Chapter 25
“Your Highness, it’s time to depart.”
The attendant who came in spoke in a hurry.
It was finally time to go find the beauty. Prim exhaled a shaky breath.
‘Don’t be nervous. There’s only one goal—find the beast’s beauty!’
With determined steps, Prim strode toward the door. But just as she threw it open—
“…?”
A shadow fell behind her. Prim instinctively turned around, only to see that Rein had silently appeared right behind her.
“Oh my gosh, Your Highness! You shouldn’t sneak up like that—you scared me!”
“……”
“Your Hi—”
“You.”
Rein cut her off. Prim blinked like an idiot.
“When we get to the imperial palace, don’t go wandering around. Stay by my side.”
“What?”
“I mean, don’t go running off just because you see something interesting. If you’re going anywhere, go with me.”
“But…”
“Go with me.”
His tone on that last line was firm—commanding.
It was unlike his usual self. There wasn’t irritation in his voice, but something else. Something… desperate.
‘Am I crazy for thinking that?’
Prim blinked several times before slowly answering,
“…Of course. I’ll stay right by your side, Your Highness.”
Her gaze was steady. Rein straightened his posture as he stared at her.
“…You talk well.”
He muttered as he brushed past her, but there was no way Prim didn’t hear that. She hurried after him, grumbling under her breath.
“Remember? Eye contact, polite tone—”
“I know.”
“Sure doesn’t sound like you do!”
Prim pouted miserably.
We’ll find the beauty… right?
Far off in the distance, she could already hear the sound of the palace orchestra. They really were getting close to the imperial palace.
Prim pulled back the curtain of the carriage window nervously. The dazzling sight of the palace made her heart seize with fear.
To be honest, the “beauty” wasn’t what scared her most—it was the Emperor.
Since Rein still hadn’t regained his “color,” the Emperor would surely blame her.
‘Well… I can say he’s in the process of finding it, but still…’
Prim sighed quietly.
‘Wait. Maybe he told me to stay close because he’s… worried about me?’
Her heart swelled. She covered her mouth, eyes gleaming.
‘All that time getting closer paid off!’
While she was lost in that emotional moment, the carriage came to a slow stop. She could hear footsteps approaching.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
A palace attendant opened the door and offered his hand to help her down.
She had never experienced such courtesy before. Hesitantly, she placed her hand atop his.
‘Wow…’
Just looking around made her eyes dazzle.
The palace literally shone. Every surface seemed polished to perfection—like even the smallest crack would be unforgivable.
In front of the palace, the mermaid statue in the fountain looked almost alive, and the cobblestones at its base were all made of gold.
‘As expected of the Empire of Beauty. Just one of those stones could change my life…’
“What are you doing?”
“Ahh!”
A familiar voice sounded behind her. Prim screamed without thinking.
“Your Highness!”
“You’re thinking something weird again, aren’t you?”
Rein pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated. Prim flinched and shook her head violently.
“N-no, I’m not!”
“It shows.”
“…Really?”
“No. I lied.”
He answered curtly and walked past her. Hearing Prim’s fuming grumbles behind him, a faint smile touched his lips.
“Welcome, Lord Reinsis.”
A servant approached and bowed deeply. Rein’s faint smile instantly disappeared.
“His Majesty is waiting for you.”
Prim’s face tensed. She looked at Rein anxiously. Rein glanced back at her and said in a flat voice,
“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
‘Wait—he’s going alone?’
The Emperor believed that Rein had regained his color because of Prim. It only made sense for her to go along to clarify things.
But Rein was firm.
“I can handle this alone.”
“But—”
“Wait.”
I’ll be right back.
With that, Rein turned and walked away with the servant.
Prim stood staring blankly at his retreating figure when—
“Oh my, could that be…?”
“That’s the Eighth Prince, isn’t it?”
The sound of whispering drifted from nearby nobles, their eyes glimmering with intrigue.
“He’s as beautiful as the rumors said.”
“No wonder His Majesty sent him away from court.”
“I’d have done the same. No matter how terrifying the prophecy, you couldn’t cast out a son that beautiful.”
“Exactly.”
