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**Chapter 18**
Not long after, the dress Cassian was sending to Rowen arrived.
As Edel had asked, Cassian quietly had Sebastian deliver it without leaving any trace of Edel’s involvement.
But Edel, sensing Cassian’s hidden displeasure toward Rowen, quickly went to see her.
When she entered the palace, Rowen was curiously looking over the dress after being told it had come from Cassian.
“Big sister.”
“Ah, Edel.”
Rowen greeted Edel with a rather troubled face.
Pretending not to know anything, Edel looked around, then acted as if she had just noticed the dress.
“Did you buy a new dress?”
“Yes.”
Edel thought Rowen would hesitate at least a little, but surprisingly, she lied right away. It seemed Rowen had already decided how to handle it.
“I couldn’t find anything I liked, but this one’s perfect.”
“That’s good.”
Rowen was clearly trying to hide Cassian’s involvement. After all, it wasn’t wise to tell Cassian’s future fiancée where the dress had come from.
And Rowen must have believed Cassian sent her the dress because he wanted to keep some sort of connection with her. That was definitely not something Edel should find out.
Either way, the fact that Rowen chose to hide the truth was a good sign. It meant she had accepted the situation.
Edel pretended to be surprised and admired the dress.
“It suits you well, sister.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ll wear it at the next ball, won’t you?”
“I suppose I will.”
“You must wear it. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
The empty compliments made Edel’s temples twitch in irritation.
Still, she kept the conversation casual so Rowen wouldn’t suspect her visit, while carefully hiding how much she actually knew about the dress.
Their talk didn’t last long. They had never been sisters who spoke much anyway.
“Goodbye, sister. I’ll come again.”
“All right.”
After saying her farewells, Edel left.
Rowen watched Edel’s back for a long time as she walked away, and then a mocking smile slowly appeared on her lips.
—
Sword training continued steadily, and each time, Rai couldn’t help but be impressed.
But there was one problem: Edel’s strength and stamina were far too weak.
“Your Highness! Put more strength into your grip!”
Almost every time she swung the sword, it slipped from her hands.
Seeing Edel’s frustrated expression, Rai clapped loudly and raised his voice to encourage her.
“Just one more time!”
Edel had no thought of giving up. She had to overcome this trial somehow.
But once again, the sword flew from her hands, and even Rai grew serious this time.
“Your technique is excellent, Your Highness. But considering your stamina, it’ll take some time before you can handle a real sword.”
“How long do you think?”
“About five or six months.”
“…I really am pathetic.”
“No, never! What you lack most is stamina. But since you already know how to handle a sword, that’s why the estimate is so short! Think about it—knights spend their whole lives training from childhood.”
Listening to Rai’s earnest explanation, Edel started planning for greater goals.
Still, she couldn’t help but wonder. Why was it that Rowen, the princes, and even the Emperor were all so healthy, while she alone was weak?
Was it because her mother had been frail?
Edel had never seen her mother’s face. She had died shortly after Edel was born.
“…”
Whenever Edel thought of her mother, her chest ached and her mind grew hazy. And knowing how her mother must have been treated only made it worse.
But she couldn’t let herself fall into that now. She pushed the thoughts aside and returned to training.
—
“Good work today.”
As always, training ended around sunset.
Edel gave a knightly farewell, now a habit, and parted ways with Rai.
Her body was completely exhausted, drenched in sweat. She longed to soak in hot water and relax.
Diligent Kia had prepared the bath ahead of time. Edel smiled gratefully at her before sinking into the tub.
The warm water soothed her, and soon drowsiness crept over her.
Since only Kia was around, Edel forgot her dignity and collapsed onto the bed.
“How was it, Your Highness? Did the sword suit you?”
“Yes, the sword itself is fine. But my stamina isn’t enough. Sir Uros says it’ll take five or six months before I can use a real blade…”
“Wow, that’s fast.”
Kia, familiar with weapons herself, seemed to know how short that time really was. She looked quietly proud, then went to turn off the lamp.
But Edel’s gaze fell on something by chance.
“Wait, Kia.”
“Yes?”
When Edel sat up, Kia rushed to help her.
Edel, still limping from training, moved toward the rack above the fireplace. She had always ignored it before, but now curiosity stirred.
She lifted the sword that rested there. It was far heavier than a wooden practice blade—so much so that her arm nearly gave out.
“I thought it was just decoration, but it’s a real sword.”
The same sword she had held before dying in her past life.
Edel narrowed her eyes, staring at the sharp blade.
“Well, since it’s never been used and only hung up, decoration isn’t entirely wrong.”
Kia smiled as she spoke, but her nervous fidgeting betrayed unease.
“Where did this sword come from? I don’t remember at all.”
“….”
“Why are you hesitating?”
Edel poked her lightly, urging her not to hide it.
Unable to resist, Kia awkwardly confessed.
“As far as I recall, it was given by the old kingdom of Warvel.”
“Really?”
At the word *Warvel*, Edel let out a small gasp. She had heard that name endlessly before her regression—it felt strange to hear it again.
Warvel had been an enemy of the Empire, with an irreconcilable history. They despised each other more than the barbaric Cria tribes.
