Chapter 162………………………………………
The engagement ceremony with Kyle, which I had been so worried about, began to proceed quickly and naturally, almost as if it had been foretold from the start.
Of course, there were a few minor hiccups, one of which was the venue.
From the beginning, the Count, who had never been pleased about my engagement, had made no mention of the location. But the Emperor seemed determined to hold this engagement ceremony at the palace.
“I don’t really mind where it is, but I already told Rublion about it, so there’s no helping it…”
We had to choose between the temple and the imperial palace for the venue, and neither side was willing to compromise, which put me in a tricky position.
In the end, I stepped in as the mediator: we would hold the ceremony at the palace, but follow the temple’s procedure, with Rublion and the minister attending as witnesses.
“Elufe!”
Someone called out to me excitedly from the hallway.
It was technically improper etiquette, but I thought it must be urgent, so I turned to the maid calling for me.
“……”
“Have you heard of the play popular in the capital lately, ‘If This Love is a Sin, I’ll Willingly Commit It’?”
The maid, who seemed around my age, had a sweet smile on her face, with notably visible dimples that left an impression.
“If This Love is a Sin, I’ll Willingly Commit It?”
Noticing my confused expression, her dimples faded slightly as she explained.
“I actually watched that play yesterday.”
I wondered why she was telling me this, but I quietly nodded.
Encouraged, the maid excitedly talked about the play, and soon, overcome with emotion, tears began to fall from her eyes.
“The love between the main characters was so beautiful. I don’t even know how much I cried in the carriage on the way home.”
“A love courageous enough to not fear death… truly beautiful.”
“Right? I heard something as I left the theater. They said the story is actually about you, Elufe, and Duke Oberne.”
Since I had been possessed (or reincarnated), I had seen a few plays before.
Whenever events were held at the palace, famous troupes from various countries would come and perform.
But most plays were adaptations of well-known literature, so I had never heard of one based on a real-life story.
“Are you saying this is what people who saw the play claimed?”
“No. Someone high-ranking from the theater was talking about it. They said the play was based on reliable information.”
“So you came to tell me?”
It was certainly a story that would pique the curiosity of many empire citizens.
An engagement between me, the daughter of Count Inferna, the head of the noble faction, and Duke Oberne, who was cherished by the imperial family, would naturally attract attention.
It was clear that the theater owner, capitalizing on their curiosity, was quite the entrepreneur.
“Should I check it out?”
While I pondered, the maid rummaged in her apron pocket and pulled out two tickets, offering them to me.
When I looked at her in surprise, she blushed slightly and bowed her head shyly.
“I got these in case you were curious about the play! If it’s alright, I thought you and the Duke could watch it together.”
Her voice was rapid, almost like shouting, and after glancing at me, she squeezed her eyes shut.
I didn’t know what was so embarrassing, but I quietly looked down at the tickets she handed me.
Thinking I might not accept them, she hurriedly added a reason.
“They sell out quickly, so it’s hard to get tickets unless you buy them in advance. These aren’t the best seats, but I really wanted you to see it.”
I decided it was simpler to take the tickets now rather than try to get them myself later.
“Since I’m taking them, let’s do it this way.”
I removed the small earrings I had been wearing and placed them in her palm along with the tickets.
They weren’t gifts from the palace or the Count’s family; I had bought them with my own money, so they weren’t particularly valuable.
Still, for ordinary nobles, they could cover about half a month of living expenses, so they weren’t insignificant.
Though trivial to me, her face brightened noticeably.
“May I accept such a precious gift?”
“Of course. Thanks to you, I got these precious tickets.”
“Thank you, Elufe.”
Having obtained the tickets, I thought about going to the theater alone, but then hesitated, realizing it might be awkward if anyone recognized me.
After all, this play was being watched by those interested in Kyle and my engagement.
If I went alone, it might only give rise to gossip.
“I should ask Kyle.”
I hurried toward Kyle’s office. The doorman there looked at me in mild embarrassment and bowed.
“Is the Duke in?”
“He’s attending a meeting and isn’t here. Should I tell him you came when he returns?”
It didn’t matter if Kyle came to me, but since the tickets were for tonight’s performance, it might be too late if he did.
I handed one ticket to the man, trying to show it was no big deal.
“If the Duke returns early, could you give this to him?”
“Yes?”
“It’s for the 5 PM show tonight, so I thought it might help him prepare if he sees it early.”
“…Yes.”
“If he arrives after 5, it’s fine not to give it to him.”
It wasn’t necessary for Kyle to come with me; I could go alone in disguise.
“Understood. I’ll do that!”
I smiled lightly at the relieved expression on the man’s face.
It would have been polite to ask Kyle if he could come, but since he wasn’t in his office, I had no choice.
By 4 PM, when preparations were complete, Kyle had yet to appear.
Ultimately, I rode alone in an ordinary, unmarked carriage instead of one stamped with the royal seal, heading to the theater.
The maid did not accompany me; I had already given Kyle a ticket, leaving only one.
“We’ve arrived!”
Stepping out of the carriage, I was amazed by the sight before me.
Young ladies in elaborate dresses and young men in stylish suits walked arm-in-arm, chatting amicably—a scene reminiscent of a movie theater from my past life.
“So the maid giving me a ticket meant I should go on a date with Kyle?”
I seemed to be the only one there alone and felt a bit out of place. I turned, only to feel someone warmly embrace my shoulder.
“Kyle?”
Seeing him after so long, he looked even sharper than usual.
His already unapproachable demeanor was accentuated by a sleekness that made him seem almost sculptural.
“As soon as I checked the tickets, I came. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
I chuckled quietly as I saw the ticket in his hand.
“I just arrived myself.”
“You couldn’t come with me, but we’ll go back together.”
Kyle lifted my hand to his lips for a brief kiss.
Flustered, my face heated, while he remained calm.
Embarrassed, I glanced around, and indeed, others were watching us intently.
“There are so many couples, why are they only staring at us?”
My confusion faded as I looked into Kyle’s eyes.
Kyle wasn’t just handsome to me—anyone would consider him beautiful, naturally drawing attention.
“So this is what it’s like to live with a handsome face.”
Blushing, I placed my hand on his arm like the other couples, and a soft smile appeared on his face.
“Do you like plays?”
Kyle hesitated at first, then gave an awkward smile.
“This is my first time seeing one in a theater.”
“So you don’t know if you like it or not?”
I teased him, and he nodded slightly, his face tinged red.
I loved this rare, innocent expression of his.
Before our engagement, he would have performed for everyone as the loving fiancé, but I genuinely began to look forward to this play.
“It’s almost like an official first date…”
There were no snacks like popcorn or soda, but the dark atmosphere was appealing.
The play began once we were seated, and it was so over-the-top that it was hard to watch without wincing.
“Oh, my Duke. I am a frail body unable to defy my terrifying father.”
“Then I shall embrace you. Nothing shall ever frighten you again.”
The audience clapped as the couple kissed.
Our first meeting had been at the palace, but aside from that, everything else was nonsense.
Unlike the play, we had never fallen in love at first sight, nor had a kiss that led to a successful marriage.
“If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have watched.”
I glanced at Kyle, who was quietly staring at me.
As his face drew closer, my eyes widened.
