Chapter 2.6

The castle was as peaceful as ever, even after the huge incident with the Crown Prince’s visit. Today, I went to the greenhouse, carefully picked the beautifully budding flowers, and replanted them together.

“Jenny, do you know what this flower’s name is?”

“A peony, isn’t it? You told me.”

I quietly pursed my lips and uttered the difficult Korean pronunciation.

‘Hambak-kkot.’

The Korean word felt awkward in my mouth after so long. I smiled broadly, remembering that no one knew the name of this flower that grew wildly here and there in the greenhouse, which led me to get completely soaked in the rain when I went out to buy it.

“Hambak-kkot?”

“Yes. It’s a name given to this flower because its shape looks like it’s smiling broadly. If the seedlings I bought then hadn’t gotten soaked in the rain, I would’ve planted them together… They would’ve looked great together, with similar but different colors.”

“Are you disappointed?”

I was surprised by the familiar voice but didn’t bother to turn around to acknowledge him. For some reason, it was a little hard to look at Adrian. It wasn’t between cold and passionate; it was just difficult to keep up with Adrian’s mood, which had been going back and forth between cold and hot lately.

“Of course, I’m disappointed.”

“If you’re that disappointed, go and buy them today.”

I was so surprised by his unexpected words that I turned to look at Adrian. He must be in a “hot” mood today.

“Really?”

When I turned around so suddenly, I saw Adrian quickly turn his face away.

‘Why did he have to make it so obvious that he didn’t want to…’

“Yes. The weather is nice today, so if you leave now, you can be back by evening.”

“Hehe, I’m so excited. I’ll go tell James and Hobbes.”

I put the trowel on the ground, took off my gloves, and headed toward the greenhouse door. But suddenly, I felt my body being lifted by someone’s hands.

“Wha… what?”

Adrian also seemed surprised by his own sudden action and immediately put me back down, releasing the hands he had on my waist.

“You don’t have to tell them. I’ll be going…”

“You will?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, okay, then. I’ll go change my clothes and meet you at the main gate.”

I lowered the corners of my mouth, which had unconsciously gone up, and answered with a bit of a pout.

I quickly got ready and opened my door, and surprisingly, Adrian was standing right outside. He cleared his throat a couple of times and held out his arm to me.

In a daze, I put my hand on his arm, and he escorted me with a very elegant manner. It was definitely a “hot” mood today.

We rode for a bit and soon reached the place where the Grand Duke’s carriage had gotten stuck. The carriage was already gone, cleaned up at some point. The rainy scenery I saw that day was gone like it never happened, and the warm winter sun of the day was shining on my face. It was so strange that this kind of weather would turn so cold at night.

Owen and Cedric were also with us today.

“With the four of us riding like this, it feels just like when we were at the count’s mansion. Doesn’t it?”

“It does.”

Even when I was in the capital, I was always out and about almost every day. To be honest, being only in the Grand Duke’s castle was quite boring. I was already in a good mood just thinking about seeing the market after such a long time.

“I wonder how Sally is doing.”

“You don’t want to go back to the count’s mansion, do you?”

At Cedric’s question, I fell into thought for a moment. But my contemplation was short.

“No. I don’t particularly want to go back.”

Most of the conversation was between Cedric and me, and Owen just smiled. And Adrian… was riding ahead, so I couldn’t see his expression.

I looked at the back of his head and whispered softly to Cedric.

“When he’s like that, I’d have no regrets if I could just give him one good whack on the back of his head.”

“Pardon?”

Cedric, who heard my words, chuckled, and Owen, with a serious expression, instructed me.

“My lady, no matter what, he is His Grace the Grand Duke, so you should be more careful with your words…”

“Owen is still trying to teach me.”

As we were walking and talking nonsense in the warm sunlight, Owen and Cedric’s expressions suddenly changed.

“What?”

At my question, Owen put his index finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet.

