Chapter 3

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A soft tapping echoed from the chamber door.

“Come in,” Roxanne said without turning.

The door opened slowly. Orla, her loyal maid, stepped inside with a respectful posture. Her dress was simple, yet neatly arranged as always. In her hands, she carried an intricately carved box.

“Your Highness,” she greeted softly with a bow before walking closer.

Roxanne did not respond immediately. Her gaze remained fixed outside the window, as if she had yet to fully return from her own thoughts.

Orla placed the box on the table before her.

“What is this?” Roxanne finally asked, her voice flat.

“Jewelry belonging to the late queen,” Orla answered carefully. “His Majesty the Emperor ordered the treasury to deliver it to you.”

Roxanne looked at the box. Everything was exactly the same as before.

In her previous life, she had refused to wear them. She knew Duke Lunnart preferred simplicity a woman who was not excessive, not eye-catching, not adorned in glittering jewels.

And so, she had restrained herself. She tried to be modest. Tried to be enough, but nothing ever changed.

This time, Roxanne did not hesitate. She opened the box.

A shimmer of gemstones greeted her eyes various precious stones arranged neatly, reflecting the warm hues of the setting sun. Yet instead of being captivated, Roxanne merely frowned slightly.

A princess was supposed to uphold modesty. That was what she had always been taught. But after living once more, Roxanne realized something.

The simplicity she had clung to before had never given her anything. It had not even made her loved.

Enough. She would not repeat the same mistake.

Orla smiled faintly, appearing more excited than usual.

“Your Highness, I will make you look as beautiful as possible.”

Roxanne glanced at her briefly.

“I am already beautiful,” she said calmly. “If you dress me, I will only become more beautiful.”

Orla let out a soft laugh, her smile widening.

But without realizing it, Roxanne’s gaze fell upon Orla’s neck. Silence lingered for a moment, and then a memory surfaced.

In her previous life, that neck had once been severed. By Sebastian—Killian’s half-brother.

Roxanne calmly averted her gaze, as if nothing had happened.

“Your Highness, which one will you wear?” Orla asked, gesturing toward the jewelry box.

Roxanne looked back at its contents.

This was no ordinary jewelry. These were imperial treasures ancient gems, precious pieces once worn by the late queen… her mother. A woman who had died with her name tarnished, branded as mad by many.

Her hand paused over a single stone.

An emerald. A deep, calm, and cold green.

Roxanne stared at it for a moment, feeling something strange stir within her. Killian had red eyes… yet whenever he gave gifts, he always chose emeralds.

Even though Roxanne had never liked that color and neither had Emily Frost.

And yet, they both always received the same shade, as if there were no difference between them in that man’s eyes.

Once, Roxanne had been furious. She had even crushed the gemstone with her own hands, feeling utterly humiliated.

But now she slowly lifted the emerald.

“Does he like this color?” she murmured under her breath.

Orla frowned slightly. “Your Highness, that color does not suit you very well. It would be better to choose a gem that matches your eyes.”

Roxanne gave a faint smile.

“I want this one,” she said firmly. “Prepare a gown to match it.”

Orla hesitated for a moment.

“Are you certain?”

“I am.”

There was no doubt in her voice. Orla finally nodded, though she still looked confused.

Roxanne rose from her seat. Her movements were calm, yet filled with resolve.

“Put everything in order,” she said briefly. “And prepare a meal.” She walked toward the door. “I want to get some fresh air for a while.”

Without waiting for a response, Roxanne stepped out.

She walked without haste, her mind still crowded with thoughts, about tomorrow’s banquet, her father’s command, and a choice that was never truly hers to make.

As she turned the corner—

Thud.

“Ah—”

Her body was pushed backward. She lost her balance and fell, her palm hitting the cold floor. Whatever she had collided with felt solid… not like a person, but like a stone wall.

“Sister!”

A panicked voice rang out immediately. Prince Rion hurried toward her, his face clearly filled with concern as he helped Roxanne to her feet.

“Sis, how were you walking? Weren’t you watching where you were going?” he said quickly. “You ran into the Duke.”