Chapter 1

### The Price: Chapter 1 - The Murdered Crown Princess (1/302)

#### Chapter 1 - The Murdered Crown Princess

April 4, 2023

Fireworks sounds continuously seeped into the highest floor of the Prison Tower.

Neris was the only prisoner there, forgotten by everyone, confined in a dirty and dark cell.

Just a short while ago, she had been the Crown Princess of the Empire of Visto, the next Empress, sitting in a position with no higher to go.

A symbol of the eternal alliance between the most prestigious noble family on the continent, the Duke of Elendria, and the royal family.

The owner of the mysterious purple eyes said to be possessed by the ancient hero Elendria.

Although her husband, the Crown Prince, treated her as filth beneath his throne, often reminding her that she was an adopted daughter from a lower noble family and not originally from the Duke's lineage, she still endured it.

Because she believed it was for the good of her family.

But about a year ago... when the Elendria family finally revealed their long-held ambitions, declared independence from the Empire, and proclaimed themselves a royal family.

And when the Visto royal family, in an attempt to stop this and ultimately failing, officially recognized the independence of the Elendria Kingdom to resolve the conflict.

Her existence was treated as if she had never existed from the beginning.

The Crown Prince, who had been married to Neris for several years, quickly imprisoned her and announced that he would marry her step-sister, the current Princess of the Elendria Kingdom, Valentine.

How did the Elendria family respond?

The answer was in the grand sounds of the parade outside. According to the guards' conversations she overheard a few days ago, the Elendria family's delegation had arrived with the "new bride."

'She abandoned me.'

Neris muttered to herself, for what felt like the thousandth time.

Twelve years ago, when she was still a student at the academy, she lost her distant relative, her mother, and became an orphan. Her father, a low-ranking knight, had died much earlier, and she no longer remembered his face.

It was the Elendria family who adopted her, giving her a home and a family.

Although the Duke and his wife, along with Valentine, had never been kind to her, Neris believed she had to repay their kindness. So, she did everything for the family.

Really, everything.

She stayed up all night to learn the etiquette of the upper social circles, took on the role of lying to the family's enemies, and finally... married a man she did not love, enduring his abuse silently.

Even after marriage, she represented the family in forming alliances and eliminating enemies for the family's benefit.

Hadn't she done things for the royal family as well?

While her husband, the Crown Prince, was deeply infatuated with his mistress, Neris worked tirelessly for years to ensure the comfort of the entire royal family.

But in return, both families treated her as if she had never existed.

Her left foot, which had been immobilized by severe torture, suddenly ached.

'...What will happen to me?'

A ray of sunlight briefly entered through the gaps in the loosely fitted stones of the wall, where wind and sound often seeped in.

Neris's unfocused eyes, catching the sunlight, emitted a spectrum of colors.

The legendary trait, known only to the royal family for a long time, but surprisingly discovered in Neris, which led to her adoption by the Duke's family and her rise to the position of Crown Princess.

The Jewel Eyes.

The precious Jewel Eyes, which were supposed to be so valuable, had been of no help to her since she was imprisoned. The torture inflicted on her frail body by the royal family, who accused her of being a spy, was long and horrific.

But, after leaving the prison...

After leaving? Neris laughed at herself. Can you really leave, Neris?

Even as the delegation was being warmly welcomed, she was still imprisoned, making the royal family's message clear.

Their alliance and her treatment were unrelated.

'Is Nell aware of this situation...?'

Other family members might not care about Neris. The Duke's family adopted her for the symbolic value of her purple Jewel Eyes, but they only pretended to be a family in public. Especially Valentine, who despised Neris.

But one person was different.

Just one person, the heir of the Duke's family and Neris's step-brother, Nellucian.

If Neris had any hope in this situation, it was only Nellucian. He had always been kind and recognized her worth, and he would surely request her release from the royal family. Yes, he would definitely...

Neris stared blankly at the prison floor.

At that moment, the iron door of the solitary confinement cell opened.

Neris flinched reflexively and lifted her head. However, the person who entered with the torch-bearing knight was not the torturer.

Valentine, radiating a brilliant aura, entered the cell with a smirk.

Despite being only a year apart in age, the sisters looked completely different.

Neris had delicate features but had always been wary of others and embroiled in political struggles, and the torture in prison had made her look like an old, lifeless woman.

In contrast, Valentine exuded the innocence and confidence of someone who had always been loved.

"Valentine..."

Valentine's face twisted with contempt as she heard Neris's hoarse, broken voice. A cruel light flashed in her lovely face.

Neris finally recognized Valentine's clothes. They were just dazzlingly beautiful.

They were the clothes of the Crown Princess that Neris had worn until recently. Made of gold thread and adorned with jewels, they were formal attire reserved for direct royal family members.

Neris suppressed the wave of despair in her heart and asked in a forced calm voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Valentine glanced over Neris's appearance before answering.

"I came to see my sister's last moments."

Valentine's face quickly lit up with a happy smile, seemingly satisfied with the current scene.

"From your expression, you were expecting Nell, weren't you? ...Unfortunately, Nell is going to stay by his new sister's side."

"New sister?"

The Elendria family had formed alliances with many influential figures both domestically and abroad to gain independence from the Empire.

Among them, the current Pope, Omnitus III, had proposed the engagement of his illegitimate daughter, Bridget, to Nellucian as a condition.

