Chapter 1

"It seems that our engagement might be dissolved."

In the staff room of the royal library where I work, the sky outside the window is a mix of purple and gold, as if hesitating between dusk and night.

While getting ready to leave, I told my colleague Wendy this. She widened her pink eyes in surprise for a moment, then lowered her brows, and I let out a wry smile, thinking that she must have heard various things.

I, Alicia Bloom, have a fiancé. Felix, the son of the Tostman Viscount, is a kind person with chocolate-brown hair and blue eyes. I thought he was someone who would look at me, a commoner and the daughter of a merchant, on equal terms.

"Wendy, you're a noble, so you must have heard things, right?"

Wendy Krenbeller, my colleague and friend, comes from a viscount's family. Her younger brother is set to inherit the family title, and she was originally supposed to serve as a lady-in-waiting at the royal palace, but ended up working at this library due to a shortage of staff. She nodded with a wry smile while tying her milk tea-colored hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.

"Well, to some extent. But even though you're a noble, you know that the Krenbeller family is a small and weak viscount's family. That's why I'm allowed to be free like this."

"Small and weak? The Krenbeller family is honest, and the silk from their territory is of high quality."

My father, a merchant, is quite fond of the Krenbeller family's silk. Even the royal family's favored maison uses silk from the Krenbeller territory.

"That's very kind of you to say, but... let's leave that aside. More importantly, the dissolution of the engagement...?"

"Felix has been seen getting along well with a certain young lady, hasn't he? Did you see them at a ball?"

"I don't attend balls, so I haven't seen them. ...My brother has, though."

"Hehe, I thought so. It seems Felix isn't trying to hide it at all."

Wendy's brows furrowed in concern. Seeing her more distressed than I was, I shook my head with a smile. I brushed my young green hair in front of the mirror. My soft hair tends to tangle easily, and to cover the slight curls left from being tied up, I put on a woolen hat with earflaps.

"Our engagement was a business arrangement. I don't necessarily admire Felix, and I'm sure he doesn't either. Still, when we got engaged, I thought we could build a bond. ...But let's set those lofty words aside. Of course, I'm angry. Even without romantic feelings, we should respect each other since we are engaged, don't you think?"

In the mirror, my golden eyes are narrowed in anger. It's understandable, given that I'm upset. After all, cheating, regardless of the difference in status, is disrespectful, isn't it?

"Alicia..."

Wendy called my name. Her voice was so gentle that my expression softened. When I turned around, she was smiling.

"I'm glad. I don't want you to accept it just because you have no choice and end up unhappy. I feel relieved that you're angry. I want my dear friend to marry someone who loves and cherishes her."

"Thank you, Wendy. Tomorrow is my day off, and I'm meeting Felix. I think there will be some progress. It might be a discussion about dissolving the engagement."

Even though we are of different social statuses, this engagement is an equal contract. It started when our family's trading company opened a branch in the Tostman Viscount's territory and was formed under several conditions. Tomorrow is the day I'm meeting Felix, but it might be the last time.

"Whether the engagement continues or is dissolved, I hope it goes as you wish, Alicia."

"Thank you, Wendy."

I smiled, grateful for my friend's kind words. With that, I put on my coat and fastened the buttons. Just as I was about to put on my gloves, a loud cheer came from outside. It was more of a high-pitched scream.

"Alicia, the knights have returned."

Looking out the window, Wendy nodded as if everything made sense. I followed her to the window, and we saw a group of armored knights walking orderly on the road in front of the library. From the third-floor staff room, we could clearly see the knights walking and the women lining the sides of the road, waving.

Ah, today must be the day the knights returned from their training outside the city. That explains why the visitors were lingering until closing time.

"Yay! Sir Einhardt!"

"Captain Radine!"

The high-pitched cheers echoed. Each woman must have her favorite, but the knight whose name was called the most was Sir Einhardt.

Despite returning from training, the knights didn't look tired at all. They marched in a neat formation, but one tall figure stood out. His black hair was neatly combed back. From this height, I couldn't see his face clearly, but I knew he had almond-shaped, slanted eyes. Sir Einhardt, the idol of young women, is well-known in the capital.

"Sir Einhardt is the most popular."

"He's handsome, as always. But I prefer the captain. What about you, Alicia?"

"Hmm... I think they're all wonderful."

"I understand. Armor just makes anyone look handsome, doesn't it?"

Wendy smiled brightly, playing with her milk tea-colored hair. I laughed along as the last row of knights passed through the gate leading to the knights' quarters. The heavy gate was closed by two guards, and the women who had gathered began to disperse.

After finishing our preparations, we left the library. Our supervisor, who still had work to do, saw us off with a tired but smiling face.

The sky above was now completely dark. The thin crescent moon, faintly visible, seemed unreliable, while the stars shining beside it looked brighter.

"Hey, don't you think a knight would be a better husband?"

"Weren't you saying you preferred a civil servant the other day?"

"Yes, but I've decided that muscular beauty is a must."

"Muscular beauty...?"

"Being strong is wonderful, isn't it?"

Wendy's pink eyes sparkled mischievously. She is looking for a wonderful husband, regardless of whether he is a noble or a commoner, and her parents seem to support her desire to fall in love and marry.

Thanks to our enjoyable conversation, my mood, which had been sinking, lifted. We talked so much that we even passed the intersection where I should have turned to go home.

My house is in a part of the commoner district where the wealthy live. Approaching the elegant iron gate surrounded by tall hedges, it opened before I could touch it.

"Welcome back, Miss Alicia."

"Thank you. It was cold today, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I thought you might be cold, so tonight's dinner is your favorite beef stew."

"That's great. I'll go to the dining room as soon as I change."

The one who greeted me was Marc, the butler we employ. He always opens the gate for me when I return, as if he knows the time. I feel bad making him wait, but it seems he doesn't wait outside. I wonder how he knows... but he doesn't seem to want to tell me.

Walking through the beautifully maintained front garden, I entered the mansion through the door Marc opened for me. The mansion, much more luxurious than an ordinary home, is not comparable to a noble's residence, but it clearly shows our wealth. The Bloom Trading Company, which has its headquarters in the capital and trades with neighboring countries, and even handles goods for the royal family, is my family's business.

I handed my coat, gloves, and hat to Marc and headed to my room to change.