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Chapter 06
After spending my days busily, the Knights’ ceremony was suddenly just around the corner.
“Cathy, prepare the most splendid outfit you can.”
“Yes, my lady. Would a dress covered in pink lace be suitable?”
I frowned slightly at the word pink, but nodded. Pink was Merina’s favorite color, after all.
“Prepare that, and the ruby topaz necklace. The bracelet as well.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Since the Duke disliked anything extravagant, I was deliberately dressing this way.
Getting involved with Duke Lysianthus might prolong my life, but… I needed to keep as much distance from him as possible.
“My lady, you look beautiful no matter what you wear!”
“Thank you, Cathy. But I think I’ll need to get the dress fitted, could you make a salon appointment?”
“Yes, my lady.”
When I left my room and went down the stairs, my mother, waiting in the lobby, exclaimed in admiration.
“How beautiful you look! Have a good time, Roa. Your father will be waiting for you at the Imperial Palace.”
“I’ll be off now.”
Once the carriage passed through the enormous castle gates, the grand central hall soon came into view.
From this point on, only those with permission could ride; everyone else had to walk.
The overwhelming scale of the palace remained as immaculate and splendid as ever.
Envoys from foreign nations or nobles visiting for the first time could never hide their amazement, but I hated the palace deeply.
Because the Crown Prince—one of the male leads—resided here. There was always a chance I might run into him.
In many of my past lives, the Crown Prince had been the one most eager to kill me.
He’d accused me of treason, executed me himself, or even set fire to our estate.
Once, he’d even killed my mother right before my eyes—and laughed.
At the time, I hadn’t even bullied Merina. Yet I was framed not only as a villainess, but also as a traitor.
Still, I was grateful that I had been the last to die. If my mother had seen my execution…
I forced down the nausea rising in my throat and kept walking.
“Lady Revian?”
A familiar voice—one I didn’t want to hear—made me flinch.
Slowly, I turned toward the sound, lowering my gaze.
Those well-known black boots.
How fitting for the villainess—just my luck.
“Rosia of House Revian greets His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, glory of the Empire.”
I had prayed not to see him, yet of course, fate was cruel.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips, and perhaps it annoyed him, for the Crown Prince tilted his head, disdain glinting in his dark green eyes.
“Your face is hideously pale.”
“My apologies, Your Highness. White powder is in fashion these days, and it seems I applied too much.”
“To think I’d run into a ghost-like face today—unfortunate indeed.”
I’m the one who’s unlucky to meet you.
I muttered inwardly and lowered my gaze even further.
Thankfully, the Crown Prince seemed to have business elsewhere. He walked past me, and I dragged my weary body toward the event, already exhausted before it even began.
Thankfully, no more unwanted encounters occurred, and I safely reached the Knights’ headquarters.
“I’m here by invitation of Calvin Revian.”
“Ah, Lady Revian. I’m Edward Durin, a member of the same unit as Sir Calvin. Please, this way.”
“Ah, from House Durin. I’ve heard much about you from Calvin.”
When I smiled softly, Edward Durin’s cheeks turned red. Walking beside me, he explained about the Knights’ Order.
There were three main buildings: the main hall at the front, and behind it the annex and the dormitory. In front of the main hall stretched a vast training ground, where the knights were lined up in formation.
At one side of the field, under a canopy, I spotted several familiar faces and greeted them with a smile.
“Lady Revian, what a pleasure to see you here.”
Most knights were either second or younger sons, or the eldest of lower-ranking noble families—those whom their families didn’t particularly invest in.
So if their families attended an event like this, it meant they cherished or expected much from their children.
Especially the Countess of Famier’s second son, who had just spoken to me—he was destined to become Duke Lysianthus’s aide.
“The pleasure’s mine, Lady Famier. The ball you hosted last time was wonderful. Might you hold another soon?”
“Not this season, but when I do, you’ll be the first I invite.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Cold sweat trickled down my back, but I continued to converse, building connections with the families of promising knights.
When the ceremony was about to begin, my father arrived.
“Roa, I’m sorry I’m late.”
Our family always took interest in members serving in the Order, so it wasn’t surprising to see him.
“Thank you all for attending today’s ceremony.”
With that, Duke Lysianthus, the Commander of the Knights, began his opening address. The knights in white uniforms moved in perfect unison under the fluttering banner.
“Oh my, how magnificent,” someone whispered nearby.
Ignoring the scattered exclamations of awe, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
It seemed the shock of encountering the Crown Prince was still affecting me physically.
“Roa, I have a meeting and must leave early.”
“All right, I’ll tell Calvin.”
“Good. I’ll see you at home later.”
My busy father left midway through the event, and I bit the inside of my cheek to stay focused.
The ceremony concluded smoothly, and soon, family members approached to greet their knights.
“Sister!”
My younger brother’s joyful expression quickly turned to concern.
“Sis, are you feeling all right?”
“Must’ve used too much powder. It’s fashionable these days.”
I smiled brightly, and he accepted the explanation easily.
“Father said he had a meeting and had to leave early, but he’s proud of how hard you’ve worked.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Since Father had warned him in advance, Calvin didn’t seem bothered.
“But Sister, you should greet the Commander.”
Right, that was the whole reason I came—to see the Duke.
I’d almost forgotten because of that damned Crown Prince.
“Of course, Calvin. Thank you for reminding me.”
But my body, already at its limit, struggled even to stand before the Duke.
If I were to faint here, he might think I was putting on a show to catch his attention and start avoiding me.
Should I use that to my advantage and just collapse?
I considered it briefly but decided it would be too much. I forced myself to stay conscious.
“Good day, Your Grace. It was a splendid ceremony.”
Every word hurt, my inner cheek raw, and I could taste blood.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he replied curtly.
“The success of today’s event must be thanks to you, Duke. May glory continue to follow the Knights’ Order.”
“Thank you.”
The Duke’s response was indifferent.
Calvin looked puzzled as I turned away right after greeting him, but I was already spent.
“Sister, I’ll escort you to the carriage.”
“It’s all right, Calvin.”
I refused his repeated offers, exchanged farewells with others, and left the Knights’ grounds.
If you exit the brick gate and turn right, you’ll reach a garden once beloved by the former Empress.
By the Crown Prince’s orders, few were allowed there, so it should be empty now.
Before anyone could see me, I nearly ran to the garden.
As expected, the well-kept garden was silent. I went behind a large tree nearby. Once I was certain I was alone, the tension snapped, and I collapsed to the ground.
“Ugh… ngh…”
Having eaten nothing since last night, there was nothing to bring up.
I’d expected this. Coming to the palace meant risking an encounter with the Crown Prince.
Though I acted composed, my body remembered the countless times his sword had pierced me—and reacted accordingly. It wasn’t the first time.
“Hah… huff…”
After a long bout of dry heaving, I wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied my trembling legs and pushed myself upright, leaning on the tree.
Though I knew no one would come here, I glanced around to be sure.
I looked left, right, then turned behind me—only to let out a quiet sigh.
Because standing there, watching me with an expression that said he’d seen everything I’d just done,
was someone I recognized all too well.
