Chapter 1:
A Terrible Day
“Wait! Don’t drink that!”
Eliana’s desperate scream echoed through the lazy spring breeze.
The gold trim of the teacup in the man’s hand glinted under the scattered sunlight.
‘You wretched man. That wasn’t meant for you.’
She clenched her teeth.
That tea was for her beloved fiancé.
It was supposed to be her noble farewell toast to Crown Prince Albert Maximilian, who had turned his gaze to another woman.
She had poured the entire vial of the fabled love potion—said to make anyone fall hopelessly in love with just one sip—into his tea. This was her last chance.
And now, of all people, someone else was about to drink it. It was maddening.
Eliana sprang from her seat and reached toward the man.
But before her fingertips could make contact, he downed the tea in one gulp.
Gulp. She heard the unmistakable sound of swallowing.
What little color remained on her already pale face drained completely.
“Urgh…!”
The man let out a low groan, clutching his chest.
Crash!
The empty teacup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. His clenched fist trembled.
Eliana rushed toward him, her face stricken.
Something was definitely wrong.
“Your Grace, are you all right? Please, say something! Your Grace!”
“…”
“Lord Norbert! Richard!”
The moment she cried his name in a shrill voice, the man who had remained silent finally looked up.
True to his nickname, The Wolf of the North, his deep amber eyes gleamed with wild intensity.
The instant their eyes met, his expression melted—like snow under sunlight.
Eliana knew then: something had gone very, very wrong.
But by the time she realized it, it was already far too late.
One Month Earlier
Eliana Greyston.
It had been about a month since she found herself needing a love potion.
“Let’s call off the engagement, Eliana.”
Waves of silvery platinum hair shimmered in the light.
The sky-colored eyes that once looked at her with warmth now stared blankly, emotionless.
Eliana knew at once that this wasn’t some cruel joke or fleeting whim.
“…Ha.”
Break up? A soft, bitter breath slipped through her clenched teeth.
This was the first thing her fiancé said after returning from three years of study abroad?
The same man who had embraced her before leaving, who had written her heartfelt letters with every season?
“Can I ask why?” she managed to say, forcing her stiff lips to move.
Albert crossed his legs slowly, his gaze indifferent.
“I thought you already knew.”
Her fists clenched on their own.
Well-manicured nails dug into her soft palm.
Yes, she knew. How could she not?
The rumor had spread through every corner of high society.
The Crown Prince had a new woman.
A poor count’s daughter who had just arrived in the capital—he was said to be utterly smitten with her.
She had hoped it was all lies.
That the brainless nobles had made it up to stir scandal, to defile the royal family and the ducal house.
But that hope was shattered today.
“If that’s really the reason, then I don’t think I need to hear anything more,” she said, standing.
The hem of her lavish dress dragged heavily around her ankles.
Why had she dressed up so carefully, expecting some kind of warmth?
“Wrap it up before the royal wedding,” she added coldly.
“This isn’t something that can be ended so easily.”
So I’m the one whose feelings can be thrown away so easily?
Eliana scowled, not bothering to hide her disgust.
Was that fleeting passion really worth throwing away a lifelong bond?
“I’ll pretend we never had this conversation. Settle things before this becomes a bigger mess.”
She turned to leave, no longer willing to continue the conversation.
“Eliana.”
Albert called her name.
But she didn’t stop.
“Lia.”
The soft, affectionate nickname stopped her mid-step.
Eliana bit her lower lip.
Not here. Not now. This wasn’t the time or place to call her by that cursed name.
What the hell do you think you’re doing? she thought bitterly, turning back to face him.
Crash!
The office door flew open with a bang.
“Your Highness~”
A sweet, delicate voice rang out.
A pale young woman with snow-white clothes and a radiant smile stood in the doorway—like an angel descended from heaven.
“Charlotte!”
Albert’s face lit up like a boy in love.
Charlotte giggled and ran into his arms.
“I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, Charlotte.”
Eliana was standing right there, yet they seemed oblivious, lost in their own sugary world.
Is this what people call a disgraceful display? Eliana thought, glaring at Albert as he embraced another woman in front of her.
Feeling her stare, Albert finally turned his head, his expression stiffening.
Charlotte looked over too.
Her crimson eyes widened as she realized Eliana’s presence.
“Ah… I… I didn’t mean to…”
Charlotte’s voice trembled, and Albert comforted her like a child, gently patting her back.
“It’s all right. Don’t mind her.”
Eliana’s face twisted in disbelief.
Don’t mind her?
Was he referring to her—his fiancée—as a non-issue?
Her very existence was something not worth worrying about?
She turned her back to them, trying to contain her fury.
“Lady Greyston.”
Albert’s tone suddenly shifted, formal and distant.
Perhaps it was because of Charlotte.
Whatever familiarity remained between them had just been tossed away like old paper.
As she turned around to leave, he didn’t stop her—only looked at her silently.
A silent plea: Please break the engagement.
But Eliana knew it wasn’t guilt or remorse.
It was just his pathetic attempt to protect his delicate new lover.
She saw his hand—wrapped tightly around Charlotte’s.
That was enough.
Her restrained fury burst forth.
Her lips curled with venom.
“If you want to break off our engagement, Albert, you should appeal directly to His Majesty.”
She gave Charlotte a withering look.
“Tell him you want to put a poor, powerless count’s daughter on the throne instead of a duke’s daughter.”
Albert’s expression chilled.
But Eliana was no longer backing down.
With icy grace, she turned and left.
Eliana rubbed her palm, still marked by her fingernails.
The carriage rattled with the sound of horse hooves.
“Bastard,” she muttered.
Albert’s laughing face, holding Charlotte in his arms, flashed through her mind.
Once upon a time, you said you loved me. That you couldn’t wait for me to return…
She had graduated early just to come back to him.
And now he wanted to end things?
What the hell was I thinking…
Albert’s cold gaze returned to her mind.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She needed a distraction.
Just then, a familiar sign caught her eye through the carriage window.
A chocolate shop she used to visit before studying abroad.
She hadn’t eaten all day—too anxious about meeting Albert.
“Stop the carriage.”
She abruptly stepped down and entered the shop.
The rich scent of chocolate enveloped her.
But all the shelves were empty—except for one child-sized box of chocolates.
Hardly enough for an adult, but she didn’t care anymore.
She reached out for it.
But just as her fingers touched the smooth box, a large hand landed on top of hers.
A crisp, cool iris scent tickled her nose.
The world dimmed as thick, veined fingers entered her vision.
“Well now, this is awkward. I believe I got here first.”
A deep, playful voice sounded above her.
Eliana slowly raised her head.
Though she was quite tall, she had to crane her neck to meet his eyes.
And when her gaze finally reached his face—
She instinctively held her breath.
Amber eyes, glowing like a wolf’s, stared down at her.
“Well, tough luck, my lady.”
The man smiled, folding his eyes into a shape like a crescent moon—now more like a fox than a wolf.
A hulking man who shifted between beast and trickster stood towering before her.
