TPOTLPIM Chapter 1. The Price of the Love Potion Is Marriage.

"This can't be happening…."

Cecilia felt dizzy, as if all the blood in her head was draining away. She gripped the table and caught her breath for a moment. The dress that hugged her waist tightly felt cumbersome.

Once her startled heart had calmed, she turned her gaze to the crumpled invitation in her hand.

'The engagement of Miss Rosein, eldest daughter of the DeNeuve Count family, and Dmitri, eldest son of the Duke Jeminick family.'

Cecilia read the characters written on the invitation one by one, carefully, as if she couldn't believe it. But before she could even finish reading the first sentence, tears welled up and the letters looked blurred.

Cecilia quickly racked her brain. When did those two become so close? When had marriage talks begun between the two families?

Various questions tangled together complexly in her mind, and when she arrived at the final question, she became dejected.

Why didn't Rosein tell me about this?

Rosein was her closest friend. The one person who knew best about her heart that had been longing for Dmitri for so long.

"How can I wait until the Duke's ball? I already miss Lord Dmitri so much."

Whenever Cecilia spread her wings of affection while thinking of Dmitri, Rosein would listen to her stories as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Cecilia, Lord Dmitri likes azalea flowers. How about wearing a pink dress to this ball?"

She was a friend who had given various advice to Cecilia, who had never experienced romance.

What was Rosein thinking back then?

Since it was a feeling she had nurtured alone without the other person knowing, she couldn't even hold a grudge against the innocent Dmitri. But you're different, Rosein.

Cecilia let out a deep sigh and buried herself in bed. Seeing her dejected appearance that was rarely seen, her maid Dalein quickly brought strawberry cake and offered it, but she had no desire to even put a single piece of strawberry in her mouth.

"Dalein, you know my favorite ribbon, right? Prepare that one for me!"

The maids of Count Serin's household were busily moving about to dress up Cecilia. Cecilia also scurried over to sit in front of the vanity.

Her bright yellow wavy blonde hair was luscious, and even her running figure was lovely like a chirping sparrow.

The attitude of burying herself in bed so deeply a month ago after receiving the invitation was nowhere to be found.

Today was the day of Rosein and Dmitri's engagement ceremony.

After receiving the invitation, Cecilia had wanted to talk with Rosein and sent letters to the DeNeuve Count's estate, but there was no reply. Frustrated, she went directly to the Count's estate, but had to turn back when the butler said she was away. A month had passed without hearing any explanation or clarification.

At first, she thought there must be circumstances, but as time passed, she became angry, and eventually her resentment exploded. The injustice with nowhere to go could only be quietly swallowed alone.

But after that period passed, her heart gradually calmed down to a degree that surprised even herself.

'Let me forget about men who aren't meant for me.'

She had neatly organized her longing for Dmitri, folding it up and putting it away in the depths of a drawer. Dmitri's way of speaking, his manners, his light brown hair and eyes that felt delicate. She had liked everything about him, but decided to preserve it all as memories.

Now, only one thing disturbed her heart. Only Rosein.

Friendship couldn't be folded as easily as paper. There must have been unavoidable reasons. She decided to wait until she could hear an explanation directly from Rosein's mouth.

"The carriage is ready, Miss."

At the butler's words following a polite knock, Cecilia rushed outside as if even thinking was a luxury.

At the same time.

There was another person hurrying to Rosein and Dmitri's engagement ceremony.

A horse running frantically through the forest path. On the horse was a knight with a handsome appearance, urging his spirited horse to go even faster.

The knight was a rare beauty in the empire. The line falling from his forehead to his nose was as neat as a sculpture, and his dark blue eyes gave a melancholy feeling. However, due to blood spattered on one cheek, his appearance was now shrouded in an eerie feeling.

"I'll be late at this rate."

He rode his horse with only the single-minded determination to go faster, unaware of the changes that would come to him.

The engagement ceremony was held at Steiny Castle, where the Duke Jeminick family spent their summer vacation every year. Cutting through the refreshing breeze that cooled the heat of the summer night, Count Serin's carriage glided through the castle gates and entered.

Getting out of the carriage, Cecilia raised her head to look at the castle before her. Steiny Castle was beautiful enough to be called the pride of the Jeminick family. White stone pillars harmonized with the forest surrounding the castle, and the blue-roofed spire blended fantastically with the dusky purple sky of the summer night.

In such a fairy-tale castle, an engagement with someone as kind as Dmitri!

'I've found another reason to envy Rosein.'

