Chapter 7
“Is something wrong?”
Ian’s voice echoed inside the quiet carriage.
Startled by his voice, Elena looked at him. The moment she saw his bright red eyes, she quickly lowered her head and answered in a small mumbling voice.
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Then why do you look like that?”
“What kind of expression…?”
Elena looked at Ian after his question.
A completely expressionless face, as if nothing in the world interested him.
A huge body.
A cold personality.
Everything about Ian frightened her.
What if he abandons me? What if he sends me back to Wales? What would I do then?
“You look like you want to die.”
“…”
“Do you not want to go to Wales?”
“…That’s not it. It’s just…”
“Just?”
“I’ve never really traveled before, so the carriage feels a little uncomfortable.”
“Never?”
At Ian’s question, Elena’s body stiffened.
No. She had never traveled.
She was an unwanted illegitimate princess. Even in her own palace she was disliked. She had never even taken a carefree walk in the neglected garden of the palace, let alone gone on a trip.
The only thing she had ever been allowed was the academy.
“Yes. It’s my first time.”
“Then you can travel often from now on.”
“…”
“With me.”
Elena flinched in surprise.
Travel… with who?
She couldn’t believe what she heard. For the first time, Elena stared directly at Ian. There was a warm softness in his eyes as he looked at her.
“Th-that…”
“Do you not want to travel with me?”
“N-No, that’s not it. It’s just that Your Grace must be busy…”
“If it’s a trip with you, I should make time even if I’m busy.”
Hearing his gentle words, Elena felt her nose sting and her eyes almost filled with tears, but she held them back.
Even if he loves someone else… wouldn’t it be enough if he’s just this kind to me?
She might never receive his love, but maybe living like this wouldn’t be so bad.
At least it was better than how things were back in Wales.
After using the gate and arriving in Wales, they entered the royal castle, where a huge crowd had gathered.
From the moment they came through the gate, Ian had been riding his horse at the front of the procession. Seeing his confident figure made Elena’s heart beat wildly.
“Welcome!”
“Your Majesty, have you been well?”
“With the Empire’s protection, we live peacefully. Ah, our princess—no, our Grand Duchess. Welcome!”
Seeing her father smiling brightly as if he was happy to see her, Elena bit the inside of her mouth.
Is he only treating me like this because Ian is here?
She felt like she might throw up, but she endured it.
“It’s been a long time… Fa-Father.”
“Our Grand Duchess has become even more beautiful.”
The Crown Prince, who had been standing behind the king, stepped forward. He gently took Elena’s hand and pressed his lips against it.
Even though it was just a formal greeting, goosebumps ran across her entire body.
She tried to pull her hand away, but the Crown Prince didn’t let go.
“Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”
“Your Highness? Call me brother like you used to.”
“…Yes, I will.”
Only after she answered did the Crown Prince release her hand.
Her hand was trembling slightly, so she quickly hid it behind her dress.
“You must be tired from the long journey. Let’s go inside. Someone escort the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess to their prepared rooms. Treat them well!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As soon as the king gave the order, someone approached Elena and Ian.
It was one of the king’s favorite secretaries—someone Elena recognized.
“I will guide you to your residence.”
They followed the secretary into the palace.
Elena could feel the Crown Prince’s sticky gaze following her from behind, but she endured it silently.
Then—
“Elena? Are you feeling unwell?”
Ian suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and spoke with concern.
Startled by the sudden contact, Elena turned to look at him. His arm, warm and strong around her waist, felt unfamiliar.
“No… I’m fine.”
“If you’re tired, lean on me. I’m your husband, after all.”
As Ian’s large body moved closer, Elena instinctively tried to step back. But Ian was faster.
He tightened his hold on her waist and pulled her toward him. When she stumbled, he quickly caught her and held her firmly.
“Y-Your Grace…”
“It must have been tiring traveling by carriage. Let’s go to the room quickly.”
The secretary, who had been watching them, turned and continued walking.
Ian carried Elena gently and followed.
While walking, Ian looked down at the top of Elena’s head, which moved carefully in step with his.
Then he glanced back.
His eyes met the Crown Prince’s furious glare.
“How arrogant.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Ian turned his gaze back to Elena and continued walking.
Do you know how hard it was for me to get her?
Someone like that Crown Prince…
***
“You may use this palace. The servants will come shortly to greet you.”
“I only need my maid Fei…”
“Your servants from when you were a princess are also here. Please don’t refuse.”
