Floria’s giggling was truly chilling, like a madwoman. But I didn’t show it and bowed my head even lower.

“What I mean is, it’s already too late. I’m in a very bad mood right now, and I’m contemplating how to tear your heart apart to make myself feel even slightly better.”

Her voice was as cold as ice, making me doubt if this was the same person who had been laughing just moments ago. I swallowed hard and carefully spoke up.

“A few days ago, His Majesty the King secretly summoned the First Prince.”

I sensed Floria hesitate at my words. As expected, I knew she would react sensitively to matters related to the throne, no matter how angry she was with me.

“The King, whose condition has severely worsened, urged the First Prince to hasten his marriage to Princess Izola.”

“Didn’t you say there would be no marriage between them? Don’t tell me you lied about that too?”

Floria’s voice sharpened. But soon, she seemed to recall that Cahirun had firmly stated with his own mouth that there would be no marriage with Izola, and her expression turned puzzled.

I glanced at Floria’s reaction and carefully continued.

“Actually… I received a marriage proposal from the First Prince yesterday.”

“Ha!”

Floria let out a loud, mocking laugh. I gently touched the ring on my right hand as I continued speaking.

“Until I met His Highness recently, I never thought he had any feelings for me. Although we had known each other before, our relationship was too ambiguous to be called close, so I never imagined…”

“That’s enough.”

Floria cut my words short. Then she lifted my chin with her finger to meet my gaze and smiled. But her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“Finish what you were saying earlier. About receiving the proposal.”

I put on a troubled expression and said,

“Well… His Highness was right. The First Prince said he had harbored feelings for me for a long time.”

“My, to be in the First Prince’s heart. It seems you have quite the charm that I’m unaware of, elder sister. Isn’t that right, Shana?”

Pretending not to understand Floria’s sarcasm, I continued.

“When I heard his proposal, I thought it might actually be for the best.”

“Why, are you coveting the position of queen?”

At her chilling voice, I quickly shook my head.

“No, not at all. I simply thought that I could finally be of proper help to Your Highness.”

“How could you possibly be of help to me?”

Floria let out a scornful laugh.

“He may have proposed marriage to me, but if rejected, the First Prince will choose Izola to secure the throne. It would be the same even if Your Highness were to kill me. You know well how cold-hearted the First Prince is.”

Floria rested her elbows on the table and cupped her chin, rolling her eyes upward as if recalling Cahirun. From her expression, I could tell she was already half-convinced by my words.

“If Princess Izola becomes his wife, she will surely become a threatening presence. Moreover, since she is at odds with Your Highness, it will cause you even more trouble. But I’m different.”

“Because you’re on my side? How can I believe that? I don’t trust people who have deceived me.”

“Even if you don’t trust me, you can trust my reputation.”

Floria seemed intrigued by this unexpected statement.

“Right now, my reputation and honor are at rock bottom compared to any other noble lady in this country. Even the palace maids dislike me, and even the beggars on the street curse me. Who would welcome such a person becoming the queen of this country?”

I never thought my reputation, which had fallen so low it could pierce the earth’s core, would become a shield to save my life.

I never imagined there would come a day when I’d be so grateful for the sharp gazes directed at me. Truly, these days, I’ve never felt more acutely that one can never predict how things will turn out.

“I’m sorry to say this, but the Second Prince’s support is still insignificant compared to the First Prince’s. Although it has risen considerably thanks to Your Highness, everyone knows it’s still far behind. If he marries Princess Izola at this time, his support base will become even stronger.”

But not me. If I, with my abundance of bad rumors, were to marry Cahirun, his support would inevitably plummet.

He would undoubtedly face criticism from the people of the kingdom.

An elder brother marrying the wicked woman who had tormented his younger brother’s wife for life. Moreover, due to the queen’s machinations over the years, Eric had built an image of being kind and good, while Cahirun was rumored to be a war demon who enjoyed killing.

‘In short, it’s a structure of evil and evil versus good and good.’

I had thought about helping Cahirun ascend to the throne by marrying him, but I couldn’t help but worry about this aspect. Seeing my hesitation, Cahirun raised an eyebrow and said,

“Do I look so incompetent that I would be defeated by such trifles?”

