The crown prince.
An engagement that had been arranged long before she could even understand what it truly meant.
A relationship polished by politics and appearances—
and hollowed out by indifference.
—How could His Highness be so heartless?!
—Step aside. You do not make my heart beat.
Those words echoed in my mind, fragments of a future I already knew too well.
And then there was....
The original protagonist.
The one who would enchant her effortlessly, without even trying—
the one who would capture her gaze, her loyalty, her entire life.
The very person who would lead her to ruin, simply by existing.
"Even though I've only seen him in portraits," Alice said softly, her voice tinged with anticipation, "meeting His Highness in person still makes my heart race."
"…I see."
I clenched my teeth, careful not to let anything show.
She was smiling—genuinely smiling—lost in the fantasy of a future she believed was waiting for her.
And that made it worse.
