Chapter 03
To put it bluntly, Belthanio had lost his fiancée a year ago.
She was a princess of a small kingdom and was known for her good character even before she was ever mentioned as Belthanio’s fiancée.
Then her ability manifested.
To resolve it, a mage was summoned—but he made a mistake.
He misaligned the flow of her power, causing her amplified ability to turn against herself.
How could a young woman, barely twenty and raised gently, endure such overwhelming power? She couldn’t even last a week. She died.
Because of this incident, the imperial family became eager to find a partner for him before he reached adulthood. But Belthanio refused.
He was shaken by the loss of his fiancée, and even more, he found it suffocating to live cautiously under the Crown Prince’s gaze even while supposedly living by his own will.
As far as I knew, Belthanio was second in line to the throne, but he would eventually give up his claim and leave the imperial family.
Well, he isn’t an important character anyway. He leaves the palace early in the middle of the story, and I don’t really know what happens after that… but since there’s no mention of his death, I guess he’s fine.
Now that I think about it, he doesn’t even appear in the illustrations.
Because he’s so stubborn about not wanting to be tied to another woman, the engagement with me would also be canceled soon.
So Ever wouldn’t need to worry about me becoming royalty.
But if I told Ever that, she’d probably call it treason and have me arrested. Better keep my mouth shut.
About an hour later, I slightly pulled back the curtains Ever had drawn.
The imperial palace came into view.
Without thinking, I grabbed the window frame and pressed my face forward.
“Wow—so impressive.”
“Can you act a bit more like a noble lady of the Demierd family? Even a country viscount’s daughter wouldn’t behave like that.”
Yes, yes. You’re so noble and amazing, Lady Ever.
I only mocked her inwardly and closed the curtain again.
Haa… I’m nervous.
In my past life, I had never experienced anything like this, so I thought it would be exciting—but seeing the massive imperial palace made me feel pressure instead.
My feet already hurt from narrow heels, my head felt slightly dizzy from the stuffy carriage, and I was also trembling.
I would have to meet nobles, dance, and manage my reputation right after being thrown into this world.
A ducal house—below the Grand Duke families, but still one of the six ducal houses with influence…
This morning, while bathing, I asked Susan what commoners thought of our family.
I needed it for real-world application using Lana’s memories.
I asked her to be honest, and although she was sweating nervously, she explained everything she knew.
From her words, I learned how I should behave in front of others.
Not difficult.
I even felt grateful that Lana originally had such a mild personality.
If I had to pretend to be clever and manipulative instead, I would’ve struggled far more.
Staying in a corner, unnoticed, didn’t require effort.
That was within my talent range.
One hour after arriving at the ball.
I greeted various nobles, moved naturally as if it were programmed into my body, and danced.
During that time, I realized something.
How did these noble ladies, who did nothing but ride in carriages, have such stamina?
These dresses must weigh at least 10 kilograms!
Feeling thirsty, I drank plenty of the prepared non-alcoholic drinks.
Now I understood why some nobles staggered around drunk even after only a little champagne.
They had no choice but to drink after exhausting all their energy dancing.
Ugh… pathetic people.
Smiling brightly, I avoided the staggering nobles.
With a water-filled stomach spinning inside me, I felt dizzy and wanted to rest.
“Lady Lana, it’s been a while.”
Just as I was heading toward the terrace, a clear voice stopped me.
I turned and saw the person who called me.
Huh, the princess!
Lana’s body stiffened instinctively.
The princess, Scarlet, was standing there.
I quickly bowed my head.
“Please raise your head. It makes me sad if you treat me like someone so distant.”
She smiled and covered her face with a fan.
“You’ve heard, haven’t you? About the engagement negotiations with my older brother.”
I inwardly grimaced.
She delayed marriage after marriage to protect her position as head of the family, only to end up in an imperial engagement.
For some, it would be lucky… but Lana must have been troubled.
“I do not have high expectations. There are many excellent ladies in the empire. I am not someone who can be of much help to anyone…”
“Lady Lana, it’s better to think differently. Someone benefits greatly just from my existence. If you think like that, there is no one more suitable for Belthanio than you.”