Prim bit her lip hard.
Through others’ mouths, Rein was called both an angel and a cursed demon.
Hearing those words, she couldn’t hide her sorrow.
‘If His Highness had heard this himself…’
What kind of face would he have made? Even she, who wasn’t the target, felt this awful. How much worse must it be for him?
Just as guilt began to darken her thoughts—
“Prim?”
A familiar voice called her name. She looked up.
“…Elina!”
Elina smiled brightly as she approached. Prim quickly hid the shadow from her face.
“We really met! How lucky. Want to come with me?”
Prim glanced once in the direction Rein had gone, then nodded and followed Elina into the palace.
The inside of the palace was even more dazzling.
A passing noble mentioned that the corridors and halls were decorated with paintings personally chosen by the Seventh Princess—some of them were even Elina’s.
“It’s this way. My painting should be somewhere around here.”
Elina grabbed Prim’s hand, excitement clear on her face. Prim followed her deeper into the palace.
“It should be right around—”
They reached the end of the corridor. But nowhere did they see her painting. Elina stopped short.
“This should’ve been the last section…” she murmured, confused. A bad feeling crept into Prim’s chest.
“Let’s look a little more.”
Prim turned to guide her friend—only to freeze.
“Elina.”
Someone stood blocking their path, smiling sweetly.
Prince Deiphs.
“…Greetings, Your Highness,” Elina said, trying to hide her discomfort. Since he was royalty, Prim also bowed politely.
Deiphs clicked his tongue quietly, masking irritation with a gentle voice.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.”
He approached them.
Prim instinctively stepped back, but Elina, distracted searching for her painting, didn’t move.
“El.”
Deiphs stopped in front of her. Prim noticed he was hiding something behind his back.
‘No way…’
Her eyes widened. Please, let it not be what she thought. But—
“Here.”
“…”
“I’ll return it to you—your painting.”
Prim’s hope shattered.
What he held out was indeed Elina’s painting.
It bore no royal seal—meaning it hadn’t been selected by the Princess.
“You wanted to come so badly, I pulled a few strings. I wanted to surprise you before you arrived, but you left early.”
Deiphs smiled and handed it to her. Elina stared blankly at her own work, barely breathing.
Watching her, Prim bit her lip again.
Elina hadn’t just wanted to attend the Princess’s birthday celebration—she had wanted her painting to be chosen.
It was her dream to become a royal court painter.
But now…
“As you know, your style’s a little old-fashioned. I worked hard to get you in secretly—”
“Your Highness.”
Prim stepped in front of Elina protectively.
Deiphs’ expression twisted.
“Please stop. I’m begging you.”
He gave a dry, incredulous laugh.
He had wanted to look good in front of Elina, but this girl kept pushing him. If she kept this up, he wouldn’t be able to hide his temper.
“Move. I’ve nothing to say to you.”
“Elina didn’t want this. She wanted to be invited by her own skill.”
“Know your place!”
Deiphs raised his hand.
“……”
But he didn’t touch her.
The moment their eyes met—something heavy filled the air.
Just meeting her gaze made his breath hitch.
Prim spoke slowly, her voice calm but cutting.
“If you act like this, Elina will never open her heart to you, Your Highness.”
She declared it firmly.
He should’ve laughed—mocked her and put her in her place, as he always did.
That’s how his anger usually ended—in violence.
But he couldn’t.
‘Violet eyes.’
They were rare.
The Emperor had coveted the “Stranger’s” eyes for that very reason.
Deiphs remembered the prophecy—the one delivered by a “Stranger” with violet eyes.
He instinctively took a step back.
Prim blinked, heart pounding wildly.
‘Did… did he just flinch?’
Seeing Elina’s shocked face, Prim’s mouth moved on its own. This was insane.
Deiphs was a prince—he could kill her with a word.
‘What did I just do?! Do I have a death wish?!’
She scolded herself furiously.
‘I need to run. Now—while he’s still shaken.’
Prim subtly backed away, gripping Elina’s arm.
“You—!”
But escape wasn’t possible.
Deiphs, his face half-crazed, grabbed Prim’s arm.