But Warvel had been destroyed by the Empire. Of course, its surviving people caused constant trouble—uprisings, plots, and even rebellion before Edel’s regression.
To think this sword had come from them… Edel almost ordered it thrown away.
Yet something held her back. She couldn’t explain what.
Kia, noticing her hesitation, quickly asked, “Shall I dispose of it?”
That she asked despite knowing Edel’s uncertainty meant there was a reason behind it.
Normally, Edel would have agreed immediately. But for some reason, she wavered.
At last, she postponed the decision.
“Later. Hardly anyone knows this was tribute from Warvel anyway. And besides… it looks expensive.”
The hilt was set with a large red gem—surely worth a fortune.
“Huh? But wasn’t this gem originally blue?”
Kia suddenly pointed at it in surprise.
Edel frowned, trying to recall. She hadn’t paid much attention before—it had just been decoration. Even at her death, she hadn’t looked closely.
“I think it was red…”
“Hmm… maybe it was blue. I can’t remember.”
Kia waved it off lightly.
“Anyway, you should sleep now. It’s late.”
Edel finally crawled back into bed.
Kia left after putting out the lamp, and Edel lay in the dark, sorting through her thoughts.
The mention of Warvel brought something to mind.
“Duwelsen Duke…”
Why had he been so deeply tied to Warvel, a people the Empire despised above all?
—
At that evening’s banquet, the main topic was the Crown Prince.
Prince Shisan was currently touring the Empire, comparing reality with reports, and building support.
Rowen was especially tense tonight. Naturally—talk of the Crown Prince, her greatest rival, dominated the hall.
The only good news for her was that the proposal to appoint Marquis Basant as joint tax inspector was nearly approved.
“I never expected Princess Edel to make a statement like that,” one vassal remarked, turning all eyes to her.
Edel cast him a cool glance and said, “Indeed, I didn’t expect it myself, my lord.”
“Why did you make such a decision?”
The sharp question came from Count Chekhov, one of the Prince’s supporters and the father of Lady Chekhov, whom Edel had recently spoken with. He must have heard of Edel’s earlier proposal. Her sudden public support for Rowen confused him deeply.
Duke Kartner and Marquis Beth were also watching Edel closely.
Edel sighed inwardly.
She had known this would cause trouble, but she’d had no choice. Without accepting Rowen’s proposal, she wouldn’t have gotten close to Rai at all.
Before she could reply, someone else spoke first.
“What’s the problem, Count Chekhov? Why are you dissatisfied with Princess Edel’s decision?”
“I’m not dissatisfied.”
“Then fix your attitude.”
As Rowen’s faction clashed with Chekhov’s, tension filled the hall. Cutlery stilled, and the air turned icy, everyone waiting like predators to strike.
“I made my statement for one reason—His Majesty the Emperor,” Edel finally spoke, drawing all eyes.
She continued calmly, “The Empire is vast. One person alone isn’t enough. If they can watch over each other, His Majesty can entrust them with peace of mind, don’t you think?”
The nobles didn’t like it, but they couldn’t argue with her clear reasoning.
Though the Emperor showed little expression, his faintly curved lips betrayed his satisfaction.
The minor incident ended with polite apologies, but the ones who left smiling were Rowen’s supporters.
And judging from the looks of the Prince’s faction, Edel knew the matter wouldn’t end with the banquet.
Sure enough, Count Chekhov and Marquis Beth sought her out afterward.
“Why are you here?” Edel asked.
“We heard from Duke Kartner, but we still can’t trust you, Princess,” Marquis Beth said bluntly.
Count Chekhov added heatedly, “And as for the investment you offered my daughter—it’s ridiculous. I know business best, and it’s nonsense.”
It reminded Edel of when Duke Kartner had confronted her before. She smirked slightly, tilting her head. Her imperial presence pressed heavily on them, making them flinch.
“You’re good fathers, I see.”
“….”
“But if you care so much for your daughters, then you should accept my offer, shouldn’t you?”
She turned to Marquis Beth first.
“Your daughter is soon to be married, correct? To one of Duke Kartner’s men, if I recall. For the sake of balance, shouldn’t she have some wealth of her own?”
“….”
“And Count Chekhov. I know well how deeply you involve yourself in business, but…”
She held back what she truly knew from the future, and instead continued,
“Your daughter is trying to stand on her own, isn’t she? And she has no plans for marriage. Then she, even more than Lady Beth, needs financial independence.”
“My daughter needs only my guidance. The safest way is to follow me,” Chekhov said stubbornly.
Seeing their hardline stance, Edel sighed and brushed back her hair.
“Think carefully. This is an opportunity you won’t find again. Imagine the prestige of working with a direct Imperial Princess, Count Chekhov.”
“We already have the Crown Prince. It would be impossible to ally with you, Princess, if you stand with Rowen.”
“Ah… so that’s the problem.”
“…!”
Suddenly, both men froze. Their eyes widened, their ears rang, and their bodies went rigid.
Edel’s hand slid over her face, and when her eyes peeked through her fingers, they glimmered coldly, laced with madness. The crushing weight of her presence made the two men gasp for breath.
“Do you truly think… I support Princess Rowen?”
—
