Chapter 34
Before I knew it, the wedding was only a week away. I put on the bright yellow skirt the Duke had given me as a gift and took Cerulean’s hand as he waited for me outside the door.
Since there wasn’t much time left, we were heading to the duke’s estate to rehearse for the ceremony.
“Banerinne also entered the palace today,” I recalled.
Honestly, when I heard Banerinne had gone to the imperial palace, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, wondering what kind of scheme she might be up to. But Banerinne was a princess, and the current emperor was her brother. Her going to the palace wasn’t strange at all.
“Even if she is scheming something, the imperial palace is outside my jurisdiction. I’ll just focus on the things I can control.”
Besides, it was honestly a relief to visit the duke’s estate when she wasn’t around. Feeling lighter, I took another step forward.
Cerulean’s gaze brushed lightly over the hem of my dress. I deliberately squeezed his hand and pulled him a little closer, smiling brightly.
“How do I look?”
Cerulean answered immediately, “It suits you well.”
“Don’t just answer so flatly like that.”
“I don’t give empty compliments.”
I shrugged. “Then that settles it. It seems Duke Luke doesn’t like yellow.”
“…Pardon?”
The mention of Duke Luke cracked Cerulean’s calm expression for the first time. I spun around in place; the wide skirt lifted slightly before wrapping around my legs as it fell.
“This was a gift from His Grace, you know. But when I came out wearing it, he said it was boring and left me there alone.”
“You mean His Grace the Duke?”
“Yes, it was in last week’s gossip column. You didn’t read it?”
When I narrowed my eyes at him, Cerulean gave an awkward smile.
“I was only thinking that you could make a fine novelist someday…”
“Wow, really? A novelist? What kind of reporter writes novels? That’s not journalism. Everything I write is based on fact!”
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
When I got heated, Cerulean bowed his head neatly in apology. That only made me more self-conscious, and I fiddled with the hem of my skirt to hide it.
Following my gesture, Cerulean looked down at the yellow fabric and tilted his head.
“Then why are you wearing something His Grace dislikes?”
It must have puzzled him. After all, not long ago, I’d gone out of my way to write letters and make a good impression on the Duke—and now I was wearing something he’d called dull. I lifted my chin proudly.
“It’s called rebellion! Rule number one of becoming a bad daughter-in-law—only do the things your in-laws dislike!”
He hadn’t even asked before dragging me to a dress shop, only to call the outfit boring and leave me behind. Unbelievable!
“To everyone else, it’ll look like I’m a dutiful daughter-in-law wearing something my father-in-law gifted me, so there’s really no downside.”
If anything, it was an advantage. I could even turn it into another article for profit.
“I’d actually love to hear His Grace apologize for once.”
“You’re dreaming an impossible dream.”
“My mother always said to dream as big as you can.”
Of course, my mother’s “big dream” was something like making an agave bloom—but still.
Smirking mischievously, I suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, how much do you know about my mother?”
“Only what’s on the official record.”
“Official record meaning…”
“That she died after getting caught up in a Lore incident.”
“Ah.”
A simple, emotionless truth. I nodded.
“Well, the false accusation Banerinne pinned on me isn’t part of the official record. Which means he doesn’t know that Banerinne caused it all.”
Because of Banerinne’s actions, my mother had gone out late that night and never returned. It was a truth only I knew. I bit my lip in frustration.
“Just wait. I’ll make sure the world knows what a cruel woman you are—someone who tramples the weak without hesitation.”
While I was stewing in that thought, Cerulean tilted his head and asked, “So, when do you plan to reveal that you’re the daughter-in-law from all those rumors?”
“Ah, that…”
I had published several articles in the Newcastle Times, but I still hadn’t revealed that the Duke’s fiancée and the reporter Edel Azhian were the same person. As Cerulean escorted me to the carriage, he said,
“You’ve certainly stirred enough curiosity. Even other newspapers are wondering who you are.”
In fact, some had already printed sketches of my silhouette. It was probably about time for me to make my grand debut in the papers.