And Adrian’s situation was no different. The four of us stood motionless. At that moment, the first thing that moved was not a person, but Adrian’s horse.

The moment his horse snorted and shook its head, a clear, murderous arrow flew with a “whoosh” sound and landed right in front of Adrian’s horse’s head.

“Adrian!”

I screamed, and soon after, the next arrow flew and hit my horse’s side. The horse reared up in pain, and I started to fall.

But I didn’t hit the ground. Adrian, who had appeared at some point, caught me as I fell from the horse.

“Your Grace!”

Owen and Cedric also jumped off their horses and quickly got into formation. When they knocked down the incoming arrows with their swords, dozens of men came out of the forest and surrounded us.

I was reminded of the journalists who surrounded me back in Korea.

The only difference was that they were holding swords, not cameras.

The three men, who had me in the center, stayed close to me and took on a defensive position.

But when dozens of people swarmed us at once, Adrian broke formation and started heading toward the enemies.

I had read in the book that his swordsmanship was close to a divine level, but I never dreamed I would see it with my own eyes.

Every time swords clashed, the number of enemies charging at us visibly decreased. Owen and Cedric were also fighting off more than ten soldiers.

But then, one of the enemies found an opening and started running toward me.

“Aaaaaagh!”

I screamed as I looked at the man running toward me. Adrian, who heard my scream, swung his sword at the enemies in front of him once and then ran toward me.

And he threw a small sword he had pulled from his waist and accurately pierced the neck of the man with the sword right in front of me.

The moment the enemy fell in front of me without even making a sound, I saw a man from behind run toward Adrian with a sword.

Without a moment to think, I pulled Adrian’s arm and put him behind me. And before I could even realize it, a sharp sword slashed my left arm.

“Ugh!”

In my current life, I was Cha Seyoung, who would make a big fuss and cry even if I got a small paper cut. Now, I had been hit by a sword.

And everything after that happened in an instant.

Adrian sliced the man who had cut me with his sword and immediately pulled the sword out of the enemy’s neck and threw it into the heart of the man who was following.

When the sword was pulled out of the neck, blood gushed out like a fountain, and the soldier who was hit by the flying sword fell on the spot, and all movement stopped at once.

He had been the last remaining soldier.

“Claire!”

Adrian grabbed me and screamed. His cry, like a scream, echoed throughout the forest.

“I’m… fine. It’s not that serious.”

It didn’t feel like it was a deep cut, but Adrian’s face went as white as a sheet.

‘Huh? What’s that expression?’

It was an expression I had never seen on Adrian before. But I didn’t have time to figure out what his expression meant. I fainted from the shock and pain of the incredible event I had just experienced for the first time.

And the only thought that came to my mind as I lost consciousness was one thing.

‘Ah… I couldn’t buy the flower seedlings again.’

 

***

 

The Crown Prince, who had left the Grand Duke’s castle, rode all night. Perhaps because he had been drinking so much of the strong liquor, his headache had grown even more severe.

On his horse, the Crown Prince replayed the events, mulling them over again and again. The moment he saw Claire Ianster again, everything became clearer. When Claire Ianster had thrown away her fiancée position and disappeared without a word, the Crown Prince had suffered from the fever of betrayal. He had embraced many women after that, but each time, all he felt was an empty sense of disappointment. But he confirmed once more that in the moments he faced Claire, the terrible headache that constantly gnawed at him and the profound boredom that tormented him every hour both disappeared.

After riding for a few days and arriving at the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince didn’t rest for a moment and attended to the postponed state affairs. However, his mind was completely filled with how he could get that woman back.

“Glenn.”

Glenn Doherty, who was reporting on state affairs next to the Crown Prince, turned his gaze to him.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What would you do?”

“Are you asking about the trip to the Grand Duke’s castle?”

“Yes…”

Glen also knew Adrian. He had seen the slave Claire Ianster was pathologically obsessed with a few times at the Count Ianster’s mansion. But what Glenn had experienced firsthand was very different from the rumors. Claire Ianster didn’t particularly care about Adrian, and he was just a beautiful man who was almost like a mute.

