CHAPTER 48………………
Well Done
From yesterday afternoon until I skipped lunch today, after much agonizing and heated debate, I finally chose this blue dress—and maybe it was too perfect.
Seeing me all dressed and ready, Mick came out with something so absurd.
“Why don’t we just skip that stupid party?”
Hmm… Honestly, I can’t say I wasn’t tempted. I also wanted to spend time alone with Mick. But still—that wasn’t an option!
“If we don’t go, how awkward will it be for the Duke and Duchess of Xenon?”
I pulled myself together and gave the sensible answer. He reached out and toyed with my hair.
“That’s what the chancellor’s for. To stand in the king’s place when he’s absent. Hm? What do you think?”
He looked straight into my eyes, lifted my hair, and pressed the lightest kiss to it. This was unmistakably… seduction.
“You even forgot the promise you made to me yesterday.”
“Promise…?”
“My first wish!”
I blinked up at him, confused—then the memory hit me. The bet we made over the sword duel!
Mick had won four rounds in a row, and his first wish was that I come to the Crown Prince’s chamber that night. I had completely forgotten… too busy picking out a party dress.
“Oh… that…”
“So the dress beat me out, huh?”
He sulked, and honestly, I couldn’t deny it.
Feeling guilty, I gave him my best apologetic look. He pouted, winding my hair around his long fingers.
But really, he was partly to blame for my obsession with this dress. I fixed him with a stern look and said in a firm voice:
“I heard Princess Shine ran out of your office yesterday—in tears, clothes all in disarray.”
“…That rumor’s already out?”
His pitiful act instantly fell apart, his expression twisting. Then he glanced at me nervously.
“You don’t actually suspect me, do you?”
“Of course I don’t.”
“Then?”
“I am a little angry, though. Why did you let it get to that point in the first place?”
I put my hands on my hips, brimming with disapproval. Mick immediately backed down.
“Sorry.”
Then he reached for my hand and fiddled with it.
“When she first came in, she looked perfectly proper, like any envoy should. I had no idea she’d suddenly start throwing her clothes off.”
“And you just sat there?”
“I swear!”
I yanked him forward with a sharp pull. He let himself be dragged close.
“Having such a handsome husband is exhausting sometimes.”
“So… you don’t like it?”
He tilted his head, feigning innocence, a smug smile playing on his lips. Damn it, he knew exactly how attractive he was.
That smile was so beautiful I almost smiled back. Get it together, Lea!
“Anyway, that’s why we’re going to the party tonight. To show Princess Shine very clearly that you’re my man. So cooperate with me.”
My fiery declaration made his eyes curve with delight.
“And how exactly will you show her?”
He lifted my hand to his cheek, covering it with his own.
“By stroking me like this in front of her? By kissing me?”
“That won’t be all.”
Truthfully, I hadn’t thought that far, but better to play along with him.
“I can’t wait. We’d better hurry.”
Smiling broadly, he took the fur coat from Millie and held it open for me.
When I turned to slip it on, Mick suddenly noticed the back of my dress was completely bare.
He seemed to stop breathing for a moment, then out of nowhere pressed a soft kiss between my shoulder blades.
“Mick!!”
Oh god—my heart thumped like it had been shocked. This man was hazardous to my health!
I nearly collapsed from surprise, but when I turned to scold him, he only sighed lightly and helped me into the coat.
Wrapped in soft fur, I felt him gently embrace me from behind. Careful not to mess up my hair or makeup, he whispered:
“Let’s only stay an hour and then come home.”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Honestly, I didn’t dislike his suggestion one bit.
Summoned by the Emperor, Robbie entered the Imperial Palace. But after hearing the imprisoned High Priest reveal Lea’s secret, his mind was in chaos.
He just wanted to rush home—but as he was about to board his carriage, he remembered the words delivered by Hailey’s maid.
“Her Majesty the Empress Consort requests that you stop by her palace discreetly after your audience with His Majesty.”
It was late, and he felt uneasy. But instinct told him refusing her would be unwise.
So he dismissed his carriage at the Empress’s Palace gates, not wanting others to see the Stone family crest waiting there.
