RTPM 1

Prologue

Late at night, tranquil moonlight spilled through the tall window frames, filling the room. It shimmered softly over the elegant marble table and the velvet sofa alike, casting everything in a painterly glow.

Only the bed was an exception.

“No more…”

“I know.”

Before Evangelin could even finish speaking, he stopped. As though he had read her reaction, the man slowly lifted his head. His eyes were aloof—his expression so cool and composed that it was impossible to guess what he had been doing just moments ago.

“Are you all right?”

“…Yes.”

Only after she nodded did he withdraw. For a moment, she wondered if he might linger, but that was wishful thinking. The instant he checked the time, he rose from the bed and began putting on the uniform he had removed earlier.

Evangelin watched him in silence.

Decarno von Teze.

Even in the dim light of the pre-dawn hours, nothing obscured the sight of him. His deep ash-gray eyes—practically the emblem of House Teze—were frighteningly calm. He stood a full head taller than most men, with broad shoulders that seemed to press down on anyone who looked at him.

An overwhelmingly commanding presence, in every sense of the word.

“What is it?”

“….”

As he casually brushed back his black hair, his marble-smooth forehead and sharp eyes were revealed. When that silver gaze settled fully on her, Evangelin quickly shook her head.

“No. It’s nothing.”

“What’s your schedule today?”

“I’ll go through the paperwork I’ve been putting off in the morning, and there’s a banquet in the afternoon. I’ll have to receive guests.”

At least when it came to mundane conversation like this, she didn’t have to feel awkward. Decarno, who had been leaning against the table while adjusting his cufflinks, frowned slightly—understandably so.

“Isn’t that tiresome?”

“…….”

Tiresome.

Just two words, yet they perfectly summed up his opinion of banquets. Considering how busy he was with affairs outside the estate, it wasn’t an unreasonable thought. After hesitating as if weighing her words, Evangelin’s lips curved faintly upward.

“I don’t mind.”

“Then that’s good.”

“…….”

“Is there something else you wish to say to me?”

A man who should have already left the estate was standing before her instead. Despite looking at the bed—left in complete disarray by his own traces—Decarno remained utterly composed. Aside from their first night together, when alcohol had dulled his restraint, he had never once lost control.

“Evangelin?”

“No.”

“…….”

“There’s nothing to say. Have a safe trip.”

At her elegant smile, his eyes narrowed slightly—but only for a moment. Turning on his heel without hesitation, Decarno had already reclaimed the flawless demeanor of the Duke of Teze.

Today, too, countless matters awaited him as the chairman of the Senate, the man who effectively steered the empire itself.

I wonder what kind of expression he’d make if I told him today is my birthday.

After considering it briefly, Evangelin shook her head with a hollow smile. No matter how she thought about it, asking a man like him whether he might attend her celebration—if he had the time—felt trivial, even laughable.

Focusing on their respective duties was an unspoken agreement between them, especially with their marriage drawing so near.

“…Yes. That’s enough.”

With a quiet chuckle, Evangelin let her shoulders relax. He had returned to being the perfect Duke of Teze—so now it was her turn to become the dignified future mistress of the house once more.

She rang the bell by her bedside, and when a maid entered, she spoke gracefully.

“Bring breakfast and tea. Oh—and the contraceptive as well.”

◇ ◆ ◇

A marriage of the century.

The engagement between the young head of House Teze and the only daughter of Count Ohara was unanimously praised throughout high society. The union of the greatest political power with unimaginable wealth—nothing could have been more perfect.

In the social circles of Roark, where marriage was regarded as business and negotiation, the two were considered a match made in heaven, overflowing with mutual benefit.

Save for one thing.

They were not in love.

“Happy birthday, Lady Ohara.”

“Thank you for coming, Countess.”

“What do you mean? Of course I had to come.”

Every guest who visited the annex of the ducal estate made a point of flaunting their closeness to Evangelin, the woman soon to become Duchess of Teze. Evangelin, for her part, welcomed them with practiced grace befitting the future lady of the house.

“With the memorial of the former Duchess of Teze approaching, the event is rather modest. There isn’t much prepared, but I hope you’ll enjoy yourselves.”

“…….”