So Glenn was also greatly surprised when he learned that this Adrian was Grand Duke Aurelian. In a timely manner, frequent invasions from the Eastern Continent began, and each time, the Grand Duke reported a victory. Before long, he had become a hero to the people in the capital.

“The first step would be to get her out of the Grand Duke’s castle.”

“Who doesn’t know that? But the Grand Duchy is practically Aurelian’s land, so there’s no way to get her out without using military force.”

“But isn’t the Grand Duchy also under the law of the Quinze-Nouais Empire?”

“It is.”

“Then, do this.”

Sebastian, the Crown Prince, immediately convened a state affairs meeting after listening to Glenn’s plan.

“I will issue a marriage ban.”

“What? Your Royal Highness, who went to bring back your fiancée, is suddenly issuing a marriage ban?”

The vassals unanimously stood up in protest at the Crown Prince’s sudden statement.

A while ago, the Crown Prince had gone to the North to bring back his fiancée but returned empty-handed. The vassals were anxious about the Crown Prince’s sudden trip to the North. And now, a sudden marriage ban.

“Why, is there a problem?”

“Your Royal Highness, the Imperial marriage is not a matter to be taken lightly.”

“Ha, it is because I do not take it lightly that I will issue a marriage ban and find my consort with great difficulty.”

The vassals cornered the Crown Prince, but he treated them with a consistently relaxed attitude.

However, when the Chancellor, who rarely spoke in state affairs meetings, stepped forward, a serious expression appeared on the Crown Prince’s face.

“Your Royal Highness, may I ask the reason for the marriage ban?”

Chancellor Donovan was the highest political authority in the Empire and had served as Chancellor of the nation since the time of the previous Emperor. No matter how fearless the Crown Prince was, he had to give a proper answer to the Chancellor’s question.

“My grandfather, the previous Emperor, also issued a marriage ban, as far as I know. You know that better than I do, don’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. However, haven’t you just returned from the North? And a sagacious Crown Prince like you would not be unaware of what the vassals are worried about.”

“So you’re saying it’s a problem for me to issue a marriage ban? I am not saying I will go to war, am I? A marriage ban is not unprecedented in Quinze-Nouais history. I am issuing this order to obtain my legitimate consort.”

An Imperial marriage ban meant that every noblewoman in the entire Empire was the property of the Imperial family. Even women who were engaged, but not yet married, would become Imperial women during this period.

The marriage ban that Aurelian’s father, the previous Emperor of Quinze-Nouais, had issued to win Aurelian’s mother was revived after 20 years.

“I will relieve you of your troubles, shall I?”

“How so?”

“I will set a condition.”

The condition the Crown Prince set was this: an eighteen-year-old noblewoman with black hair.

Aurelian Quinze-Nouais had tried to cover the sky with his hand, so all the Crown Prince had to do was remove that hand.

No matter how much the North belonged to Aurelian, the North was still Quinze-Nouais. There was no reason why Sebastian Quinze-Nouais’s power couldn’t reach it.

But at the Crown Prince’s words, the Chancellor spoke once more.

“As I thought, it’s because of the young lady of the Ianster family who is in the Grand Duke’s castle. But I know that that woman is already engaged to the Grand Duke.”

Chancellor Donovan also knew everything that had happened to the Crown Prince in the North.

“That’s why I am so graciously issuing this marriage ban, isn’t it?”

“But she is a woman of the Imperial family. No matter how much you are the Crown Prince, it is unreasonable to force this with an order of a marriage ban.”

“I! I was first, Chancellor.”

The Crown Prince, who always feigned composure,’s brows furrowed in displeasure. But as if nothing had happened, he regained his relaxed smile.

“And don’t worry about that. The woman engaged to Aurelian Quinze-Nouais is not Claire Ianster. It’s Lady Helena Evans.”

