I took another look at the dazzlingly beautiful woman, shining like sunlight.

Amidst the noblewomen, she stood out, a delicate wildflower radiating its own unique charm. Her bright, platinum-blonde hair, shimmering like it was touched by the sun, overflowed with luster, and her peach-toned, fair skin seemed to carry a delightful fragrance, even from afar.

Laila Tupper. As one could easily deduce from the overly glowing descriptions, she was none other than the female protagonist of the original story.

The classic character of a pure and innocent woman, unknowingly captivating all the men around her with her fatal beauty, unable to tolerate injustice, and a lover of animals.

Startled by the fact that I had encountered her, I almost jumped up during this solemn moment of silence, had Hannah not quickly grabbed my arm.

So, this is how I meet her here.

“She’s just as described.”

Indeed, Laila was beautiful, no, more than just beautiful – there was something endearingly lovable about her. No wonder the men around her were mesmerized.

After what seemed like an endless eulogy, Lady Pulcheria stood up. I wondered if it was appropriate for her to smile and extend her arms so openly at a funeral, even if it was her nephew’s. But then,

“Your Grace, Duke Albrecht has arrived.”

The person Lady Pulcheria welcomed with a smile, pausing her tear-wiping, was Karl. This was my first encounter with him since he made a scene about paternity confirmation at the manor. Strangely enough, I felt both a sense of welcome and resentment.

Technically, I had no relation to him, so there was no reason for resentment, but perhaps staying together for a few days had fostered a sense of familiarity.

Couldn’t he have informed me in advance about the funeral, or was it necessary to meet like this, without any prior notice?

After exchanging a few words with his aunt, Lady Pulcheria, Karl took his place in the main seating area. Given the throne’s vacancy, his position in the succession line must have been the reason for his prime seating.

“He doesn’t even glance this way.”

“I can see just fine without your commentary, thank you.”

In the solemn atmosphere, Karl seemed intent on maintaining his dignity, not once glancing at the crowd. He only looked at the officiant conducting the ceremony.

Just as I was feeling unjustly neglected, Hannah started fussing.

“Oh my, Duke Toscour has also arrived.”

So much for discreet whispers. I gestured for Hannah to quiet down.

Unlike with Karl’s arrival, Lady Pulcheria didn’t budge when Franz appeared. She didn’t even acknowledge him, acting as if he didn’t exist.

Franz paused mid-way to his seat to bow, but Lady Pulcheria continued to ignore him. He seemed used to this cold treatment and didn’t appear particularly bothered by it.

So much family drama.

Even from a distance, the tension among the three royals was palpable, leaving me almost breathless. Everyone else seemed to share the same sentiment, silently observing the scene.

“It’s been a long time, sister.”

Franz bowed deeply, offering a formal greeting, but received no response. He wasn’t taken aback, having expected this, and straightened up with a smile.

“You are as beautiful as ever.”
Despite Franz’s flattering words, Lady Pulcheria’s expression remained unaltered. To her, this half-brother seemed to be a non-entity.

“Still as cold as ever.”

They were siblings, sharing the same father. However, Lady Pulcheria never acknowledged this fact, not even once.

She firmly believed that only children born in a legitimate marriage could be recognized. If someone caused harm to her family, they couldn’t be part of it, and she spent her life rejecting Franz.

This probably stemmed from her resentment towards their father, who fathered a child with a younger woman.

“Still, it’s nice to see you, sister. Regardless of what you might think.”

His words were not intended to solicit a response. Franz hadn’t planned to stay long. He had come reluctantly, only because he needed to attend the emperor’s funeral as a member of the royal family.

To him, Lady Pulcheria wasn’t exactly a welcome presence. Who would embrace someone who denies their existence and even hates them?

Karl was seated in the seat of honor beside Lady Pulcheria. Would the seat next to him be for Franz? Scanning the area, he noticed no chair prepared beside Karl.

Karl sneered at Franz’s assumption of finding a place in the seat of honor.

“This place is reserved for the legitimate members of the royal family.”

They spoke freely when alone, but many eyes were watching here. Karl’s reluctant formality was to show Franz where he belonged.

“The place of honor for you is down there, one step below.”

Karl gestured to a spot not too far from the high seat, but its significance was clear.

Franz’s teeth gritted. His stop in front of the two lasted barely two minutes. With no response forthcoming, he soon gave up and turned away.

Karl watched Franz walk away, his gaze not lingering more than a few steps.

“Monica isn’t here?”

“The empress mother is unwell and couldn’t attend.”

“Of course, she must be. Losing a child so young… I would be…”

“…”

“Such shamelessness. Where does he get the audacity to show his face here? Just like his mother, utterly brazen. Disgusting.”

Each word dripped with disdain for Franz. Lady Pulcheria and most of the royal family rejected Franz, not just because of his birth but for other reasons too.

Alexander, the former emperor and Karl’s grandfather, had three children: his eldest son, Bayern; second son, Mainhardt, Karl’s father; and daughter, Pulcheria. Karl’s uncle, Bayern, was the crown prince but died before ascending the throne due to a chronic illness.

After his death, the position passed to his one-year-old son, Maximilian.

Though there were concerns about Maximilian’s young age, Alexander was still in power, allowing the prince’s position to remain stable.

The trouble began when a woman claiming to be Alexander’s mistress appeared, insisting her child was his son.
The blond boy, a year older than Karl, bore a striking resemblance to his mother. However, he had one distinct feature inherited from the emperor: deep blue eyes, reminiscent of the vast ocean.

Emperor Alexander accepted the boy as his son. Though the royal relatives later regretted not preventing this at any cost, it was already too late to change anything.

Despite being only a year older, the boy became Karl’s uncle. Although it was a relationship unrecognized by anyone except the emperor, he was still the grandson’s uncle, being the son of his grandfather.

The boy received the name along with the secondary royal family surname ‘Toscur.’ His full name was Franz Albrecht Toscur, thus becoming a member of the royal family.

If it had only been about being a member of the royal family, neither Pulcheria nor Karl would have harbored such disdain for Franz.

The family’s anger towards Franz intensified due to suspicions that his mother was involved in the sudden death of Prince Bayern, Karl’s uncle.

After the prince’s death, and 11 years later, Emperor Alexander also passed away under similar circumstances. Was it a coincidence? Though there was no explicit evidence or suspicion, anyone in the royal family doubted Franz and his mother.

Adding to the suspicion, Emperor Maximilian, the grandson of the former emperor and the son of the late crown prince, also died under similar symptoms.