Chapter 1.
It Couldn’t Possibly Get Worse.
The New Year’s party that marked the beginning of the year.
It was a grand imperial ball, rivaling the Founding Festival and the birthdays of the imperial family.
Applin wore a dress that accentuated her slim waist, with a hem that spread out like rippling waves.
The pure white silk dress was intricately embroidered with green beads.
From afar, it resembled a moth orchid blooming on a snowfield.
Avoiding excessive exposure and jewelry, the restrained elegance instead highlighted Applin’s beauty.
She danced to a waltz with Crown Prince Serge, her long-time lover.
“The future of the imperial family is truly dazzling.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady von Hafen look exactly like a painting.”
“Surely the god of fate split a single soul in two and bound them together as lovers.”
The distinguished guests praised them in unison as the perfect pair destined to become Emperor and Empress.
As the music reached its climax, Applin and the Crown Prince’s dance came to a flawless end.
Bathed in applause and admiring gazes, the two moved away from the center of the ballroom.
“Applin, would you like to go somewhere quiet for a moment?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince spoke in a gentle tone and led Applin outside the ballroom.
Serge guided her toward a colonnaded corridor lined with marble pillars.
It was a secluded place, perfect for a private conversation.
However, Serge’s expression was clearly different from when they had been dancing.
The affectionate smile that once filled his face had vanished, replaced by an unfamiliar tension.
He merely moved his lips, unable to speak easily.
“Your Highness, please speak freely.”
“I am all right.”
Applin had met Serge at the age of eight.
They had grown from friends into lovers.
Having spent twelve years together, she could read his thoughts just by looking at his expression.
“Applin, I……”
“I’ve fallen in love with another woman.”
“……?!”
“I want to end our relationship.”
She had never imagined that she would receive a breakup from her lover at a party filled with light and celebration.
Applin felt her heart quake as if struck by an earthquake.
Even so, she stilled her breath and listened carefully.
“I feel like I’ve finally understood what true love really is.”
“I see.”
Applin had no idea how much effort it took to keep her emotions from showing as she listened to the Crown Prince’s lengthy explanation.
She had been educated that way since birth.
Even when being abandoned by a lover, revealing one’s true feelings was unacceptable.
“I believe in the greatness of love.”
“Social status doesn’t matter.”
“Being helplessly drawn by the power of fate.”
“That was the love I never knew.”
His attitude, delivering a one-sided breakup without the slightest regard for her feelings or honor, stirred anger within her.
Still, the fact that the woman who had captured his soul was a commoner opera singer was, in its own way, novel.
“I respect Your Highness’s love.”
“And I sincerely wish you happiness.”
“As expected, Applin.”
“I knew you would understand me.”
Understand him?
Absolutely not.
She was merely protecting her own honor and pride, which mattered more than his love.
That was the dignity of Applin von Hafen.
At the same time, she finally realized her own vague feelings toward Serge.
Judging by how she felt no urge to cling, rage, or drown in jealousy, it had not been a passionate love.
Serge smiled as if relieved.
“Applin, let’s return to the ballroom.”
“We shouldn’t be away too long.”
“Before that……”
“Hm?”
“Please offer me a sincere apology.”
“I believe that is the courtesy owed to a long-time lover.”
Applin asked for an apology calmly, with a gentle smile and no emotional fluctuation.
Serge’s eyes narrowed, and one corner of his lips lifted.
“I am still in love.”
“It’s just that the object of my love has changed.”
“That feeling is not a sin.”
“If anything, I am sacrificing myself to preserve the nobility of love.”
“So why should I apologize?”
“What?”
Just then, the sound of a dog barking echoed through the night air.
It was probably Serge’s pet.
I hoped it wouldn’t be the worst until the very end……
“Your Highness is correct.”
“Love does not change.”
“Only the human heart does.”
Only now did she realize that Serge lacked sound judgment, basic manners, and was deeply self-righteous.
Believing she knew him well had been a complete illusion.
The price of that illusion is far too great.
Applin stopped there.
She had many things she wanted to say.
But that would lead to an argument about the definition of love or proper human relationships.
