“Everything is ready.”

The Count and Countess of Eidenbenz came to Veronia and Killian’s bedroom. Veronia, with a solemn expression, stood up from her seat. Killian’s eyes, full of concern, examined Veronia’s expression.

“Will you be alright?”

“Yes. Because you’ll be by my side.”

“Of course.”

Killian firmly grasped the hand Veronia extended. Veronia felt somewhat reassured by the gentle pressure on her hand.

In the hallway, Saint Evangelina was also present with the Count and Countess. Evangelina gave Veronia the gentlest of smiles.

“I believe everything will go well. So there’s no need to be nervous, Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

Veronia slowly moved her steps, feeling the kind warmth surrounding her with her entire body.

Knights, priests, and priestesses had all gathered in the front courtyard. Veronia took a deep breath, tense at the sight of the entire courtyard filled with people.

“Don’t worry. You’ll surely do well.”

Receiving Killian’s kind encouragement, Veronia stepped onto the platform. The surroundings fell dead silent, and everyone’s gaze fixed on Veronia.

Veronia slowly removed the magic tool piercings she was wearing. As she removed the left piercing, her silver hair turned golden, and her green eyes changed to red.

When she removed the right piercing, the burn scar and the tattoo covering it disappeared completely. Exclamations burst from people’s mouths at the astonishing sight.

“My goodness…!”

“So you changed your appearance with magic tools!”

“The rumors that Lady Nia was actually Princess Veronia were true!”

“The princess hadn’t died after all!”

The people, who had been in a momentary uproar, soon fell silent again. This was because Veronia bowed deeply in greeting. After straightening up, Veronia slowly opened her mouth.

“The life I lived in the imperial palace, wearing the label of princess, was never happy. Those who were called family suffocated me, and I struggled in pain every day. I felt like I was dying, and it was beyond my ability to endure such a life any longer. I didn’t want to die.”

Veronia began her story candidly. Her voice trembled slightly due to nervousness.

“So I decided to die. I hid behind death, abandoned everything, and ran away. I intended to live like that for the rest of my life, and I never regretted my choice. However, I feel deeply sorry for those who mourned my death and shed many tears at the time.”

The people looking up at Veronia standing on the platform focused all their attention on her story. Some let out shallow sighs, while others shed tears.

“But in the end, I’ve come to stand before you again in my original form like this. It was because I lost my magic tool piercings after entering a collapsing building. When I rushed into the burning building, I was afraid, but I didn’t hesitate. Because it was the natural thing to do.”

As time passed, Veronia’s voice no longer trembled, perhaps having grown accustomed to the atmosphere. She continued speaking, enunciating each syllable clearly.

“It’s the same now. I was afraid to reveal my true self to you like this. But I didn’t hesitate. And I’m certain I won’t regret it. I promise that after I finish my duties here for the remaining period and return to the capital, I will stand proudly before the people formally.”

Veronia paused for a moment and carefully scanned the faces of the people looking at her.

Feeling the warm energy in their gazes, she was no longer afraid or nervous. She felt courage that she didn’t even know existed until she stood here gradually welling up.

“I dare not ask you to take my side or to understand me. However, I am both former Princess Veronia and Nia Lampert. So, I would be grateful if you could treat me as a colleague for as long as we work together here.”

“Long live Princess Veronia!”

“Long live Princess Veronia!”

Wow! Cheers and applause erupted. Veronia couldn’t help but tremble at their enthusiastic response. When her eyes met Killian’s, he nodded and smiled gently.

For a moment, Veronia recalled the time when she first opened her eyes after being possessed by the villainess’s body. She had resented God for the situation and setting that desired her pain and death.

But not now. This world, the people belonging to this world, were warmly welcoming her. Veronia knew well that all this was thanks to Killian’s care and love for her.

‘Thank you, Killian.’

‘I love you.’

The quietly colliding gazes of the two burned hotter than ever before.

Jonathan’s face twisted grimly as he repeatedly read the letter.

“That impudent girl was alive? What… What does this mean?”

It was too absurd and unbelievable. Veronia, who had died 5 years ago, had come back to life! She had been deceiving the entire country all this time!

