Chapter 6
At least today, things were better.
After that incident, Laura obediently followed Psyche’s words.
Of course, expecting kindness from her was still unrealistic.
But even that was enough for Psyche.
More importantly, there was a chance she might see Karhis at the New Year’s Eve banquet.
With that single purpose in mind, her cheeks were already flushed with excitement.
After finishing her bath, Psyche began to dress.
She applied the remaining perfume to the ends of her hair, the soft fragrance spreading and making her feel faintly dazed.
Her reflection in the mirror looked gaunt.
It was obvious she hadn’t slept well the night before.
She didn’t usually wear heavy makeup, but to hide her exhaustion, she had no choice but to apply it more thickly.
Doing it alone was difficult, but she recalled how others had done it for her in the past life, and since she was skilled with her hands from embroidery, her movements weren’t awkward.
Once she finished, Psyche put on the silver-white dress she had taken from Letis.
Thankfully, their builds were similar, so she didn’t need adjustments.
The dress was complicated to put on, so it took time. In a hurry, she took out a pair of pearl earrings.
Then she also put on Karhis’s necklace, which she had carefully kept in her drawer.
Just imagining that she might see him made her cheeks burn, and she quickly fanned herself.
After putting on the cream-colored shoes, she headed out to take a carriage.
She couldn’t ride with them anyway, so she had no choice but to go separately.
And honestly, she preferred it that way.
“M-my lady?”
The coachman, who had been dozing, jumped up in surprise at the sound of footsteps.
“Prepare the carriage.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’ll be attending the New Year’s celebration. Prepare the carriage at once.”
At the commanding tone, the coachman hurriedly nodded and scrambled to get everything ready.
He wondered if she was really the cursed young lady, but her gaze gave him no time to question it.
“Surely you know the way to the imperial palace?”
“Y-yes, of course.”
He opened the carriage door, and Psyche stepped inside.
Once the door closed, her faint breathing began to tremble.
The corners of her lips quivered, her face tense.
“I hope I can see Karhis…”
If she met him, what should she say?
No—would she even be able to speak to him?
Her heart pounded wildly.
Trying to calm it, she tightly gripped the necklace around her neck.
The gem embedded in it seemed to carry the cold aura of winter—of Ferdian.
“What if… I cry?”
No, she mustn’t.
She had shed enough tears in her previous life.
Instead of showing weakness, she needed to show strength—someone capable of protecting him.
Her thoughts tangled chaotically, yet her heart felt strangely excited.
I’ll change it. His future.
Just thinking of death—those short, simple syllables—made her chest ache.
She couldn’t bear the thought of that future happening again.
Psyche shook her head sharply and pressed her lips together.
She decided not to dwell on such misfortune and looked out the window instead.
The sun had set, and the evening sky was dim with clouds.
The banquet hadn’t started yet.
The New Year’s Eve celebration would begin once the moon rose fully and night fell completely.
Most nobles arrived early, considering it proper etiquette, and spent time conversing beforehand.
“We’ve arrived at the imperial palace.”
Psyche snapped out of her thoughts.
She stepped out of the carriage and entered the grand ballroom.
Step by step, her heart pounded as if it would burst.
Inside the vast hall, countless eyes turned toward her.
They whispered among themselves, casting glances her way.
Psyche walked carefully.
She didn’t want to be looked down upon.
This was a silent battlefield among nobles—a place where they tore at each other’s weaknesses.
And she was already the subject of terrible rumors.
The nobles continued to glance at her.
The “cursed lady” they imagined was gloomy, ghostlike, and unattractive.
But Psyche had never attended such events before—no one had actually seen her.
They had only imagined her.
In truth, Psyche was beautiful.
She simply didn’t meet the standards of the Benoa family.
By ordinary standards, she was quietly elegant.
Her pale hair flowed down to her waist, partially covering her profile.
Her softly lifted eyes carried a fragile, pitiful charm.
Her lips were closed, her cheeks lightly flushed with life.
