Evelyn touched her reflection in the mirror, murmuring to herself.
Evelyn: So... that's why.
[ It's said that 1,030 years ago, demons attacked the Empire under the Demon King's command. People were slaughtered, the empire was torn apart. No peace, only disaster for 110 years. Finally, 920 years ago, Elencia De S. La Cristiane fought against the Demon King.
With the help of the Supreme Magic Swordmaster, Seraphion Aster, Elencia defeated the Demon King, restoring peace to the Empire.
But after the battle, Seraphion Aster disappeared from sight.
The Demon King had black hair and red eyes, and from then on, those features were seen as taboo in Cristiane. Black hair and red eyes became signs of inauspiciousness.
After all, demons ravaged the empire under the command of the Demon King. So, his black hair and red eyes became the very symbols of disaster.
Even now, anyone born with those features was considered cursed.
A taboo existence.]
Hah... so that's why. Red is already bad enough; on the contrary, having two different eye colours...
Evelyn: No wonder the wet maid disappeared after my birth. She must have been killed or chased away to keep the secret. No wonder the Empress, who never cared for me, gave me this necklace—an item that conceals my true appearance. She even ordered me not to take it off. Ha...
Evelyn laughed bitterly as she stared at the necklace in her hand, her eyes full of sarcasm. Evelyn clenched the ruby tightly in her palm.
So... I was never abandoned out of only pure hatred. I was hidden.
Not only because she hated me—
But also because she feared me.
Knock. Knock.
A sudden knock echoed through the room. Cassy's voice was heard from the outside.
Cassy: Your Highness, I've brought you some food. May I come in?
Evelyn clasped the necklace back around her neck. The White hair with a mixture of black shimmered into pure white again, and the red and purple eyes faded back into blue. She walked over to the couch.
Evelyn: Come in.
Cassy entered, carrying a light tray of healthy food and a bowl of soup. She set the tray down on the table in front of Evelyn, then stepped aside.
Cassy: Please eat, Your Highness. You haven't eaten in a week. You must be hungry.
Evelyn: Thanks, Sassy.
Cassy: It's Cassy, Your Highness. And you don't need to thank me; it's my duty.
Evelyn: Yeah, Cally.
Cassy said nothing further. Evelyn looked at her as she prepared to eat.
Evelyn: Where is Gerod?
Cassy: Gerod??!! Oh! he's guarding the door. Please eat, Your Highness.
Evelyn: Okay.
Evelyn looked at the food, a sense of unease creeping over her, as though her sixth sense was warning her of something.
Evelyn: I.S. Scan Foods. (whisper)
Ding...
[Food Scanning in progress...]
Ding...
[Food Scanning Completed.]
Ding...
[Low-Toxic Poison detected in all items except the soup.]
[Accumulated intake will cause gradual organ failure.]
Her smile deepened.
Oh. Did my mother send it or the nobles who wants to support the lovely 2nd princess on the throne instead of me.
How amusing.
Evelyn (thoughts): "Even though I dislike soup, Cassy always makes it herself and brings it for me when I'm sick. It's good for my health. The old me would have refused to eat it, but now... everything is different now."
Evelyn picked up the spoon and slowly sipped the soup. She ate only the soup, leaving the rest of the food untouched. Cassy, relieved that the princess wasn't throwing a tantrum over food, smiled.
Evelyn: I'm full. My head is heavy, so I'll rest. Tell Gerod not to let anyone in, Clasy.
Cassy: It's Cassy, Your Highness.
Evelyn: Yeah, Clary.
Cassy: ... Just call me whatever you want, Your Highness.
Cassy left with the tray, closing the door quietly behind her.
Evelyn: Whatever I want... You're just like her.
A wry smile crossed Evelyn's face as she thought of someone.
Evelyn: It's been so many years since I last saw them... I wonder how they're doing now.
She stood and walked toward the bed.
Evelyn: What am I even worried about? It's not like anyone can do anything to them.
She lay down and closed her eyes.
Evelyn: I should rest instead.
Five days later–
In those five days, Evelyn did little but eat and sleep. After a stretch of doing nothing, she finally took a book from her shelf. The book was titled The History of Aristynne.
After requesting it, Cassy had brought it from the library for her.
[There aren't many people who don't know about Aristynne. It was a land free from any empire or kingdom. No one had control over it, and it wasn't part of any kingdom or empire. Many would even call it the kingdom of Aristynne.
It was regarded as the most dangerous place that no one dared to invade or go to war with.
It was full of different magical creatures, species, and people, such as elves, dwarves, hybrids, strong and powerful knights with powers that could overthrow a kingdom, high-class mages, swordsmen, summoners, spiritualists, and even had a very powerful and well-known mage tower of its own.
Aristynne's strength was immeasurable. Everyone knew that if they went to war with Aristynne, they would suffer a very big loss. With powerful knights and magic weapons created by the dwarves, it was almost impossible to win against Aristynne...]
Evelyn was absorbed in the book when there was a knock on the door. A small frown appeared on her face as she closed the book and set it aside.
Evelyn: Come in.
Cassy entered the room, her expression respectful but also slightly concerned. Evelyn gave her a questioning look, as if asking why she had come.
Cassy: Your Highness, the young master of Rochester Duchy has come to visit you.
Evelyn: Rockstar...
Cassy: It's Rochester, Your Highness. Edrick Rochester, Your fiancé.
Evelyn: Well... Roche... or whatever. Let him in.
Cassy: Yes, Your Highness.
Cassy sighed quietly to herself as she lefts the room. Over the past five days, she had noticed a change in the princess. Evelyn no longer got angry over trivial matters, didn't throw tantrums over food, and couldn't even remember names properly.
Cassy wondered if the princess's near-death experience and the injury to her head had something to do with this change. The once arrogant and haughty princess had become... different.
Meanwhile, Evelyn sat back in her chair, her thoughts wandering.
Evelyn: My Fiance...
Evelyn heard footsteps approaching. She looked at the door as a 10-year-old boy entered the room, dressed in black. He wore a stern expression, and despite his youth, he carried himself with the maturity of an adult. Evelyn's gaze fixed on him.
Blue hair gleaming under the sun's rays filtering through the window, yellow eyes sparkling like gold. A young, handsome boy who could make anyone's heart flutter, even at this age…
Wait a minute, why does this description sound familiar? Where have I seen this before?
Ding...
A blue panel appeared before Evelyn, who stared at it intently. Her expression grew serious as though something was triggering her memory, but she couldn't quite place it.
[ Name: Edrick Rochester.]
[ Identity: Heir to the Duchy of Rochester.]
[ Relation: Fiancé.]
[[ Skills:
Cooking : None (0)
Combat : Advanced (35)
Defense : Vigilant (30)
Agility: Agile (24)
Intelligence: Sharp (32) ]]
[ Ability: A Swordsman.]
[ Special Ability: Magic Swordsman.]
[ Characteristics: Stubborn, Strong-willed, Perfectionist. ]
[ Specialty: Strong Magic, Swordsmanship. ]
[ Trait: Dislikes Evelyn. He will die for those he cares about, but will destroy what he dislikes. ]
[Backstory:
Edrick grew up under strict training and neglect from his father, which shaped his troublesome personality. The constant pressure to meet high expectations and the lack of emotional support led to him becoming stubborn, strong-willed, and a perfectionist. His sense of loyalty runs deep—he will protect those he cares about at any cost, even if it means sacrificing himself. However, his intense nature also means that if he dislikes something or someone, he will have no qualms about destroying it.]