Chapter 115

I beamed as I looked into Evan’s startled eyes. I had originally intended just to peck him on the cheek, but when his pouting lips caught my eye, I found myself drawn to them like a magnet.

 

‘Goodness, me…’

 

I cleared my throat and rubbed my cheeks repeatedly. That was the first time I had initiated a kiss. Then again, we were getting married, so what was a kiss? I’d navigated countless crises with a simple peck on the cheek before—it worked like a charm on Father and Piote. So, naturally, on Evan…!

 

“W-wait…!”

 

Evan, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion, clung to me and showered me with a barrage of kisses. We became quite the spectacle for the passersby.

 

“Love me more,” Evan whispered with an adorable grin.

 

“A-after we finish our business!”

 

“I don’t really like that answer… but if I wait patiently like a good boy, will you give me more?”

 

I couldn’t hide my face, which was turning a deep shade of rose. I nodded slowly. Was this man not embarrassed at all? Just a moment ago, he was acting like he didn’t even want to go. I let out a little chuckle.

 

 

***

 

 

This was the chamber of the most noble woman in the Empire. Consequently, Evan stayed outside while only I was permitted to enter.

 

The Empress was still confined to her bed. Swallowing an antidote didn’t mean an instant recovery; her internal organs had suffered damage, however brief the exposure. I heard that Baron Perio had been making regular house calls to the palace.

 

The Empress’s face was hard to see, obscured behind the canopy; I could only discern her faint silhouette.

 

“Young Lady, I heard you wished to see me.”

 

“Yes. I’ve come to claim the reward you mentioned previously.”

 

Her voice was still cracked and harsh, but she seemed to have no trouble speaking.

 

“Very well. What reward do you seek?”

 

“Before that, I would like you to answer a question. What do you think of the current situation?”

 

“…Which situation are you referring to?”

 

“The incident where Prince Bastien and Prince Fedeshar targeted your lives.”

 

“Bastien did no such thing. As for Fedeshar… well, I suppose he tried to kill me so that he might survive me.”

 

Even though a maid had implicated Bastien and circumstances pointed to his guilt, the Empress firmly drew a line, stating he had nothing to do with her poisoning.

 

“…Young Lady, what about you? I tried to kill you. Do you wish to kill me?”

 

“No, I won’t try to kill you. I am different from you, Your Majesty.”

 

A dry, brittle laugh echoed through the room. I couldn’t see her expression, so I didn’t know what she was thinking.

 

“Even a worm will turn when trodden upon, they say. Perhaps I was too excessive. But I have no regrets. I made the right decision.”

 

It was a cold, iron-willed statement.

 

“Yes, and because of that ‘right decision,’ you have killed many people in the past. But what matters is the present. I am requesting a tea time with you, Your Majesty—along with the Emperor, Prince Fedeshar, and Prince Bastien.”

 

“A tea time?”

 

“Yes. May I set the date? Considering your condition, it will be held nearby.”

 

Since the Emperor was officially sponsoring it, it was obvious we would gather at the palace. The Empress stared at me intently.

 

“Why do you go to such lengths? This has nothing to do with you. Wouldn’t the downfall of the Imperial family be a good thing for you? They have caused you nothing but trouble.”

 

I chose my words carefully.

 

“True. To be honest, I don’t care who becomes Emperor or who tries to kill whom. I’d rather just squeeze out a hefty sum in damages and be done with it. However, since we are connected, I simply want to do my best within my reach. Besides, if the country is turned upside down like this, I won’t get a proper celebration on my wedding day. I want to get married on a peaceful day!”

 

The Empress listened in silence, then let out a short laugh and nodded.

 

“…Fine.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I bowed and stepped out of the room immediately. Outside, I moved to run toward Evan, but I spotted a familiar figure standing beside him.

 

‘How is he walking around so freely? I guess the Emperor and Empress really can’t give up on their children. Status really is everything…’

 

Standing next to Evan was Bastien. As Evan fiddled with the ring on his fourth finger, Bastien’s gaze drifted toward it.

 

‘He was bragging… honestly, he’s hopeless.’

 

I stepped between them. I gave Bastien a brief, formal nod as a greeting.

 

“Evan, I’m done. Let’s go.”

 

“Are you getting married?” Bastien asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

I answered bluntly and turned my head away. I heard a hollow laugh but ignored it.

 

“So it ends like this. I seem to always lose.”

 

Bastien shrugged. I looked at him with narrowed eyes.

 

“That’s because your mindset was wrong from the start.”

 

“Lep, let’s just go,” Evan urged.

