Chapter 1.1

Chapter 1.1

Parasite.

Even before her memories began, Margo had grown up hearing this word. Ladies behind their fans would hide their lips and exchange glances, whispering among themselves.

When she curiously asked others what it meant, they would only offer ambiguous smiles, ultimately refusing to explain.

Only when she learned to read did she finally find its meaning in the Castor Dictionary:

An insect that attaches to another organism and survives by sucking its nutrients.
A derogatory term used to describe a person who lives by clinging to others without making any personal effort.

A parasite living off the Castor Imperial Court. That was Margo.

The sole reason she became the Crown Prince Allen’s fiancée was because she was a bloodline of the Isyria royal family, defeated in the Castor-Isyria succession war. Margarita held the succession rights to the Isyria peninsula, and to achieve the perfect unification of the two countries, she absolutely had to marry Allen and bear a child.

Beyond that, she had no other utility value.

A stupid, ignorant parasite from the Isyria mountains.

In contrast, Allen…

“Your Highness is perfect as always today.”

“I’ve already heard that you perfectly command the ancient Egean language. You’ve already accomplished what someone should barely be able to do when they’re about to enter the Academy.”

Until just moments ago, the nobles who had been mocking Margo would stand before Allen and couldn’t hide their servile faces. Amidst the pouring praise and light, Allen, far from being pleased, looked uncomfortable as he looked around, then discovered Margo and smiled brightly.

“There you are. Margo.”

As she ran over with a clear smile, a cold gaze attached itself to her back.

This parasite, without knowing her place, daring to stand next to the small sun…

“Go away!”

The immense hatred was too great for the young Margo to endure. In contrast, affection was so small and fragile that it couldn’t even create a shell of protection.

“Margo, what’s wrong?”

Her blue eyes, rippling with moisture, turned his stomach inside out. Living in the midst of overflowing affection and love, he couldn’t understand her, who would be mindful of a parasite’s gaze.

“I don’t like you.”

‘Why do you try to my insignificant affection? You can live well enough without such a thing.’

The emperor, the maids, and even Margo’s wet nurse all loved Allen.

“Do you think people treat you well because they like you? It’s because you’re the Crown Prince!”

“Do you really believe your swordsmanship skills are genuine? Who would properly spar with you? If even a scratch were to appear on the precious Crown Prince’s body, they might immediately face a family extinction.”

She poured out harsh words under the pretense of revealing the truth. Each time, a petty satisfaction bloomed on her face at Allen’s hurt face.

Eventually, she even found fault with the buttons on Allen’s clothes, criticizing every detail. Around that time, Margo was no longer called a parasite.

―A wicked witch from Isyria.
―A demon sucking the blood of Castor.

Just as Allen was no longer hurt by Margo’s harsh words, Margo also welcomed her infamous reputation. No matter how much they cursed her, she would still marry Allen and become the empress of the Castor Empire. As long as she held the succession rights, no one could punish her.

She thought she could live freely like that.

Until a woman as beautiful as spring flowers appeared.

“Ingrid.”

She could never forget Allen’s expression when he pronounced that name.

A bright smile that rose as if discovering a new sprout at the end of a cold winter. A pure joy he had never shown to Margo.

No matter how cornered or dark the place Ingrid stood, Allen found her at once. She was only caught off guard by her hesitation to approach first due to the Crown Prince’s status.

“May I ask you to dance?”

“It would be an honor, Your Highness.”

When the two finally clasped hands and glided towards the center of the ballroom in sync with the violinist’s melody, everyone watched them as if under a spell.

Stupidly, Margo was also among them. Unable to approach or belong to that wave of happiness, she nearly suffocated, simply watching the dance amidst the crowd.

But it would be fine. Ingrid is just a baroness. Her status is far too low to claim a place beside the Crown Prince. In the end, Margo would still become the empress.

“I might marry Miss Ingrid Danos to Count Orland and keep her as my maid.”

“What?”

“That way, you two can meet often. I learned that the late empress sometimes kept the former emperor’s mistress as a maid. I support you both.”

Love is unnecessary. It’s an emotion she had never received or felt in her entire life. Margo planned to graciously understand and support their love, befitting a future empress.

“How can you say something like that?”

“What do you mean… I’m trying to help you and Ingrid.”