Inside the grand expanse of the Royal Palace, towering marble pillars and majestic arched walls reflected the radiant, waterfall-like illumination flowing from thousands of enchanted crystal lanterns. Every corner of the vast palace shimmered in brilliant golden and silver hues, dramatically elevating the opulence of the royal gathering. The ambient air was thick with an intoxicating scent—a blend of rare damask roses, fragrant sandalwood incense, and vintage spiced wine served in pure crystal goblets. As the prolonged, reverberating fanfares of the royal brass trumpets echoed across the hall, the grand ballroom—previously bursting with animated chatter, the musical clinking of silver cutlery, and the lighthearted laughter of high society—fell into an immediate, breathless silence.
Standing just outside the massive, ancient carved oak doors, Duke Leonhart waited in stoic silence as Elina stepped up to take her place beside him. The very moment her presence registered, every eye belonging to every high-ranking noble, marquess, count, duke, and influential political leader present in the grand hall locked firmly onto her.
Elina wore a dramatic, deep emerald green silk ballgown that seemed to absorb and radiate a breathtaking glamour beneath the magnificent chandeliers above. The gown was meticulously hand-embroidered with intricate silver thread and microscopic magic crystals that caught the light at every subtle movement. With each step she took, the flowing fabric gave the visual illusion of an enchanted midnight forest springing into vibrant life. Her long, silky black hair was partially swept upward, secured by a dazzling royal diamond tiara, while the remaining dark waves cascaded smoothly across her shoulders. There was no trace of cheap arrogance or overly heavy makeup on her face; instead, she displayed the resolute, calm, and deeply confident dignity characteristic of an educated 21st-century modern woman.
Leo extended his broad, sturdy hand toward her. He was clad in a sharp, dark navy-black military uniform decorated with heavy golden epaulettes across his broad shoulders and a vibrant red sash draped diagonally across his chest. With absolute grace and poise, Elina gently rested her silk-gloved hand upon the Duke's firm palm. Their unified presence—on one hand, the empire's most formidable and feared war hero, and on the other, an extraordinarily elegant, sharp-witted, and regally beautiful Duchess—instantly shifted the gravitational weight of the entire ballroom.
"Good heavens..." Lady Beatrice gasped softly, her gilded fan slipping slightly from her fingers. Her eyes widened in a sudden combination of shock, jealousy, and sheer disbelief. She leaned closely toward the cluster of noblewomen beside her and whispered frantically, "Is that truly the disgraced Duchess Elina? The very woman whose endless scandals, repulsive arrogance, and terrible temper were infamous throughout the entire capital? How can she possibly be standing there with such commanding composure and effortless grace?"
"Observe her posture and her aura very carefully," an elderly Marquess whispered back, stroking his gray beard in quiet contemplation. "She does not display the behavior of an ordinary, insecure woman. The unshakeable confidence and profound calm residing in her eyes are traits cultivated only by high-tier royalty. It seems no amount of cheap gossip or social malice will easily push her onto the back foot tonight."
Standing a short distance away, Princess Alina observed the couple with intense, sharp focus. Her bright hazel eyes harbored no blind jealousy; rather, they reflected deep curiosity and profound surprise. 'The reports provided to me by my hidden informants described a petty, unstable monster,' Princess Alina thought to herself, her eyes tracking Elina's every movement. 'Yet the woman standing before me bears absolutely no resemblance to those dreadful rumors. Has Elina truly undergone a miraculous internal transformation, or is her public acting so flawlessly constructed that no one present can decode her true, hidden agenda?'
From their elevated golden thrones at the far end of the ballroom, King Arthur and Queen Eleanor looked down at the arriving couple. A faint, satisfied smile emerged upon the King's seasoned face. His powerful voice boomed across the silent hall: "Welcome, Duke Leonhart and Duchess Elina! Your presence here tonight truly honors our royal court and brightens this grand banquet."
Leo and Elina stepped forward together, stopping precisely at the designated distance before the royal dais to execute a flawless, synchronized royal salute and curtsy.
