Chapter 1: The Broken Engagement

The dazzling chandeliers illuminated the luxurious attire of the nobles gathered at the evening party.

Their brilliant light reached every corner of the hall, making the dresses woven with jewels and golden threads shine even more brightly.

The air was filled with the sweet and heavy scent of perfume, while the elegant music played by the orchestra blended into the chatter of the guests and the clinking of glasses.

Mireille Grasse stood at the center of the grand hall, alone, as if she had been cut off from all that commotion, quietly standing still.

Her platinum blonde hair reflected the light of the chandeliers, her ice-blue eyes showed not a trace of emotion, and her snow-white porcelain-like skin emphasized a cold beauty that was difficult to approach.

Today was one of the most important turning points in the life of the sixteen-year-old girl.

As the daughter of a duke, she had received a perfect noble lady’s education and had fulfilled her duties as the fiancée of Crown Prince Edward of the Kingdom of Katz.

She had been thoroughly trained in history, economics, and etiquette in preparation to become queen, and all of that effort had been for the sake of publicly presenting her engagement to the crown prince standing beside her.

Everyone acknowledged her efforts.

The careful preparations of the past year had finally borne fruit, and just as a faint hope for a stable foundation for her new life began to light within her chest—

“Mireille Grasse!”

The dignified yet cold voice of Crown Prince Edward echoed throughout the grand hall.

At that instant, every gaze in the venue converged on a single point.

What everyone watched with bated breath was the crown prince, whose golden hair reflected the light of the candles and whose face was as perfectly sculpted as a statue.

“It pains me to say this here, but I hereby annul my engagement with Miss Mireille.”

A murmur swept through the hall.

Faced with the unprecedented situation of a royal engagement being broken, everyone gasped.

Ignoring the uneasy atmosphere, Edward approached a certain woman and drew her into his arms.

Celia, the daughter of a count.

She was the woman rumored to be deeply adored by His Highness in recent times.

At the sight of his actions, the guests began to stir in unrest.

“I hear that Miss Mireille has achieved excellent results in her queenly education.

However, she does not satisfy my heart.

Celia is the one who is truly my destined woman.”

At the prince’s sweet, melting words, Celia blushed and smiled.

Mireille simply watched that scene calmly.

Then, from behind her, Mireille’s father, Duke Rodolphe, hurriedly stepped forward.

“Your Highness Edward, i-is that truly the case?”

“Duke Rodolphe, do you think I would lie?”

“N-no, I would never think such a thing.

However, what does His Majesty the King say—”

“I have already obtained my father’s permission.

Do you still intend to object to this decision?”

“N-not at all.”

“Celia is an intelligent and pure woman.

Moreover, she is the daughter of the Marquis Juinot family, a lineage that carries royal blood.

I have lost all desire to make someone with lifeless, doll-like eyes like Mireille my queen.”

“…My deepest apologies.”

The duke deeply bowed his head to the crown prince, while behind him, he cast a strong gaze toward Mireille as if asking, “What happened?”

Her mother, Arianne, also glared at Mireille with a pained expression.

In her eyes resided a feeling of disappointment that resembled sorrow.

Mireille looked at the prince, Celia, and her parents as if she were observing a painting.

There was not a single trace of sadness or frustration in her expression.

What existed there instead was only a cold, inorganic, and profound despair.

‘Ah, I see.

So this world denies my very existence as well.

Unlike my previous life, I thought this was a world filled with hope.

I was a fool.

If that is the case, then I too shall inflict the same pain upon this world.

Everything you have desperately built and protected, I will destroy with my own hands, without fail.

All of you who live in peace in this foolish world—regret this day.’

From this moment, triggered by the prince’s declaration, Mireille declared war upon this world.

Thus, the curtain quietly rose on her path of madness and domination.