“Then was the burned corpse all a lie too? Huh… Well! She pulled off quite a vicious fraud! How did she manage with that dull brain of hers?”

The back of his head ached as if struck by the shocking twist. His mind was so tangled that proper thinking was impossible.

Jonathan closed his eyes and concentrated deeply on his thoughts to calm his mind.

‘Veronia has returned, and that Veronia was Lady Nia, known as Killian’s fiancée… With divine power that can heal children….’

Veronia’s return wasn’t a problem at all. The real issue was that she was Killian’s fiancée.

As his mind settled somewhat, Jonathan opened his eyes wide. And in an agitated voice, he muttered to himself.

“Ah… I wondered why Killian suddenly decided to marry a commoner… It was because it was Veronia that he decided to marry.”

He felt both enraged and self-loathing at the fact that he had been completely fooled.

He very much wanted to hit his foolish self who had been relieved thinking that Killian, who said he would marry a commoner, seemed to have no desire for power. And suddenly, as he realized something, his heart began to beat dangerously.

“Killian and Veronia… No! Absolutely not!”

Jonathan shouted. He wanted to make sure no one could covet his position. To firmly hold onto the emperor’s seat as an utterly ordinary person, he needed to eliminate potential threats one by one.

That’s why he got rid of his father and Caspian, and also put strong shackles on Tate and Sandra’s ankles.

Everything had gone smoothly so far. He thought things would go even more smoothly from now on. After all, if he could bring Onyx, who belonged to the empire’s top information guild, to his side, he could even keep Killian in check.

‘But the combination of Killian and Veronia is dangerous! It’s very bad! Damn it!’

Killian, a talented individual and war hero recognized by everyone, and Veronia, who had long been loved by the entire nation. Both were people who could exert tremendous influence.

Moreover, the two were investigating the Michelson Orphanage and its director. They had the justification and power to strangle him at any time.

‘If I don’t make the first move… It’s only a matter of time before I’m devoured by them.’

His hand gripping the letter trembled, unable to contain his anger. His face flushed red and blue as if about to explode at any moment.

‘I must not lose. I cannot crumble like this.’

He couldn’t show weakness or let them get ahead. Jonathan’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

“Go and have fun, Jediel. Listen well to your grandmother and grandfather. Understood?”

“Yes, Grandmother! Don’t be too sad without me tonight, and sleep well!”

“Of course! I’ll wait with a happy heart, thinking that I’ll see our Jediel again after just one night’s sleep.”

“Yes.”

Pleased by the words that she would wait for him, Jediel giggled, shrugging his shoulders. The Grand Duchess gently embraced the child. The small, soft body was warm.

The Grand Duchess felt more empty now as Jediel left the mansion for one night than when Veronia and Killian had left the mansion for two weeks.

“Then I’ll be going, Lady Grand Duchess.”

“We will take good care of the young master.”

“I entrust him to you.”

There were many staff assisting with Jediel’s outing.

To the eyes of the world, it was a natural sight for the young master of a ducal family to travel, but Jediel still seemed unfamiliar with it, widening his eyes as he looked at the mounted knights waiting behind the carriage.

“One, two, three, four… Wow, so many!”

Watching Jediel count the knights while wiggling his small fingers, the Grand Duchess said kindly.

“They’re all prepared for your safe outing, Jediel. Because you’re a precious child.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

After giving the Grand Duchess a light kiss on the cheek, Jediel got into the carriage, followed by a maid and a servant. The prepared party slowly began to move.

As she watched the back of the carriage heading towards the main gate, the Grand Duchess felt even more melancholic. Reading her expression, a maid asked politely.

“My lady, shall I prepare some refreshments? Or would you like to take a bath?”

“No. I think I need to keep busy today to feel less lonely. I should review the wedding guest list and invitations.”

After watching the carriage pass through the main gate, the Grand Duchess turned around. At that moment, she flinched as a cool breeze brushed her nape.

Feeling the urge to look at the carriage once more, she turned her head again, but the carriage that had already passed through the main gate was no longer visible.

‘Oh my, it’s just one night, yet I feel so anxious. Nothing will happen, so I shouldn’t worry needlessly.’

The Grand Duchess barely shook off the ominous premonition rising within her as she reassured herself.