"We thank you deeply for your gracious welcome, Your Majesty," Leo responded in a deep, measured tone that echoed with quiet authority. "House Leonhart remains forever loyal to your reign and to the prosperity of this Empire."
"We have received detailed reports regarding the monster invasion at the Northern Estate," King Arthur stated gravely, his keen gaze shifting directly toward Elina. "Duchess Elina, you fearlessly placed your own life on the line to shield young Maria from harm. Your selfless bravery and profound sense of noble duty serve as an inspiration to the entire realm. Tonight, the royal court formally commends your valiant actions."
Upon hearing the King's explicit praise, the envious nobles who had been spreading nasty rumors only moments prior turned visibly pale. They realized with sinking hearts that any opportunity to publicly mock or humiliate Elina had vanished entirely.
Far away from the radiant lights and celebratory music of the royal ballroom, deep within the subterranean caverns beneath the palace, the atmosphere was oppressive and bone-chilling. The air in these hidden dungeons was thick with heavy moisture, smelling foully of damp stone and ancient rot. A single iron torch mounted on the rough wall cast a flickering, blood-red glow over three cloaked, menacing figures.
These men were elite members of the "Shadow Blade," a notorious and strictly outlawed Dark Mage Guild. For several weeks, supported by substantial bribes and secret pacts with corrupt high-ranking nobles within the imperial court, they had methodically engineered a critical flaw in the palace's security apparatus.
The Guild's lead commander, his face entirely concealed behind a terrifying skull mask, stood towering before two operatives who knelt on the freezing stone floor. The two kneeling men wore the standard polished steel armor of the Royal Guards, yet beneath that imperial iron lay hidden the lethal, unstable potency of dark magical spells.
"Is your disguise completely flawless?" the skull-masked commander demanded in a raspy, gravelly voice. Black, oily smoke drifted lazily from the top of the magical staff held tightly in his right hand.
"Yes, My Lord," the first disguised operative answered promptly. He was an experienced assassin within the Dark Mage Guild. "Last night, we successfully poisoned the actual guards stationed at the western perimeter gate and disposed of their bodies in the sewer system. Using their stolen armor, authentic identity badges, and high-grade shape-shifting magic potions, we have breached the absolute center of royal security. Not a single knight or official in the palace suspects a thing."
"Splendid," the commander purred, a sinister laugh escaping his throat. "Duke Leonhart has systematically destroyed dozens of our guild's strongholds across the continent. Tonight, we shall finally claim our revenge in his blood. However, remember this clearly: the true strike must take place only after they vacate the palace grounds and travel along the isolated mountain pass heading toward the Northern Estate. Launching an assault inside the ballroom would bring the entire order of Royal Court Mages down upon us instantly. We ambush them on the dark roads."
The second assassin leaned forward, asking in a low, sharp whisper, "And what of the young child, Maria? And the Duke's newly wedded wife, Elina?"
"Leave no survivors behind," the commander ordered ruthlessly, his eyes flashing with dark intent. "Eliminating Maria, the primary bloodline heir of House Leonhart, will extinguish their legacy forever. As for Elina? She is merely a convenient political pawn. Her death will shatter the Duke's focus and break him mentally. Prepare the poison-tipped arrows and the dark curse blades. Ensure there are no mistakes!"
What these mercenary assassins did not fully realize was that the conspiracy reached far beyond the boundaries of their dark guild. High-ranking imperial ministers inside the royal court were secretly funneling massive fortunes of gold into this plot, determined to wipe out the Leonhart family and claim ultimate control over the empire's military power.
Following the conclusion of the official royal greeting, the imperial orchestra shifted its musical composition. A sweeping, hypnotic melody driven by violins and flutes began to flood the immense ballroom, officially signaling the commencement of the traditional Grand Waltz.
Leo turned his body toward Elina. A rare, intense light flickered within the depths of his crimson eyes. With refined chivalry, he executed a slight bow and extended his right hand toward her. "May I have the honor of this dance, Duchess?"
Elina was caught off guard for a brief fraction of a second, but she instantly reclaimed her composure, offering him a subtle, radiant smile. "It would be my absolute honor, My Lord."
