Part 1: The Blonde Prostitute

　　That day, Brianne was immensely happy.

　　It was the day before her third brother’s wedding, as well as the monumental evening when her second sister-in-law revealed the gender of her fourth child.

　　“Oh goodness, a girl at last! Imagine how cute she’ll be! How lovely!”

　　“She isn’t even born yet. You’re making more of a fuss than I am, and I’m the father, Brianne.”

　　Her second brother chided Brianne, who had tears of excitement welling up in her eyes. Even so, he sniffled right along with her. Having fathered three sons in a row, his eldest followed by a pair of twins, a daughter was something he had desperately longed for. Just as his own parents, after having three sons, had pushed themselves to have a fourth child, Brianne, in their desire for a daughter.

　　“I have a few names in mind for her, Sister! Would you like to hear them?”

　　“If you’d be so kind as to share them, Miss Brianne.”

　　Her second sister-in-law, gracefully stroking her heavily pregnant belly, replied with a soft smile.

　　“Rhea, Liv. Claire, Yvonne. Monique. What do you think? I carefully chose ones that aren’t overly feminine or bound by trends.”

　　“Brianne. Not a single one of those names is Imperial.”

　　As Brianne babbled on without taking a breath in her excitement, her eldest brother, whose beard was flecked with gray, quietly chimed in.

　　He was the eldest son of the House of Paradia, and the head of the house who had inherited their late father’s title as Count. He was twelve years older than Brianne.

　　“Must the baby’s name be Imperial?”

　　Brianne pouted, glaring at her eldest brother.

　　The name “Brianne” was also far from the kind typically given to daughters in Nesburg. Her mother’s homeland was the Argentiar Republic, not the Nesburg Empire, and longing for the home she had left as a child, she had given her youngest daughter, who had no duty to inherit the house, a Republic-style name instead of an Imperial one.

　　“Republic names stand out too much these days. Relations between the Empire and Argentiar are not exactly favorable at the moment.”

　　Her third brother sided with their eldest brother, emptying his champagne glass.

　　With demure, smooth features that most resembled Brianne, the youngest and only daughter, he was quite popular among unmarried noble ladies. Befitting a groom who was to be wed the next day, he greeted the guests dressed in a luxurious tailcoat.

　　“Indeed. The Emperor’s policies are far too radical. For over a hundred years, both sides maintained peace, respecting each other without breaking any treaties. Then out of nowhere, he triples the border troops and recklessly raises import tariffs…”

　　“Just recently, they summarily executed prisoners confirmed to be stateless. They were obviously citizens of either Nesburg or Argentiar, yet they were murdered without even checking their identities, simply because they couldn’t speak the Allied Nations’ common language…”

　　“Good Lord…”

　　The eldest brother’s wife, her eldest sister-in-law, closed her eyes briefly and drew a cross over her chest, as if mourning the deaths of prisoners who might very well have been innocent.

　　“How many people even know the common language these days?! If they identify spies using what’s practically a dead language, my brothers and I would all be dragged to the guillotine. Neither the common language nor the Argentiar language was mandatory education for any of us, was it?”

　　“It is nothing but obstinacy. Perhaps even madness.”

　　Just as her brothers said, the political situation was grim.

　　Nesburg and Argentiar, which had been allied nations, had entered a cold war after Helius, the new ruler of the Nesburg Empire, ascended the throne.

　　As her brothers passionately debated whether the new Emperor, Kavil Helius, was fit to rule the Empire, Brianne felt her spirits dampen. Not a single one of her brothers supported Helius.

　　But just as Brianne lowered her head, blaming herself for bringing up an unnecessary topic and ruining the mood.

　　“Miss Brianne. Truth be told, I would like to ask a favor of you.”

　　It was her second sister-in-law who took Brianne’s hand.

　　“If you would allow it, I would like to name my daughter Brianne.”

　　“Bri… Brianne?”

　　Brianne’s eyes flew open.

　　“You… You mean the same name as mine?”

　　“Yes. She is to be the youngest daughter, with three older brothers, just like you. If my child were to have enchanting blonde hair and deep emerald eyes like yours, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

　　An adorable niece sharing her name.

　　Brianne’s beautiful eyes widened further.

　　“I want her to become another Brianne Paradia, carrying the wish that she becomes a light unto the world. What do you think, Miss Brianne?”

　　In the Argentiar language, Brianne meant “bright light.”

　　“If you feel uncomfortable or reluctant, please, feel free to decline. We will choose another…”

　　“I’d love to, Sister!”

　　Brianne took the hand of her second sister-in-law, whose voice trailed off.

　　“Aunt Brianne and Baby Brianne. Just imagining it makes me so happy.”

　　She then rubbed her cheek against her sister-in-law’s hand. Every time Brianne’s soft cheek brushed the back of her hand, a sweet scent of acacia wafted lightly through the air.

　　“Little Baby Brianne. Hurry up and be born so you can play with your aunt. You are going to be the most beloved light in this world.”

　　Smiling brightly, Brianne whispered softly, her voice barely audible, as if meant only for the baby inside the womb.

　　Later that night, at the stroke of midnight.

　　When everyone in the mansion was fast asleep after grandly finishing the eve-of-wedding celebration for her third brother.

　　“Aaargh!”

