Episode 77

Time flew by quickly, and before I knew it, the New Year’s celebration was upon us.

The New Year’s Gala was the grandest event in the Empire, and the Imperial Palace began its preparations, adorning itself in splendor unmatched anywhere on the continent.

The Terium Empire’s calendar marked its beginning from the moment the founding emperor, Hertz, sealed the evil dragon and brought peace to the land. As the most powerful and prosperous nation on the continent, most other countries had adopted the Terium calendar, making it almost universal.

The grandeur of the New Year’s Gala served to showcase the Empire’s might. As always, this year’s event would be attended by a significant number of royals and nobles from various foreign nations.

The guest of honor at this unique gathering of high society figures was none other than Jenna. The return of Lady Jenna Selber, who was thought to have gone missing as a child, would be the highlight of the event.

‘Come to think of it, Jenna should have arrived at the Selber household by now.’

In the original story, Jenna, haggard from her journey, would knock on the door of House Selber just before the New Year’s Gala. That was how the tale began.

What struck me most was that Arzen had taken his first leave from the Imperial Department of Magic. Watching him rush to the Selber household had stirred rumors, with some speculating that the Duke’s health was failing.

While nothing had yet been made public, it seemed evident that some upheaval was brewing within House Selber.

Of all things, I couldn’t shake the memory of the man who’d stood by Jenna’s side when I encountered her. The intensity of his gaze was something I wouldn’t soon forget.

‘Why did I think his eyes resembled those of a beast?’

Red eyes weren’t exactly common, but they weren’t unheard of either. They were characteristic of people from the Southern Continent. The current Empress herself hailed from there, and both she and the Crown Prince had crimson eyes.

However, the red in that man’s eyes had carried a disturbingly murderous glint, like the eyes of a creature thirsting for blood.

When I met his gaze, my body froze, and even Ibnes, who was beside me, immediately went on guard.

Though curious, I knew the chance of encountering him again was slim. I didn’t even know what connection he had to Jenna, and he was someone who hadn’t appeared in the original story, not even in passing.

The unease I felt then must have just been my overreaction. Yet, even recalling it briefly left me with a sour feeling.

* * *

The day of the New Year’s Gala finally arrived.

After completing the bustling preparations that began in the morning and slipping into the dress I’d carefully chosen, it was just about time to depart.

I approached my father, who was waiting in front of the garden.

“You look more beautiful than anyone, Sierra.”

“And you look especially dashing today, Father.”

He appeared youthful enough to pass for someone in his late twenties. At gatherings with foreign dignitaries like today’s, he often found himself on the receiving end of flirtatious glances. Women from abroad, like moths to a flame, would approach him only to back away once they realized he was the infamous Serkhan Drenihan. Rumor had it that he was an icy man who, after losing his wife fifteen years ago, had remained celibate ever since. The story seemed to be known even in other countries.

I took my father’s hand and climbed into the carriage.

The carriage began to move, gliding steadily along.

“So, what made you decline his request today?” he asked with a low chuckle.

His question referred to none other than Ludwig’s offer to escort me.

“I just wanted to enter with you this time. It’s my first New Year’s Gala, and it’s a meaningful day in many ways.”

“Is that truly the reason?”

“Yes, truly.”

I laughed awkwardly and nodded enthusiastically.

Father let out a soft chuckle and didn’t press further.

“It really has been a while. For some time now, the Grand Duke has always been the one by your side.”

For some reason, I had always naturally accepted Ludwig’s escort at such gatherings. While I hadn’t attended many events, Ludwig was always there beside me.

Back then, I thought of it as merely a partnership, yet now a subtle doubt had begun to surface.

‘Am I of any use to him now?’

If I were to answer honestly, no, I wasn’t. We were simply friends, but the closeness between a man and a woman was bound to spark rumors.

More than anything…

‘I heard a shocking rumor.’

A rumor claiming that Ludwig and I had taken a private trip to the south together.

The gossip, unchecked, had escalated to the point where people speculated about an impending marriage announcement between the two of us.

Admittedly, it wasn’t common for a man and a woman of marriageable age to travel alone for an entire week.

But still.

‘Are they trying to sabotage any chance of marriage for both of us?’

No, putting aside marriage prospects, the thought of bumping into Ludwig with all these embarrassing rumors swirling around…

I turned away from the window and pressed a hand to my forehead.

‘I should keep some distance for a while.’

His presence was too comfortable, and he was so considerate that, without realizing it, I had started to settle into it. At this rate, even the rare marriage proposals I received would dry up entirely. Who would be bold enough to propose to a woman rumored to be the Grand Duke’s lover?

My simple dream was to marry a gentle, ordinary man and live out a peaceful life in a small village by the cool, refreshing sea. Even if I were to inherit the Drenihan dukedom from my father, I’d choose a capable relative from a collateral line as my successor, transfer the title, and depart.

My ambition was to be a wealthy recluse, not a duke buried in endless work. I’d never been the type to crave success, so I had no lingering desire to rise in status.

‘But Ludwig has always been the exception.’

In truth, aside from my terrible incurable illness, what weighed on me was the knowledge that Ludwig’s descent into madness was what drove the original story into ruin.

I’d thought about it endlessly.

Why, even with Jenna by his side as his fated purifier, couldn’t he accept her purification?

Why did he lose control and cast the Empire into darkness?

The answer was hidden in the original tale.

Ludwig’s madness, where he was overtaken by the evil dragon, was something that grew closer with each episode of rage. He had already experienced three or four instances of rampage before meeting Jenna, accumulating the unpurified miasma of the dragon. Most likely, this was why his episodes increased over time.

The story had veered off course from the start.

‘But!’

Since we were now at the beginning of the original plot, Ludwig hadn’t yet gone on a rampage, not even once.

‘He’s come close to losing control, but he’s always stopped just short.’

With Jenna as his purifier, she would be there to help him every time he faced the threat of madness. This meant that the risk of Ludwig succumbing to madness had significantly decreased.

I’d continue to keep an eye on things, but there was no need to feel overly anxious.

‘And if this leads to a happy ending, all the better.’

The main characters would live, the villainess would disappear without causing harm, and everything would end quietly. Now that would be the perfect happy ending.

According to the original story, by the winter after next, Ludwig would be tormented by madness. If these years passed peacefully, I could depart without regret, disappearing to a place where no one could find me.

Tonight, the male leads would be drawn to Jenna as if by fate. At first, they wouldn’t understand the uncertain feelings stirring within them, but in later accounts, it was said that each of them had fallen for her at first sight during the New Year’s Gala.

Ludwig was one of them.

“…”

Just as he had shown me kindness and concern, I, too, should wish for his happiness.

Perhaps I should nudge things along so that the main love interest shifts from the Crown Prince to Ludwig?

“…”

The memory of us releasing lanterns and watching fireworks together flashed through my mind.

What was this? Like a fool, a bittersweet pang pricked at my heart.