Chapter 68: Villainess Princess × Slave (31)

Lyra looked around frantically, scanning every inch of the foggy balcony, but there was nobody there. The stone pillars stood cold and solitary.

She let out a long breath, pressing her trembling palm against her chest.

I’m officially losing my mind, Lyra thought, rubbing her temples in exhaustion. Since my execution timeline is rapidly creeping up, I’m probably just turning completely paranoid! I’m seeing dark shadows and hearing voices out of nowhere!

Shaking her head, Lyra stepped back into her warm bedchamber, shutting the glass balcony doors tightly behind her. She crossed the cold wooden floor, threw off her slippers, and collapsed straight onto her plush bed. She pulled the duvet up to her chin, closing her eyes and forcing her racing mind to shut down.

Within minutes, the physical and mental exhaustion of the day pulled her into a heavy, deep slumber.

However, as Lyra drifted off into sleep, she failed to notice the bright red notification lights flashing frantically everywhere in the dark corner of her room

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The System’s digital screen was flickering violently, glowing in pulsing red shades of pure panic, displaying massive warning icons across its interface:

[ CRITICAL WARNING: TARGET CASSIAN DRAVEN IS IN EXTREMELY CLOSE PROXIMITY! ]

[ HIGH-LEVEL OBSESSIVE SURVEILLANCE ACTIVATED! ]

[ HOST IS CURRENTLY BEING MONITORED FROM WITHIN THE SHADOWS! ]

The warning screens flashed silently throughout the entire night, completely unheeded by the sleeping princess.

The next morning arrived with a cold, pale sun breaking through the foggy grey skies of the imperial capital.

BANG!

The doors of Lyra’s private bedchamber were suddenly slammed wide open, the loud impact echoing through the quiet room loudly. Lyra’s dark eyes snapped open in instant alarm. She sat up in her satin bed, her dark hair falling messily over her shoulders as she glared toward the entrance.

Stepping into her room with heavy footfalls was Crown Prince Julian

He was still wearing his thick battle armor, complete with his dark dragon shoulder plates and a long cloak that smelled strongly of dried mud and the faint, iron tang of blood from the northern frontlines. He hadn’t even bothered to wash off the dust of war before marching straight into her private quarters.

Lyra raised a single eyebrow at him, putting on her cold, arrogant posture despite being half-asleep. "Imperial Brother? Is it standard royal etiquette now to barge into a princess’s bedroom at seven in the morning without knocking?"

Julian didn’t answer her sarcastic remark. He strode toward the edge of her bed, his dark amber eyes glinting with a toxic smirk as he looked down at her pale face.

"See, my dear sister?" Julian drawled smoothly, his voice laced with a mocking satisfaction. "I told you that slave was guilty! I told you he was a dangerous rebel spy! That is precisely why he ran away like a cowardly rat the moment I marched off to war!"

Julian leaned down slightly, his amber eyes narrowing into a suspicious slits as he stared directly into her face.

"Tell me, Lyra..." Julian purred softly, his tone dropping into a, icy whisper. "...you didn’t fall for that filthy slave, did you? Don’t tell me you were the one secretly behind his escape?"

Lyra didn’t care about his ridiculous accusations at all. She let out a soft, bored scoff, casually pulling her sheets up to her waist while looking at him with absolute indifference.

"Who cares about that lowly slave?" Lyra sneered dismissively, waving her hand in the air. "He was just a useless guard. Whether he ran away or died in a ditch is entirely irrelevant to this princess."

The second those cold, arrogant words left Lyra’s lips-

SHIVER!

Suddenly, Lyra felt a wave of icy stares coming from somewhere in the dark corners of her room! It felt as though an invisible needles were piercing directly into her back, radiating an unhinged, suffocating pressure that made her entire body stiffen

W-What the hell?! Lyra panicked internally, her heart skipping a beat as cold sweat broke out on her neck. Why do I suddenly feel like someone is standing right behind me, wanting to strangle me?! Is the room haunted?!

Julian, completely oblivious to the terrifying aura lingering in the dark corners of the room, chuckled softly at her cold response.

"A wise attitude, my dear sister," Julian said, his toxic smile broadening. "Because Our Imperial Father has just issued a royal decree. The victory banquet is set for tonight, and you have been officially summoned to the Imperial Court immediately!"

Lyra’s eyebrows knitted together. "Summoned? For what?"

