Clack, clack.

The quite lively-sounding footsteps traversed the palace of the Wessex Kingdom, strewn with debris.

The palace building, which was once a space where a king of a country resided, now looked eerie without a single intact wall.

Isabella Fitzroy, the first princess of the Fitzroys.

Wearing military boots instead of high-heeled shoes and a long fluttering cloak, she reached the capital of Wessex in just 5 days after setting foot on its land. She spent 7 days turning the flimsy royal castle upside down, destroying buildings, before dragging the trembling king from his throne and taking his life.

And now, she was on her way to see the youngest prince, Cedric Wessex, who was said to be very rebellious and would soon become her slave.

In the midst of this, a piece of news arrived.

“…Layla Wessex?”

Listening to the story of the adjutant who was following her closely, she reacted upon hearing a familiar name.

“Yes, she is currently in the Filmer Kingdom for a brief engagement ceremony with Reynold Filmer, the 7th prince of Filmer.”

Currently, all those with the Wessex surname in the palace had been captured. However, when they checked due to a shortage in headcount, it turned out that one princess was missing.

Even so, it wasn’t something that would cause tension on their side. With the kingdom destroyed, what could a mere princess do? Originally, it was a royal family without any system and little trust from the people, so there was no potential for problems.

However, Isabella raised her eyebrows, feeling like something was on the tip of her tongue.

“The name sounds strangely familiar.”

Layla Wessex. Layla Wessex…

As Isabella muttered to herself, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. The attendants and knights also halted. Soon, the sound of a finger snap could be heard from Isabella.

“Layla Wessex. Wasn’t she Adrian Raines’ fiancée?”

At that, the attendant also exclaimed brightly as if he remembered.

“I believe you are correct, Your Highness.”

Isabella scoffed.

“A princess whose ability hasn’t even awakened, so there’s really no need to pay attention. But since it came up…”

Through the long blonde hair covering her forehead, Isabella’s red eyes took on a cold glint. It was because she thought of a man who always got on her nerves.

“Have you found where Adrian Raines is?”

The startled attendant quickly bowed his head.

“We have not found him yet, my apologies.”

“Find him quickly. He must be sitting somewhere leisurely, listening to things about me.”

“Yes, yes, Princess.”

That unlucky crown prince of Hackin…

It wasn’t just once or twice that he had interfered with Isabella’s plans and caused her losses.

At least some time ago, there was an opportunity to snatch an artifact that Adrian had worked hard to obtain, giving him a blow, but it was far from enough to vent her anger.

Of course, that artifact was quite useful, though.

Walking through the broken palace corridor, Isabella entered an open room following the attendant’s guidance. Immediately, a boy tied with ropes and kneeling among the Fitzroy knights caught her eye.

Looking at his face that had turned pale to the point of pity, Isabella drew a smile with her eyes.

On the contrary, the boy, who could not properly see anything other than her long blonde hair due to the backlight, looked up at Isabella with great fear.

She was as tall as any of the surrounding knights, and with her chin slightly raised, she examined him and spoke.

“So you are Cedric Wessex.”

“…”

Then she casually sat on a nearby dusty chair. Isabella, who had crossed her legs leisurely, leaned forward and constantly talked to Cedric.

“I heard that you have the most outstanding attunement ability in this generation.”

Cedric did not answer and simply lowered his head. Isabella’s golden eyebrows twitched in displeasure.

“It seems you don’t want to answer. Or are you perhaps scared, not knowing what will become of your future?”

As he remained silent, Isabella nodded to the surrounding knights to lift Cedric’s face.

Then, a face that had become a mess, likely from resisting during the capture, was revealed. Above the pretty eyes for a boy, tears could be seen, but Isabella felt no emotion.

She summarized the current situation to Cedric in a dry tone.

“Don’t worry. I’m not a pervert. And if you must become a slave, it’s better to be a slave belonging to the royal family. At least you won’t starve…”

“…Hic.”

As if something welled up inside him, Cedric’s Adam’s apple bobbed greatly as he let out a short sob.

It was understandable. Even though the Wessex Kingdom had only been established for about 10 years, going from living in a palace to becoming a slave, how miserable it must be.

However, it was unexpected that he was more docile than anticipated. Perhaps he had given up, knowing he could not resist.

“Seeing as you’re not asking to be killed, it seems you still want to live.”

After reciting a short speculation, Isabella stood up. Before leaving the room, she instructed the surrounding knights on how to handle Cedric.

“I’ll take him to Fitzroy, so load him into the ship’s cargo hold. Just in case, muzzle him as well.”

She was about to coldly turn her foot when a trembling voice flowed from Cedric, who had not answered any questions.

“My brothers, or, or sisters.”

“…”

“Wh-what will happen…”

Gulp, he swallowed a sob, unable to finish his sentence. Then he lowered his head and shed tears.

Isabella stared down at his shoulders trembling with fear and opened her mouth.

“You’re asking the obvious.”

Her booted foot approached Cedric, and a silver-gauntleted hand lightly lifted the boy’s chin.

Looking at his face, Isabella thought it was fortunate that he didn’t resemble the king of Wessex who had just died by her hand.

Otherwise, she would have felt like crushing him right then and there.

No matter how she thought about it, it was unbearable. To think they dared to take another country’s throne as if it were their own.

They probably didn’t know the result of that foolish decision would turn out like this, but anyway, the king of Wessex had touched her reverse scale.

“Wessex, which insulted me, Isabella Fitzroy, will no longer be able to use that name. But the surviving children will be sent as gifts to our allied nations. As slaves.”

“…”

“Not all of them will die, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

Isabella, who calmly recited the price those with the Wessex surname would have to pay from now on, finally turned her back on Cedric.

The sound of a loud inhale could be heard from behind, but it was no longer her concern.

“As soon as you find Layla Wessex, capture her and report to me immediately.”

“Yes, I heard that the date of her return from Filmer has already been set. Considering the time it takes to travel by ship, it is estimated to take about 21 days. It should be sufficient to wait at the port and capture her.”

Isabella nodded once, raising one corner of her mouth crookedly.

Layla Wessex was not a particularly important person, but somehow, it felt like capturing her would lead to interesting developments.

Layla Wessex and Adrian Raines were currently complete strangers, and they had even become enemies due to the betrayal of the Wessex king. However, Layla Wessex was known to be Adrian Raines’ first love, so quite an interesting picture was drawn in her mind.

If she captured her, would that man react?

It would be quite fun if he showed even a little agitation.

Anyway, this time she was one step ahead of Adrian Raines.

Now, she just needed to proclaim this place as Fitzroy territory, and the Wessex conquest plan would be complete.

Thinking about this and that, Isabella’s mood improved drastically, and she went out with light steps.

Cedric, who blankly watched her retreating figure, had his vision obscured by a black cloth thrown over his head by the Fitzroy knights lined up around him.

In the darkened view, Cedric closed his eyes and inwardly cried out earnestly, pondering Isabella’s last order.

‘Please. Please don’t come, sister…’

The other siblings had already been taken prisoner, so it was difficult to turn back. But he hoped that at least Layla, who had not yet been captured, would be safe.

Hoping that the news of Wessex would quickly reach her, Cedric was lifted by someone and moved somewhere.