Together, they walked into the absolute center of the polished marble dance floor. Hundreds of curious, watchful eyes immediately locked onto their figures. Though several other noble couples stepped out onto the floor to join the waltz, the primary focus of the entire room remained firmly anchored on Leo and Elina.
As the first rhythmic beat of the music resonated through the hall, Leo placed his broad, warm hand firmly against Elina's waist with delicate precision. Simultaneously, Elina rested her soft, glove-covered hand lightly upon the Duke's muscular shoulder. Their very first steps together were so seamlessly synchronized and perfectly executed that it seemed as though they had trained side-by-side for a lifetime.
Sweeping fluidly across the wide floor to the rising cadence of the orchestra, the dynamic play of light and shadow created an almost magical enchantment around their spinning figures.
"You dance remarkably well, Elina," Leo murmured in a low, deep voice. He leaned down slightly, his lips coming close enough to her ear that his warm breath softly brushed against her skin.
"Thank you, Leo," Elina replied in a remarkably steady tone, even as her heart skipped a subtle beat within her chest. "As the Duchess, maintaining flawless social etiquette and grace is a basic requirement of my duty—to ensure that no disrespect ever falls upon you or your noble house during a public event of this magnitude."
"Are you truly doing all of this strictly out of 'duty' and a cold 'contract'?" A sudden edge of quiet frustration crept into Leo's voice. Without breaking the cadence of the dance, he pulled her body noticeably closer against his chest, closing the distance between them until it was virtually nonexistent. "Do you honestly believe that after everything that has happened tonight, you can simply step out of my life whenever you choose?"
Elina raised her clear, deep emerald eyes, locking her gaze directly with his fierce crimson eyes. "We established a clear contract, Leo. I never intended to claim a permanent, unearned place by your side. Tonight's success elevates your political standing at court, and Maria remains safe under our protection. Once my self-appointed role here is fulfilled, I will step back and pursue my own path."
"I may have put my signature on that contract, but my heart completely refuses to follow its rules any longer," Leo declared with intense gravity, his voice kept so low that only Elina could hear his words over the music. "You have changed me from the inside out, Elina. Do you truly not realize that you taught this cold-hearted warrior how to feel genuine human emotion again? I will never permit you to walk away from my realm—or from my life."
A wave of complex internal confusion surged deep within Elina's mind. 'How can this be happening?' she pondered silently. 'According to the plot of the original novel, Leo's heart was destined to belong entirely to Princess Alina! Is my continuous presence in this world actively rewriting the original storyline and altering fate itself?'
As the grand musical performance drew to its final crescendo, a deafening wave of applause erupted throughout the vast ballroom. The gathered nobility had rarely witnessed a waltz performed with such breathtaking precision, raw intensity, and regal elegance.
Once the dance concluded, Leo stepped away to engage with several high-ranking military generals who urgently required his counsel regarding border security strategies. Recognizing a prime opportunity to step away from the overwhelming crowd, Elina made her way toward the grand outdoor balcony overlooking the illuminated palace gardens to enjoy a moment of peaceful fresh air.
However, before she could reach the tall glass doors, Lady Beatrice and two young Marquess daughters with obvious malicious intents deliberately stepped forward, completely blocking her exit path.
"Duchess Elina," Lady Beatrice purred with venomous sweetness, snapping her elaborate golden fan shut with a sharp click. Her eyes burned with undisguised jealousy and hostility. "Your performance on the dance floor tonight was certainly quite impressive. However, all of us here are well aware that a dark past cannot be erased so easily by wearing a pretty dress. Are we expected to simply forget your history of cruel behavior at the Northern Estate, your endless shameful scandals, and your unbearable arrogance? No matter how elegantly you dress yourself tonight, can you truly hide the ugly reality of your true nature?"
Elina stopped in her tracks. She remained completely calm and unbothered. She was, after all, an educated, highly resilient woman of the 21st century! She was not a weak, fragile maiden of an ancient era who would burst into helpless tears or retreat in terror from petty social bullying.
Maintaining a perfectly poised, erect posture, Elina delivered a sharp, supremely confident smile.
