The astute Duke, busy managing the increasing funds at Cheylo Trading Company, had been engrossed in business day and night. Consequently, it was rare for the three of them to gather together. Finally, at a dinner meeting, Viare casually revealed her intention.

“I want to get engaged to the Crown Prince.”

Guyzen, who was drinking water, choked in shock, turning pale as he looked at her.

“Cough – What are you saying, sister?”

“Exactly what I said.”

‘I need to do this to protect Sion.’

The Duke, setting down his cutlery, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and asked his daughter with a curious yet sharp look, “Viare, what sudden whim has gotten into you?”

It was surprising since she had always been dismissive of the Crown Prince.

“I’ve taken an interest in the position of Empress.”

“Are you in your right mind, sister? How can you be with such a man…?”

Guyzen, in disbelief, stuttered without finishing his sentence.

Meanwhile, the Duke, showing the brightest expression he had in recent times, couldn’t hide his rising excitement.

“At last, Viare, you are the pride of the Ruschepf family.”

The fact that Ivan had kept the position of his wife vacant implied he was considering Viare for it. For him, a political foundation was as important as in-law family power, hence the vacancy.

Ivan would likely accept the Duke’s proposal, and soon they would agree on the engagement.

Viare, observing her father making a fuss about raising a toast, smirked slightly.

‘So you want to be tied to the royal family that much?’

If her suspicions were correct, the royal family was behind Sion’s murder, and her father was the one who passed the information about Dension to them. Operating the Information Guild, he would have been closely trading with the royal family.

Thus, the father she had always respected and loved now filled Viare with resentment and anger.

‘How could you partake in something that led the man I love to his death?’

She wanted to confront him, but in her current life, such events had not yet happened and should not reoccur. So she forced herself to remain calm.

“Come, let’s all raise a toast.”

The Duke lifted his glass filled with wine towards his children, who reluctantly joined in.

“To the glory of the Ruschepf family.”

As Viare brought the wine glass to her lips, a bitter smile crossed her face.

Returning to her room after dinner, she sat at her mahogany desk, lost in thought. A bitter laugh escaped her at the unbelievable reality that had unfolded.

‘Perhaps you were always too good for me.’

If there was a fate not to meet, it would have been between her and Dension. Viare was engulfed in despair, but those times with him were still the most brilliant and happiest moments of her life. They remained an unchanging truth and would continue to be her only solace.

Exhausted, Viare pressed her throbbing temples when there was a knock at the door, followed by a familiar voice.

“Sister, may I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

Viare greeted him, trying to appear unaffected.

“What brings you here?”

“I just wanted to talk with you, sister.”

Guyzen’s voice, usually light and playful, now carried concern and worry for her.

He must have come to persuade his sister.

“Sister… are you really going to get engaged to the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, I’ve already made up my mind.”
Even upon hearing it again, Guyzen’s eyes shook uncontrollably, as if he couldn’t believe his sister’s decision.

“How could you choose such a despicable person…”

Viare was well aware of the worries her brother harbored.

Yet, to protect Dension, she had to engage with Ivan, and she planned to exact a harsh revenge on him, making her retribution worth it.

‘You will come to despise me.’

Her plan was to crush Ivan’s happiness mercilessly at its peak.

With a bitter smile, Viare looked at her concerned brother and said, “Don’t worry too much. He’s not involved in scandals anymore.”

The Crown Prince, once notorious for various scandals, had been quiet for years. It seemed a foregone conclusion that he hadn’t kept any women close during this time.

Frustrated, Guyzen raised his voice, “But sister, you don’t even like him!”

He had always said that he would sincerely celebrate if Viare ever found someone she loved.

Thus, Guyzen was furious at the prospect of his sister entering into an unhappy marriage.

“…….”

At a loss for words, Viare struggled with how to explain the situation to him.

As Guyzen had pointed out, she didn’t like Ivan and never would. However, she had something crucial to protect, fostering a glimmer of hope.

“All nobles in this world are nearly the same. It’s our parents who are the exception.”

“Viare…….”

“You chose your path for the family’s benefit, and now I choose mine.”

“But why? There’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself too!”

“I told you, I desire the position of Empress.”

“…….”

Unable to comprehend, Guyzen ruffled his hair in frustration.

“Can you leave now? I want to go to bed early today.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Watching him leave with slumped shoulders, Viare covered her haggard face.