Before Zinac and Luan could actually crash the entire ballroom with their ridiculous phoenix vs bat screaming match — another name thundered across the hall.
"Dukedom of Anthemoessa."
Instant silence.
Instant shift of pressure.
Duke Hyder Anthemoessa entered first tall, cold, ocean carved. Behind him were his sons:
Odday Anthemoessa official heir.
Odys Anthemoessa the empire's sea monster tamer… and unfortunately, Eliza's 3rd male lead.
Anthemoessa was unlike any other dukedom.
They weren't knights like the human kingdom. But..
They were Sirens.
Luring deep-sea horrors with their voices and drowning enemies without raising a single sword. The naval force of Eldrim. The very shield that kept coastal borders breathing.
But the sea bears a secret.
Not the same cursed secret as Amethyst blood purity.
No.
Anthemoessa had their own ocean-buried sin.
My gaze instantly slid toward father.
His expression — normally colder than obsidian — twitched.
Annoyance.
Barely there. But there.
Father NEVER reacts to nobles.
Never reacts to dukes.
Never reacts to ANYONE.
So why Anthemoessa?
Ah.
That sea secret must be deeper than anyone thinks.
I grinned internally.
In the original novel — blessed Eliza solved this problem.
Now… this time… that is mine to decide.
Lady Anthemoessa died giving birth to Odys.And the duke never married anyone after.
Odday was already betrothed to a Drucken lady.
And Odys?
He chose the sea. He chose solitude. He chose to wage war against the abyss.
Odys — twenty-one years old — If I compare he is the strongest among the original male leads.
Their entrance swallowed the hall whole.
Silky ocean-blue hair. Eyes like milk-white cats — hypnotic.
Even Zinac stopped talking.
Which should honestly be written into Empire historical scrolls.
But me? I got distracted by something else — don't misunderstand.
It was just… hair.
Long hair. Flowing down nearly to his waist.
I have a weakness for long hair men.
In my past life as a military officer — I never got to have long hair. I'm not emotionally affected — I just believe long hair men should be preserved like museum art pieces.
Odys walked — and the crowd parted like ocean currents obeyed him.
Zinac (dry whisper): "Why do you look like you just found religion."
Yurio: "I didn't. I just respect good hair."
Luan snapped, offended that his phoenix hair got outclassed.
Luan: "What's wrong with you? As if this is your first time seeing Odys. You hate him. EVERYONE knows that."
Zinac: "He's just plotting how to bald Odys so there's one less rival. Honestly, a valid move."
Yurio: "How do you sleep with that much nonsense in your head?"
Luan: "Unfortunately, the bat isn't wrong."
Oh for fuck's sake.
Before I could even respond, Odys reached us.
His voice was cold and sharp. A warning.
Odys: "Stay away from Eliza."
Oh wow. Right to the point.
No greetings. Thank you.
Typical Eliza's loyal war weapon.
Yurio: "…And where is this coming from exactly?"
Odys stepped closer, eyes like freezing salt water.
Odys: "I know what you did, Yurio."
What I did!? WHAT DID I DO!?
Yurio: "What exactly did I do?"
I'm not being sarcastic here. A genuine concern for myself.
Odys: "Stop hovering over my girl."
Hah. Same shit.
He leaned closer, which actually caught me off-guard. He looked at me with his killing eyes, like we were on some battlefield negotiation. If I don't obey, the head is gone. Fucker.
Odys: "Tonight, don't even think about going near her. Understood?"
I gulped.
I swear to Ghidorah — the moment I get my Great Dragons you are FIRST in the lesson list.
Yurio: "And why do you act as if your girl is a saint?"
Odys' white cat eyes sharpened — maybe I shouldn't have provoked him — but of course he can't openly start a war. Right?
Zinac and Luan were already shooting death rays at him. Fire + bat + sea monster power rivalry about to explode.
And yet this bastard didn't care.
Odys: "You!"
Before the entire ballroom could erupt
Odday: "Oh my~ aren't these our lovely young masters gathered together!"
Odday Anthemoessa approached all gentle, fluffy energy.
If Odys was the gothic siren, Odday was the smiling beach sunlight siren. Even if he was twenty-five years old ,this man was cute.
Odday: "Greetings, young lords."
Zinac: "Greetings, Lord Odday."
Odday hugged Zinac lightly, "It's been a long time!"
A pale hand suddenly wrapped around Odday's arm,
Lady Ophelia Drucken.
…wait.
The Drucken family has arrived!?
Here comes the Empire's biggest gossip house.
And my mother's bloodline.
"Dukedom of Drucken."
And there it was.
The empire's walking gossip archive.
The forest elves.
The red district controllers.
The ones EVERYONE fears more than the Crown tax office.
Duke Aries Drucken and Lady Liana Drucken entered like glittering chaos. The forest nymph genes in them showed so fiercely it made every noble catch their breath.
My mother's side of the family after all.
Nirvana Forest guardians.
The empire's finance ministers.
The ones who owned brothels, prostitution networks, all underground red district trade…
They didn't need swords to kill reputations.
They just needed… whisper.
Drucken family always had two hair colors.
Blond or Green, with soft pastel eyes.
And the current potential heir…
Alfer Drucken.
Ah yes.
The wolf wrapped in pure white silk sheep clothing.
Debuted this year. FreshlyEighteen years old.
Fourth love interest of Eliza.
In the novel — his charm was a weapon so sharp even the author panicked halfway and nerfed him temporarily.
He practically devoured rumors like breakfast and spit them back out to manipulate noble power wiring like a puppeteer.
And Yuuup… since my mother is from Drucken , technically I'm his younger cousin.
Wonderful.
Kill me.
———
Alfer stepped forward — blond hair shimmering like sun soaked wheat field, eyes soft pink like rose salt. White flo..w..y
Flowy dress? Was that a … no … a Drucken traditional dress… ah. A long white silky dress and a golden cross ribbon. Flowy.
And ran to my mother.
Alfer: "Aunt Geisel!"
My mother immediately brightened.
Of course. Drucken family adored her.
Alfer gave a respectful bow to father.
Alfer: "Uncle Lancel."
Then his gaze landed on me.
Slowly.
Intentionally.
Calculating first ,THEN smiling.
Alfer: "Ah… younger cousin Yurio."
My eyebrow twitched. He already started.
Alfer: "You look much better than before."
Oh god.
Here it begins.
Zinac exhaled beside me with a "oh fuck here comes the snake" aura.
Luan clicked his tongue.
Odys looked almost ready to leave the hall if only Eliza was not coming.
Alfer stepped just a little closer voice low enough only I would catch it.
Alfer (soft laugh): "You know… I heard about the commotion in the banquet."
Of course. He heard it.
Alfer: I trust you, younger cousin.
Eh? What now? What is this insect talking about now!?
He caressed his hands on my back and I swear I got goosebumps.
I felt my soul leaving my body.
Why is every male lead today determined to ruin my mood before she even shows up!?
And as if fate was enjoying this chaos…
The guard again raised his voice for the final awaited name.
Because now…