Chapter 1
Introduction
In the Imperial Library
Lady Ophelia: Lady Chaeri, what are you doing in the Imperial Library?
Lady Chaeri: Well, I'm studying to help my father manage the affairs of the dukedom, so I'm quite busy nowadays. How about you?
Lady Ophelia: I'm managing the affairs of the dukedom as well since I'm the heir. I already got chosen and approved as the successor by the emperor. Did Duke Rudolf not choose his successor yet?
Lady Chaeri: Not yet. But how is His Highness, the Crown Prince?
Lady Ophelia: He is at war once more, as you may be aware. He's aiming for a swift triumph. Despite his hectic schedule, he constantly finds time to write to me and assist me with my affairs.
Lady Chaeri: However, I've heard that he is fighting once more to regain the Emperor's full favor. The Crown Prince has been losing some of His Majesty the Emperor's favor lately as he favors the Fifth Prince. Therefore, I would suggest that you not depend on him too much. Who knows, the 5th Prince might overthrow him.
Lady Ophelia: Thank you for informing me. I shall look into it. I shall make sure that the concubine's bastard child doesn't steal Adrien's throne.
Lady Ophelia exits
Lady Chaeri (soliloquizing): Ophelia has fallen into my trap. The Fifth Prince is favored, what a joke? I would be surprised if the emperor even knew his name. Luckily that dumb girl bought it or else. This will be enough to keep her distracted for a while.
Lady Chaeri exits
The Solciel Empire. The Imperial Family was called Sovereigns of the Sky Throne.
"Under the Solciel sun, no rebellion will rise."
Lady Ophelia Skye Celestine Seraphina, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Seraphim, Lord Astrien Skye Seraphim and Vivienne Skye Seraphina. Betrothed to the Crown Prince, His Highness Lord Adrien Sebastien Asriel de Kaiser von Ciel. She is the Crown Princess but she still has yet to have her coronation formally.
Lady Ophelia Skye Celestine Seraphina
Daughter of the Duke of Seraphim
Future Crown Princess of the Solciel Empire
"She was born under the stars—but she walks like she commands them."
With hair like a swan's feathers and cerulean eyes that silence a room, Lady Ophelia is the empire's untouched jewel—gentle in voice, graceful in step, but unshakable in presence.
They call her naïve. Too soft. Too kind.
And yet, every scheme against her fails. Every trap set collapses.
Because no one knows who protects her.
Because no one sees the monster behind the throne who bows only for her.
Uncrowned but already adored, Ophelia walks through noble fire with a serene smile—and never burns. Lady Chaeri tries to ruin her. The court tries to break her. The empire waits for her fall.
But the Crown Prince would burn it all before letting her stumble.
And maybe… she's not as gentle as they think.
Because when the time comes to rise, she won't be holding flowers.
She'll be holding the empire.
Lady Chaeri Rose Rudolf, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Rudolf, Lord Damian Iris Rudolf and Lady Lily Iris Rudolf. They were neighbouring dukedoms, so they had to be friendly to each other but secretly despised each other.
Lady Chaeri Rose Rudolf
Daughter of the Duke of Rudolf
Roses are red. Hers have thorns.
Clad in dark silks and sharper words, Lady Chaeri is high society's most dangerous jewel. Cunning, elegant, and always five steps ahead, she doesn't just attend court—she bends it to her will.
She smiles sweetly while doing her father's dirty work, gathering secrets, silencing threats, and charming nobles into pawns. Her reputation is scandalous. Her wit? Untouchable. And her favorite pastime? Making Lady Ophelia's life a living hell—until everything begins to shift.
In a way, they were frenemies. However, Lady Chaeri was the most antagonistic; she continually schemes to make Lady Ophelia look bad, though it's unclear why. Despite the fact that Lady Chaeri is the most witty, cunning, cruel, and manipulative person, Lady Ophelia always manages to get away from her schemes. She seems to have some unknown backing.