Chapter 3: What No One Knows Yet (1)

After finishing her bath, Ariana enjoyed the most satisfying breakfast she had eaten in years.

Of course, as a princess whose appearance was carefully managed, her meal consisted of nothing more than soft bread, soup, a small salad, and fresh fruit.

But to Ariana…

It was more than enough.

Compared to snatching a moldy piece of bread from a stray dog—only to shove it into her mouth before another dog or starving person could steal it away—

This was nothing less than a lavish feast.

“Shall I prepare some tea, Your Highness?”

“Later.”

While Ariana ate, Maia stood quietly beside her.

As Rosa gathered the empty dishes onto a serving tray, Maia casually approached Ariana.

Bending as though she were simply helping clear the table, she whispered so softly that no one else could hear.

“Everything has been arranged.”

Ariana glanced sideways at Rosa before giving the slightest nod.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

Maia had carried out every instruction she had given before taking her bath.

Perfectly.

“Maia.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Please tell the chief chamberlain…”

“…that his youngest daughter wishes to see her beloved father.”

The Flower of Molvion could visit the king whenever she pleased.

It required no more permission than a beloved dog running to greet its master.

Back then, however, Ariana hadn’t understood that.

She had proudly boasted that she alone could meet the king whenever she wished.

That privilege had fueled the First Princess’s jealousy.

Then again…

The First Princess had been every bit as foolish as Ariana herself during those days.

“I will inform the chief chamberlain.”

Watching Rosa pretend not to listen while secretly hanging on every word, Ariana’s emerald eyes turned cold.

News that the youngest princess wished to see the king would soon reach the Second Prince.

And Rosa…

Would receive something in return.

First, I need to find out exactly what he’s paying her.

Only then could she obtain a useful card to play.

Money would be ideal.

That would be simple.

But if it’s something else…

She could worry about that once she knew.

Noticing Rosa looking her way, Ariana hid the chill in her gaze and smiled sweetly.

At first, she had wanted nothing more than to cut off that beautiful neck and make Rosa pay for her betrayal.

But killing her now would accomplish nothing.

It would merely alert the Second Prince.

So she had chosen another path.

She would make Rosa her own.

If she offered Rosa something greater than whatever Owen was paying her…

There was every chance she’d switch sides.

Rosa Burns.

The eldest daughter of Baron Burns.

A shallow opportunist.

Exactly the sort of person who could be bought.

The Second Prince undoubtedly wasn’t rewarding her with anything extraordinary.

After all, he didn’t consider Ariana a threat.

Which meant the spy watching her wasn’t an important piece on his board either.

So I can use her just as easily.

Whatever else she lacked…

She was still a princess.

And not just any princess.

She was the king’s favorite.

Winning over the eldest daughter of a minor baron would hardly be difficult.

After finishing her preparations to meet the king, Ariana waited.

The reply had yet to arrive.

But she already knew the answer.

There was no chance the king would refuse to see her.

Soon enough—

“A message has arrived.”

The maid bowed.

“His Majesty says he can spare a few moments before beginning his morning duties.”

Just as expected.

Smiling at her reflection in the mirror, Ariana wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

The face looking back at her…

Was almost identical to her mother’s.

That face alone guaranteed the king would never refuse her request.

After all…

He had once abducted a commoner woman into the palace, forced her to bear his child, and eventually even made her queen—

Simply because he had fallen in love with that beautiful face.

“I’m fortunate…”

“…that I resemble Mother.”

“Don’t you think?”

Maia lowered her eyes, pretending not to have heard.

Ariana only smiled before rising from her chair.

Outside the room, several maids waited to accompany her.

Among them stood Rosa.

Pretending not to notice, Ariana walked forward while Maia quietly took her place behind her.

“Where is His Majesty?”

“He’s in his study.”

“Oh…”

“My brothers must be there as well.”

“Yes.”

Once every week…

The First Prince and Second Prince met with the king in his study.

There, they reported everything they had accomplished during the previous seven days as they competed for the position of Crown Prince.

Some questioned the purpose of such frequent meetings.

What could possibly be achieved in a single week?

But everyone knew the truth.

Those meetings weren’t about accomplishments.

They existed so the king could remind everyone that all authority remained firmly in his hands.

He possessed an overwhelming obsession with power.

