“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

Ilarid bent down to check on the other person, but the man never took off his hood.

Could he be someone who shouldn’t be discovered? Or perhaps there’s a bounty on him. Ilarid’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Judging by his build, he seemed to be a man. She dismounted and approached the suspicious man.

“Do you have some reason to conceal your appearance?”

Their eyes met briefly. The man under the hood looked very surprised.

And for good reason. It’s not every day you see a woman with long flowing hair, dressed in men’s clothes, riding a horse. Probably only the two Melpiram women would do such a thing.

“I have my reasons. I’d appreciate it if you could pretend you didn’t see me.”

“Did you commit a crime, perhaps? Are you being chased?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s fine then.”

Ilarid immediately lost interest. Her attention returned to the horse beside her. Saying things like “I’m sorry” and “Did I startle you?” suggested he often went out with the horse.

The man slightly lifted his hood. Ilarid Rowen Melpiram. The young lady of the Melpiram Count’s family and soon to be the Crown Princess.

Her vigorously waving silver hair and green eyes exuded the vitality of a burning summer day. She was clearly different from other noble young ladies.

He gazed intently at Ilarid as she tidied her clothes and neatly tied back her tangled hair. These were natural gestures and actions, not forced appearances.

“Ilarid!”

As he was staring for quite some time, someone came riding on horseback from the other side. Ilarid scratched her head with an annoyed expression.

“Right… I wondered why no one was coming to catch me.”

Limless, who had arrived on a black horse, gave Ilarid a small scolding as soon as he saw her.

“You should at least tell someone at home before going out.”

“I did tell Lynette…”

“Is Lynette the only family? Mother and I are here too, and Father as well.”

“If you knew, you wouldn’t let me go out. Is this Father’s order again? To come and catch me?”

Ilarid climbed onto her horse with slumped shoulders. A mischievous smile crossed Limless’s face as he looked at his dejected younger sister.

“And who’s this?”

“A mysterious man, a suspicious guy. Someone who has reasons to hide his identity.”

Ilarid muttered, looking down at the hooded man. He was so well hidden that not even a single strand of hair color was visible.

Limless’s eyes narrowed as he observed the man.

“This is the private property of the Melpiram Count’s family. You cannot enter carelessly.”

“……”

The man didn’t say a word. There was no excuse about entering by mistake, nor any apology. Limless’s gaze grew even sharper. He muttered to himself like someone with a complaint.

“I think I know who it is.”

“What?”

“Isn’t that your attendant over there? Seems like some high-ranking young master, be careful. There are many wild beasts in this forest.”

It was unclear whether his tone was one of concern or mockery. The man’s eyes under the hood sharpened as he looked up at Limless.

As Limless had guessed, the man’s faint red eyes were visible from within the shadows.

‘Was he curious about the new bride?’

He remembered sending several portraits, but apparently that wasn’t enough to satisfy the Crown Prince’s heart. Is he the type of man who needs to see for himself? What a picky fellow. Limless glared at the man while inwardly grumbling his dissatisfaction.

The two pairs of eyes clashed in mid-air. Limless slightly raised the corner of his mouth, accepting the man’s gaze head-on. The way they glared at each other was no different from a declaration of war.

Limless urged his horse towards Ilarid.

“Let’s go, Ilarid. That person should go his own way too.”

“Uh… okay…”

It had been a while since she’d seen her brother like this. Though he was aggressive by nature, he didn’t usually show such an aura so openly. Today, he was blatantly provoking the other party.

‘Does he know him?’

Ilarid tilted her head but didn’t suspect anything further. How many people had Limless antagonized? She soon moved away from the hooded man along with Limless.

From the other side, a man who looked like an attendant came running breathlessly. The attendant bowed his head towards the man and said,

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, has something happened?”

“No, nothing at all.”

The man immediately lowered his hood, seemingly feeling stifled. Soon, dazzling golden hair and dark red eyes appeared.

There was no one in the empire who didn’t know him. Though he tried to conceal himself as much as possible, it was difficult to escape Limless Rowen Melpiram’s sharp gaze.

‘Ilarid.’

Cledius stared at Ilarid, who was receding like a dot on a landscape painting.

Soon to be his possession without any problems. My person. Mine. Human desire for the first object of longing filled his being.

Though the presence of her brother beside her was irritating, once Ilarid entered the imperial palace, they would naturally grow apart anyway.

It wouldn’t be long now. Cledius turned his back, watching the retreating siblings with a strange smile.

**

The Melpiram siblings didn’t head straight to the mansion.

With Limless’s implicit permission to ride a bit more, Ilarid immediately increased her speed.

After riding for a while, the siblings calmed their horses and let them drink water nearby. Limless, glancing at Ilarid’s utterly delighted face, casually threw out a question.

“Ilarid. Do you really want to become the Crown Princess?”

“Well……”

“From the way you’re talking, it seems you’re still hesitating.”

The younger sister’s face immediately darkened. How could that child not be worried, facing the most important event of her life? Reading Ilarid’s mind, Limless deliberately spoke in a brighter voice.

“What would be better, just not getting married and living here forever, or living as the Crown Princess?”

Both were problematic. For an unmarried daughter to stay idle in the mansion was fearful of the surrounding people’s whispers, and living as the Crown Princess meant shouldering too much responsibility.