Thinking of her friend who would be standing in the place she had dreamed of, Cecilia became melancholy for a moment, but soon exhaled shortly and put strength in her eyes. Strength also entered the hand gripping the hem of her dress.

'Let me think only happy thoughts! I'll chat with people after a long time, eat delicious food, and come back.'

Cecilia stepped vigorously into the wide-open castle. With each step, her heart pounded with strange tension, but she barely calmed herself and composed her expression as if nothing was wrong.

"Miss Cecilia!"

Young ladies who recognized Cecilia began gathering around her one by one.

"How is your health? Have you recovered?"

"We were so worried when you didn't come to the reading club for a whole month!"

They were young ladies from the reading club that Cecilia and Rosein had participated in together. Cecilia had been such an enthusiastic member that she never missed the reading club, but after hearing news of Rosein's engagement, she hadn't attended, using her health as an excuse. It was because she had no energy to meet people and laugh and chatter.

"Thanks to your concern, I'm much better! I missed you all so much."

Seeing the welcome faces, the tense look disappeared from Cecilia's face and color returned to it. As she became absorbed in chatty conversation, the shock she had received a month ago felt distant, as if it had been nothing but a bad dream.

"But why didn't Miss Rosein give us even a hint when she was meeting such a wonderful man!"

"Miss Cecilia, you knew, didn't you? You were especially close with Miss Rosein."

Even though she had barely pulled herself together, someone's carelessly thrown remark instantly dropped her mood to the floor. Eyes asking her to tell them what she knew shot toward Cecilia like arrows.

"Ah… haha. Oh my, that cake over there looks so delicious!"

Embarrassed, Cecilia hastily changed the subject and escaped from the young ladies.

Since her insides were burning up, she grabbed a cocktail glass that a servant was carrying on a tray and drank it down in one gulp.

Contrary to expecting a sweet taste, it must have been high-proof alcohol, as heat suddenly covered her face all at once.

"Are you alright, Miss Cecilia?"

When she turned her head, Miss Asen, with her hair rolled up in a bun, was standing beside her with a worried expression.

"Of course. Miss Asen."

Cecilia tried to force a smile by raising the corners of her mouth. But for some reason, her facial muscles wouldn't move as intended. Her mouth corners kept twitching and it felt like tears would burst out.

"Goodness, you're quite drunk. It must have been strong alcohol. Let's get some fresh air with me for a moment."

Asen grabbed Cecilia's arm to support her and led her toward the terrace.

"Ah… haha. Thank you, Miss Asen. I'm so embarrassed to show such a state…."

Cecilia relied on Asen and moved her staggering steps with difficulty.

Going out to the terrace, the breeze blowing from the summer forest cooled the heat on her face. The stuffiness in her chest settled a little, and the rising alcoholic haze also seemed to fade.

Resting her arms on the railing and looking at the garden carefully maintained in front of the castle, Cecilia suddenly turned her head to look toward Asen.

Asen Odik. The Odik family was the empire's only family of magicians. They created powerful weapons by infusing magic into war weapons, and strengthened the nation's power by healing the knights who protected the empire with healing magic.

Cecilia's gaze touched Asen's hands, which were covered in wounds. Unlike other family members, Asen had no talent for handling magic. Due to her skill being inversely proportional to her passion for magic, she often injured her hands while handling magic.

Asen mumbled as if trying to say something with her head down, then gathered courage and spoke.

"Um, Miss Cecilia. You're very upset about Miss Rosein, aren't you?"

At the sudden question, Cecilia's blue eyes rippled with puzzlement.

"Actually... everyone in the reading club knows. That Miss Cecilia has been admiring Lord Dmitri."

Good heavens. She hadn't told anyone except Rosein, so how did they know?

"Miss Rosein told us. She said Miss Cecilia seemed to admire Lord Dmitri very much, so we should help build a bridge for her."

"And then?"

"It was about romance, so everyone found it interesting. Each of them shared information they knew about Lord Dmitri. To help Miss Cecilia. The books he likes, food, musical instruments, and so on...."

Thump. It felt like an earthquake had occurred in her head. What was going on?

"It was really strange. For that Miss Rosein to suddenly announce an engagement with Lord Dmitri...."

Cecilia felt as if she could hear the sound of the thread of reason snapping deep in her heart. Shame that everyone knew about her unrequited love, resentment toward Rosein washed over her, and her tightly clenched fist trembled.

What came next was fury and roaring that she couldn't even comprehend herself.

At the sight of her roaring with a red face as if breathing fire, Asen flinched and stepped backward.

