The shadow of the rook wandered between the two kings. I was confused while looking at them. My complicated thoughts and continuing confusion as long as I cant erase my past memories.

I sighed, looking at the rook that was between a rock and a hard place.

When I saw the shade of the table that darkened the shadow of the rook by half, I suddenly recalled that woman with dark hair like that dark shade.

Jiun, who took him away from me. He who was everything to me.

My confused mind began to settle. I thought everything was fleeting. Regardless of whether the kings shadow is one or two, it would be invisible once it went into that dark shade. No matter how much he cares for me now, Im nothing if he abandons me and falls for Jiun who will soon appear. There is no guarantee that my heart will beat again just because I am loved by him now.

I barely stood up by putting strength in my legs.

Putting down the king and the rook on the table, I hugged the sleeping Luna carefully.

After putting Luna on a fluffy cushion near my bed, I looked around the table once again.

The shadow of the king was still visible as two because of the flickering candle.

The shadow of the rook, half covered by the shade

After a long sigh, I blew out the candle. I didnt see the bishop, knight, or kings shadow in the dark room.

Jiun will be here coming soon. Let me put off judging the crown prince until then.

With a complicated mind, I pulled the bed sheet over my head.

It was a very tiring day.

I, Allendis, was a special child. They often called me a genius, not an ordinary genius, but an extraordinary genius. I was always praised, but I didnt care that much because I took it for granted.

I still remember the moment I was born. I remember the conversations of the maids who helped my mother give birth to me, what my father said when he first saw me, and the pain of being spanked by him.

What I experienced once, whether I read it in books or said or did, came to my mind vividly as if it just happened. I remembered where I was in which year, which month, which day and which time, who I met, what clothes they put on and what color they were. No matter how difficult a book someone brought me, I mastered it by just looking at it once when it took several years for others to do so.

People were amazed by me, but my family was happy but at the same time scared. My sickly brother who was very smart, my ordinary mother and even my father, cited as the smartest member of my family looked at me with awe and surprise. As someone who was very good at understanding their emotions through peoples expressions and words, I knew how my family members looked at me.

I struggled not to show the genius aspects of my mind, but there was a limit to my efforts because I grew up as an extraordinary child. I still remember my fathers surprised expression when he discovered that even as a five-year-old girl, I solved a math formula instantly that would take some time for others to solve.

Well, the expression still was wrong because there existed nothing like oblivion in my head from the beginning.

My father loved me much more than my elder brother, Alexis, who was just good enough.

I could understand him because he was human. According to the books I read, humans were such creatures.

But my heart was always empty. Whenever I saw my brother smiling brightly at my father and mother, I felt chagrined and frustrated.

Dang it! He and I were born to the same parents.

At first, I just felt bad about my brother, but as time went on, I hated him more and more.

I hated even my parents who liked him only, who were less smart and competent than me.

I felt the urge to kill him when my parents chose him as the official successor of the family despite the strong opposition of my relatives.

Without that stupid brother, I would have had everything in this house.

Of course, it would have been very easy for me to obtain a knighthood if I had joined the government, but it was nothing, compared to the wealth and power that came with being the successor of my family. Controlling my frustration and raging anger, I decided to wait until I met the right timing and change. As Im still too young to resist my fathers decision, I decided to wait until I came of age.

Then one day when I was walking in the hallway, I accidentally heard what my father was talking in the room. It was about that woman who would change my life.

Lady Monique, what do you think of her as Alexis fiancee?

Pardon? Why are you saying such a scary thing? You know, she is going to be the crown princes wife. I am afraid if somebody overhears our conversation and misunderstands.

Oh, youre right, honey. Im sorry. I think I said nonsense.

I couldnt help but break into laughter. Wasnt Lady Monique called the child of Gods prophecy?

Are you going to take Lady Monique, destined to be the next empress, as that stupid brothers fiancee? Youre daydreaming, Dad.

I almost turned while clicking my tongue and stopped at the spot. Unless he was thinking of treason, my father, well known for his rational judgement, would not have mentioned Lady Monique.

Is there any sign that the engagement between the Monique family and the imperial family will come to an end? I know the emperor is adamant about having her as his daughter-in-law. If thats the case, either the crown prince or Lady Monique is trying to break off the engagement.

I wonder if the Monique family can break off the engagement by using the vow that only they can turn to?

If thats the case, Marquis Monique is really ridiculous. Why is he trying to kick away good fortune? Besides, no other noble family would challenge him because of his daughters status as the child of Gods prophecy.

I became curious. I wondered what kind of woman she was as she dared to reject the crown prince. I also wondered what the heck she did to make my father fall for her. Besides, wasnt she the only daughter of the Monique family?

Can I hit on her?

Damn it. If I succeeded in making her my woman, who my father has already chosen as my elder brothers fiancee, he would feel bitter and even upset. Besides, isnt the Monique family a prestigious family that has been traditionally treated as a duke family for its credit as the founding father of the empire? If I marry her, I may take over his fathers noble title. Isnt this the effect of killing two birds with one stone?

Im Allendis de Verita, the second son of Duke Verita. Id like to see Lady Marquis.

I know its polite to make a formal request for visit in advance, but I had to make things work secretly to screw my father and my stupid brother over, so I visited her house without advance notice.

Only

I was satisfied with the calm reaction of the employees of her mansion despite my unexpected visit. Escorted to the parlor of her house, I was satisfied with the comfortable and cozy atmosphere and the stylish interior without splendor.

Wow, a prestigious family is really different!

Shortly afterwards, a little girl came in with a woman who appeared to be her exclusive maid. Did she say she turned ten this summer? The girl, who looked much smaller than those at her age, was far from cute. Her slender face, skinny body and plain blue dress were more mysterious and elegant than cute.

I was surprised. Although she was about the same age as the noisy and ignorant girls who sometimes came to my house, I could hardly find anything characteristic of a young girl.

Perhaps because of her silvery hair that was softly shining and wavy, the girl seemed to give off a dreamy vibe isolated from reality instead of a cheerful and bright atmosphere of the children at her age.

How do you do, Duke Veritas son? My name is Aristia la Monique.

I was once again surprised by the girls greeting. As she was so calm when she introduced herself, I couldnt believe she was a ten-year-old girl. When the girl sat across from me and stared at me, I felt it in my bones that the girl was in my league. Although she pretends to be demure, I saw a swirling madness and deep darkness in her golden eyes.

My heart, which I have never felt beating hard since I was born, began to pound faster.