Kttrinah's Favorite

FOUND THIS COMMENT HERE IN MANGAGO. JUST REPOSTING IT BECAUSE I CAN SEE ALOT OF HATES TOWARDS THE FATHER.
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His backstory is that since he was young he was very strong and takes the Knight Commander’s title when he was young and all.
The emperor is very greedy and he wanted to use Regis (The father’s name). one time the emperor will ask him to share a drink with him, Regis was underage but couldn’t really refuse the emperor so they had a drink and when Regis was drunk the emperor will ask him for a favor and Regis just says yes because he can't refuse him and unknowingly when he said ‘yes’ he was actually swearing an oath that he couldn’t break unwillingly. When Regis found out it was too late. the truth behind the oath was the emperor’s ring. with the permission of a side, they can’t disobey the ruler of the ring. the ring only obeyed a person with the most mana, that’s why the emperor killed most of the magicians and wizards and collected their mana so he can be the person with most mana, that’s the reason that there is no tower of magicians and there’s not much wizards. so the emperor got Regis’s permission when Regis was careless and after that when he gave a order with the ring, Regis couldn’t disobey it.
Emperor used Regis to kill all his enemies and people he wanted dead.
So later when Regis succeeded the Duke’s title from his father, he went in political marriage with our MC Juvel (a nickname for juvellian)’s mother. The mother’s name was Amelia. so after Juvel’s birth, Regis was busy most of the time and didn’t even come back home at the nights. because of that the mother, Amelia was depressed and thought Regis is cheating on her and doesn’t want her and they’re daughter anymore. which was not true at all, whenever Regis was home he played with Juvel and spoiled her. they were really sweet. there was actually a reason that he wasn’t home most of the time at nights. The Floyen dukes had some responsibility to check a sealed place from time to time, the first emperor of +100 years ago was sealed there. so regis will go to check to make sure that everything is sealed and realized that someone is there, and it’s actually the sealed emperor, Phanphil (which had a backstory of his own). he was immortal or something because of magic? and he wasn’t physically there because he was sealed. but he tried to manipulate Regis to break his seal but Regis refused. but regis just couldn’t leave it alone because it could manipulate other to break his seal and so regis went to check on Phanphil every night, or from time to time(?). the other reason that regis wasn’t home often was because the emperor would use the ring on him and order him to kill enemies for him. anyway because of this Amelia thought he’s cheating and they argues from time to time. some times Regis would come after he was used by the ring, and amelia would sense that something is different about him. there is one time that emperor orders Regis to bring his weakness to him and Regis’s weakness is his daughter, Juvellian. so his body moves on its own and he goes to the duchy to take juvellian to the emperor. the emperor wanted to threaten Regis with his weakness. The emperor had some inferiority complexes and despised Regis. Amelia senses something strange and tells Juvellian to hide. And when regis comes for juvel she senses that there is something wrong with him and stops him and asks who he is, when they start arguing Juvel comes out from the place she was hiding and goes to call for servants to stop her fighting parents. but the servants ignore her and something seemed wrong. when she goes back she sees her mother’s dead body and amelia’s last words were that she shouldn’t be scared she also sees Regis soaked with blood and some servants dead bodies there. and Regis starts crying very very sadly and horribly. the small juvel thinks that her father killed her mother, and is horrified of him. on her mother’s funeral when she sees Regis she immediately screams in fear and faints and after that this happened whenever she met him. Regis can’t bear hurting her so he goes to phanphil and says that if phanphil erases Juvellian’s memory with magic he will open half of his seal. so just like that phanphil erases juvel’s memories and juvellian has no memories of her early childhood. Phanphil’s seal is not still completely open so he still can’t have a physical figure. after that Regis avoids Juvellian because he doesn’t want to hurt her. but he always loved her and wanted her happiness. the reason regis didn’t show up on her party in 1st timeline was because that day he was being controlled by the ring of the emperor. when Juvellian suddenly is lovers with Mikhail (the trash ex boyfriend of mc and original male lead of the novel) the only reason Regis was nice to him and favored him was because he was juvel’s lover and he wanted her to be happy. when Juvel was accused of poisoning the princess, of course Regis without hesitation knew that she wouldn’t do such a thing and that the emperor sill use this chance to get rid of his daughter, so he took him to the prison because it was a safe place for her and even gave her one of his greatest swords that had magic which would protect her. after that he begged his disciple, the crown prince and the ML, Max to go and protect her daughter. he was always neutral to the succession of the throne and didn’t agree to rebel with the crown prince for the throne. but because of his daughter, he promised max that he would rebel with him and help him in the succession of the throne if her saves his daughter. that’s the reason max visited juvel on the prison that day, but juvel who misunderstood everything killed herself.
after that Regis went crazy and killed everyone and destroyed everything, the emperor tried to use the ring on him to stop him but because his mental state was crazy it didn’t work on regis and he killed him too. later it showed how Regis looked at the crown and said that it doesn’t mean anything if it’s not Juvellian who is wearing it.
when later juvellian remembered her memories, she understood that it wasn’t her father who killed her mother, but it was the servants that were actually assassins from the emperor. that’s why they ignored her when she asked for their help.
so in current timeline, Regis gets a nightmare of the 1st timeline and remembers what happened then.
it was really sad that Juvellian had so many misunderstandings about him when he only wanted her happiness.
some sad stuff are that, Regis always thought about her and even referred to her by her nickname ‘juvel’ or ‘my juvel’ in his heart, he also stalked her sometimes.
the reason she went to look for marriage candidates after hearing her type, was that he misunderstood that juvel wants marriage and he wanted her happiness so he was looking for best people.
so fortunately this time their relationship slowly heals and juvel will get her memories in somewhere in

Any manhwas similar to trash of the counts family ( i want the mc to be male and no romance)

Hi, everyone. It is me again. I felt very touched by the amount of people thanking me, and I did not expect that at all, so as thanks to you all I will offer more spoilers. ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~ Again, English is not my first language. I am sorry for any grammar mistakes. This one will probably be very long as well. I hope it will satisfy you. And again my source is the novel and novel spoilers thread.

This is some more main story spoilers, and if you are seeing this now I suggest you scroll down to see my first comment. It will help you have a better understanding about what I am going to spoil now.

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This is just a little extra, but I wanted to include how Elena and Ciel met (this timeline):

Elena first met Ciel when she was in the Academy.
She accidentally fell down and was held in Ciel’s arms

Elena broke out crying while seeing him and Ciel didn’t understand why as he didn’t have any memories of the first timeline. (Mentioned in my previous spoiler post!)

———————————————————————


The Night Crow’s and the Grand Duke’s plans:

The Night Crows were an organization specialized in gathering information and assassination, with the members who fully pledged their lives to the Grand Duke. (Ugh... that evil bastard. I am so happy he got executed.)

The Grand Duke was not very happy. After the fall of Leabrick, everything was reported to him instead.
He hired the Night Crows to assassinate the Salon’s people, including Raphael, but mysteriously, every one of the assassins were killed and their bodies disappeared without a trace.
The finance of the Grand Duke family was deteriorating, and the soon-to-be-opened Noblesse Street suffered more financial damage than expected due to many difficulties.

He finally recalled what Leabrick had said: « Watch L. She’s a dangerous woman ». (L is Elena) The Grand Duke family began to falter when this woman appeared. He also knew about the thing happened between L and Veronica.

Believing his influence over the Emperor Richard, he intended to push the Emperor to regulate L’s Salon and even push it to closure. For him, the royal family didn’t have any power to reject his request, he who held the real power of the Empire
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The Grand Duke rushed to the Imperial Palace and demanded a private meeting with the Emperor. But contrary to his expectation, the Emperor cut off his story about closing the salon firmly and even gave him a warning

With the funds gave by Elena, Ciel successfully reformed the Imperial Guards and got rid of the psy from the nobles.
The sickly Emperor Richard was proud of his son, but also felt sorry because he gave him great burden and great responsibility. He knew the relationship between L and Ciel, that’s why he firmly refused the Grand Duke’s request.
Moreover, Richard even asked Ciel to let him see Elena once. Ciel couldn’t turn a blind eyes to his request and promised him that he would introduce him to her in the future.

L’s assassination (a poor attempt by the Night Crows, and Ciel being cool as hell.)

As the Noblesse Street and the Basilica’s opening day approached, the more unhappy Veronica was.
L’s Salon was still extremely successful, and the Noblesse Street’s opening would surely become a failure if things still continued in L’s ways.

Veronica ordered then Ashelas to burn down the Salon, as well as L inside. Ashela prepared thoroughly the plan to minimize The risk of failure as much as possible.
Back to the Grand Duke side, hearing that his daughter wanted to burn down the salon, he decided to plant down an archer on the roof of a nearby building in case L escaped.
« In the worst case, we’re going to shoot L when she goes out of the fire. L’s death will set a good example. When a dog barks without recognizing its owner (her is talking about Ciel and the Emperor) »
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The day finally came.
Elena just finished her work at the Salon, and thanked all the employees for their hard works.
She prepared to go to her bedroom to get some rest.
The salon was almost empty, there were only a people left, in charge of housekeeping and chores, but they lived in the Annex. In other words, Elena was almost alone.

That night, one of the employee came to the Salon and set fire to the mansion. The Grand Duke threatened the poor man to kill his children and his wife if he didn’t do what he ordered.
The fire soon grew out of control.

Far away, May, Len and Ciel saw the fire in the direction of the Salon and rushed to Elena side.

Elena was sleeping when Hurelbad woke her up, asking Elena to leave immediately.
But Elena didn’t want to give up her salon that soon and try to not lose her composure:
« I’ll put out the fire »
« Lady! »
« There is a way »
« It’s too late! »
« There is a secret sprayer in the Salon »
Elena went to the bathroom, covered herself with water and forced her way to go despite Hurelbad attempt to stop her.
Hurelbad decided then to open the Sprayer in her place and force her to escape.
« You must be safe. Swear that you will »
« I will swear ». Only then that Elena nodded and escaped the Salon with May and Emilio.

At Hurelbad’s side, he succeed into opening the sprayer’s valves. Water poured from the ceiling and stopped the fire

—

Now Elena was vulnerable as didn’t have Hurelbad to protect her anymore.

Suddenly a man fell sharply from the opposite building. May and Emilio went in front in order to protect her from the unknown man.
But when he raised his head, Elena recognized him: It was Len!

Len, unable to overcome the relief, hugged Elena
« I was worried »
« Len »
« ‘cause I can’t handle myself right now. So let’s just stay like this for a little while »
Elena was dumbfounded, her heart beat fast. But she still tried to calm herself as ‘It’s not the time for this. Get a hold of yourself, Elena!’

The fire finally dropped, the worst situation was avoided, and Elena finally breathed a sign of relief when she saw Hurelbad opening the window and looked at her way.
Moreover, the area around the salon was crowded with people, bystanders watching the fire, or people who tried to extinguish it.
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As Len needed to investigate about the matter, he asked Elena to go first.
But when she left, he saw something really: a silhouette of a man pulling a bow at Elena’s direction.

Len immediately cried out for Elena and threw himself reflexively in front of her. The arrow which was intended to Elena’s heart was dug into Len’s back.
Elena grabbed the fallen Len and cried out in tear
« Len!! Get a hold of yourself! Don’t die!! »
Another arrow flew into his back
Ultimately, Len lost his consciousness, and the assassin was still here.


