Episode 22| A Crown, A Lie, and A Dangerous Engagement
The palace had never felt this tense.
Whispers followed Crown Prince Raymond Lucille wherever he went.
Soft. Persistent. Poisonous.
"...Have you heard?"
"They say the Crown Prince prefers men..."
"...That priest—Ryan..."
"I heard he kissed him—"
Raymond walked past them all, unbothered.
But inside—
He was irritated.
The rumors had spread too far. Too fast.
And now...
They had angered the Emperor even more.
"Raymond."
The Emperor's voice echoed across the throne room.
Cold. Commanding.
"...Father."
Raymond bowed slightly.
"I will not entertain nonsense," the Emperor began.
"...But I will not ignore it either."
A pause.
"...You will explain."
Raymond straightened.
Calm.
Collected.
"...There is nothing to explain."
The Emperor's gaze hardened.
"remember...You were seen."
"With a priest."
"...In a compromising position."
Raymond smirked faintly.
"...Rumors exaggerate."
"do they?."
Silence.
Then...
"I am not interested in men."
A pause.
"...I am already in love."
That,
Caught the Emperor off guard.
"...Is that so?"
"...Yes."
Raymond's voice was steady.
"...She is a woman of commoner origin."
Silence fell heavily across the throne room.
"...A commoner?" the Emperor repeated slowly.
"Yes."
The Emperor's expression darkened.
"...You would choose a commoner over noble alliances?"
Raymond met his gaze without hesitation.
"...She is worth more than any noble alliance."
"...You will explain."
"...Not yet."
A calculated pause.
"...But in time, you will understand that this marriage holds greater significance than any political union."
Silence stretched.
Long. Measured.
Then—
"...Very well."
Raymond blinked once.
"...You will bring her here."
"...We will formalize this engagement."
A pause.
"...Better a commoner bride..."
His eyes sharpened.
"...Than a son who cannot produce an heir."
Raymond's smirk returned.
"...A wise decision, Father."
The decree was issued.
And far from the capital—
Riley's quiet life was about to shatter.
"...You want me to WHAT?"
Riley stared at Raymond in disbelief.
"...An engagement," he repeated calmly.
"...Officially."
"...we said a year!"
"And I said circumstances change."
She paced, frustration evident.
"...This is too soon."
Raymond stepped closer.
"...You want power, don't you?"
She froze.
"...This gets you closer to it."
"...And protects you."
His voice lowered.
"...If the temple turns on you, being my fiancée makes you untouchable."
Silence.
Then—
"...Fine."
Raymond raised a brow.
"...That easy?"
"...Don't get used to it."
And just like that—
The plan was set.
Back at the temple—
"Ryan" stood before the High Priest.
"...Leave?"
"...You have already taken leave recently."
Riley bowed slightly.
"...This is a special circumstance."
"...Explain."
"...My twin sister," Riley said smoothly.
"...Riley Scott."
"...She is to be engaged."
"...To whom?"
"...The Crown Prince."
Silence.
Heavy.
The High Priest studied him carefully.
"...Very well."
"...You may go."
And just like that—
The stage was set.
Days later—
Royal carriages arrived at Riley's home.
Her father stood frozen as the decree was read aloud.
"...Riley Scott is summoned to the capital..."
"...To be formally engaged to Crown Prince Raymond Lucille."
"...My daughter...?" Gerald whispered.
Riley smiled faintly.
"...It seems so."
And with that—
They left for the capital.
The palace was grand.
Overflowing with nobles.
Whispers already spreading.
Then—
The doors opened.
Riley Scott entered.
Golden blonde hair cascading like sunlight.
Emerald green eyes calm yet radiant.
A simple gown—
Yet she outshone every noble present.
"...She's beautiful..."
"...Wait..."
"...Doesn't she look like—"
"...Priest Ryan."
The resemblance was undeniable.
At the front—
Raymond stood.
Their eyes met.
A flicker of something passed between them.
Private.
Dangerous.
"Riley Scott," he announced.
"...Welcome."
She curtsied.
"...Your Highness."
The performance began.
First to approach—
Seraphina.
Her sharp gaze studied Riley closely.
"...So you're Riley."
"...Lady Seraphina, it's an honor."
Seraphina stepped closer.
Examining her features.
"...You look remarkably similar to your brother."
Riley laughed softly.
"...We hear that often."
"...I suppose that explains it..."
But her eyes lingered longer than necessary.
Next—
Archmage Michael.
"...Interesting..."
He circled slightly.
"...Your aura feels... familiar."
Riley's heart skipped.
But her smile remained flawless.
"...We are twins."
"...Perhaps."
He didn't sound convinced.
Then—
Duke Edward White.
He said nothing at first.
Only stared.
"...So you are Ryan's sister."
"...Yes, Your Grace."
"...The resemblance is uncanny."
"...We are often mistaken for each other."
"...I see."
But his gaze lingered.
Suspicious.
Drawn.
Then—
The ceremony began.
"I, Crown Prince Raymond Lucille..."
"...Declare my intent to be engaged to Riley Scott."
"I, Riley Scott..."
"...Accept."
Then—
The High Priest stepped forward.
The moment he approached—
It hit him.
That feeling.
Stronger than before.
His breath faltered.
It's the same.
His gaze flickered between Riley—
And the memory of Ryan.
"...Proceed," the Emperor commanded.
The High Priest raised his hand.
Golden light formed.
But his mind—
Was unraveling.
Why does she feel the same?
"...By the light of the Goddess..."
"...This union is acknowledged."
The engagement was sealed.
Applause followed.
But the High Priest stood still.
Watching.
Thinking.
That night—
Darkness answered his call.
"...You are unsettled."
"...The girl..."
"...She feels like the boy."
"...Interesting."
"...Could she be the Saintess?"
"...Possibly."
"...That sensation is rejection."
"...Holy magic rejecting you."
"...Then she must be eliminated."
"...Not yet."
"...You lack proof."
"...Watch her."
Days later—
"Ryan" returned to the temple.
"...Your sister..."
"...Has she awakened holy magic?"
"...No."
Flat. Immediate.
"...You resemble her greatly."
"...We are twins."
"...Yes..."
But his eyes narrowed.
Because now—
The resemblance was no longer coincidence.
It was a clue.
A dangerous one.
"...You may go."
Riley bowed.
"...Thank you, Your Eminence."
As she turned—
A faint smile touched her lips.
Because the game had changed.
The High Priest was no longer guessing.
He was hunting.
And Riley—
Had finally become worth hunting.