Her lashes trembled faintly, casting shadows.
Her clear, water-like eyes shimmered like a summer stream.
Her nose was straight, her features delicate—like a finely crafted porcelain doll.
Her neckline and shoulders, revealed by her upstyled hair, formed graceful lines.
Her arms were so slender they looked as though they might break.
She wasn’t dazzling—but she was pure and elegant.
The silver-white bell-shaped dress suited her perfectly.
Several young noblemen blushed at the sight of her, lingering nearby.
Only Psyche felt awkward, unable to stay still.
Her gloved hands fidgeted nervously.
I can feel everyone staring… At least no one is approaching me.
Being the center of attention was unfamiliar to her.
Her appearance had always diminished her confidence.
For the Benoa family, striking looks and power were pride—proof of their lineage.
But Psyche had pale hair, soft eyes, and no power.
Meanwhile, her half-sister Letis had everything.
That was one of the reasons Letis could treat her so cruelly.
Psyche pushed aside her thoughts and sat upright with elegance.
But inwardly, she couldn’t calm her racing heart as she stared at the entrance.
“…Ha…”
The tension gripping her eased only when someone else appeared.
It was the Crown Prince.
Layereden Prau Lach Zenos.
One of the rare imperial figures with immense magical power, and exceptionally intelligent.
He possessed overwhelming presence and striking looks.
No one doubted he would become the next emperor.
As drums and trumpets sounded, royal guards followed behind him.
He wore a vivid red formal outfit.
His arrogant expression was unmistakably royal.
His golden eyes shone like a predator’s.
With the emperor weakened by poison, the Crown Prince had effectively taken over all duties.
In truth, he was already the emperor in all but name.
But as Psyche looked at him, she felt not awe—but hatred.
This was the man who had killed Karhis.
Her hands trembled violently, and she clenched them tightly to stop herself.
Then appeared the Crown Prince’s sister—
Violet Heath Mille Zenos.
Unlike her brother, she possessed the weakest magical power among the royal family.
Her golden hair and eyes were faded, lacking their usual brilliance.
Her expression was faint, but she wore a small, elegant smile.
Once they were seated, the Crown Prince began his speech.
It wasn’t long, and soon ended.
As he descended the grand staircase, lively music began.
Couples started dancing.
Will Karhis come?
Psyche remained alone, unable to relax.
Clinging to hope, she sipped champagne.
Her nerves were unbearable.
It was already past nine.
Anxiety tightened her chest as she scanned the hall.
Then—
At the entrance—
A man entered.
Footsteps echoed.
Psyche stared silently.
She knew instantly.
The owner of those footsteps was—
“…Ah…”
Her voice wouldn’t come out.
Even saying his name felt impossible.
Snow-white hair, like a winter landscape.
A dark blue formal outfit that suited him perfectly.
A simple golden brooch rested on his shoulder.
His silver eyes were distant—cold, like winter itself.
Psyche stared at Karhis, trying to capture every detail.
I can’t believe it…
I still remember your death so clearly.
But now… you’re alive.
Her heart swelled painfully.
For a moment, his current 모습 overlapped with the image of his death.
A chill ran down her spine.
It was as if she could still see blood pooling around him.
Why… does it feel like he’s still surrounded by blood…?
The hallucination flickered like heat haze.
She shook her head sharply.
No. He’s alive.
She bit her lower lip, grounding herself.
“Karhis Ferdian…”
She whispered his name softly, her voice trembling.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
Her cheeks flushed, her lips trembling.
Her eyes filled with tears—
but she forced them back, lifting her head.
Her chest ached.
The pain burned, relentless.
I love you… I love you so much it’s driving me mad.
She swallowed the confession.
The man who looked like he might smile at her—
didn’t know her.
In his memory, she didn’t exist.
That hurt more than anything.
“…It’s okay. Right now, you just don’t remember me. You’ll remember eventually.”
She whispered softly to herself, as if to comfort her own heart.
