IPWDP 56

Episode 56

Seluna’s mood hit rock bottom. Ever since Ephelia had vanished, she had been the queen of the social scene—but now, the tables had turned so sharply that it was impossible to ignore.

At the second imperial ball, her position was clear in a way it never had been before. The first ball had been easier—without a confirmed crown princess, her standing, while precarious, had remained secure.

Now, thanks to Regios’s declaration, everyone knew who the crown princess would be. The people who had once flocked to her, desperate to attach themselves to her side, now barely offered a polite nod when she entered the ballroom. The reversal of fortune cut deep.

The final blow came in the form of the crown resting atop Ephelia’s stark white hair. Seluna had never seen it before, but no one could mistake the crown that only a crown princess could wear. The large, exquisite pink diamond at its center practically radiated charm. At that moment, the crowd’s demeanor shifted entirely.

*That should be mine. Why are you wearing it?*

Seluna couldn’t maintain her composure, staring at the sight as if mesmerized. She was so absorbed that she didn’t even notice the eyes watching her.

She should have been the one standing there, wearing that crown, receiving all the attention. But somehow, everything had gone wrong. It was all because of that detestable sister—always sensing what she most desired and snatching it away, twisting everything in her path.

*If only she weren’t here… if that hateful woman could just vanish from the world…*

“Ah, Ephelia has arrived. Let’s go together,” said Denold softly. If he hadn’t approached, Seluna might have rushed forward, grabbed Ephelia by the hair, and ripped the crown from her head. Up close, the crown’s beauty was breathtaking, sparkling even under the dazzling lights of the ballroom. Seluna could not look away. She didn’t even remember what was said to her.

What she remembered was Ephelia standing regally at Regios’s side, monopolizing his attention, then feigning weakness and collapsing into him. Watching that, Seluna’s stomach churned. Using the excuse of feeling unwell, Ephelia naturally drew Regios away. She was clearly hiding herself from Seluna’s eyes.

Seluna stared at their retreating backs. What could they be doing together? Moments later, Regios returned alone, resuming the ball as if nothing had happened.

It was strange. Why had he let her monopolize him just to send him back alone? As the heat of her anger cooled slightly, reason began to whisper.

Something was off. The emperor entered the ballroom. Even the most important guest would not usually enter after the emperor—but the emperor let it slide. Could she have done the same? Why did that infuriating sister always receive love and favor? She was neither beautiful nor kind, yet her quiet, wistful smile won the sympathy of everyone.

Ephelia returned only after some time. Seeing her walk hand in hand with the crown prince made Seluna dizzy once more. Why was she still here? As a young countess, Seluna had often watched Ephelia walk these paths with envy. Even after becoming a noblewoman, the gap had never closed. Ephelia had ascended to the crown prince’s destiny, rising higher than anyone else.

Seluna had thought the crown was hers once Ephelia disappeared—but now, it felt as though she had been hurled back to the bottom of the hierarchy.

Watching them, Seluna sensed something strange. Ephelia took a few steps back, then bolted from the ballroom as if fleeing. Regios followed her. Guests murmured in shock at the sudden scene, and Seluna slipped through the crowd.

*Please… let me go.*

The voice, pitifully pleading, was unmistakably Ephelia’s.

*Do what you must,* Regios replied calmly, without a hint of emotion.

*Why are you doing this if it’s not love?*

Not love?

It had felt like love. Everyone assumed it was. Otherwise, he would not have spent such long hours searching for Ephelia, disregarding the question of family.

Regios did not love Ephelia. And for Seluna, that was a relief. Ephelia truly wanted to break free from him—but could not. Now, the reason was clear.

*Regios… I am no longer your destiny.*

Seluna watched as the emblem of fate on Ephelia’s chest was torn asunder. Exhausted, Ephelia fainted. The crown prince lifted her, disappearing from the ballroom. Seluna felt no jealousy, no anger. Their bond was nothing but destiny, and even the mark on their hearts had vanished.

Quietly, Seluna returned to the ballroom. No one noticed her absence. Relief mixed with frustration—her own significance had dwindled so completely, she felt it sharply.

“Where has Ephelia gone?” she asked.

“She felt unwell and briefly left,” came the reply.

Later, Regios returned, explaining the commotion away with Ephelia’s supposed indisposition. No one blamed her for disrupting the ball—not even when she had collapsed twice.

“She has her own ways, doesn’t she?”

“She truly suits the crown princess, doesn’t she?”

The emperor himself allowed the guests to enjoy the remainder of the ball, leaving no room for dissent. The event was filled with praise for Ephelia, absent though she was. Seluna waited silently for the evening to end.

The moment she arrived at her estate, she sought out Denold.

“If it’s about Ephelia, leave it to me. There’s no point in rushing.”

Seluna’s topic was predictable—what to do now? Would she simply watch Ephelia ascend to crown princess?

“Of course, it concerns my sister. But what I want to say is different.”

“Go on.”

“I heard something very interesting today.”

“Interesting?”

Denold knew immediately it was no lighthearted tale.

“What do you mean?”

“The crown prince does not love her.”

For Seluna, that was the most vital revelation. She recounted everything she had seen. Denold quickly drew his conclusion.

“If true, it seems the prince has found a weakness in Ephelia.”

Seluna realized Ephelia’s strange behavior finally made sense. The prince’s will to make her crown princess had been unshakable. But she had resisted—and he had exploited her weakness to bend her will.

“What does he mean by family? It doesn’t seem to include us.”

Even amidst her turmoil, Seluna noted that the prince had taken the people she considered family.

“Family… yes. That was overlooked,” Denold mused, recalling those who had saved Ephelia. Those people were surely her true family—and her vulnerability.

If the crown prince held that weakness, they could exploit it too.

She had not yet become crown princess. Even if she did, it didn’t matter—her position could always be reclaimed.