The sun emanated gentle light and warmth, unlike the relentless heat of summer. Its light was brilliant but not blinding, warm but not sweltering, just like the person at the end of the red-carpet walkway.

I moved my hat down a little bit to ensure that my face will avoid the sunlight, for this exchanging of vows is held in the palace’s main garden. It was partly surprising that the empress told me to sit next to her in front, and Hervouet sat on my left side. Sitting in front makes me feel like I’m a part of the imperial family.

Even so, that feeling is nothing but an impossible dream that will never be fulfilled. Being seated between Hervouet and the empress somehow catches attention, though. Because even if my face can’t be seen by the ones sitting behind us, sitting with them will leave questions to the guests on who I am to be given a special seat.

The guests are the Ruivenfiere dukes and duchesses of the empire’s regions, and some of them have their sons or daughters with them. There’s a possibility that people would assume that I’m Hervouet’s betrothed who wasn't introduced to high society yet. That idea alone disgusts me.

The bride, Kathrynne as they call her – made her grand entrance. Azriel's gaze was firmly fixed on the far end of the walkway, as if the bride was the sole focus of his attention, and the guests were merely decorative elements requiring minimal attention.

Despite the significance of the occasion, his eyes did not reflect any discernible joy or anticipation. Instead, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor. His thoughts remained inscrutable, making it difficult to decipher his true feelings about the unfolding events.

Kathrynne commenced her procession down the red carpet, her face adorned with a broad smile. Her gaze was locked onto Azriel, who stood patiently at the opposite end of the walkway. Her gown swayed rhythmically with each step she took, revealing her sandals embellished with sparkling Moissanites. Upon reaching the end of the walkway, the crowd erupted into applause as Azriel extended his hand towards Kathrynne.

Interestingly, neither the empress nor Hervouet reacted to the scene. Hervouet wore an expression of indifference, while the empress seemed displeased.

It's peculiar how both of them appear discontented with the event. Their demeanor and attire, both clad in black, give off an impression more akin to a funeral than a wedding. It's a stark contrast to the joyous occasion that a wedding typically represents.

Their exchange of vows tightened my chest. Though I can keep my cool, the moment is hard to watch. Is ‘hard’ the right word? Or … painful? This isn’t supposed to be what I’m feeling. I should be happy for them. But why do I feel the opposite?

I reflexively clenched my hands on my lap, but quickly relaxed when Hervouet nudged me. I was certain this action would not go unnoticed by him.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

After the wedding ceremony concluded, an announcement was made for everyone to proceed to the grand dining hall. However, Hervouet abruptly seized my wrist and forcefully led me to a secluded area of the garden, away from prying eyes.

“What on earth are you doing here? How are you at Azriel’s wedding? Moreover, how can you sit with us? Have you got no shame? You’re not a part of the family. You’re giving others the idea that you’re my betrothed yet to be revealed in public,” he complained, and part of it sounded like he was disgusted with the idea of us being together. It’s interesting how he held himself back from creating a commotion by complaining, and now he’s pouring out his heart’s content.

Although, I don’t understand it. Recently it was him who was all warm and welcoming to me but now he’s sounding like I'm a nuisance. I suppose this is his true colors.

I swiftly yanked my wrist free from his grasp, asserting my independence and making it clear that his assumption of control based on our alliance was unfounded.

"In case you didn’t know, it was Her Majesty who invited me to sit next to her. If not, she would’ve killed me already due to my impudence. I told you to give me the honor of having Azriel’s head, right? That’s why I’m here. I tried to win him over, including the empress,” Hervouet gritted his teeth, and looked at me with disbelief.

They say that behind an enemy’s enemy is an ally. Hervouet is my enemy, and Azriel is his enemy. That makes Azriel and I become allies, and it’s good that Hervouet isn’t aware of that. He shouldn’t know.

Not yet.

I want it to be a bomb exploding on his face so that he’ll learn that I, the princess of Eurhyia, is not someone to be stomped on. Stepping on me would be like an upside pin that will pierce his foot.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“But you can’t kill him that fast. The timing would be bad. I’m not done with the preparations, and I aim for it to be around seven months from now since that'll be the time when Marrossi’s invisible shield would be completely broken. By then it will be easier to attack Marrossi because even the army of humans can help. You’re familiar that whenever the month ends, Rosrina falls like shattered glass, right? That’s how the shield deteriorates little by little. But I still can’t believe that you climbed up to the royal palace too fast, everything sounds impossible, considering that you did all these alone,” he covered half of his face with his palm.

So that’s his plan. Waiting for the barriers to be gone for good. If gets ruined, all the sacrifices of alexandrite Izavenes like me would go to waste.

