After making me wait for a day, the King appeared accompanied by the royal family and dukes.

As if he had heard the situation, he coldly passed by me and sat at the head seat. When the dukes entered, Caland retreated to his seat with a pale face.

He spoke as if he cared for me, but when it was time to actually step up, he ran away.

Caland turned his head, avoiding my gaze.

I’m not disappointed. Because that’s just who he is.

‘Yes, that is you.’

“Why do we have to waste time like this?”

“We’re busy, and for such a trivial matter.”

“Since Princess Ormia wishes for formal processing of the current issue, we shall comply. Isn’t she someone who will be going on a long journey?”

“You’re going in my place. I want to comply with your wishes even like this. I’m sorry because of me.”

“Leticia, you’re really kind. If only she were half as good as you.”

Leticia also took a seat, as if she wanted to see how I looked. The Queen did not come.

As I looked at the royalty and dukes, my eyes met with Duke Windsor.

“Princess Ormia, do you really have to make things so uncomfortable?”

Even as he criticized me, a royal, in front of everyone, no one stopped him.

“I hear Princess Leticia is already not feeling well because Princess Ormia is going in her place, so why burden her like this?”

“Duke. I’m fine.”

“But your expression looks so unwell.”

“When will you cure that disease of wanting attention?”

Starting with Duke Windsor’s criticism, Alian also spoke up.

“How will she change when she’s still like that as an adult? After causing such a fuss with the divorce, she should have stayed quiet, but what did she do to the delegation from the Empire, seducing a man and causing strange rumors.”

“That’s right. I’m embarrassed because of you. These days I’m ashamed to attend banquets.”

Alian clicked his tongue in agreement with Noyer’s words. Duke Haiman, who had been quietly observing, opened his mouth.

“Why did you demand an imperial edict in the first place?”

“That’s right. Wouldn’t the King’s order have been enough? Why ask for it as if going to the Empire is some great task?”

“If you can’t even use blessings, you should be grateful for such an opportunity.”

Noyer’s voice, who had given up the path of a scholar because he was royalty, became agitated.

“This is why you’re not loved.”

“This is why your husband had an affair, because you’re so tiresome.”

“Stop it. I feel sorry for the Princess.”

“Sorry? It’s the seed I sowed.”

Duke Haiman’s question was buried under the princes’ criticisms.

I saw Princess Leticia smiling slightly, but I looked at the King. Their criticism gradually subsided.

The King just looked down at me with a cold and annoyed expression.

He must know I stayed up all night waiting, that I hadn’t moved an inch with the same clothes and appearance as yesterday, but the King was nonchalant.

“Lebler, proceed.”

Count Lebler came forward holding a rolled parchment.

“Princess Ormia, I will issue the imperial edict, so kneel down.”

As I heard the words and stepped back slightly to bend my knees, two attendants rushed over and pressed down on my shoulders from both sides.

Under the forceful pressure, both knees touched the floor and my back was pressed to bow my head in front of the King.

As if treating a criminal.

“What are you doing to the Princess!”

Caland’s voice was ignored.

“An imperial edict is an order given by the King to his subjects. It is proper to show appropriate respect.”

I hadn’t disobeyed the King’s order nor delayed.

It was the King’s retaliation.

This was the reason he called the royalty and dukes. To humiliate me in front of everyone.

It was an act to give me a sense of humiliation as revenge for offending him.

For something so trivial.

A hollow sigh escaped. I had to force my lips as laughter was about to come out.

I had long known that my existence had no meaning, but to the King, to them, I was truly worthless.

Though I didn’t resist trying to get up, the hands pressing my shoulders did not let go. They kept pressing down, as if to make me feel more subjugated and miserable.

Count Lebler’s shoes came into my downcast view. He read the King’s edict above my head.

“Ormia Beltoa is ordered to go to Ethersia. As a member of Glishia, be an example and spread the devout culture and will of God Lagras.”

Count Lebler’s solemn voice fell on my head. The audience hall was quiet and I could feel everyone’s gaze.

“Receive the King’s edict.”

As I tried to raise my head to receive the edict, my shoulders were pressed down again. A bitter laugh almost came out at this blatant method of humiliation.

I raised my hand upwards without lifting my head, as the King wished. I had to beg like a lowly commoner seeking mercy from God.

I had to stay in that position for a while, and then dry parchment touched my palm. Only then did the attendants pressing my shoulders step back.

Without brushing back my fallen hair, I unfolded the parchment to check its contents.

An imperial edict stamped with the seals of the King and the temple.

The words of gratitude I used to utter lifelessly did not come out.

As I stood up, Count Lebler brought a cup containing a black liquid.

