Seo-jun had thought this event was just another routine promotion. He walked in without much thought—until he spotted Margaret chatting with several noble ladies who were very obviously hunting for a potential partner.
"Go greet them first, dear," Margaret whispered gently. "It would make Mother very happy if you did."
Seo-jun knew exactly what she meant. Without arguing, he complied—if anything, he leaned into it.
He kissed each young lady's hand in turn, tossing out compliments in a light, practiced tone. Laughter and delighted squeals instantly filled the air. Adrian Hanwick's charm, as always, did not miss.
But then Princess Victoria Aurelion suddenly approached.
Seo-jun instinctively bowed in greeting. Unfortunately, the princess's expression stiffened.
"Ahem."
The small cough was enough to send Margaret rushing to summon the attendants, intending to escort the princess away to rest. Her hand, however, was swatted aside without hesitation.
Silence fell.
With an irritated look, Princess Victoria extended the back of her hand toward Seo-jun.
Seo-jun let out a slow breath. He understood the signal all too well.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her hand, a flawless smile already in place. Instantly, her sulky expression melted away, replaced by a bright smile and sparkling eyes.
Feeling awkward, Seo-jun tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"What do you think of today's promotion, Your Highness? Was there anything that displeased you?"
The princess crossed her arms beneath her chest, then shot a sharp glance at the girls behind him.
"Everything is fine," she said coolly. "Except for one thing."
She snorted softly.
"Those girls. So arrogant just because they received a few shallow compliments from this man. Their laughter is disgusting. It makes my skin crawl."
The once-beaming faces paled. Several of the girls lowered their heads; a few even fled to find their families.
Seo-jun felt a knot of discomfort tighten in his chest.
Without another word, he invited Princess Victoria to stroll through the garden. She accepted with a satisfied—almost smug—smile, especially as they passed the girls who could now only watch in envy.
As they walked, the princess tightened her grip on his arm. Seo-jun felt uneasy, but remained silent.
"The flowers are beautiful," she murmured suddenly.
"You know… ever since that night, I can't stop remembering the warmth of your body. Even your scent—your sweat—it was different from other men."
Her fingers slowly traced along his arm.
"I even considered proposing to you the very next day. But I changed my mind."
Seo-jun managed a stiff smile. He remembered nothing from before waking up in the casino. Her words only fueled his irritation toward the real Adrian Hanwick.
Suddenly, Princess Victoria released his arm and made a small, playful hop, like a delighted fawn.
"I often imagine how happy we'd be together. Especially now that your talent for business is finally coming into view."
She looked at him with open expectation.
"Don't you imagine it too?"
Her voice was sweet—almost enough to make Seo-jun's heart falter.
But his thoughts cooled instantly.
The image of this very woman standing by as Adrian Hanwick was executed like livestock flashed vividly through his mind. His smile faded, replaced by quiet, deliberate caution.
"You are far too beautiful and precious, Your Highness," he said calmly.
"I don't have the confidence to dream of something so grand. I only hope that one day, you'll find a partner far more worthy than I am."
Seo-jun sat on one of the garden benches, quietly admiring the freshly bloomed flowers. Their colors were soothing—a stark contrast to the mood beside him.
Princess Victoria Aurelion was clearly not pleased.
Without warning, she slipped a small dagger from beneath her gown. The blade pointed straight at Seo-jun's right eye, no more than a hand's breadth away.
"You know," she said flatly, almost emotionless,
"everyone in this kingdom believes me."
Her gaze was empty—dangerously so.
"I could blind you in one eye and still walk away untouched. My reputation would remain spotless."
The corner of her lips curved upward.
"Interesting, isn't it? With a flaw like that, no other woman would want you. If I can't have you—then no one should."
A chill ran down Seo-jun's spine. His heart hammered wildly.
But he refused to show fear.
He knew one thing—once he looked weak, this woman would crush him without hesitation.
Seo-jun smiled.
Not a panicked smile—but a calm, confident one. He even raised his hand, slowly guiding her wrist so the dagger aligned more precisely with his eye.
"If that's truly what you want," he said lightly,
"then I'll accept it gladly."
The blade moved closer.
"Still," he added softly,
"it would be a shame to lose one of my senses."
He met her gaze without blinking.
"I wouldn't be able to admire your beauty—something so flawless—ever again."
Seo-jun's heart nearly burst out of his chest.
But what he didn't notice—
Princess Victoria's hand was trembling violently.
Just as the dagger hovered a breath away from his eye, she suddenly slapped her own hand aside. The blade fell to the ground with a sharp clang.
Tears streamed down her face.
She began pounding her fists against Seo-jun's chest—furious, frustrated, wounded.
"You bastard!" she screamed.
"Why—why could you accept that so easily?! Those beautiful eyes of yours—there's nothing in this world that could replace them!"
Seo-jun instinctively reached out to touch her head, but his hand was swatted away.
"Don't touch me!"
Princess Victoria turned and ran off, heading straight toward the Crown Prince, who was still speaking with Rowan—who, up until now, had been desperately promoting Seo-jun's products while rejecting additional orders.
The moment she disappeared from view, Seo-jun slumped back against the garden bench. His breathing came in ragged gasps, chest rising and falling hard.
"Damn it…" he muttered.
"That crazy woman. One second more and this handsome face would've been finished."
He rubbed his face in frustration.
"Damn you, Adrian Hanwick. Out of all the women in the world—why did it have to be her?"
He closed his eyes, trying to steady himself.
Then—
A long breath sounded directly in front of him.
Seo-jun opened his eyes—and his blood ran cold.
Archbishop Matthias Corwin stood before him. His smile was wide, yet hollow. His eyes were cold, piercing, making the air itself feel heavy.
"What are you doing here?" the archbishop asked with a quiet chuckle.
"Aren't you supposed to be the star of the day?"
He leaned in slightly.
"I truly didn't expect someone like you to create something so… fascinating."
His eyes narrowed.
"Especially that carriage fragrance. Adorable—yet dangerous, in the wrong hands."