It was pure luck that Ciel found the assassin pointing a bow at Elena while rushing at her side. When he arrived near the Salon, he could see Elena leaving and was relieved.
He turned away. Ciel really wanted to see Elena’s face and asked her if she was okay, but he held it in, since he didn’t wear a mask, and his indiscretion would harm her.

He noticed the assassin.
The first arrow was fired, Ciel pulled out the sword and rushed to stop the arrow, but it was faster than him. Ciel was desperate when he heard the arrow hitting a target.
But Len managed to protect Elena and collapsed.

Ciel saw the assassin putting the next arrow on the bow. He clenched his teeth and flew away, but he was still too far away to stop it. The arrow once again lodged in Len’s back.
If it weren’t for Len, it would have already penetrated Elena’s heart.

The furious Ciel pulled out a dagger from his waist and threw it as hard as he could at the assassin’s direction, as if he was throwing a spear. The dagger flew stronger and fiercer than the arrow.
The dagger touched the assassin deathly between his armpits and shoulders. The bones and muscles were torn to shreds.
He couldn’t shoot anymore. The mission failed. He tried to stop his bleeding and ran away.

But Ciel caught up to him.
« I didn’t expect this kind of death
« No, you’ll live. I’ll make you think it’s better to die than living »
Ciel laid down his voice and growled low.

It was the first time in his life that he was willing to kill for personal reasons. However, he managed to hold his will to kill with superhuman patience. He thought of torturing the assassin To admit that he was a knight from the Grand Duke family.
‘The felony of killing noble families. Even the Grand Duke can’t avoid it »

But the assassin wasn’t willing to let himself captured. He had no will to live. He jumped from the roof and was killed instantly.
Ciel bit his lips hard at the unexpected choice. Now that he died, it would not be easy to pressure the Grand Duke.

——————————

Afterwards:

in a reception bedroom of the Salon annex.
She was in a great state of anxiety. She owed her life to Len
Elena constantly talked to Len about what to do if he died.
« That’s not how I’m gonna pay you back. I’m not going to let you get away with it if you really die »
« I have a lot to argue about. I didn’t get a proper apology from you from being indecent »...

A doctor finally came and performed surgeries in order to remove the arrowheads. He was not in danger anymore but was still sleeping.

Hurelbad soon came to Elena’s side. He looked at Len while feeling guilty.
‘It’s because of me. I should have stood beside you’.. The situation was inevitable, but if it wasn’t for Len, Hurelbad could never forgive himself if Elena died.
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Elena investigate about the fire, and the analysis showed that the fire was started inside the mansion by one of her employee who was threatened by the Grand Duke. He tried to atone for his crime by burning himself to death. Elena despised the Grand Duke for his cowardice.
Nonetheless, she asked to burry the man in the Church and sent money for his wife and his daughter.

Ciel later came to the Salon, through the window frame
He comforted Elena and informed her that the one who tried to shoot her was a knight from the Grand Duke house. He was also sorry for coming late and for failing to capture him alive.
But Elena was relieved and thanked him. If Ciel didn’t stop him in time, many people, as well as Len, might have been killed.

She continued to nurse Len for 4 days straight. And finally after the 4th day, Len’s fingers began to move, but he was still unconcious.
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Meanwhile, the Grand Duke was eating when he heard about the failed assassination and the failed fire because of a water system. The assassin also died.
He was surprised when Len’s name popped up, and was even more shocked when he heard that he threw himself to protect L.
« The woman, L. The more you know about her, the greater she is. She insulted Veronica and she got the ability to subdue Len. Ah! Should I say that Leabrick’s mistakes were also her work? »
The Grand Duke finally recognized L as a great woman, and considered his people as incompetent compared to her lol.
He ordered Veronica to not act independently anymore.

Back to Veronica. Not only she was frustrated because of her father’s order, but moreover she received an invitation from L for the opening of the Basilica. Veronica took it as an insult since It “coincidentally” overlapped with her Noblesse Street opening day.
« L, I’m gonna crush her bones and flesh out to kill her, she will take off her mask on the last day, won’t she? »
« yes. » nodded Ashela
« Then I’ll have to go even more. I think L’s rotten face will make me feel better »
As she was Veronica, she didn’t listen to her father and still decided to act alone again.

————————————————

Elena’s next plan:

As Len was still unconscious, Elena determinedly spread a rumor saying that he was dead in order to see how the Grand Duke would react.
As the Grand Duke was planning to swallow the Bastache (Len’s family), the rumor would put the family into chaos and delayed his plan. Her objective was to ultimately protect the Bastache family.

———————————————————

In the underground prison Lea was in:

Underground prison in the safe house.
There was not a speck of sunlight, so Leabrick laid curled up like a gumbel.
Her eyes were half relaxed about what she was thinking.

"Where did it start? What I missed was......" Leabrick's fingers drew a line along the floor. As the lines that looked like graffiti overlapped, LiaBrick's eyes gradually became clear.

"Maybe?" Liv sprang to her feet for something to point at. The deposited eyes were lively and the thought was quickly reversed.
"Yes, that makes sense. Then from the beginning......." Leabrick swallowed dry saliva and blurted the back of the story. Then muttered in an incredible tone.

"That fake was L."
Her voice was full of conviction. It was a conclusion that came out after agonizing over it hundreds or thousands of times.
"But when the hell did you create that identity? You didn't even have any connection to the empire?"

The conviction of a moment ago was overshadowed by a logical wall. Nevertheless, Leabrick did not stop from thinking
« The Academic! »

That was the only time. The time when Leabrick can take her eyes off Elena.

"That means... ...you've been preparing to bring down the Grand Park since the moment you came to it?" "Even your parents too."
"It wasn't because of his face that she appointed Hurelbad. He's strong. Much stronger than Lord Lorentz. You knew that," She got goose bumps on her forearm and her hair stood up.

"She wasn't a woman I could handle from the beginning."

She knew Elena was superior to him, but could not admit it. It was her last pride to dominate the country. However, Elena was a creepy scary woman. Her smile, her tears, her stupidity, her vanity... Everything Leabrick had seen was fake. She deceived her from head to toe.

Leabrick bit her lips hard. The fishy taste of blood hovered in my mouth.

"It's not too late yet. I can use my hands now. I must kill her. Otherwise... » Liabrick swallowed dry saliva. "The great Duke going to be eaten. »

Even if you believed that the Empire was going to collapse, you coudn't easily believe that the Grand Duke, which is called the Empire Sky, was going down. But that was all the reality.

It was time to worry about the safety of the Grand Park. The last bastion could not be trusted to be Elena's opponent, even the Grand Duke of Frances.

"Security! Get Attil right now. The life and death of the Grand Duke is at stake!" Leabrick grabbed the iron bars and screamed at the entrance to the underground prison.
She wanted to prove her worth by taking Elena's breath away and surviving, not by petty loyalty.
« Shut up »
« Before I rip that mouth off. »
« Are you crazy? You must have forgotten your situation, but you're done. You think the Grand Duke will pardon you?"

The prisoners sarcastically insulted Leabrick. But Leabrick ignored them.

The guard in charge of the underground prison is the one that Attil (Attil was someone who was always on the Grand Duke side) planted.
Attil, who still followed Leabrick, was self-evident to put everything aside at her call.
« You have to come quickly. If it's too late, there might be no turning back. »
Leabrick, who Didn’t know what was going on outside, became anxious. The nervousness was added to her anxiety because if the Grand Duke were to fall, she would lose even her last chance to make a comeback.

——————————————————————-

The showdown (ANOTHER FAVORITE MOMENT OF MINE!!):

Noblesse Street and Basilica’s opening day.
Len was still unconscious and Elena kept on visiting him whenever she could.

Ciel intensely monitored Elena in Len’s stead and watched over the Salon and Grand Duke family movements.
Two days ago, suspicious movements were detected on such surveillance networks.
He witnessed the entrance of the Grand Duke’s people to the champagne storage warehouse, which was supposed to be supplied to L’ salons for the closing banquet.

The draft was prudent. Rather than making a hasty move, he focused on figuring out their ulterior motives.
Then He took the champagne and examined it, and found that they had put a thin injection in the cap and put in the poison that was close to lethal dose.

Ciel was astounded. This was a mass murder. It was a one-sided massacre that killed not only Elena but also visitors indiscriminately.
In the seriousness of the situation, Ciel put everything aside and contacted Elena.
When Elena, who had heard about it, looked serious and said that she would change the supplier's location, but Ciel just shook his head.
"You said. You need to know how to turn crisis into opportunity. This can work, can you follow my plan?"
Ciel was no longer intimidated. He asked the imperial family to keep the champagne secret until just before the closing banquet, under the pretext of a cultural commendation.
It was to buy time for investigation.

Eventually, with Elena's cooperation, Ciel succeeded in securing evidence that the Grand Park was behind the poisoning.
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At the opening day, the Noblesse Street greeted quite many people, but the number soon dropped down, as people preferred L’s Basilica.
Even Veronica admitted that her street was a failure.
She kept on ruminating L’s names and insulted her.
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In the Imperial Palace, Emperor Richard was discussing with Ciel about giving L a medal
« A cultural medal? Is it an excuse in order to meet her? »
« As expected, I cannot hide from my son »
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Finally, the last day of the opening ceremony. Veronica came to the Basilica, as happy as she knew she had put poison in the champagne


« Hello, ladies and gentlemen. It's L."
Elena smiled seductively and with a dignified smile, which people could not help but be fascinated at once, regardless of age or sex.
Her gaze was on the only unmasked visitor in the crowd of hundreds. Veronica von Friedrich, a woman who was heavily exposed to the eye. She had a deep make-up and looked vulgar
« Excuse me, Princess Veronica. »
« Oh, my God. »
« You're coming back after all that fuss. What are you thinking? »
« I know. Why is she here again? I hope you don't pour cold water on me like last time. »

The eyes of visitors conscious of Veronica's presence were not good.
The act of ignoring Salon's rule that masks must be worn and being arbitrary with her status made everyone frown.

Elena walked out of the stairs with a haughty but graceful gait.
"Thank you so much for coming to see us on the occasion of the opening of Basilica. Recently, a small accident at the main building caused me to be nervous, but thanks to you, I was relieved."

Elena's cold gaze was not far from Veronica while leading the atmosphere with a soft voice and a smile.
‘I know you're the one who started the fire. So be careful. I'm after you.‘

But Veronica laughed at her whether she was brazen or innocent. Like what could she do to her.

The smile on Elena's face deepened.
"There's another person who made me feel happier today, as happy as I can count it as in my life's hand. The most noble and beautiful person in the Empire visited the salon to celebrate the opening of the Basilica. Please give her a round of applause, Princess Veronica."

Visitors applauded Elena's introduction. The occasional clapping of applause and lukewarm responses made her less welcome.
Elena's introduction of Veronica, even though she knew it clearly, was to indirectly criticize her disregard for the Salon’s rules and use it as a means to raise Salon's status.

Veronica, standing at the landing without even asking Elena's permission, laughed.
"You must be nervous?"
Elena laughed at Veronica's provocation. "No way. I'm rather looking forward to it."

'Excited? What kind of accident would your princess have? Will they be able to smile even if they see what I prepared?’

