1. Her Pure Ambitions

"Lady Verena Zielle?"

Despite the frigid atmosphere he projected with his gaze, his crimson eyes shone brightly.

His lustrous golden hair, on the other hand, was well-tamed for someone who was continuously at war.

"I deeply apologize for the interruption in the middle of your affairs, Your Highness."

I smiled as I bowed politely to Azazel von Elysian, the Elysian Empire's second prince.

"Raise your head, Lady Verena. What is it that has drawn the Lady of the Zielle Household to my humble palace?"

Azazel's piercing crimson eyes peered at me, a glimmer of surprise in them, but his speech was absolutely monotone.

I raised my head and chuckled as I placed my hand on the chest.

"Your Highness, you're far too humble. It's such a lovely palace."

"Forget the formalities. What has brought you here?"

His eyes grew colder as he stared down at me.

With a confident look on my face, I straightened up and walked toward him.

(He's as forthright as ever.)

"Your Highness, what do you think about working together with me?"

"... What?"

"Unlike my step-siblings, I am the sole child of the Zielle Dukedom who inherits the blood of the Zielle family."

My statement was entirely accurate.

My mother, who is from the Zielle family, married my father, who is just a lowly baron.

But when she passed away, he gained the title of the Duke and married another woman.

So much for being grateful.

"Therefore, I ask of you to marry me."

His eyes widened as he was taken aback.

"Marry you, you say?"

"Yes. The benefit is that you, as my husband, will automatically gain the support of my family, the Dukedom of Zielle."

The Emperor did not favor Azazel because he was an illegitimate child and didn't support him as the second prince. Naturally, Azazel doesn't have many supporters in the noble circles.

But I know for sure he has great supporters within the armies, considering he was always sent to war and brought victories.

Though he was sent to war because the Empress wanted him to die.

How unfortunate. 

"Then what benefit do you gain by marrying me?"

A gust of wind rippled through Azazel's golden hair. 

"I will help you become the Emperor. In return, make me your Empress by becoming the Emperor."

His eyes sharpened as I continued my sentences. But my smile didn't fade away to convince him that I'm confident the plan will work. 

"I want everyone at my feet."

I smiled at him confidently as I extended my hand to him.

"........."

His eyes scrutinize me, attempting to figure out what's going on inside my head.

His piercing gaze highlighted the distance between us.

Then, he stood up from his seat and walked over to me, standing right in front of me.

(Azazel... )

His blonde hair complemented the sunlight flowing through the windows.

And how his crimson eyes, which stared into mine, were as clear and dazzling as fire, which is the same element he possesses.

"Alright."

(Oh? He agreed much more quickly than I had anticipated.)

I'd already heard the question to the answer I wanted to ask, but I had a feeling there was more to it than he had let on.

We gazed into each other's eyes in silence, the moment seeming to stretch out for a short eternity, and once again, I was reminded of the past.

For this is my second life.

One of the main reasons I chose him out of everyone else was because...

He was the first person to cry for my sake and was there with me when I was dying alone.

I've always imagined Azazel von Elysian, the second prince, as someone who stood high above the world on a lonely pedestal, unable to comprehend other individuals.

But...

The way he cried for my sake altered my perception of him.

Even though we were not close in our first timeline, I must have meant something to him.

Furthermore, I'm curious as to why he's crying for my sake.

(It appears that I was right. He won't just agree with it on a normal basis. He must've had a deeper reason for agreeing to this proposal so swiftly. How long had he known me? When did we first meet? What did I do to catch his attention like this?)

He knelt in front of me and took my hand in his, gently kissing the back of it as a polite gesture.

(Even from this distance, I could sense some warmth within him.)

"If it means that with your support, I can become Emperor, then I require it. Please assist me, Lady Zielle."

The passion was clear in his eyes and his voice, a challenging smile touched his lips.

(As expected. He didn't want to let this opportunity pass by.)

But for a moment, Azazel's eyes seemed to soften. 

-

"This is Theodore Clayton, Milady. One of the knights that I trusted. I want you to be secure at all times since you're going to be my wife."

