Looking back, I had tried to win his affection like a puppy, seducing him, but his heart was unyielding. He remained faithful to the female lead, often risking his life to shield her. He merely said I didn't need to interfere.

To my surprise, at the moment I nodded, his affection skyrocketed. I realized Huston had always loved me.

"Your Highness, I'll go ask them for a physician. You're the princess of the Glar Dynasty. If you die here… how will they explain it?"

Melanie ran out, but it didn't help.

Outside, I heard curses. In the past, I still had some value. With my beauty, even the king would desire me, and so would others.

On my first night in Fensville, they planted a heart-devouring insect inside me, leaving me no escape, forcing me to be their plaything!

"I'm useless."

Melanie knelt before me.

I reached out and it felt like pear blossoms were falling all around. I seemed to see the young princess of the Glar Dynasty sneaking out of the palace.

I died on a night when snow fell heavily, and in the end, I never got to see the pear blossoms bloom.

"What bad luck! With the deadline approaching, how did she die here in Fensville?"

"Burn her! She's covered in scars and has a filthy disease. If those from the Glar Dynasty find out, we're finished."

My soul floated in the air, hearing their discussions.

They approached to take my body away, and Melanie rushed over crying.

Those people showed a cold and sinister expression.

"Almost forgot there's a little maid here."

Fensville was known for its use of venomous insects and a small bug flew into Melanie's ear, rendering her blind and deaf, collapsing in the snow.

I floated in front of her, wanting to help her up, but my hand passed through her body. I was already dead.

"Your Highness, please don't take her away!"

They built a fire and burned me clean in the blazing flames.

I felt a hint of warmth beneath the snowy ground, not realizing I could feel that warmth only as my body was burned away.

I didn't know how long the fire burned and my body turned to ash, but one rib refused to burn.

The person in charge found it too eerie and decided to wait until the next morning.

That bone was still there, causing him to sit down in shock, and he finally had it buried somewhere.

……

The promised day soon arrived.

But I didn't wait for Huston, the man who had promised to come to fetch me home in three years.