Elena and Veronica, who were facing each other on the stairs, smiled at each other. It was a malicious smile, concealing the knives that would stab each other in the back.
"I've been invited, so I'll give you a toast for courtesy." Elena backed away as if she wanted to.

Veronica looked down at the crowd and lifted her plump lips.
"I'll let you know in advance in case everyone gets it wrong. I came here with the invitation of L. L sent me a gesture of reconciliation, and I responded. There is no old feeling left in our history."

Visitors were excited by Veronica's shocking declaration. It was the worst relationship between the two women in the capital.
Considering the rivalry between Noblesse Street, Salon and Basilica, it should have been seen as a feud that could not be closer.

"I hope L and Salon will have endless glory."
After finishing the extremely normal congratulatory speech, Veronica turned and went down the stairs. As Veronica went down the stairs, she turned her head and looked up at Elena standing on the steps, giving her a meaningful smile.
It was a smile that made people chew.
Elena went ahead with her next schedule, as Veronica is the only one who could care about her.

"Thank you, Your Highness Veronica, for making such a difficult step. Ladies and gentlemen, why don't we all celebrate today?"

The maids, who were assigned to help the banquet, went around with champagne to fill the visitors' Flute glasses. Elena was also handed a glass. The colour of the champagne, which had a wonderful aroma, was as brilliant as ever.

"For the infinite glory of the VIPs and salons who have made this occasion shine."
"For the sake of!"

The VIPs sang along with Elena's lead, taking champagne to their mouths simultaneously and wet their throats.


"Ah!" There was an uncontrollable glee over Veronica's whole body, watching Elena savor champagne. It was thrilling enough to penetrate the spine. "Oh, I'm nervous,"

It's about time. The poison, obtained from a shortage of grasslands, would reveal its toxicity as soon as it is absorbed into the body. Even in a small amount, the stomach fluid is inverted to the pain of burning the five organs, and the head would spin. Then they struggled in pain and die slowly.

"I have a hunch that it will be the best day of my life."

Veronica's eyes did not fall from L. Just a little while. Just imagining L struggling with her eyes turned upside down was insanely fantastic.

The visitors were a bonus.
« Dog and pig. It's killing them all. » It will be up to Elena and Salon, who organized the banquet anyway.

Of course, it's the premise of survival. Time had passed. Perhaps due to expectations, she felt as slow as a second.
Veronica's heartbeat slowly subsided. The excited expression also hardened.
'The poison must have spread all over your body already.' Should it be filled with cries of pain for help?

It was time for Veronica to be embarrassed because there was no expected response.

"The crystal champagne I just received from you was given by the imperial family."
"What?" Veronica's eyes shook.

Obviously, the champagne for today's banquet was supposed to be supplied by an outside company. Champagne from the imperial family all of a sudden. She had never heard of it.

"I received a commendation for my contribution to cultural development because of the overlapping events."
There was a lot of applause here and there. Elena returned a light bow.

"Thank you, Crystal Champagne, a precious wine that you can't get with money. I wanted to share it with you. It's all thanks to you that I can be who I am now."

Veronica's expression has turned as scary as the devil. There was no one coming close, but I was reluctant to even get close.

"You......You!” Veronica, whose eyes were turned upside down, was on the verge of an accident at any moment. When the perfectly prepared plan went up in smoke, She could not controlled herself.

Anger captured the whole body and expressed hatred toward Elena.

But there was something more unbearable. It was that L's face. As if she knew everything, the lines of her eyes looking down at her with ease scratched her nerves to the point where she wanted to dig her eyes.

"You took it too far," a man said. Veronica's head turned, knowing exactly that it was meant for her.

The classy elegance that can't be hidden even though it is covered with pure white tailcoat, dark black hair, and golden eagle mask.
Veronica recognized at a glance the identity of a man with a quick, eye-catching figure.
"You... ...Ciel?"
"I remember never allowing you to call me by my name."
There was a blatant displeasure in Ciel’s voice. "You did it,"
Veronica glared venomously. Her fierce and cold eyes were as vicious as to bite off even the neck of Ciel, the crown prince of the empire.


« I want to ask you one thing. Did Grand Duke Franche agree to this reckless and absurd plan? »
« Oh, I don't know why You’re curious about that. You've lost your dignity and you're blind to L. »
« Answer the question. » Veronica flinched at the low-lying Ciel voice. « You'd better say it. »

Like a rope, the tie-up was stifling to live, and its shoulders crouched.
'Is this the Crown Prince?'
Veronica was confused with this man in front of her. There was no image of a gentleman who was polite, if not friendly.
The youthful glances and violence in the words were harsh enough to make even Veronica flinch and intimidate.
"I'm holding back what I want to kill right now."

—

"You did it?"
Veronica glared at Ciel vilely.
"I ask, is it your fault?" Ciel’s eyes sank. "I'll ask again"

Beyond the mask of the golden eagle, Ciel’s eyes flashed.
The eyes of the predator made her tremble enough to wonder how she had been holding his breath. Veronica swallowed a dry saliva.

She kept shaking and her upper and lower teeth collided. Her hair stood on end and she couldn't breathe. Fear eroded from tiptoe to toe.
"You think this will scare me? Kill me if you're confident. Kill me." Despite her pale face, Veronica threw him into evil. No, as time went by, her eyes became more intense like a poisoned snake. "We've seen each other since we were kids. I'm confident I know enough about you. You can never kill me."

"You don't sound That confident ."
Ciel asked back and took a threatening step forward.

Veronica grabbed hold of her shaky arm and stretched her waist.

Ciel was not so emotional as to kill her in such an open place.

« It's me, Veronica von Friedrich. The only heir to the great duchy. »Veronica dismissed Ciel as bluffing.

It was because it was obvious that he couldn’t scratch her, if not, he would turn the Grand duke into an enemy.
But why? She had an inexplicable sense of anxiety and fear.

"There's one thing you didn't know either," said Ciel’s low voice, which was colder than frost. « There was someone who could heat my heart, which I thought was cold, hotter than lava. And you tried to touch her. »


As Ciel approached one more step threateningly, Veronica backed away unknowingly.
His expressionless face and a ferocious spirit from beyond the mask made her suddenly terrified.

For Veronica, Ciel was just a pedigree husband. A good-spoken husband, it was an accessory that would make her look better.
But now she saw it wasn't. This man was dangerous.
Veronica, who was backing down, bumped into someone.
Someone caught her off balance and reeling from the high heel.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?" the assisted Looked at Veronica reflectively.
« L. »
« You don't look well, » raised L's lips, which were not covered by a mask. It was an obvious sneer. "You must be very annoyed. The woman who should have died by now is alive."

"You!" Veronica glared as if to kill L.
"Did you think I'd fall for such a sloppy plan? It's not a threat. To compare with Liv."

When the unexpected name popped out, Veronica's eyes were tightened.
« Liv? » Liv is a nickname for Leabrick. Veronica's recollection was that she was the only one in the Grand Duchy that Leabrick allowed to nickname.

"Oups, without me knowing. Habits are scary. I've been calling her that for years, and you come out like this."

« Who are you? » asked Veronica in a cold voice.

« Do you want to know? »
« Don't play games. Before I rip that mouth off, »

Elena smiled silently, despite the threat.
"Don't get too excited. I was going to show you now. Look who I am."

Elena reached out and grabbed the knot that had the mask fixed. How long had she been waiting for today? It was time to be rewarded for the days when she died after being used miserably.

When she untied the knot, Elena's face, which was hidden behind the mask, was revealed.

"You, you!" stammered Veronica, facing Elena in the face of the earth.

Elena's face, which resembled her as if looking in a mirror, seems to have been hit on the head with a hammer.
"Okay? Who I am, what I was to you. "What I am looking at you in my own way."
Elena's full-blown smile filled with resentment over the years.

The visitors were also astonished.
« Oh, my God. »
« There’s not something wrong with my eyes? »
« L and the Princess seem so alike. »
« Do you think twins? »
« I've never heard of that. How can 2 person be so alike? »

The visitors around Elena and Veronica looked alternately at the faces of the two, shrieking.

Many people visited Salon because they were curious about L's beauty. Expectations were high.
But Elena's face, which was revealed, was surprisingly similar to Veronica. As they stood facing each other, their similar appearances drew attention.

« But you know, the atmosphere is strangely different. »
« L seems more modern and elegant. »
« Can I say this? L looks like a real princess. It looks like they've changed. Oh, you didn't hear me, did you? »
« How do you feel? Even if you pretend you don't know, it's true. The air is different. »

Each of them purged in a small voice, but some of the words were clearly heard in Veronica's ears.

"You, you!" Veronica's hand trembled like an aspen tree.
There was no more severe insult than being compared to Elena, a vulgar and baseless woman to her noble birth.
Veronica's eyes went up in mere appearance, giving a more fierce impression.

On the other hand, Elena's slightly drooping eyes.
That alone was not enough to judge who was superior.

However, the image that has been instilled in the public had determined superiority.

Veronica had lived an authoritative life based on her title as a princess and her great-great-grandfather.

In particular, the recent visit to the salon and the obstruction was an act of disrespect.

And as Elena, who played the fake Veronica, did not participate in the final competition for the Crown Princess, Veronica had to bear the damage.
They pointed out, "No matter how great it is, it is a reckless move to ignore the imperial family."

The social reputation for Veronica was not good because of the overlap of such deeds.

Conversely, the public assessment of L was different from Veronica. Her intellectual, quiet and refined dignity was so noble that it was hard to find her when they looked back on the history of the empire. She was well-received by society, and was even honored by Prince Ciel- the Crown Prince.

Considering that women have received less than five titles in the history of the Empire, they could guess how much L's public confidence and reputation were.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that she has a close relationship with Prince Ciel by saying,
"Today, the royal family will offer champagne for congratulations and even offer a cultural commendation."

Aside from the background of the Grand Duke, there was no lack of Elena compared to Veronica.

The heat loss compared to twin-like looks made Veronica even more crazy and jumpy. It was a humiliation for her to be treated like this.

"As of today, people will remember this." Elena smiled as the winner. Then she said in a triumphant voice. « I don't look like you, you look like me. »
« What? » Veronica's eyes were turned upside down.

Elena's words, which are provocative enough to provoke an accident, broke the pride of a strand that kept Veronica afloat.
"How dare you insult me you fake?" Veronica's lips trembled. « You’re just a double dummy! A rootless b!tch! »

This moment was unbearably humiliating.

"Fake? Where in the world is the real thing and where is the fake thing? It's not your Highness who judges it."
Elena responded politely, but only picking out words that scratched Veronica’s stomach.

Unaware of the unknown circumstances and old feelings of the two, visitors thought that Veronica was arguing because she didn’t like L's face, which resembled her for no reason.

« That mask, you should have been wearing it to the death. You must have taken it off for no reason, right? »
Veronica gnawed her teeth.

If she could, she would have to pour the champagne she was holding onto Elena's face, break the glass, and smash her face with shrapnel to relieve her anger. She couldn't even imagine what kind of accident she would have caused if a strand of reason hadn't caught her. `

Veronica thought it was better. Elena was a b!tch whom she should have killed. Months has passed since Leabrick failed to handle her work properly, but she should not let her live any longer.

« 'll see until when you can still make that face,'»turned Veronica, biting her lips.
‘I'll rip that bitch to death and then crush the body with my feet. ‘

The fact that she was the one who laughed last never changes.

