to see my expression.

Just as I barely managed to force up the corners of my mouth, the ballroom doors opened.

The attendant’s voice rang out.

“Duke Rowen and Lady Rowen have arrived!”

Inside the banquet hall, Crown Prince Aiden naturally asked me for the first dance.

Even though I could clearly feel him openly scanning my body the entire time we were close, I had no choice but to take his hand and dance.

From far away, Demian was watching us.

Like Iswen, Demian was also a son of Father’s first wife.

By bloodline, that made him my second older brother.

Though calling us siblings was generous—we were hardly better than strangers.

“Don’t go poking your nose around everywhere. Just stay quietly shut up at home.”

If Iswen simply looked down on me with contempt and ignored me, Demian found me genuinely irritating.

Whenever he had the chance, he picked faults with anything I did and lashed out in annoyance.

Still, compared to Iswen, Demian was almost fair.

He treated everyone roughly, not just me, because he couldn’t control his own temper.

And yet even Demian obediently followed whenever Father ordered him to watch me.

As the music slowly softened to allow partners to switch, Aiden tilted his head slightly toward me.

His bright golden hair—the symbol of imperial blood—shifted softly.

“By etiquette, I should dance with ladies from other families as well… but I find it difficult to let go of your hand.”

“…It’s an honor that Your Highness thinks so, but there are many eyes watching. Please give the other ladies a chance as well.”

“True. Especially since the new Duke of Laslet is in the palace today. Best not to create anything people can criticize.”

“The Duke of Laslet is in the capital?”

It was the first I’d heard of it.

I asked without thinking, and Aiden answered.

“Of course. He inherited his father’s title, so naturally he must come swear loyalty to the Emperor. By now, he’s probably having an audience with His Majesty. Your father, Duke Rowen, is likely there as well, assisting.”

Come to think of it, Father was nowhere in sight.

Realizing the connection belatedly, I looked up at him.

Aiden frowned.

“Iella, no matter how sheltered your family keeps you, you should at least know what’s happening in the capital.”

Heat rose to my face at the criticism of my ignorance.

When there were no social events, Father kept me locked inside the estate and cut me off from outside news.

He even controlled the servants’ tongues.

And whenever anyone asked, he would say this:

“She is such a precious daughter that I simply wish to protect her as much as possible.”

People praised him for loving his daughter dearly.

“It seems Duke Rowen can hardly bear to let the world even glimpse his daughter’s face.”

Some even joked like that.

Father let them misunderstand.

The more cherished a daughter seemed, the higher her value.

Even inside the estate, my life was shaped entirely to Father’s tastes.

I was taught to play the organ and embroider until I mastered them, but any learning beyond proper etiquette and basic history was forbidden.

Because of something Iswen had once insisted:

“She must remain ignorant. If she knows too much, she won’t depend on the family after marriage.”

Father accepted that argument and blocked my education.

So whenever Aiden or others treated me like this, resentment toward Iswen naturally welled up inside me.

No matter where I went, I would never escape the prison called Rowen—

and he had even boarded up the windows that let me see outside.

Perhaps thinking I was merely embarrassed, Aiden soon softened his expression.

“I’m not scolding you. But surely you understand, Lady Rowen… the position of Empress is not a light one. Especially since my wife, even as Crown Princess, would also have to fulfill the role of Empress.”

Since the Empress had passed away years ago, it was true that whoever married Aiden would take charge of the palace’s entire internal affairs.

Even so, the way he spoke as though our marriage were already decided made my stomach churn.

I forced a smile to hide my disgust.

“I’ll keep Your words in mind.”

“Good. Everything I say is for your sake, so don’t take offense.”

The music, which had briefly softened, began to swell again.

Now it was truly time to switch partners.

I had no intention of dancing any longer, so if I slipped quietly toward the wall now, I might avoid attention.

I carefully tried to withdraw my hand—

but Aiden rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb.

A shiver crawled down my spine.

“Since neither His Majesty nor your father has returned yet… shall we have one more dance?”

“B-But everyone is watching…”

“Don’t mind that. And if anyone questions it, I’ll simply say I was too reluctant to let go of your hand and committed a small breach of etiquette.”

Then Aiden gave me a playful wink.

His sky-blue eyes curved charmingly.

Objectively, he was handsome—but now his face carried a sly expression.

He probably thought I’d been upset by his criticism and was trying to smooth things over.

Even if it meant slightly bending etiquette.

For a man so concerned with appearances despite his frequent scandals, it was likely a considerable gesture of goodwill.

The problem was—

I didn’t want it.

As I desperately considered how to refuse as quietly as possible, someone approached us.

Short silver hair.

Golden eyes exactly like Father’s.

A long stride, completely unrefined despite being inside the imperial palace.

And above all—

an expression so habitually fierce that his features seemed permanently sharpened by hostility.

It was Demian.