Chapter 3
Her blazing red hair was inherited from her mother, Catherine.
In contrast, her green eyes resembled those of her father, Emperor Philip.
At first glance, Mary and Evelyn hardly looked related at all because of their completely different hair colors. But upon closer inspection, their eyes were identical—as though carved from the same mold.
In her previous life, Robert had often brought that fact up.
“Your mothers may differ, but His Majesty treasures you dearly as his younger sister.”
Because he was her fiancé.
Because he was a man close to the Emperor.
Ignoring every discomfort clawing at her instincts, Evelyn had believed him without question.
No—
More than believing him, she had desperately wanted it to be true.
But what did it matter now?
In the end, it had all stemmed from her own weakness.
Just then, Mary’s voice cut through her thoughts.
“Raise your head.”
After a long while, Evelyn slowly straightened her deeply bowed back.
Two pairs of identical green eyes met in midair.
“I summoned you at Count Edenbarker’s request, but your suspicion of treason has not been lifted.”
“Even during the banquet, any foolish behavior will not be tolerated. Remember that.”
Suspicion of treason.
As if her crime were anything more than being born a royal with a legitimate claim to the throne.
Mary had imprisoned her in the tower simply because those aligned with the Second Empress’s faction had supported Evelyn.
When Evelyn lowered her head once more, Mary flicked her hand dismissively, as though brushing away something bothersome.
The moment Evelyn withdrew, the halted music resumed.
The nobles, carefully watching the Emperor’s mood, offered Evelyn half-hearted greetings before quickly slipping away.
And once no one remained nearby, Robert extended his hand as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
“May I have a dance?”
Honey-blond hair swayed with the tilt of his head, gleaming brilliantly beneath the chandelier light.
Every movement of his was graceful and elegant enough to charm anyone.
“No.”
But Evelyn was no longer part of that “anyone.”
“You should ask someone else to dance, Count.”
“Refusing me is hardly a wise choice. A lady who cannot even share the first dance with her partner is bound to become the subject of ridicule.”
“You are my partner?”
“Ordinarily, the person who arrives beside you is called your partner.”
His blue eyes curved beautifully as they met hers.
Yet Evelyn found his face unbearably unpleasant.
So much so that she wanted him gone from her sight immediately.
“There’s nothing for you to gain from dancing with me.”
“A beautiful flower need only be admired for its fragrance.”
“If you enter the ballroom with me, at the very least no one will dare look down on you. Who knows? Another gentleman may even ask you to dance. Ah.”
A faint crease formed between Robert’s smooth brows.
“I suppose I’d be jealous if that happened.”
“Do you think I care about something so trivial?”
“Then all the better.”
Robert shrugged lightly, effortlessly steering the atmosphere back into place.
“In any case, let’s dance. His Majesty is watching.”
Following the subtle gesture of his chin, Evelyn turned her gaze—and met Mary’s eyes.
Troublesome.
There was someone she absolutely needed to meet tonight.
To do that, she needed to shake Robert off somehow, yet he showed no intention of retreating.
“Your Highness.”
His gentle urging finally drew a sigh from her lips.
“Only one dance.”
“Gladly.”
A radiant smile bloomed across his infuriatingly beautiful face.
The moment the Princess and the Emperor’s closest confidant stepped onto the ballroom floor, the gathered crowd instinctively parted for them.
Sensing the mood, the conductor selected a melody unusually slow and romantic for the young pair.
The ladies gazed at Robert with dreamy admiration, while the gentlemen stared at Evelyn in dazed fascination.
Even the master of the throne watched them.
It almost felt as though the two of them alone were the true stars of the banquet.
A perfect setting to fall in love.
If not for the memories of her previous lives.
In her first life, Evelyn had been attracted to him, but she never accepted his feelings.
He was Mary’s man.
Back then, the guilt she felt toward Mary had still been too heavy, and she could not bring herself to covet someone by her sister’s side.
Even so, Robert had continued expressing his affection persistently.
And in her second life, she finally accepted him.
Looking back now, it had merely been the desperate act of a weak woman searching for someone to lean on.
Her instincts had screamed at her to take his hand if she wished to survive.
But—
How irritating.
To the current Evelyn, all of this was nothing more than a waste of time.
She wanted to shove Robert away and flee from him immediately, yet she restrained herself because of the pair of green eyes fixed relentlessly upon her from afar.
In the end, Evelyn decided to use the situation to her advantage.
