Prologue

“She’s here!”

“My goodness.”

At that small murmur, every gaze in the hall turned at once.

Where those gazes landed, a woman was stepping through the grand ballroom doors.

Holding up the hem of her dress in one hand and a wine glass offered by a passing servant in the other, she looked visibly nervous as if she didn’t belong there.

But her large, clear, light-green eyes kept drifting toward the chandeliers and the floral decorations, and her rosy lips repeatedly breathed out little sighs of admiration.

‘Of course she would.’

The nobles glanced at her with open mockery.

It was no surprise. That woman was a commoner who had suddenly married into the northern grand ducal house known as the Monster’s Den.

“A lowborn dares share the same space with us. How insulting.”

“Isn’t it? Just look at her gawking like a clueless country hen.”

“Are you all just going to stand there?”

Then Lady Katrina of Count Labyrin’s family, famous for her pride, snapped her fan shut and sneered.

“Shouldn’t we greet our new guest properly?”

“What a wonderful idea!”

As laughter and clapping erupted behind her, Katrina gestured to a servant.

The servant hurried over and held out a tray of wine. Picking up the fullest glass, Katrina turned with a proud stride toward the woman.

“Hello there.”

“Ah.”

The woman, who had been looking around curiously, flinched and met Katrina’s gaze.

Seeing those pure, clear eyes like those of a newborn animal, Katrina arched her brow, then curved her lips into a smile.

“Would you happen to be Lady Melissa of House Eisenhart?”

“Ah, yes. How did you know…”

Just as Melissa was about to smile shyly, Katrina’s hand moved without hesitation.

Splash!

Wine flew through the air in an instant, soaking Melissa’s marigold-colored hair.

Drip. Drop.

The wine ran down her hair and gathered at the ends of her crimson lashes in small drops. Only then did Melissa’s eyes widen as she realized what had happened.

Looking at that expression, Katrina said coolly,

“A welcoming gesture.”

Everyone must have seen that well.

Basking in the admiration and surprise aimed her way, Katrina turned gracefully, savoring her own performance.

Then a bright voice came from behind her.

“I see!”

The tone was far too cheerful.

Sensing something strange, Katrina froze and turned, only to see a wave of red liquid already flying through the air.

Splash!

A sweet, fragrant liquid rushed into her open mouth.

Silence fell.

With her mouth full of wine, Katrina sputtered it out with a furious shout.

“What are you doing!”

“Thank you so much for the warm welcome!”

Melissa, the so-called “country bumpkin from the countryside,” spoke quickly, her cheeks flushed red with excitement.

“I once read in a book that in some places, people throw tomatoes at each other to drive away misfortune and wish for blessings in the coming year. So this must be that kind of celebration!”

Her eyes sparkled as she turned kindly to the nearby servant.

“May I have another glass?”

“E-eh? Y-yes…”

The servant, still dazed, dumbly held out the tray.

While everyone, including Katrina, stood frozen, Melissa set down her empty glass and picked up a new one.

Holding a glass in each hand, she beamed.

“I’m so happy to meet you too!”

“W-wait a sec!”

Katrina reached out in panic, but wine was already flying from Melissa’s fingertips.

Splash, splash!

In an instant, the haughty count’s daughter looked like a drenched mouse. The onlookers couldn’t hold back their laughter.

‘Damn it…!’

Katrina snapped her head toward them and glared, but quickly bit her lip and turned back to Melissa.

“How dare you!”

Just as her raised hand was about to strike Melissa’s cheek—

“How rude.”

Click.

The sharp sound of heels pierced Katrina’s eardrums.

Her hand froze midair. Her trembling gaze slowly turned.

‘N-no way.’

When her eyes met the source of that voice, Katrina bit down hard on her lip to stifle a scream.

The Ice Witch,

Natalianne von Eisenhart.

As that fearsome name echoed in everyone’s minds, the air grew tense.

“How lovely you look, Lady Labyrin.”

With a tilted smile, Natalianne walked over and slipped her arm through Melissa’s.

“To think you would welcome my precious family member so kindly. I must repay you properly.”

“Precious family member… you say?”

Katrina couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

As if to make sure everyone heard, Natalianne spoke even louder.

“Mother, why don’t we host a party like this ourselves?”

“A fine idea.”

Step.

At that rough, dry voice, everyone turned and screamed.

“Eek!”

“Ah!”

A black eyepatch ran across his face, and scars marked his skin.

The Northern Wall of the Empire.

The Beast of Mount Antaras.

The old Grand Duke, Seres von Eisenhart, with his white hair neatly tied up, smiled thinly and spoke in a chilling voice.

“If my daughter-in-law is this delighted, of course we must host one.”

“D-daughter-in-law?!”

Everyone’s eyes widened at the word that had just come out of the Grand Duke’s mouth.

Natalianne hugged Melissa’s arm tighter and smiled brightly at Katrina.

“I’m sure Lady Labyrin will attend, won’t she?”

“We’ll prepare a special seat.”

The way they said it made it sound like they were preparing a guillotine.

‘I… I need to run.’

Katrina forced strength into her trembling legs and stumbled backward.

“Ugh!”

But after only a few steps, she hit something hard and unmoving.

A wall? A servant?

Convinced it couldn’t possibly be a wall behind her, Katrina turned sharply and snapped.

“What do you think you’re—”

Her eyes went wide.

The man towering above her was far taller than she’d expected.

His hair was black as if it absorbed all light, and his eyes were as deep and blue as the abyss.

Even among all his fine features, what stood out most was his face itself.

A straight forehead, high nose bridge, and facial lines so perfectly sculpted they almost seemed unreal.

It was as if the creator of the world had practiced shaping all things, then sculpted this man last as his final masterpiece.

Katrina gawked at him, her eyes almost popping out, before finally catching her breath.

Forgetting the witch and monster behind her, she fluttered her lashes and asked sweetly,

“Um, may I ask your name…?”

“There you are, my lady.”

But the man strode right past Katrina and wrapped his arms around Melissa’s waist.

Pulling her close, he buried his nose in her neck and inhaled deeply.

-Haa.

Exhaling as if finally alive again, he softened his eyes and spoke in a low, honeyed voice.

“Your little canary has come home.”

“C-canary?”

Natalianne, who still had her arm linked through Melissa’s other side, shouted in disbelief.

“Did you just say that out loud?”

“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, sister.”

“You’re the one who looks terrible right now!”

The two bickered fiercely, slapping at each other’s hands that touched Melissa.

As the crowd watched dumbfounded, they suddenly realized who the man was.

Could it be… the one who disappeared for a year… the heir of House Eisenhart, Demius von Eisenhart?

“No way.”

Katrina’s legs gave out and she collapsed, but no one even looked her way.

While everyone stood frozen in disbelief, Melissa took another glass of wine and beamed brightly.

“I’ve never been to such a fun party before!”