In Ariana’s previous life…

Even as death approached, he never appointed a crown prince.

He simply couldn’t bear to relinquish control.

As a result, when he died unexpectedly, Molvion plunged into chaos.

The man who had controlled every aspect of the kingdom disappeared overnight.

Confusion was inevitable.

This time…

I won’t let that happen.

She couldn’t know how long Molvion would survive under her rule.

The Empire constantly watched for opportunities to devour the kingdom.

Still…

She had already decided.

She would become Molvion’s ruler.

Before claiming the throne, she would eliminate as much chaos as possible.

With that determination, Ariana headed toward the king’s study.

It had been a long time since she had walked these halls.

I fled the palace when I was twenty…

So it’s been eight years.

Eight years.

Yet Ariana’s steps never faltered.

No one became lost inside the home where they had been born and raised.

Taking in the familiar scenery at a leisurely pace, she finally arrived at the study.

Just then…

The doors opened.

Apparently the weekly report had just ended.

Two men emerged.

One had short navy-blue hair.

The other wore ash-blue hair cut neatly to his jaw.

Different heights.

Different builds.

Different faces.

Only one feature connected them.

Both had inherited the king’s piercing blue eyes.

The two princes frowned the moment they unexpectedly encountered Ariana.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen those condescending looks.

Suppressing a smile, Ariana gracefully curtsied.

Anyone who saw her radiant smile would have found it mesmerizing.

“Brother Terrence.”

“Brother Owen.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“What are you doing here?”

As expected…

The hot-headed First Prince, Terrence, spoke first.

He had always been ruled by his temper.

The kind of man whose fists moved before his brain did.

Age had at least taught him not to throw punches immediately.

But that impatient nature…

Would never change.

“Brother.”

The Second Prince smiled gently.

“You’re frightening our little sister.”

Owen.

A man whose soft appearance concealed a calculating heart.

In some ways…

He was even more dangerous than Terrence.

In Ariana’s previous life, he had become the reason she was forced to flee for her life.

“Shut up.”

Terrence glared.

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

Owen laughed softly.

“My, Brother.”

“You’re starting to frighten even me.”

“Owen!”

“Shh.”

He smiled pleasantly.

“You shouldn’t raise your voice.”

“His Majesty might hear.”

“You…!”

The two princes were only a year apart in age.

Their achievements were nearly identical.

Their mothers were different.

Perhaps that was why they competed over everything…

Even breathing seemed like a contest between them.

If left alone, they would continue snapping at each other endlessly.

Someone had to interrupt.

“You two haven’t changed at all.”

“This isn’t your place to interfere!”

Terrence barked immediately.

But Owen’s reaction differed.

“‘Haven’t changed’…”

He narrowed his eyes.

“You speak as though it’s been years since we last met.”

Just one sentence.

Yet Owen instantly sensed something strange.

I’ll have to be more careful.

Lowering her head like a frightened girl, Ariana spoke timidly.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ve been bedridden with a terrible cold for several days.”

“I’ve hardly left my room.”

“I was simply happy to see you.”

Owen remembered.

She had indeed been seriously ill.

Though not entirely convinced, he had no reason to doubt her.

His nod made it clear enough.

I’ll let this pass.

The arrogance in that attitude irritated her.

Still…

That was how they had always treated her.

There was no point feeling hurt by it anymore.

Even so…

She couldn’t help finding it offensive.

“You asked why I came here, Brother Terrence.”

Straightening the shoulders she had deliberately hunched moments before, Ariana flashed a brilliant smile at her two self-important brothers.

“I came to see Father.”

“I haven’t seen him for several days.”

“I’ve missed him terribly.”

“You…!”

Terrence’s face immediately darkened.

Ariana widened her eyes innocently.

“Oh my…”

“Did I say ‘Father’?”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I made another mistake.”

“I should have said ‘Your Majesty.'”

“Or…”

She tilted her head sweetly.

“My coming-of-age ceremony is only a short time away.”

“Should I start calling him ‘Your Majesty,’ just like you two do?”

Father.

A perfectly natural way for a child to address her parent.

Yet within the Clayton royal family…

Only one person was allowed to use that word.

Ariana.

And that single word was also the perfect weapon—

Capable of instantly shattering the smug expressions on both of her brothers’ faces.