The End of First Love - Chapter 21

That wretched woman! How much longer will she continue to stand in my way?!

“Higiii! Please forgive me, Princess Maria…”

Looking down at the plump man screaming before her, Maria pressed her foot down even harder. The man writhing in ecstasy on the floor was Count Mareille—Maria’s patron. She still remembered the day she was brought to his estate by her father upon reaching adulthood.

Born as the daughter of Baron Castor, Maria was raised in a house unlike other impoverished baronies—hers was wealthy. With her pink-blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, she was a stunning beauty. Men and women alike fought for her attention, vying to please her. Whatever she desired—be it people or possessions—she always got. Anything or anyone that displeased her was quickly discarded. She lived like a true princess, and everyone called her one.

As she grew older, her beauty only blossomed further. From a doll-like child, she transformed into a woman of both youthful innocence and irresistible allure. Seeing this, her parents placed great expectations on her. Every day, they told her, “You will marry into royalty.” And naturally, she believed them.

However, for a mere baron’s daughter to become a royal consort was nearly impossible. That was when an opportunity arose: a letter announcing the selection of candidates for Prince William’s betrothed. Baron Castor used his wealth to buy Maria a place among the contenders.

With her beauty, she had absolute confidence she could outshine any high-ranking noblewoman. And with the seductive techniques passed down from her mother—a former high-class courtesan—she was sure no man could resist her. She scoffed at the naive noble girls who knew nothing of pleasure, convinced they were no match for her.

That was until she met that wretched Elizabeth.

A woman of breathtaking silver hair and deep blue eyes. Wherever she walked, gasps of admiration followed, and people instinctively stepped aside to let her pass. But it wasn’t just her looks—every movement, every gesture commanded attention. People swarmed around her, desperate to earn her favor. No matter the occasion, the one standing at the center of it all was always Elizabeth.

A duke’s daughter, blessed with beauty, status, and adoration—Elizabeth had everything.

That woman ruined my world!

“Tell me, Count Mareille. I am a princess, aren’t I? A princess whom everyone adores?”

“Hiii… Y-Yes, Princess Maria! Please forgive me…”

Maria pressed her foot down on the count’s groin, her lips curling into a seductive smile.

“HIGIIII! I-It’s coming out…!”

“Did I say you could release yourself? Filthy pig. You dare dirty my shoe?”

“I-I’m so sorry, Princess Maria…”

As the perverse count grabbed her foot and fervently licked the stains off her shoe, Maria’s rage boiled inside her.

Ahhh! How infuriating!

If not for Elizabeth, she wouldn’t have to degrade herself by dealing with such a disgusting nobleman.

After Prince William’s engagement to Elizabeth was announced, Maria’s life turned into a living hell. Her parents, who had pinned all their hopes on her, immediately changed their attitudes. They became desperate to secure a politically beneficial marriage for her, seeing her beauty as their greatest bargaining chip.

That was when the offer came—a marriage proposal from Count Mareille, a widower seeking a young bride. Maria resisted with all her might. But her parents, determined to forge connections with high-ranking nobility, conspired with the count, sealing her fate.

Then, that night came.

She was brought to Count Mareille’s estate by her father. Separated from him and stripped of her clothes by the maids, she was forced into nightwear. Even now, she could never forget the sheer despair she felt at that moment. The thought of having her purity stolen by a balding, obese old man made her curse her fate.

As she lay motionless on the bed, paralyzed by hopelessness, a voice whispered in her mind.

Elizabeth stole your place. The throne was meant to be yours. Prince William should have been yours. Will you simply let her win?

From that night on, Maria’s life changed completely.

Using her control over the now subjugated Count Mareille, she clawed her way through high society, trampling over other noblewomen in her path. At last, she reached the position of Prince William’s de facto fiancée. She had even managed to manipulate him into nearly banishing Elizabeth from noble society.

And yet—like a phoenix, that woman rose from the ashes. Just remembering it made Maria’s bl00d boil.

Feigning innocence again?! Trying to win Prince William’s heart?!

And now she’s engaged to Duke Schwein’s Heinz?!

Unforgivable… Unforgivable!

I will ruin her!

Kicking the perverse count aside, Maria rose from her luxurious chair and sneered down at him as he lay sprawled on the floor.

“Strip. I’ll tie you up.”

“Hiiiinn! As you command, Princess Maria…”

“You’re done training my father already?”

As Maria stepped out of the room, she was greeted by Count Mareille’s son, Leonardo. Their relationship had spanned several years now. Unlike his father, he had no perverse tastes—though he did have a dangerous penchant for masochism. Still, as long as he remained useful, Maria didn’t mind.

“Yes. I left him tied up. He’s probably ascended to heaven by now.”

“You’re ruthless.”

“Oh, please. As if you’re any different.”

“Heh, fair enough. But tell me, Maria—are you really satisfied with this? I can help you, if you want.”

As he attempted to drape his arm around her shoulders, she shot him a warning glare.

“I am the future queen. Don’t touch me so casually.”

“Hah! Bold words. You do know your position isn’t so secure, right?”

“What?!”

“Seems like Elizabeth is back in the picture. I heard Prince William wasn’t exactly displeased about it either. That pervert only ever gets turned on by ‘tragic’ women. Maybe the new Elizabeth is just his type.”

“What are you implying, Leonardo?”

“I’m saying… are you really going to sit back and do nothing?”

“You have a plan, don’t you?”

“Of course. Taking care of Elizabeth would be easy for me.”

The real power behind Count Mareille’s estate wasn’t the pathetic, perverted count—it was Leonardo. He controlled the underground empire of human trafficking, drug trade, illegal gambling, and smuggling. If anyone could erase Elizabeth from existence, it was him.

“You’re serious?”

“Absolutely. But there’s a price.”

“What do you want…?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

Leonardo’s hand found her shoulder again. This time, she didn’t brush him off.

“You do realize Prince William will only marry me if I remain pure, right?”

“Of course. But there are ways around that.”

“Fine. Do as you wish…”

Leonardo smirked, his predatory grin widening.

Tonight would be fun.

That woman… she’s finished. I’ll have her utterly destroyed, then sold off to a neighboring country like the worthless thing she is.

The infamous Mareille household was finally making its move.