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"P-Princess...? What are you doing? Please don't act suspiciously. This is a quiet room. I think you know the consequences of your actions," I said, trying to calm the princess down.

To be honest, I knew that the princess wasn't in a good mental state.

In fact, I noticed a pale expression on her face.

"N-Noah... Please... Please stop drawing the attention of other nobles. I don't want you to die..."

"Princess? Please calm down. We can talk about this peacefully."

For some reason, I felt her embrace loosening slightly.

Even though I was panicking, I knew I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

Deep in my heart, I was curious about the true meaning behind her words.

From her actions, I could tell she had come here to warn me.

Without hesitation, I offered her a seat on my bed.

Of course, I also poured her a cup of tea.

If I didn't help calm her emotions, I wasn't sure if she could regain her composure.

Luckily, as she took a sip of the tea I gave her, she seemed to relax, as if nothing had happened.

"Huft... I'm really sorry. I came because I need to tell you something. I want you to live."

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused by her words.

But as the princess continued explaining, I realized she wasn't joking at all.

"Some nobles have begun their betrayal... Some of them even know that you've been adopted by the Emperor. That's why they're all plotting to eliminate you."

"W-What? Are you serious? But what does that have to do with me? Why are they so eager to take my life?" I asked, desperate to understand why I was being targeted.

Fortunately, the princess seemed to have thought through how to explain the situation to me.

"Listen, Noah... You're now the Emperor's adopted son. That means, indirectly, you have the right to command half the empire. And also, you're qualified to compete for the imperial throne."

Before I knew it, my expression had grown serious.

And then, unexpectedly, I touched the top of my head.

'What... is the Emperor thinking? Didn't he say he would protect me? Did he set me up? But why?'

For some reason, my head was filled with endless questions.

Honestly, I knew I couldn't read the Emperor's mind.

But one thing was clear: he wanted me to get involved in imperial affairs.

Otherwise, how could the information about my adoption leak to outsiders?

Just that alone was enough proof that the Emperor wasn't truly serious about protecting me.

As I sank into despair, I suddenly felt the princess hug me tightly.

At first, I tried to reject her embrace.

But to my surprise, I couldn't bring myself to push her away.

In fact, I no longer had any intention of resisting.

I realized—I was no longer carrying this burden alone.

Maybe that's why I didn't mind being embraced by another woman.

"I'm sorry, Noah. I don't know what my father is planning. But I don't want you to die. Please... Please, just stay alive. Even if the empire falls, I want you to escape your death."

Grab!

Without thinking, I pulled the princess closer to me.

Then, I gently pushed her down onto the bed, showing no emotion on my face.

Deep inside, I didn't know who I could complain to anymore.

If I could, I wanted to disappear from the world.

But I knew—I couldn't afford to lose my life.

From the very beginning, I swore I would bring Liliana back from the dead.

"Celine... Please tell me... What should I do? I'm so confused. I've already lost her. And I don't know who else I can talk to."

Suddenly, I felt one of her hands touch my cheek.

At first, I didn't care whether she touched my face or not.

But as I felt her gently caress me, I couldn't hold back my frustration.

Drip...

"You're crying... I don't know what your past was like. But please, don't cry anymore... I'm here for you. Liliana and Aisha too—we're all here for you."

"I... I'm not... I just don't want anyone else to—" Unfortunately, just as I was about to respond, she pulled me closer to her face again.

And soon enough, our lips met once more.

Gulp!

Unlike before, this time I had no intention of resisting her kiss.

Without hesitation, I returned her affection.

"Noah... Don't worry. Your sadness... I'll help you through it... Tonight is long... We can do whatever we want..."

"Princess..."

"Come here... I'll give you everything."

...

Morning came, and I slowly opened my eyes.

To be honest, I felt a dull ache in my back.

Suddenly, memories of what happened last night came flooding back.

Without meaning to, I started to panic.

And just as I feared, it wasn't a dream.

There, on the bed I had been sleeping on, I could see a faint stain of blood.

With that alone, I knew I had slept with the princess.

She even left a kiss mark on my neck.

'So it wasn't a dream... This is really bad... Me and the princess... We really...' I couldn't help but wear a stupid expression on my face.

Even so, I didn't regret taking the princess's virginity.

On the contrary, I was glad to have experienced my first time with her.

Unfortunately, just as I was feeling proud of myself—

I heard a knock on the door. It was Eve.

"Young master, please wake up. Today is the inauguration ceremony for the second academic year. You mustn't be late."

"Oh... I'm sorry. Please wait a moment. I'm getting dressed now."

"Understood."

At last, Eve walked away from my door.

Honestly, deep in my heart, I was relieved that Eve didn't notice what had happened between me and the princess.

Even though the princess had already left while I was asleep, I knew she wouldn't leave without a note.

"Let's meet again later... What a woman... Alright. I should get ready too. I don't want to keep Eve waiting," I muttered as I began putting on my academy uniform.

To be honest, I wasn't so different from who I was a year ago.

Maybe the only thing that changed... was the mask I wore.

Because every morning when I wake up, I can't help but show my second face.

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