Chapter 02
Adeline slowly stood up, her gaze narrowing slightly.
A man with jet-black hair, a tall frame, cold grayish-blue eyes, and strikingly handsome features stood before her. She was certain he wasn’t one of the royals she knew. His presence was anything but ordinary, and Adeline could tell at a glance.
But since she didn’t know every noble in Kassel, she couldn’t determine his identity. As the brief silence lingered, the man slightly inclined his head.
“You must be Lady Adeline of Lechern,” he said, his deep voice suggesting he already knew who she was.
With an air of ease, he slipped a cigarette back into a square case from his jacket pocket. Adeline didn’t blink, her eyes fixed on him, an unfamiliar tension gripping her.
The man finished his task and introduced himself.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Michael Meitner.”
His brief introduction was followed by a sharp smile.
Michael Meitner.
Adeline’s expression stiffened. She recognized the name, infamous for its associations with terror. Known as the “Butcher of Blood,” Michael had struck fear into Lechern—though, ironically, he had only fought in one war.
What truly terrified Lechern was the armament he controlled. Michael’s company monopolized Kassel’s munitions industry, profiting immensely from the war. The bombs and bullets that rained down on Lechern bore a bold “M” stamped on them.
“To mark weapons of death with his initials—it’s beyond comprehension,” she thought.
“Michael Meitner, the man who supposedly sold his soul to the devil!”
Survivors of Lechern’s defeat cursed his name.
Adeline hesitated to respond. Michael tilted his head slightly.
“Are you lost?” he asked gently, as though offering help.
She quickly composed herself, unwilling to seem flustered.
“No, I’m waiting for someone to guide me to my quarters,” she replied.
“Ah, I see,” he said simply, nodding.
Michael had been wandering through this quiet courtyard, seeking respite before his audience with the Crown Prince. It was a secluded area, rarely visited, so he was surprised to find someone there.
When he saw her golden hair and vivid green eyes, he realized where he had seen her before: Adeline Bernadotte, Lechern’s fallen princess. Recently, her name had become gossip in Kassel’s social circles as the rumored fiancée of Lars, the troublemaking prince.
Pity flickered across Michael’s face. The woman had lost her kingdom, her fiancé had died in battle, and now she was bound to marry a man notorious for his recklessness.
Even so, Michael smiled sociably.
“Please, have a seat, Lady Adeline. I’m merely here for some fresh air and will leave shortly.”
Adeline hesitated but sat down, her movements stiff. Across from her, Michael studied her quietly. Despite her beauty, she looked pale and exhausted—a woman thrust into an unfamiliar world after losing everything.
Michael spoke with a polite smile.
“Kassel’s spring weather is lovely, especially now. Perfect for a walk.”
“Yes,” Adeline replied softly, clutching her sleeve nervously.
She couldn’t reconcile the man in front of her with his fearsome reputation. He appeared too composed, too refined. The Michael Meitner she had imagined seemed worlds apart from reality.
When their eyes met again, Michael’s soft smile transformed his sharp features. His elegance felt effortless, yet there was an edge of decadence in his gaze.
Adeline recalled her old nursemaid’s warning:
“Beware of charming men, Princess. They’ll keep you guessing and break your heart.”
Her resolve hardened. This was just another mask for the world to see. She had no energy left to care.
Adeline stood abruptly.
“Count Meitner, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave now.”
Michael raised a brow at her sudden formality but said nothing.