“Brother. Isn’t there such a thing as a sweet life?”

“Where’s the leisure to taste the flavor in human life? Life is about chewing and swallowing even if it’s bitter and astringent.”

Limless was already sitting on his saddle. Judging by the sun tilting towards the horizon, it was time to head back.

“Mother is all good, but it seems she’s trying to push you into her own standards. She thinks you’re always unwavering and upright Ilarid.”

“That’s an overestimation.”

Ilarid said flatly as she mounted her horse. What on earth made her come to such a conclusion?

Mother, Keira Rowen Melpiram, was an extraordinary figure. She was the de facto pillar of Melpiram, to the extent that it wouldn’t be strange to omit the title ‘Madam’.

Her father, the Count of Melpiram, had a shy side that made him reluctant to take the forefront. People began to imagine that the Count of Melpiram seemed to be under his wife’s thumb, wondering if he was being mistreated.

Now deceased, the Count’s father had roared with laughter upon hearing those rumors.

‘I couldn’t rest easy leaving the name of Melpiram to that trembling son of mine. But seeing our new daughter-in-law, it feels like a thousand-year-old thirst is being quenched!’

Keira was unrestrained but never crossed the line. The previous emperor had been keeping a close eye on the Melpiram family.

Wouldn’t it be good to bring a family favored by many into the imperial family? Despite the Empress Dowager’s opposition, the previous emperor pushed for the marriage.

And so, Ilarid abruptly became a prospective member of the imperial family.

‘You’re a child strong enough to endure everything.’

What would be included in that ‘everything’? It would probably include pain that couldn’t be endured with a sober mind. She had never experienced such arduous trials yet. Shouldn’t she have endured at least once to be able to affirm or deny it?

“Ilarid.”

“Yes?”

“Live your life. Your life that won’t be bent or dragged by anyone.”

“What’s with you suddenly, why are you pretending to be cool…?”

“You just don’t know, but this brother has always been cool.”

“Hiya!”

It was sincere advice given as a brother, but Ilarid quickly spurred her horse and dashed forward.

“I’ll catch up to you in 10 seconds. I’ll give you exactly 10 seconds!”

Limless shouted at his sister’s retreating back. When did she grow up like this? When the talk of marriage with the imperial family first came up, he had opposed it without considering anything else.

To Limless, Keira was an impressive and dignified mother. But sometimes her ambition was excessive. Could Ilarid really handle that position? Furthermore, could Melpiram withstand the checks from the imperial family?

If nothing else, he needed to play the role of supporting Ilarid from behind. Without strength, they would scatter like autumn leaves blown by the wind.

‘I must protect her. No matter what happens.’

After his silent vow, Melpiram counted exactly 10 seconds in his mind. Then he slowly rode his horse in the direction Ilarid had gone.

“So, you weren’t caught by Father?”

“I was. As soon as I entered the mansion, there was a stern rebuke, but brother covered for me.”

“Oh my, you should be able to get out of such situations on your own. All sorts of things will happen when you enter the imperial palace, are you going to call for your brother every time?”

In the midst of preparing well, Keira gave Ilarid a light scolding. The nanny, who had been quietly watching, added a word.

“It’s not my place to say, but… I wish she could indulge in childish whims at least within the mansion. Once she enters the imperial palace, she won’t be able to even if she wants to.”

“I agree with nanny.”

Ilarid, changed into her nightgown, plopped down on the bed and raised her hand in agreement. Keira’s forehead slightly furrowed, but she didn’t seem too displeased.

“Yes, I wish you could be comfortable at least while you’re in the mansion. Do plenty of things you haven’t done before.”

“Then what about dating?”

“Go ahead.”

A frank answer came from Keira’s lips. This time, it was the nanny who looked troubled. No matter what, being in the position of the designated Crown Princess, it would be problematic if rumors spread.

“Nanny, why such a surprised face? Ilarid is at that age, she might like someone.”

Ilarid, who had been dangling her legs sitting on the bed, jumped down and spoke looking at Keira.

“What exactly is this feeling of liking someone?”

Everywhere was quiet. As if time had stopped, both her mother and nanny were frozen in place. Ilarid looked at the two with bewildered eyes.

“Mother…? Nanny?”

‘Shall I tell you?’

A familiar male voice was heard from behind. She had forgotten for a moment that this was a dream. When Ilarid blinked a few times, the surrounding scenery changed completely.

Her mother, nanny, and all the furniture and decorations in the room disappeared, leaving only an empty white space.

It felt like she could hear heartbeats coming from all directions. Ilarid couldn’t bring herself to turn around. It was clearly the voice of someone she knew. The moment she turned her head, she would face him.

The man’s hands slowly moved down along Ilarid’s shoulders and arms. Passing the curve of her round elbow, they gradually moved towards Ilarid’s hands.

The sound of breathing in her ear was as vivid as if it was exhaled right next to her. Why did it feel strangely excited? Ilarid tried to break free from the man’s arms to calm her heating body.

But soon the man’s arms wrapped around her waist. It was gentle but firm. She already guessed she couldn’t escape. Ilarid slowly turned around and called out the other person’s name.

“Lebel……”