Julian’s eyes gleamed with possessive triumph. "To announce your formal engagement, of course. Our Imperial Father has arranged for you to meet the visiting high princes from the allied territories today. It is time for you to select your future husband."

WHAT?! Lyra’s inner soul screamed in absolute, frantic terror!

[ HOST! IT’S THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE PLOT EVENT! ] the System shrieked inside her mind, its screen flashing yellow icons. [ IF YOU GET ENGAGED, CASSIAN’S DEVOTION WILL CAUSE HIM TO MASSACRE THE ENTIRE IMPERIAL COURT! YOU MUST HANDLE THIS CAREFULLY! ]

Lyra squeezed her eyes shut, letting out a long utterly exhausted sigh. She had no power to defy the tyrant Emperor’s direct royal summons.

"I understand, Imperial Brother," Lyra said stiffly, forcing a mechanical, polite smile. "I shall prepare myself immediately."

"Good," Julian purred, turning on his heel. "Do not keep Our Imperial Father waiting, my lovely sister."

An hour later, the royal estate was in a state of absolute chaos.

Dozens of maids hurried back and forth through Lyra’s dressing room, carrying trays of sparkling diamond jewelry, fragrant floral perfumes, and lavish silk gowns.

Lyra sat before her grand golden mirror, looking like an utterly miserable, gorgeous doll.

Her maids dressed her in a striking, ice-blue silk gown decorated with silver embroidery that hugged her slender waist before flowing gracefully down to the floor. Her dark, silky hair was half-tied up with delicate pearl pins, and her lips were painted a soft, rosy pink. With her fair skin and captivating dark eyes, she looked mesmerizing.

"Her Highness looks divine!" the head maid gushed, bowing in deep admiration.

Lyra looked at her reflection in the mirror, her soul crying internally. Divine? I look like a sacrificial lamb being prepared for the butcher!

After completing her formal greeting at the grand Imperial Court- where the tyrant Emperor sat high on his golden throne, commanding her to socialize with the visiting foreign dignitaries- Lyra was forced to step out to meet her first prospective suitor.

Escorted by a squad of royal guards, Lyra was led out of the bustling main palace toward a quiet, breathtaking minor estate located on the eastern edge of the imperial grounds.

The location was stunningly beautiful. A grand, white marble pavilion stood surrounded by blooming blue hydrangeas, clear koi ponds, and towering weeping willow trees. The gentle morning breeze rustled through the leaves, creating a picture-perfect atmosphere meant for romantic royal courtships.

Standing inside the marble pavilion, waiting for her arrival with a bouquet of rare blue roses in his hands, was a tall, handsome young man dressed in rich, noble silver robes. It was Prince William from the neighboring Allied Duchy- a famous, polite young nobleman known across the continent for his charming manners and gentle disposition.

Seeing Lyra approach down the stone pathway, Prince William’s eyes widened in genuine awe. He quickly stepped forward, bowing gracefully with one hand over his heart.

"Greetings to Her Imperial Highness, Princess Lyra," Prince William said, his voice soft, charming, and respectful. "It is a supreme honor to finally meet the legendary beauty of the empire in person."

Lyra put on her best royal smile, curtsying slightly. "Prince William. You flatter me."

"Please, allow me," Prince William offered gently, extending his hand to guide her toward the tea table inside the pavilion.

Lyra hesitated for a brief second. System... if I talk to this guy politely and pretend to entertain the engagement, will it count as plot progress?

[ Host! ] the System warned nervously. [ As long as you don’t actually sign the engagement contract, talking to him will give you minor points! But stay alert! ]

Lyra took a quiet breath, slowly reaching her hand out toward Prince William’s offered palm-

SNAP!

A sudden sound of a breaking tree branch echoed from the dense willow trees above

Before Lyra’s fingers could even make contact with Prince William’s hand, a sudden, suffocating, and dark pressure exploded over the entire marble pavilion. The ambient temperature plummeted to absolute freezing in a single heartbeat

Prince William’s hand froze mid-air. A sudden fear washed over the young prince, his face turning ghostly pale as he gasped for air

THUMP!

Lyra instinctively pulled her hand back, her dark eyes whipping around to look toward the dark shadows of the tall weeping willow trees.

Yet, there was nothing.

Prince William stumbled back half a step, clutching his chest as cold sweat poured down his neck. "W-What is this... terrifying aura...?"