The Chancellor stopped talking, discouraged by the Crown Prince’s attitude. For the past two years, the Grand Duke had grown his power to the extent that there were whispers that another master had appeared in the Quinze-Nouais Empire.

Even so, there was no way to stop a man with the name Quinze-Nouais from doing what he had set his mind to. But he did not forget to say one last thing to the Crown Prince, who was leaving the meeting hall.

“Grand Duke Aurelian Quinze-Nouais has power. Your Highness, you must always keep that in mind.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand as if to dismiss an annoying nag, like a teenage boy, and left the meeting hall.

And so, the fierce struggle for the villainess between the male lead and the sub-male lead began.

 

***

 

The air was already getting cold. It was my third winter in the North, but I still couldn’t get used to it. After being slightly cut by the sword, I was unconscious for about a day.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Adrian sitting by my bed, with both of his hands on his head.

“Adrian.”

“Claire, you’re awake? I’ll call the physician.”

I quickly grabbed Adrian’s wrist as he was about to leave. He no longer showed any signs of disgust when I touched him.

“It’s so dark? What time is it?”

“It’s dawn.”

“Dawn? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I’m fine. How’s your arm?”

“What do you mean ‘how’? It hurts. But do people normally faint from a small cut?”

“It wasn’t a small cut.”

At my words, Adrian sat on the bed and ran his free hand over my forehead.

“Besides, they said you were very shocked. And you lost a lot of blood.”

I was so surprised by Adrian’s gentle actions that I clutched the blanket and pulled it up over my head to hide.

‘It’s almost worth getting cut for…’

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Claire, show me your face.”

He was just asking to see my face, but his words clung to me like a plea.

At his words, I pulled the blanket down a little and showed my face. Adrian’s silver hair, illuminated by the soft moonlight, shimmered like waves on a lake.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

“Do what?”

“Instead of me… I mean…”

“Don’t get hit by a sword?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I had become playful and let my guard down, seeing Adrian’s pained expression for the first time. But he hardened his face and tried to get a promise from me.

“Never do it again. If it had been a little off, it would have been a disaster.”

“Alright. But Adrian, who were those people?”

“…The Empress must have sent them.”

“The Empress?”

“Yes, she’s been quiet for a while, but since the Crown Prince visited, she must have sent another gift.”

I sat up abruptly. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

“No, why?”

“You shouldn’t be getting up.”

At Adrian’s words, I obediently got back into bed.

“So why is she doing that? The capital is so far from here… For what reason would she send those people to a guy who’s just living his life and protecting the border?”

Adrian smiled slightly at my words. I stared blankly at him, as if his smile wasn’t real.

“Are you, by any chance, worried about me?”

“Huh?”

“You sound like you’re worried about me.”

“Is that something you even have to ask? Of course, I’m worried.”

At my words, Adrian quickly moved away from me. I thought he would get up and leave, but he asked me another question.

“Why?”

“What?”

“Why are you worried? If I die, you’ll be free…”

“That’s a ridiculous thing to say. Does it make sense that I would want you to die for my freedom?”

At my answer, which came without a moment’s hesitation, Adrian’s jaw tensed. But soon, his mouth relaxed as if nothing had happened.

“It’s hard to believe words from a woman who leaves more easily than shaking off dust.”

With those words, Adrian left the room. Adrian, who became sharp as a stray cat just when I thought he had become a little softer, made me feel a little troubled. But…

‘The atmosphere has changed, hasn’t it? He doesn’t hate me anymore, right?’

I unconsciously raised both hands and covered my mouth at Adrian’s appearance. My injured arm stung and hurt, but I didn’t have time to worry about that.

Others might ask what was so different, but I could feel it for sure.

That Adrian no longer hated me. I don’t know since when, but I had already realized that Adrian had no intention of killing me.

But now, it was strangely different.

‘Ah, but why do I feel so happy?’