Pretending it was part of the choreography, she turned her head from side to side in rhythm with the music.
Her skirts brushed lightly over her dancing steps.
As her gaze swept across the crowd, countless faces passed before her eyes.
But nowhere could she find the person she sought.
Where are you?
Her restless eyes searched deeper into the hall—
And finally, her vision sharpened.
Black hair reminiscent of a jaguar’s sleek fur.
Amber eyes glowing with an uncanny light.
Amid the extravagant tailcoats surrounding him, he alone wore a pitch-black military uniform that seemed designed to erase his presence entirely.
Hidden within the shadows untouched by the chandeliers, he silently observed the crowd.
Like a predator waiting patiently for prey.
Relief flooded Evelyn the moment she found him, her eyes widening.
And just then, the music ended.
Robert smoothly escorted her out of the ballroom.
“You seem short of breath. Shall I bring you some lemonade?”
“Didn’t I say only one dance? There’s no need to escort me any further.”
“To be precise, you said we would dance only once. Escorting my partner is simply a gentleman’s duty, is it not?”
His exaggerated gestures and shameless charm drew the attention of those nearby.
Showing open hostility toward Robert here would only create problems.
Suppressing the sigh threatening to escape, Evelyn lowered her voice.
“My shoes are uncomfortable. I’m going to the lounge for a moment.”
“In that case, I cannot possibly let a lady go alone. I’ll accompany you.”
“No. I have… personal matters to attend to.”
“Ah.”
At a banquet like this, there was only one meaning behind a lady’s “personal matters.”
Realizing what she implied, Robert stepped back with a nod.
“That cannot be helped, then. I shall wait here, so take your time.”
“There’s really no need for that.”
“Waiting for a beautiful woman is a man’s pleasure.”
His stubbornness left no room for argument.
As Evelyn headed toward the lounge, she glanced back briefly.
Sure enough, Robert’s blue eyes were still following her.
Clicking her tongue inwardly, she continued walking.
Fortunately, the person she sought was standing along the path leading to the lounge.
Concealing herself among the more energetic crowd moving to the lively new tune, Evelyn brushed past the man.
“Duke.”
“The back garden.”
The exchange lasted only a fleeting moment.
For a second she wondered if he had even heard her.
But it was an unnecessary concern.
Amber eyes resembling polished topaz shook violently.
She wanted to tell him outright—
Yes, you heard correctly. Hurry and follow me.
But Evelyn could not turn around.
Those persistent green eyes were still watching her.
The rear doors of the grand ballroom connected to the lounge, but deeper down the corridor lay another path.
A secluded place.
A small back garden hidden within the unused grounds.
Few people ever came here.
“…Greetings, Your Highness.”
The owner of the cautious voice stepped into view before her.
“It’s been a long time, Duke Gloucester.”
“Yes.”
Glossy black hair bathed in pale moonlight dipped quietly.
As Evelyn stepped closer, the amber eyes lifted once more, trembling faintly with confusion.
“It’s been ten years.”
“…Yes.”
Edward had been frail since childhood and spent most of his days confined indoors.
Meanwhile, the energetic Evelyn had roamed freely throughout the Imperial Palace.
Since children were forbidden from leaving the palace grounds, exploring its hidden corners became her only source of entertainment.
And among all those places, her favorite had been this very garden connected to the grand ballroom.
Though calling it a “garden” was generous.
In truth, the neglected corner looked more like an overgrown patch of wilderness.
But Evelyn loved it for exactly that reason.
In her young eyes, amidst a palace where everything was polished and orderly, this was the only place that felt natural.
That day, too, she had snuck away from her nanny and wandered into the hidden garden.
“Huh?”
Someone was already there.
“Who are you?”
There was another child her age in the palace?
Overjoyed, Evelyn rushed toward him—
Without noticing the tree root jutting out beneath her feet.
“Ah…!”
Her body tipped forward, and she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the painful impact.
But strangely—
No pain came.
When she cautiously opened her eyes, she found herself staring at fluttering black hair and sunset-colored eyes.
Aiden Gloucester.
“Are you alright?”
That unexpected encounter marked the beginning of their brief connection.
Whenever Aiden visited the palace alongside his father, the two would meet.
But not long after, he stopped coming to the palace altogether, and their meetings naturally ceased.
It had happened so long ago that Evelyn no longer remembered the exact reason.
So if someone were to ask her about their relationship, she would probably answer:
A faded childhood memory.
