Chapter 1

“Prepare yourself. You will marry Duke Lunnart.”

The deep voice echoed softly within the emperor’s study, filling every corner of the vast room scented with aged wood and stacks of imperial documents. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long lines across the cold marble floor.

Roxanne Florentia de Magnor stood silently in the middle of the room.

Her gaze was fixed on the emperor’s back—her own father, who stood facing the window, speaking without once turning to look at her.

That sentence, that tone and that moment. Everything… was the same.

As if the world had been deliberately rewound just to toy with her.

Roxanne’s fingers slowly curled at the sides of her gown. Her chest tightened, not out of shock, but because she already knew this would happen.

This was not the first time she had heard that command.

A week ago, she had opened her eyes… alive once more.

Not on the cold stone floor of Lunnart Castle. Not with a shattered body after throwing herself from the highest tower. Not in the silence of death that should have been the end of everything.

But in her old chamber within the imperial palace.

Warm. quiet and hole.

As though all the suffering she had endured had been nothing more than an all-too-real nightmare. But Roxanne knew it was not a dream. She remembered everything far too clearly.

Her marriage to Duke Killian Lunnart—the man she had wed through a political arrangement.

In her previous life, she had accepted that marriage with a heart full of hope. Even with a love that had quietly grown within her for a long time.

But all she received was ruin.

A husband who was cold and never truly looked at her. Infidelity carried out without a trace of guilt. In-laws who treated her like garbage.

And the castle servants who dared to look down on her simply because she came without a dowry, without power, without anyone standing behind her.

Day by day, her dignity was worn away. Slowly… she broke. Until finally, she chose to end it all.

And now—

“Are you listening, Roxanne?” The emperor’s voice cut through her thoughts.

At last, he turned around. His gaze was sharp, filled with authority that allowed no room for refusal. Roxanne lifted her head and met his eyes without a word.

“I need Duke Lunnart to strengthen your brother’s position,” he continued calmly, as if he were discussing something trivial not the life of his own daughter.

Of course. It had always been like this.

In the emperor’s eyes, Roxanne was not a daughter to be protected. She was merely a piece, a tool to maintain the balance of power.

Roxanne drew a slow breath, holding back the surge of emotions threatening to spill over.

“Father…” her voice was calm, far calmer than in her previous life, “have you already discussed this with the duke?”

The emperor glanced at her briefly before answering without hesitation,

“He must agree.” The same answer. Nothing had changed.

Roxanne lowered her gaze slightly.

In her previous life, this marriage had been a burden forced upon Duke Killian Lunnart. But to her… it had been a blessing.

She had thought fate was finally on her side, giving her a chance to stand beside the man she loved.

How foolish she had been. One marriage, yet two entirely different meanings.

“And what if the duke refuses?” Roxanne asked again, her voice soft, but now carrying something difficult to define.

The emperor narrowed his eyes before replying coldly,

“No matter what it takes, he will accept.” The words fell like a verdict.

Roxanne fell silent.

The emperor fell silent for a moment, then let out a short breath as if everything had already been decided and was no longer open for discussion.

“Return,” he finally said, his tone flat yet unquestionable. “Tomorrow is the victory banquet. Make sure you leave an impression on him.”

Roxanne lowered her head slowly. Her fingers tightened at the sides of her gown, yet her voice remained calm as she replied,

“Yes, Father.” Obedient. Just as was always expected of her.

Emperor Magnor watched her. “If you fail…”

Roxanne did not lift her head immediately.

“Then you will spend the rest of your life in a monastery.”