chapter 5
“Katrin Elemore… Your Highness, since you attended the Academy with her, you must already know.”
Standing before the administrative garden, dressed as a gardener, Karon spoke as if shivering.
“She’s one of the worst troublemakers in the entire empire.”
“….”
Etius’s brows were stiffly set.
His cold blue eyes carried a faint irritation, as though the mere thought of her was bothersome.
Karon continued,
“They say even among the emperor’s faction, nobles avoid her and keep their distance.”
Her foul personality was infamous across the land—perhaps even beyond the empire’s borders.
“Still, she’s incredibly beautiful, so men who don’t know better sometimes approach her or ask her to dance… but the results are always disastrous.”
Karon glanced around, then leaned closer to whisper into Etius’s ear.
“For example, five years ago, a prince from the Kingdom of Riyet foolishly asked her for a dance and ended up humiliated when his wig was knocked off. Duke Elemore managed to cover it up, but it nearly became a diplomatic issue.”
That same prince had been arrogant enough to mock Etius, refusing even basic courtesy, sneering that he wouldn’t bow to a ‘puppet prince.’
“And yet, Philios Regalo managed to charm that Lady Elemore… I can’t even imagine the scale of his ambition.”
Philios—the man Katrin had chosen as a substitute after being rejected by Etius.
If Katrin had been the academy’s greatest female villain, Philios was infamous in a different way.
He was notorious for his affairs—with teachers, students, even the headmaster.
“Well, I suppose that’s why he’s able to stay by her side—by catering to her whims.”
For a moment, Etius recalled Katrin standing arm-in-arm with that man, smiling confidently.
It had not been a pleasant sight.
Karon’s voice continued,
“In any case, it’s not a good situation for us that the revolutionary army’s confidential information may now be in the hands of someone as unpredictable as Lady Elemore.”
Not long ago, through the traitor’s confession, they had learned that the information had been passed to the late Duke Elemore—and likely now rested with Katrin.
A top-secret document tied to the lives of the revolutionary army.
A bomb that could destroy the revolution in an instant.
“Well… if there’s any hope, it’s that the duchy’s behavior has changed slightly since the duke and duchess’s funeral. Apparently, they’ve suddenly started an orphanage project. And the lady herself hasn’t been leaving the estate.”
At those words, Etius’s blue eyes darkened.
“Even someone like her must have been shaken by her parents’ deaths.”
Katrin Elemore—who once flaunted her power backed by the emperor’s closest aide—now shut away in her home…
“….”
“After we investigate her movements further,”
A cold voice slipped from Etius’s lips,
“If she poses a threat… eliminate her.”
Karon’s fingers twitched at those words.
A cold wind blew, rustling Etius’s black hair.
Philios, looking as though he had been struck over the head, trembled as he spoke.
“Katrin… what are you saying? Are you… alright?”
“Yes. Katrin Elemore has never been better.”
At my calm voice, his eyes darted in confusion.
“Is it because of those women just now? Ah—why all of a sudden? Were you really that kind of woman?”
He pressed his temple, staring at me as if he couldn’t understand.
Instead of soothing me, he chose to provoke my pride.
Katrin had always hated being looked down on or thought ignorant.
So whenever Philios said things like—
“Women in proper relationships don’t concern themselves with their lover’s affairs. Obsession is for pathetic women.”
—she would pretend to agree, acting cool.
Even if she clearly wasn’t.
But I wasn’t that Katrin.
“No. It’s just that you’re….”
I looked straight at his polished face and spoke plainly.
“…ugly.”
“…?”
His pupils shook violently.
“…W-what did you say?”
Without flinching, I continued,
“I mean exactly what I said. I can’t stand ugly men.”
Then I stood up.
What was the point of correcting someone so full of nonsense and stubbornness?
“Katrin!”
Philios jumped to his feet, panic written all over his face.
“Well then, goodbye, ugly.”
I gave a slight bow, turned sharply, and walked out of his office.
Ah… that felt refreshing.
I’d formally announced the breakup face-to-face. Now I just needed to send the paperwork and tie up a few loose ends.
If Heros complained, I’d just make something up.
Katrin Elemore’s impulsive behavior was well-known—excluding Philios wouldn’t come as a shock.
‘And he really is ugly… compared to my Eti.’
To think she got rejected by Etius and then dated trash like that—and expected him to regret it?
Blasphemy. She should apologize to him ten times—no, a hundred times.
As I walked briskly out of the building, someone suddenly grabbed my wrist from behind.
I was spun around roughly.
It was Philios, breathing heavily, his face pale.
“I… I’m ugly?”
I nodded calmly.
“Yes.”
His voice rose in outrage.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m handsome! M-my mother always said there’s no man more handsome than me! And you’re breaking off our engagement over something as trivial as looks? Do you think that’s even possible?!”
Ah right. He was a mama’s boy too—always bringing up his mother.
“Under imperial law, an engagement can be broken without the other party’s consent if it is for the protection of one’s physical well-being.”
“…?!”
I placed a hand on my forehead and continued,
“I recently developed an allergy to ugly men. If one touches me, I get dizzy, short of breath, nauseous… like I’m going to throw up. Ugh.”
I even mimed covering my mouth at the end.
His face flushed red with anger.
Good. That should be enough to make him leave me alone.
Ugly bastard.
Just as I turned away again—
“You damn woman!”
His hand suddenly shot upward.
‘What? Does he have violent tendencies too?’
I hadn’t expected it from someone so weak he couldn’t even kill a bug himself.
Even as I stepped back, thinking if he hits me, that’s definitely grounds for breaking the engagement,—
A hand suddenly appeared and grabbed his raised arm, stopping it mid-air.
“….”
I had instinctively shut my eyes—but slowly opened them.
Before me, I saw broad shoulders clad in uniform, and black hair that didn’t lose its color even in the bright light.
A cool, clean scent reached my nose.
Then—cold blue eyes turning toward me, a sharp nose, a beautifully defined jawline.
Etius.
“…!”
My heart lurched.
