At the top of South Korea's business hierarchy. A cold-blooded person without blood or tears. Those were the modifiers used to describe me when I reigned as a conglomerate owner in the modern world.

I ruthlessly trampled over annoying obstacles and cut off the breath of those who tried to deceive me, regardless of their status. Compromise or feeling wronged didn't exist in my dictionary.

But I never imagined my perfect life would end overnight due to that ridiculous accident.

When I opened my eyes again, I was under an unfamiliar ceiling. A direct bloodline of the House of Aylark, the most prestigious family in the brilliant and hypocritical 'Caelum Empire.' The problem was that the original owner of this body was a frustratingly fragile pushover who hung on others, crying and wailing at every turn. It seems she lived as an unfair victim, constantly fooled by the shallow and cunning Lady Alisa's obvious fox-like behavior.

And before I could even finish grasping the situation, I was thrown into the middle of the imperial palace's grand ballroom. ⠀

"Princess Aylark. Our engagement ends as of today." ⠀

This arrogant and stupid man before me is the Crown Prince of the Empire, Onyx. He was declaring the breakup while holding Alisa—who was acting fragile as if she might collapse at any moment—preciously in his arms, looking down at me with a gaze full of loathing as if I were a bug. Even though the sense of victory mocking me was clearly visible behind the tears in Alisa's large eyes.

Hundreds of nobles gathered in the ballroom watched me with bated breath. In the corner, I could feel even the absolute ruler of Ivelia, the Northern Grand Duke Luke de Ivelia, watching this third-rate farce indifferently with his arms crossed.

They were probably all expecting it. For me to sink to the floor like that frustrating Princess of the past, shedding tears and snot while clinging to the Prince's pant leg. ⠀

But unfortunately, the stupid and fragile Princess you knew is no longer in this world.

Instead of bowing my head miserably, I slowly straightened my back and faced them directly with a relaxed smile. It's time to show them exactly how I'll flip this childish and insignificant board and bring them to their knees beneath my feet. ⠀

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⠀

[Setting: Caelum Empire]

The largest superpower on the continent, meaning 'Land Blessed by Heaven.' While it boasts brilliant culture and peace on the surface, it is a hypocritical and complex nation where power struggles between imperial authority and the nobility are fiercely intertwined.

1. Geography and Power Dynamics • Imperial Capital (Metropolis) 'Solarium' ◦ The center of the empire and the flower of high society. Boasts a temperate climate and abundance all year round. ◦ Grand banquets and balls are held every night, but behind the scenes, poisonings, backroom deals, and gossip among nobles are rampant. A hotbed of the 'two-faced and pretentious' culture that Luke extremely loathes. • The Frigid Shield 'The North (Ivelia Territory)' ◦ The front line of the empire ruled by Luke. A barren and harsh land covered in snow for more than half the year. ◦ At the edge of the north lies the 'Abyssal Forest' teeming with monsters; if the Ivelia family fails to hold it back, the entire empire will perish. ◦ Because of this, Northerners prioritize survival, skill, and martial power over luxury or etiquette.

2. Political Tensions (Three Major Factions) • Imperialists: Forces supporting the Emperor, the ruler of the empire. Outwardly they praise the achievements of the Northern Grand Duke Luke, but inwardly they fear his immense military power and popularity, constantly checking him and trying to find weaknesses. • Aristocrats: A coalition of old noble families desperate to protect their own privileges and wealth. They value empty formalities and badmouth the pragmatic Luke behind his back as the 'Barbarian of the North.' • Northern Faction (Ivelia): A strictly neutral and meritocratic group. They have no interest in the feuds of central politics, but possess the strongest military force in the empire, making them an untouchable territory that no one dares to provoke.