　　Pain-racked screams, dull thuds, and the sharp whizzing of something slicing through the air echoed repeatedly across the vast mansion before fading. It was a terrifying noise, unlike anything ever heard before, completely out of place in the peace of Paradia Manor.

　　“Fire…”

　　A massive inferno. The stench of burning timber and flesh.

　　Everyone who had fallen asleep in Paradia Manor was already dead or dying.

　　“Sister. It’s me, Brianne. Gasp. Please, wake up.”

　　A frightening amount of blood poured from her second sister-in-law’s abdomen, soaking her pale thighs. Even without any experience with pregnancy, Brianne could not fail to understand what it meant. Her sister-in-law was miscarrying, and that dark crimson blood was proof that Baby Brianne was lost forever.

　　“S-Sister. Oh, please. Dear God!”

　　Having lost her only niece, Brianne broke down, wailing like a wounded beast.

　　Then, unfamiliar footsteps approaching from a distance came to a sudden halt right before Brianne’s eyes.

　　“Miraculous that someone is still breathing.”

　　An unfamiliar voice speaking in hushed tones.

　　A heavy stench of blood reeked from that foreign whisper.

　　Brianne slowly raised her head. Her gaze slowly swept up his legs, then sturdy waist, and finally, his broad shoulders.

　　The man was armed.

　　There was no spot left unsoiled by blood, from his face and neck to the backs of his hands.

　　Is that the blood of Paradia? My beloved mother, my brothers, my sweet sisters-in-law… My precious nephews and nieces… Were you the one who slit their throats and cut short their breaths?

　　Brianne’s eyes stared intently at the man’s profile.

　　The shadow cast across the tall bridge of his nose was strange, like a darkness luring her toward sin. Though she knew it was unholy and corrupt, his appearance felt so unreal that she couldn’t push him away.

　　Beneath the man’s black hair, his eyes flashed, a light deeper and darker than the abyss.

　　What did we ever do to you? Why must I suffer such pain? Who are you? Tell me who you are! Tell me the name of the man who shall be my lifelong enemy!

　　Brianne’s chin began to tremble.

　　Just as all the sorrow and rage she could not swallow flooded back up her throat, her eyes met the man’s in midair.

　　The unknown beast’s eyes were chillingly blue.

　　Black hair and blue eyes.

　　Brianne passed out.

　　That was the last thing Brianne remembered from that day.

* * *

　　“Gasp!”

　　Brianne opened her eyes with a sharp gasp.

　　The first thing that filled her vision was an elegant ceiling mural. Something she had never seen in the Paradia household.

　　“You had a bad dream again, Brianne.”

　　Awakened from his light sleep by her scream, someone gently stroked Brianne’s chest. The cool chill of dawn clung to his hushed whispers.

　　“…Your Majesty.”

　　The man sharing a bed with Brianne was the young Emperor, Kavil Helius.

　　He embraced her without answering, his chiseled upper body entirely bare, as was Brianne’s.

　　As Kavil locked her in his arms, her soft, full breasts pressed flush against hard muscle.

　　“Your nightmares disturb our deep sleep every time.”

　　“F-Forgive me, Your Majesty…”

　　Brianne whispered, her shallow breaths transferred in full onto his bare skin.

　　“It appears that you require some physical exertion for a deeper sleep.”

　　“Your Majesty… Ah!”

　　Brianne’s breathing grew sharp and short.

　　“After all the times I embraced you last night… Was it still not enough?”

　　“Your Majesty… Ngh…!”

　　What that “physical exertion” meant, Brianne knew better than anyone.

　　“Aaahh…!”

　　“Oh, Brianne. I can feel your heat.”

　　After all, she was the mistress who warmed the Emperor’s bed.

　　“What kind of dream was it? Tell me, Brianne.”

　　“Th-That’s… Gasp…”

　　“Tell me. Your days, your nights, your desires, your nightmares. I wish to know everything about you, down to the very last detail.”

　　“Your Majesty…!”

　　Trembling softly, Brianne buried her small body into Kavil’s chest.

　　Taking her shallow weeping as a signal, Kavil embraced her even more boldly.

　　“You, Brianne Paradia…”

　　“Sob…! Ngh!”

　　“…Are mine.”

　　Kavil soon mounted Brianne’s delicate, pale body.

　　As if annoyed by his bright orange hair, he fiercely swept back his fallen locks. Then, burying his nose into the crook of her neck, he ravenously inhaled her scent. All the while, his red eyes blazed redder than blood.

　　“Your Majesty, please…!”

　　Brianne’s entire body twisted under the hasty pleasure rushing into her.

　　“Mercy, Your Majesty… Ah!”

　　Poor Brianne cried and pleaded.

　　“To ask for mercy when I am faced with such a beautiful body… Brianne, I did not know you were so impish.”

　　“Ahhh!”

　　Another wave of overwhelming ecstasy crashed over her.

　　“Haah… Haah… Good, Brianne. Good.”

　　Exhaling like a sated beast, Kavil cupped her breast.

　　“Yes, Your Majesty.”

　　Brianne panted.

　　Gasping with empty eyes that didn’t match her words.

　　The blonde prostitute. A cheap imitation emerald. Paradia the whore.

　　Those mocking titles full of contempt were the nicknames of the beautiful Brianne.