IGCHPM 18

                                                                         CHAPTER 18

This isn’t my first time being the Crown Princess.

I always made it to the title—at least in name—even though I was soon cast aside each time.

‘Of course, just like back then, I’m not the real Crown Princess now either.’

After all, this is a relationship born from a contractual abduction-marriage. It sounds bizarre when put like that, but it’s the truth.

Before we divorced, Ludwig had risen to the position of Crown Prince twice.

But both times, I was either locked in prison or confined in a tower. I never once received treatment befitting the Crown Princess. I was nothing more than a criminal.

I never once stepped foot in the Crown Princess’s bedchamber.

Every time, the Ivory Room belonged to Evangeline.

Even before my divorce from Ludwig was finalized.

How did I know?

She came and told me herself.

“Ludwig brought me to the Ivory Room today. He said it’s mine now. And soon, the Empress’s quarters will be mine too.”

So the Ivory Room became a symbol for me.

It felt like it represented everything that had been stolen from me by Evangeline.

My family.

My life.

My people.

And the position of Crown Princess, along with my husband.

That’s why, as I looked around the room, I was filled with emotion.

The entire room was filled with a soft ivory hue, just as its name suggested.

When I touched the small white table with my fingertips, I was surprised to find it wasn’t cold like metal, stone, or wood.

‘Don’t tell me this is… actual ivory?’

I hadn’t expected even the furniture to be made of real ivory.

In shock, I reached out and touched the other white furnishings in the room.

‘Oh my god. Everything really is ivory?!’

Surely they didn’t go so far as to coat the walls in ivory too?

With a mix of anxiety and anticipation, I touched the white wall.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—the walls were covered in ivory-colored silk wallpaper.

Though the wall-mounted candelabras were gold-plated ivory—an utterly insane display of luxury.

Then, suddenly, I felt a warm breath against my ear from behind.

“Are you disappointed they didn’t cover the walls in ivory too?”

“Eek!”

I flailed like a freshly caught fish.

My entire body flushed red.

What was that all of a sudden, you crazy Crown Prince?

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

“Well, you were caressing the walls so passionately. For a second, I thought you were planning to marry the bedroom instead of me.”

“Stop being ridiculous! I was just curious, that’s all!”

“I wasn’t being ridiculous.”

That’s what his mouth said, but his tone and expression said otherwise.

It was obvious—he was pouting like a twisted pretzel.

“What are you sulking about this time?”

Arpad made a silly gesture, raising both index fingers over his head like horns.

“No matter how strong my dragon blood is, I haven’t grown horns, you know.”

“Would you stop spouting nonsense?”

After some mild grumbling, Arpad’s expression softened and he asked,

“What were you thinking, touching the furniture and walls so passionately? While your husband stood right there.”

“Can you not phrase it like that?”

Arpad only smiled mischievously.

I replied casually as I stroked one of the smooth, warm ivory furnishings.

“I just felt a bit guilty and regretful.”

“About what?”

“This room is so beautiful… and yet, it welcomed a fake mistress before the real one.”

Whoever Arpad ends up loving in the future—

That woman will be the rightful owner of this beautiful room.

I’m just a temporary guest passing through.

When I turned my head after saying that, I saw a very unexpected sight.

Arpad’s expression had hardened. A wrinkle formed between his smooth brows, and the corners of his lips turned down.

He looked clearly displeased, even angry.

What’s with him all of a sudden?

Still, I finished what I wanted to say.

“…But!”

“But?”

If I hadn’t come in, this room wouldn’t go to Arpad’s lover—it would end up being Evangeline’s again.

And that was absolutely unacceptable.

So—

“As long as I’m staying here, it’s my room. So I should be pampered properly, don’t you think?”

For some reason, my words made Arpad’s stiff expression ease a little.

And then he threw out a completely unexpected question.

“Then what about me?”

“…Huh?”

“While you’re staying here… will you pamper me too?”

Excuse me? Why are you acting like you come as a package deal with the Crown Princess’s chamber?

“……?”

Is this man already losing his mind?