In spite of the shivering threat, Elena burst into laughter.
« Ah. »
Elena felt as if her heart had been pierced. As the emotional goal that had been kept silent was resolved at once, the excitement penetrated the whole body.
« I don't know if I can afford to care, » said Elena, with a meaningful smile. There would be nothing in Veronica's eyes now.

She thought she could wring Elena's neck right now with the Grand Duke on her back. Soon, however, she would find it difficult. It is regrettable that Veronica’s distorted face could not be seen.

Ashlea’s punishment (the one that was always loyal to Veronica.):

After the Grand Duke knew about the failed poisoning attempt, he was furious and decided put Ashelas in a corporal punishment:

They were put in a leather bag and was hit repeatedly by a knight with a metal bat.
Blood stained all over the bag as the knight continued to swing his bat. Ashelas struggled Without screaming. The hitting sound only stopped when he couldn’t move anymore.

————————————

The Grande Duke’s anger:

The Grand Duke was mad at Veronica, not because she attempted to mass murder all the people in the Salon, but because she wasn’t careful enough.
He was still confident enough about his influence. For him, even if they committed felonies, they would always be exonerated because they were of noble descent. Nobody would even dare to hold them accountable anyways, he thought.

Veronica, humiliated by L, was hostile and pledged her father to get rid of her, but the Grand Duke refused, saying that « It’s not the time. She’s still too big to touch », as L’s reputation in society was very good and she was supported by the Imperial family.


The news of the Imperial Guards reforms added to his shook:
Only last night, Ciel seized the control of the Guard’s headquarters and stripped them of all their titles. New guards were selected by the Emperor himself, and the Crown Prince was appointed to be their new Captain.

The Imperial Guards stood for the power of the Imperial family. That’s why they were the first thing that the Duke had touched to neutralize Ciel and the Emperor. He took in every incompetent aristocratic children into the position to weaken their power and loyalty.

However, now that the old Imperial Guard was disbanded and the new one was established, it was clear that it was a Will to strengthen the Royal family’s power, and implicitly a declaration of war against the Grand Duke
« I must have misread him », said the Duke.
Indeed, Richard was a weak emperor. Not very wise, no determination and had a genetic chronic disease which weaken his body. For decades, he was obedient enough to follow the Grand Duke’s decisions. But recently, he gradually began to show signs of disobedience and eventually revealed his hidden fangs.

Emperor Richard’s declaration of war had awakened the Grand Duke’s real nature, as the worst man of the Empire, which had been languishing for decades.

——————————————————

The “Fake” Veronica’s sabotage:

Elena at her « Fake » Veronica days, had been making a deal with 2 Barons and a Count about the Noblesse Street. She asked for their investment, and promised that she would share the profits of the Noblesse Street to them.

So one day, the 3 nobles came for Veronica (the Real one) and asked for the shares.
Veronica was exclaimed about how she never did that and she wouldn’t give any shares (Her profit was close to none)
The nobles knew she would say that so they gave her a writing certificate, written by « her » (Elena). Veronica even doubted her own eyes: L/the fake one was able to imitate so well her handwriting that even she was confused if she had really wrote it.

Veronica asked them to stop and warned them.
However, the nobles was furious as they had invested an astronomical amount of money. They interrogated Veronica about where she had put their money into and asked her to take responsibility

( Elena had given all their money to Ciel in order to reform the Imperial Guards )

Veronica refused of course. The 3 nobles warned that she would regret, in which Veronica just laughed.

When the 3 of them left, Veronica was unable to overcome her temper: she threw away all the things on her desk and suddenly grabbed the scissors and stabbed the sofa frantically (crazy bitch.)
« L! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE »
She checked out the investment bill, and discovered that most of the investment disappeared without a trace right after it came.

Back to the poor 3 nobles. They were robbed of their money, and were trying to find out a way to get revenge.
First, they would stopped every transaction with the Grand Duke family
Then, they would gather public opinion about this matter to other local nobles. They were sure they were not the only one who was used by the Grand Duke.
Finally, they would deduct the amount that the other nobles had to pay in order to gain their support in their actions.
⇒ The Grand Duke would then suffer from severe financial difficulties. It was the most effective way to diminish the Grand Duke’s influence in such a short time.
« Soon, the funds of the Grand Park will dry out. »
« The thirsty man will have no choice but to reach out to us for their well being »

—————————————

Len’s rumors:

A terrible rumor was going around the capital: Len, the heir of the influential Bastache family was killed by a blind arrow.
It brought the Bastache family into shock.
Elena profited from this situation to aim at all the people and employees in the family that were bought-off by the Grand Duke.
Len was still unconscious. The doctor warned Elena that it would be dangerous if the coma continued.

———————————————-

L (Elena) meets the Emperor:

« Look, it’s L ! » The aristocrats who were visiting the Basilica found Elena standing in front of the Imperial Wagon chatted
« I don’t know why she had been covering her face with that beauty »
« I heard it was because she was afraid of her ressemblance with Princess Veronica »
« It’s impossible. She is too elegant. I don’t think you can buy that with money »
« People say you’re born with it, but I guess it’s true »

« But why did the Imperial family send her a carriage? »
« Did you not know? Today, the Emperor, his majesty praised L for her contribution to the development of the Empire’s culture and offered her a cultural’s medal »

Elena climbed on the carriage and went to the Imperial Palace.
As the carriage’s door opened, Ciel came personally and escorted her. Elena was embarrassed.

Entering the main palace, she bowed down to greet the Emperor. Ciel stepped aside and introduced Elena to his father.
Richard couldn’t take his eyes of Elena’s manners. It was more arduous and excellent than anyone he had ever seen in his life. When he looked at her face, it reminded him of the Grand Duke of Frances.
‘I can’t believe it. You look alike, but also so different ’
Contrary to the Grand Duke, the brillance in Elena’s eyes was enough to illuminate even the darkness with light. It was also warm and soft. But like the duke, they both had the dignity of a giant.

« Our Prince ows you a lot »
« What do you mean? It’s not true. I’ve always been help by his Highness the Crown Prince »
« Huh, you’re even modest ». The Emperor’s eyes warmed up.

The emperor asked Elena if she wanted something, in which she refused, saying that the title and the medal were already enough.


Richard then asked Ciel to go out to bring some object, leaving Elena alone with him.
At that moment, the atmosphere became serious.
«The Grand Duke is a dangerous man »
« I know »
« He’s aiming for the Bastache family »
Elena showed signs of surprise at the unexpected topic.

« Len, I’ve heard from Ciel. He is unconscious, isn’t he? »
« Yes, the wounds are completely healed, and I believe he will soon wake up »
Elena believed that Len would soon wake up and laughed at her as if nothing had happened.

« He would need to wake up in a hurry »
« What do you mean? »
It seems that The Grand Duke was planning to kill off one important person from the Bastache family.

« I have a trick to catch the Grand Duke, will you listen? »
Elena was surprised as she did never thought about the Emperor who brought up a proposal to bring down the Grand Duke first.

« I’ll listen. Please allow me to have a word before that. »
« ? »
« I’m just the owner of a salon, and I’m only a baroness. I don’t have any knight to take control of the Grand Duke. I wonder what are your intentions to say that to me. Even without his Royal highness the Crown Prince »
The emperor had intentionally ruled out Ciel from the discussion, as if he had nothing to say to him.

« I’ll tell you the plan » the Emperor opened his mouth as if he had opened his mind.

Elena’s eyes grew as big as full moon at the plan of the Emperor. It was such a bold and unconventional schema, and only with Elena’s absolute consent could it be realized.

« This is it. »
« Now do you understand? »

« But your Majesty,... »
This scheme inevitably forced the sacrifice of the Emperor Richard. And it would be none other than Ciel who would grieve the most at his sacrifice. Elena didn’t want to see him grieving.

Looking at Elena hesitating, the Emperor called for an answer
« As a father, I have done nothing for my son. I’d like to act as a father. Will you help me? »

Elena suddenly had an idea. There was a way to avoid sacrifice!
« I’ll obey your will. Instead, please make a pact with me »
« A promise? »
Emperor Richard was later surprised by Elena’s plan. It was because Elena knew the secret of the palace that only a member of the Imperial family should know.


——————————

Ciel’s gift to Elena:

Ciel soon came back with a box.

« Give it to L »
Elena took the box and Ciel opened it.

It was a brooch, used as a gift only to the members of the royal family. Elena knew it well. She had seen it several times on the Empress Cecilia.

« It’s a brooch that’s been handed down to the imperial family for generations. I hope you will continue to be the light of the Royal Family » said Richard, who secretly expressed his innermost thoughts.

« It’s not something I deserve » She would have accepted it with a happy heart before, but not anymore. Elena no longer had any lingering attachment to the brooch. Rather it became a burden to know the long meaning and weight of the jewel

« Thank you, Your Majesty, but the brooch need to be with someone else. It’s too precious for me to dare to accept »
« How can it be that precious compared to my heart that values you? Take it »

Elena was in a great hesitation when Emperor Richard recommended it again. She hesitated because it seemed to cold to turn away from the Emperor

« I’m grateful that your Majesty thinks I’m precious. I’ll keep it safe »

« Huh. » The emperor laughed in vain. When she said that she would keep it without wearing, it meant that she still didn’t accept to become a member of the imperial family
It might be vulgar but it was the best answer that Elena could give in.

She glanced at Ciel who gave her a gentle smile.
‘Ah. Was he always such a warm-hearted person?’
Elena’s deep seated feeling of pressure and sorry melted away

« That’s enough. I’m glad to have a meaningful moment after a long time. I’d also like to have a cup of tea, but I’ll put it off next time, » the Emperor coughed and his complexion turned bad.

Elena prayed for him before leaving. Ciel also stayed away so that his father could rest.
.
.
.
« It's your first time in the palace, would you like a cup of tea? »
« First time? » Elena opened her eyes round and blinked at Ciel's suggestion.
She had visited the palace several times as Veronica to participate in the selection ceremony for the Crown Princess.

« This is your first official visit to the palace as L. »
« Oh. »
« So I'd like you to allow me to have the first tea time with you in the palace. »

Elena burst into laughter.
"I didn’t knew you had this kind of eloquence."
"Because I'm in front of you and I'm afraid you'll refuse."
"It can't be rejected"

Elena's favorable answer softened Ciel’s expression.

« His majesty didn’t even think of me. If you feel burdened, I apologize on his behalf » said Xian, looking at Elena, who took a sip of tea and laid down her glass.

"Please don’t Apologize, It was His Majesty's sincerity » Elena touched the teacup with a tearful glance. « I'm just careful because it might not be me. »

« Sure. » Ciel brooded and spared her words. It wasn't because he wasn't curious. He just didn't want to put it on her head. All along as he has so far chosen was to wait.

"Was it uncomfortable?"
"No. he was not difficult. He’s a good man,"

Ciel took the teacup to his mouth without a word. There was a faint smile hanging around his mouth, hidden in the teacup.
His father was the emperor who leads the empire. Ciel couldn't help but liking a woman who told him that such an emperor was not difficult and that he was a good person.

« That's enough. »
« Your Grace. »
« I won't ask you anything. I don't want you to be in trouble. If it's something I need, I'll tell you first. »

Elena was still unadjusted. She had seen that look in Ciel all along, but it was still awkward.

"Elena."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"It's not because of that I asked you for tea time. I wanted to put aside complicated stories and let you rest here for a while."

