Chapter 2

“Everyone, leave.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At my short command, the maids surrounding me withdrew at once.

I barely suppressed a hollow laugh.

Most of them had been the very same people who cheered in delight when I was sentenced to death.

And now they bowed to me so politely.

How ridiculous.

When the room fell silent, I stood motionless for a long moment before picking up the eyebrow razor from the vanity. After a brief hesitation, I lightly dragged it across my arm.

“Ugh.”

A sharp sting flared. Fresh red droplets welled up, then shimmered with an iridescent glow as they slid down my skin.

My ability… is still intact.

I was thirteen—the age when I basked most in Father’s favor.

Back then, just a few drops of my blood could refine hundreds of purification stones.

I had foolishly believed the imperial family—no, the entire empire—rested in the palm of my hand.

I have to leave.

Perhaps I could have endured it in my ignorant past.

But now that I knew the truth, I couldn’t stay here.

I had just risen in haste when—

Knock. Knock.

“Your Highness, are you prepared?”

My body froze at the voice beyond the door. It was Edgar, the steward of the Sun Palace.

“His Majesty is waiting.”

I stood stiffly for several seconds before smoothing my clothes and forcing my posture straight. When I opened the door, Edgar bowed deeply.

“…I told you not to rush me.”

“My apologies.”

“Move.”

Was this truly proof that I had turned back time? I had only meant to imitate my former manner of speech, yet the cold tone came effortlessly.

Yes. These were the days I once lived.

Leaving Edgar bowing hurriedly behind me, I headed toward the Emperor’s lounge.

It felt unreal. Just moments ago, I had been rotting in an underground prison. And now I walked these corridors again as a princess.

Before the door, I hesitated.

The Emperor’s cruel face—laughing like a madman behind iron bars—flashed in my mind.

…Calm down. He mustn’t notice anything different.

The Emperor was perceptive. The slightest change would not escape him.

I steadied my breathing and pushed the door open.

“Your Majesty, Princess Rhea has arrived.”

“Oh, you’re here, my princess.”

Unbelievably, the Emperor wore a benevolent smile. He spread his arms as if welcoming a beloved daughter.

“Come, sit. I had refreshments prepared in advance.”

The scent of rosehip tea drifted through the air—my favorite at this age.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

Right. That was all part of the performance.

Looking back, he was always especially kind on days like this.

The moment I sat, he smiled warmly.

“We’re in need of more purification stones.”

Of course.

“Already?”

“Grand Duke Carter had his son purchase a considerable quantity again.”

The Emperor crossed his legs and clicked his tongue.

“The volume acquired by the ducal house continues to increase. It seems, regrettably, the Duke’s instability worsens by the day.”

There was no regret in his eyes.

“Uncontrolled mana is like poison…”

With the continent’s mana growing unstable, powerful magic slowly eroded one’s sanity.

There was only one source of relief—

The purification stones monopolized by the imperial family.

That monopoly was the foundation of the Emperor’s overwhelming authority.

I stared at him blankly before catching myself and offering a sweet smile.

“Isn’t that a good thing, Your Majesty? Thanks to that, the imperial family can keep dangerous elements under control.”

“Yes, exactly. My princess is so clever. With you playing such an important role, how could I not be proud?”

He smiled in satisfaction.

“It’s about time we adjust the supply again.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll handle it.”

In truth, I had never properly met Grand Duke Carter. I rarely attended social gatherings or official functions. I had only been taught that he was a threat—too powerful to leave unchecked.

To think I’m his daughter…

What a cruel farce.

I lowered my gaze and let out a faint, brittle laugh.

“Once again, I’ll need you to assist. I’ll summon the chief administrator for the blood collection—”

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it, my princess?”

“I don’t want to today.”

I smiled innocently on purpose.

For the briefest moment, his expression hardened. But just as quickly, the gentle smile returned. If I hadn’t witnessed his true face before my regression, I would never have noticed.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m simply not in the mood. If I see the administrator today, it’ll ruin my entire day.”

I let my feet swing idly above the floor and sighed.

“You know how sensitive I am.”

“…Is that so? Why is my princess unwell? Are you injured?”

“Nothing like that.”

“Then what troubles you?”

“Who in the palace would dare trouble me?”

“Shall I have jewels brought from the treasury? Or summon the finest dressmaker in the empire? There are countless jewelers in the capital—I could call them all.”

He spoke as though soothing a spoiled child.

I nearly sneered.

How many times had this “loving father” demanded blood from his thirteen-year-old daughter?

Calmly, I shook my head.

“No… I simply wish to rest for a few days.”

His lips pressed together.

A cold silence settled over the lounge.

I met his gaze with wide, innocent eyes.

At last, he leaned back with a restrained sigh.

“…Very well. If that is what you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I knew you would understand.”

“Your whims are difficult to keep up with.”

“I’ll feel better after a few days. You know me.”

“…But do not delay too long. My people require the purification stones.”

Liar.

You don’t care about the people at all.

I smiled sweetly.

“I’ll summon the chief administrator myself in a few days.”

“Very well.”

I rose gracefully and lifted the hem of my skirt.

“The tea was delightful. I’ll take my leave.”

“Go on.”

Click.

The door shut behind me.

The smile vanished from my face.

I released my skirt and walked down the corridor without expression.

I will give nothing more to the imperial family.

Nothing.

That night, rain poured relentlessly.

While the palace slept, I slipped quietly beyond its walls.

First, I’ll go to the Carter ducal house.

It was the very first thought that struck me upon realizing I had regressed.

I would find my real father.

The Carter estate lay beyond the capital’s walls. The journey required changing carriages twice over two days—followed by four hours on foot along rain-soaked roads.

I had snuck out before under the guise of leisure outings, but never for such a long journey.

As I approached the estate, my strength waned visibly. My body trembled. Whether from the relentless rain or sheer exhaustion, even lifting my feet became difficult.

Perhaps a thirteen-year-old body truly is too fragile…

At last, I stood before the ducal residence, steadying myself.

“This is it…”

It was as grand as the imperial palace—yet carried an ominous stillness the palace never did.

Not a single guard stood at the gates.

Perhaps there were no visitors—but this felt beyond that.

The estate seemed abandoned.

It would not be an exaggeration to call it desolate.

Carefully, I crossed the overgrown garden and reached the main doors. They creaked open under my push—

Shing.

Cold steel pressed against my neck.

A low voice descended from above.

“Strange. I don’t recall inviting an imperial rat.”