In the original story, the decisive reason Cahirun couldn’t ascend to the throne wasn’t due to his incompetence, but because he was falsely accused by Floria.

However, unlike Izola, who had a good reputation among people as the princess of Etra, I was infamous, so I couldn’t help but worry.

“You’re right. I see.”

Floria nodded. It seemed my words had gotten through to her. After all, this was exactly what she had wanted from me when I first entered the palace. The wicked Reneola Violet making the kind Floria shine brighter.

Seeing Floria’s intrigued expression, I smiled triumphantly. I thought this was just the kind of situation she would like.

“Your Highness, how can you trust this person?”

As always, Shana stepped in to oppose. But Floria had already made up her mind and raised her hand to stop her.

“As elder sister said, even if we can’t trust her, we can trust her reputation. Besides, surely she wouldn’t do anything foolish when her heart is in my hands.”

At her questioning look, I quickly nodded.

“But she’s not someone who would help Your Highness without reason.”

“Actually, there is something I want.”

I opened my mouth as if I had been waiting for this moment.

“If this goes well and Your Highness ascends to the position of queen, please trust me then. And as proof of that, I would like you to return my heart.”

Having nearly died recently, my words would sound quite desperate. Of course, even if she really became queen, she probably wouldn’t return my heart.

Floria, who had helped me up herself, brushed the dust off my skirt and said,

“Alright, elder sister. If it really turns out that way, I’ll grant you whatever you wish.”

Floria took my hand and smiled brightly.

“Go ahead and marry the First Prince.”

Only after leaving the Second Prince’s palace for quite some time did I finally let out a sigh of relief. I was glad Floria had believed me more easily than expected.

Now that the biggest hurdle was overcome, from now on—

At that moment, someone grabbed my arm. Startled, I turned around, flailing my hand, only to find Cahirun firmly grasping my wrist, smirking.

“Your hand still moves first, I see.”

“You scared me!”

As I clutched my chest, Cahirun looked me over and let out a short sigh. Then he adjusted his grip on my hand and took the lead. I tried to pull my hand away while looking around nervously, but it was no use.

“Let go of this. What if someone sees?”

I wanted to shout, “Don’t you have any dignity as royalty?!” but I knew the response would likely be, “Is that even important?”

As I continued to struggle, he leaned in and whispered in my ear,

“I’m currently spreading rumors that First Prince Cahirun de Hilic is head over heels for Reneola Violet, so cooperate quietly.”

“Ah.”

As I stopped resisting, he grinned and continued walking. I could feel the shocked gazes of passing courtiers fixed upon us.

It was clear that rumors would spread quickly in this palace where secrets were non-existent.

My prediction was spot on.

The rumor that Cahirun and I were in a romantic relationship spread like wildfire, and soon it reached the King’s ears. Summoned before the King along with Cahirun, I had to endure his disapproving gaze scanning me from head to toe.

“Of all the women you could bring, you choose such a thing…”

As the King clicked his tongue, Cahirun stared at him straight on and said coldly,

“Please mind your words. She will soon be my wife.”

“Wife? Hah! You, turning down the princess of Etra, and this is what you bring? Are you in your right mind or not? Do you intend to hand over the throne to Eric!”

The King, who had burst out shouting, clutched his forehead as if struck by a headache. I had sensed it before, but it seems the King wants Cahirun to ascend to the throne. This wasn’t described in detail in the original story, so I hadn’t known.

“Surely you’re not so foolish as to think that mere love is important for royalty. If you’re so enamored, why not make the Princess Izola your queen and keep this woman as a concubine?”

Huh. Now I see that Eric’s womanizing ways were inherited from his father.

As I listened quietly, I started to feel upset. I couldn’t bring myself to glare at the King, so instead, I bit the inside of my cheek.

Cahirun then took my hand and placed it on his arm. When I looked up, he smiled at me tenderly. It seems he had keenly sensed my mood.

“Your Majesty,”

Cahirun turned to the King and continued.

“I have no intention of marrying anyone but this woman. So if you won’t allow it, then pass the throne to Eric.”