Prince Mercedes roughly shook off the hand of the Princess of Veloster.

“Why? Are you scared to death?”

He sneered as he continued.

“Are you afraid Father Emperor will find out about that brat’s existence?”

The Princess of Veloster squeezed her eyes shut, as if restraining her anger.

“Shut your mouth, Mercedes.”

“And what if I do reveal it? Shall I tell the people of the Eastern Empire, ‘Erilot Astra is of our royal blood!’, hmm?”

“.......”

“Father Emperor would be delighted, wouldn’t he? How happy he’d be to learn that Erilot Astra’s dragon is ours?”

“.......”

“The dream of a unified empire isn’t impossible, is it?”

“.......”

“Oh? Then will Daimond Astra, the Sword of the Western Empire, step in? A brutal war between father and daughter. Aren’t you afraid of that? Huh?”

“.......”

“If that brat is revealed as your daughter, will she become a weapon of war—”

“Reveal it.”

Mercedes flinched and fell silent.

“What did you say?”

“If that’s what you want, go ahead and reveal it. My daughter may become a weapon of war, but I will become Emperor.”

“How dare the daughter of a mere commoner speak of the throne?!”

As Mercedes shouted, the Princess of Veloster once again shoved him against the wall with a loud bang.

“Do you think her existence is your only weakness?”

“You....”

“You brothers should be thankful that I, out of maternal duty, keep my mouth shut.”

“.......”

The Princess of Veloster looked at Mercedes and curled the corner of her mouth.

“A punishment is due, child.”

“What are you going to do now...!”

The Princess of Veloster released Mercedes’s throat. She smoothed the rumpled collar of his clothes and murmured,

“You were punished by having your mother swallow poison for assigning a spy to that child.”

“You—!”

“That was a small offense. But this time you attempted kidnapping. What greater punishment should you receive?”

“......!”

Mercedes’s pupils trembled.

“Don’t... don’t touch Mother.”

“My child, Mercedes.”

Her tone softened.

Mercedes slowly lifted his head. Seeing him look at her with pleading eyes, a smile spread across the Princess’s face.

“There is a cost to all things.”

Mercedes’s expression completely crumbled.

The Princess of Veloster whispered to the ashen Mercedes, who hung his head in fright.

“You must completely erase the existence of my daughter from your mind.”

“.......”

“Before your mother swallows poison with no antidote.”

“.......”

“Answer me.”

“......Yes, Your Highness.”

Mercedes, pale as a corpse, left the room.

Veloster—no, Veltri—slowly closed her eyes.

A crushing fatigue washed over her.

She tossed the net that had held her hair onto the sofa backrest and slumped against it.

‘Yes. There is a price for all things.’

Just as the Empress entrusted her infant princess to a commoner to save her life.

Or as the Emperor proclaimed that the Empress’s daughter was of common descent to bring her back to the palace.

Or now, in this moment, as Princess Veltri who could never be Erilot Astra’s mother.

This matter was a long, long story that Erilot did not know.

Long ago, in Laontra.

“My lady, Princess!”

Mimosa cried out in surprise as she climbed into the shabby attic.

Veltri was half-hanging from the windowsill.

Scooping the child into her arms and setting her on the floor, Mimosa narrowed her eyes and asked,

“Are you waiting for Her Majesty the Empress?”

“It’s the last day of the month at two o’clock, but she hasn’t come....”

“She’s been delayed by state affairs; she’ll be late today.”

Mimosa cooed gently to the child.

“But you should eat first.”

“I want to eat with Mother.”

“Princess!”

A sharp voice echoed through the attic.

Veltri startled, drawing her shoulders up.

Mimosa was terrifying when she lost her temper like this.

“Mother? My mother is me! That’s what everyone is told!”

“...Why?”

“.......”

“Why am I the only one who can’t call Her Majesty the Empress ‘Mother’? Even princes call her ‘Mother,’ though she is not their birth mother....”

“......Eat your meal.”

It was always like this.

When such questions arose, Mimosa would simply shut her lips.

Veltri had so many questions.

Why could she not call her birth mother ‘Mother’?

Why did the Empress only pretend to visit at two o’clock on the last day of the month and then leave after a glance?

Then footsteps sounded, ascending the attic stairs.

“Look at this. A servant girl dining here?”

“Ugh, is this even food? She always has to eat things like this.”

