Edited by “Freya”
Chapter 06
Despite the accusations, Aira didn’t even blink and calmly spoke.
“You say you stole it so casually. How bold of you.”
Aira’s words made Luna flinch, and the cold, chilling gaze directed at her caused her fingers to tremble slightly.
Aira continued in a composed voice,
“Her Majesty the Empress is a meticulous person. She will likely investigate the origin of any gift she receives. What do you think will happen if she finds out you gave her stolen property?”
Luna’s face turned pale, and her voice trembled in disbelief.
“Is that true? She checks the origin of the gifts?”
“I’ve studied the culture of the imperial palace thoroughly in preparation for becoming the crown princess,” Aira replied smoothly.
Of course, this was a complete lie.
Who cares where a beautiful gift comes from?
But with years of experience in the palace, Aira now knew how to manipulate Luna.
“If it’s revealed that you offered stolen goods to the Empress, you might not walk out of here alive. I’ve heard the imperial palace prison is under the control of the crown prince’s soldiers, and it’s supposed to be terrible.”
The image of the Crown Prince’s fearsome and murderous expression flashed through Luna’s mind, making her pink eyes wide in panic.
‘Wait a second,’ she thought.
‘If Aira’s right, then I’ve done something incredibly risky, haven’t I?’
“So, you stepped in to save me?” Luna asked cautiously.
Aira paused for a moment before flashing a gentle smile—the same harmless and kind smile Luna often showed her.
“Of course. We’re sisters, aren’t we? I couldn’t just stand by and watch you get into trouble.”
Luna’s eyes wavered awkwardly.
For some reason, Aira’s attitude had become colder, making her uneasy, but it turned out it had all been a misunderstanding.
Luna forced a smile and said sweetly, “I didn’t know that! Aira, I misunderstood you.”
A little later, the Empress Julienne entered, now dressed in an even more extravagant outfit. She was known for changing her dress and jewelry several times a day, a habit Aira was well aware of from her time at Julienne’s palace.
“Since I’ve received such a beautiful bracelet, I had to change into something to match it,” the queen said.
Clearly, she was very fond of the bracelet, as she appeared in a luxurious golden dress.
Aira responded with a calm smile.
“You look absolutely stunning, Your Majesty.”
Luna also joined in, clapping her hands and flattering the queen.
“You’re like a golden flower blooming throughout the palace, Your Majesty.”
The Empress seemed pleased with Luna’s flattery.
“It sounds like something a poet would say.” she said.
“I’ve always been fond of literature,” Luna replied with a humble tone.
“May I recite another verse that suits Your Majesty?”
When Julienne nodded in approval, Luna began to sing a praise-filled verse in her melodious and enchanting voice, likely something she had prepared in advance.
Though Aira despised Luna, even she couldn’t deny how sweet and graceful Luna’s voice sounded.
When the song ended, Julienne clapped her hands with delight.
“You’re truly talented. Better than even the court singers.”
“Your praise is too kind, Your Majesty.”
At the beginning, Julienne had expected them to be as dull and stiff as their family’s reputation suggested, but they were turning out to be quite different.
‘Well… still, Aira, your sacrifice for our Xavier won’t change.’
When the clapping stopped, Aira, who had been standing quietly, furrowed her brow and touched her forehead.
She felt like nausea.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Julienne asked with a concerned tone.
Aira quickly masked her discomfort with a faint, awkward smile.
“I think it’s just anemia.”
“Anemia?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Indeed, Aira’s complexion looked pale compared to Luna’s radiant appearance beside her. Sensing an opportunity, Luna quickly seized the moment.
“Is Miss Aira usually frail?”
The queen’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Your Majesty, Aira does get sick often, but she seemed to really be looking forward to today,” Luna said, emphasizing that Aira’s frailty was the cause.
Aira had long suspected that Julienne had known about her sacrificial value but she often wondered when Xavier and Luna had realized about her plans.
She guessed it happened around the second year of her marriage. That was when Xavier began to grow distant and started hiding things from her.
Julienne’s gaze at Aira seemed somewhat displeased, as if questioning whether Aira would even survive until the day she was needed as a sacrifice.
“My apologies for showing such weakness, Your Majesty,” Aira said with a faint, weary smile.
At that moment, Julienne’s attention shifted toward Luna, who now stood poised as if ready for her next move.
In fact, it was Luna who had been frequently sick in the Count’s house. Though no one knew exactly what was wrong with her, Luna had often fallen ill to gain attention from the household.
She had even earned sympathy from her father by claiming it was because she lived in a shabby house until she was ten.
“…I see,”
Julienne murmured, her lips moving slightly as though forming a plan.
Aira didn’t miss the glint in Julienne’s eyes. After all, she had brought Luna here to solidify her as a potential candidate for “sacrifice.”
“The Crown Prince has arrived,”
At that moment, a maid announced a new visitor.
“Ah, is that so? Perfect timing,” Julienne said, her expression brightening at the mention of her son’s arrival.
Aira glanced at Luna, observing her expression carefully.
“There’s someone I’ve admired for a long time.”
Years ago, when Luna was at marriageable age but still unmarried, Aira had asked her why. That was the answer Luna had given, though she never revealed who it was, no matter how much Aira had pressed her.
It wasn’t until Aira’s death that she learned the truth.
The man Luna admired and ultimately claimed for herself was none other than Aira’s husband.
“Mother.”
A tall young man with light brown hair and piercing dark eyes entered the room. His sharp black uniform bore the insignia of his rank as a prince, and his strikingly handsome face commanded attention from afar.
He was the Empire’s second prince, the heir to the throne after the crown prince, and someone admired by all.
“You look beautiful as always,” he said to Julienne.
“And my prince, there isn’t a single day you don’t look dashing,” Julienne responded with a radiant smile.
This man, who now greeted his mother with affection, was also Aira’s husband—the one who had shared seven years of marriage with her, only to betray her in the end, leading to her death.
After bowing respectfully to Julienne, Xavier slowly turned his gaze to Aira.
“Aira…”
His deep voice carried her name as he walked toward her. Aira’s heartbeat quickened. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and within them, disturbingly, was a genuine affection—love that seemed real, at least for now.
“You always take my breath away,” he said, his words heavy with admiration.
The shadow he cast over her was one she could never forget, even if she died a hundred times over.
“Luna is carrying my child, and the Marcelline name will live on forever.”
His words from the past echoed in her mind, causing the crimson energy within her to surge violently. It was a storm within her, threatening to break free. She clenched her fists tightly, using every ounce of willpower to suppress it.
This energy, born of hatred and perhaps awakened by her final desperate wish, was reacting to her pain and anger. But now was not the time to let it loose. She had to endure it.
Suppressing the anger within her, Aira offered a faint smile.
“It is an honor to see the Star of Kalantha. Your Highness.”
CRASH!
The loud sound of the chandelier shattering echoed through the room.
“…!”
Though the chandelier fell far from where they stood, Xavier instinctively moved to shield Aira, pulling her into his arms.
In his embrace, Aira’s eyes glowed vividly, the crimson energy radiating from within her, as if unable to remain hidden any longer.