"Lady Beatrice," Elina spoke in a calm, crisp, and beautifully articulated tone that easily carried to the surrounding ears of several listening nobles. "The past serves as a vital lesson for human growth, not a permanent prison sentence. Whatever mistakes or missteps I may have made in the past, I answer for them exclusively to His Majesty the King and to my husband, Duke Leonhart. The Duchess of House Leonhart has absolutely zero time to waste listening to spiteful gossip or uneducated opinions from irrelevant third parties. Learning to understand your own boundaries would be exceptionally wise—for the sake of your own social health."
Lady Beatrice froze instantly, completely stunned into silence by the cold, surgical efficiency of the response. Her face flushed a deep, humiliating shade of red. She had fully expected Elina to lose her temper, cause an embarrassing scene, or run away in shame; she had never imagined Elina would dismantle her pride so effortlessly while maintaining absolute royal dignity.
Standing partially concealed behind a nearby marble column, Princess Alina had witnessed the entire confrontation. A profound sense of genuine respect for Elina began to take root within her mind.
Princess Alina reflected deeply: 'Simply extraordinary! The old Elina would have instantly thrown a violent temper tantrum, engaged in a loud, unrefined brawl with Lady Beatrice, or threatened to destroy this woman's entire family using her father's political influence! But this Elina... she is entirely different. There is no uncontrolled rage, no vulgarity, and no panic. She handled a toxic situation with absolute composure, maintaining her dignity while taking total control of the room. Despite the endless insults thrown at her, she did not yield a single inch. Her unwavering confidence is truly remarkable.'
Princess Alina stepped out from the shadows, her elegant lavender gown rustling softly as she approached.
"That was a brilliant response, Duchess," Princess Alina stated in a warm, commanding voice.
Lady Beatrice and her companions paled instantly, bowing hastily in utter panic before scurrying away into the dense crowd.
"Princess Alina," Elina acknowledged, dipping her head in a polite, respectful bow.
"I must openly admit, Elina," Princess Alina said, her bright hazel eyes looking directly into Elina's eyes, "the reports provided to me by my hidden informants pale in comparison to the reality standing before me tonight. You are truly a formidable, extraordinary woman. You have rightfully earned your place as the true mistress of the Leonhart Estate."
Elina offered a simple, genuine smile in return. Through sharp modern intelligence and unwavering self-assurance, she had not only silenced her public critics but had also completely erased the deep suspicion previously held by the original heroine of this world.
Following her pleasant exchange with Princess Alina, Elina began making her way back toward the bustling central banquet hall. However, as she passed through a dimly illuminated, quiet corridor of the palace, she caught sight of two cloaked, suspicious men standing huddled in a dark alcove, whispering in hushed, urgent tones.
Though both men were wearing the official uniform and steel armor of the Royal Guards, their body language and subtle hand signals violated standard imperial military protocol. Elina's sharp eyes quickly caught a crucial detail: etched onto the skin of their inner wrists, partially hidden beneath their steel gauntlets, was a distinct black tattoo—the unmistakable mark of the Dark Mage Guild!
"Are all the preparations fully finalized?" the first disguised operative asked in a raspy whisper. "The strike must be carried out tonight without fail. The moment the Duke and Duchess vacate the palace to begin their return journey to the Northern Estate, we will launch our ambush along the narrow mountain pass. The young child Maria must be slaughtered as well, ensuring the Leonhart bloodline is wiped out once and for all."
"Everything is perfectly set," the second disguised assassin answered softly. "Our Guild Captain is currently deploying a massive stealth Magic Barrier across the mountain road to trap them. Upon his signal, we will shower their carriage with poison-tipped arrows and high-grade destruction spells. They will not survive the night."
Concealed behind the thick shadow of a decorative stone pillar, Elina carefully committed every single detail of their plan to memory. Her emerald eyes turned as cold as glacial ice. She realized with absolute clarity that beneath the bright lights and glamour of the royal banquet lurked a deadly, imminent catastrophe. These men were not imperial guards; they were ruthless assassins who had infiltrated the very heart of the royal palace.
