Prologue

“It seems we have an uninvited guest.”

The light filtering through the black veil vanished, and a long shadow fell over her.

Claire slowly lifted her head.

Theobalt Dwyn Verhaim.

Once the First Prince of the mighty Arcadia Empire.

Stripped of his title, he had sought refuge in the temple and rose as Captain of the Holy Knights on his own merits.

“Claire.”

His deep voice lingered in her ear. In such close proximity, even through the veil, his prominent nose and lips were perfectly visible.

Had he just come from training?

His bare torso carried the quiet scent of the forest.

Any other woman might have flushed at the sight, but Claire found herself almost grateful for the veil that concealed her ruined face.

With composed restraint, she pushed him back and bent her knees in a proper bow.

“I greet Your Highness, the First Prince of the glorious Arcadia Empire.”

“….”

“Your Highness?”

Theobalt let out a short, incredulous laugh.

“Do you think you have the right to call me that? A traitor’s whore?”

His cold words pierced her chest.

‘The one man I never wished to see again, not even by chance…’

Yet for the sake of this blood-soaked revenge, she needed him. Selfishly so.

‘I’ll return what was stolen because of me.’

Your throne, your honor… everything. 

If I must endure cruel words to do it, then so be it. To him, her very existence must have been abhorrent.

Claire steadied her heart and spoke quietly.

“I came because there’s something I must tell you.”

“And what could possibly be so grand as to warrant such hesitation?”

His voice was as sharp as ice. 

“What is it? An invitation to your wedding?”

“…Do you not wish to reclaim your throne, Your Highness?”

Theobalt gave a cold laugh and turned toward the pavilion, moving with the languid disinterest of a black panther that had lost its prey.

“A tedious story.”

“The truth must be uncovered—about you and the late Empress.”

His expression changed instantly. A storm gathered in his voice, an anger he could not conceal.

“And have you never thought that it was because of you?”

Claire’s breath caught at the force of his fury.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Theobalt growled.

When she did not answer, he exhaled sharply and turned away.

“Marry me, Your Highness.”

He halted abruptly. His gaze snapped back to her.

“…I must have misheard. Say that again.”

“Marry me.”

Once more, Claire uttered the words that would change the future.

This time, her voice did not waver.