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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Shattered Plans
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"...What the hell is this?"
I muttered without thinking. My voice cracked.
First Imperial Princess. Tower Lord's daughter. Saintess. Heiress to the empire's largest merchant guild.
Is this a dating show? Or a power broker beauty pageant?
I picked up the documents again. My hands were shaking. I scanned the male participants' list once more.
Third son of a count's family. Second son of a viscount's. Second son of a baron's. And me. Second son of the Northern Grand Duke's family.
Hold on.
Just a second.
All the guys are from nobodies. But the women? First Imperial Princess, Tower Lord's daughter, Saintess, heiress to the empire's largest merchant guild.
What kind of lineup is this?
Something was off. Very off. My mind raced.
What if.
What if.
The real goal of this program is to marry one of those women? And if it happens?
A count's third son marries the First Imperial Princess? A viscount's second son weds the Saintess?
Insane.
That'd be an overnight rags-to-riches story.
A fringe noble suddenly becomes imperial in-law overnight.
Plopped right in the heart of central politics.
That's exactly what big brother was so wary of.
"You're not trying to break into high society, are you?"
His words echoed in my head.
What did I say back then?
"It's a dating reality show."
"Just a sideshow for third and fourth sons." "No political ambitions."
But the truth? It's a program starring the daughters of the empire's top power players.
If I stand out here? From big brother's perspective?
If his little brother gets tangled with the princess?
Links up with the Magic Tower?
Gains the temple's backing?
Shakes hands with the empire's economic powerhouse?
"..."
I bowed my head.
"Fuck."
The curse slipped out. A word I wouldn't dare utter in the North. But right now, I couldn't help it.
My perfect plan.
The "show my face just enough and quietly bow out" plan.
Completely shattered.
No matter what I do here, it'll look like ambition in big brother's eyes.
If there's even a hint of chemistry with the princess?
"A scheme to swallow up the main family using the imperial family as backing."
Instant sword to the throat.
If I lock eyes soulfully with the Tower Lord's daughter?
"Building up to borrow the Magic Tower's might and take my head."
Assassins incoming.
If there's even the slightest whiff of me getting close to the Saintess?
"Using the temple's authority as a pretext to usurp the Grand Duchy."
Funeral altar set up that day.
Ha.
I can't not date on a dating show.
But if I do, big brother suspects and I'm dead.
A perfect checkmate.
No escape routes whatsoever.
"...I just want to go home."
At least there, my neck was safe. Under big brother's watch. If I groveled flat and just breathed, I could prove my loyalty on the spot.
But not here. I'd been tossed into a den of powerhouse ladies beyond my control.
How suspicious would that look to big brother? Thousands of kilometers away, no chance to explain, perfect setup for every misunderstanding.
I thought it was a warm paradise, but this was my execution block.
Perfect weather to die.
The door opened.
"Participants, it's orientation time."
A staffer entered.
"Please follow me this way."
My legs wobbled as I stood.
Run now?
No.
Too late.
I'd already come to the imperial villa.
Running now would be its own disaster.
"Northern Grand Duke's son flees imperial program."
A stain on big brother's honor.
That'd mean death too.
No choices left.
I dragged my heavy feet forward. Walked the corridor. The marble pillars that looked beautiful earlier now resembled prison bars.
A large hall soon appeared. The other participants were gathered.
The men. Count's third son, viscount's second, baron's second. All tense-faced.
And the women.
The First Imperial Princess. Her red hair caught my eye first. A vivid, flame-like hue. Golden eyes.
The Tower Lord's daughter. Silver hair like mine, but different vibe. If mine evoked Northern snow, hers was moonlight.
The Saintess. Golden blonde in white robes. Smiling, but her eyes held an unknowable glint.
The Goldwin Merchant Guild heiress. Black hair, sharp eyes.
Four women. All from families at the pinnacle of imperial power.
And me. The spare second son from the Northern fringes.
The croissant from earlier churned in my stomach.
"Alright, everyone's here."
The host stepped forward. Middle-aged man. Soft features, practiced smile. Looked like a pro at imperial events.
"Welcome to Fate's Red Thread."
His bright voice echoed through the hall.
"First, a quick rundown of the program format."
He gestured. A staffer brought out a large crystal orb.
"Filming happens through these magic crystal orbs. Installed all over the villa."
The orb glowed faintly.
"The footage gets edited and airs weekly."
Recorded? Good.
If it's not live, I can just get edited out, right?
Act as boring as possible.
No screen time.
Naturally fade into the background.
A ray of hope.
"However."
The host added.
"It streams live to select VVIPs."
...What?
"Esteemed figures across the empire are hugely invested in this show."
VVIPs?
Live?
What does that mean?
Recorded broadcast with live viewers?
How...
Hold on.
"Esteemed figures across the empire"?
High nobles? Or even higher?
No way the Emperor...
Nah, probably not.
