The previously bustling ballroom atmosphere suddenly fell silent upon hearing the Crown Prince's declaration.
All eyes turned to him. With a faint, piercing smile, he pulled Althea to his side. "I wish to make an announcement," his voice was heavy yet clear, resonating against the crystal-adorned walls. "Tonight, I choose Lady Althea as my fiancée."
Bastard, what are you planning? Release me from your wicked scheme. Althea thought.
Like a flash of lightning, the crowd immediately exploded in sharp whispers.
"Did he say… Lady Althea?"
"But isn't she just that poor Baron's daughter?"
"Her body is plump, her face… ah, she doesn't even deserve to be called beautiful."
"Why did the Crown Prince choose a foolish woman like her?"
Althea felt her cheeks burn, her body stiff. The Crown Prince's fingers wrapped around her waist felt cold, but his grip was strong, as if leaving her no room to escape.
"Lady Althea possesses something rarely found in other women," the Crown Prince said loudly, gazing at the shocked crowd. "Her kindness has touched me."
The whispers grew more frantic, some stifling cynical laughter, others simply stunned in disbelief.
Anna, standing not far away, tightly clenched her fists. Her jaw hardened, her eyes trembled with anger. But she only bit her lip, restraining her emotions from exploding in front of everyone.
On the other side, the Crown Prince leaned down slightly, his lips almost touching Althea's ear. His voice changed to a cold whisper. "Follow the script I gave you. Don't oppose me. And… the secret in the garden just now, keep it tightly hidden. If you want answers, we'll talk tomorrow."
Tomorrow?! What are you saying, you bastard?! Althea screamed internally. But her courage evaporated, replaced by a body that trembled violently, and her mouth felt dry.
A flurry of questions swirled in her head, but her tongue was tied.
She could only curse her cruel fate, which was plunging her deeper into palace games she didn't understand.
With the last of her bravery, Althea looked up. On her throne, the Queen reclined gracefully, her chin resting on her hand. A subtle, mocking smile graced her face, as if she was thoroughly enjoying the drama that had just begun.
In the Carriage
The carriage wheels slowly creaked over the cobblestone road. The atmosphere inside was far more chilling than the party they had just left. The small lamp swinging on the carriage ceiling only added to the gloomy impression.
Anna sat across from Althea, her face flushed crimson from the restrained anger. Her fingers clutched her expensive skirt until it was wrinkled.
"What exactly did you do, Althea?" her voice cracked, sharp as a dagger. "What did he see in you? Why did the Crown Prince choose you? You?! Out of everyone present tonight!"
Althea looked down.
Her plump body trembled slightly, not out of fear of Anna, but because of something much darker in her own head.
She did not answer. There were no words she could utter.
Anna grew more agitated. "Do you think you can steal my destiny just by staying silent? Do you think he truly loves you?"
But Althea remained silent. Her eyes stared blankly out the window, toward the forest as dark as an abyss. In her heart, one sentence swirled, suffocating her chest. Why is fate cursing her? What kind of plan is that killer plotting against her?
She gripped her worn skirt tightly, trying to suppress the increasing tremor.
Meanwhile, Anna's voice still echoed within the carriage, mixing with the creak of the wheels and the chilly, piercing night wind.
The Next Morning
That night, Althea's sleep brought no peace whatsoever.
In her dream, flames raged wildly. She saw her old self—a regular university student—trapped inside a burning boarding house, her pitiful screams swallowed by thick black smoke.
And as if time reversed, she also witnessed Althea's current body, tied to a pole in the town square, surrounded by a cheering crowd as the tongues of fire devoured her skin.
The heat was so real, making her heart pound until she woke up, her body drenched in cold sweat.
When she opened her eyes, the figure of her father, the Baron, was already standing before her. The man's gaze was full of excitement, his wide smile like a beggar who had suddenly found gold.
"Althea… my daughter," he said softly, his tone completely different from usual. "You truly brought a blessing to this family."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned three servants.
They were the only remaining servants in the shabby house, but this morning they were busy surrounding Althea, combing her hair, offering her a new pale blue gown with simple lace decorations.
It still looked luxurious compared to her worn-out clothes lately, though it was clearly far from true noble quality.
After she was finished, the Baron even waited for Althea to eat with him.
A thing that had never happened before. On the long, cold dining table, the food was arranged more neatly than usual, although it was clearly still modest.
Anna sat on the other side, her face sullen.
She was no longer explosive like last night, as if her great anger had been calmed by the Baron's sweet words.
"Father wants to know," the Baron said while scooping a piece of bread into his mouth, "when did you and His Highness the Crown Prince first meet? Why did you never tell me about your relationship?"
Anna immediately turned, her eyes narrowed with scrutiny.
Althea paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "We met at the market, Father. When I was shopping for groceries."
"Don't lie, how can I believe that?" Anna shouted, but the Baron looked at her gently while giving off an aura that was frightening to his daughters.
"I'm not lying. We did meet there. And if not there, where else could I possibly go?" Althea said, scooping a spoonful of soup to her mouth.
"Truly, Althea couldn't possibly lie." The smile on the Baron's face tensed, but he quickly covered it with a forced laugh. "Then, what about your relationship? Why hide it from me?"
There was no answer.
Althea had no answer in her head.
The atmosphere at the table turned cold. Both the Baron and his daughters waited for an answer in silence.
But the fragile calm broke when a servant ran in with a panicked face. He bowed deeply.
"Lord Baron! Envoys from the palace have arrived… they are asking permission to fetch the future Crown Princess."
The room instantly went silent. The Baron turned to Althea, his face once again shining with ambition. Anna clenched her fists under the table.
As for Althea… she could only lower her head, feeling the shackles of destiny tightening ever stronger around her neck.