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Chapter 3
“So what do you plan to do now? I still cannot understand Your Highness’s insistence.”
Two shadows stretched long across the corridor of Labyrinthos, prepared for their use. Following Hippolotes as he strode through the dim passage, Kakos finally frowned at his silent master.
It would not have been enough for him to win the heart of Princess Glossa with his true appearance alone—so why disguise himself in such an absurd and ugly form? Kakos found the lack of explanation increasingly frustrating.
“You met the four princesses, each said to be extraordinary. What did you think?”
“What does my opinion matter? I can only say one thing for certain: even the most insignificant princess will not be able to win your favor.”
The “insignificant princess.”
Hippolotes immediately knew which woman Kakos meant.
Pale face, trembling like a frightened animal. So helpless she looked as though she could not take a single step on her own.
“A princess of a country reduced to that state… I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.”
For once, Hippolotes removed his mask of composure, letting his emotions show. His tone carried nothing but disgust.
“What I despise most is her lack of will to change her situation. Pathetic.”
“That insignificant princess is not important right now. As I said, given the current situation—”
“Really? Because I’m quite pleased that my instincts were correct.”
“…What do you mean?”
Hippolotes suddenly stopped and turned.
His black cloak whipped through the wind, and despite his grotesque disguise, an overwhelming presence spilled from him. Kakos fell silent.
Lifting his chin slightly, Hippolotes smiled lightly.
“Everything is going smoothly.”
The moment he met her eyes, he knew.
She was the kind of woman who would eventually place everything into his hands.
Unable to contain his rising excitement, he covered his mouth and laughed softly. Watching him tremble with amusement, Kakos instinctively stepped back and lowered his head.
After a moment, Hippolotes composed himself again, wearing a gentle smile.
“It wasn’t fate that brought me to that girl… It was fortune I created myself.”
The royal palace was in the midst of preparations for a banquet held in honor of the sole crown prince from the Empire.
Early summer air drifted through the halls, filled with the fresh scent of life. Servants moved busily in every direction, though the excitement of an important guest and grand celebration kept their spirits high.
Because of that, preparations finished faster than expected.
In her chamber, First Princess Glossa gazed out the window with disinterest while ignoring the chatter of Skene beside her.
“Look at this, sister. Isn’t this better than before?”
“I don’t remember.”
Skene grew increasingly frustrated at Glossa’s repeated indifference.
“Seriously! How many times is that now? You haven’t even looked properly! Can’t you help just a little?”
Glossa’s face remained calm, but a faint chill lingered beneath her expression.
Skene, catching on too late, let out a scoff.
“Oh, I see. You want to be crown princess too, don’t you? So you’re pretending not to care so I won’t outshine you?”
At Skene’s outburst, the maids flinched—but Glossa merely smirked at her younger sister.
So impulsive. So painfully honest. And utterly unrefined except for her face.
“Isn’t that obvious? We all want him. No matter who he chooses, none of us can deny it.”
Skene’s face twisted.
“The second sister, Dike, is probably doing the same thing in her room.”
At the mention of Dike, Glossa frowned slightly.
“I knew it! But even you won’t stay so calm. Do you know how many times I caught his gaze at the banquet? At least ten! And every time, I smiled. You know I’m the most beautiful, don’t you?”
“Is that so? I think differently.”
“I’ve never once lost a man I set my eyes on. I never had to. One look was enough to make them fall for me.”
Skene sneered.
Glossa tilted her head elegantly, unbothered.
“If you think the Empire’s crown prince would choose a woman based only on fleeting beauty, you remain as naive as ever.”
Skene’s face reddened with anger, but she said nothing in rebuttal.
“I’m curious to see how your grand entrance will go.”
“Then look forward to it. I’m also curious about your face when you see me standing beside him.”
With that calm declaration, Skene stormed out of the room.
Left alone, Glossa signaled her maids.
“Bring everything we prepared.”
Because in the banquet, not once had the prince looked at her.
Whether Skene’s words were true or not didn’t matter.
What mattered was that strange tension between Hippolotes and Ezra—the girl who resembled nothing more than a caged animal.
If that was the case, she too had to shine.
Brighter than anyone.
While the three princesses waged silent war over a single seat, Ezra stood alone beneath the sunset pouring through her tower window.
The noise from the palace carried faintly even this far away.
So… today was the day.
Even the two maids stationed outside her door were gone. The palace must be too busy for them to care about a single locked room.
She tried pushing the stone door.
It did not budge.
Ezra stared at her hand resting on the rough stone, then quickly pulled it back as if burned. She wiped her palm on her clothes repeatedly, shaking her head.
What was she even doing?
She smiled bitterly at herself.
Even if the door opened, what could she possibly do?
Nothing.
A strange chill ran down her spine.
Rapid footsteps echoed up the tower—too many to be one or two people.
Her instincts sharpened.
Not the Queen…
She quickly retreated into the bed, curling herself tightly under the blanket, holding her breath.
Then—
The heavy stone door opened with a terrifying sound.
“Lady Ezra.”
A familiar voice.
She slowly opened her eyes.
A strange maid stood there, looking at her with visible impatience.
“You are ordered to attend the banquet. There is no time to waste.”
“A… banquet?”
Her green eyes widened.
A banquet.
Maybe… she might see him again.
Her heart suddenly began to pound violently.
She flushed without realizing it, unable to hide her confusion.
The maids quickly surrounded her, unusually excited.
“We will make you beautiful. Please trust us.”
Just like the first time, she was bathed, her hair carefully arranged, and expensive perfume applied.
Through every step, Ezra pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm the frantic heartbeat—but it only grew stronger.
The memory of that man wouldn’t leave her mind.
His gentle smile.
His red eyes when he kissed her hand.
The maids giggled at her flushed ears, but she didn’t notice.
Something inside her world was cracking open.
And through those cracks, hope was spilling in.
By the time preparations were complete, Ezra unconsciously touched her bare shoulders and chest. The revealing dress made her uncomfortable with every movement.
The maid—Matari—glanced at her and waved her forward.
“Let’s go.”
“Um… wait…”
Ezra called out softly.
“I am Matari. You should not use ‘hey’ in front of others.”
“Y-yes…”
She nodded quickly.
“Do not repeat yourself. Do not nod instead of answering. And do not drag out your words.”
“Yes.”
“So. What do you want to ask?”
“Was I… truly summoned by the King?”
“…As I said. It is a royal order.”
A royal order.
Ezra’s eyes widened.
She imagined it—her father, who had never once looked at her properly, calling her name.
A fragile hope flickered.
Matari turned away and walked ahead.
Ezra hurried after her, afraid of being left behind.
They arrived at the heart of the palace—
The Grand Hall, open only to the royal family.
