Aurelius stood at the top of the grand staircase, frozen, though his robes concealed it well. The dark violet veils softened the world around him, muting its edges, as if the heavy cloth and sheer veil might muffle reality itself.

But nothing could muffle the roaring in his ears. He gripped the polished banister with a gloved hand, feeling his stomach twist as his golden gaze drifted across the sea of nobles below. He hated balls. Hated the crowds. Hated being seen. And now, in this cursed world, in this cursed body, all eyes were drawn to him like moths to flame.

The Saintess of Wroethia had descended. A title. A role. A lie.

The prince’s voice cutting through the murmurs. “Saintess Winona.” Florian’s smile gleamed, his voice pitched just loud enough for the entire hall to hear. “You honor us with your presence.”

Aurelius’s heart shriveled at the attention, but he moved, stiff and too aware of every step as he descended the staircase.

“My Saintess,” Florian purred, lowering his head, lips brushing his gloved knuckles in a chaste kiss. Aurelius gave the barest tilt of his head, the veil hiding his expression. His golden eyes flicked away, desperate for escape.

A new ripple disturbed the room, a collective shift of unease and awe. Aurelius’s gaze followed the silent pull, and the room seemed to tilt.

The northern delegation had arrived. Tall, imposing figures in dark attire, they moved like wolves threading through sheep and at their center walked the one figure Aurelius had not expected. You.

The villain of the manhwa. The ruler of the northern duchy. The iron wall holding back the Great Evil’s corruption from spilling into Wroethia.

You were the one the prince loathed most, the figure that made his inferiority fester. But in this moment, you weren’t looking at Florian. Your eyes locked onto him. Aurelius felt the world narrow, his heart skipping.

He stood frozen as you approached. The sheer violet veil did little to shield him now, your eyes boring through.