Modest, she said—but it was enough to make one’s eyes widen in disbelief. Brilliant velvet drapery, reminiscent of Evangelin’s flowing silver hair, stretched across the ceiling. Ice sculptures themed around winter gleamed beneath hundreds of silver candlesticks, which replaced chandeliers entirely. Once lit, the hall felt less like a banquet venue and more like a magical castle.

And yet, despite all this, the birthday celebration was considered modest.

At least by the standards of House Ohara, the wealthiest family in the Beliche Empire.

“As expected of Count Ohara’s only daughter. If we put a price on all this, just how much would it be… Whew.”

“So what? The Duke of Teze himself isn’t even here.”

Where there is brilliant light, deep shadows inevitably follow. Some ladies, overwhelmed by the splendor of the banquet, loosened their restraint and began whispering among themselves.

“No matter how much the engagement was a transaction of wealth, surely he could show his face on a day like this. Especially with the wedding so close.”

“And yet she already acts like she’s the duchess.”

In Roark’s open society, it wasn’t unusual for an engaged woman to stay at her fiancé’s estate even before marriage. But for those determined to find fault, such facts were meaningless. Nor did it matter that the Duke of Teze was the busiest man in the empire.

If I didn’t act that way, the envy would carve me open with a knife instead.

Evangelin Ohara was, without question, the queen of high society—flawless in every regard. Even without considering her wealth or lineage, not a single ornament in the room could rival her beauty.

Her long silver hair fell to her waist, framing elegant, refined features. Her snow-white skin looked so delicate it might melt at a touch, while her pink eyes held a proud, unwavering poise. In the Beliche Empire, where dark hair and eyes were the norm, her coloring was not merely rare—it was exceptional. There was even a joke that Count Ohara must have mined those eyes himself from his own estate.

“Honestly, if the count hadn’t discovered the Cairn mines, this marriage wouldn’t have been possible. Before that, could House Ohara really have dared to compare itself to House Teze?”

“Exactly. Either way, Lady Evangelin truly was born with a diamond spoon in her mouth. Everything’s gone smoothly since birth—now she’s even about to become the Duchess of Teze.”

“And yet what good is that, when His Grace shows no interest at all—ah.”

As the alcohol flowed and voices grew louder, the women suddenly stiffened, sensing a gaze upon them.

It was Evangelin.

One of the ladies, breaking into a cold sweat, bowed awkwardly with a forced smile.

“I—I’m sorry. We didn’t mean it like that. We just thought it would’ve been nicer if the duke could attend on such a special day.”

“No. I prefer it quiet today.”

“M-My lady…”

“Quiet. As if no one were here at all.”

“…….”

“And if that’s not possible, then you may as well get properly drunk.”

Whether it was a smile or a warning was hard to tell, but her pink eyes curved beautifully. The ladies went pale, their mouths snapping shut. As silence fell, broken only by the sound of someone nervously swallowing wine, Evangelin turned away with clear satisfaction.

“The wine is excellent today. On such a fine occasion, we should all drink together.”

“H-Haha. Indeed!”

Her most devoted followers hurriedly raised their glasses. Evangelin took a deliberate sip as well, but a dull ache throbbed behind her temples today. As much as she wanted to retire early, failing to host even this much of a celebration would invite rumors questioning her family’s wealth—predators were always waiting for such weakness.

Compared to that chaos, such petty gossip was almost endearing.

“Oh my, Lady Evangelin! Look over there! Someone’s arrived!”

“…….”

At the sudden commotion near the entrance, she lifted her gaze. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if he had come—but that was impossible. He was always busy. She had accepted that when agreeing to this engagement.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—the carriage that stopped belonged to House Ohara’s trading company.

“My goodness! It must be a surprise gift from the count!”

“…Father?”

Blinking in surprise, Evangelin accepted a telegram from a company employee who had rushed inside. While she remained composed, those around her buzzed with excitement.

“What could it be this time? A diamond from Arabel, said to be the rarest in the world?”

“It must be something even more special for her birthday! Since it came as a letter, could it be the deed to an island? Or documents for a vacation estate? The count is known for his generosity!”

“…….”

“Please tell us.”

“What is it, my lady?”

As their voices overlapped, all eyes turned to Evangelin. Expressionless, she read the telegram, then carefully folded it and returned it to the envelope.

In a sense, it truly was a birthday gift unlike any she had ever received.

Last month, all ships of the Ohara Trading Company that departed from Addis sank in a storm.

A message informing her—

That her family had been utterly ruined.