Chapter 1
Prologue
“The Grand Duke Dorian Vladimir Tworen has sent a gift.”
An ornate silver box, delicately carved from birch, was opened. Inside, a dazzling necklace shimmered with a violet hue.
“A one-of-a-kind purple diamond.”
Oh my. Wow. Unbelievable. The handmaidens watching gasped in awe, their admiration tickling my ears—but who cared. My body sank deeper into the armchair, clearly showing no intention of rising. My eyelids were already beginning to droop.
“Isn’t it the exact same shade as the lady’s mysterious eyes?”
“We’ll see.”
“Not just the color—look at the size!”
“I am looking.”
“A diamond of this size is rare even in the Imperial Palace.”
“Is that so.”
“For Lady Triciarene Bay Kainan, His Grace personally requested the Imperial gemsmith to craft it.”
“Well, that must’ve been a hassle.”
My apathetic response and disinterested gaze seemed to ignite the servant’s pride. His voice began rising, as if he had resolved to win me over no matter what. As if thinking, If this diamond doesn’t move her, she must be heartless. I’ll impress her, no matter what.
“You’ve heard about the storm in the Labyrinth Strait this summer, haven’t you?”
“Yes. I heard over half of the Ikarud Merchant Fleet was wrecked.”
“Exactly. Not just them—many Imperial navy ships were also damaged. There were many injuries and even missing crew members due to the wreckage.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Through that massive storm, His Grace brought this diamond from Lille, across the sea…”
Plop.
With a small sound, my half-closed eyes lifted slightly. The maids glanced at each other.
“So the Grand Duke himself went there?”
“Pardon?”
“From how you’re talking, it sounds like he sailed the seas himself.”
“Well, that’s…”
“And all this, with the money he clawed out of me? This is rich.”
“Pardon?”
“The audacity. Using someone else’s money to show off—now that takes real talent.”
My pointed sarcasm finally shut the duke’s servant up. His face was turning pale, his earlier bravado now gone. Must have just remembered the rumors. The ones about me.
“Everyone, looks like Lady Trisha is at it again.”
“She held back quite long today, actually.”
Pretty Trash. That’s my nickname. A celebrity everyone in the Empire knows—Lady Triciarene Bay Kainan. Famous for astonishing people three times over: first with beauty, then with a stunning lack of brains, and finally with her outrageous behavior.
“Valerie, we’ll be stepping out.”
“Alright, I’ll call you when she’s calmed down.”
“Thanks, good luck.”
The maids, sensing the coming storm, swiftly rearranged themselves. A few gave the servant holding the box a sympathetic glance as they left.
Clack.
Valerie carefully shut the door, leaving the room in silence. Slowly, I stood up from my chair with a sweet smile.
“Well then. Let’s see this ‘amazing’ diamond, shall we?”
“Y-yes! Here it is!”
As soon as the necklace was handed over, I tossed it.
With a sharp swish, the necklace flew through the air and landed perfectly inside the fireplace.
Fwoosh.
The flames devoured the precious gem instantly. The servant watched in mute horror, glancing back and forth between me and the fire, as if trying to deny what just happened.
“Oh dear, my hand slipped. Sorry.”
“W-what in the world…!”
The servant, pale as a ghost, tried to stand but froze when he saw my cold expression. I leisurely reclined again and smirked.
“It was infuriating to see someone flaunting my money, but I do feel a bit sorry—spending so much when times are tough. So I’ll give him a chance.”
“A ch-chance?”
“What else? A chance to show sincerity. If he has no money, sincerity will have to do.”
“!!!”
The servant stood frozen, staring blankly at me.
“Tell your master this: if he comes and digs through the ashes himself to retrieve it, I might be moved enough to grant him an audience.”
“……”
Staring into the fireplace, the servant finally fled without another word. Just as I began to relax with a satisfied sigh—
Clap clap clap.
I turned toward the sound of clapping. A familiar silhouette leaned against the windowsill. That red hair and white uniform meant he was from the temple. My brows furrowed instantly.