“I have no plans in joining the entire war. I went here to revenge because I can't let the one who killed my father live. That's my part here in helping you. If you're expecting me to use my powers to kill an army, then I can’t. If I’ll use up my powers further, I’ll end up killing myself. Don’t you think it’s selfish that you gained benefit from me, but I’ll get nothing in return? I only wanted to get out of your grasp,” part of me feels like I’m not entirely lying. I’ve always wanted to have revenge, but doing that to Azriel would be a betrayal. After all, we considered ourselves allies, and we already have an agreement on what I'll get in return for fighting for him.

Is killing him still one of my goals? If I won’t do it, I’ll end up suppressing my hatred for him and also hate myself every day for not doing anything. But at the same time, something inside me is stopping me from doing that because …

I shook my head, consciously pushing aside my thoughts. It was crucial that Hervouet remained unaware of my inner musings and intentions.

“Wait, did you just call the Eurhyian king your father? You’re not just a noble, but the princess of Eurhyia?” I expressed my annoyance by rolling my eyes and crossing my arms, giving Hervouet a disapproving look.

Though it accidentally slipped out of my tongue, it’s not like he wouldn’t find out.

“So, what if I am? Will that change anything? As I told you before, I’m now a fugitive, running for my life,” my response shut him off, loss for words. He heaved a breath and decided to go back to our main problem.

“I get that you’re trying to win him over, and the result of your effort is him inviting you to this wedding because you're his friend, correct? Well, you can’t simply slit his throat and run away, can you? If you wanted revenge, you’ll aim to see him suffer first. Make him kneel before you and let him bleed. Fill his mouth with rocks and have him beg mercy at your feet for all I care. It’s up to you.” Hervouet suggested, and if I’m truly vengeful, it’s something I’ll consider.

"Then trust me and allow me to get closer to him. I will find a way to catch him off guard when he least expects it. You can also share your plans with me, and I'll see if there's anything else I can assist with that doesn't put my life at risk. However, my primary focus will be on making your brother suffer personally," I declared, and my words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me overwhelmed with emotion.

Hervouet's perspective holds some truth, yet I find myself unable to fully grasp my own feelings regarding this complex situation. While I have devoted myself to loyalty towards Azriel, as we are not only allies but also ‘engaged.’ My current words, however, felt like a betrayal from behind, despite being a strategic part of my plan to gain Hervouet's trust before betraying him.

I have to be alone and think about all these things. At this point, I can’t depend on anyone but myself. I can’t trust anyone anymore. Even my only friend, Jarvis, turned his back on me after all. What an ungrateful imbecile.

“Some of my allies are here. The leaders of Heryozona Eskal, Beruvia, Greizenne, and Alryne are on my side. The rest are loyal to the empress. Aside from that, I have Eviona. We can meet my other allies but not here in the palace. I can’t let you meet Eviona either, for she’s the most dangerous person I know. I’ll protect you from her.”

Protect? Is he even hearing himself? It was like a few minutes ago he was disgusted by me, and now he wants to protect me. I can’t understand the way he thinks, and I don’t think I can last any longer if this continues.

“Who needs protecting?” I raised an eyebrow to show him that he was underestimating me again.

“Eviona can hear people’s thoughts. If you’ll face her and you thought of something against her, you’ll be dead in an instant. Even if she looks ladylike, she can kill people with her bare hands without using weapons or her powers. She believes that she’s the rightful heir to the throne because technically she’s the one born for it. But her powers threatened the empress, making her decide to banish Eviona. From Eviona’s perspective, I’m helping her to give back what’s hers. But in my perspective, I’m the one who should be taking the throne, and I’ll betray her in the last minute using my allies.”

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

I carefully arranged firewood in the fireplace and ignited it using flames conjured from my hand. The power at my disposal serves as a constant reminder of its origin – Azriel, the man I witnessed marrying someone else earlier. Overwhelmed by the memory of my own reaction during that moment, I closed my eyes tightly and lightly slapped myself, attempting to shake off the lingering emotions.

I’m such an idiot. I can't be like this. With Kathrynne and Azriel now married, my continued presence could potentially fuel rumors and speculation. Perhaps it is time to address matters in Eurhyia first. However, returning there would likely reignite rumors and label me as a monster once again. Is it too much to ask for a place where I can pursue my goals while leading a peaceful and ordinary life?

I think not. I’m not born to have a simple life anyway.

I retrieved the bag I had concealed under the bed and settled on the floor, leaning my back against the bedside as I positioned myself in front of the fireplace. Within the bag, an assortment of daggers remained hidden, along with discreetly disguised accessories that doubled as small weapons.

I extracted four bottles from the bag, each containing a distinct colored liquid – violet, white, green, and red. These substances are poisons with varying effects, including two rare ones that, when combined, form an antidote.

I removed the sheathes of my daggers and dipped the tips one by one into the glimmering liquid as if it’s a quill being dipped in ink. I held it up to behold it in its deadly yet elegant glory.

My small disguised weapons, however, are dipped into the violet poison.

The fireplace provided warmth that felt comforting, yet it failed to thaw a heart crafted from ice.