IGCHPM 20

CHAPTER 20

Because of that, the moment I heard the Emperor was summoning me, I immediately asked Arpad for a favor.

“Can I ask you a favor?”

“You still have the late Empress’s keepsakes, right? I’d like to borrow some of them.”

I was a little worried Arpad might react sensitively.

The former Empress wasn’t just the Emperor’s weakness—it was Arpad’s as well.

But surprisingly, Arpad lent me his mother’s keepsakes without hesitation.

He even picked out the pieces that would suit me best.

“This one looks better. It matches your hair and eye color.”

He said that while placing the amethyst tiara on my head.

He even personally clasped the matching necklace around my neck.

“It suits you. Far more than I expected.”

With narrowed eyes and a pleased look, Arpad seemed genuinely happy.

So, out of pure goodwill, I told him:

“Don’t worry.”

“About what?”

“I’ll take good care of it and return it safely.”

But Arpad made a strange face again.

Like he’d found a bug in an otherwise perfect fruit.

He shook his head.

“No need.”

“Sorry? But these are important heirlooms, aren’t they?”

“They are… but if you give them back, people will find it odd.”

“Huh?”

“It’s common for a mother-in-law to pass on jewelry and dresses to her daughter-in-law. But it’s not so common for the wife to return those things to the husband.”

“Oh…”

He had a point.

That’s the kind of thing that happens… during a divorce.

I nodded and replied casually.

“That’s true. Alright. I’ll use them well and return them neatly—when we get divorced.”

Arpad recalled the strange words that woman had said earlier.

That she’d return the jewelry and dress when they got divorced.

She was smiling in the mirror, adorned in the heirlooms of his late mother.

Arpad, who had fastened the necklace himself, was standing behind her.

They weren’t making direct eye contact, but exchanged glances through the mirror.

She was sneaking peeks at him.

And he, in turn, was watching her closely.

“She really is a strange woman.”

Everything about her grated on him.

Her tone, her breath, her habits, even a single strand of her hair.

Each detail pricked at him like a thorn under a fingernail—irritating beyond reason.

Arpad asked himself:

‘Why am I like this?’

Then gave himself the answer:

‘She’s just suspicious. I can’t help but be on guard.’

And more than that—she was too dangerous to leave to Ludwig.

Arpad slowly nodded.

Yes, that’s all there was to it.

After all, she was now in his grasp.

If he kept her close and observed her long enough, he’d find the source of all her odd, irritating behaviors.

And then, as with most people, he’d lose interest again.

After the hasty wedding, the woman had spent most of her time in the annex sleeping.

During one of the brief moments she’d been awake, she had said:

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure His Majesty approves this marriage.”

“How?”

“That’s a se—cret.”

“……”

That woman—Hilia—winked as she said that.

She truly was unpredictable.

Uncharacteristically, Arpad suppressed the smile that kept trying to rise on his lips.

As he escorted her into the audience chamber, he thought:

‘Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got.’

Now, it was time for this woman to pay the price for the forceful marriage he had orchestrated.

As we—no, I—entered the audience chamber, the Emperor’s gaze trembled as though shaken by an earthquake.

Seeing that, I cheered inwardly.

‘As expected! I knew he’d be shaken.’

I knew well that the Emperor’s greatest weakness was the deceased Empress, Arpad’s mother.

‘Because he told me himself!’

In one of my three past lives, I had spent time with the Emperor during his retirement, when he was waiting for death in solitude.

Back then, he told me many things.

Now, the man sitting on the throne looked strong and dignified—formidable, even.

Even the scar on his face enhanced his presence.

He looked like a different person from the aged man with white hair I once knew.

‘But he’s the same person.’

And I already knew his true feelings.

That’s why I could be this bold.

“I, daughter of Delphine and wife of Crown Prince Arpad, pay respects to His Majesty, the great incarnation and representative of Artanus.”

I curtsied deeply, spreading my skirts and kneeling.

The reply was cold.

“…I do not recall ever accepting a daughter-in-law.”

Just as expected. I wasn’t shaken at all.

Arpad… was watching me with great amusement.