She spoke elegantly, but with a sharp edge.
She meant that a plain but well-born lady like me should join him so that Belthanio wouldn’t cause trouble in the imperial family.
I broke into a cold sweat just like Susan did when she had to speak honestly about the Demierd family.
Anyway, considering Belthanio’s future choices… he’ll probably cancel the engagement himself because he dislikes me.
I smiled politely again.
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me.”
“Even if it’s not me, even a passing mouse in the palace would think so. Hoho.”
Being evaluated even by mice felt a bit depressing.
Scarlet then placed her hand on my shoulder and leaned in to whisper.
“There will be a big event soon. A chance to test the luck of the god Narte.”
What is she talking about?
My mind went blank—this wasn’t something Lana was familiar with.
“It’s a lottery. The prize is 800,000 gold. Anyone would be tempted. Are you not interested, Lady Lana?”
Got it.
Prize, money, everyone tempted. So it’s a lottery.
800,000 gold.
I quickly calculated.
…That was equivalent to the total wealth of a wealthy count family.
Thanks to Scarlet, Lana’s memory filled in the concept of the imperial lottery.
Unlike Korea, it was held once a year. Players picked 10 numbers from 1 to 100.
The numbers were shuffled, and you had to match both the numbers and their order.
The odds were extremely low. Some years, there were no winners at all.
Lana, being someone who didn’t believe in luck, had never participated.
“Ha… I don’t know much about that, Your Highness.”
Someone who had never even won a 5th prize in Korea was not going to win 800,000 gold here.
So I answered with a polite smile.
“Then let us meet again later. Take care of yourself.”
After she left, I immediately went out onto the terrace and gripped the railing.
I knew I should be focusing on the situation, but the lottery topic kept distracting me.
…Should I try it?
In my past life, I had tried quite hard to get rich.
I even bought lottery tickets before important interviews, believing it would bring luck—but as always, I never even got a minor prize.
Did I need that money here?
I seriously considered it.
Even if I wasn’t poor, personal wealth and inherited family wealth were very different matters.
Thinking about money makes me crazy!
Lana might have avoided marriage to maintain control of the ducal house, but if Ever took over…
And if she decided to cut me off—
She’d probably tell me to leave with just the dress I’m wearing.
Maybe Lana originally tried to secure Harriet because of survival.
My greed for money grew, and everything else faded from my mind.
Without realizing the terrace door had opened, I smirked while imagining how I would secretly follow Harriet after winning the lottery.
Buying land, mansions, calculating servant salaries…
My fantasy was broken.
“…So someone was here.”
A black-haired man had entered.
It was Belthanio.
I recognized him immediately from Lana’s memories.
He politely acknowledged my presence and stepped onto the terrace.
I instinctively bowed and followed proper etiquette.
Finally, a moment of rest—goodbye relaxation.
Being alone with the second prince was uncomfortable. I should leave.
“I was just about to return to the ballroom. Please enjoy your rest.”
“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to be so formal.”
Who in the world wouldn’t be formal in front of you?
“You are… it’s been a while.”
You forgot my name, didn’t you?
Still suspicious, I greeted him politely.
“Yes. Greetings, Your Highness the Second Prince.”
“We’ve benefited greatly from your father’s mining business lately. Please convey my gratitude.”
So he knew my name after all.
“Thank you. I will inform my father.”
Belthanio then fell silent, resting his arm on the railing.
Gathering courage, I spoke.
“Your Highness, if it is not rude, may I return to the ballroom?”
“Why?”
“Well… I rather like the music inside… I would like to dance.”
Because I don’t want to stand here awkwardly with you, NPC.
He responded calmly.
“There is enough music here too. Would you like to dance with me?”
“…Pardon?”
Dance here? With him? Alone?
I was about to refuse loudly when the terrace door opened again.
……
“…Harriet!”
Harriet Raymoon appeared, surrounded by a noticeably colder atmosphere than usual.
