“Pathetic. Who do you take after to turn out like this, really?”
Cassius’s silent departure from the wedding ceremony on the very first day became entirely the woman’s responsibility. Who did she take after, the Duke asked.
'Who do I take after? You, of course...'
Come to think of it, Vivian didn’t resemble the Duke of Diarov at all. Her blue hair and violet eyes had a distinctly different aura and color from his, which was a relief. It was already unbearable for her to look in the mirror and think of Vivian, but to be reminded of him too would have been an indescribable torment.
As she was lost in these mundane thoughts, the Duke clinked his champagne glass against hers in a seemingly affectionate gesture. He probably wanted to create the impression of a close father-daughter relationship in front of the disapproving eyes of the nobles. Yet, even as he feigned kindness, his venomous words continued.
“How is it that everything you do brings disgrace to Snowfel?”
It seemed that the nobles had been gossiping about her standing alone. Judging by the Duke’s clenched fists, he was deeply infuriated. Watching him, she felt both exhilarated and amused.
As she downed the champagne, the simmering anger within her cooled to a cold calm.
“How is that my fault? His Highness despises everything about Snowfel.”
“What reason does he have to hate Snowfel?”
A myriad of Snowfel's atrocities flashed through her mind. It was amusing that Diarov still didn’t understand. Then again, those who stab others often forget their own deeds quickly.
As she silently stared at Diarov, he added with a frown, as if he couldn’t understand at all.
“He doesn’t even realize how much he has benefited from his connection with Snowfel, unlike the lowly Rosemary.”
'Lowly Rosemary...'
She clenched her fists so tightly that her gloves felt like they would rip.
Meanwhile, Diarov’s gaze slowly shifted and settled somewhere. A mocking smirk crept across his arrogant face.
Following his line of sight, she saw her father, who had been trying to avoid attention, come into view.
Her father was quietly walking, taking cautious steps to avoid attracting attention, as the commotion subsided and the music began.
Because the exit was through the central door, he had to walk toward this side.
Trying to pretend she didn’t notice, she avoided looking at him, but Diarov turned his body toward her father.
'Damn it.'
Diarov's eyes were clearly fixed on her father.
She didn't need to see to know he would try to stop him and spew some venomous words under the guise of a greeting.
She had no choice but to say something to divert Diarov’s attention.
“About the wedding night.”
Diarov paused immediately, his interest clearly piqued.
“What if His Highness does not come to the bridal chamber?”
As expected, Diarov’s gaze instantly snapped back to her.
“Are you seriously asking that?”
His crumpled expression asked how she could ask such a foolish question. Given that nothing like this had ever happened in history, his reaction was understandable.
The first night of a royal marriage was not just a tradition but an obligation. There was a widespread superstition in the Empire that if the royal couple did not consummate their marriage on the first night, they would be cursed.
This was a myth created by the first Emperor to prevent chaos if the royal lineage were to be severed.
Even though it was a superstition, if many of the Empire’s people believed it, it became more than a trivial matter. Hence, she was worried.
'Will Cassius come to me tonight?'
It wasn’t about how she felt or the humiliation she might endure. If Cassius didn’t come, it could turn into a significant issue. It could be seen as neglecting a royal duty and could sow seeds of discord that might shake the foundation of royal authority.
While this alone might not change anything immediately, history has shown that small cracks can eventually lead to significant upheavals.
Cassius must know that too. Despite thinking it unlikely, the disdain in his eyes as he looked at her was still vivid, giving her a headache.
As these complex thoughts swirled in her mind, her father quietly disappeared into the background.
Trying not to look at him, she naturally made eye contact with Diarov. Disgust welled up inside her, but she maintained a social smile as naturally as possible.
She had practiced it thousands of times, so there was no problem.
“Don’t worry. As my father’s daughter, making Cassius kneel at my feet will be no big deal.”
It was a moment of self-loathing, having to say such things while the very Snowfel she despised stood before her.
But for now, she had to bide her time.
Although Diarov had always put Vivian at the forefront, he was the one orchestrating everything from behind.
She couldn’t deny that Diarov was exceptionally skilled in both political maneuvering and intellect.
And right now, she was powerless to confront him.
She had exhausted all her magical energy and had no powerful backers to support her.
'I have to appease him until I regain my strength and save Cassius...'
Why isn’t he saying anything?
