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Chapter 1
“Are you trying to mock me right now?”
A cold wind blew through the late-night temple.
In front of the statue of the goddess Laura, protector of the Empire, a blasphemous cry echoed through the hall.
The voice belonged to none other than Lizeana de Filorenchia, crown princess of the Abid Empire—and the infamous “villainess” known across the continent.
“Dethronement? The Crown Prince himself brought me into the palace, didn’t he?”
“The public outrage has reached a level that can no longer be contained, Lizeana.”
Standing before her was Crown Prince Raypin of the Empire.
“By the decision of the Council of Elders, a new Crown Princess will be appointed.”
Raypin gently placed his hand on the shoulder of the woman beside him.
Delisa Lupe Krodenne.
The noble lady who had appeared at a royal banquet and taken her place at Raypin’s side.
Delisa clung to Raypin, her cheeks flushed red.
Even in front of Lizeana, she had long been acting as if she were the Crown Princess.
Even though the true Crown Princess was Lizeana.
“You’re amusing. In order to make her Crown Princess, our marriage would have to—”
“Delisa will be appointed Crown Princess. And soon enough, she will become Empress.”
Raypin cut her off and gently took Delisa’s hand.
Then, as if to show everyone, he pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
“As my partner.”
Thud.
At that moment, Lizeana realized instinctively who Raypin’s true love was.
It felt like her world collapsed in an instant.
The reason Lizeana had endured the infamous title of “the Empire’s hound” and become a so-called villainess was simple.
It was all to stand beside Raypin as Crown Princess.
For that single reason, she had covered up all of Raypin’s corruption, and eliminated anyone who stood in the way of the imperial family—silently, without a trace.
At royal banquets, no one dared approach her. The once lively social halls had become filled with silence and fear.
And yet, Lizeana had been happy.
“My wife, Lizeana. How wonderful it is to have you by my side.”
Raypin smiled warmly, holding her hand in the silent banquet hall.
That alone had been enough.
She had finally met someone who would love her after becoming Crown Princess of Abid Empire.
With Raypin, she felt like she could do anything.
“Say hello, Lizeana. This is Lady Delisa of House Krodenne.”
But everything changed when Delisa Lupe Krodenne appeared.
Unlike Lizeana, who could not openly demand affection, Delisa naturally grew close to Raypin and quickly earned his favor, becoming like his mistress.
Lizeana told herself it was only temporary.
But on the day Delisa went to the temple to pray for the Empire’s peace, everything began to collapse.
“Delisa… Delisa has been kidnapped! What am I supposed to do now? Huh? Lizeana…”
When Delisa disappeared on her way to the temple, he stood before her—his blue hair disheveled like the sea in storm.
His once calm brown eyes trembled like a small boat before crashing waves.
Sweat soaked his body. His breath came ragged and uneven.
“Everything will… be fine, Your Highness.”
Suppressing her rising anger, Lizeana spoke while her hands trembled.
“I… I will find Lady Delisa.”
She had the duty of Crown Princess, countless responsibilities—but she pushed them all aside for his request.
Five days later.
Delisa, who could not be found anywhere in the Empire, was discovered collapsed in front of the temple.
Raypin locked himself in his chambers and personally cared for her all day.
As a result, rumors spread throughout the Empire that Delisa was Raypin’s true love.
Her father, the Duke of Filorenchia, grew increasingly harsh.
“You’re a woman! I gave you such a position, and you still couldn’t win the Crown Prince’s heart? What have you even done?”
And then—
“I heard you kidnapped Lady Delisa out of jealousy?”
“Oh my! They say she even threatened her!”
“Not only that, she starved her too!”
Before she knew it, Lizeana had become the culprit of Delisa’s kidnapping.
No matter how she tried to explain, no one believed her.
People only added more rumors upon rumors, fueled by all the rumors of her past cruelty for Raypin.
And now, her fate had arrived.
“Then you’re throwing away a useless dog?”
“Well, she chose to break her own leash. I can’t help it, Lizeana.”
Raypin laughed coldly, pulling Delisa closer to him.
“Do you hate me that much…? Ha… how much more must I bow down for you to accept me?”
The Empire’s dog.
Even her father had called her that.
Her life, sacrificed for love, had only earned her that title.
Rage boiled within her.
She had been discarded. Betrayed by the man she trusted and loved.
A thin thread in her mind snapped.
“After everything I’ve done for you—THIS is how you discard me?!”
“…”
“I gave my entire life for you!!”
In despair, Lizeana screamed.
Her hand touched the crown on her head.
“If that’s how it is… I’ll kill you.”
She tore off the crown and rushed forward.
“Ahhh!”
“Delisa!”
She pinned Delisa to the ground and raised the crown high.
In the moonlight, she looked like a demon.
“I can’t suffer alone.”
“Die!”
Just as the crown’s sharp edge was about to strike—
Thud!
A heavy impact rang out.
The crown flew from her hand. A knight had shoved her aside and saved Delisa.
Not Lizeana—the Crown Princess—but Delisa.
“Arrest Lizeana! Now!”
Raypin’s voice was cold and decisive.
The knights seized her arms and forced her to her knees.
“Raypin… how could you… you bastard!”
Delisa cried softly, pretending to be hurt.
“Your Highness, please! I’m fine…”
But Raypin’s rage was already uncontrollable.
“Move! She tried to kill Delisa!”
“Do you have anything else to say, murderer?”
A man she had spent half her life with.
She had believed he would trust her.
But that belief collapsed completely.
“Raypin… I will never forgive you.”
“You disappoint me until the end, Lizeana!”
He raised his sword.
“This is the ending befitting a villainess!”
Pain tore through her body.
Blood spilled as she collapsed.
“Y-you… too late…”
And so, Lizeana de Filorenchia, the infamous villainess, died under the contemptuous gaze of the crowd.
My life… used and discarded… is finally over.
The life of the “Empire’s dog” ended there.
At least, in her first life.
“Lizeana, are you awake?”
Bright morning sunlight poured over her face.
The voice that woke her was the same disgusting voice of Raypin.
“…Your… Highness?”
As she froze, Raypin approached with concern.
“Did you sleep badly? You look pale.”
He reached out his hand.
This is the ending befitting a villainess.
The memory echoed in her ears.
But the Raypin in front of her was smiling warmly, as bright as sunlight.
“…What?”
She pinched her arm hard.
Pain shot through her body.
This isn’t a dream?
Her body trembled.
The conversation… it was the same as ten days before her death.
The day he came into her room unexpectedly.
“Shouldn’t you get up? The sun is already up.”
“You can skip rest sometimes. You’re too strict on yourself.”
Everything—his words, his gestures, even the way he tucked her hair behind her ear—was identical.
Her heart pounded violently.
She slowly brought a hand to her chest.
Alive.
This was neither a dream nor the afterlife.
Only one possibility came to mind.
Rebirth.
A miracle.
Her pulse quickened.
“Yes. I’m fine, Your Highness.”
Lizeana smiled softly.
And she truly was fine now.
Because now… I can kill you all.
