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Chapter 1
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UNDER the enchanting chandelier lights of the palace, a man’s refined face was unveiled as his black robe gracefully descended to the marble floor.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”

The ballroom fell silent as the unexpected presence of the Crown Prince stunned the attendees. Even after a long time had passed, Elliana recognized him instantly.

‘Theo…’

Their eyes met in the air. However, Elliana quickly averted her gaze, aware that they shouldn’t meet each other’s eyes. With many nobles surrounding them, she believed he wouldn’t approach her directly. But she had to move first to ensure such a situation couldn’t occur.

‘Let’s avoid him naturally.’

As the orange sunset cast its vibrant glow, his mesmerizing blue eyes, tinged with mystery, faintly glimmered as he stared at her. It felt as if his gaze had ensnared her ankle, making her unable to take a step.

Tap, tap.

The Crown Prince, with his slow and deliberate stride, soon halted right in front of her. A smile was immediately formed on his well-defined rosy lips.

“At last, we meet again.”

“….”

His voice, low and precarious, whispered into Elliana’s ear. Though he said it to himself, it sounded loud and clear due to their proximity. Their closeness lacked the expected distance of the first meeting between the Crown Prince and a noble lady.

Spellbound, Elliana gazed at him for a moment before regaining her composure. She gracefully gathered her dress and executed the appropriate greeting to the imperial family.

“I… I am honored to meet the star of the Empire, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“I wish to know the name of the lady.”

“My name is Elliana von Crovache.”

The Crown Prince’s blue eyes sparkled like a deep ocean. In the midst of being captivated by his eyes, she found herself drawn closer to him almost unconsciously when he extended his hand, inviting her for a dance.

“Would you care to dance with me?”

“It would be my honor, Your Highness.”

Elliana, who was initially hesitant, accepted his dance request and took his hand.

The identity of the Crown Prince’s first dance partner was a topic of great interest in high society. It was unexpected for someone from the Crovache family, who had little interaction with the imperial family, to be chosen. Many attending nobles showed an unexpected interest.

Under the gaze of onlookers, Elliana felt her body grow warm. It was due to the envious and cold gazes of the noble ladies who admired the Crown Prince. His beauty was so exquisite that it felt inhuman, the rumors circulating about him were not unfounded.

However, it was not only her who received cold gazes. Elliana’s father, brother, and sister also glared fiercely at the Crown Prince.

As they gracefully twirled to the elegant melody, Elliana avoided lifting her gaze and ended up catching glimpses of the buttons on his attire and the cravat around his neck. However, no matter how hard she tried to evade it, their eyes inevitably met.

Through the touch of their joined hands, even through the gloves, they could feel each other’s warmth. When the enchanting dance ended, he said, “If you grant me the honor of having you for a while, I would be grateful.”

It was an irresistible request from the Crown Prince. While it aroused envy from others, Elliana’s heart was also far from stable. Soon, they made their way to the terrace.

As they found themselves alone in the space veiled by swaying curtains, Theodore gazed tenderly at Elliana. He seemed more relaxed and affectionate, as if he had temporarily set aside his status as the Crown Prince.

“I missed you. I missed you so much.”

“Your Highness, what are you saying?”

“You’re Pudding, aren’t you?”

Suddenly, it felt as if Elliana had traveled back to her childhood, facing the boy she once knew. Theodore smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling.

“No, I’m not.”

He raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

“…Could it be that you’ve forgotten me?”

“I have never met Your Highness, the Crown Prince, so I have not forgotten.”

“I have never forgotten you, not for a moment.”

His blue eyes filled with moisture before turning dangerously intense as he looked at Elliana. She couldn’t bring herself to respond to his words. His expression was a complex mixture of longing and sorrow. It seemed as if he had been starved and deprived of affection.

Theo. Theodore Khan Ardion.

He was a man who would become the ruler of the empire. The once innocent boy had now become the Crown Prince admired by all.

Theodore grasped Elliana’s slender wrist.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Your Highness. Please let go.”

His gaze made it difficult for her to escape.

“…I know you still remember me. Your attempts to avoid me are proof of that.”

The reunion with her childhood friend, now the future ruler of the empire, left Elliana breathless. Her heart raced within her chest, responding to the surge of emotions that swept over her.

Thump, thump.

Even in the absence of sunlight on this moonlit night, her heart burned like a sun, radiating warmth throughout her body.

“Your Highness, you say things I can’t comprehend. You’re acting as you please.”

Elliana withdrew her wrist from his grip and pleaded with her eyes, begging him to let go. But her pleading gaze and gestures were in vain. No, perhaps her actions only further provoked the Crown Prince.

With a slow and deliberate movement, Theodore took another step closer, his hand firmly wrapping around her waist.

“Where are you going to run?”

“Your Highness, it seems you may be mistaking me for someone else.”

“What? Are you claiming this is a mistake?”

Theodore chuckled, his grip once again tightening around her wrist. He extended his strong, large hand toward her.

“…Smell it. Lick it if you want. Remember my scent,” he urged, his eyes glimmering with a hint of sorrow.

Elliana couldn’t resist his firm strength, and though his grip didn’t cause her pain, it rendered her unable to escape. The man before her, once a cute and bright boy, had transformed into someone alluring and dangerous. He seemed almost unrecognizable, a stark contrast to the innocent bpy she had cherished in the past.

Their first encounter felt like a distant memory from a long time ago.

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“WHY is there only one left? Sigh, this little puppy needs to be sold so I can go home,” the dog seller muttered, looking down at the box containing a small, trembling puppy.

The rain had driven away potential buyers, and all the other puppies had been sold earlier when the weather was good, leaving only this one behind. Its caramel coloured fur was considered the least attractive, not glossy black or pure white like the others.

“…whimper.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!”

As the downpour intensified, the dog seller cursed and hastily drove away with the cart, leaving the box containing the puppy behind to seek shelter from the rain. As the rainwater filled the box, it started to drift away, but most of the market-goers had already left.

Suddenly, as water began to seep into the box, the sound of splashing echoed through the empty streets.

Splash, splash!

A young boy dashed over, clutching a single coin, and his eyes widened in surprise as he lifted the box out of the water.

“Puppy, I’ll save you!”

It had taken him a long time to earn enough money to buy the puppy by selling medicinal herbs from the forest. Cradling the trembling puppy gently in his arms, the boy murmured, “Thank goodness no one has taken you yet.”

As he held the small puppy, his tears mingled with raindrops on his cheeks. Perhaps it was fortunate that the rain masked his crying.

“Theo, Theo!”

At that moment, a woman appeared amidst the rain, calling out the boy’s name. They managed to secure a neighbor’s cart and climbed aboard.

Even in the creaking cart, Theo held the puppy close to his chest, keeping it safe and warm with his clothes as they made their way back. The young puppy had been rescued by the boy and brought to a small cabin nestled inside the forest.

Due to the sudden drop in body temperature, the puppy showed no signs of movement, leaving Theo at a loss as he anxiously paced back and forth.

“What should I do? Are you hurt somewhere?”