As she always felt, Ciel thought of Elena before himself. The sincerity was enough to convey a small vibration to Elena's mind, which was rigid with tension.

Hi, everyone. I am a novel reader and I am going to provide spoilers for those of you who want them, so read this with discretion! (Also some from the novel spoilers thread because they can explain far better than me.) Also, English is not my first language so I’m very sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes. This is going to be VERYYYYY long with A LOT of juicy spoilers!!!

Also, the main focus of this is not romance at all. The romance is kinda sorta near the end, not end end. It’s hard to explain but I will just say that this is mainly revenge focused.

First, the male lead:

The male lead is the crown prince. I initially had thought it would be the knight, but that knight is just a cute little addition who stays by her side! When they go to a masquerade ball, she reveals that she is not the real Veronica to him while they are in a carriage after he says that it is a “Knights duty to follow their master and it’s an honor that Elena chose him/me.”

This is the “relationship redemption” type. To be honest, the crown prince is one of my absolute favorite male leads. He is in the top 5. That is how much I adore him. And I do think you guys will adore him as much as I did while reading. Hopefully, these spoilers will satiate you!

The male lead, the crown prince. His name is Sian, or I guess “Claudius de Cyan” as they said in the manwha, In the first timeline, he had realized that Veronica was the fake and fell deeply in love with her. He wanted to protect her so he could not confess his feelings for her because if the nobles has noticed that he has any sort of affection for her, the grand Duke would use that opportunity for himself to gain support. The only reason why he said that their child, Ian, was a mistake is because Ian is male and could become an heir. He could not protect her, and not confessing his feelings to her became a useless thing. The Grand Duke had gained support.

Once the fake Veronica died (killed), he was so overcome with rage that he killed the real one and protected their baby. However, Sian still ended up being killed by the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke wanted to take revenge because Sian killed his daughter.

One of my favorite quotes from him, “ “Ian, your mother was the most beautiful and well-bred woman in the world. So let's remember her. Even though she lived as a shadow, she was a better queen than any other. Only you and I should not forget, Ian. Do you understand?"”

He died in vain. A horrible death. He tried to protect his beloved but he failed, and he tried to protect his child but he ended up being murdered.

Sian is a swordsmaster but he lived his life hiding his abilities due to the grand duke’s family, however in this timeline he changed his mind after listening to our FL and became an emperor/king dedicated to protecting his people.



Why they need a fake Veronica:

They needed a fake Veronica because the real one was poisoned and placed into a coma. The only way that it was going to be cured was to continue to let the coma run its course on her. Veronica was losing recognition in the social world so they quickly needed someone to take her place. That is why the cousin, Ren is very suspicious of her.

At first they needed to hide Veronica’s poisoning by having a substitute.
But Elena was a really good ‘fake Veronica’, even better than the original one, so they just decided to force her to work hard and build a good reputation for Veronica before her return.
Since Elena was simply a substitute, every of her achievements would be imputed to the Real Veronica. When Elena wasn’t ‘useful’ anymore, they would just have to eliminate her and Veronica would take her achievements without lifting a finger.


We
When Elena reveals that she is the a fake to the knight Hurebald in the carriage:

At first Hurelbad couldn't believe Elena's words, but then Elena confirmed that the real Veronica was alive and she was just a substitute. She also told him that the real Veronica might appear in any day and after that Elena would be like a puppet who had lost its value after the puppet show. Hurelbad was angry at Elena and told her that it doesn't matter if she is fake or not, she is his master and that wouldn’t change. Elena was touched by his loyalty and revealed that she is L and the owner of the famous saloon (Elena had anonymously owned a Saloon. And then the next scene proceeds with more of our beloved crown prince, Sian. Sian/Sion/Ciel/Cyan/Xion (you may see that as a translation for his name) and count Lyndon. Raid the opium dealers place. Sian reflects on how meeting Elena changed his life (Elena was the one that trapped the opium dealers and inform Sian). Yes, even more badass she is.

Sian’s relationship with Veronica (not Elena.) , how he reacted when he first meets her and how he falls in love with the fake Elena. all of this applies to the first timeline:

He despised Veronica. Each time he got close to her, he could only think of her cruelty in his memory. During childhood, she was not a kind person either. In his eyes, she was only a hypocrite, cruel and vicious woman.

During their official mariage, he didn't even bother to make eye contact with her since it was not worth it. The only thing they did was to do the first formal dance at the after-party dinner.
Veronica tried to call him, but Sian just ignored her.

After the party, Sian had to spend the night with Veronica. Veronica, in her nightwear, took courage to speak and to propose him some wine, but Sian still treated her as if she was invisible. He sat on a chair facing away from Veronica and stared at the window across the street.
He sat in this position until sunrise then left the room codly without any greetings.
It was one of the biggest humiliations that Veronica had faced.


How he falls in love with her (Elena) in the first timeline:

One day, Sian heard from Cecilia that Elena was learning tea etiquette. He found it quite unexpected coming from her but it was still not something he would care for.

When he walked through the East Palace, he heard that 'Veronica' was there. It made him feel like a precious place had been defiled by something ugly.
"Go back." He tried to chase her away, but when he saw 'Veronica's lonesome glance and her wistful smile , he was deeply confused whether she was really Veronica.
Nevertheless, he turned away, ignoring such annoyance. It's just a passing question. To Ciel, she was nothing but an object of contempt.

Every 2 days, 'Veronica' came to see Ciel to make him some tea, but it always resulted in him sending her back. This time, she began to disturbe Ciel, since the real Veronica never acted like this.
It became a daily routine for Ciel to send her back each time she came to see him

One day, she didn't came. Ciel found it unusual and asked his subordinates to find her whereabouts. Turned out she was having a tea time with Emperor Richard.
He then rushed to the garden and heard his father laughing. He doubted his ears since the emperor Richard had lost his laughter as his health deteriorated and as the atrocities of the nobles went too far. But now, he was showing a faint smile.
Well, Ciel decided to cut in

. Veronica was so embarassed that she ran away, whereas Ciel finally tasted her tea for the first time and found it surprinsingly delicious


When Richard died and his funeral took place, Ciel couldn't take his eyes off "Veronica" in a moment. Everything in "Veronica's mourning the death of Emperor Richard was reverent. Her moist eyes were filled with sincerity to dismiss it as acting.

After that, he overheard Len and Elena and discovered that she was a fake all along

When 'Veronica' saw him, she was terrified, Ciel was struck by a strong impulse. He wanted to comfort her. But he knew he shouldn't, so Ciel overcame the urge and turned a blind eye to her. He ignored her more harshly because she would shake his mind if he made eye contact.

Ciel became more and more confused about his feeling when he learned that "Veronica" was learning Painting from Raphael. He interrogated the latter, who responded to him that Veronica was not a cruel woman and she was suffering from a terrible solitude. Ciel didn't understand why since Veronica was the heir of the Grand Duke's house, with almost the world below her feet.

Sometimes later, Cecilia died by poisoning. Veronica's house was the prime suspect. 'Fake Veronica' too was a strong suspect since Cecilia drank tea with her the day before she died. But when Ciel saw "Veronica"'s moist eyes, looking at the dead Cecilia, which seemed to be heartbroken. Although she didn't shed tears, she seemed to swallow her sorrow. It was appalling to think that she was the one who poisoned Cecilia.

Cecilia's vacancy didn't feel much. Veronica, who participated in the Empress's events, played her role without fail.
The time between Ciel and "Veronica" naturally increased as they worked on the official schedule. When their eyes happened to meet, she shook her head, not knowing what to do.

Ciel looked at the fake Veronica. As the suspicion of being a fake grew stronger, there was admiration for the fake Veronica and her striking resemblance. They ressembled each other like twins.
However the fake Veronica was a good example of how to socialize with the envoys. Her elegant hand gestures, her smile and a frivolous way of speaking were incredibly dignified.
Perhaps conscious of Ciel's gaze, "Veronica" turned her head, and showed signs of embarrassment. She smiled awkwardly.
At that moment Ciel's face also turned with embarrassment. As he faced that smile, an indescribable strange feeling shook his chest to the point of displeasure. Ciel turned his head to turn away from the unknown emotion (love.)


After that day, Ciel deliberately kept the fake Veronica away. However, there were many common events between them. He tried not to make eye contact as much as he could, but she smiled awkwardly when he tried not to.
Thump. Yeah, that smile. It rushed in without permission and left its mark deep in Ciel's heart. It was a smile that made him think of something even when he closed his eyes and did other things.
.
.
It was the National Day, when Ciel got sick from overworking. Laying in his bed, he heard a voice calling him. It was the 'Fake Veronica'
The fake Veronica was looking anxiously down at him.
He asked:
"Who are you?"
"Yes?" The fake Veronica's eyes shook violently.
"I asked who you were."
It was something he wanted to ask more than a thousand times. Who was she?

To the unexpected question, the fake Veronica was silent. Soon, she smiled. A very painful and sad smile.
"It's me. The Empress Cecilia."
It couldn't be Cecilia. Because she was dead.
Still, Ciel understood why the fake Veronica said that: she was worried that Ciel might kick her out when he knew she was Veronica, but she wanted to be with him and she couldn't leave him because she was worried.
Ciel couldn't say anything. He was anxious to see her sincerity coming to him.
And Ciel's heart, which had been kept deep in his heart, was no different from hers, it was heartbroken.


Ciel felt that he wanted to put down his duties and responsibilities that he had on his shoulders for the first time while he was in a daze.
Ciel pulled her hand.
"Your Majesty?" The fake Veronica's upper body bent down like a fall.
Her surprised face was for a moment, and she gently closed her eyes, and soon after, their lips covered. They gave each other sad kisses that would only hurt each other.

Ciel/Sian’s memory’s in the second timeline:

Ciel didn’t reincarnate or got his memories of the 1st timeline back, he didn’t understand why Elena pushed him away like a person who was hurt by him.

Moreover, it was actually Elena who saw his flashbacks of the past in the form of dreams and not Ciel himself. So it was safe to say that this current Ciel didn’t have any idea about what he had done to her. (Basically Elena gets flashbacks of Ciel and learns why he treated her coldly.)

In the second timeline (current) he quickly becomes infatuated by her! He also finds out very quickly that she is a substitute!

——————————————————————

Elena and Ren team up to take down the duchy, the saloon a mentioned earlier (in Korean, l and r are commonly mixed up so Len and Ren will be used interchangeably)

Under the name of L, Elena organized a Secret Mask Salon. She used Lucia's appearance (wig, glasses,...)

That day, Elena met up with Len and asked him if he was her enemy in which he answered that they were on the same side now and he would help her to destroy the Grand Duchy.

Hurelbad and Elena's people were quite worried about this collaboration since Len was a double edge sword: His potential was sure to be a great help but there was also a risk that he might go out of control, but Elena still decided to trust him.

—————————————-

The delay of Veronica’s return:

Veronica was now awoken and was ready to return at anytime.

With that in mind, Elena and Ciel had a secret met-up. Ciel was dead-worried and asked Elena to leave as soon as possible since the Grand Duke would come to take her life very soon.
However, Elena knew that even if they had inflicted a financial damage to the Grand Duchy (the destruction of the opium plantation), it still lacked a decisive blow.