...Right?
"VVIP identities are strictly confidential. Participants, no need to worry about it."
No need to worry?
Is that even sane?
Unknown "esteemed figures" watching me live?
Hope vanished.
No. The situation got worse.
Plan to get edited out? Ruined.
VVIPs see the raw feed live.
Everything I do, they see.
"Now, for our first order... Young Lord Valentine!"
"...Are you listening?"
Someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned to the source.
The host.
"Time for introductions. Let's start with the young lord from the North."
Ah.
Too distracted to hear.
I stepped forward.
One step.
Two steps.
Legs like lead.
All eyes on me.
The men's gazes.
The women's.
And the orb's.
VVIPs watching me now.
Unknown "esteemed figures."
Live.
My heart pounded wildly.
Calm down.
Stay calm.
Don't stand out.
Be utterly average.
Boring.
Forgettable.
That's how I survive.
"Second son of the Northern Valentine Grand Duchy."
I pitched my voice low.
Stripped emotion.
Flat, dry.
"Kasian de Valentine."
Done.
No more words.
Aspirations? None.
Resolve? None.
Anything to add?
I want to go home.
But can't say that.
So I shut up.
"...Yes."
The host seemed slightly thrown.
"Anything else to add...?"
"No."
I cut him off firmly.
"Ah, alright..."
He smiled awkwardly.
"Stoic. A true Northern man."
True Northern man?
I just want to live.
I returned to my spot.
A supremely satisfying intro.
Position that catches no one's eye, piques no interest.
Exactly what I wanted.
I inwardly cheered.
"Next up..."
As the host called the next,
I felt a gaze.
I looked up.
First Imperial Princess. Her golden eyes on me.
Our eyes met.
1 second.
2 seconds.
The princess's lips curved up.
A smile.
Slight.
But definite.
Interest?
Curiosity?
Or...
My heart nearly stopped.
I'd seen countless Northern wolves. But that gaze terrified me more.
3 seconds.
She looked away.
Naturally.
As if nothing happened.
But I knew.
Those 3 seconds weren't just eye contact.
Something had begun.
Ah.
I'm screwed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At that moment
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Ding-] A translucent window popped up before my eyes.
Magic?
Text appeared at the top of the window.
[Red Thread Gallery - Real-Time Reactions]
...Real-time reactions?
Hold on.
What did the host just say?
"Recorded footage airs weekly after editing."
"But streams live to select VVIP sponsors."
Is this it?
VVIP real-time reactions?
No, why is it showing to me?
No idea.
For now, let's read.
Curious too.
Who these "VVIPs" are.
What kind of people.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇[Red Thread Gallery - Real-Time Best Posts]📰 Breaking PostNorthern Grand Duke's young lord's jawline for real? Whoa ㄷㄷPosted by: ValentineFamPlzNoBastards | Views: 1,847— AnonWhoa, saw him walk out on the orb just now? How does a human face look like that?— EyesMeltingNorthernSpringEmpire mages cast mass perception distortion or what? How is a face like that possible...— AnonFor real, I was licking the orb and mom caught me ㅠㅠ— AnonLmao what were you licking— AnonLips too pretty... I couldn't help it...— SilverWallEyesMineApproved?Check that wolfish glare... All Northern guys like that?— AnonIf all Northern men look like that I'm moving North right now— Anon8 months of winter a year?— AnonThat face would keep winter warm— EasternMarquis3rdDaughterAliasNorthern Grand Duke's young lord's face should be designated national treasure and permanently displayed in the imperial museum— AnonFr, agree— AnonNational Treasure No.1 go go stuff and mount him while he's fresh◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I stared blankly at the window.
What the hell.
Licking the orb? National treasure? Museum?
Are these people sane?
And
"EasternMarquis3rdDaughterAlias"?
...Ladies posting this crap here?
What kind of noble education do they get?
The window auto-scrolled.
New post up.
📰 Breaking News[Breaking] Northern young lord locks eyes with Her Highness the PrincessPosted by: NorthernWolfBiteMePlz | Views: 1,847 (Surging)
Did you see? Her Highness looked first
Saw Northern young lord's face? Lmao froze solid
So freaking cute...
Thought he was icy but flustered is adorable af...
— AnonYeah I saw lol Her Highness smiled— AnonChemistry insane— AnonEpisode 1 dropping bait already— NeutralBystanderPrincess faction vs Saintess faction vs Tower faction vs Goldwin faction war incoming?↳ ReplyPrincess faction here↳ ReplySaintess all the way↳ ReplyTower Lord's daughter silver hair + Northern silver hair = silver couple go go◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The window closed.
Popped up out of nowhere, vanished just as quick.
I stood there dazed.
What.
What the hell is this.
"Chemistry"? "Bait"? "Princess faction"?
What have I gotten dragged into?
Big brother.
If you're watching this.
I didn't mean to.
For real.