Chapter 01
Five years.
It had been five long years. After losing a war that lasted half a decade, her defeated country and her father the king offered the princess as tribute. To the enemy commander who had destroyed their nation.
Along with a rich mana-stone mine that endlessly produced high-value stones, the ruined kingdom’s princess was handed over as if she were part of the spoils of war.
At first, the commander coldly refused. He said he wouldn’t accept a princess as tribute. But her father, the king, didn’t want to give up more wealth or resources, so he forced the man to take her—like he was just dumping off some unwanted burden.
And so, unwillingly, the commander brought the princess back to his empire. He placed her in the most luxurious chamber of his castle.
The princess had never seen anything so grand. But instead of being impressed, she felt completely out of place. Sitting in the lavish room, she thought: He must have put me here on purpose—to remind me I don’t belong.
She looked down at her dress. Her father had barely bothered to dress her when handing her over. She wore only a light evening gown. Standing there, she felt pathetic, humiliated that such a shabby girl like her should sit in such a magnificent room.
“Hello, Princess. My name is Faye, and I’ll be serving you from now on. His Grace sent me! I might not be as skilled as the maids who used to serve you, but I’ll do my best.”
“…”
Even the maid assigned to her seemed more noble than she did.
And her misery didn’t end there. The exquisite meals Faye brought her, the fragrant oils she rubbed onto her skin during baths, the careful hands that brushed her hair—she had never known such treatment.
Because in her homeland, she had been treated worse than an insect. She was only the king’s illegitimate child.
For the first time, the princess experienced luxury, and for a moment she felt lightheaded with excitement—almost forgetting she was nothing more than a tribute.
“Poor Grand Duke.”
“Right? How did he end up with such a half-blood princess as tribute?”
“I heard he broke up with Lady Helena.”
“What else could he do? He has no choice but to marry her.”
“King of Wales is such a problem. Who dumps their daughter off like that? And now our Grand Duke is the one who suffers.”
“Helena must have been waiting for their wedding… it’s such a shame.”
“Exactly. I was really looking forward to seeing her in a wedding dress.”
The princess overheard the maids whispering while she walked through the garden. She had grown numb to insults, but then a name caught her attention.
Helena.
Was that his lover? Did they break up because of her? Did he love her deeply?
What kind of woman receives such love? Surely someone beautiful, cherished, loved by everyone. Someone nothing like her.
Feeling the familiar sting of humiliation, the princess bit her lip and returned to her room.
“Why so early, Princess?” Faye asked.
“It’s… hot.” The lie slipped out without thought.
“Oh, heavens! You’re sweating so much! I’ll prepare a bath right away.”
Faye rushed out. The princess touched her own face and neck. She hadn’t been hot, yet her skin was drenched in cold sweat.
She sat before the mirror and looked at herself.
Dull, straw-like blonde hair. Weed-green eyes. A pale, lifeless face.
Surely Helena was far more beautiful than this pitiful princess.
***
“His Grace has invited you to dinner, Princess.”
“…”
It had been a week since the commander—now her future husband, the Grand Duke—had left her in this room. He hadn’t come once. And now suddenly, he summoned her.
She glanced at the mirror and saw a wreck. Quickly, she asked Faye to help with her makeup and dress. She knew no matter how much she dressed up, she could never outshine Helena, but at least she could look presentable.
Faye was delighted and worked hard to prepare her. By the time she was ready, the servant who came to fetch her was glaring, saying she had kept his lord waiting.
The castle was vast. Walking in her new shoes, her feet swelled and blistered, but she forced herself to endure.
At last, she was guided into the dining hall. The Grand Duke was already seated.
“You’re quite late.”
“I’m sorry for being late. And thank you for inviting me, Your Grace.”
He was still breathtaking. Tall, broad-shouldered, with those fiery red eyes and that perfect face. There wasn’t a single flaw about him.
She thought of her own reflection—ill-fitting jewelry, dresses that didn’t suit her… and him.
The servant pulled out her chair, and she sat as gracefully as she could. The food began to be served.
“Please, eat. I heard you don’t eat much. Is it not to your taste?”
“No… it’s fine. I just don’t eat much in general.”
She smiled faintly. As the illegitimate princess, she had never been allowed much food—just enough to survive.
Only the clinking of utensils filled the silence. She ate just enough to take the edge off her hunger, then set her fork down.
“Do you always eat so little?” he asked.
“…I ate a lot.”
“That’s less than bird feed. Eat more.”
His tone was kind, but she understood the meaning. He didn’t want the king’s unwanted daughter dying in his house. If she starved herself to death, he would be blamed.
So she forced herself to cut another piece of meat and put it in her mouth. The tender flavor made her gag, but she swallowed it down. She couldn’t show weakness in front of him.
As she struggled, he spoke.
“The wedding is in a month. I received His Majesty’s approval today.”
“So soon?”
“I wanted it earlier, but a month was the best I could do.”
“C-couldn’t we just call a priest and do a simple ceremony—”
He cut her off, eyes narrowing. His voice was firm.
“There are no simple weddings in House Leonid. Princess.”
She swallowed the meat, but it burned her throat like glass. She wanted to escape the room.
After the awkward dinner, she returned to her chamber, feverish but silent. She dismissed Faye, went into the bathroom, and vomited up everything she had eaten. Only then did she feel relief.
Lying in bed, she replayed his words.
One month. In one month, I’ll be his wife.
Her stomach fluttered with nervous excitement.
***
After the wedding date was set, the Grand Duke dined with her once a day. Facing him every day, a dangerous emotion began to grow in her heart.
He was kind, yet distant. But he didn’t push her away. And that was enough for her.
She thought: If time goes on like this, maybe we’ll grow close. Maybe we’ll be like other couples. Maybe we’ll share a bed, share mornings, maybe even have children together.
It was foolish hope, but she nurtured it carefully.
Until one day, it shattered.
“Hello, Princess. I’m Helena Knox.”
It was during her introduction to the knights who guarded the duchy. Among them stood one woman—Helena.
Her golden hair shimmered like honey in the sun, her blue eyes sparkled like the sea, her lips were as red as cherries.
She was everything the princess was not. Beautiful, radiant, the perfect match for him.
The princess wanted to run away. But when Helena smiled warmly at her, she couldn’t.
Standing there, she realized:
She had fallen in love with him. Foolishly, hopelessly.
***
“…And with this, I declare the marriage complete.”
Applause thundered. The guests’ clapping felt like they were mocking her, ridiculing the illegitimate princess offered as tribute.
The princess forced a smile.
The grand dress, the glittering jewels, the heavy tiara—everything felt like it was crushing her. Making her look more ridiculous.
The man holding her hand showed no expression.
Of course, he must be miserable too. He loved another. And strangely, she found a little comfort in that.
They said this was a loveless marriage. But that wasn’t entirely true.
He may not love her.
But she loved him.
The applause faded, and the music for their exit began. She clung to his hand as he strode confidently forward, her heavy dress making every step a struggle.
He was tall, his strides long. Her wedding shoes had high heels to match his height—thank goodness she had practiced walking in them, or she would have fallen.
After the ceremony, the Grand Duke led her, as custom dictated, to the marital chamber at the top of the castle.
“I won’t be coming in tonight. Rest well.”
His formal, distant tone stabbed at her. She wanted to say, But I’m your wife now, but her lips wouldn’t move.
He looked at her silently for a long moment, then turned and left.
“…Why… why won’t you come?” she whispered after he had gone. She didn’t expect an answer. She already knew.
Tonight, he would be with Helena.
Their marriage had begun—not in love, but in strategy.
