I didn't shout or curse at Ian Niño, but not because I wasn't angry. I just didn't have the energy left. The rain had sapped the last of my strength.
"And if your fiancé has abandoned you, doesn't that make you a free woman again?" Ian asked, his voice light. "Is there an opportunity for me now?"
"Go away."
"Oh, come on. I’m actually quite good at this. I grew up 'rolling with the punches,' as they say. I know what it’s like to have a hard life."
I stared at him. It wasn't even funny. It was sarcasm disguised as a smile, and I wasn't stupid enough to miss it.
I looked at his refined, delicate face. He looked like a man who had been born with a golden spoon in his mouth and had never known a day of true hardship. Perfect manners, perfect skin. 'Guess who really "rolled with the punches"?' I thought. 'Askin has had it ten times harder than you ever will.'
"I don't remember," I said, my voice cold. "Have I ever hit you before? Or tortured you? Or maybe I hit a friend of yours?"
"Not at all. I was just curious." Ian’s smile vanished for a second, replaced by a look of intense seriousness. Then the mask bloomed again. "Are you really that kind of person, Princess?"
I didn't answer. Whether I was a victim of the old Charlize’s reputation or not, there was no reason to explain myself to him.
'One thing is clear. This man is not normal,' I thought.
I turned away and walked aimlessly through the corridor. Fortunately, he didn't follow me.
"Ah, Princess! I’ll postpone those slaps until next time!" he shouted after me.
I shuddered at his tone. When I looked back a moment later, he was gone. Only his jacket remained, piled on the floor where he’d left it. I let out a small sigh.
* * *
After what felt like an eternity, an attendant arrived with an umbrella to tell me my carriage was ready. I climbed inside, much to the shock of the knights and the coachman.
Jet—or Z, as he preferred—was there, and he looked genuinely worried. It was the first time I’d seen a face in this Empire that was truly concerned for my well-being, and it made my chest tighten.
'So, what now?' I thought, sinking into the seat. 'Everything is already ruined.'
The carriage door opened again, letting in the sound of the rain.
"Hey."
I turned to see Loxdian standing there. Why was he here? I was too tired for his games.
"Why are you leaving so early?" he asked, looking amused.
"You're asking because you don't know?" I replied. "After what happened, did you think I’d just stay and dance?"
I tried to remember how the real Charlize would have reacted. 'She probably would have stayed and made an even bigger scene,' I realized. I’d forgotten my promise to Loxdian to put on a "grand performance."
"Why are you here? Did you come to mock me?"
"Ah, that." Loxdian smiled. "You actually did quite well today."
"What?"
"The ice statue you destroyed? It was a gift from the Kingdom of Reinta. It cost about two billion gold."
"WHAT?!" I nearly hit the ceiling of the carriage. "Two billion?! For a block of ice?!"
Loxdian climbed into the carriage, looking delighted. He explained that the ice was rare "Blue Ice" from the northern reaches of a hostile kingdom, sent to commemorate a peace treaty. It was meant to be preserved with magic and stored as a national treasure.
'Why the hell would you put something that important in the middle of a party?!' I screamed internally.
My fever broke, replaced by a cold realization. 'Well, I’m going to die soon anyway. What’s one more crime?'
"Do you understand now?" Loxdian asked. "This could cause a massive diplomatic incident."
"Why do you look so excited about it?"
"Because it’s fun!"
"You're crazy."
My temples throbbed. Loxdian was actually clapping his hands. He thought it was a brilliant move on my part, not a drunken accident.
"Are you the only one who didn't know?" he asked, his eyes glinting. "Why do you think it was placed right in the center of the hall in the first place?"
I stared at him. Had he set me up? Unintentionally, I’d given him exactly what he wanted.
"Anyway, why do you look like a drowned mouse?" he asked.
Outside, Noah was waiting with an umbrella, looking at Loxdian with a pained expression.
"If you want to live, stop worrying about whether I’m a mouse or a cat," I snapped.
"Are you trying to be funny?" Loxdian asked, frowning.
"You and your grandfather are exactly the same."
"Me? Like that greedy raccoon duke? Apologize right now!"
"Ah... I can't even deal with reality right now." I touched my neck, feeling the weight of everything.
Loxdian shuddered when he saw the look on my face. I was truly, genuinely fierce in that moment, but it wasn't the "villainess" fieriness he was used to. It was the look of someone who had nothing left to lose.
"Hey, wait a minute..."
"Do I really have to use my last resort?" I asked, my voice a whisper.
"What last resort?"
"I'll tell Mom on you."
Loxdian froze. I hadn't even meant to say it; it was a reflex from Jihoo’s own memories.
'He really missed his mother,' I realized, seeing the shock on his face.
But it worked. Loxdian’s gaze softened instantly. He gave me a refreshing, innocent smile that didn't fit his face at all. It was like seeing a fierce idol forced into an "innocent schoolboy" concept.
"Charles likes our little jewel!" he chirped. "I missed my sister and my mother too. Is it very hard? I should have brought you an umbrella earlier..."
"Umbrella? What are you talking about?"
"Nothing! I didn't say anything!"
"Just get out of my carriage."
Loxdian put on a sad face, but he nodded and stepped out. It was amazing how well the "mom" threat worked on him.
As he stepped onto the ground, he seemed to snap back to his usual self. "Hey, you!"
"It was a mistake. A complete mistake," I said, closing the door.
"You're threatening me!"
I ignored him and called for the knight.
"Remove all the emblems from this carriage," I ordered. "The Imperial pattern, the Altsbeit pattern... all of it."
"What? Princess?"
"Throw them away. Now."
The knights looked at Loxdian, who just shrugged, then they quickly complied. I watched the Altsbeit crest fall into the mud and closed the door. Everything about this place was disgusting.
I wished I had the Lemut emblem to put on the carriage instead. It was a sad, lonely thought.
The carriage began to move.
* * *
Loxdian and Noah watched as the carriage disappeared into the distance. The rain was finally starting to let up.
Loxdian was still grinning.
"Your Majesty," Noah said cautiously. "The Princess has had a very difficult day."
"What? Being dumped by her fiancé?"
"Yes. And she was soaked to the bone. Yet you look... excited."
"Hey, Noah, are you really asking?" Loxdian’s smile was predatory. "That block of ice she broke... if Reinta makes a diplomatic issue out of it, who do you think they'll blame?"
"Well... the Princess."
"And who does the Princess belong to right now?"
"To the Altsbeit family... ah."
Noah finally understood.
"Exactly," Loxdian said, his smile fading. "When Reinta demands compensation, will that greedy old raccoon cover for her out of 'family loyalty'? Or will he cut her loose to save his own neck?"
"That is..."
"It doesn't matter if he tries to cover for it. After he sees what she’s done, do you think she'll ever trust him again?"
Loxdian was playing a much deeper game than I’d realized. He wasn't just amusing himself; he was setting a trap for Duke Altsbeit.