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Chapter 4
The imperial princess born from a concubine of commoner origin had no real foundation to rely on—there wasn’t even her birth mother left in the imperial palace.
Not long after Princess Melissa was born, her mother had an affair with a knight and disappeared with him.
There was no one left to take care of the young princess who remained alone in the palace.
‘With no one to take her in, it’s no surprise she barely received proper food or education.’
It was already fortunate that the Emperor hadn’t thrown her out—there was no way the servants beneath him would bother to look after her.
If anything, they bullied her more in order to curry favor with those above them.
‘And on top of that, she has such a weak personality.’
The subtle bullying gradually intensified as Melissa failed to respond properly.
Even recently, he had heard maids and attendants snickering about her.
Only after rumors of a possible engagement with the Grand Duke Colin family began did it decrease slightly.
Thinking about her, the scene from earlier replayed repeatedly in his mind.
Her boldness to act quickly and decisively.
Her composure, even with a sword right before her eyes.
There was no way she could possess such presence without any training.
Could it be that someone highly skilled—someone even ‘Rabbit’ couldn’t track—had been secretly supporting her?
‘That would at least make sense.’
Though it was hard to understand why she would hide such a fact.
Still, if it was to avoid the cruel eyes of the Second Prince, known for his competitiveness, it seemed plausible.
But if… just maybe…
If there were no helper at all—and it was simply her natural disposition…
If the image of the “foolish princess” had all been calculated—
Wouldn’t that be terrifying?
“……”
Dayton clasped his interlocked hands even tighter.
“…It’s too bright.”
Early in the morning.
As Rena pulled open the curtains, she quickly blocked the sunlight at the irritated groan.
A not-yet-healed scab still marked her neck.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. It’s usually the time you wake up…”
Hah. Say it properly.
It wasn’t Melissa’s wake-up time—it was just convenient for the maids’ work schedule.
They didn’t want to come twice for washing and dressing.
“I don’t wake up at this hour.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll be more careful from now on, Your Highness!”
Same everywhere—you have to make a scene for people to fear you.
Watching Rena quietly slip away, I buried my face into the pillow.
Rena wasn’t the only one being cautious.
Last night, the maids who would usually nag Melissa for being slow were noticeably careful.
The tense atmosphere during the entire meal.
Their fear pleased me.
“Shh, it seems Her Highness will sleep more.”
“So what? Just wake her. I brought the wash water already.”
“Didn’t you hear what happened yesterday? She’ll hear you—keep your voice down.”
“…What, did she eat something weird? Move, I’ll wake—”
“I said no!”
Rena’s whispering voice trying to stop the others drifted in from the hallway.
With a satisfied smile, I pulled the blanket up to my chin.
Just as I was about to fall asleep in the soft down comforter—
Bang!
“Eek—Grand Duke!”
The door burst open loudly.
I shot up to see Dayton, clearly furious.
The maids scrambled back at his aggressive entrance.
Yet despite storming in, Dayton froze in front of the bed.
He couldn’t act.
He couldn’t even speak.
“I… that is… why would I… with you…”
Unable to finish his sentence, he bit his lips repeatedly, his finger pointing uselessly in the air.
“Earlier than I expected.”
I thought he’d come after lunch.
As expected of a Grand Duke—news travels fast.
“What on earth were you thinking—!”
As I got out of bed, Dayton quickly turned away.
I was wearing a short slip that revealed my legs.
“Your Highness!”
Rena rushed over and draped a robe over my shoulders.
Even then, Dayton refused to turn around. The tips of his ears were bright red.
So innocent.
“How could I refuse when you confessed your love so passionately?”
“…What?!”
He turned back, disbelief written all over his face.
Smiling sweetly, I stepped closer.
“So I simply made your loyalty and devotion known to all.”
“You lied.”
“I didn’t say anything that didn’t happen.”
I shrugged.
“I only said that the Grand Duke Colin protected me upon learning his fiancée was in danger—and that we decided to move forward together.”
We agreed to be on the same side, didn’t we?
Dayton shook his head.
“I never confirmed I’d stand on your side.”
“The moment you killed the assassin, you became my ally.”
Of course, I had spread rumors first in case he regretted it later.
And it was also meant for the Second Prince to hear.
“…Even if I concede that—what’s this about swearing love?”
“It’s the easiest explanation for why a man and woman would stay together.”
“……”
“So I can even understand you barging into my room unannounced while I’m barely dressed.”
“…Let’s talk after you get properly dressed.”
When Dayton returned, he was somewhat calmer—though still visibly irritated.
“…What is this?”
Without answering, he handed me several sheets of parchment.
After I skimmed them, he spoke.
“It’s worse than I thought. You’re completely broke.”
Such crude wording.
Smiling brightly like the pauper I apparently was, I tossed the papers aside.
They contained information about Melissa—her background, assets, achievements.
Sparse and unimpressive.
No company would hire this resume.
“Seeing it all laid out is refreshing.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“What’s the point of worrying? I’ll just lose my hair.”
Isn’t starting from the bottom more fun anyway?
Even in my past life, I didn’t start with everything.
‘Hey, maybe not diamond spoon—but at least a gold spoon.’
Gold spoon?
Maybe if you count gold plating.
There was a time I desperately tried to cover the peeling parts with real gold.
In the end, I let it go—but I had fought for what was mine.
Before that, it was mine—but not truly mine.
Just like now.
A princess in name, but not treated like one.
Frustrated, Dayton grabbed the papers again.
“What exactly are you planning to do with this?”
“What?”
“You seemed so confident, yet you have nothing.”
His blunt voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
“…Your Highness.”
“Hmm. A bit late, but acceptable.”
Not bad.
He couldn’t immediately use honorifics, after all.
“…Is this really everything?”
“What?”
“Isn’t there someone supporting you?”
I blinked.
There was no one.
No one helped Melissa in the original story.
“Not at all. I grew up alone.”
“….”
Dayton’s expression shifted strangely.
Surprise… then something like resolve.
“…You seemed so confident, I thought you had something to rely on…”
“It’s fine. I’ll have plenty soon.”
I nodded generously.
“Dayton.”
“….”
“Grand Duke Colin?”
“…What is it?”
“Do you have money?”
Silence followed.
“Did I hear that right…?”
“I need money.”
“….”
“A lot.”
I spread my arms wide to show just how much.