“…”
“Then I will return to escort you to the dinner banquet later. Please rest.”
Elena tried to stop the secretary, but he had already left.
This place was the Rose Palace.
It was the palace loved dearly by the queen—her father’s wife.
When Elena had been a princess, she wasn’t even allowed to step inside this place because the queen hated her.
“This palace smells strongly of roses.”
“…Yes. It’s the queen’s favorite palace. She normally doesn’t allow anyone here…”
“That must mean we are important guests.”
Elena stayed silent.
Because she knew that wasn’t the real reason.
But she didn’t show it.
She didn’t want to feel miserable.
“I’ll tell the maids to prepare another room.”
“For what reason?”
“You will need a space to rest as well, Your Grace.”
Ian frowned slightly at her words.
The reason he hadn’t entered the marital bedroom before wasn’t because he disliked Elena.
It was just that… she—
Stopping that thought, Ian spoke.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“…What?”
“I can rest here just fine.”
“…”
“So we don’t need another room. Or… are you uncomfortable with me?”
Elena flinched at the sudden question.
Of course she thought he disliked her. But Ian didn’t like the fact that she seemed to avoid him.
No matter how their marriage happened, he was still her husband.
“N-No, that’s not it.”
“Then that settles it. You must be tired. Let’s rest.”
Elena’s stiff movements clearly showed how nervous she was, but Ian didn’t rush.
He simply thought she needed time.
And after that time passed…
He fully intended to claim her without hesitation.
***
Dinner time approached.
Elena bathed and, with Fei’s help, dressed in a gorgeous gown.
When she looked at herself in the mirror wearing sparkling jewelry, she could clearly see how nervous she looked.
“You look so beautiful, my lady.”
“…But it still feels awkward.”
“That’s because you don’t usually dress up. Once we return to the Grand Duke’s estate, if you dress like this often, you’ll get used to it.”
“But we came suddenly… It must have been hard to prepare this dress and jewelry.”
She had brought simple dresses and everyday jewelry, but not something this luxurious.
And the Welsh royal family surely wouldn’t have prepared it either. The First Princess would have been watching closely.
“His Grace prepared them!”
“…His Grace?”
“Yes! I overheard him asking around everywhere because he wanted to give them to you as a gift—oh—!”
Fei quickly covered her mouth as if she had accidentally revealed a secret.
But Elena had already understood.
He prepared them.
All these dresses and jewels.
Her mood suddenly lifted, as if she were floating.
“He… prepared them?”
“My lady, it’s a secret! You must not tell him I said anything. His Grace arranged it secretly!”
“Why secretly?”
“Oh my, my lady! He was supposed to surprise you and confess it himself, but I told you first!”
Fei lightly hit her chest in frustration.
Seeing her like that, Elena couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
She felt incredibly happy.
The fact that he had prepared these beautiful things just for her made her heart overflow with joy.
Knock knock.
The door opened after they allowed the visitor in.
Ian walked into the powder room wearing the magnificent imperial uniform.
He looked so handsome that Elena was momentarily speechless.
“My wife.”
“Ah… yes… I’m ready…”
Seeing Elena stutter nervously, Fei sighed and answered for her.
“Our lady is ready, Your Grace.”
“Good. Elena, shall we go?”
Ian held out his hand with a gentle smile.
Almost as if hypnotized, Elena stepped closer and placed her hand into his large gloved one.
Holding her hand, he led her slowly toward the banquet hall.
“Today…”
“Yes?”
“The dress and jewelry suit you well.”
“Ah… thank you. Fei worked hard preparing them.”
“…”
Elena waited nervously for his response.
If he had prepared them, shouldn’t he say so now?
But Ian said nothing.
Even until they reached the banquet hall.
“His Grace Grand Duke Ian Leonid and Her Grace Grand Duchess Elena Leonid have arrived!”
With the attendant’s announcement, the banquet doors opened wide.
The dazzling chandeliers hurt Elena’s eyes.
But something else hurt even more.
The stares of her family—no, people who were now strangers.
They had abandoned her as a tribute.
“Welcome, Grand Duke Leonid. And our princess… no, our Grand Duchess.”
“Thank you for inviting us to this dinner.”
“No need for thanks. We are family now, aren’t we? The man who took our precious princess is precious to us as well.”
At the king’s joking tone, Ian smiled slightly and walked toward the seats guided by the attendants.
Elena’s small hand was still held in his.
And Ian could feel someone’s gaze fixed on that hand.
