Chapter 1

【Prologue】

Prince Felix was visibly in a bad mood.

Today was the day of this young man's wedding, and the grand cathedral was filled with dignitaries from all over the world. The impressive lineup of these state guests implicitly conveyed the significant meaning this wedding held for the world.

However, Felix's expression betrayed a deep sense of indifference.

His hair, nearly black but with a hint of gray, was slightly tousled and cut short to just above his neck. A royal earring, a symbol of his royal status, dangled from his left ear, and Felix occasionally seemed annoyed by it.

On the chest of his white military uniform, three rows of golden cords signified his position as the first in line to the throne. Below them, countless medals shone, each a testament to his achievements on the battlefield.

His eyes were a lighter shade of gray than his hair. His long eyelashes accentuated the beauty of his face when he wore a cold expression.

His features were so perfectly chiseled that they almost seemed artificial. However, Felix's cruelty, along with his martial valor and fame in the country, had resonated even beyond its borders.

"Is His Highness really going to take the princess of that country as his bride?"

One of the guests finally whispered this in a low voice.

"Is there a more mismatched marriage? Although that country has a noble history, it is now ruled by a usurper. To kill his own brother and become the new king is despicable."

"By this marriage, that proud country will become an ally of ours... To gain such a powerful ally by merely offering a princess is too great a bargain."

"Moreover, the one sent is not the famous Holy Princess, but the forgotten daughter of the former king."

Even such whispers could become a significant issue if they reached Felix's ears. However, Felix had already anticipated the content of their conversation.

A servant standing beside him as an observer spoke in a voice that only Felix could hear.

"Your Highness, it's about time for the bride to make her entrance."

"......I doubt it."

Felix responded with a mocking tone.

"From my estimation, she's probably dead in the carriage by now."

"......Your words are too harsh. At least in this place, please be more cautious."

"Send out a search party. She was likely killed somewhere in the forest near the border after crossing it."

Though it was a troublesome matter, it was within the scope of the plan. Felix narrowed his eyes and calmly stated,

"The sooner we find the body, the easier it will be to proceed with the story."

"......As you wish."

The servant bowed and signaled to the other servants standing against the wall with a glance.

"The bride is late. Perhaps she is trembling with fear under the weight of becoming the prince's consort?"

"Haha. A princess as frail as that would never be fit to be the prince's consort of this country."

Felix was growing increasingly bored with this farce and was about to leave the ridiculous wedding ceremony. But then it happened.

"――――……"

The large double doors directly in front of him were thrown wide open.

There stood a woman.

Her long, soft hair was a blend of red and purple, reminiscent of the sky at dawn.

Her posture, straight and dignified, suggested she had training in martial arts. However, everyone else seemed to be captivated by something else.

"What...!?"

The dignitaries turned pale because the dress she wore was drenched in blood, staining what was originally a pure white wedding gown. The woman, who was in no state to be in public, let alone in a cathedral, was nevertheless breathtakingly beautiful.

Her features, though slightly youthful, had a surprisingly mature expression. Her body, while soft, lacked sensuality, likely due to her slender limbs.

She walked straight down the red carpet, ignoring the screams and fleeing of the attendees, and stopped in front of Felix.

She smiled and directed a strong, determined gaze at him.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Traitor."

"――Really?"

He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, genuinely amused.

Felix grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, then lifted her chin with his other hand, wiping the blood from her cheek with his finger to confirm.

"Alicia May Winchester. ...You are my bride, are you not?"

"From today, I am 'Alicia May Roderenvalt.' Your Highness Felix."

The surname Roderenvalt was Felix's own.

Alicia looked up at him from close range, intertwining her fingers with his, and clearly stated her wish.

"......Will you lend me your hand in my counterattack?"

With that, Alicia displayed a strikingly beautiful, challenging smile.

【To be continued in Chapter 1】

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