I covered my face with both hands and groaned. “Now it’s just too much pressure!”
Maybe it was because my pen had been too sharp. Rumors painted Cerulean’s fiancée as a tall, cheerful beauty.
“The gossip columns have exaggerated everything so much that the rumors have gone completely out of hand.”
Since I’d been seen in public with Cerulean several times, more people had gotten glimpses of me—but the truth, that I was just an ordinary woman, wasn’t spreading at all. Thanks to the newspapers hyping me up as some sort of beauty, the accounts saying I was plain were completely ignored.
“But once my portrait is released, there’s no avoiding it.”
I couldn’t keep delaying forever. Even if I didn’t release the portrait myself, it would be shown at the wedding anyway—and the illustrators would swarm.
“People will probably say I’m not as impressive as they expected, and honestly, that bothers me.”
Cerulean shrugged at my complaint. “It’s not far from the truth.”
I couldn’t tell whether to take that as a compliment or to focus on the “not far” part.
“What an ambiguous comfort.”
Still, I supposed that was the best he could do. I laughed and waved a hand dismissively as I climbed into the carriage.
“After we part ways, I might not even be able to live in the capital anymore.”
“…”
“Cerulean?”
But there was no response. I expected him to play along, but before I could press further, the carriage began to move, and our conversation naturally ended.
Last year had been a historic one for Newcastle. The aging emperor had voluntarily abdicated, and the sole prince, Theodore, had ascended the throne.
The young emperor—barely nearing forty—was a striking man with shining golden hair that fell over his brow. With his refined manners, handsome face, and bold policy of appointing new, young officials, Emperor Theodore had earned the strong support of the younger generation.
However, bold reforms meant constant negotiation with the older, more conservative bureaucracy. As a result, even a year after his coronation, the emperor was still so busy that he often ate simple sandwiches at his desk.
While signing documents, Theodore spoke.
“My dear sister Banerinne. To what do I owe the pleasure today?”
Despite his indifferent greeting, Banerinne smiled radiantly.
“Does there need to be a reason to visit my father and brother? By the way, where is Father?”
“Recently, he went to the secondary palace with Mother. The cold weather has made his health rather poor.”
“Oh dear. That worries me. I’ll have to find some good medicinal herbs for him.”
Her beautiful face, slightly creased with concern for her parents, looked like that of an angel visiting from heaven.
But Theodore knew there was a devil beneath that mask. Resting his chin on his hand, he smirked faintly.
“So, what tantrum brings you to the palace this time?”
At his words, Banerinne’s doll-like blue eyes trembled slightly.
“A tantrum? I merely wanted to see my brother’s face after so long—”
Theodore cut her off sharply.
“Such a tired excuse. You think I wouldn’t see through you? You probably meant to go straight to Father without going through me.”
“Of course not. I’ve always respected you, dear brother.”
Her clasped hands and sparkling eyes revealed no cracks, not even the smallest flaw. Theodore sneered in amusement and got to the point.
Part of it was because he couldn’t stand her insincere expression—but also because he genuinely had no time to waste.
“Is this about the imperial investigation records the Special Division requested?”
“…!”
For once, Banerinne’s perfect composure faltered.
The Special Division—none other than the elite order of knights dedicated to handling Lore and magical creatures.
“How could he already know?”
Paul Luke. That slow, indifferent man had already requested the records from that case?
And Theodore, sharp as a hawk, caught her hesitation instantly.
“What’s the reason?”
“…Would you listen if I told you?”
Even as she feigned a sorrowful expression, playing the part of the tragic sister, Theodore found her disgusting.
He waved his hand. “No. Don’t say another word. Just return to the ducal estate.”
“Brother!”
He smiled faintly—but his eyes were cold as ice.
Years ago, there had been an attempted murder in the Imperial Princess’s Palace. The suspect had been identified, but the real culprit was never caught.
“Your visit here tells me everything, really. Now I know who the true criminal was.”
If she were innocent, she’d have no reason to come digging through those old records—especially not to get her hands on them before Duke Luke could.