In order to buy herself sometimes, Elena asked Ciel to organize a selection to elect the Crown Princes, with the final ceremony in four month. Reluctant but Ciel utimately accepted her request.
Since Veronica hadn't been in society in over 3 years, Liv and the Grand Duchy would have no choice but to embrace Elena who was equipped with the necessary qualities to fight against other nobles.
During that time, Elena would use her status as Princess Veronica to turn the nobility around.
Before leaving, Ciel asked Elena to not get hurt and if she felt dangerous, just throw everything away and get out of there.

At Liabrick (Liv)'s side, she was surprised with the news of the Crown Princess' ceremony, and just as Elena predicted, she and the Grand Duke decided to use Elena for the competition.
Liv came to inform the Real Veronica about her delayed return and promised her that when she came back, the Crown Princess' would already be ready for her to sit.
Veronica warned Liv that she would not accept any blemishes when she came back but accepted the decision. For Veronica, the seat was obviously for her since in the only Empire, there was only Ciel who was fit for her (she did not like him romantically but she thought that only him would be at her level of nobility gosh, shows how she’s a hold digging bitch.)

Liv came to see Elena and give her a letter from her parents (obviously a fake since they didn't know their whereabouts and they didn't know that the mastermind was Elena haha), threatened her to do well in the Crown Princess' competition if not they would take back the money from them.
Elena just laughed inside and played with Liv's abominable prank.

——————————————-

The preparation: (further spoilers ahead are the academy and more of Elena being the white lotus she is )

Liv increased Elena's lessons but her teacher (Madam the Pangloz) knew that Elena was already perfect so instead they just leisurely having tea time or she just let Elena alone and the latter continued to prepared her plan


The servent brought out fortune cookies and Elena understood that inside those biscuits there were secret messages from Len to not make the Grand Duchy suspicious

Later, Liv dragged Elena into a nobles' meeting to try to find faults in her but Elena just succeded in everything (her gaze, hand gestures, speech were all perfect)
Elena just thought "Veronica won't get her reputation either way"

Inside Liabrick's mind, doubts became more and more intense "maybe, really if..she lied to me?!" As in the past she would have dismissed as nonsense but not anymore (ya know when she failed as appointing Lorentz as Elena's watchdog and many other stuffs).
She secretly asked for Anne the maid to report to her everything, but Anne just lied by fear. Liv noticed there was a ruby ring in Anne's finger.
She understood that Elena had pretented to trust Anne, gave her a precious jewelry and ultimately succeded in buying her


Elena attented some other meetings and she noticed that Liabrick became more and more wary of her.
This time, she danced with Len and during the dance they talked about political stuffs.

She also talked with some other nobles. I skipped those parts too but she managed to manipulate some of them, secretly came to their mansion disguised as May (with Hurelbad as her side) and proposed to them some investissment.

Back to Ciel, he met up with a Jacqueline who was introduced to him by Elena as "L". They talked about the preparation of the downfall of the Grand Duchy and Jacqueline said that she thought Ciel and L were lovers and Ciel had a faint smile haha

—————————————————

First contest:

First contest was tea time. There were 34 candidates.

Of course, Elena was perfect. Other nobles including Abella (she came from other grand families) tried to mock 'Fake Veronica' but Elena just smiled and talked to them about the illegal transaction during the late-night ball recently and those girls freaked out

In the meantime, Leabrick tried to find the 'suspicious' people who came to the late-night ball and ultimately destroyed their financial income (the ball was financed by the Grand Duke). Her doubt came to Ciel (yep they also monitored the Crown Prince) and understood that him too was up to something.
Since there were too many stuffs going on, Liabrick overworked and became more and more skinny.

Anyway, she came to Elena's room and announced her result: 'fake Veronica' came 1st with an overwhelming score.
Elena played the fake white lotus and acted as if she was really surprised and happy while Liv pretended to be a "good sister", holding Elena's hands, and questioned her about Len, about why she met up with him. She kept pressuring Elena in order to find some faults and mistakes.
Well, Elena just cried and made some excuse that she met up with him because Len knew she was a substitute . Liv patted Elena shoulders, saying that Elena wouldn't need to worry because she would take care of it blabla

Lorentz reported everything to the Real Veronica. The latter didn't seem so uninterested anymore. This time, she asked Lorentz to tell Liabrick to keep the doll (= Elena) alive. Lorentz didn't understand why and Veronica explained that it would be more fun to see the despair in her substitute "You take what's most precious, you trample on it, you throw it away. Just as fair as you enjoyed it...I'll give it to you, to that mean bitch who looks like me"

—————————————


Second contest:

The second contest was a face-to-face with the elders.
Elena came down the stair, the grand duke waited for her, hugged her and prayed for her good fortune.

During the competition, Elena gave different answers compared to other candidates and the jury seemed to really like her.

The contest ended, Elena had a secret talk with Ciel (he was so cuute, I mean he said something like "It's a shame that you're doing so well. There's no room for me to come forward" or "meeting you is the greatest blessing of my life") and talked about the plan in her head. Ciel was really amazed!

—————————-

Liv/ Liabrick leaving:

Liabrick was now in a difficult position: she made a mistake (opium plantation and stuffs) but was given another chance to made up because she was trusted by the Grand Duke, but things kept slipping out of her hands. If she couln't succeed this time, she would likely lost her position. Panicked, she went to the Grand Duke, tried to persuade him and asked him to give her 10 more days to split up the organized aristocracy.
But there was no place for her in the heart of the Grand Duke.
He was disappointed in Liv and she couldn't not do anything as she pleased anymore.

Still Liv confided to the Grand Duke than the 'Fake Veronica' was really suscious and said goodbye to the Grand Duke who didn't even bother to look at her.

When Elena heard from Anne that Liabrick was leaving the palace, she was so happy that she wanted to laughed at her with a sad performance. But it was too early to be intoxicated with a small victory. The duke and Veronica were still alive and there was still a long way to go.

Just in time, Elena saw Liv leaving the mansion. Their gazes collided, Elena didn't avoid the eye. There were no need to deceive Leabrick anymore, and she had a faint but clear smile around her mouth

After Liv left, Lorentz came to see Elena as the Grand Duke's command and promised to serve Elena with all his heart. Elena just laughed as his hypocrisy and acted as if she was really happy to have him. Nevertheless, Elena felt safe because she knew she had Hurelbad by her side.

Lorentz's appointment to control Elena was not a coincidence, it was issued by the grand duke, which was caused by Liabrick suspicion.

———————————————

Third contest day:

The third contest was to see the Empress (Empress Florence was crowned Empress after Empress Seon (Ciel mother) died, in the first timeline she caught little Ciel like a mouse and vented her anger by persistently harassing Elena)

Before the actual contest, the following events contained in the spoilers below took place. And of course, because of that, Elena was unable to attend the 3rd competition

Liv’s attack and FAILURE!!:

Even with Lorentz by Elena's side, Liv still wanted to have revenge and decided to launch an attack to kill Elena. She deployed the 2nd infantry division around the Grand Duke palace with some of the 1st infantry division.
Now she couldn't look down on Elena anymore. She recognized her as an equal or greater than herself.
She waited for Elena to come out to kill her.

However, Elena was a few steps ahead and escaped. They couldn't even find Lorentz either. Panicked, Liv ordered the army to dispatch and find Elena.

————————————————————


The end of Lorentz:

Elena asked Hurelbad and Lorentz stay outside of her room.
A while later, Hurelbad knocked the door. No answers. He called several times but there was still no answer.

Feeling something strange, Lorentz turned the doorknob roughly and ran into the room. His expression hardened as he witnessed the empty drawing room. He searched everywhere as if being possessed but couldn't find any trace of Elena.

Click.

When Lorentz turned around, he saw Hurelbad locked the door.
"What is this about?"

Hurelbad, whose expression did not change even though Elena had vanished
"The lady told me to deliver the message"
He pulled out the sword
"I'll give Lord Lorentz, the knight of Betrayal, a sabbatical. That's the punishment for you"

Lorentz's face was beautifully distorted. It sound ridiculous and insulting to say that a little junior was going to punish him


"The knight of betrayal? I've accepted you as a knight without foundation, and you're not even have the qualifications for, it's a sight. Listen to me Hurelbad! The knight of betrayal is not me but you! You don't even know that your owner is a fake princess. Putting a sword at me is an act of betraying the great house itself!

Hurelbad's expression did not change a bit. He raised his sword and showed firm determination
"This is my chivalry" (Hurelbas being the perfect knight he is!)
"What?"

"My lady is only her. Betraying her is the most disgraful thing to me"

"You son of a.....you know everything from the beginning!"
Now Lorentz understood the situation. It was premeditated to keep him and Hurelbad away from the drawing room under the pretext of being sensitive ahead of the 3rd contest.
Lorentz grated his teeth

"That's why I don't accept the rootless. You or that b!tch".
He pulled out the sword he was wearing. A creepy energy flowed from the blade.
"If I torture you, I'll be able to track down the face princess. Do you knowthe fake princess made a mistake? Leaving you here. You'll never win me'

Lorentz kicked the ground, blew himself away and rushed at Hurelbad but the latter slanted his body and splat his attack.
Lorentz kept on attacking and Hurelbad kept on avoiding. In anyone's eyes, Lorentz was in charge of the game. He went wild
"You're good at dodging...can you do that if I cut out off your leg?"


However, such a judgment has led to an irreversible situation.
"Oh, my God," Lorentz looked down at his abdomen with uncontrollably trembling eyes. The cold blade pierced the abdomen and seemed to protrude behind the waist.
He didn't even see the movement "Imagination? Hey, that's ridiculous. To that baseless... ...from the meadow tribe. "
Lorentz grew up thinking he was a genius since he was young. So far, his record for the youngest knight that he received at the age of 18 has not been broken.

He could not get a blow from Hurelbad. It was not a little gap, but the overwhelming gap.
Hurrelbad looked at Lorentz like that with an indifferent glance.
Hurrelbad's image of taking victory for granted made Lorentz even more miserable:

"You, you son of a b!tch..." Blood flowed back when the blade that felt cold dug into the flesh and abdomen.
He was unable to stand the bitter blood flowing back to his mouth.
"Oop."
Hurelbad stuffed his handkerchief into Lorentz's mouth. The backflowed blood colored the handkerchief red.
Lorentz had no power to resist. Looking at him like that, Hurelbad said without a hitch.
"The punishment you give is rest. Death. Don't think this is the end. I'll make you pay for insulting the meadow tribe you ignored,"
Hurrelbad looked scary.


"Come on, come on, my master..." Lorentz thought he should go to Leabrick while his consciousness was blurry. But the dying body drooped, betraying his will.

After confirming that he was out of breath, Hurelbad supported his falling body with one hand. Then, he took out an extra handkerchief and put it on top of the sword-stained blood.
It was a measure to prevent blood from leaking out as much as possible.

Elena ordered not to leave any trace as much as possible. That's why Hurelbad aimed for a loophole in the process of defeating Lorentz.
It was almost impossible for him to pull out if the guards came after hearing the sound of the sword striking.
"There's still a long way to go." It was good to deliberately avoid a close game, induce Lorenz's carelessness, and then take a blow. It was not that difficult as the difference in skills was so great.

The problem was in his hands. Angried at Lorentz insults, he reacted violently without realizing it. Emotionally, he killed Lorentz with more blood than expected.
"I don't care if you insult me and spit on my face. But I can't forgive you for swearing at my lady."

