IGCHPM 17

CHAPTER 17

Even though I was hiding behind one of the grand pillars typical of the imperial palace, I could still recognize her.

There was no way I couldn’t.

“Goodbye, original female lead.”

It felt like something black and smoky was filling up my chest.

I was suddenly reminded of my death in my third life.

Right after the guillotine’s blade had struck my neck.

That woman had been laughing with her mouth wide open, drenched in my blood.

“…Ah?”

“……”

“Hillia.”

Maybe it was because I remembered the pain and anger from back then.

For a moment, I didn’t hear Arpad calling my name.

I only came back to my senses when he grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

“…Are you alright?”

Before I knew it, Arpad’s face was right in front of mine.

So close his breath brushed against my cheek.

He was so close, I momentarily forgot the intense fury I felt toward Evangeline.

It felt like he’d reached out and pulled me up from a deep swamp.

Thanks to that, I was a little late to realize why Arpad was so concerned about me.

“Your hands are cold.”

Before I knew it, Arpad had taken my hands in his.

“And you’re sweating so much.”

Then his forehead gently touched mine as he murmured lowly.

“Doesn’t seem like you’re sick though…”

“I-I’m fine.”

It was just a brief moment of emotional overload.

But Arpad didn’t listen.

“No, I think you’re really unwell.”

“What? I said I’m really—!”

Before I could finish, the man who seemed to be the embodiment of stubbornness jumped off the horse with me still in his arms.

My vision shook.

“Kyaa!”

Amazingly, he managed to maintain the bridal carry position even as he landed on the ground.

‘I’ve heard dragon blood boosts physical ability… but this is something else.’

Holding me up like a princess, he began walking toward the Crown Prince’s palace.

“My bride is far too fragile. I can’t risk having her ride a horse any longer.”

He said it loud enough for everyone to hear.

At that moment, I happened to look over his shoulder.

And I saw it.

Evangeline’s gaze burning even more fiercely than before.

She was definitely furious.

The moment I realized that, a strange thrill swept through me.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around Arpad’s neck and clung to him proudly.

And so, our arrival at the imperial palace was made as publicly and as grandly as possible.

Only Arpad’s famous horse followed calmly behind us.

Thwack!

Blood splattered on the white marble railing delicately carved with floral patterns.

Evangeline’s elegant fingernail, which she took so much pride in, had snapped under the pressure of her grip.

But she didn’t even feel the pain.

‘What did I just see?’

That was how shocking the scene had been.

She’d rushed over upon hearing that Arpad and Hillia had entered the palace.

Riding on one horse like they were parading was already shocking enough—

But then, Arpad carried Hillia all the way to the Crown Prince’s palace in his arms.

On top of that—

‘Did that Hillia woman just glare at me?’

That wasn’t all. She even smiled—as if flaunting it.

As if she knew exactly how Evangeline felt.

Even Evangeline herself hadn’t expected to be so hurt seeing Arpad holding another woman.

But Hillia seemed to know it all.

‘Just a character from a book, and she dares…!’

Empress Isabel, unaware of her daughter’s state, clicked her tongue softly.

“She’s throwing a tantrum. Even so, the Emperor will never acknowledge her.”

By now, vicious rumors about those two had circulated the capital at least five or six times.

Even the palace attendants were eagerly gossiping.

“I heard they were having an affair from the start.”

“Oh my. I heard Lady Hillia seduced both the Crown Prince and the Grand Duke.”

“Heavens. If that’s true, she’s a legendary temptress!”

“Still, to steal his cousin’s wife… Has the Crown Prince lost his mind? It’s terrifying.”

Negative rumors swirled like a storm around the two.

At the same time, people were expressing sympathy for Ludwig.

“How pitiful, losing his bride to the Crown Prince’s madness.”

“Even after everything, I heard he doesn’t resent His Highness or Lady Delfin.”

“He’s too kind for his own good.”

If Ludwig ever heard, he’d surely feel shame and rage.

But the Empress didn’t care about any of that.

She scoffed coldly.

“Ludwig reclaiming his bride would’ve been the ideal outcome, but now it’s too late.”