 

“No, I have to say this.”

 

Why was he acting like the victim? In the end, he was the one who made the final choices.

 

“Evan worked hard. Even after being told his time was limited, he gave it his all. He didn’t blame others or compare himself to them. But what did you do, Your Highness? You are the one who ate away at yourself. Where is the man who worked so hard to be recognized? Did you decide to just eliminate everyone who wouldn’t acknowledge you?”

 

I could see Bastien’s pupils shaking. I continued with a scoff.

 

“In the end, your top priority was yourself, followed by power. You just stayed frozen in place, hiding your true intentions and blaming everyone else. If you truly loved me, you would never have acted that way.”

 

I placed my hands on my hips and spoke confidently.

 

“I will never be swayed by a man like you. Not in the past, and not in the future.”

 

How was that? I smirked as I looked at Bastien, who stood like a statue. He deserved to be punished for all the trouble he put me through. He looked utterly dazed by the blunt truth.

 

“Lep… I’m moved. I’ll never change either. If anything, my feelings have grown even larger than before.”

 

Evan wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my cheek. The ticklish sensation made me laugh. We glanced back at the speechless Prince.

 

“Let’s go now.”

 

“Yes, let’s.”

 

Evan, seemingly eager to get away, almost lifted me off my feet as he nudged me forward. We walked out of the palace with our heads held high.

 

“How was that? Did I do well?”

 

“Yes, you did great.”

 

I suddenly looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, staining the horizon in shades of pink—or perhaps purple, depending on how you looked at it. The scene was like a painting. I pulled on Evan’s sleeve.

 

“Evan, look at the sky. It’s pink! Or is it purple? It’s so beautiful…”

 

“If we’re talking about pink, you are far more beautiful.”

 

Evan’s eyes, which looked as though they only had room for me, glowed with a beautiful violet light. He was definitely more beautiful than the sky.

 

 

***

 

 

The day of the formal family meeting arrived quickly. I was nervously glancing back and forth between both parties. Our parents had known each other for a long time, and our engagement was long-standing, so I thought it would go smoothly. But… what was with this atmosphere?

 

“If they marry, Lepina will officially enter the Ducal house. I heard the name Weiss can only be used by one family,” my mother noted.

 

“There is no need to worry about that. I intend to pass the title to Evan before then. We plan to hold the succession ceremony as soon as possible,” the Duke replied.

 

“The wedding date you want is quite soon. Considering the day the Young Lord received our permission, the speed seems almost nonsensical,” my mother countered.

 

“It is my son’s wedding. Isn’t it a parent’s heart to want everything to be perfect? We’ve already drafted a schedule. It isn’t that difficult.”

 

They could have just had a warm meal and exchanged pleasantries, but my mother was interrogating them about everything—my future status, our future life together, separate etiquette lessons, and so on. My mother asked the questions, and the Duke and Duchess took turns answering. The only saving grace was that my father was staying quiet. To be precise, every time he tried to open his mouth, my mother pinched his leg to stop him.

 

“When do you plan for the succession ceremony? Isn’t the procedure complicated?”

 

“It isn’t particularly complex. However, we might have to push the wedding date back a little.”

 

“…Father, this is the first I’ve heard of this,” Evan protested immediately.

 

“It’s only a slight delay. You must officially become Duke Weiss before the wedding.”

 

“Are you okay with that, sweetheart?” my mother asked me.

 

“The exact date hasn’t been set yet, so I’ll discuss it with Evan.”

 

“The succession can happen after the wedding—!”

 

“Are you telling me to live with a pair of newlyweds? I refuse.”

 

The Duke waved his hand, looking exhausted at the mere thought. A brief argument broke out between Evan and his father, but the Duke emerged as the victor. The Duchess joined in, and I even hinted that it might be for the best.

 

Just when I thought the meeting was ending well, things took an unexpected turn. Piote, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up.

 

“Father, Mother. May I introduce the woman I intend to marry?”

 

And then, Elena appeared.

 

“You…!”

 

My parents looked as if they had been hit over the head, staring blankly at the unexpected guest.

 

“It is good to see you again. I am Elena Stepani.”

 

“Stepani…?”

 

The surname sounded oddly familiar—it was Baron Perio’s name! The one he said he hated because it sounded like a girl’s name! I was certain once I saw Baron Perio walking in behind her.

 

‘So this was the ‘certain deal’ Evan and Piote made.’

 

In an instant, we were having two family meetings at once. My parents, looking utterly dazed, were shocked to learn that Elena and Piote were not just dating but thinking of marriage.