Chapter 12
‘What the hell…’
It fit together far too well to be dismissed as coincidence.
To begin with, if I wanted to secure proof that Rebellia was making a move, I absolutely had to go to the marquisate. Whether it meant sneaking in to eavesdrop on conversations or finding their vault—either way.
But no matter how I thought about it, my position made moving around extremely awkward. I didn’t have any private connection with the Marchioness.
I also hadn’t participated in social activities at all until now, so without a party or gathering, I had no legitimate reason to visit the marquisate.
Even that party would’ve been difficult to attend alone. After getting married, I’d been holed up in the imperial palace the entire time. If I suddenly showed up, suspicion would be inevitable.
‘But he’s asking me to go together.’
To be honest, Cedric’s proposal was dangerously tempting. If there ever was a case of a rice cake rolling right into my mouth, this was it.
If what he said was sincere, this might be the only chance I’d get to enter the Hendron Marquisate.
Of course, if I went with Cedric, I’d draw an overwhelming amount of attention.
But once people realized I was just a powerless crown princess, that interest would quickly fade.
As for any later annoyances, I could worry about those when the time came.
‘What should I do…’
Still, what bothered me was how perfectly timed this opportunity was.
Was it really okay to accept it? I swirled my thoughts as I drank a glass of cold water.
‘And I’d be going with just Cedric.’
I couldn’t drag along a sick Mikael, so that meant I’d be alone dealing with that lunatic.
“Are you worried I might cause trouble?”
“…….”
As if he felt called out, Cedric rolled his wine glass across the table. He added a reassurance and let out a groan, dragging out his words.
“I’m in a position where I have to behave myself this time too. If His Majesty finds out, I’ll be confined again.”
…Did the meaning of “confinement” change while I wasn’t looking?
“You’re confined, but you can still go?”
“If I tell His Majesty, it’s fine for a short while. If his son wants to build some connections, shouldn’t a parent let him see the wider world?”
“I-is that so.”
I felt genuinely sorry to say this, but not a word of that sounded convincing.
“You don’t look convinced.”
Of course not. Even nonsense needs to vaguely resemble human speech before it’s worth listening to.
But I couldn’t exactly say that outright, so I looked at him with an expression that said I had no idea what he was talking about.
“So you believe me, then?”
“…….”
“See? You don’t. I told you, I’m good at lying.”
“I didn’t answer.”
“And you talk back well too.”
Casually brushing off my words, Cedric suddenly picked up his knife. The meat that had been served earlier had long since gone cold.
“Why didn’t I come meet you sooner?”
You’re this entertaining, after all.
His muttered tone was full of genuine regret. If we’d met earlier, things probably would’ve been even more dangerous. I rubbed the goosebumps rising on my arm.
“I won’t cause trouble.”
“You could just go alone, you know.”
“That’d be embarrassing.”
“…Why do you have to go with me specifically?”
“I told you.”
I don’t have any friends.
Setting down the knife, Cedric gestured to a nearby attendant.
While the attendant took the cold meat away to reheat it, Cedric turned his gaze to Mikael this time.
“I can call you Mikael, right? I’m still three years older than you.”
“……Yes.”
“I wanted to take you along too, but I heard your health isn’t great right now.”
Mikael couldn’t bring himself to say Cedric was wrong.
Though he was improving, going outside in his current condition was still too much. Mikael himself knew that better than anyone. Still, Cedric’s slightly teasing tone made Mikael’s complexion turn pale.
“So I invited you to at least eat together. If not now, when else would I see you?”
“…….”
“Let’s eat something good today, and next time, we’ll go out together.”
Though he was acting friendly, Cedric was clearly drawing a line with Mikael.
Understanding what he meant, Mikael silently put a forkful of salad into his mouth.
Even as he chewed the vegetables, his tightly set lips twitched with dissatisfaction.
“When are you going?” I asked.
“In two days.”
Two days…
As I watched Mikael, I fell into an unexpected dilemma. The place, and even the timing, were all too perfect.
‘But…’
I slowly grasped Mikael’s sleeve. When I turned my head like that, perhaps sensing my gaze, Mikael parted his lips.
After swallowing what he’d been eating, he lifted the corners of his mouth. To me, though, it looked like a somewhat unsatisfying smile.
“Please… go and return safely.”
At his slightly subdued voice, I reflexively asked back,
“Really?”
At my question, Mikael nodded as if his expression had never stiffened at all.
He clearly looked uneasy, but it seemed he couldn’t openly oppose it in front of Cedric.