 

***

 

A cold breeze grazed my cheek as I looked out the window at the garden. A peace I never thought I could feel with Adrian had finally arrived. My arm healed quickly since the wound wasn’t that serious.

It was quite chilly even in the daytime now, but the maids and servants would gather in groups of three or five to chat on the well-kept garden benches. During their breaks, they would go into the greenhouse with tea. Butler Ben had initially opposed it, saying that discipline was becoming too lax, but he eventually went along with my wish that everyone should be able to use the greenhouse together.

Looking at the heartwarming scenery, I didn’t particularly feel like going out and doing anything. But it was a little dull, to be honest. The saddest thing about being in this world was that there were no cell phones or televisions. If I were back in my old home, I would have things to do…

‘I wonder what happened to the potted plants and flowers Evan brought… I hope they didn’t all die.’

“What are you thinking about?”

“Evan…”

“What?”

Surprised by the sudden voice, I looked to my side and saw Adrian looking down at me, his eyebrows furrowed.

“What were you thinking about? Evan?”

“No, the potted plants Evan brought.”

“The potted plants Evan brought?”

“No, I was thinking it would be nice to plant the potted plants Evan brought… in our garden. You have to listen to a person until the end of their sentence.”

“Our garden…”

Adrian and I were in a “peace mode” these days.

Not long ago, an outsider came for the first time to measure us for our engagement attire. The reclusive Grand Duke’s castle was surrounded by countless rumors. And it was a natural result that no bright or cheerful rumors would attach themselves to the somber atmosphere the castle exuded. But even so, they didn’t have to tremble like that…

“O-o-oh, hello?”

The man, dressed in a style that was clearly not ordinary, was the best designer in the North. Adrian was sitting on a sofa, looking at documents, and I was sitting in the drawing room, drinking tea. The designer appeared with fancy fabrics and even a cloth doll in the shape of a person to help with his work. He had also brought tailors and apprentices.

For the first time in a while, colors were being brought into the castle.

I was a little excited about this new experience, so I went over to Adrian, who was looking at documents, snatched the papers from his hands, and led him by the hand. I felt the people around us tense up, but when he followed my lead, they also relaxed.

But the person I found most bizarre in this situation was Adrian. He was a person who didn’t necessarily have to be here.

“Your Grace, you should take a look too. What color do you like?”

But Adrian didn’t look at the fabrics I wanted him to see and just stared at me. And the designer’s team, who looked at Adrian for the first time, couldn’t take their eyes off him.

“My… goodness…”

The tailor standing behind the designer unconsciously let out a gasp of admiration at the sight of Adrian.

Yes, it was only natural for anyone seeing Adrian for the first time to have that reaction. That’s how beautiful Adrian was. But no matter what they said, Adrian was looking straight at me. I, too, found myself staring at him because of the people’s reaction. And his deep, blue eyes captured my gaze instantly.

‘He’s so pretty. Adrian, were your eyes always this gentle?’

“Are you okay?”

When I met his eyes, Adrian spoke to me for the first time today.

“Huh? You’re too pretty.”

“No, I mean… are you all right?”

“Oh, my arm? It’s been healed for ages. Just yesterday, I even planted seedlings in the greenhouse…”

“No, not that, are you… okay with me being here?”

But Adrian didn’t finish his sentence.

“Never mind.”

He fell silent again after that. I was a little bothered, but the beautiful, colorful fabrics spread out in front of my eyes stole my heart again. And as I excitedly walked around, Adrian just stared at me.

After that day, he would occasionally come to my room, talk to me like this, or just stare at my face and gently move my messy hair behind my ear. His eyes were still filled with cold confusion, but his touch was kind and warm.

“Three days left.”

“For what?”

“Our… engagement.”

The cold wind of the North gently swept past our hair. And his still-cold, flickering blue eyes only held me.

“…Right.”

Adrian was greatly mistaken about something.