Startled along with her, Cecilia tried to compose herself and calm her surging excitement.

"I'm sorry. Hic, I got too excited, didn't I? Hic, the alcohol I drank earlier must have been too strong."

Hiccupping while talking. She looked exactly like a drunkard.

"Hic, ah..., why do I keep hiccupping... hic."

With the unstoppable hiccupping, she felt embarrassed to face Asen. But when she felt hot moisture flowing down her cheeks, she finally realized it wasn't hiccupping.

Uncontrollable crying. She was sobbing and crying without knowing it. Oh, what kind of pathetic sight was this at someone else's engagement ceremony?

Asen, who had been stepping backward, approached Cecilia with courageous steps.

"Don't cry. You must have really liked Lord Dmitri very much."

It was somewhat true, but that wasn't all. Cecilia had liked Rosein as much as Dmitri.

"Miss Cecilia. I think I can help you."

At those words, Cecilia slowly raised her head that she had lowered. Her tear-soaked eyes urged Asen's next words.

"Actually, there's a potion I've been researching recently."

In the darkness of the night, Asen's green eyes sparkled like a warning signal.

"It's a potion that makes you fall in love when you drink it. If I burn one strand of your hair and put it in this potion, and Lord Dmitri drinks this potion, he'll have no choice but to love you."

Asen carefully pulled at the necklace around her neck. It was a necklace with a large cheap gem, but looking closely, there was a lid on that crude gem. The potion must be contained inside.

Cecilia's eyes widened. The uncontrollable hiccupping or sobbing from earlier naturally stopped.

How wonderful it would be if she could buy the heart of Dmitri, whom she had liked for so long.

But.

'This is something I shouldn't do.'

She shook her head.

Buying Dmitri's heart now would be the same as stealing Rosein's place. Though she was angry with Rosein, she didn't want to take revenge in that way.

The idea that she would have to use the power of drugs to seduce Dmitri also hurt her pride.

"Excuse me for a moment."

While Cecilia was conflicted, Asen reached toward her golden hair without permission and plucked a strand.

At the stinging sensation, Cecilia came to her senses and said urgently.

"But Miss Asen! I don't want to go this far. Whatever the process, Lord Dmitri chose Rosein!"

Ignoring Cecilia's words, Asen opened the lid of the gem containing the potion and handed it to Cecilia.

"Could you hold this for a moment?"

Caught off guard, Cecilia received the lid as Asen told her to.

Whoosh—

With a short whistle sound, the golden hair in Asen's hand caught fire. Soon the flame died down with ash and disappeared into the bottle containing the potion.

Asen closed the gem's lid again and smiled wickedly.

"I'll do all the dirty work. You just choose."

The terrace where the two stood was shrouded in darkness as night deepened. Cecilia couldn't make out Asen's expression and felt somehow chilled. At first, she seemed to pity her, but now she seemed to be enjoying this situation.

"I'll put this potion in the cocktail glass that Lord Dmitri will drink. Miss Cecilia just has to choose one of two things: watch or snatch away his glass."

"Um, Miss Asen?"

"There's no time. Let's hurry and go greet that detestable couple!"

Asen pulled Cecilia's hand like a child eager for an interesting show and went back into the banquet hall.

The back view of Asen leading her with seemingly excited steps felt unfamiliar to Cecilia.

"Sometimes... Miss Asen can be a bit creepy."

"When she talks about magic, she becomes a completely different person."

She suddenly remembered the gossip from the young ladies that while Asen was usually shy and quiet, she became a completely different person when dealing with magic.

Thud—

As soon as they entered the banquet hall, Cecilia bumped into something hard. If Asen hadn't supported her from the side, she would have fallen to the floor.

Whatever she had bumped into hurt quite a bit. Cecilia looked around awkwardly to see what she had collided with.

The surface of silver armor was shining brightly.

'...Armor?'

Cecilia blinked at the strange sense of incongruity. Someone had come to the banquet wearing armor.

'Coming to a banquet in armor. Especially for a special occasion like an engagement ceremony, one should dress appropriately....'

Cecilia slowly raised her gaze from the armor upward to identify the owner of the armor.

'...?!'

Cecilia was even more shocked when she saw the man's face. There was red blood spattered on one side of the man's cheek. Like blood scattered on snow, the contrast between the man's snow-white cheek and the red blood was vivid.

'...Could it be blood? No way? Maybe food sauce got on him?'

At the strange appearance that didn't match the banquet hall, Cecilia felt an inexplicable fear.