“There is no precedent for Glishia’s royalty going to another country. Royalty has a duty to protect the noble bloodline of God.”

After ignoring and treating me as a nonexistent being, now they demand duty.

“Ormia Beltoa, fulfill your duty as royalty.”

As the King finished speaking, Count Lebler held out the cup to me. It was black so I couldn’t tell what was in it, but I knew what kind of medicine it was.

“It’s a contraceptive. It has no other harm to the body, just causes a fever, so drink it with ease.”

You haven’t changed at all.

As if not allowing even a glimmer of hope, you haven’t changed at all.

I lifted my head and looked around at the people.

Gazes looking at me with boredom or excitement. Caland’s shoulders twitched as if he was about to rush out, but he didn’t move his feet.

The specially selected, highly devout attendants who would defy even death at the King’s command watched me sharply.

If the King wishes, they will force me to drink it.

Just like in my third life.

After hearing my blessing and confession of past lives, the King confined me in a tower but couldn’t block all access. Duke Bersi was close to the Queen’s maternal family, and the Queen used the blessing she didn’t even use.

When the King found out Duke Bersi was secretly coming and going with the Queen’s permission, he made me take medicine.

I refused, but it was useless.

It was humiliating, like force-feeding an animal.

I found out later. That it was a contraceptive.

I looked at the cup on the tray.

It was a darkness that would not be diluted no matter what was mixed in. A darkness that would swallow everything.

Looking at the black medicine, I asked.

“Did everyone, all the royalty and ducal families agree?”

“Drink it.”

The King doesn’t decide alone to avoid responsibility.

“Yes. If it’s your order.”

I picked up the cup and looked around. I looked at the King too.

“Everyone must have agreed to this, right?”

If you wanted to ignore and erase me so much, I should make it so that I can never be erased.

“Are you trying to waste time? Drink it.”

The King urged.

I drank the lukewarm liquid, which had been warmed to be easily drinkable, in one gulp.

I vividly felt the thick, bitter taste going down my throat. It settled in my stomach like a coiled snake.

And the moment I opened my eyes that I had closed, it came back up.

“Ugh!”

I vomited blood enough to stain my front lapel red.

Just like when I vomited blood alone in the cold tower before.

My vision blurred, but I could clearly see their shocked expressions.

‘Yes, look.’

Look.

See exactly what the result of your choice is.

“Ormia!”

They probably won’t feel guilty, but I wanted to show them.

‘A woman collapses vomiting blood because of your choice.’

“Kyaaaa!”

* * *

Red blood poured out. The front of the blue dress was soaked and turned black.

Ormia crumbled.

“Kyaa, kyaaaa!”

Leticia screamed and fell to her knees. No one moved. They couldn’t take their eyes off Ormia.

Ormia who collapsed while bleeding.

The faint smell of blood spread. Pale Ormia closed her eyes and didn’t move.

“Ormia!”

Caland ran over and embraced Ormia.

“Court physician! Call the court physician! Hurry!”

Not knowing how to handle her, he panicked and then held Ormia’s shoulders, lightly tapping her cheek with trembling hands.

Her closed eyes did not open. Her delicate body was cold.

“Count Lebler! Didn’t you say it would have no other effect on Ormia’s body!”

“Th-that’s right! It’s definitely just a contraceptive. I checked several times myself.”

“Capture the medicine maker immediately!”

“Quickly take the Princess to her room.”

Caland carried Ormia into the lounge prepared next to the audience hall.

On the day the chandelier fell, Caland saved Leticia. Because he saw the person from the Empire approaching Ormia.

No, that’s an excuse. It was instinctive.

Until the guest from the Empire spoke up, Ormia’s well-being wasn’t on his mind.

Even he was no different from others.

‘She’s too light.’

Even in her dress, Ormia in his arms was light. Her exposed ankle was thinner than his wrist.

“Was I really family to you?”

Ormia’s quiet voice asking came to mind.

“Cal.”

She pierced his heart with the nickname no one calls him anymore.

“Among the Beltoas, I hated and resented you the most.”

“You’re the cruelest. You only shook me with clumsy affection so I couldn’t let go.”

“Hypocrite.”

Caland laid Ormia on the bed and stepped back. The court physician, priest, and maid examined Ormia but hesitated to touch her body.

“What are you doing? Treat her immediately!”

“Y-yes!”

“First, I’ll loosen the tight knots.”

“How’s her breathing?”

“Her pulse is urgent.”

Listening to the urgent voices, Caland collapsed onto the sofa. As he rubbed his face, his palms were red. Ormia’s blood had smeared on his face.

“Ormia……”

Hot tears flowed down the cheeks of the hypocrite who had no right to cry.