<CHAPTER 01>
“Have you heard of Vivia Rodrigo?”
Recently, a peculiar phenomenon had taken hold of high society in the Empire of Ephelium.
Wherever one went, conversations inevitably revolved around a single noble lady.
Trends in the Empire changed by the day—sometimes by the half-day.
Yet the “Vivia Rodrigo” craze had persisted for over half a year, showing no sign of fading.
Whenever nobles gathered, they spoke in unison.
“Did you hear about it?”
“Hear about what?”
“Vivia Rodrigo, of course!”
They chattered endlessly about the topic she had introduced that day, the etiquette she had displayed, the dress she had worn, the way she had styled her hair.
Everything she did became the next fashion.
And who, precisely, was this remarkable Vivia?
She was the youngest sister of Duke Acherro Rodrigo, the man who wielded the greatest power in the Empire after the Emperor himself.
Vivia had disappeared at the age of six, only to return miraculously to House Rodrigo half a year ago.
Not long after her return, she made her debut in society.
Thus began the storm.
In an instant, her resplendent beauty and singularly pure charm captivated countless nobles.
In the capital, she was called this:
Lovely Vivia.
Vivia whom none could help but love.
They said she had been so perfect at birth that jealous fairies had abducted her, and only now had she been restored to the arms of humankind.
And so, any banquet she attended overflowed with people and noise.
“His Grace Duke Acherro Rodrigo and Lady Vivia Rodrigo are entering!”
The grand ballroom glittered.
Even the seasoned attendant announcing their arrival faltered over his words.
Beneath the dazzling chandeliers, the scattered gazes of noble lords and ladies converged as if drawn by gravity to a single point.
Eyes once dulled by boredom now gleamed with fascination and reverence.
Escorted by her brother, Duke Acherro Rodrigo, the beautiful lady stepped into the hall.
At the sight of her, anyone would immediately understand why the Empire was in such an uproar.
Soft, voluminous golden hair that shimmered like starlight.
Large blue eyes like a doll’s.
Peach-blushed cheeks and full lips.
A figure of elegant curves, long and graceful limbs.
Once seen, Vivia could never be forgotten.
She was a beauty who made not only men but even women tremble each time they beheld her.
“Ah, Vivia Rodrigo! An angel fallen from the heavens!”
Someone cried out without meaning to—an exclamation mingled with reverence and yearning.
In an instant, the dignified nobles raised their voices like vendors in a marketplace, pressing toward the Rodrigo siblings and surrounding them.
“Lady Rodrigo, you are as radiant as ever today! If you would grant me, Jerran, the honor of offering my praise—”
“Goodness, Lord Jerran, how could you be so rude? I reached her first.”
“Just a moment. Baroness Malev, it is you who must yield your place to me—indeed, you must. Lady Rodrigo promised to continue the conversation we began at the last ball. Of course, you wouldn’t know, as you were not invited.”
“Lady Rodrigo, it honors this old man that you grace my ball. Pray tell me if anything causes you the slightest discomfort.”
Everyone watched Vivia.
Everyone loved Vivia.
Within that circle of adoration, her smile bloomed like a flower.
There was a glory there brighter than gold.
Every morning, jewels and rare treasures sent by suitors piled high before her door.
If she merely wished it, followers would line up to kiss even the ground beneath her feet.
Poets composed new songs in her honor each day.
Yet everyone knew.
The one she would choose—
The one she would claim—
There could only be one.
And their own turn would never come.
Because she—
“Would you all step aside? It’s rather difficult to see my fiancée’s face like this.”
She was soon to be betrothed to the Empire’s Crown Prince, Cardian Valliere.
Arrogant yet never lacking in dignity, his voice cut cleanly through the crowd.
The nobles bowed and withdrew in orderly fashion, clearing a straight path to Vivia.
With long strides he crossed the distance in moments.
Vivia smiled gently at the sight of him, knowing that despite his packed schedule, he had carved out time to see her, if only briefly.
