🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 2
The soldiers exchanged doubtful glances.
After all, this was a princess whose very existence was uncertain—one wrapped in rumor and obscurity. Their interest was instantly piqued, and they subtly rose onto their toes to catch a better look at Ezra standing behind the maids.
“The King ordered that even the fourth princess be admitted. Those were his exact words.”
The small girl looked so frail she seemed as if she would collapse at a light push. Her skin was so pale that veins were visible beneath it, and her shoulders were thin and sunken. After studying her briefly, the soldiers replied slowly.
“Let her in.”
They did not even bother hiding their sneers.
So the rumors about her being locked away like an animal were true after all. With a body that looked no better than a servant’s, their interest quickly faded.
Repositioning their crossed spears, the guards pushed open the heavy doors with force.
Through the widening gap poured a world of unimaginable splendor.
Labyrinthos—built solely for honored guests. Everything inside was made of gold, even the floors were coated in it. For a moment, Ezra’s breath was stolen by the dazzling brilliance—but she immediately shook her head.
She must not look. She must not react.
Lowering her gaze in haste, all she could see were the legs of a radiant golden table. She tried to move forward without making a sound, but froze when she sensed someone approaching.
She felt a gaze land on her.
The maids had already stepped aside, retreating behind her as soon as someone approached. Suddenly alone, Ezra stood frozen, staring only at her feet, unsure whether to move forward or back.
“You must be the princess of Titen. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am…”
The voice was low, calm, and composed. Its gentle tone carried an easy warmth that made Ezra reflexively lift her head.
The moment she met those red eyes, she had to swallow a breath.
She stared blankly, almost transfixed—and then her face quickly turned pale. She had made eye contact. She had looked directly at him. Panic struck her immediately; she glanced toward the maids, afraid she would be punished later.
The man, who had been scanning her trembling figure, let a flicker pass through his eyes for an instant—then curved his lips into a polite smile as if nothing had happened.
“I am Hippolotes, Crown Prince of the Wastern Empire.”
Ezra hesitated, unsure whether she should respond. But a sharp glance from a maid snapped her into action.
“N–ninth… I mean, fourth princess Ezra.”
Her voice came out stiff and broken.
She looked as if she might flee at any moment. Hippolotes found himself amused, as though he were observing a frightened animal in the wild.
He tilted his head slightly, smiling faintly.
“So the King and Queen have not yet arrived. Nor have the other princesses.”
“Y-yes…”
The golden table was filled with richly roasted meat, glistening vegetables, steaming bread, and unfamiliar fruits from distant lands. If the royals delayed much longer, everything would turn cold and lose its flavor.
Hippolotes exhaled softly, amused by the obvious attempt to assert superiority through delay. So predictable.
Yet this girl—she did not seem to understand any of it.
“Thank you for welcoming me.”
He deliberately reached for her hand.
The moment his fingers touched her, Ezra flinched violently and raised her head. Her green eyes—like leaves filled with rainwater—met his again.
He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
Ezra froze completely.
“Ah—I…”
She quickly pulled her hand back and clasped it tightly with the other, bowing her head again. She knew she had acted improperly, but her ears burned too much for her to look at him.
Kissing her hand… She had never been touched like that by a man before.
Her composure shattered instantly.
And worse—the man’s appearance was far too striking.
She stole another glance at him despite herself.
A tall, powerful frame. Silver hair that shimmered like moonlight, brighter even than the gold surrounding them. Features so sharp and refined they seemed carved by a divine hand. And most of all—
Those red eyes.
Not contempt. Not disgust. Not pity.
Just pure goodwill.
No one had ever looked at her like that before.
Her pulse raced at the memory of his lips on her hand.
What is this feeling?
She rubbed the back of her hand absentmindedly, as if trying to erase the sensation.
“Please, there is plenty of space.”
Just as he reached out, as if to guide the stiff girl, the massive golden doors opened silently once more.
The King and Queen entered.
Their gaze briefly swept over the foreign prince, then over Ezra—before drifting away as if neither required attention. Ezra immediately retreated in panic.
“Apologies for the delay. Please take your seats. The princesses will arrive shortly, and the hall will become crowded,” the King said indifferently.
King Hieros sat without sparing Ezra a second glance. The Queen followed with a rigid expression, sitting beside him.
Hippolotes, having already lost interest in Ezra, turned away smoothly.
The King spoke again.
“I did not expect the Crown Prince of Wastern to come to Titen first.”
“It is an honor to set foot in Titen,” Hippolotes replied calmly.
“An honor, you say…”
The King lifted his golden cup, eyes narrowing slightly.
An uninvited crown prince from an empire said to have swallowed the continent. His presence was like a flame—brilliant, but dangerous.
As the formal conversation continued, Ezra quietly slipped into a seat at the very edge of the table.
Even though she hid her face behind her hair, she could feel the Queen’s hostile gaze burning into her. Her heart pounded violently.
“Apologies for the delay, Father, Mother.”
A soft voice rang out.
As if rehearsed, everyone turned.
Three princesses crossed the golden threshold with graceful steps and flawless posture. After greeting the King, they turned toward Hippolotes and the knights beside him, bowing elegantly.
A perfect first meeting between prince and princesses.
Ezra clenched her dress tightly.
If only she could disappear right now like smoke.
The King finally spoke.
“Now that everyone is here, we may begin.”
“Yes. Let us proceed,” Hippolotes replied.
“Is your purpose in visiting Titen to seek marriage with my daughters?”
Ezra, though she already knew the answer, instinctively looked up and scanned the room. No one paid attention to her.
“Yes. If Your Majesty permits it, I would like to bring one of the princesses to my side.”
The King frowned.
The prince’s appearance was hardly impressive—at best rough, at worst unpleasant. Small, unimposing, almost like a child. And yet…
This was the crown prince of Wastern.
“I hear the Emperor is still in good health. Why come seeking marriage now?”
“To obtain what is most valuable, one must move early. Nothing more.”
A chill settled over the room.
“And I also wish to form a bond with one of the princesses, to strengthen harmony between our nations.”
The King narrowed his eyes but did not refuse.
“…This is not a matter to decide lightly. Still, I thank you for visiting Titen. Please remain as our honored guest. A banquet will be held in your honor.”
“As expected,” Hippolotes thought.
No immediate refusal. No acceptance either. A cautious King.
Good.
As the formalities continued, Ezra sat silently at the far end of the table, trembling.
She could feel it.
That gaze.
The prince’s eyes had returned to her.
Not hostility. Not indifference.
Something else—something unreadable, buried deep in shadow.
For a brief moment, he smiled.
And Ezra’s breath caught.
Her fingers tightened around the spoon until they trembled.
Among all the brilliance in that hall, there was no doubt—
Only that gaze felt like it truly existed.
