Chapter 7

Before long, the blue sky above began to bleed into a deep crimson sunset. One by one, the massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling flickered to life, casting warm light across the gradually darkening Gloryum Hall.

The banquet hall prepared for Princess Elena—the sole imperial princess of the Verthus Empire and the undisputed queen of high society—was being arranged with utmost grandeur and extravagance.

As if racing against time before the celebration began, servants and attendants hurried back and forth inside and outside the hall.

“We’re short on champagne glasses over here!”

“Can someone double-check the number of tables and chairs?”

“Send someone to the annex and bring the remaining chairs!”

“I’ll go!”

Isabella, who had been working nonstop since her morning duties ended, volunteered to fetch the chairs just to catch her breath for a moment.

Stepping out of the main palace, she finally exhaled deeply, letting her shoulders slump. Even though her unique ability made cleaning effortless, she was not used to menial labor.

Her body was already aching from overwork in such a short time. Letting out a small groan, she headed toward the annex—then slowly veered into the garden instead.

Deep inside the palace garden, where a circular lake spread out like a mirror, she leaned against a large tree and sank down into a crouch.

“Just three minutes… that’s all I need.”

If she kept pushing herself like this, she might collapse before even completing the mission. Unable to fight off the overwhelming fatigue, Isabella buried her face between her knees.

Time passed in stillness.

When she finally lifted her head again, evening had arrived. Stars were beginning to scatter across the sky.

“Ugh… I’m so tired…”

Her whole body ached, yet she found herself smiling.

This wasn’t a goal forced upon her by others. It was something she had chosen herself. She hadn’t realized that striving toward a self-chosen goal could feel like this—this light, this meaningful.

It felt like she was finally living properly.

Her lips curved gently like a crescent moon floating in the night sky.

Taking advantage of her short break, she pulled out her smartphone and quickly checked the notifications she had missed during work.

〈Title: Did anyone see this latest fan cam???〉

Just wearing a suit is already insane, but he showed up in a three-piece suit (and it looks like it’s leather??) so basically he’s asking us to die???

Yeah. I’m dead. This is my grave now. ●▅▇█▇▆▅▄▇

└ User1: I’ll lie down next to you. ●▅▇█▇▆▅▄▇
└ User2: 333333
└ User3: Huh? It’s not that extreme. I’ve rewatched it like 127,840,323 times lol
└ User2: Aren’t your eyes tired?? That’s seriously eye strain-level
└ User3: It’s fine, Haeyun’s visuals are eye drops lol
└ User4: I’m losing it lol
└ User3: This kind of video should be broadcast on the news

“Hehe… I really want to see Haeyun’s fan cam in person. Just how entertaining would that face be up close?”

Imagining watching the fan cams and music teasers when she got home, Isabella closed the screen.

And then—

A new notification appeared.

『Due to data overuse, an additional internet charge of 5,000,000 krone has been deducted.』

Her eyes widened in shock.

The amount was five times what she had paid that morning.

A deep, soul-crushing sigh escaped her as she shook her phone in frustration.

“What kind of money-devouring system is this?!”

But what could she do? If it was for Haeyun, she would endure it.

With a half-resigned expression, she put her phone away.

She couldn’t stay on break too long—others were still working at the banquet hall. It was time to return.

If I fail the mission and just end up paying extra fees, I’m going to cry…

Pushing down her growing anxiety, she hurried back toward the annex.

“Hmm… I needed four chairs, right?”

She would carry two first, then come back for the rest.

Turning the corner of the corridor toward the storage room, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

And the moment she recognized his face, her eyes widened in shock.

“T-That person is…?”

Why was Ikaneul here?!

If he had been invited to the banquet, shouldn’t he be in Gloryum Hall?

Of all people, it had to be Ikaneul—the last person she wanted to encounter.

Panicking, Isabella completely forgot her original purpose and quickly turned away.

A cold chill crept over her arms, raising goosebumps.

Her hurried steps soon slowed to a stop.

“…I’m lost. Wait, where is this?”

Why was the annex so unnecessarily huge?!

She looked around desperately, trying to figure out her location.

Unlike the crowded main palace, the annex corridors were empty and dimly lit, carrying an eerie silence.

“Ahh!”

“Be quiet, I said it’s noisy.”

A scream suddenly rang out, followed by a man’s voice.

It came from a room just a few steps away.

A faint metallic scent reached her nose.

If she wasn’t mistaken…

That was the smell of blood.

Don’t tell me someone’s injured?

But only Jessica, Ikaneul, and possibly the Crown Prince were supposed to be in Astel Palace.

It can’t be a ghost… right?

Despite the creeping unease, Isabella hesitated at the door.

In the end, concern outweighed fear.

She slowly pushed the door open.

“Excuse me…?”

Creaaak.

The door opened with a chilling groan.

A gust of cold air rushed out, and the strong scent of blood immediately hit her like a wave, turning her stomach.

She covered her mouth and nose instinctively.

Inside was a scene of utter devastation.

Bodies lay scattered across the floor, lifeless.

And standing among them—

Was a man holding a sword dripping with blood.

He calmly wiped the blade with a handkerchief, as if none of it concerned him at all.

If I so much as breathe wrong… I might die before I even get to see my favorite person.

Trying to steady her trembling breath, Isabella forced her mind to work.

What do you do when you witness a murder scene?

Run.

Or quietly slip away.

Both options sounded equally like death sentences.

She slowly stepped backward.

“Bend your head.”

A voice cut through the air.

He had already noticed her.

Unlike the brutality moments ago, his tone was calm—almost gentle.

Before she could react, the man threw his sword.

Not at her—but past her.

The blade struck an assassin who had been rushing toward her from behind.

“Ghk—!”

The assassin collapsed instantly.

The body fell like a broken doll.

Isabella covered her mouth, swallowing her scream.

What… is happening…?

The man glanced around casually.

“I told them not to allow anyone into the annex.”

His gaze slid toward her.

Cold. Piercing.

Isabella stiffened.

Then, suddenly—

He stood right in front of her.

So close she could barely breathe.

“Are you hurt?”

The question was unexpectedly gentle.

“Ah… no. I’m fine.”

She nodded stiffly.

Only then did she finally take a proper look at him.

Simple shirt and trousers instead of formal attire.

Yet his presence alone overshadowed any noble finery.

Silver hair like freshly fallen snow.

Long lashes framing amber eyes that shimmered like a sunset sky.

Sharp features sculpted like a masterpiece.

An overwhelming presence—nobility beyond nobles.

Isabella’s body trembled slightly under his aura.

And then she realized who he was.

The man said to be so exceptional that people compared him to the founding emperor reborn.

The heir to the throne.

The Crown Prince of the Verthus Empire.

Kairus Rosen Child.

A swordsman and mage of rare genius.

A man admired not only within the empire but across foreign lands.

The empire’s “little sun.”

But behind him—

Lay the corpses of assassins.

If she hadn’t seen that, she might have believed the rumors of his warmth.

His smile was soft.

But his eyes were not.

They were sharp—like a predator watching its prey.

Isabella swallowed hard.

Then, suddenly—

Kairus smiled brightly.

His lips curved up, and his voice, smooth and resonant, fell like a whisper into the air.

“Tell me your name.”