Puzzled, she glanced at Diarov, whose face had suddenly hardened for some reason.
'Did I say something to offend him? Or did he notice something different about me?'
A strange feeling swept through her.
She had assumed he paid no attention to her, not even suspecting her condition since she woke up.
Maybe she had let her guard down.
In the suffocating air, time passed in a fleeting moment.
Finally, he smiled with satisfaction.
“Of course, you must. Tonight’s consummation is essential.”
The breath she had been holding finally released.
'I need to be more careful from now on.'
“Don’t worry.”
Without a moment's hesitation, she curled her lips into a smile, which seemed to please Diarov greatly.
He looked thoroughly satisfied with her response, whatever thoughts had crossed his mind before.
“Indeed. Once you bear his child, the world will belong to Snowfel.”
If she were to bear a child of the royal bloodline, the Empire would fall entirely under Snowfel’s control.
Still, for now, there was no other way but to comply with Snowfel’s wishes.
She would do anything to save Cassius.
'As long as I can save him...'
It wouldn't be too late to destroy Snowfel afterward.
When Snowfel stood at the peak of winter, cold and icy, she would slowly melt it down.
Until there was nothing left, not even a trace.
She would crush it completely.
'And then, we can reclaim our spring.'
As she swallowed that resolution, Diarov disappeared from her sight.
Only then did she feel the tension ease.
A huge mirror stood before her, reflecting her exhausted appearance.
‘Can I even seduce Cassius looking like this?’
A long sigh escaped her as she faced her wretched fate once more.
***
After returning to the Crown Prince's palace, Cassius maintained a silence as if his lips were glued shut. It was as if he had forgotten how to speak. Occasionally, he would stare into space or gaze out the window, resembling someone who had lost the meaning of life. He had been like this ever since Rachel disappeared.
Despite accepting the marriage with Snowfel, vowing to exact the most brutal revenge, Cassius now looked like nothing more than a lifeless corpse.
Tikan approached him with a somber expression evident in his steps. Cassius slowly lifted his head to look at him.
“How did it go?”
Even in his brief question, Cassius's tension was palpable. Bowing his head, Tikan placed what he was holding in front of Cassius.
“We searched again from the beginning, as you ordered, but this is all we found. Nothing else stood out.”
Cassius studied the strange star-shaped mark carefully and then gradually stiffened.
“This is a mage's mark.”
“A mage? How can you tell...?”
It was difficult to identify such traces unless one had studied magic for a considerable time. However, having spent so much time with Rachel, Cassius knew everything about her, even her breathing. Naturally, he was also familiar with the magic circles she used to draw.
When using magic, traces are usually left behind. Only a very few grand mages can conceal such traces.
In other words, there was only one family bold enough to leave such marks and commit audacious acts in someone else’s territory.
“What is the situation with Snowfel?”
Noticing Cassius’s furrowed brow, Tikan quickly caught on to his master’s intentions.
“Do you believe Snowfel is involved in Lady Rachel's disappearance?”
Tikan still vividly remembered the last time he saw his sister. Her eyes, shocked by the news of her lover’s terminal condition, her trembling hands, her shadow weeping... Despite this, she had run off in a fit of rage.
He was certain that there was no external interference in his sister’s departure. To be honest, his sister was one of the strongest people in the empire. There was no one in the world who could make someone as powerful as her disappear, especially considering her basic skill set included magically enhanced slaps.
Cassius, on the other hand, had a different perspective. To him, Rachel was the most delicate and fragile person. She was like a fairy, someone so fragile that he feared she might fly away if he even breathed too hard on her.
Furthermore, unlike Tikan, he retained vivid memories of his past life.
'Snowfel’s attempts to eliminate Rosemary were numerous. If they intended to remove Rosemary, they would have targeted Rachel first, as she was the core.'
The accumulated misdeeds of Snowfel were enough to amplify Cassius’s suspicions.
“If not Snowfel, then what other audacious group would have done this?”
“But there’s no reason for it. They had publicly accepted Lady Vivian as the Crown Princess...”
“That remains to be seen.”
Cassius handed the petrified fragment to Tikan after scrutinizing it.
“Send this to Lord Roderick immediately and have him determine which family it belongs to.”
Tikan doubted that Snowfel was connected to his sister's disappearance, but this was a serious issue regardless. He bowed his head and swiftly exited the room.
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