‘So he wants to see how I’ll persuade the Emperor, huh? He’s actually enjoying this.’

I felt like a bear performing tricks on its own.

Whatever. I decided to ignore Arpad for now.

The Emperor was what mattered.

His sharp voice continued:

“Weren’t you the one, Lady Delphine, whom I personally arranged a marriage for—with my nephew? I even visited Delphinger myself on your wedding day to offer congratulations…”

The Emperor, calm at first, tilted his head and exploded in anger.

“Is this not blatant disrespect for imperial authority?!”

Thud! Crack!

He slammed the throne’s armrest so hard that a chunk splintered off.

As expected of a dragon’s bloodline—the strength was extraordinary.

But I remained calm.

And the Emperor noticed that. His eyes flickered at my unexpected composure.

At that moment, I spoke.

“No, Your Majesty. Neither His Highness nor I ever intended to disrespect your authority.”

“Then are you telling me the Crown Prince truly lost his mind and acted on impulse?!”

He looked back and forth between us, raising his voice again.

“Speak truthfully, Lady Delphine. If this abduction marriage happened against your will, I will ensure you return to your rightful place.”

In other words, he’d restore me to Ludwig’s side.

Which would make Arpad a criminal or a lunatic.

Arpad had taken on that risk when he agreed to my plan.

“Ludwig, too, has said he is ready to accept and trust his fiancée once more.”

And upon hearing those revolting words, I was so shocked that I—

“Urk!”

—ended up gagging.

“…?”

“…?”

Father and son looked at me, puzzled.

Feigning dizziness, I leaned hard against Arpad.

“The long journey… must’ve worn me out…”

“….”

“….”

Neither of them seemed convinced.

But what could they do? That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I’m just a delicate lady who was summoned without rest—blame the Emperor!

After a moment of silence.

The Emperor cleared his throat and questioned me again.

“If this marriage was against your will, I will annul it. So…”

This time, I answered clearly—no gagging, no stalling.

“I do not wish for the marriage to be annulled.”

“Then are you saying you didn’t oppose it when it happened?”

Not true. I very much wanted it.

But officially, I couldn’t say that.

So I responded vaguely.

“What matters is the present, Your Majesty.”

Blushing, I added:

“Besides, His Highness and I have already consummated the marriage.”

The Emperor’s face twisted. After checking the marriage certificate I handed the chamberlain, he looked even grimmer.

“You’ve already completed the ceremony and received temple certification? What madness is this, Arpad?!”

In that moment, he looked just like a drama villain scolding his reckless son.

The Emperor’s furious roar rang through the chamber.

“What in the world possessed you to do this?! Explain yourself!”

But Arpad said nothing.

It was I who answered.

Hiding my flushed cheeks behind my hand, I smiled bashfully.

“Of course… because of love.”

At those words, both the Emperor and Arpad turned their eyes to me.

The Emperor repeated in disbelief.

“What did you just say, Lady?”

“His Highness said he fell for me at first sight and couldn’t help but abduct me.”

Arpad’s mouth dropped open.

“….”

“….”

The Emperor was so dumbfounded, he didn’t even notice his fingers slipping off the throne’s armrest.

But I continued.

Now was the perfect time—while the Emperor was completely off-guard.

“Just as Lord Artanus fell in love with Princess Istred the moment he saw her.”

“…!”

As expected, the Emperor’s face stiffened slightly.

Artanus was the founding dragon of the Empire.

Princess Istred was the woman he abducted, who later gave birth to the first Emperor—the one the Empire was named after.

With those words, I had essentially declared:

“Our abduction marriage is a reenactment of the Dragon and Princess’s legendary union.”

Or at least, that’s the narrative we’d go with.

I added one more line:

“…That is our official stance.”

“Official stance?”

“Yes.”

“In all public settings, that’s the story we’ll tell.”

The Emperor, whose expression had been filled with disbelief, began to look more serious.

“So the truth is different from the excuse, then?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

I deliberately paused, then boldly posed a question of my own:

“Do you truly believe Ludwig is fit to be the next Emperor?”