CHAPTER 14
2. I Declare the End of My One-Sided Love
The grand iron gates of House Rozen slowly opened on both sides.
From within, a jet-black carriage trimmed with gold burst forth like an arrow.
It was the Duke’s carriage—barreling toward the imperial palace. Trailing behind was a smaller one.
Even more eye-catching than the flashy decorations was the appearance of the two coachmen sitting atop the driver’s seat.
“Are they people or puppets?”
That’s how stiff they were, only their hands moving as they drove.
‘Am I trembling right now?’
With such frozen expressions, the coachman and his apprentice managed to safely arrive at the palace.
When the attendant opened the door, Lady Aristina Rozen came into view.
Specially dolled up for today’s audience, the lady was intently reading a book—underlining passages with great fervor.
‘Ah, so that’s why it was so quiet. Makes sense.’
The coachmen and attendants shared bitter smiles as they bowed.
“My lady, we’ve arrived at the imperial palace.”
“Ah, already?”
The young lady hurried out of the carriage.
In her rush, her dress brushed against the book on the seat, knocking it to the floor.
“Oh no!”
The apprentice coachman quickly picked it up.
“Wow. The lady reads books too?”
“Not books—she’s probably reading a tabloid filled with Crown Prince gossip. She memorizes every tiny detail. If there’s even a speck of dust on the magazine, she’ll throw a fit, so clean it well.”
“Yes, sir. Huh? But the cover says ‘Rozen House Financial Status Analysis’…”
“Oh, that’s a trick. Look closely.”
The coachman tried shaking the book upside down, intending to reveal a fake cover like a magic trick…
“Hmm?”
…but the cover wouldn’t come off. Frowning, he opened the book.
“‘…A list of assets currently confiscated by her father, the Duke…’ Huh? This really isn’t about the Crown Prince.”
“It’s an actual economics book!”
“What the…? What’s going on?”
The pages were full of underlines and circles, and one section was marked with so many stars it seemed critical:
The coachmen and attendants tilted their heads in confusion.
“Imperial Merchant Guild Assembly?”
Up ahead, the young lady’s figure was growing distant as she walked behind the Duke.
‘Finally arrived at the palace.’
With one hand on my waist, I glanced around.
The maids had poured their souls into dressing me up for today’s audience with the Crown Prince.
My outfit was elegant and dignified—a rich, deep color with intricate embroidery and gemstones that suited a noblewoman. To keep the look from feeling too somber, I added bold accessories for a lively touch. From head to toe, I sparkled.
“She’s here. She’s really here.”
Even those frowning in my direction couldn’t take their eyes off me.
The same went for Duke Canel. His ceremonial outfit, accented in red, made his pale face and ruby-like eyes all the more striking.
His neat blond hair and handsome face made even the better-looking noble sons fade into the background.
The Duke rarely visited the imperial palace unless absolutely necessary, and his appearance alone was enough to stir up gossip for days.
‘We’re drawing all the attention in this place.’
Though we walked a fair distance apart, making it hard to tell we were father and daughter—that was for the best.
Thanks to that, I could organize my thoughts without distraction. About the person I was about to meet: the Crown Prince.
The most important fact about him—
‘He’s of dragon blood.’
I looked up at the grand mural on the palace ceiling.
A colossal dragon, and the tiny human standing before it. Their first meeting was vividly depicted in exquisite detail.
According to legend, the founding emperor married the “Mother of All Dragons.” Their offspring were hybrids—half-human, half-dragon.
This hybrid trait didn’t fade over generations but reemerged randomly among descendants.
‘For a long time, only normal humans were born—until both sons of the current emperor awakened the bloodline.’
My eyes paused briefly on a window down the corridor.
Sunlight hit the dragon engraving on the frame, making it glow golden. Almost like it was depicting someone.
‘The heir of the Gold Dragon’s bloodline and Crown Prince of the Empire: Aldensys Valkyde.’
Dragon hybrids possessed immense powers that far exceeded human limits. They were called Transcendents.