Lorentz's body, which had become a cold body, was dragged to the fireplace. Blood gushed out of the sword-stained area in Lorentz's uniform.

Hurelbad grabbed the candlestick and manipulated it as Elena told him.

Click!

There was a perfect fit, and the wall inside the fireplace opened, revealing the secret passage. Hurelbad moved the body of the sword-tipped Lorentz into a secret passage. Then, he looked inside the drawing room, looked for any traces he might have left behind, and disappeared into the secret passageway.

The stone wall closed behind the fireplace and returned to its original form.

————————————

Liabrick’s downfall:

Eventually, Lucas (= the best knight of the Grand Duke family) and a few people were able to found Elena, Hurelbad and May

They lauched an attack, but soon there were Len and Ciel who rejoined and helped Hurelbad defeating the knight.

Actually, Ciel was using the excuse of going "hunting" and "coincidentaly " witnessed the accident and launched a direct investigation.
Ciel revealed the existence of Leabrick and many political not-so-funny-stuffs going on. Consequently, many nobles openly expressed their distrust to the Grand Duchy.

In the end, even The grand duke had to come foward and comforted the angry aristocrats, saying that Leabrick had acted arbitrarily and had nothing to do with him.

In such a chaotic situation, Elena disappeared (actually she was hiding in her Secret Salon) and the Real Veronica officially returned

The Grand Duke locked Leabrick in the prison.

"It's funny," said Leah Brick, who had become half-mole by confinement. The hair was disheveled and the neat dress was dirty. There was not even a trace of the woman who shook the empire with hers brain.
"I can't believe I'm being humiliated by a little girl who doesn't even know the very foundation of the country."

"I think the reputation of Liabrick has been bubbling over. You've become arrogant after you've tasted some small success." Leabrick's eyes trembled thinly at Grand Duke Frances' insulting remarks.

She could bear it as much as she could. It was the fact that she was trampled on by Elena to the point where she could not deny a word of his miserable words.
"Kill me."
"Kill you?" sneered Grand Duke. "This is difficult."
"You've been so merciful to me."
"They're asking me to pay a huge fine for running a knight without permission in the imperial court. That's all? The nobles talk a lot about your command of the Knights."

Liabrick became a honeyed mute. It was a mistake and a failure. There was nothing to say.

Frances laughed sarcastically, looking at her avoiding the gaze.
"Have you looked in here? Half of those trapped in here are fom you."
"Well, Your Highness."
"Keep rotting in here. Every day, look back at yourself in the same situation as them and despair, Leabrick."

When he mentioned her name, Leabrick's lips, which had already turned blue, trembled. Grand Duke Frances giggled as if to enjoy her reaction.
"And you don't know, do you? Will I change my mind over time? Then I can think of your precious talent and bring it out."
"Please..."

Grand Duke Frances turned away with a faint laugh. Soon the silence that lay over the shaking candle was broken by the cry of the prisoners.
"You, you were LIABRICK?"
"You locked me up here. I am innocent!"
"I will kill you! I'm going to kill you"
"You're going to die! Ugh!"
The prisoners trapped in the iron bars were crazed with all kinds of abuse.

As Grand Duke Frances said, half of them were in Leabrick's conspiracy, or were taken away from hostility and trapped here.
"Stop it," said Leabrick, pulling her leg and turning herself into a gumbel.

Being trapped alone was to suffer from terrible fear and despair, and as the abuse, insults, demeaning and contempt of the prisoners with grudges poured out, there was no resource to endure mentally.
"Please, stop it!"
Leabrick closed hes ears with both hands and screamed.
But her cry only further stimulated the prisoners with no avail.
Rather, it became more intense. For a very long time.

—————————————

Anna, that wretched maid:
Anna, with May, followed Elena in her escaping. She was so scared of the Grand Duke coming for her life and begged Elena to save her.
So Elena and Emilio (another character) decided to banish Anna from the Empire and coaxed her to board the ship to Mariana Islands with good words.
In the oral fairy tale, it was referred as the heaven on earth, but in reality, the land was abandonned. It was invaded by pirates, and it was even hard to catch fish due to strong waves.

————————————

Elena’s parents:

Elena heard new of her parents from Emilio.
They successfuly settled in the northern part of the country and were said to be engaged in the Wine business, as recommended by Elena in her letter, and now they lived in a well-to-do life thanks to the booming commerces.
Elena was very proud of the 2 of them who was forced to settle in an exotic island without connection.

Elena’s plans: (saloon):

As she had been working as "L" for a while, she thought to strengthen the inner workings of the salon and setting a financial trap to the Grand Duke family.
So far, Elena had been constrained as she always needed to devise a scheme to avoid Leabrick's surveillance. But not anymore. She was now able to the the initiative in drawing up the game.

Elena had bought all the surroungding lands and buildings around the Salon at a low price, and now the price was soaring high. Therefore, now there were more than a 100 lands, forests, and building purchased in the capital in the name of L. She could now even be called as the "Empire's greater financier" in name and in reality.

Seems like Elena was collaborating with Caliph, an art broker, and since she already knew what art and fashions trends would be like in the future, she thought of taking advantage of that by opening her own Street.
The Noblesse Street, belonged to the Grand Duke family, was under construction, with the objective to attract the aristocrats. Astronomical founds had been invested.
Consequently, with Elena's street, the Noblesse one would lose its place and instead, fashion-concious and artistic-minded aristocrates would visit the special street that had been created around the Salon.

————————————————————————

Ren/Len and “male-lead syndrome”:

Elena scheduled a meeting with Len after a long time.
Len previously had asked Elena to grant a wish in exchange of him helping her to escape.
Elena then asked Len to wish for something and she'd try to grand it in her capacity.

The only thing that Len asked for was that....to stay with him for about 6 hours (before Ciel came)
Elena stared at Len since it was a little bit embarrasing for her but accepted it anyway because it was not a difficult request.
Len asked to have a meal with her, then a cup of tea.
While Elena was preparing the tea, Len just kept looking at her for a long time.

"What shall we do now?"
"Nothing" said Len while leaning on the sofa as if he were serious.

"Why do you keep looking like that?"
The longer Len looked at her, the more and burdensome Elena was"

"Can you stop looking?"
"Why?"
"I'm burneded"
"No." Len laughed. "You do your job. I did what I had to do" His attitute was cleary different than from the past.
"Don't regret it later"
Elena picked up a philosophy book and sat down.
.
.
"Oh" When Elena briefly closed the book and stretched her shoulders and that the burden had disappeared.
Len was sleeping like a crib.
'who would know this man would be the greatest rascal of the Empire?'
Elena carefully recovered him with a blanket and looked at him closely.
She thought he was handsome.

"Hey"
"You didn't sleep?"
"It's too close" A hoarse voice came through Len's lips. Only then did Elena realize they were so close to each other that they could hear each other's breath.
She backpedaled and sprained her ankle. When Elena was about to fall, Len stretched out his arm and pull Elena on his lap.

———————————————————————

Len was red from the face to the neck

"You're too close"
"Would you mind? You saved me again"
Len grinned and looked at Elena with a silent smile.

Truth behind Veronica’s poisoning:

"I have something to say" Len was still smiling, but his eyes not anymore.

"What if I was at the start?"
The words of Len caused Elena a stir

"Don't you wonder why Veronica disappeared? Suddenly the healthy kid?"
"Why?"
"Because she was poisoned"

Considering she had not showed up for nearly 3 years, Elena thought it was a disease but it was actually poison.
"No way"
"That's right. I poisoned her"

Len told the whole truth without hiding it and asked Elena if she was angry and if she wanted to hit him?

Elena was really angry ben she knew that Len was hurt. Without him, she wouldn't be dragged in all this mess in the past as well in the present.
But when she thought about Ian, her unparalleled joy in the world, and her identity as "L", the hostess of the secret salon and the leading woman, she knew that she could only be here today thanks to Veronica's poisoning.

Then Len asked for her real name. After hesitating, Elena admitted:
"Elena"
Len muttered her name repeatedly like a parrot and seemed very excited "Elena, Elena, Elena"
"Stop calling me"

Then they talked about the Grand Duke family who could get rid of Raphael, Cristina and Gentonio since they couldn't hire them, that's why Elena and her teams needed to devise a plan to protect those 3.
It was then that they ran out of time.
"Time's almost up"
"You don't regret it? I think you wrote your wish in vain"
"Well, don't worry. Anything's more meaningful when it's left" Len grinned
"You're a real weirdo"

—————————————-

Back to our man, Ciel:

Soon Ciel arrived and joined Len and Elena
Ciel and Len just kept glaring at each other so Elena had to mediate between the 2.

They talked a about the Grand Duke family
At the end, Elena asked Len to let her and Ciel alone, in which Len left while pouting his lips haha

When they were finally alone, Elena gave Ciel an enveloppe with an astronomical amount of money. In the past, she knew he failed as an emperor because of the nobles' resistance but also financial problem
Ciel had a bitter smile. She knew everything, but he still felt miserable. The situation was so unsympathetic, even more because he couldn't refuse.

Ciel told Elena that it would be better to bestow her a title. Elena refused as she was good for now and the big problem was that she was a woman, and throughout history, only a few of them had been granted a title alone.
However, Ciel was stubborn, he wanted to protect Elena and he knew that giving her a title would stabilize her position. And using the law, even the Grand Duke could not persecute Elena.

"I'm more worried about you than you are concerned about me. I won't allow you to refuse"
With Ciel's heartfelt words, Elena was moved.
"....I'll accept it, Your Highness"
"The title is Baroness Jun. We'll take care of the award ceremony as a informal ceremony outside. I'll send someone to the salon"
"I'll greet the Empire gladly".
Now, L had become an imperial aristocrat in name and reality. It was her recompense, and her reputation would grow more and more, to be standing at the same line as the real Veronica.

"It's late" Ciel sneaked out the Imperial palace out of the eyes of the watchmen implanted by the nobles. Now he had to go back because he couldn't leave the palace empty for too long"
"Yes, it was unintentionally long, your Highness"
"Ciel"
"...."
"So call me"
Elena waved her hands in dismay "No, I don''t dare say in your presence...."
"I'd like it"
"It can't happen. Please.."
Elena was once a queen, she was sensitive to those manners. The only woman who could call Ciel by his name would be his companion for the rest of his life.
"Will you?"
"Yes?" Elena opened her eyes like a deer and blinked (yes she fell into the trap :blobrofl:)

"However, there is a condition. No, I would say it's a request."
"A favor?"
"Can you allow me to know your real name?"
Elena, dumbfounded by the sudden turn of conversation, stared blankly at Ciel

'You don't wan to know my real name, do you? No, I don't think so'.
But seeing Ciel with an awkward look on his face, deepened her conviction.

"I'm sorry. Is it difficult? It's late now"

Elena's eyes softened. Ciel had never been urged. He never knew her name properly, and silently believed and waited for her to tell him first. It was time to repay the wait.

"It's Elena."

"Elena". His expression, looking at Elena became strange. It was also new for her to tell him her real name for the first time and to hear her real name through his voice.
A feverish smile came around his mouth.
"Let's keep that name for a long time, Elena."