Cardian pressed his lips to the back of her gloved hand.
“Ah…”
This time, the young ladies nearby sighed in envy.
With hair dark as pitch and eyes red as flame, his lips forever tilted in a roguish curve, the Crown Prince was strikingly handsome.
Together they looked like a painting brought to life—so perfectly matched that even envy felt futile.
“Well now, I did not expect Your Highness to attend. I suppose I must graciously yield my beloved sister’s first dance to you.”
The handsome Duke Rodrigo smiled playfully.
“Hah. You’ve not lost the habit of making a show of what is obvious, Duke. I wish to be alone with Vivia, so run along and attend to your affairs.”
It was the easy banter of those soon to become family.
A union between the most exalted houses.
A scene fit for a romance novel—radiant and intimate beyond compare.
“Shall we, then, my Crown Prince?”
“That was my line, my Vivia.”
The first dance of the evening belonged to them.
As Vivia stepped forward and turned, it seemed as though the fragrance of a blooming flower spread through the hall.
“E-Excuse me, Lady Rodrigo…”
As the night stretched on without end—
After the Crown Prince had departed and Vivia resumed speaking with the nobles, a woman approached her hesitantly.
She was a maid from the estate of the high official hosting the ball.
Many nobles disliked being disturbed by servants during festivities, so the maid was understandably cautious.
But Vivia was not like the others.
“Oh my, what a lovely lady. I don’t believe we’ve met. Good evening. What brings you to me?”
Vivia turned with a smile.
Her voice was beautiful as well—clear as the ringing of a bell beneath an open sky on a crisp day.
Its gentle cadence soothed the heart.
For a moment, the maid stood entranced by Vivia’s radiance.
She had seen many noblewomen of rank and beauty, yet never such brilliance shining in two clear eyes.
Was she truly human, breathing the same air?
Startled, the maid shook her head and remembered her purpose.
“D-Duke Rodrigo is waiting for you in the guest chamber, my lady.”
“You came all this way just to tell me? How kind of you. Thanks to you, I can find my brother without delay.”
Vivia’s warm smile lifted the maid’s lips as well.
Vivia was famous beyond the Empire, known even in distant kingdoms.
The maid, by contrast, was but one of many nameless servants in this very household.
Yet Vivia did not look down upon her station; she expressed gratitude with sincerity.
No wonder the Crown Prince is so eager to marry her.
Gossips often claimed Vivia would soon become Crown Princess.
The maid now believed it entirely plausible.
“Then, kind lady, where should I go?”
“Please follow me, Lady Rodrigo.”
Vivia inclined her head slightly to the nobles she had been speaking with and excused herself.
She departed with the grace of a butterfly.
Calls followed behind her.
“Lady Rodrigo! You must return quickly!”
“Yes, do not stay away too long, or our hearts will burn to ashes!”
“Then I shall return and set them aflame once more.”
Laughter erupted at her witty reply.
Even the maid watching from behind wore a pleased smile.
For the first time, the calculated social exchanges of the nobility seemed almost beautiful.
Ah—was it not a perfect life?
The life of Vivia Rodrigo.
And yet.
The glittering chandeliers, the deafening orchestra, the laughter—
All gradually faded.
“Lady Rodrigo, I was instructed to guide you only this far. Please follow this corridor straight ahead.”
The maid bowed and departed.
In that instant, the radiant expression blooming upon Vivia’s face vanished.
The smile she had shown nobles and servants alike disappeared without a trace.
The corridor to the guest chamber was dim, lit only by sparse lamps at intervals.
Pale light illuminated her now expressionless face.
Tap.
Tap.
Her footsteps echoed against the spotless golden marble floor.
The paintings and sculptures lining the corridor did not enter her vision.
She stared only straight ahead—
At the unseen end.
In truth—
All of it was a lie.
Everything she possessed was an illusion.
Because Vivia Rodrigo
Was a fake.
