Chapter 44
An engagement ceremony was already absurd, but a wedding was even more absurd.
Christopher let out a hearty laugh as he looked at the two people whose faces had gone pale like sheets of paper.
“No, no. Back in my day, it was common to hold the wedding even if the couple barely knew each other, but I hear young people these days prefer something different, yes?”
Showing a willingness to embrace the culture of the younger generation, Christopher continued with a generous expression.
“So then—start with the engagement ceremony, take your time getting to know each other through dating… and after that, get married. Elion—no, Lady Payson—what do you think of that?”
“……”
Luvianah had to answer the emperor’s question, but no words came out.
Engagement, wedding—none of it was possible. Absolutely not.
‘I’m supposed to marry Chad!’
While she could only open and close her lips helplessly, Elion stepped in with a firm voice.
“Your Majesty, either engagement or marriage would be far too sudden. Lady Payson and I are not mentally prepared—”
“That mental preparation can happen slowly after the engagement. Is that not reasonable?”
Christopher cut Elion off and raised his voice.
“Or… if you have no intention of marrying Lady Payson even after dating her… should you be set up on a match then?”
“Yes? That is…”
“Good. Date Lady Payson, and marry whomever you meet through the arranged match. Isn’t that how half of the royal and noble marriages go? Dating and marriage separately. How about it?”
“Your Majesty, I do not intend to marry anyone—”
“I cannot sit back and wait forever, Elion.”
Again, Christopher interrupted Elion mid-sentence.
He didn’t seem to have even the slightest intention of listening to Elion’s opinion in the first place.
Looking gloomily at the much younger brother in front of him, Christopher spoke solemnly.
“I will fulfill the promise I made to our mother. By any means necessary.”
“……”
The word mother was the ultimate weapon against Elion.
Christopher always used it at the perfect timing—whenever he wanted Elion to shut his mouth.
As expected, Elion closed his lips firmly, losing the will to argue.
Having handled Elion, Christopher’s gaze now fell sharply on Luvianah.
“Lady Payson, I trust that you did not decide to become romantically involved with my brother—the empire’s sole Grand Duke—with a light heart. Isn’t that so?”
“……”
It’s a fake relationship—how could it be light or heavy?
Luvianah bit the soft flesh inside her cheek, swallowing down her frustration.
An engagement? No way.
There was a massive difference between dating and getting engaged.
Engagement meant their relationship was officially recognized by imperial law.
It meant their families—no, even the imperial family and the nobility—would become witnesses to their union.
She could handle dating Elion for a while and breaking up later.
But pretending to be engaged and then breaking it off… that would be disastrous.
‘Ahh… What am I supposed to do?!’
Luvianah felt utterly powerless before this massive obstacle.
And this obstacle seemed to have no intention of backing off.
It would wait, pressuring her, until she gave an answer.
She slowly inhaled, then exhaled.
Right now, she needed to overcome the obstacle directly in front of her.
She could throw it away or blow it up later—but today, she at least had to step over it somehow.
Only then could she move on to the next stage.
The way forward might be found there.
Clearing her throat, she forced the heavy, suffocating word out of her mouth.
“…Yes.”
It was the answer of someone who had resigned herself to fate.
For now, she would go along with the emperor and figure out the damage control later.
Christopher’s eyes widened in bright delight at her short answer.
Luvianah continued calmly.
“Your Majesty is correct. I did not agree to date the Grand Duke with anything resembling a light heart.”
Because my life is on the line.
Elion and I share a life-bond.
Even if our romance is fake, the fact that we matter to each other is real.
No obstacle should ever be allowed to interfere with us.
“Oh! As expected! You speak far more sensibly than my foolish brother. Then I shall send a formal engagement proposal to Count Payson immediately.”
“I will wait for it with gratitude and joy, Your Majesty.”
“Good, very good!”
Christopher laughed heartily.
Having achieved an unexpected victory, the emperor rose from his seat.
“Then this meddler will take his leave. You two can enjoy the rest of your meal alone.”
Just as Christopher reached the entrance, the heavy door opened from outside.
Florencia stepped in.
She and Christopher froze, eyes widening as they faced each other.
“Your Majesty, what brings you—?”
“Oh my, Saintess, you are here—?”
Florencia’s eyes wavered briefly before regaining their calm.
With a respectful posture, she bowed.
“I greet the Emperor.”
“It has been a while, Saintess.”
“I heard that Grand Duke Klitzman was injured, and I became worried. That is why I visited.”
“Oh… is that so.”
Christopher looked between Florencia and Elion, then nodded with a soft smile.
“It seems the Grand Duke remained safe yet again thanks to the Saintess’s concern and prayers. I am always grateful.”
“I am simply doing my duty as a Saintess, Your Majesty.”
“And perhaps it is also thanks to your prayers that the Grand Duke will soon be holding an engagement ceremony.”
“Haha, yes… indeed.”
Florencia’s expression froze.
Engagement? Did he just say engagement? Impossible. I must have misheard.
Confused, she asked cautiously,
“…Pardon? What did you just say, Your Majesty? I did not hear clearly.”
“I said the Grand Duke is getting engaged. To Lady Payson standing right here. I hope the Saintess will also congratulate them.”
Christopher enunciated each syllable clearly.
This time, Florencia fully understood.
Her mouth opened weakly.
Her gaze shifted to Elion and Luvianah.
Both of them looked away with red faces.
As if everything the emperor had said was true.
Impossible… This can’t be real.
THUMP. THUMP.
Her heart crashed violently in her chest.
Elion… is going to get engaged to this woman? He’s fallen in love with her?
Haa… haa…
Her breath grew ragged with fury.
He’s going to build a family with her? No. NO. Elion’s place was always meant to be by my side. If I can’t have him, then NO ONE can.
She felt the blood drain from her body.
Her head spun, her vision darkened.
Seeing her go pale, Christopher asked urgently,
“Saintess, are you all right? Your face looks terribly pale.”
“I… I…”
Florencia staggered—and collapsed.
Elion swiftly caught her falling body.
“Saintess! Please, open your eyes!”
Christopher shouted in panic, but Florencia did not respond.
Still holding her, Elion gave instructions to Scott as he strode forward.
“Fetch Hailey. Inform the main temple that the Saintess has fainted.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Scott signaled to the servants and followed immediately.
Chaos erupted—but strangely, Luvianah felt calm.
Well… I guess it would be shocking. An engagement popping out of nowhere.
Considering Florencia’s obsessive, twisted attachment to Elion, fainting from rage seemed almost reasonable.
At this rate… I’m definitely going to be hated by the Saintess.
A shiver ran down Luvianah’s shoulders.
Mistaking her reaction for concern for Florencia, the emperor spoke softly.
“You need not worry too much, my lady. The physician here is highly skilled, and priests from the temple will arrive shortly.”
“…Yes.”
The emperor gently patted Luvianah’s shoulder.
In his eyes—she was already family.
