Chapter 10

Freyer woke up in the early hours of dawn with a deep gasp, tormented by a severe nightmare. He had stayed up for days, but the swamp of nightmares continued to gnaw at him all the same. Nothing had changed.

Freyer lay in bed until sunrise, staring blankly at the black ribbon inside the jewel box. The more he looked at the ribbon, the more vividly her image surfaced.

Then, a peculiar thought struck him.

“I clearly told the information broker that I wanted to know the identity of the name engraved on the ribbon.”

The information broker had given him the answer regarding the black ribbon. That was why he had informed him of the store’s existence.

“What if I had asked for the list of attendees at the banquet that night and her description? Would it have been different?”

If so, he might have been able to find her instantly. But he had only focused on the clue in front of him and failed to look at the broader picture.

Freyer stood up, clutching the black ribbon in his hand.

“I must go to the information broker right away.”

Derek, who was heading toward Freyer’s bedroom, caught the Prince suddenly emerging from the room and asked.

“Your Highness! Where are you going?”

“I need to make a quick trip to the busy district.”

“At this early hour?”

Noticing the deepening shadows under Freyer’s eyes, Derek was worried.

“It’s fine to go to the busy district, but Your Highness looks very exhausted right now. It would be best to get some more rest.”

Freyer frowned with one eye and shook his head dismissively at Derek’s words.

“No, I have something that requires an immediate answer.”

Freyer bypassed Derek and rushed toward the stables. Passing through the Imperial Palace garden, where red flowers were in full bloom, Freyer stopped in his tracks. He had encountered the Empress, who was with her attendants, on the path paved with well-cut stones.

Freyer, who had been hurrying, felt a sense of rejection at the unexpected encounter with the Empress.

“It has been a long time since we last met, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Second Prince, long time no see? I hadn’t expected to meet you here.”

The Empress looked Freyer up and down with obvious disapproval. The Empress opened the fan she was holding, covered her mouth, and spoke to Freyer.

“Second Prince, did you hear the news that the Crown Prince’s Northern subjugation was successfully concluded?”

“I was aware.”

“Is that so…?”

The Empress squinted one eye, looking unconvinced by Freyer’s answer.

“Well, it’s timely, then. I had something to convey. We are planning a grand celebration for the Crown Prince’s return. Since it is a place to elevate our Crown Prince, I hope you will definitely attend this time.”

“Understood.”

The Empress, upon hearing Freyer’s answer, passed him but then turned back, smiled, and added.

“Oh, and the Second Prince should refrain from going out before the banquet. I’m concerned you might not attend the banquet again, you see?”

The Empress smiled and continued walking through the garden. Freyer bit his lip, perplexed by the Empress’s unknown intention.

He could have ignored the Empress’s words and gone outside. But if the Empress found out about his outing, she would surely throw a fit, accusing the Second Prince of ignoring her, and go straight to the Emperor.

“I didn’t expect meeting the Empress would be such a complication…”

Freyer, his face frustrated, turned his steps back toward his palace.

Derek, who had been standing nervously outside the palace, looked surprised to see Freyer.

“Your Highness…? Didn’t you say you were going outside the Palace?”

Freyer sat down on a chair, ran a hand through his hair, and sighed deeply.

“Sir Derek, there is something you will have to do in my stead.”

“Me?”

Derek cocked his head at Freyer’s command.

“Go to the information broker and find out the identity of the lady with blonde hair and violet eyes who attended the banquet a few days ago. As quickly as possible.”

***

As the return banquet approached, Winnie didn’t leave me alone, and I couldn’t catch my breath. There were so many products for skin and hair care. But seeing her passion for grooming me, I endured it with a happy heart.

On the day of the banquet.

Faced with the multitude of beauty products spread out before me, I was already exhausted.

“Winnie… this is enough, isn’t it?”

Winnie snapped back at my words.

“What are you saying! You must attend this banquet and put down the arrogance of every young lady there!”

“Do I really have to…?”

“Of course! Everyone must be made aware of your beauty, Miss.”

I thought there was no need for that…

I couldn’t say anything to the fiercely glaring Winnie. While I was blankly enjoying the sensation of her brushing my hair, a look of sympathy suddenly crossed her face.

“Why on earth don’t the young gentlemen appreciate your beauty, Miss? You are so stunning.”

