Chapter 90
Merican’s New Identity
Before the banquet began, Patricia was less concerned about how the nobles would react to the gathering she had arranged. What truly worried her was how Merician would react once she discovered her true identity.
No—worried wasn’t the right word. She was afraid. Afraid that Merician might feel deceived, that she might think Patricia had deliberately hidden the fact that she was the Crown Princess.
I should’ve told her back when Ruan warned me…
Patricia had thought she would get another chance to meet Merician while preparing the banquet. But Bianca, the chief lady-in-waiting and Antwat’s loyal hound, interfered at every step.
Insisting that the banquet must follow the old traditions, Bianca tested Patricia’s patience. Though only a servant, Bianca wielded enormous power in the palace under Antwat’s shadow, and Patricia found it harder than she thought to defy her. In the end, Patricia had excluded her entirely from the preparations.
But without Bianca, things only grew more chaotic. Patricia had to swallow her pride and consider asking for her help again.
Noticing her distress, Harmon turned to Olivia for support. Olivia, who had overseen banquets long ago, rallied the other marchionesses, and together they saved the event.
From this, Patricia learned a bitter truth—though she was Crown Princess, she was still an outsider in the Imperial Palace. Even a chief maid like Bianca carried more authority within its walls.
With all these complications, Patricia hadn’t managed to find a moment to see Merician before the banquet. She had tried to go to her before it began, but Lala reminded her that it would breach palace protocol. So Patricia had no choice but to see her only inside the hall.
As she entered, her gaze swept the crowd—and landed on Merician.
Merician’s eyes widened in shock at her true identity. Patricia mouthed, I’m sorry.
Ruan leaned close to Merician, whispering something. And to Patricia’s surprise, Merician smiled and mouthed back, It’s all right.
Wait—did the Duke tell her everything?
Patricia looked at Ruan, his expression gentler than before. Whatever he had said, it eased her heart. She longed for the banquet to begin, just so she could rush to Merician’s side and explain everything herself.
But Viseluc’s toast dragged on endlessly.
Why is he so long-winded today of all days? He usually never speaks this much…
As the Emperor droned, Patricia exchanged weary glances with nobles who shared her boredom. Whenever Merician’s eyes met hers, Patricia smiled as warmly as she could.
At last, the toast ended. Viseluc lifted his voice and announced Ruan and Merician’s marriage.
Ah, right. That was today’s big announcement.
Patricia watched as Ruan clasped Merician’s hand, gazing at her with tender eyes. Unbidden, a smile softened her face.
They do look good together. And to think I’d see the Duke like this—it’s almost unbelievable. I’ll have to prepare a truly splendid wedding gift, especially after keeping my secret from her.
She began to move toward Merician, lost in thought, when suddenly a young lady stepped out from among the nobles.
She bore a faint resemblance to Merician. And she boldly declared to Viseluc that the marriage was impossible.
Impossible? Because Merician isn’t a noble? What nonsense is this?
“Lala,” Patricia whispered, frowning, “what exactly is she saying? Why can’t Merician marry the Duke?”
Lala explained what she had uncovered about Merician’s ties to Lucianne.
Patricia scoffed. “That woman? Honestly, Merician is far better than her. How petty—attacking your own sister? It reminds me of… him.”
At the name Montena, Lucianne stiffened. Her second brother, Prince Montena of the Kingdom of Allomand—someone she had nearly forgotten since arriving in the Empire.
“Your Highness…” Lala’s worried gaze flicked to Patricia’s face, now cold with anger.
“You know me, Lala. The people I despise most are those who flaunt themselves as superior, torment the weak, or abuse their parents’ favor to trample on others more talented than them.”
Patricia’s mind flashed back to Montena, who had always envied her gift for swordsmanship and sought to drag her down.
***
In the Kingdom of Allomand, King Karlus Oppenhard and Queen Marianne had three children: Prince Raphael, Prince Montena, and Princess Patricia.
Unlike Raphael, ordinary in every way save his character, Montena was brilliant—save for one thing. He could not wield a sword.
From childhood, Montena basked in his parents’ boundless love and impossible expectations. No matter what he did wrong, they excused him. They called his cruelty mischief, soothing Patricia instead of punishing him.
Thus Montena grew up believing he could do no wrong.
Even as an adult, his violent, self-centered nature only worsened. Alarmed nobles whispered their fears, but the King and Queen turned a blind eye until it was far too late.
When the question of succession arose, most nobles favored Raphael, the kind and virtuous elder son, over Montena. Karlus too, fearing for his kingdom’s future, chose Raphael as Crown Prince.
Montena was furious.
At a royal hunt, he tried to kill Raphael and failed. Pretending remorse, he begged forgiveness—and was granted it. But soon after, he gathered mercenaries and launched a rebellion.
His forces swept across the kingdom until Karlus begged Viseluc for aid. The Emperor, preferring Raphael’s gentle rule to Montena’s tyranny, sent Ruan to crush the revolt.
Captured, Montena spewed curses upon his parents and brothers until the moment of his execution, never once repenting.
He was, in truth, the monster forged by a lifetime of blind adoration. A tragedy not unlike the Empire’s own Prince Diamond.
***
The memory of those bitter years surged in Patricia. She had suffered at Montena’s hands, unable to voice her injustice.
Merician must have felt the same—the despair of being abandoned by those meant to protect you.
At least Patricia had Raphael. Merician had no one.
Her gaze hardened as Lucianne now spoke like a victim, demanding money in exchange for acceptance.
So that’s her game. Acting like she cares, but in truth, extorting her sister. One hundred gold coins every month, just to let her marry? Absurd.
Patricia’s fists clenched. No one who bullies the weak deserves mercy. Such people must be crushed beneath your heel.
“Lala,” she murmured, “bring me the pendant. And tell Sir Arnold—whatever I do tonight, he is to follow my lead without question.”
“Your Highness? What are you planning—”
“Nothing drastic. I won’t use the pendant to rewrite the kingdom’s hierarchy or present my parents with a new daughter.” Patricia’s lips curved coldly. “I’m simply going to make sure my beloved sister’s marriage goes forward. But for that, I’ll need Arnold’s cooperation.”
“…As you command.”
“Good. Bring it quickly. Tonight, I’ll make her regret ever standing here to spew such filth.”
Reluctantly, Lala slipped out of the hall.
As Lucianne continued her tirade, Patricia stared at her with open disdain.
So that’s it. “I’ll take you back into the family—if you pay me.” She’s nothing more than a blackmailer in fine clothes.
The nobles murmured in disgust, and even Lucianne faltered under Ruan’s icy glare.
Then Lala returned. Patricia took the pendant from her hand, clutched it tightly, and turned to Viseluc.
“Your Majesty, I have a question.”
“What troubles you, Crown Princess?” Viseluc raised a brow.
Patricia’s smile was dazzling as she glanced at Merician.
“Just now, that young lady claimed Imperial law forbids a marriage between a noble and a commoner. Tell me, then—can a noble marry a member of royalty?”
“Royalty?” Viseluc blinked. “Not Imperial royalty, but foreign royalty? Of course. The Empire has no grounds to forbid it.”
“Then I see.” Patricia’s smile deepened, and her eyes locked on Lucianne.
How dare you try to stop her wedding. I’ll never allow it.
Lucianne felt a chill at the Crown Princess’s burning gaze. Why is she staring at me like that? And what’s this talk of royalty—what is she planning?
Patricia stepped forward, her voice clear and strong.
“Your Majesty, allow me to introduce someone most precious to me. My sworn sister—Merician.”
