Chapter 1

In my past life, I accepted the Third Prince’s proposal. With my family’s support, he ascended the throne as Emperor.

But his very first decree was to eradicate my family, wiping out our entire bloodline.

As the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ironhold, I was a master of music, strategy, and literature, excelling in both the arts and military tactics.

With my assistance, the once-weak Third Prince shocked everyone by emerging as a dark horse, rising to claim the throne.

Everyone believed that my family, House Ironhold, would bask in unparalleled glory and power.

Yet, no one anticipated that his first command as Emperor would be to brand my family as traitors and execute us all.

Thrown into the depths of the royal prison, I screamed in agony, demanding to know why he betrayed us.

I never expected his response—he saw my family’s aid as a humiliation.

That night, I wept until my vision blurred from tears.

But when I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the very day the Third Prince proposed to me.

This time, I refused him.

Three days later, I received an invitation from the Crown Prince.

During the reception, Prince Xander barged in, his voice trembling.

"Elaine… Are you abandoning me?"

Prince Alexander watched with curiosity.

He, too, wondered why I, who had once revered Xander like a god, would suddenly reject his proposal.

Only I knew the truth—I had already died once.

"Your Highness, mind your words," I murmured, lowering my gaze as I took a sip of tea, concealing the hatred burning in my eyes.

"I have always maintained a respectful distance from you, and as an unmarried woman, I do not believe I deserve such accusations."

No matter how deeply I despised him, Xander was still a prince of royal blood.

If I let my hatred show, it would be seen as an affront to the royal family—one that would endanger my loved ones.

My cold indifference sent Xander into a rage.

He stepped forward, gripping my wrist tightly, his eyes bloodshot with frustration.

"Elaine, tell me why! Why are you doing this to me!?"

He looked pitiful, like a child who had lost his favorite toy.

But my heart had long turned to stone.

Xander’s desperation wasn’t for love—it was for power.

He feared that my family, House Ironhold, would side with the Crown Prince, ruining his chances of securing the throne.

His mother had been nothing more than a palace maid, and his political backing was weak.

Without my family’s support, Xander would never have succeeded in my past life.

I yanked my wrist free and said coldly, “Your Highness, please have some dignity.”

This was a phrase I would never have dared to utter in the past.

Everyone in the kingdom knew that the treasured daughter of House Ironhold was infatuated with the Third Prince.

Hearing my words, Xander’s expression darkened instantly, his gaze turning sharp, as if he wanted to devour me.

Yet, deep inside, a sense of unease crept into him.

Something important was slipping away.

The meeting ended abruptly due to Xander’s intrusion, but I had already achieved my goal.

I wanted Prince Alexander to know that my relationship with Xander had turned irreversibly hostile.

He was supposed to be the rightful heir, the natural successor. But now, he was entangled in a dangerous battle for the throne.

With my family’s influence, the Crown Prince would not hesitate to strike down any rival faction that stood in his way.

In my past life, it was this very conflict that weakened House Ironhold, leaving us vulnerable when Xander eventually rose to power.

I closed my eyes, and in the silence, I could almost hear the agonized screams of my slaughtered family.

Their voices haunted me.

And they fueled my resolve.

Xander would suffer.

I would make sure of it.