Neris was well aware of the situation at the time. She had taken charge of the matter herself, believing it was for the family's benefit.

Despite leading the project, Neris had secretly despaired. Nellucian had whispered to her in a gentle voice that it was all a political move. Neris thought he saw through her hidden affection.

Neris knew well that she and Nellucian could never be together. She was already married. Still, his sweet words had comforted her at the time.

But now...

"Nell... is here too?"

The reality seemed to strike Neris's head mercilessly.

Yes, if Nellucian had thought of Neris at all...

How could he not have known that she had been completely cut off from communication after the Elendria family's declaration of independence?

Unable to hide her agitation any longer, Neris's appearance made Valentine laugh behind a luxurious fan.

Then, with a quick motion, Valentine closed the fan and lifted Neris's chin, smirking.

"Pull yourself together. A low-born girl like you, did you really think you could be my real sister?"

Each word from Valentine made Neris feel suffocated.

Suddenly, realizing something, she asked with a pale face.

"Was this the plan from the beginning? Mother, Father, and you?"

"Why leave out Nell? It was Nell who suggested adopting you and sending you to the Crown Prince."

Valentine deliberately spoke in a more cruel voice.

"You were quite useful. With your low birth, you were smart and had the right eye color... After all, you were needed to cooperate with us from a suitable position. But now that you've outlived your usefulness, you need to disappear. For a clean new start between the two countries."

Tears, which Neris thought had dried up, flowed from her eyes. Her purple Jewel Eyes, reflecting the torchlight, sparkled like diamonds.

Valentine, with her sky-blue eyes, which were a direct lineage of the Duke's family, seemed to bristle at the sight.

"Don't be too resentful. A low-born adopted daughter could never satisfy the Crown Prince. Just having the right eye color means nothing in the face of real power. Marriage is a transaction for people like us, so it's only natural to marry a real daughter."

Who had worked so hard for the family?

She didn't even dare to expect great praise.

She just hoped someone would say she had been helpful.

That was all she wanted.

Neris's head felt like it was about to explode, and she couldn't say anything more. Valentine, finding even this unsatisfactory, slapped Neris's cheek roughly with the fan.

"You're such a fool. You couldn't even maintain a proper marriage, could you? Every time I saw 'that shameless woman,' I felt how pitiful you were. But don't worry, it will all be over in three days. Once I become the Crown Princess, I'll chase that woman away to the temple. How about it? Are you grateful to me? You hated that girl too, didn't you?"

The Crown Prince's mistress, Megara, had been acting as the Crown Princess in all but official ceremonies for several years. She was the same age as Neris, but their lives were worlds apart.

Wealthy, beautiful, and easily winning everyone's favor, Megara had tormented Neris for a long time. So, Valentine's words were true, but...

'You will end just as easily.'

Neris pleaded in a hoarse, weak voice.

"I'm not needed anymore. I worked hard for the family. You know that. I did everything I was told. Just let me go..."

"Really? Does a master just let a dog run away?"

"What more do you want from me? It's over now..."

"No, a dog's body is still useful."

Valentine shrugged.

"Princess Kamil said that everything must be done thoroughly until the end. The moment you think 'it's fine' is when you show a weakness."

Neris felt a chill run down her spine.

Princess Kamil, the sister of the Crown Prince, had always taken special care of Neris, who was ignored by her brother.

She scolded her brother for disgracing the royal family with his mistress and praised Neris when she helped the royal family.

Thanks to Kamil, Neris could endure her desolate marriage. Even though her husband ignored her, she had Kamil, who recognized her efforts.

But Kamil had told Valentine that everything must be done thoroughly, even with a body.

'How quickly things change.'

Everything she had believed in crumbled. Neris shook her head uncontrollably.

"I don't want to die like this."

"Seize her, Joseph."

Valentine gave the order casually. The knight who had brought the torch grabbed Neris. Neris recognized him. He had grown up with Nellucian and was his trusted subordinate.

Neris looked him in the eye and shouted sternly.

"Let go! I'm your master's sister!"

The knight closed his eyes tightly, refusing to look at her. Valentine sneered.

"Sister? Still talking nonsense. But thanks to you, our family is treated as a proper royal family. I'll tell you one good thing."

Her beautiful sky-blue eyes, filled with disdain, looked down at Neris. Neris thought of the sky outside, which she hadn't seen in a long time.

Nellucian had the same eyes. A handsome young man with long silver hair and sky-blue eyes.

Once, just looking at the clear sky made her feel as if he was by her side.

But now, Neris found the sky-blue color revolting.

"It was Nell who got rid of your mother, that troublesome woman. Didn't you think so?"

Neris's strength left her body. She had suspected it. Ever since she heard that Nellucian had pushed for her adoption.

Everything felt meaningless. Her entire life had been a lie. What was the point of wanting to live any longer?

"You know what this is, don't you?"

Valentine took out a small vial and poured its contents into Neris's mouth, which the knight had forced open.

"Be grateful for the mercy of the Princess who grants a painless death. Wouldn't you prefer this to a messy death? It's good to have so many things to be grateful for even at the end."

Neris's vision was already blurry. Whether it was from the drug, tears, or being thrown to the ground, she couldn't tell.

She just heard Valentine's fading laughter as she fell into an endless abyss.

Until she saw a faint light in the distance.