'They dare to target Maria and Leo?' Elina vowed silently, her fists clenching tightly within her silk gloves. 'I have already dramatically altered the original trajectory of this story. As long as I hold the title and responsibility of Duchess, I will never allow these cowards hiding in the shadows to lay a single finger on Leo or Maria!'
Without making the slightest sound, Elina backed away from the dark alcove and immediately picked up her pace, heading straight back toward Leo to prepare for the violent storm brewing ahead.
Following the formal conclusion of the midnight banquet, Duke Leonhart's heavy royal carriage departed from the grand gates of the palace, beginning its long journey back toward the Northern Estate.The winding mountain road was completely swallowed by an extraordinarily dense, unnatural fog. A bitter, howling wind swept through the tall, dark pine trees surrounding the cliffs, creating a terrifying atmosphere capable of instilling fear into the hearts of ordinary travelers.
Inside the reinforced carriage, the ambient atmosphere was heavy, quiet, and intensely tense. Young Maria had succumbed to exhaustion, sleeping peacefully with her head resting comfortably in Elina's lap. Elina had painstakingly wrapped the child in a thick, warm woolen shawl to protect her from the penetrating cold. However, Elina's own mind was far from peaceful; the cold-blooded words of the assassins she had overheard in the palace corridor kept repeating continuously in her thoughts.
Leo sat directly opposite her, his intense crimson eyes staring out into the pitch-black abyss of the foggy forest. As a seasoned warrior who had survived countless blood-soaked battlefields, his refined battle instincts warned him that the heavy, unnatural silence lingering outside was the calm before a violent storm.
"You appear deeply preoccupied, Elina," Leo observed in a quiet, low voice, his hand resting naturally near the silver hilt of his legendary weapon, the Crimson Blade.
Elina met his intense gaze directly. "Leo, despite the cheerful atmosphere at the banquet, the palace security was critically compromised. I overheard two disguised men speaking in a secluded corridor. Though they wore the armor of Royal Guards, their intentions were purely murderous."
Leo's sharp crimson eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "Are you implying that members of the Dark Mage Guild successfully breached palace security?"
"Yes," Elina confirmed firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt. "They have arranged a lethal ambush along this mountain pass tonight. Their primary targets are you and young Maria."
Not a single trace of fear appeared on Leo's face; instead, the corners of his lips curved upward into a cold, terrifyingly predatory smile. "Then they are about to commit the single greatest mistake of their miserable lives. Tonight, I shall remind them in blood what it truly means to cross House Leonhart."
However, before Leo could finish his sentence—the royal horses pulling the carriage suddenly shrieked in absolute terror! The heavy carriage lurched violently to a sudden, violent halt!
From outside the carriage, the frantic screams of escorting guards, the violent clashing of steel swords, and the explosive detonations of dark offensive magic erupted simultaneously! The pitch-black night was instantly illuminated by volatile flashes of dark red and purple magical energy!
"My Lord! We are under heavy attack! Black Assassins and Dark Mages have completely surrounded our perimeter! Our defensive line is falling apart!" the carriage driver screamed out in desperation, but mere seconds later, a dark, poison-laced arrow flew through the air, piercing his chest and silencing him permanently.
Leo did not waste a single millisecond. Grasping the hilt of his enchanted sword, the 'Crimson Blade,' he drew the steel from its sheath in one fluid motion. A blazing torrent of crimson magical energy erupted from the blade, instantly illuminating the dark interior of the carriage. His eyes glowed with the terrifying intensity of a battlefield demon.
"Elina, stay inside the carriage! Protect Maria with your very life!" Leo roared fiercely, and before the words had even fully echoed, he kicked the heavy reinforced carriage door off its hinges and leaped directly out into the chaotic night.
Outside, a deadly rain of poison arrows and dark spells descended upon the royal procession. Dozens of cloaked assassins clad in midnight-black gear surged forward from all directions, their blades dripping with lethal toxins. Hidden high up in the foggy tree line, Dark Mages continuously chanted incantations, launching massive fireballs and jagged ice spikes downward.
