She lived as if dead, as if nonexistent, and was called the “Golden-Haired Ghost.” At one time, rumors surrounded her and a knight brought from Serenho, but those rumors died down quickly, as if they had never existed.
Meanwhile, the Inacos Union seized neighboring countries one by one to secure food supplies, including Serenho. The prince’s consort, who was no longer militarily useful and had failed to produce an heir for ten years, was easily forgotten.
No one looked at her. No one spoke to her. No one cared about her.
It wasn’t anything particularly tragic. It was simply the plain life of a certain princess. Daphne soon lost interest in her and resumed walking. At that moment, she saw Jeffrey entering the garden from the opposite direction.
A paradise-like landscape, and the most beautiful Thessalia. Daphne bowed her head respectfully toward her brother.
[Ah, Daphne.]
As Jeffrey approached, he exuded an artificial floral fragrance. However, that pungent scent could not completely mask the strange odor emanating from him. It seemed he had just come from one of their private gatherings.
Jeffrey and the other brothers invited guests daily to indulge in mysterious smoke. Even on normal days, Jeffrey, who seemed to have two personalities, often transformed abruptly. Especially when under the influence, he could harm people without hesitation.
Screams and the smell of blood inevitably followed him.
[My lovely sister, you are dazzlingly beautiful today as well.]
Fortunately, today Jeffrey seemed unusually cheerful. Perhaps there would be no bloodshed today. Even so, Daphne remained tense, her eyes lowered, for one could never predict her brother’s sudden changes.
She felt his gaze meticulously scanning her entire body. It was always the first thing Jeffrey did when he called for her. Was there any blemish or flaw? To sell her for the highest price, he scrutinized her from head to toe. Daphne endured the blatant inspection with practiced composure.
Jeffrey’s gaze lingered at her chest.
[Your chest seems a little smaller.]
[…Does it?]
[It would be better to include more meat in your meals.]
[…]
At first glance, it seemed as if she was receiving the most precious treatment in the world, but in reality, Daphne’s life was no different from that of the animals in their cages. Her cage was a beautiful palace instead of iron bars.
As she struggled to overcome the humiliation that never became familiar, Leah, who had been bowing her head behind her, suddenly stepped forward.
[Yes, Prince.]
Leah spoke in an intentionally sweet voice, wearing a meek smile, as if to catch Jeffrey’s attention even once more. However, Jeffrey was too preoccupied inspecting Daphne to spare a glance at Leah.
[Your menstruation hasn’t come yet, has it?]
[Well, no. I’m sorry.]
[Hmm, it’s fine.]
…Fine? For a moment, Daphne felt a sense of unease. With his characteristic grin, Jeffrey spoke.
[By the way, I have something to show you today.]
[To show me?]
[Yes. Follow me.]
Jeffrey turned and led the way with light steps. It wasn’t surprising, given his usual whims.
Still, what did he mean by saying it was fine despite her lack of menstruation? Daphne followed him with growing anxiety. And soon, she was once again caught off guard. She had assumed it would be a simple walk nearby, but Jeffrey suddenly suggested leaving the palace grounds.
Daphne had never left the palace with Jeffrey alone. Though she had secretly ventured outside before, she had never climbed the castle walls.
When Daphne stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the towering walls, she couldn’t hide her puzzlement. Jeffrey chuckled briefly.
[Take my hand, Daphne.]
In moments like this, he seemed like a picturesque prince, a caring brother. Holding Jeffrey’s hand, Daphne began climbing the central tower, said to be the most important fortress on the castle walls. The guards stationed at regular intervals bowed their heads, unable to look directly at royalty.
Finally reaching the top of the tower, Daphne was momentarily mesmerized by the view of the city below.
[Look over there.]
Hearing the voice behind her, Daphne instinctively turned around.
[Ah.]
Beyond the castle walls stretched the horizon. The boundless scenery made her chest stir strangely. She recalled childhood memories of visiting the sea before the war broke out.
[Now look down, Daphne.]
But as her gaze lowered, the view differed greatly from her memories. Enemy camps and hundreds of warships densely filled the coastline.
[Those are the beasts from across the sea.]
Daphne’s mind involuntarily wandered to the man she had encountered in the forest not long ago. That young soldier from the Inacos Union was undeniably different from her or her brothers.
Distinct, strong…
And strikingly beautiful.
Lost in thought, Daphne flinched at her own musings.
[I have good news, Daphne.]
[Good news?]
Her response came out somewhat awkwardly. Fortunately, Jeffrey didn’t find it suspicious. Smiling brightly, he said:
[The war will soon be over.]
The war will end? The war… will end? Daphne’s eyes widened momentarily.
[Is that true, Brother?]
No wonder Jeffrey seemed in such an unusually good mood today. Daphne’s voice rose, unable to hide her hopeful anticipation of possibly avoiding the arranged marriage with Equila.
[Yes. A divine revelation was bestowed upon those beasts a few days ago.]
[A revelation?]
[Their god, Kona, commanded their strongest warriors to duel. If Velarez’s warrior wins, they must cease their invasion. That’s the decree.]
Daphne blinked several times before blurting out:
[…What if they win?]
[What?]
Jeffrey frowned and laughed irritably.
[Oh, my beautiful sister. What nonsense is that? How could they possibly win?]
[But…]
[If they could, the revelation wouldn’t have come in the first place.]
As Daphne awkwardly smiled, Jeffrey let out a small sigh.
[Have you forgotten again? We are the incarnations of the goddess. Heaven is on our side, and those beasts beyond the wall will learn this bitter truth through this opportunity.]
Jeffrey’s eyes gleamed with certainty. He genuinely believed that Thessalia—and himself—were special. As his older brothers died one by one and the throne, once thought never to be his, drew closer, his belief solidified further.
[…Of course, everything you say is correct, brother.]
[Yes. You’ve always been a bit slow to understand. That’s fine. I understand.]
[…Thank you.]
Jeffrey smiled benevolently, as if it were no big deal, and added,
[And don’t we have Razhan’s leader?]
[…Equila?]
[Yes, Equila.]
[…….]
[He will bring victory to Velarez.]
[Equila… is he to be the warrior in that duel?]
[Of course. He’s the strongest warrior.]
[But until now, he’s never personally stepped onto the battlefield….]
[This will be his first time.]
“Equila” in Razhan’s language meant the strongest leader, or “king.” For that reason, he had never personally participated in battles before.
[Annoyingly, we haven’t yet received his definitive answer.]
[Then……….]
He had only visited this city three times so far, and that had been to take a bride in accordance with their traditions.
[Before that, he said he wants to see you once.]
How dare they, Jeffrey grumbled, those mere beasts who ride horses and roam, failing to recognize the honor of helping us. Their arrogance is increasingly intolerable. Jeffrey’s voice dropped low with anger. But Daphne, her mind now a tangled mess, barely heard his voice anymore.
Equila was coming. She had thought it would be soon, but…
[Equila will arrive in two days. So prepare yourself, Daphne.]
What should I do?
[Daphne?]
When Daphne didn’t immediately respond, Jeffrey frowned. Then, as if understanding her reaction, he put on an expression of feigned pity.
[Oh dear, there’s no need to worry. It’s just that, well, because of the various rumors surrounding you, it’s likely a formality he’s insisting on.]
Equila wasn’t asking for a princess out of any vain desire for noble lineage in the first place.
***
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