———————————————————————-

I am tired of typing so I will just skip to spoilers about the end, and romance between Elena and Ciel! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

The ending (revenge): - the Archduke Ranche was executed

- Veronica was decapitated a while after him (the last chapter concentrated on her execution): she was charged with conspiracy, attempt murder, damage the Emperor,... with a total of 11 crimes. Before dying, she cursed everyone, especially Elena : « Don’t think this is the end, even after I die, I’ll visit you every night and drag you to hell »

- Before going to the Arc of Triumph (where the execution took place), Elena met up with Len (Ren) and asked him why he decided not to go, in which he answered : « I’m not interested in the death of a crazy bitch »

- Elena was escorted by Hurelbad to Ciel’s side (Ciel actually had prepared the most visible seat just for her). Wearing an expressionless face, she didn’t take her eyes off the decapitation even for a moment. It was the magic of revenge.
Veronica’s neck rolled under the execution table. The revenge was done, Elena could live properly now. She decided to live on with a smile until she couldn’t take any more steps further in life.

———————————————————

The confession (KYAAAA!!! UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE MOMENTS IN THE NOVEL!! HERE IS AN EXCERPT! FROM CHAPTER 230! This is after the execution of Veronica, hehe, Revenge complete.)

Not long after she entered the carriage, the vibration that was coming from the ground stopped.
"Have we already arrived?"
Den nodded, took out his watch, checked the time, and was relieved.
"That's a relief. I can't wait until today is over. Will you get off?"
Elena, who got off the carriage following Den, was startled by the place.
"Here?"
The unidentified thing located near the salon was in front of the livestock.


"Ah," spread out like moving stars in the night sky was a galaxy of fireflies. The brilliance caught her eyes, and the sour night breeze blew softly.
The mellow scent of flowers consoled her mind and body. A very familiar sound of water relaxed Elena's ears.
She thought about her childhood’s place, where people used to play with their feet in the water flowing deep in the mountains.

It was an incredible garden in the center of the capital. It was artificial, but beautiful.
She felt like she was being healed.


"Elena,"
Elena turned her head and saw a man stood with his back against the Laurel tree
"Your Majesty."
Accentuated by the fireflies, there was a clearer smile on Ciel's face than ever before.
“Happy birthday.” he said,
“Oh,” Her heart was moved by his most affectionate congratulations. Including previous and present life.

Ciel smiled. Elena couldn't take her eyes off him.
His smile was natural enough to think that he was a cheerful person

"You know, you pushed me out as soon as I approached."
"Did I do that?"
"You pushed me out like a person who was hurt by me. It wasn't a day or two that I spent the nights with my eyes open, thinking I might have given you new wounds I didn't know."

Elena's eyes shook at Ciel's frank confession.
Elena, who was trying not to repeat past mistakes, did not expect to make Ciel heartbroken.

“So I hesitated.”
“Your Majesty.”
“But I don't want to hesitate any more.”
Ciel approached while looking at Elena.

He stood within reach. The distance that Elena had never been able to reach in the past, but now had been narrowed down.

He held out his hand.
”Will you be my lover?”
Elena's heart dropped. It was pounding so fast that she couldn't control it.
"I promise won't burden you. I'll keep our meeting secret until you allow it."
“Your Majesty.”
“Would you like to meet me like this?”

The barrier she had put gradually fell apart after Ciel's sincere confession.

She felt that very little by little, there was a clear crack going on, though insignificant to the point of being invisible. Ciel stood silent, reaching out his hand.
The fireflies stayed at his fingertips, reminding him of the distance between the two.


Elena hesitated. She was happy but scared at the same time, everything had changed so much compared to the past. She was afraid she would repeat the same mistake.
The newly launched relationship between the two could also face tragedies and she could lose what she'd accumulated.

Elena needed a lot of courage. 'I want to hold that hand.'
The feelings she had suppressed so far were choked up. She felt pathetic when she tried not to look back by forcibly turning away, avoiding, and pushing.
She wanted to change it. She wanted to get out of the past. And she wanted to be honest.


Elena put her white and long fingers on Ciel's hands. The fireflies flew in unison as if they had promised.
She wanted to know about this person. Even if she could regret it, she could keep it as a good memory.

“Ha ha ha,” Ciel laughed with the brightest smile. "You won't know how happy I am. I'm happy enough to want to hug you right now and run around the capital like a crazy man."
“Please respect yourself,” Elena laughed shyly. She did not hate him, who was delighted to forget even the status of the emperor. "Will you take a walk with me?"
"Yes," said Ciel amiably while leading her hand to his side.


The shoulders of the two people standing side by side showed a different picture from the past.
"In the future, I'll tell you my story."
"It's okay now. "
"No, I'll do it when the time accumulates a little longer. When those memories become dull enough to fade”.

By then, everything would have changed, to the point where she would feel pathetic if she kept on clinging on the past.
While pledging to him, Elena walked with Ciel through the garden and felt the warmth of both hands held tightly together for a long time.

——————————————————————-

Some more Ciel and Elena moments! :

In chapter 234, during their sleep-over, Lucia asked Elena if she and Ciel had kissed or doing anything more, in which Elena was very embarassed since they had only hold hands (hold hands, see each other in the moonlight, and walk together..). The surprised Lucia exclaimed that even middle schoolers nowadays kissed

Elena thought about her past memories and baby Ian. They still left a scar in her heart, but she knew how considerate was Ciel so she thought it was time to move on.

In chapter 235, Elena organized a musical play and invited Ciel to watch it with her. When Ciel arrived he was quite worried because of her pale complexion (she worked very hard to prepare the play) but Elena reassured him that it was okay.
Elena sat next to Ciel with their shoulders almost touching
During the play, she couldn't concentrate at all and kept admiring Ciel. She felt confort next to him and eventually fell asleep
When she woke up, the play was over and everybody was gone except Elena and Ciel haha.
Ciel opened his mouth when he noticed she opened her eyes
''would you like to rest a little more?'' and wrapped her head, pulled it gently and leaned it on his shoulder.
Elena was embarassed since it was the first time she showed this disorganized appearance to someone else, especially Ciel.
But contrary to her expectation, Ciel turned his head, looked at Elena with a deep look as if she was being sucked in and wrapped her check in the soft touch of his hand and asked her if she believed him if he said that she was adorable?

——————————————

A kiss!!! One of my favorite scenes as well:

“So would you believe me if I said you were more lovely?"

"Your Majesty, it's..” Elena didn’t know what to say.

She couldn't think of anything as if her usual brilliant mind had hardened.
No matter how tired you are, it's against etiquette to show some loose humility

Then she fell asleep. She was afraid that she had drooled, and her saliva might have caused some kind of scandal


But she guessed that was not the plan.

“I still can't believe it”

The affection dropped sharply in Ciel's mellow eyes.

"The fact that you and I are lovers. It’s like living in a dream-like world every day”

Elena felt like she was going to be sucked into Ciel's eyes and voice which directed at her.
The warmth of his hands sweeping down her cheeks, as if his heart had already been conveyed, made her heart raced so fast that even his heart could not be unaffected.

“There's no place that's not pretty…”

“That's why I keep getting greedy. I know I shouldn't do this, but I want to have all of you."

Ciel grabbed her chin softly with the hand that was covering her cheek and lifted it carefully. The eyes of Ciel and Elena crossed diagonally.
Ciel slowly put his lips on Elena's lips, as if time had stopped.

“Ah.”

Elena felt breathless from the soft touch of Ciel's mouth.

She thought this moment was like a lie.
Lovely kisses were like this. It made her forget all the pain of the wounds, and it made her feel that she was living now, and not in the past anymore.


Maybe that was why. Even the bitterness that was conveyed after the kiss was heartrending to her.

Not because she was a shadow, but because Ciel chose a woman named Elena. Elena unwittingly reached behind Ciel and wrapped her hands around his neck. She was so active as if she wanted this kiss more than anything else. As if no one could understand or know.

Ciel was surprised at the moment, but soon followed her and kissed her violently. He gave Elena a crushing hug. Hard enough to feel that his will would never let go.

When such Ciel's heart was conveyed, Elena’s eyes became watery.
Her one-sided affection no longer existed. She was so glad that they wanted each other.

So, they didn't let each other go. As if time had stopped, the two people exchanged deep kisses.

Ciel took off his lips first.

"Why are you crying?" Sian's eyes shook when he saw the water dropped around Elena's eyes.
It was because he was worried that he did something wrong when he conveyed his feelings.

“I'm glad” Elena smiled more brightly than ever, looking at Ciel wiping away the tears around her eyes.


Ciel felt an unknown lump in her tearful smile.

"Do you remember? You cried in front of me when we first met."

Ciel felt a strangely prickly pain in his heart when he saw her tears. Where there was a story he didn't remember, that someone forcibly made him forget
"It seems like I've seen this even before meeting you...”
"...As I said before, you…”
The eyes of Ciel, who was about to say that she had never been ugly for a moment, were wide open.


That was because Elena kissed him as if she was blocking him. As if she asked him to not to say anything.
Ciel shut his eyes again, as if he read her mind.


'Maybe..'
Kissing him was not just a confirmation of Ciel's affection.
It was a sentiment that could not be conveyed in a hundred words.


They could not reach each other through the past. The day Ian was born, Ciel had treated her more dearly than anyone else.
So far, she had only thought that the memory of that fateful day was a mistake by Ciel, who had mistaken her for Cecilia. Because he couldn't treat Veronica like that.


'Miracle is a product of desperation. Not only with love, but with the earnestness of someone.'
Cardinal Benedict’s words lingered in Elena's head and did not leave.

Looking back, she couldn't forget Ciel's words, asking who she was.

On the day where she was hurt by his harsh words, that he had turned away from Ian, Elena gave up her heart toward Ciel.

The expression of Ciel that day, was false.

It was ringing before her eyes. So Elena couldn't stop this long kiss. Sometimes in life, one's intuition is swept away by vague and unstable emotions. Her intuition kept whispering to Elena, who looked through the broken fragment of memories.

A miracle that broke down the wall of time and brought her back to life. Maybe it was this guy, Ciel.

It was impossible to check, but Elena keeps going that way.

That's why the kiss was, for her, a means to rest and to heal.


That is it for the spoilers I’ll provide. Maybe I will crate an account to spoil some more! I hope you enjoyed, everyone! And I hope you no longer think Ciel is an asshole.

Hi, Im an independent scanlator. Anyone here who knows how to upload the new chapters?

[SPOILER]

The crown prince is the ML. In the first timeline, he realized that Veronica is a fake one and he fell in love with her. He kept his feelings a secret tho cuz if people realize that she gained his favor, it will be like an opportunity for the grand duke to gain support and more connection. He considered their child, Ian, as a mistake not becuz he hates him. Since Ian is a boy and already a potential heir, the grand duchy gained more support so basically his purpose for avoiding fake Veronica and not confessing his feelings was deemed useless.

Also, it seems like in the first timeline, he killed the real Veronica after the fake Veronica died and protected their baby.

“Ian, your mother. She was the most beautiful and well-bred woman in the world. So let's remember. Even though she lived as a shadow, she was a better queen than any other. Only you and I should not forget, Ian. Do you understand?"

But in the end, he was killed (not sure) by the grand duke as revenge for killing his daughter.

I have a question, are you guys satisfied with this translation already or do you want it to be translated from the korean version?

I'm hesitating to start translating it since the updates are quite stable now and I may have to start from chapter 17 or so. l don't think you guys want to wait that long..