“I hear Princess Ormia is staying in the separate palace.”

“They say when she collapsed due to poor health, the imperial people were concerned and took her away.”

“I hear the dressmaker madame and merchant people keep coming and going with packages. The rumors about how much the imperial people are spending, oh my.”

“I heard the princess seduced them. That’s also why she divorced Viscount Olan…”

At the banquet, the nobles eagerly tore Ormia apart.

After all, isn’t gossiping about others the most fun?

But even if one dislikes it, when it becomes about one’s own family it tends to be irritating, yet the royal family was an exception.

“Elder brother Caland, are you alright?”

At Leticia’s worried gaze, Caland forced a smile. Alian and Noyer standing beside him grumbled that they were ruining the mood.

“There’s only good news, why the long face?”

“You’re too soft. Brother, you’re meant to lead this country in the future, how can you be so weak-hearted? You should be happy that Ormia was sent instead of Leticia.”

“That’s right. How wonderful that we don’t have to see that gloomy face anymore. Finally, God has driven out Glishia’s negativity.”

Leticia clasped her hands together, lowering her eyebrows.

“I… I just hope the princess gets along well with her family today. It always made me sad that she was so distant. She’ll be leaving soon.”

‘Hoping Ormia gets along well with her family?’

Caland wanted to deny it.

Ormia had tried to get along with her family.

It was they who pushed her away. Not speaking to her, ignoring her existence as if she weren’t there, and spewing cruel words.

Caland pressed his palm to his heart.

That day when the chandelier fell, the sight of Ormia taking poison and coughing up blood visited him as nightmares every night.

He had only watched.

He couldn’t move.

Even in dreams he vowed to save her tomorrow, but he watched Ormia collapse, unable to lift his legs stuck to the ground.

The Ormia in his dreams did not blame him.

As if it were natural to collapse in such a situation, she bled as she was hit by falling debris.

And she did not ask for help. Those eyes that gazed at them indifferently tormented him even after waking from the dream.

‘That’s even more terrible.’

Had he, had his family pushed her to that point?

“Leticia, you’re too kind.”

“The princess is leaving now. Instead of me.”

At Alian’s praise, Leticia’s mouth corners seemed to lift slightly as she dejectedly lowered her head.

As if she were happy Ormia was leaving.

When Caland blinked, she still wore a sad expression.

“It’s her last banquet, I hope she leaves with good memories. Elder brother, please pay attention to the princess today.”

“I suppose I have no choice, since it’s your request.”

“I’ll do as you ask.”

“It’s fortunate you’re part of our family, Leticia. Without you, we wouldn’t even be able to smile. You’re the flower of Glishia.”

“I’m so happy you say that.”

The atmosphere was harmonious as always, but Caland felt distant, as if it were someone else’s affair.

He checked the entrance doors. Ormia had not yet arrived.

After collapsing, Ormia was led to the separate palace where the imperial delegation was staying and had not come out since.

In the early days after the incident, the imperial delegation blocked visits, saying the royal family was trying to poison her to prevent sending a royal member.

When it was revealed to be a side effect of infertility drugs, that truth was just as awkward for the royal family’s position, so time just passed aimlessly.

Jeffrey Olan went to visit, but said Ormia cursed and chased him out.

And Jeffrey spread strange rumors.

“Princess Ormia didn’t want attention even before marrying me. The imperial delegation doesn’t know what kind of person she is, so the princess approached them first to take Princess Leticia’s place.”

“When I went to the separate palace, she was completely attached to one of the delegation members…”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t say more to protect the princess’s honor.”

It was the Glishian royal family’s decision to send Ormia instead of Leticia.

Jeffrey went around insinuating that Princess Ormia had seduced the imperial delegation to choose her.

Many nobles had seen one of the delegation members save Ormia at the Queen’s birthday banquet.

And they saw the delegation criticize the nobles and royals present while defending Ormia.

The delegation was already viewed unfavorably for coming as imperial envoys and threatening to invite royalty, and Jeffrey’s words were like pouring oil on the fire.

Rumors about Ormia spread unfavorably again among the nobles.

“Princess Ormia has abandoned Glishia. Even though His Majesty graciously embraced God’s negativity and let her enjoy royal status until now, how could she?”

“No wonder she’s called incompetent. Even God knew the princess’s evil nature.”

“I hear she thought her position was stolen by Princess Leticia. How could she, when that person is so kind.”

“Originally the empire wanted Princess Leticia, but she stole it with evil intentions. Sigh, how can such a person be royalty.”

“She thinks she’ll live well in the empire after abandoning her country, hmph. The imperial people have ears and eyes too, they’ll see what kind of person the princess is.”

Hearing the nobles’ conversations around him, Duke Bersi smiled deeply.

“How foolish and amusing. If they thought about it a little, they’d realize it doesn’t make sense, but people are so easily swayed.”

“Is it okay to leave it like this? This isn’t right.”

Duke Windsor frowned but did not step in.

“Ormia is leaving soon anyway. No need for us to intervene. Will she explain after spreading rumors herself? Why not mention giving her infertility drugs too.”