Azazel presented me to a man I had never met before.

The longer I stared at his hazelnut eyes, the more mesmerizing they were because of the way the light shone over them.

By the push of the wind, his hair that also harbors the same color as his eyes, has become more glorious with how it becomes untamed but free.

One look at him and you could tell his looks are worth looking at more than others.

(Oh, I believe I recognize him.)

Many would be enchanted by him if it weren't for his background.

He looked unconcerned about his surroundings, preferring to concentrate on his own world.

Thus, he has this image of a quiet, expressionless but dashing, handsome man.

(Theodore Clayton, one of Azazel's most dependable men.)

"He will be your personal knight from me."

(Ah, so Azazel didn't have complete faith in me after all. He must have Theodore as my personal knight to spy on me and dispose of me if I were to betray him.)

(However, this is understandable.)

The young lady from the prestigious Zielle Dukedom came to offer the illegitimate second prince a chance to become the Emperor.

It sounds suspicious in many ways.

(But I don't have any choice at the moment. And he's my best choice.)

I curtsied and placed my hand on my chest, forming a lovely smile, to show Theodore my respect.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Theodore. My name is Verena Zielle."

As I introduced myself, I smiled at him, but he simply nodded without responding.

(Ah, I guess he's not much of a talker.)

I turned my head to Azazel as his crimson eyes met my aquamarine ones.

"Therefore, Your Highness, I have prepared a suitable present for you."

(A gift so that you can trust me more than you thought.)

Without further ado, I said exactly what I needed to say to acquire his absolute trust.

He raised his brow, looking at me with suspicion. His usually calm eyes narrowed sharply.

I take a small bottle from a hidden pocket in my dress and present it to him, revealing a glass bottle filled with black liquid.

"This is a present for you."

I placed the small bottle in his hand as he stared at it with a scrutinized gaze.

"What is the use of this?"

"It's poison."

"What makes you believe I'm in need of poison?"

His question, as well as his obvious skepticism, made me chuckle.

"That poison is for your sword, Your Highness."

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Drop all of the liquid upon your blade and your metallic silver sword will transform into a black sword loaded with poison in no time. Just a little slice from the sword would be deadly to anyone."

".. I need time to confirm your words."

After a little pause, he muttered, staring at the glass bottle with a distant expression.

"Take as much time as you like."

"However, assuming it turns out to be as you claim, where did you get this?"

I gave a self-conscious smile.

"Unfortunately, Your Highness, I didn't buy nor obtain it anywhere. However, I was the one who discovered it. Therefore, I'm the one who made it."

I just have to make sure of him that I'm more useful than just my title alone.

"Your Highness, you may confirm my every word and statement as you see fit."

Because he knows just how useful I am when he realized that I'm actually excellent in making such kinds of potions about anything, such as the poison in his hand.

"............"

For a little while, Azazel was silent, as though contemplating everything that had happened that day.

Even I could tell that Theodore is also curious whether the black liquid I gave to Azazel will work out whether.

"... I understand."

"I'm glad to be of Your Highness' assistance."

Azazel's brows furrowed as he placed the bottle on his desk and grasped my hand in his.

"... Your Highness?"

I was taken aback by his unexpected action, but then I sensed warm energy being transferred to my body.

My mouth opened wide in amazement.

(... It's really warm and pleasant...!)

"Since you came so suddenly, I couldn't prepare any gift. I hope this small gift would be suitable for you who is an ice user."

"... Thank you very much."

(... It appears that he really has a high level of fire control just like people said.)

In this world, elements user exists and is common between people as if it is a normal thing.

Both nobles and commoners have it, using elements is a daily life activity and common occurrence.

Fire user, earth user, wind user, ice user, and water user.

I was used to feeling cold all of the time as an ice user, but it was truly a wonderful feeling when Azazel sent his energy into my body.

Warmth.

Through interactions like this between fire user and ice user are common, but I've never been close to anyone who is a fire user. 

(I guess... This is a bonus for myself.)