He might be pushing for this engagement to torment me and make me suffer, but I’m sorry to say, I didn’t hate this engagement with Adrian. A little bit of hope that if we get a little closer, he might open his heart to me was growing bigger and bigger.

“Shall we go?”

“Huh? Where?”

“To the house you used to live in.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I quickly got up, worried that he might change his mind.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll take you.”

I was surprised by his suggestion and just blinked, and Adrian went to the door first and waited for me. I quickly grabbed a cloak to put on my shoulders and followed him.

It took about two hours to get from the Grand Duke’s castle to my house by horse. When I was about to get on my horse, Adrian stopped me.

“Let’s ride together.”

“Huh?”

“Your arm isn’t fully healed yet.”

“Oh? I’m fine, though…”

But Adrian grabbed my waist and lightly lifted me onto his horse. And he, too, took his place behind me. My heart was thumping, probably because I was on a high place.

He rode with only me, not letting anyone else follow.

“Is it safe to go alone like this?”

“The security has been strengthened, so it should be fine for a while.”

I kept making small talk, but I also tried to move forward by about a hand’s length to avoid touching him. But then, Adrian pulled the reins hard, and I couldn’t help but be pressed against him. I was startled and quickly moved away from Adrian, saying,

“Ah! I’m sorry.”

But he didn’t say anything and just pulled me into him.

“Be still, you’re making me uncomfortable.”

“Okay…”

“Do you dislike it that much?”

“What?”

“Touching me.”

“No, it’s not that… I’m worried that you’ll dislike it.”

But he didn’t continue the conversation. I could only feel his heart beating honestly at the same speed as mine. For some reason, I found that to be a great comfort.

We soon arrived at the house I used to live in, and since Adrian had already taken measures, there were no maids or servants in sight. But the house was still clean and well-kept. I ran up to the second floor, and Adrian looked around the first floor, taking off his gloves.

I went into my room on the second floor and grabbed the scarf I was knitting, my diary, my most cherished potted plant, and finally, the leather and the letters for branding. I saw Adrian standing next to my bed at some point.

“Just wait a little. I’m almost done. I just have to put these things in my bag.”

But when there was no response from Adrian, I felt a chill down my spine and turned to look at him. And I saw that he was holding a letter with a lot of flowers drawn on it.

I quickly ran to him and tried to snatch the letter. No, I tried to snatch it.

Adrian held the letter high and looked down at me.

“From your Evan…?”

“You must not write many letters. That’s just a polite expression. Your Evan, your Claire, your Adrian… Like that.”

No matter what I babbled about, he started reading the letter out loud.

“Soon, when spring comes, will you tell me some good news?”

“See? That proves I haven’t shared any good news yet.”

“I will only wait for the day when your smile is directed only at me?”

“Exactly. That means my smile is still going all over the place right now.”

Despite my protests, Adrian ripped the letter to shreds and went outside.

“Where… are you going?”

“I’m going to set fire to the Genes family home.”

“What?”

 I followed Adrian’s tail, a man who seemed ready to act on his threat, and cried out, “Why, on earth!”

“You’re asking that as if you don’t know? It seems he wasn’t the only one who shared his heart.”

“Adrian! What’s wrong with you? Stop right there!”

I hurried my steps and blocked his path, shouting. This was a moment where I needed to take a bold move.

“Do you like me?”

“…What?”

As if he had heard something he shouldn’t have, Adrian froze in his tracks.

“If not, then why are you acting like this? What you’re doing right now is jealousy.”

“Jealousy? That’s ridiculous.”

“Right. So stop it. I am never going to Evan. I had no intention of giving him good news or a smile. So let’s just stop here.”

Like a soldier who had lost his will to fight, all the strength left Adrian’s body. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I turned away from him.

We returned to the Grand Duke’s castle without saying a word, a stark contrast to how we left.

As their master and fiancée-to-be, who had left in a good mood, returned to the castle exuding a cold aura, the only one wringing his hands and not knowing what to do was Ben.