Chapter 4: Contract of Damnation
It didn’t end there.
This stupid bastard—yes, the original Ashen—had the audacity to slap the Second Princess at his own birthday party. In front of nobles. In front of the royal family. On the day meant to celebrate him.
Bravo, truly. The man had a death wish and a PhD in self-destruction.
The aftermath? Utter chaos. His father had beaten him black and blue in front of the guests. His mother had looked at him like her heart was being torn in two. His sister—who happened to be the princess’s close friend—watched it all with pure disgust. And just like that, Ashen Crimson’s reputation crumbled like stale bread. The long-prepared engagement with the princess was instantly annulled, and every noble present that day left with one story: The Crimson brat had finally lost it.
But honestly? I didn’t care.
Because now I was Ashen. And I was no fool.
"Why the hell would I slap a princess?" I muttered, cracking my knuckles and smirking at the mirror. "If she’s cute and royalty, I’d rather offer her tea. Or my hand in marriage. Or both."
I felt satisfied. Whatever this broken soul had done, I would undo. I would fix his messes, win hearts, and maybe—just maybe—avoid getting publicly executed.
Then came the fragmented memories of Phase 3.
It was chaos. Rebellion. Betrayal. People literally wanting him dead. There were mobs. Secret assassins. Hidden conspiracies. My reaction?
I smiled.