Chapter 3
Liriope sat at the window-side table, resting her chin on her hand, gazing at the phoenix Lynix who was preening its feathers with its beak.
About the size of a fully grown eagle or hawk, Lynix was dazzlingly beautiful.
It looked almost exactly like the images of phoenixes she used to see when she typed “phoenix” or “firebird” into the search bar in her original world—except this one’s entire body was made of flames, making it truly wondrous.
“Lynix, come here.”
Liriope extended her hand and called the firebird by name.
At her voice, Lynix immediately stopped preening, spread its magnificent wings, and flew straight toward her.
It landed very naturally on her arm.
Considering its large size, the fact that it was so light was surprising—and pleasant.
The fact that she had created a phoenix as her graduation project was proof enough: the Liriope she had transmigrated into was highly talented in fire magic.
Moreover, unlike other fire-wielders, she possessed the rare abilities of the Everlasting Flame and the Flame of Life—abilities no one else could use.
That was why she could even create a living phoenix like Lynix.
In this world, where monsters and humans coexisted, most nobles of the Gardea Empire possessed elemental magic strong enough to fight monsters.
Of course, the power levels varied greatly depending on one’s rank and talent.
Especially the Crown Prince and the Grand Duke of the North—royalty who possessed not one, but two or more elemental affinities when most people only had one.
Naturally, royalty were the most powerful. And as the duke’s only daughter, Liriope ranked just below them.
The heroine of the original novel, however, was unusual in that she wielded divine power instead of elemental magic—and that very difference was what made her the heroine.
“Lady Liri! Lady Liri!”
While Liriope was absorbed in watching Lynix preen itself on her arm, her maid Gemma burst in, flustered and shouting.
Liriope turned her head and, noticing the newspaper in Gemma’s hands, asked indifferently,
“What is it?”
Gemma raised the paper up to her chest, her voice excited.
“Lady, you’re in the news with the Grand Duke of the North!”
“…The news?”
Liriope raised a brow, and Gemma unfolded the paper, pointing at the large front-page photo of Liriope and Theo.
“It says you’re engaged! On the front page!”
“Ah.”
Still wearing a bored expression, Liriope glanced at the newspaper.
<Breaking News>
Duke’s Daughter Liriope Stella, once devoted to the Crown Prince, changes her heart! Her new betrothed: none other than Grand Duke Theo Artein of the North.
Today, Liriope Stella and Grand Duke Theo Artein signed their betrothal contract.
According to House Stella, Liriope, who until now lived and breathed for Crown Prince Carden, recently changed her affections to Theo Artein…
The headline was ridiculous enough, and the contents were even more pathetic.
Liriope frowned unconsciously, then glanced at the photo beneath the article.
When she realized her picture had actually turned out rather well, her frown eased.
The male lead of the original novel—the Northern Grand Duke—was undeniably handsome no matter what. As for herself, the “villainess,” she could never hope to outshine the heroine even if she was called beautiful.
But at least the picture wasn’t bad. Even standing beside Theo, she didn’t look like an “ugly squid” by comparison.
Well, to be fair, the duke’s daughter was considered the most beautiful woman in the Empire.
Her ridiculous behavior had long overshadowed that beauty, but still.
“You’re the talk of the town now! Do you know how many tea party invitations have piled up in your study?!”
Liriope watched Gemma’s excitement as though it were someone else’s affair, then sighed deeply.
Of course, the gossip-loving young ladies would have rushed to send invitations.
In noble society, if there was even a hint of scandal, they would chatter about it nonstop for weeks.
They were the same ones who had once eagerly sided with the duke’s daughter to torment the heroine, only to turn around and vilify her as a wicked villainess once the heroine gained the favor of both the Crown Prince and the Grand Duke.
They were utterly useless to her. Still, as in most romance-fantasy empires, tea parties in Gardea were considered essential to a noblewoman’s social standing, so refusing them wasn’t easy.