In the end, it would become a mud-slinging fight.
* * *
The automobile carrying Applin and her mother arrived at the Count’s residence late at night.
Before the butler Henry, whose knees were weak, could approach with his slow steps, Applin opened the door herself.
If they were any later, her mother Lilien would surely snap at the elderly servant.
“Thank you, Henry.”
Applin took Henry’s hand and stepped down from the car.
Lilien hummed as she got out, hurriedly fastening her fur cloak against the icy wind.
“Did you see Her Majesty’s diamond necklace?”
“It was absolutely breathtaking.”
Lilien couldn’t stop talking, reminiscing about the Empress’s radiant dress and jewelry.
Even during the ride back, she seemed eager to savor the afterglow of the party.
Because of that, Applin couldn’t bring herself to mention the breakup with the Crown Prince.
“If only your father had been there as well.”
“He’s on the New Continent.”
Applin replied in a subdued tone.
Her father, Count von Hafen, had invested his entire fortune in mines on the New Continent.
At first, news of smooth progress arrived occasionally.
But at some point, all communication had ceased.
As soon as they stepped into the lobby, another piece of news awaited them.
The moment Applin saw the letter placed on the silver tray Henry carried, a crease formed between her brows.
“Henry, give it to me.”
Not wanting to ruin her mother’s mood, Applin picked up the letter first.
The letter sealed with red wax bore the name Lawyer Edmond.
He had long served as the family’s legal advisor.
He was also the intermediary delivering news of her father from the New Continent.
Could it be…… something happened to Father?
As life’s rule dictated, ominous premonitions never missed.
Applin’s heart began pounding violently.
Her fingers trembled as she tore open the envelope.
The letter unfolded in her hands.
[Dear Lady von Hafen, I regret that I cannot write with good news.]
[Count Marcel von Hafen is currently in grave danger.]
[A revolution has broken out in Senebaron on the New Continent, and he has been taken hostage by rebels……]
Warning words flashed chaotically before her eyes.
The heart that had been pounding moments ago felt as though it had fallen and rolled across the floor.
“What is it?”
Lilien snatched the letter from Applin’s hand.
It took only moments for her scream to make the chandelier on the ceiling tremble.
“Your father is on the brink of death?”
“They’re demanding a ransom of three billion shellings within a month?”
Before Applin could respond, Lilien lost consciousness.
It was an unprecedented event in her life.
The fragile Lilien could not endure it.
“Mother!”
Applin shivered as a wave of cold washed over her.
Her throat tightened, making it difficult even to breathe.
* * *
Lucent Blackcarson set down the cigar he had been smoking into a crystal ashtray at the sound of knocking on the mahogany door.
He drank a glass of water and leaned back into his plush leather chair.
The door opened, revealing his secretary, Leon.
“Sir, we’ve received contact from Senebaron.”
“Report.”
The secretary informed him that Count von Hafen had been captured by rebels in Senebaron.
His life was in danger.
The demanded ransom was three billion shellings.
“That’s troublesome.”
“Proceed with the next plan immediately.”
“Yes, and the Crown Prince……”
“I know.”
Lucent nodded indifferently and muttered.
The principal he had loaned to Count von Hafen alone amounted to six billion shellings.
The interest had been overdue for an entire year.
That was why he had activated his information network in Senebaron.
But now the Count’s life itself was at risk.
Lucent rose from his seat and approached the window draped with purple velvet curtains.
With both hands in his trouser pockets, he stared at the reflection of his secretary in the glass.
“What assets does the Hafen family have left?”
He asked in a flat tone.
“None.”
“Count von Hafen put up everything as collateral.”
Lucent’s brow furrowed slightly as he turned back.
“Are you certain?”
“Pardon?”
“What you see is not everything.”
At Lucent’s words, Leon’s eyes darted about before he finally reached an answer.
“If what we see is not everything, then there must be something left.”
“Exactly.”
Only then did Lucent reply with satisfaction.
His secretary had the talent to understand even vague remarks immediately.
At times, Lucent even wondered if he was his soulmate.
It was likely the result of working together for so long.