“I told you—one more time coming through the window and I’ll throw you out.”
“That’s okay. I can climb back up.”
With a bright smile, Teyron stepped into the room.
“Still, that was impressive, Trisha. That diamond could buy several mansions. What a waste.”
“I know, right? If only you’d arrived a little earlier, I could’ve aimed it straight at your head. Such a shame.”
“Haha. You’re hilarious.”
Despite the threat, Teyron laughed cheerfully. Dorian and this guy both—acting out of character meant something had to be wrong.
“You seem unusually moody today. Is it because of the Grand Duke?”
“No. It was you, just now. So get lost.”
“Hm, alright. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“What? Don’t come back!”
“See you tomorrow, Trisha.”
“Hey!”
With that, Teyron’s red hair vanished through the window. I rushed over, looking down—he had already landed safely and was strolling away like nothing happened. I shouted furiously at his back.
“Hey! If you come back again, I’ll report you to the templ—uh…”
I froze.
Down below, I had locked eyes with an elf wandering through the garden.
“……”
“……”
A long pause.
Feeling awkward, I bowed my head with a sheepish smile. The elf, Ernstiell, smiled brightly and waved. At that moment, the garden, once full of red roses, suddenly bloomed into a sea of violet.
“???”
‘Do you like it?’
I read the words from his lips and scoffed. Apparently, he mistook my smirk for delight. As the violet roses overtook the garden, a migraine set in.
“He’s supposed to be a king, and yet…”
If it weren’t for the high-elves guarding him, I might’ve said it aloud. He gestured for me to come down, but I slammed the window shut.
“Valerie. Close the curtains. I don’t want to see any of them.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Knock knock.
I was just about to relax when another knock grated on my nerves.
“Who is it now?”
Valerie peeked out through the door.
“It’s Prince Hector, my lady.”
What? What’s that guy doing here?
Prince Hector usually acted like he’d devour me every time we met. I wanted to tell him to get lost—but he was a prince. As much as I hated it, I had no choice but to let him in. Not even bothering to look at him, I muttered,
“I’m not feeling great today, Your Highness, so if you’re here to argue, please save it for another time.”
“Tch. You think I wanted to come?”
“Then why did you come?”
“To give you this. Take it.”
He handed me a stiff envelope edged in gold foil. I gave him a questioning look, but he avoided my eyes—his usual scornful gaze strangely absent.
“What is this?”
“You’ll see.”
Ugh. Can’t even look me in the eye now? Just because you’re a prince, you think you’re all that?
I opened it, grumbling.
“This is… your birthday banquet invitation?”
I looked up in disbelief, and he started rattling off explanations like a machine gun. His face was red like a ripe apple.
“I’m telling you in advance—I barely know any ladies in society. That’s the only reason I’m asking.”
“Asking?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“I mean, I’d have to know what you’re asking first to get the wrong idea. Huh? Where are you going?”
Without another word, he stormed out of the room. What the hell was that? My headache worsened, and I flopped onto the bed.
“What is going on today?!”
“Seems he wants you as his date to the banquet.”
“Ah! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
I jolted upright. Somehow, Caesar had slipped into the room again—wearing his usual dark outfit that made him even harder to notice.
“He must really mean it. That proud prince personally came to ask you, after all… I’ve clearly backed the right horse.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The Grand Duke, the Holy Knight, even the high elf… they’re all flocking to your room, my lady.”
“No. Something’s wrong here.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just… something.”
My head throbbed from the stress.
Everything’s going off the rails.
Sigh…
I let out a long, heavy breath. Caesar, watching silently, then spoke in a meaningful tone.
“I must say, Trisha… it’s disappointing. You’re keeping more secrets from me these days.”
“What?”
“I thought we were quite close.”
He smiled—charming as ever. But his icy blue eyes carried a dangerous gleam.
And with his next words, I gave up completely.
“I’m the only true friend you have, aren’t I?”
“……”
That confirmed it