The days of skin and hair care seemed to have paid off. For example, my lemon-gold hair shone like the midday sun.

And that wasn’t all. My violet eyes sparkled like glittering amethyst. My skin was so white you couldn’t tell the difference between it and a white cloth, my texture was like soft peach fuzz, and a slight peach blush on my cheeks made me look even shyer.

The chubby cheeks dimpled deeply whenever I smiled slightly. When I blinked, my dark, long, full eyelashes fluttered.

‘As expected of our Miss!’

Winnie was so lost in my appearance that she couldn’t tear her eyes away. After staring for a long time, Winnie took a deep breath and wiped away a tear.

“I styled you myself, but how can you be so perfect?”

“Isn’t this a bit too much?”

Winnie’s reaction made me feel like sweat was beading on my forehead.

The purpose of this banquet was to naturally connect Freyer with Nazlee and to find a way to save the struggling Trade Guild.

‘I was planning to sneak out of the banquet as soon as these two things were resolved…’

Winnie must have put a lot of effort into it, as my reflection in the mirror was more beautiful than I had expected.

“What are you saying! You’re old enough to get married now, Miss. You should talk to many young gentlemen this opportunity and discuss marriage with the noble houses!”

“Marriage…?”

My eyes blinked rapidly in surprise at Winnie’s words. I hadn’t even considered marriage. I hadn’t had the time to think about that part since transmigrating into Lilithia’s body.

‘I’ve only been thinking about Freyer and the success of the family…’

I wasn’t trying to achieve the family’s success through marriage, either. What Winnie said was currently irrelevant to me.

“You are of marrying age!”

“I’m not interested.”

Winnie’s eyes widened, and she jumped up and down at my words.

“If you don’t marry with your looks, it’s an atrocity. I’m sure every young gentleman who hears this will burst into tears!”

Winnie was so adamant that I quickly tried to change the subject, looking at the clock on the wall.

“Winnie, I think we need to leave soon.”

“Oh…! Is it that late already…”

Winnie quickly brushed my hair and finished styling it. My hair was half-tied with a small jeweled hairpin.

“Miss, you look so beautiful.”

Winnie clasped her hands, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I smiled warmly at the proud Winnie.

“It’s all thanks to your skill.”

“Have fun and enjoy the banquet today!”

***

I felt good looking at the scenery outside the window. The sky was unusually clear, with not a cloud in sight.

‘Was the sky this clear in the world I used to live in?’

I tried to recall it, but all that came to mind was a hazy sky filled with smog and yellow dust.

I was already so used to the clean air here that if I were to go back there, I might literally die from respiratory distress. It was just a thought, but an unpleasant feeling of a cough rising in my throat made me squeeze my eyes shut.

‘Ugh… I lived fine all that time, and just imagining it makes me feel this way?’

I had already become 100% adapted to this place.

Thump

The carriage stopped. I had arrived at the Imperial Palace. Stepping out of the carriage onto the stool the coachman had prepared, I looked up at the palace.

The red flag, emblazoned with the Imperial symbol of the Phoenix, fluttered over the palace walls.

The palace architecture was largely symmetrical, supported by white, ornate columns. It was adorned with marble decorations throughout, exuding a magnificent dignity.

I looked around. It was before sunset, but many lights were already placed along the path to the banquet hall to ensure the area would be vibrant late into the night.

Beautiful gardens were maintained nearby, and various resting areas were surrounded by different flowers.

I could see a place where a large tree was planted in the distance.

‘That must be where Nazlee and the Crown Prince meet.’

I clenched my fist with a determined expression.

‘This time it will be different! I’ll keep the Crown Prince occupied and guide Freyer there!’

I followed the other nobles toward the banquet hall.

The ceiling of the banquet hall was brilliantly illuminated by crystal chandeliers with numerous dangling crystals.

I looked around the hall. I saw many nobles, but the high-ranking nobles didn’t seem to have arrived yet, and the hall was somewhat noisy.

Just then, the hall quieted at the loud announcement of a knight.

“His Grace, the Duke Idarand, the Sword of the Empire, and Lady Nazlee are entering!”

The silence was briefly broken by a noble who whispered at the mention of the name. The hall instantly became clamorous.

“The Duke’s daughter disappeared over a decade ago, didn’t she?”