In a situation where there were many things to worry about and plan for, Cyrus’s presence was only a nuisance.

‘I didn’t feel any good feelings when North Prince talked about Rachel. Maybe he will be on my side…… No, no. There’s nothing good about getting involved with the North Prince.’

He did not seem like the cruel man of rumor, but she had not yet fully understood the character of Cyrus Carhara. If she introduced such a big variable, she might ruin everything before she even tried something properly.

Besides, Cyrus was not an easy character to handle like Victoriana Helena. Since Cyrus wouldn’t move as Ariana wanted, it was right to exclude him.

‘I don’t have anyone on my side.’

Ariana glared at the darkness.

‘Anyone can stab me in the back at any time. I have to walk alone.’

+++

Cyrus was sitting crosslegged on top of the east tower, looking down at the vast Bronthe mansion.

Several ornate buildings and towers, beautiful gardens created here and there.

There was no place for Ariana in such a vast and luxurious place.

‘She will escape from here soon.’

The lack of warmth or expectation towards her biological parents in Ariana’s eyes. Even if the East and West Princes intended to use Ariana, he was confident that she wouldn’t be used obediently.

So what is Ariana’s ultimate goal? Where are those eyes full of undeniable vitality and hatred directed?

Cyrus had seen eyes like Ariana’s before.

A long time ago, in the mirror.

As a child who lost his parents and was pushed around by various forces, Cyrus had had eyes like hers.

No, those eyes are still inside Cyrus. They’re just well hidden so as not to reveal them.

‘Everyone came at me with knives. I had to be wary of everyone when I didn’t know who killed my parents.’

So where did Ariana’s hatred come from?

Parental neglect and abuse?

No, it’s not that. There was something deeper in the darkness at the bottom of Ariana’s eyes.

But what could a 16yearold girl confined to a mansion have experienced to harbor a hatred like Cyrus’s?

That very point made him wary of her and also made her interesting.

‘It seems like she plans to rely on the East Prince…….’

Cyrus suspected that the East Prince was involved in his parents’ death.

Right before his parents were ensnared and killed by an enemy’s plot, the East Prince married Rachel. After the death of his parents, Rachel divorced the East Prince and returned to the Western Command.

While Rachel was in the Eastern Territory, the West Prince might have covertly exchanged strategies with the East Prince through his daughter Rachel.
‘I don’t know whether this woman being connected to the East Emperor will be a benefit or detriment to me.’

Should I interfere?

It would be safer to confine a woman who is difficult to gauge and even has a sword in this obstinate mansion. Since I don’t know how this woman named Ariana will function as a variable in Cyrus’s plan.

At any other time, Cyrus would have chosen to hinder Ariana without hesitation. No, rather than hinder, he would have just killed her to remove a stumbling block.

Killing people for Cyrus didn’t depend on whether they had sinned against me or not.

What was more important was whether or not they would be an obstacle in my path.

No matter the age or gender of the opponent, Cyrus’s sword moved impartially.

When he discovered that Ariana planned to leave the Western command and take refuge with the East Emperor, he should have just killed her.

But I did not feel like doing so.

‘She has value for use.’

He repeated the thought he had several times before.

‘She will become a good hand for me someday.’

Cyrus recalled her smile, shining like the sun under a dim lamp.

‘It’s also interesting.’

+++

Victoria picked up a water cup next to her and threw it.

Clang[Dash]!

The water cup shattered with a loud noise.

The maids in Victoria’s room didn’t even dare to breathe.

It was the first time gentle and polite Victoria was throwing a tantrum like Helena.

Victoria glared at Helena’s maids, who had been ordered to bring Ariana. They were kneeling with pale faces.

“I clearly told you to bring her welldressed.”

“Miss, we followed your orders. We dressed her and even put on her makeup, but Ariana, no, that woman drove us out and changed her clothes again.”

“You were driven out just because Ariana said so? She’s alone, and there were four of you; you should have changed her clothes by holding her arms and legs!”

“B, but… She’s a noblewoman, how could we…”

“A noblewoman? That kind of woman shares my blood?”

Victoria looked around to see if there was anything else to throw, but everything nearby had already been thrown and shattered.

After the party was over, Helena, who had been scolded by Rachel, came to find Victoria and vented her anger before leaving.

If she had just yelled and cursed, it would have been a relief, but she even slapped Victoria’s cheek.

[Dash]”You were the one who said to take her to the party!”

[Dash]”Sis, I never said that. I just felt sorry for her…”

[Dash]”Anyway, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have shown her at the party!”

Helena, who had been scolded more than usual, was not in her right mind, so Victoria’s words did not get through to her. Rachel, who had heard about their fight and came to find them, spoke to Victoria, displeased.

[Dash]”Don’t provoke your sister too much. You’re the younger one; you should endure.”

It was always like this.

Mother and Father were always lenient only towards Helena.

Helena and the parents were all detestable, but the most hated of all was Ariana.