Chapter 28
Seluna was enjoying the happiest moment of her life since the day she was born. She had originally been the daughter of a count’s family.
Her father was the son of a duke, but because he was the second son, he inherited nothing more than the title of a mere count. However, more than ten years ago, due to an unfortunate accident, the entire ducal family of the Mirium Duchy died prematurely, and all the titles and fortune they possessed passed to her father.
No—not everyone from the ducal family died. The youngest daughter, Seluna’s cousin, Ephelia, had survived the accident.
That cousin of hers was born with everything. The brilliant status of being the duke’s only daughter, her kind brothers, and even the enviable position of being childhood friends with the crown prince and the imperial prince. Ephelia possessed everything Seluna ever wanted.
Just because she was born into a ducal family.
But now, all of that belonged to Seluna.
Years ago, her cousin disappeared, leaving Seluna as the sole duke’s daughter.
Today was the greatest day of her life. She received word that Regios was returning. Seeing him had always been a joy, but today it meant something entirely different.
That hateful Ephelia had once been Regios’s fate. When Ephelia disappeared, Regios had gone half-mad. In his suffering, Seluna had felt nothing but joy.
‘Finally, that woman is gone!’
Now that his destined partner had vanished, the only one who suited him—the only daughter of the duchy—was Seluna.
She thought that Regios, who always disliked Ephelia, would quickly regain his senses and come to her. But contrary to her expectations, he spent years searching for Ephelia, never forgetting her.
So much time had passed that everyone assumed Ephelia must be dead.
Everyone except him.
But now, that too was over.
It happened not long ago—shortly after Regios set off on his imperial tour, the emperor summoned Seluna.
‘His Majesty wants to see me.’
Seluna’s heart raced. Of course it did—an imperial summons from the emperor himself was no trivial matter.
She always loved coming to the palace. It was the most beautiful, noble place in the empire—and it was where the man she loved lived. He wasn’t here now, but he would return soon.
“Your Majesty, I have come at your summons.”
The emperor had invited her to a private reception room. Only the emperor and the chief attendant were present. Seluna lifted the sides of her dress and curtsied with a graceful bend of her knee.
“My lady, thank you for coming all this way.”
“It’s never a hardship. Your Majesty’s summons is always an honor to me.”
“Thank you for saying so. Please, sit.”
When Seluna sat, the attendant poured tea for both of them.
“You must be lonely without the crown prince here. It would have been nice if he were present.”
The emperor joked lightly with a gentle smile.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. Being here with you is—”
“Regios will inherit the empire once he returns from the tour.”
“Of course. It will be a glorious event.”
“When he returns, he will accept you.”
“…Pardon? Truly?”
She had suspected. There was no other reason the emperor would summon her privately. She had fallen in love with Regios from the moment she first met him, even though she knew he was indifferent—cold, even.
She didn’t care that he had a destined partner. Even after fate disappeared, he still didn’t look her way. So when those words finally came from the emperor, she could hardly believe them.
“Yes. It’s true. That’s why he left on the imperial tour.”
At last—Regios had resolved to let go of Ephelia and accept marriage with her.
“He said he would forget that girl now.”
The emperor smiled kindly, though sorrow tinged that smile.
“How sad.”
Seluna said the words softly, head bowed, her voice trembling with apparent emotion.
But inside, she was drenched in pure euphoria.
The imperial palace’s central courtyard was filled with nobles. They had gathered to celebrate the crown prince’s safe return from the imperial tour.
Attendance wasn’t mandatory; normally, not everyone would gather like this. But chances to enter the palace and speak with the emperor were rare.
“It’s been a while, Lady Seluna.”
“It has been, Your Highness Hailen.”
“Congratulations are in order. You finally secured that position.”
His smile was gentle, but his words were nothing short of mockery. Hailen—the Imperial Prince and younger brother of the crown prince—made no effort to hide his dislike for her. Until now, it had irritated her, but soon none of it would matter.
Once she became crown princess, she would crush that arrogant man’s pride. He wouldn’t be able to speak to her that way ever again.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Your blessing means a great deal to me.”
The muscle in Hailen’s jaw twitched; he was grinding his teeth.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I suppose I’ll soon be standing in that position as well.”
Since her engagement was not yet officially announced, Seluna couldn’t stand with the imperial family. His words basically told her to get lost—so she replied that she’d soon be standing among them. Smiling sweetly at Hailen’s stiffened expression, she walked away.
“Lady Seluna!”
Girls from a marquis household, a count household, and a viscount household waved her over.
“Oh my, you were here.” Seluna said as she approached.
“We were looking for you.” said Lady Shafina, the count’s daughter.
“You must be thrilled the crown prince is finally returning.” said Lady Stia, the marquis’ daughter.
“Y-yes, truly wonderful,” echoed Lady Irine, the viscount’s daughter, awkwardly.
Seluna smiled brightly. In truth, she did not like Irine. She had a low rank, poor social skills, and no tact. But Irine had been her childhood friend since Seluna was merely the daughter of a count.
A friend like Irine worked as the perfect accessory—someone who made Seluna shine. Even after becoming the duke’s daughter, cutting off that friendship abruptly would have been troublesome. And there was one benefit to keeping Irine close:
Rumor spread that the duke’s daughter was gracious and made friends without regard for status.
“I heard His Majesty summoned you a while ago. May we ask what it was about?”
Seluna’s smile bloomed even further. Her face sparkled with genuine joy.
“At last, His Highness has made his decision.”
She had kept it a secret until now, but she could speak of it freely—once the prince returned today, it would be announced publicly.
No one misunderstood her meaning. Ever since the imperial tour began, many had suspected—but still, to think it was truly happening. That this woman would become crown princess.
The young ladies’ minds spun rapidly.
“Really?”
“So it’s official?”
“Congratulations, Lady Seluna.”
“Truly, congratulations. The position has finally found its rightful owner.”
Irine parroted the others again, but even that didn’t bother Seluna today.
The crown prince’s carriage appeared from afar. Seluna’s heart pounded. Her crown prince was coming to her.
The carriage stopped. A servant moved forward and opened the door. A tall, elegant man stepped down. His golden hair caught the light; his violet eyes shimmered mysteriously.
Applause broke out.
“Welcome home, Your Highness!”
“Long live the crown prince!”
The cheers shook the palace grounds.
But instead of walking toward his waiting family, he simply stood there.
“Your Highness!”
Seluna ran toward him, overflowing with nervous joy. Everyone watched fondly—everyone knew how deeply she loved him. She was finally marrying the man she loved.
But strangely, Regios did not move toward them.
Instead, he held his hand out toward the carriage.
Seluna froze.
From the carriage, a small foot in a dainty shoe stepped out. A woman placed her small hand into his.
A woman in a simple, elegant dress.
Even after all this time—she had not changed.
Seluna recognized her instantly.
Ephelia.
“It’s been a while.”
She who should have been dead—was alive.
Seluna’s nightmare had returned.