Leo stood as an absolute, unyielding mountain of destruction. With every single arc of his blazing Crimson Blade, assassins and mages were sliced apart, their bodies crashing lifelessly onto the frozen ground. The immense, terrifying crimson aura radiating from his body painted the thick white fog in shades of brilliant blood red. He moved across the chaotic battlefield like an unstoppable god of war.
However, the Guild Commander's ultimate strategy was not merely to engage Leo in combat; their true objective was to keep the Duke fully occupied while a specialized strike team infiltrated the carriage to execute Maria and Elina!
Suddenly, two high-ranking Senior Dark Mages materialized above the carriage, executing a powerful combined dark magic spell that completely obliterated the wooden roof of the carriage! Splintered wood, debris, and black smoke erupted violently into the night air. Holding lethal blades forged from condensed dark curse magic, the two mages dove directly downward, their dark weapons aimed straight at the sleeping chest of little Maria!
"Maria!" Elina screamed in absolute terror.
Without a single microsecond of hesitation, completely casting aside all regard for her own personal safety, Elina threw her entire body over the small child, transforming herself into a living shield! She presented her exposed back to the incoming lethal blades of the dark assassins!
The poisoned, cursed blade of the leading Dark Mage struck with brutal force, sinking deep into the upper right side of Elina's back! Her exquisite emerald green silk gown was instantly torn open, saturating rapidly with a torrent of fresh, crimson blood. The agonizing, searing poison of the dark curse immediately flooded her bloodstream, threatening to plunge her conscious mind into total darkness as her breathing gasped violently. Yet, despite the unimaginable agony, Elina did not move a single millimeter! She locked her arms tightly around Maria, shielding the child's entire body beneath her own so that not even a single stray scratch could touch the little girl!
Witnessing this horrific scene from across the battlefield, the blood inside Leo's veins froze instantly! It felt as though an invisible hand had ruthlessly plunged a thousand freezing daggers directly into his heart!
"ELINA!"
A terrifying, demonic roar ripped from Leo's throat! The crimson mana exploding from his body became so immensely overwhelming that the surrounding earth and solid rock crushed into fine powder! Moving at a speed that defies human comprehension, he closed the distance instantly. In a single, blinding flash of pure violent fury, his blazing Crimson Blade sliced both Senior Dark Mages completely in half before their feet could even touch the ground!
Overwhelmed by the Duke's horrifying, godlike display of destruction, the remaining surviving assassins shrieked in utter terror, instantly breaking rank and fleeing blindly into the dark, foggy forest to save their lives.
In a matter of seconds, the violent battlefield fell into absolute, deafening silence. However, at that moment, Duke Leonhart cared nothing for political victories, dead enemies, or imperial titles. Driven by raw panic and desperation, he dropped to his knees inside the ruined carriage, his trembling, blood-stained hands reaching out toward Elina. With breathtaking tenderness, he lifted her bloody, fragile body gently into his powerful arms, pulling her tightly against his chest.
"Why would you do something so reckless?! Why would you throw your life away like that?!" Leo's voice cracked violently with raw, uncontrolled anguish and immense love. His trembling fingers gently cupped her blood-splattered face as he looked down at her pale features. "Do you truly not understand that without you, this empire, this power, this grand estate—even my own continued existence—means absolutely nothing to me?! You mean everything to me, Elina!"
Despite the searing, paralyzing torture of the dark curse coursing through her body, Elina slowly forced her heavy eyelids open, gazing up into his tear-filled crimson eyes. A remarkably serene, beautiful smile touched her pale, bloodless lips.
"I told you before, Leo..." Elina whispered in an extremely faint, delicate breath, "I always... keep my promises... I would never allow anything to harm Maria... She is completely safe..."
Leo could no longer suppress the torrent of emotions surging within his soul. He leaned down, pressing his forehead gently against her cool forehead as hot tears finally escaped his eyes, dripping onto her cheek. In that agonizing moment, he realized that far beyond temporary contracts or royal politics, this invincible woman from another world had become the sole radiating light of his dark, violent existence. Losing her would mean the permanent destruction of his own soul—and so, clutching her tightly against his heart, Duke Leonhart swore a solemn, binding oath to fight through hell itself to preserve her life.
See you in the next Episode...