“Princes... what are you doing here!? Entry is strictly forbidden by His Majesty the Emperor— Eek!”

“How dare a lowborn speak so freely before princes!”

Veltri had so many questions.

She was the Empress’s child—why was she tormented by her older brothers, the children of Consort Lisana?

One day she had screamed at Mimosa.

Why did she have to live like this?

She hated the Empress, the Emperor, Mimosa—all of them.

That day, too, the princes had bullied her.

Angered, she shoved one of them.

His birth mother immediately came running and struck her leg.

The swelling and pain burned more with injustice than physical agony.

Mimosa could not say a word.

Even as Veltri cried herself to sleep.

Only after she fell asleep did Mimosa gently enter her room and stroke her hair.

“My lady....”

“....”

Mimosa, believing her asleep, whispered,

“Both Their Majesties want to protect you. ...And so do I.”

“....”

“Her Majesty was established with the support of the Duke of Orca, Consort Lisana’s family. Because Emperor was a powerless prince of humble birth, the Orca family chose him.”

“....”

“But Consort Lisana was the concubine of the late Crown Prince, so she could never become the Emperor’s lawful wife.”

“....”

She knew that story.

The deposed Crown Prince had been talented.

In his youth, he allied with the Orca family and became heir.

But once he became Crown Prince, he viewed the Orcas as an obstacle and sought to eliminate them....

‘I heard he lost the struggle and was deposed.’

See? I know everything.

I study best and am smarter than those foolish princes.

‘Then why can’t I attend the princes’ lessons?’

Tears threatened, and she pretended to toss on her side.

Mimosa gently stroked Veltri’s hair and spoke again,

“Consort Lisana will never leave the Empress’s rightful child alone.”

“....”

“That is why Their Majesties entrusted you to me.”

“....”

“But they always think of you.”

Mimosa tenderly caressed her cheek.

‘Tomorrow, I must apologize.’

She knew better than anyone that Mimosa loved her.

Even when the Orca consorts tormented her for consorting with a commoner, Mimosa never gave up on her.

Even when palace ladies coldly turned away, she simply smiled, worried for the child.

But the next day, Veltri could not apologize.

...Because that was the last day she saw Mimosa.

Early dawn, the building outside stirred with chaos.

“Princess, please wake up! Princess!”

Mimosa screamed, and the Obsidian Knights dragged her out.

“No! Where are you taking me? I won’t go!”

“You must. Consort Lisana has rebelled!”

“Take Mimosa with me! I won’t go without her!”

Emma, captain of the Obsidian Knights, hoisted her up.

The knights’ expressions darkened.

“Mimosa....”

“Mimosa?”

“You must go. The palace is in danger.”

“Mimosa!”

Fleeing, Veltri glanced at a hand sprawled in the doorway.

“My hand? Oh, it’s just a scald from carrying hot water. Common enough for a commoner. Don’t worry.”

The hand’s skin was puckered and deformed.

Hours earlier, it had been soft and gentle; now it lay bloody and motionless.

And then... she did not know how she escaped Laontra.

When she came to, she was in the Kalsoye Orphanage.

Emma, the Obsidian captain who had taken her in, was speaking with someone.

“Thank you for giving her shelter.”

“The thanks are done. Just remember that one day you will repay as Astra’s dog.”

Later, Veltri learned that the woman was Duchess Astra.

Grimie’s birth mother was a duchess with the gift of prophecy.

She foresaw Laontra’s rebellion and arranged a refuge through the Empress.

Emma spoke to Veltri—who had lost Mimosa and all feeling—

“My lady, please listen.”

“....”

“Consort Lisana is hunting you.”

“Why?”

“...All the princes are dead.”

“By Consort Lisana’s doing?”

“Yes.... Only you remain. She and the Orca family will never allow you to live.”

“...So? Should I die before they catch me? I’d be a weakness to Their Majesties.”

“How could you say that...!”

Emma’s expression twisted in pain.

She grasped Veltri’s shoulders and said,

“Their Majesties are desperately defending Laontra.”

“Do they think I’m too young to understand?”

“....”

“The palace fell, and Their Majesties barely escaped to a remote island.”

“....”

“They declared a new dynasty, but know that no nobles followed them.”

“You must endure. Even if the fight is long, they will surely win and bring you back to Laontra.”

