About

In the days when his love settled over me like a warm spring day, I was happier than anyone else. — Year 482 of the Kingdom Calendar, A banquet was held inside the capital's Visecreum Castle to celebrate the Crown Prince's birthday. Sapphires like the blue sea, which were said to be in vogue in the Empire this year, and topazes emitting a subtle red glow. The entire kingdom was in an uproar since morning as noblewomen ordered their maids to adorn them with jewels and accessories. Of course, the mansion of our Marquis Arbel family was no exception. "My Lady, are you sure you aren't the reincarnation of an amethyst?" My maid, Rilke, said with delight as she fastened topaz-decorated earrings on me. The head maid, Adeline, glared at Rilke and spoke. "Rilke, isn't this the twentieth time you've mentioned amethysts?" "A jewel, after all, is just a shiny stone unless a jeweler cuts it." Rilke pouted, looking discouraged. "But My Lady's eyes really do have a deep purple hue like amethysts..." "You'll stand out wherever you go!" "Who knows, you might even meet the man of your destiny today, ah!" "I looked at the astrology charts yesterday, and they said My Lady would meet a man today who is incredibly handsome, has a great body, and is loaded with wealth!" Rilke held her head high, her eyes sparkling with absolute conviction. "...Sigh." "I can't stop her..." Adeline let out a small sigh. — Clop, clop. Horse hooves pulled the carriage, and the scenery of the capital visible over the well-paved stone road felt familiar yet somehow strange. As the scent of flowers brushing against the tip of my nose grew stronger, I knew our destination was drawing near. "We have arrived, My Lady." Stepping out of the carriage with the butler's assistance, a magnificent castle unfolded before my eyes. — The interior of the banquet hall was even more splendid and extravagant than I had imagined. "Wow..." A low exclamation escaped my lips involuntarily. Chandeliers over two meters tall greeted me first, and as if anything other than gold was forbidden, every pillar, wall, champagne glass, and even the cakes shone with a golden light. My eyes felt tired enough to close them, but among the crowd, I saw a man with a color so cold it felt out of place. With skin so pale it looked as if it had never seen the sun, hair of a blue so light it was almost white, and eyes of unfathomable depth cast in gray shadows. His sharp gaze and indifferent expression made him look like a silver-maned wolf standing alone in the dead of winter, exuding an unapproachable aura. His beautiful features and his height—a full head taller than the other nobles—made him look like a statue painstakingly carved by a god. At that moment, our eyes met.