Skipping them was unthinkable for a lady of the Empire.
So Liriope began sorting through the mountain of invitations.
She had to check tomorrow’s events first, then separate those she absolutely had to attend from those she could safely ignore.
Since she only knew the story from the novel, it was a tricky and unfamiliar task.
Normally, nobles attended everything out of courtesy—but with so many invitations, she had no choice but to be selective.
It was depressing to think that even in this transmigrated life, she couldn’t entirely avoid unpleasant obligations. Still, she consoled herself: at least it wasn’t as grueling as a salaried worker’s life.
Fortunately, because she’d read the original novel so many times, she knew which young ladies were worth befriending and which were best avoided. That made the sorting easier.
Eager to finish quickly and collapse onto her soft bed, Liriope’s eyes and hands moved faster.
After a long while, she looked at the much-shortened pile with satisfaction, delighted that a peaceful, bed-bound evening was within reach.
Another hour and she’d be free.
“Lady Liri! His Highness the Crown Prince is here!!”
…Until Gemma barged into the study with those absurd words.
“…Who’s here?”
Liriope’s face stiffened.
“Hurry, hurry! His Highness the Crown Prince has come to see you!”
Knowing how deeply Liriope had once adored the prince, Gemma was ecstatic at his sudden visit.
“Why… why is he here?”
Liriope, however, felt no joy—only irritation at the very title “Crown Prince.”
“Lady, it’s His Highness the Crown Prince! You need to change clothes, put on makeup—!”
“Haaaaah—”
The sigh that escaped Liriope’s lips was practically a groan, making Gemma’s eyes go wide.
“Just bring me something to throw over my shoulders.”
Liriope slammed the invitations down irritably and gave the order. Gemma’s eyes bulged even further.
“What?! Lady! It’s the Crown Prince!!”
“And?”
“You’re meeting His Highness—without makeup? With your hair like that—!”
“Forget it. Just bring me a wrap.”
When Liriope shook her head firmly, Gemma blinked in confusion.
“B-but it’s discourteous to meet him dressed like this. Surely you should—”
“He didn’t announce his visit. He just barged in. Why should I extend courtesy when he didn’t?”
“But still—it’s not just anyone, it’s the Crown Prince—oh.”
Gemma suddenly realized the truth: Liriope was now the Northern Grand Duke’s fiancée. She no longer had to care about looking good for the Crown Prince.
She quickly left and returned with a large shawl.
It was certainly an improper appearance for meeting royalty, but Liriope had no intention of showing courtesy to an unannounced guest.
Besides, the dresses of this world were unbearably inconvenient to put on and take off.
She rose from her desk, draping the enormous shawl over her body until it covered her completely.
* * *
When Liriope entered the reception room, she stopped in her tracks at the sight of the platinum-haired man sitting arrogantly in the center sofa.
Seeing the Crown Prince in person, she realized the novel’s description had been exact.
Crown Prince Carden possessed a regal air so obvious that anyone would recognize him as royalty at a glance.
His dazzling platinum hair, jewel-like blue eyes, and flawless porcelain-white skin created a breathtaking harmony.
A man with features so perfect he looked sculpted by the gods themselves.
His very presence was blinding. No wonder people fawned over his beauty.
If Theo was ruggedly masculine, Carden was the epitome of delicate, radiant beauty.
Yet despite their differences, there was a similar arrogance and coldness in his gaze that oddly reminded her of Theo.
For a moment, Liriope found herself staring blankly, entranced.
Only when her eyes met Carden’s—his own widened in surprise at her appearance—did she snap back to herself.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Liriope quickly bowed. Carden inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.
But his gaze shifted uneasily, betraying his discomfort at her unexpected appearance.
“You must know why I’ve come, Lady.”
“…I’m afraid I don’t.”
Her firm reply made Carden falter for a moment. Then he handed her a piece of paper.
“Here. The betrothal contract you’ve always wanted—with me.”