I cautiously stepped forward and placed my hand on Arpad’s forehead.

Thankfully, there was no fever or chill. He felt perfectly normal.

He seemed surprised at my sudden touch.

His mouth, which had been spewing absurdities, clamped shut.

His eyes, which had been narrowed in sly amusement, widened into innocent roundness.

‘Why does he look cute all of a sudden? It doesn’t suit him at all.’

Shoving that thought aside, I asked the important question.

“Are you having a manic episode?”

“……”

Arpad looked like all the wind had been let out of him.

I’d finished exploring what would be my room for a while—the Ivory Room.

Arpad’s nonsense had, for some reason, fizzled out on its own.

I figured it was finally time to rest and collect my thoughts.

But this was the imperial palace, the center of power in the empire.

Naturally, it was a storm’s eye where intrigues and incidents never ceased.

Before Arpad and I could even finish our conversation, the next event came knocking.

The chamberlain of the main palace arrived in person to deliver an imperial summons.

“His Majesty the Emperor commands that His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Delfin present themselves before him together.”

His words gave a clear glimpse of the Emperor’s current stance.

‘So the Emperor still doesn’t recognize our marriage.’

As expected.

‘I knew that getting the Emperor to acknowledge this marriage would be the first and biggest hurdle after entering the palace.’

It was a clear-headed assessment of the situation.

However—

There was someone beside me who couldn’t accept that obvious reality and went off the rails.

“The chamberlain must be getting old. You used the wrong title. She’s not Lady Delfin—she’s the Crown Princess.”

His voice dropped into a dark growl, eerie and heavy.

Anyone would be intimidated into obedience by that tone.

But the chamberlain, a man seasoned by years in the imperial palace, didn’t flinch.

“His Majesty referred to her as Lady Delfin. I merely repeated his words.”

“Don’t make me say it a third time. She is the Crown Princess.”

The chamberlain adjusted his monocle and replied coldly.

“Please prepare for your audience, Your Highness and Lady Delfin.”

At the same time, Arpad drew his sword from its scabbard.

Clang!

‘Oh my god! You lunatic! You can’t just draw your sword in front of the Emperor’s chamberlain!’

I sprang into action with all my strength.

Fortunately, we were close, so I managed to wedge myself between Arpad and the chamberlain.

Thanks to that, the blade flying toward the chamberlain’s neck came to a stop.

It halted just shy of brushing my nose.

‘Ugh, my heart just dropped.’

I reached out to grab the blade.

Arpad frowned and pulled it back.

Once I was sure he wasn’t about to start swinging the sword around on a whim, I turned toward the chamberlain.

Trying to look as composed and graceful as possible, I spoke.

“I hope you’ll forgive my husband’s outburst. The blade never truly meant to threaten you.”

If I hadn’t stepped in, it definitely would have.

The chamberlain’s eyes flickered with surprise.

Still, his response was icy.

“I have not been given permission to refer to you as Crown Princess.”

“That’s alright.”

“…Pardon?”

“You just heard me call His Highness my husband.”

“Indeed.”

“Whether or not I’m acknowledged as Crown Princess, the fact remains that I’m Arpad’s wife.”

“……”

“And I understand your position perfectly. You can’t call me Crown Princess unless your superior permits it.”

If your superior says jump, you jump. Especially when that superior is the Emperor.

Curse this caste-based society.

Without letting any of that show, I declared quietly,

“More importantly, we should heed His Majesty’s summons. Once we’ve had our audience, I believe you’ll be able to call me by the proper title.”

What I really meant was:

‘Once we meet and speak with the Emperor directly, he’ll recognize me as the Crown Princess. So don’t worry about it.’

The chamberlain looked genuinely surprised.

For the first time, a personal impression slipped through.

“You are… a bold woman, Crown Prince’s wife.”

He even took a step back. Though he didn’t acknowledge me as Crown Princess, he admitted I was Arpad’s wife.

Good.

I had finally smoothed things over and turned around.

‘Now I just need to get Arpad and go meet the Emperor.’

But as soon as I turned around, I was met with a rather strange expression on Arpad’s face.