Cedric, who’d been observing his reaction along with me, pretended not to notice and changed the subject.
“Your husband’s given permission. Just stay a little while and come back.”
Was it really okay to do this?
Part of me wanted to ask Mikael to come along, but worrying about him made that impossible.
If he were smiling, I’d feel at least a little more at ease. But since he’d been stiff-faced this whole time, I couldn’t bring myself to answer easily.
Noticing my hesitation, Mikael took my hand and smiled.
“I’m truly fine. Just be careful and come back safely.”
“…All right.”
When I answered in resignation, it wasn’t Mikael who smiled brightly—but Cedric.
Soon after, the meat the attendant had taken away returned, reheated and steaming.
The salad that had been served as an appetizer was also replaced with a fresher one.
Cedric picked up his fork and stabbed a small cube of cheese. As Mikael and I lifted our utensils as well, the meal finally began properly.
We exchanged some trivial small talk along the way, but thankfully, Cedric didn’t spout any particular nonsense. It really did seem like he’d only intended to eat.
– Mikael.
– Yes, Your Highness.
– What was your first impression of me?
There were a few slightly precarious moments during the conversation, but—
At least no one raised their voice, so it felt like we’d managed to get past one hurdle.
“So exhausting. Just exhausting—.”
After returning from that hellish dinner and finishing my bath, I flopped straight onto the bed.
As the soft blanket wrapped around me, my body felt unbearably heavy.
I wriggled around for a while, then sat up while hugging a pillow.
When I blew out a strong breath, my bangs fluttered in the air.
‘Going to dinner was the right choice.’
My energy had been drained a lot, but it wasn’t a total loss.
I’d even gained an opportunity to visit the Hendron Marquisate.
Inviting Mikael too… for now, it seemed like it was simply to see his face.
But what truly bothered me lay elsewhere.
Namely—
“Mikael.”
My husband.
“Ah, damn it.”
The nonsense Cedric casually spouted was annoying, but depending on the situation, I could deal with it flexibly.
On the other hand, delicate people like Mikael—along with schemers—were the types I struggled with the most.
I was clumsy even at comforting others; dealing with emotional people was especially exhausting.
If I could, I’d rather just ignore it altogether.
– Please go and return safely.
– I’m really fine, my lady. Please go without worry.
I couldn’t forget the expression he’d worn then.
‘Am I overreacting?’
Was it sympathy pulling at me?
The thought made me groan as I hugged the pillow tightly.
For now, my focus was on keeping him alive—and it would remain that way. But if he kept tugging at my nerves like this, it would become a problem.
‘If only I were good with people.’
I’d lived almost my entire life focusing only on myself. I’d rarely cared this much about a single person, so I had no idea how to handle it.
It was my first time encountering someone with Mikael’s personality.
‘What good is living so long?’
Too many parts of me had grown dull over time. When it came to friction with people, my instincts told me to avoid it. I simply didn’t have the emotional capacity to deal with more.
That was exactly why I was deliberately trying to ignore Mikael’s behavior, even while being aware of it.
This was my first time forming a bond this deep. Naturally, every reaction stood out uncomfortably.
“Maybe I should go for a walk.”
It was already dark outside, but a short stroll should be fine. When my thoughts got this tangled, a walk was always the best solution.
I lightly rang the bell nearby, and a maid waiting outside entered.
“Did you call for me?”
“I’m going out for a walk, so prepare a shawl.”
“But it’s quite late right now—”
“That’s why I’ll just go briefly.”
The maid tried to dissuade me, saying it was dangerous outside, but eventually nodded at my firm response.
“I’ll prepare it.”
After the maid left, I put down the pillow and stretched deeply.
The night air was fairly chilly.
‘That was quick.’
The garden behind the palace I stayed in was really quite small. Because of that, I had no choice but to walk a bit farther away from the palace.
Judging by the fact that the knight following me didn’t try to stop me, it seemed this far was acceptable.
Wandering aimlessly, I leaned my back against a nearby tree.
‘I’m tired.’
As I pressed down on my heavy eyelids, a sigh escaped on its own.
At this rate, it’d become a habit.
“Your Highness. If you stay out too long, you may catch a cold.”
“Got it.”
I’d only come out to organize my thoughts anyway. I didn’t plan on staying long.
When I nodded casually, the knight behind me gave a brief bow.
‘Now, let’s relax a bit.’
I bent my knees and sat down, lightly kicking the ground.
Then—suddenly sensing something off—I tilted my head to the side.
At the same time—
“!”
An arrow embedded itself exactly where my head had been just moments ago.
