Chapter 1

In the Highland Empire, once a year, a grand ball is hosted by Her Majesty the Empress.

In a country where the custom of balls is almost nonexistent, this event, held to console and foster camaraderie among the domestic nobility, is something special.

The venue is filled with the smiles of people in splendid attire, and every year, love blossoms, with words of affection heard everywhere.

Amidst this, Iris Costa, the daughter of the Viscount Costa, stood dumbfounded, attending the ball for the first time this year.

"…What?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't have the confidence to support Iris. I want to dissolve our engagement."

After seeing her fiancé, Steven, for the first time in a long while, he repeated the same words he had said earlier.

"Why?"

"Why? … Iris, you don't like me, do you? You're always focused on your brother."

Iris was speechless at Steven's pouting response.

It was rare for romantic feelings to be involved in political marriages, yet everyone tried to make an effort to be with their designated future partners.

"Surely you know about Dean, don't you?"

"I wanted more attention! That's when I found her. Elena is very affectionate to me, unlike Iris—"

Only then did Iris notice the girl standing behind Steven. The girl, with black hair and burnt sienna eyes, had a timid demeanor that evoked a protective instinct even from Iris, a woman.

Steven protectively shielded the girl, who was covering her abdomen with both hands as if to protect it.

At that moment, Iris understood everything.

"What do you mean 'no confidence to support'? You just cheated! And you're even having a child before marriage!"

I don't want a man like this.

Her right hand, driven by impulse, hit its target perfectly.

A loud sound echoed through the dark night.

"Ah! Sir Steven, are you okay?"

The girl rushed to help Steven, who had been thrown several meters back by a punch, not just a slap. Iris stood firm in front of them.

"Never show your face to me again. Both of you!"

She turned on her heel and walked back towards the venue, ignoring the insults like "What a woman" and "An outrageous brute."

Then she noticed a man standing near the entrance.

Even the tall Iris had to tilt her head back to look up at him. His brown eyes were sharp like a bird of prey, and he stood silently with his arms crossed, gazing at her.

Iris glared at the man.

"You have a bad habit of eavesdropping, don't you?"

"You came later, didn't you?"

His voice was low and calm.

I came later?

Indeed, during her conversation with Steven, she hadn't felt the door between the terrace and the venue open. This man must have been there from the beginning.

– I didn't notice at all. This man is completely without any openings or presence…

But now, that didn't matter.

Iris looked straight up at the man.

"Are you going to spread it around?"

"Spread what?"

"What you just saw. That I'm an outrageous brute."

Behind her, Steven and the girl were still exchanging insults. The man ignored them completely, tilting his head silently.

"I won't say anything. There's no need to, and I don't even know who you are."

Then he smiled slightly.

"Quite a punch, though."

Iris raised an eyebrow while looking up at the man.

"Aren't you shocked?"

"I was surprised. I've never seen a woman knock a man flying with such force, even though he's scrawny."

Seeing the man nod seriously, she found it amusing.

"If you keep this a secret, I'll keep quiet about you sneaking a break here."

"Hmm?"

Judging from his high-quality black attire, this man was a high-ranking noble. His face was sharp but well-featured, and his well-built physique could be guessed even through his clothes.

Iris assumed he was here to escape the nobles who kept approaching him.

The man looked back at Iris as if he had found something interesting.

"Are you going back to the venue?"

"I'm going home. This place isn't fun at all."

"I agree. I'll go home too."

Iris blinked and couldn't help but giggle.

"You're a strange person."

"Not as strange as you."

"Haha, ha ha ha…"

The heavy heart from the painful experience at the ball she had always dreamed of seemed to lighten.

◇ ◇ ◇

– Highland Empire Year 222, Winter. Costa Territory, Highland Empire.

In the Costa Viscount's estate, located in a remote area of the Highland Empire, Iris quietly gazed at the hair ornament on the vanity.

At the center of the intricate gold work, a green jade shone.

"This is from Father. Someday, when Iris grows up, a wonderful knight will appear for you. And he will give you a beautiful hair ornament. Because you have such beautiful hair."

Her kind mother often said this while tying Iris's hair, smiling. She would explain that once a year, the Empress hosted a ball where all the nobles of the country gathered.

When her mother and father, who were engaged, attended the ball for the first time, Father gave this to Mother.

Thinking about how the stern Father, who always frowned, chose a hair ornament made her smile.

– Someday, I'll wear a beautiful dress, be adorned, and have someone I love by my side…

Thinking about such a future as a matter of course, those days might have been the happiest of her life.

"The reality was that I received not a gift, but a proposal to break the engagement."

She laughed bitterly and looked away from the hair ornament, noticing the white envelope she had just received.

Seeing it, Iris was pulled back to reality, closing her eyes and looking up to the sky.

She touched her hair, which reached her waist, and it slipped through her fingers. Her hair, which was lighter in color than most people in the country and appeared golden in sunlight, was one of her prides, often praised for its beauty.

"I'm okay. I can do this. I'm okay."

Gripping a knife in her rough hands from daily chores, she pulled it with determination. A crunching sound was heard, and her hair fell to the floor, creating wave-like patterns on the burnt sienna wooden floor.

At that moment, a loud noise came from behind.

Turning around, she saw her maid, Leila, standing with wide, brown eyes.

"Miss! What are you doing!"

Leila's voice was almost a scream. She turned pale, rushed to Iris, and covered her mouth with both hands, muttering, "What have you done…"

"Your beautiful hair…"

Leila collapsed, dumbfounded. Iris knelt in front of her.

"Since Dean is in this state, there's no other way. Now that my engagement to Sir Steven has been broken, no one will help me. You understand, don't you, Leila?"

"But, then Iris's happiness—"

Iris placed her index finger on Leila's tearful lips.

"Happiness won't come if I stay like this. My happiness is to see Dean grow up and become a fine head of the Costa family. Please, support me? I can't stand on my own. My legs are shaking with fear even now."

Leila looked at Iris with wide eyes and wiped away the tears that were about to fall.

"I understand."

Looking at Leila's strong nod, Iris smiled.

"Thank you. Remember, the lively and mischievous Iris Costa is gone."

Iris closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if making a resolve. There was no turning back now.

"From now on, I will live as a different person outside. Until Dean recovers. I am—"

"You are—"

Leila's voice trembled.

"Viscount Costa, Dean Costa."

That day, Iris, the daughter of the Costa Viscount, gave up her life as a woman.

Ironically, it was her 17th birthday, which should have been a bustling time for her debut in society and preparations for marriage.

Thank you for reading.

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