I hate it all.

Mimosa died.

She died blocking soldiers to save me.

I hate everything.

Even the Majesties who used Mimosa, ...and me.

Seeing Veltri broken, Emma bit her lip.

“I will protect Laontra’s children here.”

“....”

“So that one day they may return and avenge my fallen troop.”

“...Avenge?”

“Will you let Mimosa’s sacrifice be in vain?”

“...No.”

The lifelessness returned to the child’s face.

“Go to Astra. I secured a position for you.”

The spark returned to ashes long thought dead.

With vengeance as her sole purpose, Veltri lived as a boy.

Her foster parents were the worst of humans.

They made her gather wood in midwinter, wash clothes in frozen streams.

When her body broke under the strain, they kicked her.

Their daughter, Bella, cruelly bullied Veltri yet felt that their kindness towards her was love.

Battered and bullied again and again.

‘I will never give up, even if I die.’

I’ll avenge Mimosa.

I’ll destroy the Orca family.

Driven only by that thought, she survived....

“What are you doing here?”

He appeared.

“This is my domain. Why are you lurking in it?”

“...I came with Father.”

“Father?”

“I’m the gardener’s son. My name is Veltri.”

“I asked your name? Get out of my domain!”

He was ridiculous.

Such a weakling, bullied by his brothers, yet refusing to give up.

“Why are you injured again?”

“Those bastards were tormenting Lisian.”

He rushed in when they teased his far more talented twin.

‘He’ll get himself killed.’

Astra was a harsher place than the Laontra palace.

The weak were mercilessly weeded out.

“Did you fight your brothers again today?”

“...I hit one more time today.”

“What good is another punch with a fly’s fist?”

“What did you say?!”

“Try gathering your mana.”

“Why should I?”

“If I tell you, do it.”

With a crack, he struck his head, and Daimond’s eyes became triangular.

“The blessing of the lord. It’s not bad; you just don’t know how to ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) use it.”

“...How do I do that?”

“Gather your mana in the dantian.”

“Like this?”

“I said in the dantian!”

“Okay, like this.”

“The dantian! The dantian!”

“Ah, like that.”

“...Are you an idiot?”

Astonished, yet he tensed his body.

‘He actually used mana without knowing how?’

People in this world instinctively knew how to channel mana.

Why then...?

“How do you use a blessing if you don’t know mana control?”

Daimond clicked his tongue.

“When I do this, mana gathers. Like this, inhale!”

Focusing, he felt mana welling within.

“...!”

“Damn it, how would I know! No one teaches! Don’t call me an idiot.”

An idiot? He was a genius.

‘The mana is immense.’

His entire body overflowed with mana without needing to concentrate it; just flexing let it flow.

Veltri seized Daimond’s chest.

“What are you—!”

“Inhale deeply.”

“...What?”

“Gather mana from your fingertips, from your feet, from your crown.”

Until age ten, he had no idea how to control mana, so his meridians were blocked.

Once opened—

“...!”

“A giant boulder turned to dust.”

“See! You can do it!”

“...Indeed.”

“Now stop taking it lying down. Understood?!”

“...Alright.”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Because you’re pretty.”

“...What?”

Daimond cleared his throat and looked away.

“I thought you were pretty. So what!”

“...Is this mocking me?”

She was stunned that someone so angelically beautiful— covered in dirt—called her pretty.

But she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

He said it again even after crushing his brothers with that power—

“I thought you were pretty. So what!”

“You idiot....”

Why did she laugh?

Veltri, doing laundry in icy water with her foster parents and Bella, shook her head.

“Are you talking about me?”

A familiar voice.

Veltri turned and froze.

She forced herself to stand and faced him.

“Lord Grimie.”

“Your Highness’s words shame me.”

“...What is it?”

“I have a favor to ask. Come with me.”

“Tell me when, and I will prepare.”

“Now.”

“...Yes?”

“There’s something I want to show you.”

Grimie gently smiled and took Veltri’s hand.

They headed into an underground cave.

The entrance looked like any other cave, but inside were immense devices.

“What is all this?”

“Special artifacts. The relics my mother gathered through blessings before she died.”

“....”

Veltri lightly touched one of the arcane tools.

“These are all relics—”

Suddenly—

Flash—!

The relic glowed, and a strange vision unfolded in her mind.

“Mother...?”