Chapter 3
A voice called out from the distance—it was my father, looking for me.
Not wanting him to have any association with Prince Xander, I turned away, leaving behind only a cold remark:
"Your Highness, from now on, you walk your path, and I will walk mine."
Xander reached out as if to grasp the hem of my sleeve, but I stepped aside, avoiding his touch entirely.
He froze in place, staring at my retreating figure, as though watching the girl who once followed him like a shadow disappear forever.
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then, out of my sight, his face twisted into something dark and venomous.
"What’s happening? How did it come to this?"
Bitterness and rage curled at the corners of his lips, his expression so chilling that the guards beside him hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances.
Had the Third Prince truly turned from love to hatred?
No one knew the truth.
From the beginning, Xander’s so-called affection had been nothing but a carefully constructed lie, a means to secure House Ironhold’s support.
"My Lord…"
One of his attendants cautiously stepped forward. "Shall we proceed to House Blackwood as planned?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Xander’s icy glare cut him off.
The original purpose of this outing had been to seek an alliance with House Blackwood, but running into me had been an unexpected twist.
Xander had assumed I would be as easily manipulated as before, that his feigned love would be enough to sway me.
He never imagined I would be completely unmoved—unyielding to both his pleading and his threats.
A chilling smirk tugged at his lips.
"House Ironhold… Today, you scorn me. One day, I will see every last one of you executed."
His whisper was like the voice of a vengeful spirit, laced with poisonous resolve.
Then, without another word, he straightened his expression and commanded, "Why are you all standing here? Move. We visit House Blackwood."
Humiliation boiled beneath his composed exterior.
Once, House Blackwood was beneath his notice.
With my family’s backing, he had never needed to consider lesser allies.
But now, the tides had turned, and he was left groveling before them.
And in his mind, it was all my fault.
Not once did he reflect on the reality that, without me, without House Ironhold, he might not have even survived childhood.
Even the Crown Prince, born of the favored consort, had nearly perished in the treacherous palace.
How had a mere palace maid’s son lasted this long?
Yet, even knowing this, I did not care.
Because I had always known—Xander was nothing more than a viper, a snake that could never be tamed.
His entourage swiftly departed for House Blackwood.
Days later, rumors spread that House Blackwood’s heiress, Lady Lillian, had grown close to Prince Xander.
Three days later, Prince Alexander hosted a grand banquet for his birthday.
A formal invitation was delivered to House Ironhold.
With the nine princes competing for the throne, Alexander remained the strongest contender in the public eye. It would be unwise to ignore his invitation.
However, I had not anticipated that, as the eldest daughter of House Ironhold, I would nearly be denied entry at the gates.
"Miss, please present your invitation," the gatekeeper demanded, eyeing me with disdain.
Perhaps it was because I wore simple attire, but the condescension on his face was unmistakable.
I had made a mistake. I had forgotten to bring the invitation.
Just as I turned to retrieve it, a scene unfolded nearby—
A wealthy merchant, adorned in extravagant gold embroidery, was allowed inside without presenting an invitation at all.
After admitting the merchant, the gatekeeper turned back to me, his expression twisting into one of hostility.
"Are you deaf? No invitation, no entry. Get lost."
His sneering gaze swept over me, his eyes filled with a disgusting greed.
"But… if you’re willing to offer something in return, I might be able to grant you a glimpse of His Highness from afar."
Disgust churned in my stomach.
This wretched servant had the audacity to try and extort me?