Of course, such power came with side effects. Still, the Crown Prince had successfully reached adulthood.
Frankly, he was considered the empire’s crown jewel.
Handsome, strong, kind, gracious. Impeccable manners and noble bearing.
No wonder people worshipped him like an idol. Aristina was one of them.
But unlike the rest, she had one distinct belief—that only someone as perfect as herself could ever be a worthy match for him.
‘And that led to a whole series of embarrassing incidents.’
My head was suddenly filled with memories—burned into my brain. They mingled with everything I’d learned and replayed vivid scenes in front of my eyes.
‘No, stop it…!’
The tidal wave of cringeworthy flashbacks made me dizzy.
I grasped at anything to steady myself—my hand landed on a lion-shaped doorknob.
The sound of firm footsteps made Duke Canel turn sharply.
“Still drunk? It’s this way.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
I fell in step behind him. Before us, the golden dragon-engraved doors opened wide.
The Crown Prince’s audience chamber.
I followed the Duke inside.
Someone of the Crown Prince’s status could sit in a high throne and look down on guests without raising eyebrows.
But Aldensys preferred sitting at equal height when speaking with others, so a large table had been placed in the center of the chamber.
The Duke sat and looked at me.
“You remember, don’t you? You’re not permitted to say anything except…”
“Of course. I’m not allowed to speak.”
I quickly cut him off with a cheerful reply.
Besides, I was too busy admiring the room.
The table and golden chairs—said to be inspired by the World Tree—looked strangely familiar, though it was my first time seeing them.
Because of all the memories jammed into my brain.
Aristina had tried everything to come here—even faking excuses.
‘Ugh…’
More blacked-out memories surfaced, and I subconsciously clutched my skirt tight.
It had been such a relentless one-sided love. Bold, brazen, and painfully public.
The Crown Prince had always drawn a clear, gentle boundary.
But Aristina never noticed the coldness beneath his kindness.
Things only escalated. Until eventually, even the Crown Prince’s patience ran out.
‘In the end…’
A particular memory sprang vividly to mind.
“Lady Aristina Rozen.”
In the dimming light of the rose garden, Aldensys spoke in a calm yet firm voice.
“If you continue behaving this way, I will not stay silent.”
Against the backdrop of crimson roses, his blue eyes glinted with chilling menace.
He wasn’t the kind, gentle prince everyone knew.
He was something inhuman—cold, merciless, terrifying.
‘He’s intense. Seriously intense.’
And this was just a memory—but I had goosebumps all over.
You know what’s even scarier?
Right after that moment, when some passersby appeared, the Crown Prince immediately returned to his sweet, gentle self.
‘Wait… is he a psychopath?’
Antisocial personality disorder?
Or maybe… just no personality at all? A side effect of his dragon blood?
Either way, there was something deeply unsettling about him.
And the timing couldn’t be worse.
Right after that chilling warning in the rose garden—the Serene Poisoning Incident happened.
The Crown Prince must have been enraged.
‘I’ll personally eliminate this monster!’
With that resolve, maybe he sneaked into the annex and murdered Aristina.
‘Of course, this is all just my theory. I have zero evidence…’
But one thing was certain: from now on, I absolutely must avoid any entanglement with Aldensys.
I’d received his warning loud and clear—and I would disappear from his life.
‘But considering I’m the girl who cried wolf, how do I convince people I’ve truly moved on?’
After much thought, I found one answer.
In this terrifying survival game, where I had to dodge landmines at every step, I found the right move.
It had to do with an upcoming event.
I’d seen posters everywhere in the palace—and now one hung right on the wall of the audience chamber.
“……”
While I sat silently, I turned my gaze to the poster. The Duke followed my line of sight.
A royal ball hosted by the Crown Prince himself was coming up.
The Duke frowned.
“So that’s what you were staring at.”
He instantly lost interest and scoffed.
Just then, a palace attendant ran up and announced:
“Duke, Lady Aristina. His Highness the Crown Prince is on his way.”
Ah. He’s here.
The Duke and I both rose to our feet and turned toward the door.
