TVWD 06

Chapter : 06

After spending the morning in a flurry of activity, the knights’ event was suddenly right upon us.

“Cash, prepare an outfit as lavish as possible.”

“Yes, Miss. Shall I prepare a dress covered in pink lace?”

I frowned slightly at the word pink, but still nodded. Pink was Marina’s favorite color, after all.

“Prepare that, along with a ruby-topaz necklace. And a bracelet, too.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The Duke disliked anything too flashy, so this was done intentionally.

Being tied to Duke Lysiancus extended my lifespan, but with him… I had to keep as much distance as possible.

“You’ll look beautiful in anything, Miss!”

“Thank you, Cash. By the way, I think we should make an appointment at the salon to have the dress tailored.”

“Yes.”

As I left the room and went down the stairs, my mother, who had been waiting in the lobby, exclaimed in admiration.

“You look beautiful! Have a good time, Roa. Your father will be waiting for you at the palace.”

“I will.”

We passed through the massive castle gates by carriage, and soon arrived at the central hall. From here, everyone except a few with special permission had to proceed on foot.

The overwhelmingly grand palace was still impeccably maintained and dazzlingly magnificent.

Foreign envoys or nobles visiting the palace for the first time were often awestruck, but I hated the palace with a deep passion.

After all, it was where one of the male leads—the Crown Prince—resided, and I might run into him.

In many of my lives, the Crown Prince had been the one who killed me first, and I had died by his hands more than twenty times.

He had accused me of treason, punished me personally, burned my family’s estate… at one point, he had even killed my mother in front of me while laughing.

Even though I never troubled Marina, I had been labeled not only a villainess but also a traitor.

Still, I was lucky to die last. If my mother had witnessed my execution…

I took slow steps, forcing my stomach’s unease under control.

“Lady Rosia, Marchioness of Levia?”

The familiar voice made me flinch, though I wished I could ignore it.

I slowly turned my body toward the sound and lowered my gaze.

Familiar black boots.

As if to confirm my villainess role, I had the worst luck.

“Lady Rosia of the Levia Marchioness House, I pay my respects to His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince of the Empire.”

I had just prayed not to see him, yet here he was. Truly, luck never favored a villainess.

I forced a bitter smile, and the Crown Prince, perhaps irritated by my presence, tilted his head disdainfully. His deep green eyes were filled with disgust.

“Your face is unnaturally pale.”

“I am most humbled, Your Highness. White makeup is fashionable these days, but perhaps I overdid it.”

“To be forced to see a ghost-like face… I seem unlucky as well.”

I was far unluckier for running into him. Muttering this silently, I lowered my gaze even further.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince seemed preoccupied and passed me by quickly. I trudged forward, already exhausted before even participating in the event.

Luckily, no further disturbances came, and I safely arrived at the knights’ order.

“I’m here at the invitation of Calvin Levia.”

“Ah, Lady Levia. I am Edward Durrin, a colleague of Calvin. Please, follow me.”

“So you are from the Durrin Baron House. Calvin has often spoken of you.”

I gave a slight smile, which caused Edward Durrin’s cheeks to flush. He walked alongside me, explaining the layout of the knights’ order.

The order’s complex consisted of three buildings: the main hall at the front, with an annex and dormitories behind. A large parade ground and courtyard lay before the main hall, where knights were lined up.

On one side of the parade ground, under a shaded canopy, I saw several familiar faces and greeted them with a smile.

“It’s nice to see you here, Lady Levia.”

Most attendees of the knights’ order events were younger sons or children of lesser noble families, often overlooked by their houses. Attending such an event meant the family either cherished the child greatly or had high expectations.

The young man speaking to me was the second son of Count Parmie, destined to become an aide to Duke Lysiancus.

“Likewise, Countess Parmie. The last ball you hosted was wonderful—will there be another this season?”

“Not this season, but when I hold one next, you’ll be the first invited, my lady.”

“I can’t wait already.”

A cold sweat ran down my back, but I forced myself to mingle with the families of promising knights, strengthening our bonds.

Just as the event was beginning, my father arrived.

“Roa, I’m a little late.”

Our family also paid careful attention to relatives serving in the knights’ order.

“I’d like to thank all esteemed guests for attending today’s event.”

Soon, the Duke, the knights’ commander, opened the ceremony. Knights in white uniforms moved in perfect coordination under the guidance of large flags.

“Oh, how magnificent!”

I took a deep breath to calm my wildly racing heart, trying to ignore the mental shock of encountering the Crown Prince—it seemed to have affected my body too.

“Roa, I have a meeting, so I must leave first.”

“Yes, I’ll inform Calvin. See you at home later.”

My busy father left mid-event, and I clenched my teeth, holding myself together.

The knights’ event concluded successfully, and families approached the canopy to meet their kin.

“Sis!”

My younger sibling’s smile quickly faded.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“Probably because I applied too much makeup—it’s quite fashionable these days.”

I smiled, and my sibling accepted that explanation.

“Father had a meeting, so he left midway. He said he was proud of your hard work.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Since my father had told Calvin in advance that he couldn’t stay, my sibling was unconcerned.

“But, sis, you should go greet the Duke.”

Ah, right. I had come to see the Duke. I’d momentarily forgotten because of the Crown Prince.

“Thank you for your concern, Calvin,” I said.

But my body, already at its limit, struggled even to bow to the Duke. If I collapsed here, the Duke might think I was trying to attract his attention excessively and avoid me.

Or… should I pretend to faint on purpose?

I considered it briefly but decided it was too extreme and held myself together.

“Hello, Duke. The event was magnificent.”

Each word hurt my cheeks internally, and the metallic taste of blood lingered on my tongue.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“The success of the event is thanks to you, Duke. I hope the knights’ order continues to flourish under your guidance.”

“Thank you,” the Duke replied nonchalantly.

Calvin looked puzzled as I bowed and turned to leave, but I had reached my limit.

“Sis, I’ll escort you to the carriage.”

“No, Calvin.”

I gently refused my brother several times, greeted others, and finally left the knights’ order.

Exiting the brick-built entrance, I turned right and walked toward the garden once loved by the former empress.

By the Crown Prince’s order, the garden was off-limits to the public, so it would be empty at this hour.

I nearly ran to the garden, moving swiftly before anyone could see me.

As expected, the well-kept garden was quiet, and I made my way behind a large tree. Once certain no one was around, I let myself sink to the ground, releasing the tension.

“Ugh…ugh…”

Having fasted since last night, nothing came up—just as I had anticipated, in case I might encounter the Crown Prince.

Unlike my calm demeanor, my body reacted as if remembering all the times I had been stabbed by his sword—a reaction I had experienced many times.

“Phew…ahh.”

After gagging for a while, I wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.

Taking a deep breath, I forced strength into my trembling legs, gripping the tree to rise.

I knew no one should be around, but I checked just in case.

After surveying ahead and to the sides, I turned my body back and quietly exhaled.

Someone had been standing behind me the entire time, with an expression that clearly suggested they had seen everything I had done.