“I am Robbie Stone, heir to the Stone Count family. I was told Her Majesty requested me.”
The maid looked flustered but quickly ushered him into the reception room.
“Please wait here while I inform Her Majesty.”
Left alone, Robbie massaged his temples. Too much had happened in too short a time.
Then—thud! Something slammed into the inner door that connected to the adjoining room.
He heard a faint woman’s laugh, and a man’s low murmur.
Don’t tell me… the Emperor Harlan is already here?
An ominous feeling gripped him. He shot to his feet.
I should just leave.
But before he could, the inner door burst open. A man and woman stumbled into the reception room—locked in a feverish kiss.
The woman’s robe was slipping off, the man’s shirt half on, trousers only up one leg.
“You can’t! There’s a guest in there!!” the maid shrieked.
Startled, the couple froze and turned.
The woman with flowing chestnut hair and swollen lips was, as expected—Empress Hailey.
But the man kissing her… Robbie could never have guessed.
“G-Greetings to the Little Sun of the Empire.”
It was Crown Prince Gaian of the Harlan Empire!
Robbie quickly bowed, recovering his composure. The Crown Prince, clearly displeased at being discovered, scowled.
Hailey, though flustered, regained her poise. She pushed the Crown Prince back into the adjoining chamber, then turned to Robbie, tightening her robe.
“My apologies, Lord Stone. I didn’t know you were waiting here.”
“I’ve intruded at an improper hour. I’ll return tomorrow morning.”
He tried to excuse himself with feigned calm, but Hailey wasn’t about to let him go.
“No—I must speak with you tonight.”
Her icy tone froze him in place.
At that moment, the Crown Prince reemerged, now fully dressed. Unashamed, even in Robbie’s presence, he drew Hailey into his arms, kissed her deeply, and whispered in her ear.
“Shall I take care of him?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Hailey smiled sweetly, then escorted the Crown Prince out. Robbie, left alone in the reception room, squirmed in unbearable discomfort.
By the time Mick and I arrived at the West Palace annex, the party preparations were flawless.
The grand reception hall bloomed with extravagant flowers, while exotic, enchanting music filled the air.
“Welcome. We’re honored by your presence.”
“Thank you for inviting us to such a splendid party.”
Zulmon greeted us at the entrance.
Slender and refined, he wore a crisp white suit instead of his envoy’s uniform. His long platinum hair, flowing to his waist, made him look almost indecently beautiful.
“Your Majesty the Queen—you look truly radiant tonight.”
“Thank you. You look quite dashing yourself, Sir Zulmon.”
It was mere courtesy, yet Mick’s face darkened. Zulmon, perceptive as ever, quickly led us inside.
As I slipped off my fur coat, my bare back was revealed. Zulmon’s eyes widened in pure admiration—Mick’s expression only grew stormier.
“Damn it. From now on, only wear that when it’s just us.”
He growled low, so only I could hear. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“We greet His Highness Prince Mickroc of great Fritan and Her Majesty the Queen.”
The Duke and Duchess of Xenon rose to welcome us.
The Duchess, in an elegant silver-gray gown, radiated poise—clearly a woman who never lost her composure.
“You look stunning tonight, Duchess.”
“Not as radiant as you, Your Majesty.”
While we exchanged the usual polite ‘you’re prettier’ compliments, our husband-fools—Mick and the Duke—looked on with indulgent smiles.
Then the doors opened wide, and the hostess of the night made her entrance—Princess Shine.
In a blazing crimson gown that spread like rose petals, she floated toward us, breathtakingly beautiful.
Damn, she’s confident.
Her dress left her shoulders and chest boldly exposed, every bit as provocative as yesterday’s.
“Forgive me, honored guests, for arriving late. I beg your gracious pardon~”
She dipped gracefully, her full cleavage emphasized.
The Duchess and I instinctively glanced at our husbands’ expressions.
Thankfully, both Mick and the Duke handled it flawlessly—faces perfectly neutral, eyes cool and disinterested.
Well done.
I mouthed the words to Mick with a satisfied smile. The Duchess’s look of approval mirrored mine.