“Duke Haiman.”

Duke Balman stopped Duke Haiman’s words with a pale face.

“Please don’t mention what happened then.”

“How weak. It’s not like it was your first time seeing blood.”

“Just remembering makes me feel unwell.”

Hearing Duke Balman’s voice, Duke Bersi inwardly clicked his tongue.

Duke Balman had not looked well since that day. According to informants, the other dukes had also increased their drinking or training.

It would be fine with time.

‘What’s so bad about seeing Princess Ormia collapse and cough up blood.’

Even as he thought this, Duke Bersi felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He had a feeling something was going wrong, but couldn’t pinpoint what the problem was. It was even less clear because the subject was Princess Ormia.

‘There’s no need to pay attention to the incompetent Princess Ormia. It’s a waste of time.’

“Princess Ormia Beltoa is entering.”

At the herald’s voice, the dukes’ gazes turned to the door. The nobles also stopped their conversations.

Those who hadn’t cared whether Ormia entered or not now waited for her arrival.

“The imperial delegation is entering.”

With the successive announcements, the doors opened.

“Huh.”

“Is that…”

“Oh my, now they’re openly… Huh?”

The reaction sweeping from the door was different than usual. Even the dukes.

Caland turned his head to follow them and held his breath.

The imperial delegation entered escorting Ormia as if protecting her.

Among the imposing men wearing the empire’s signature black-heavy formal wear stood the slender Ormia in a water-colored mermaid dress.

Countless jewels sparkled on the dress hem that gradated to a water color towards the bottom, and the white flowers that the Glishian nobles despised beautifully adorned Ormia’s hair.

Ormia shone even more at the splendid banquet.

Many people thought the same thing, though they didn’t say it out loud.

Had Princess Ormia always been this beautiful?

* * *

The last banquet in Glishia.

In two days, I will finally leave Glishia.

Though I’ve lived three lives, I’ve never even left the capital.

As if this land had trapped my legs, I couldn’t even think of leaving and was confined, struggling to go outside.

The voices of the murmuring nobles carried to behind the doors.

Having heard what the servants in the separate palace whispered, I could guess what the nobles would say.

“Are you nervous?”

“Don’t forget your promise to dance with each of us.”

Kind consideration worrying about me.

I looked at Marx and Benjamin standing beside me, and finally Liam escorting my other hand on the opposite side.

“If the people bother you, look at me.”

Liam’s eyes gazed at me as if peering into my soul.

“I’ll make it so you don’t notice anyone else.”

“Wow, I can’t believe that guy is saying such things. The imperial ladies would faint if they knew.”

“Lord Marx, no one would believe you even if you told them.”

Liam lightly dismissed the two’s words and signaled the herald.

“We’ll enter.”

The herald announced to the hall. As the doors slowly opened, the hall’s bright light began to bathe my feet and illuminate me.

“Princess Ormia Beltoa is entering.”

The bustling people’s murmurs subsided.

I took a step, escorted by Marx and Liam on either side.

“The imperial delegation is entering.”

A suffocating silence fell.

‘This isn’t the first or second time.’

After being labeled God’s negativity and entering high society,

When I accidentally revealed my blessing at a banquet,

When they announced Leticia’s adoption,

After I said I would marry Jeffrey,

When I stood among the angry crowd after the empire’s invasion.

There were countless times.

Sharp, cold, merciless gazes watched to see what I would do this time.

Begging me not to do anything.

Wondering what stupid thing I would do next.

Such gazes and silence shouldn’t bother me, I thought they didn’t.

‘I can’t breathe.’

The memories of being oppressed and criticized for so long don’t easily disappear, it seems, as my chest tightened.

“Die! If only you didn’t exist!”

“This country became like this because you were born!”

“If only the princess wasn’t here, House Beltoa would be perfect.”

Words I heard long ago jumped out from the drawers of my mind.

I want to run away. My legs trembled slightly as strength left them.

‘No, I can’t run away. I can’t show weakness.’

Even though I knew, the memories etched in my body wouldn’t easily disappear.

“Look, princess.”

Just then, Liam covered my hand resting on his arm. He warmed my cold fingertips.

“Everyone is looking at you.”

I know. With what expressions, what gazes they’ll look.

“They’re all entranced because the princess is so beautiful.”

“I really held my breath for a moment seeing you today, princess.”

Marx and Benjamin’s playful banter.

Feeling Liam lean towards me, I raised my head.

He took one of the flowers adorning my hair, kissed it, and pinned it to his jacket.

“They will remember your appearance today for a long time. Raise your head and show everyone how beautiful you are.”

Liam’s tone was firm, as if sincere.

What a magical person.

How fortunate I am to have met you.

This is the last time I’ll see them anyway.

I will never return to Glishia.

As he said, I raised my head.

I’ve done nothing wrong.

“Princess Ormia?”

“You’re saying that person is Princess Ormia?”

“The princess… how can she be so beautiful.”

Unfamiliar exclamations burst out from all around.