The Empress turned her head to look at her daughter.

“Once Ludwig devours House Delfin later, we’ll have a perfect excuse to get rid of that woman… Eva?”

“……”

Clicking her tongue again, the Empress gently took her daughter’s bloodied hand.

“You still haven’t let go of those foolish feelings?”

“But Mother…”

“I told you to give up. Arpad will never become a puppet like Ludwig.”

The Empress knew her daughter had long harbored feelings for Arpad.

She’d been trying to persuade her for just as long.

Under her mother’s urging, Evangeline finally responded as if she had no choice.

“Yes, Mother. I know. I know very well.”

But she couldn’t accept what she had just witnessed.

Even if Arpad was destined to die soon, even if she could never have him—

‘Why should I stand by while another woman is by his side? When I’m this angry and hurt?’

The soul inside Evangeline always believed—

She was the real female lead.

Why should she treat characters from a book as if they were real people?

‘I’ll kill her! Forget the plan—I won’t let this slide!’

Evangeline’s green eyes burned with ominous killing intent.

Amazingly, Arpad really did carry me all the way to the Crown Prince’s palace.

And his breathing didn’t falter even once.

‘What insane stamina.’

Though I’d already learned that painfully over the last three days of nonstop riding together.

At the Crown Prince’s palace, the chamberlain and servants greeted us in a flurry of confusion.

“Your Highness! You’ve finally returned!”

“You have no idea how worried we were after hearing the rumors!”

“Could that woman be…?”

Everyone was staring at us, eyes filled with shock, curiosity, and suspicion all mixed together.

Arpad ignored their flustered reactions and responded calmly.

“She is the Crown Princess.”

For the record, I was still in his arms.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I whispered to him.

“Can’t you put me down now?”

“Why? Do you hate that I’m holding you?”

A wrinkle formed between his smooth brows. He looked annoyed again.

Why? I really couldn’t figure this man out.

“It’s not that. It’s just… it’s embarrassing. People are watching.”

“Why be embarrassed? Are you embarrassed by me?”

If I said yes, I had the feeling he’d get seriously mad.

“…That’s not it. It’s just natural to feel shy being carried around in front of everyone.”

“Well, I’m not embarrassed.”

Arpad was utterly shameless.

“I am embarrassed, so put me down!”

“No.”

“Why not? I have legs! I can walk just fine!”

“The more you insist on being put down, the less I want to.”

Is he a five-year-old?

I squirmed, trying to get down by force, but it was pointless.

In the end, I lost the strength battle and had to stay in his arms.

To make it worse, Arpad then scolded the palace servants while still carrying me.

“What are you all doing?”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness?”

“Are you not going to show proper respect to your mistress?”

I was horrified.

‘You’re supposed to put me down so they can greet me! That’s clearly what they were waiting for!’

But Arpad was a madman. A madman, by definition, is someone to whom reason and logic don’t apply.

And the palace staff, long accustomed to serving such a madman, quickly fell into line.

One by one, they bowed and knelt before me.

“We greet Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“May the glory of Artanus ever be with the Crown Princess.”

Thus, I experienced something truly unique—

Being greeted by the palace while still cradled in a man’s arms.

Of course, it was a unique experience.

‘I’m probably the only Crown Princess in history to be greeted like this!’

Hiding my inner thoughts, I responded calmly.

“…It’s nice to meet you all.”

I wanted to cry. I was so embarrassed.

So I had no choice but to hide my face against Arpad’s broad shoulder, pretending to be overwhelmed.

Apparently, the servants and Arpad misinterpreted that gesture.

“The Crown Princess must be very fatigued.”

“Shall I summon a physician?”

“Just in case, have one on standby.”

I don’t need one!

“We had the Ivory Room prepared in advance, just in case.”

“Well done.”

The Ivory Room was the Crown Princess’s bedchamber.

A room I hadn’t stepped foot in across all three of my previous lives. It felt strange.

And Arpad carried me all the way there.

‘Okay, your stamina is truly something else!’

Only once we entered the room did he finally set me down.

Not on the floor—he gently placed me on the bed like a feather.

Our eyes met directly.