Chapter 11
A few hours earlier, rewinding time.
Demian had been staring at Rosalyn, who was waving at him, for a long time.
Her awkwardly upturned lips and her gaze, fixed on him as if nailed in place.
Though clearly different from when he first met her, every time he looked at that face, he could feel the emotions from their first meeting all over again.
A smile that made the heart race just by looking at it, making the cheeks flush.
<What’s your name?>
<…Demian.>
<So you’re that child?>
At the time, hearing that was nothing but annoying.
A child two years younger than him, with an innocent expression, showing no attempt to hide that she knew him—it was extremely irritating.
He was the first child of the late emperor but the only son of the current grand duke, who had been deposed due to his cruel temperament.
Because of his father’s insatiable ambition for the throne, he attended every state event, yet no one approached him.
Neither adults nor children.
Adults whispered about his father when looking at him, and children naturally avoided him.
They probably thought they were whispering quietly, but with a father like that, how could they not assume the son would be just as cruel?
Due to his position as grand duke, no one could openly ignore him, but the children weren’t skilled enough to hide the contempt in their gaze.
Even seeing this, his father continued to shove him among the children for his own selfish reasons.
As if doing so would somehow return the throne that had slipped away.
Yet the throne did indeed return, and thanks to that, he was able to bring her into his grasp.
It didn’t make him forgive everything, though.
“Rosalyn…”
He tapped his cheek lightly before smiling.
As he drew the curtains, the carriage became dark.
Theo and Estelle returned only after evening had fallen. As soon as they arrived, they knocked on my door.
“What is it?”
The two of them stood at the door, clutching a paper bag full of goodies. Estelle’s eyes sparkled.
“A new bakery opened in the shopping district, and it’s supposed to be really delicious!”
Looking inside the bag, I could see it was packed with bread and pastries.
I stepped slightly to the side, and without hesitation, Theo and Estelle entered the room.
“Where did you hear about it?”
“There are many talented artists where I live. Some of them visited a salon…”
“A salon?”
When I asked, Estelle began untying the bag, chattering.
“Do you know Countess Lauren?”
I didn’t know the countess personally, but I knew the count had died of an illness a few years ago.
Seeing me silent, Estelle pulled out some pastries and added,
“She became a widow at a young age, and she invites talented commoners to her salon. She’s really kind, isn’t she?”
Salons were small exhibitions held in the rooms or parlors of nobles.
But most of the exhibits were likely made by nobles as a hobby.
‘To think there are people who genuinely support the arts… that’s surprising.’
If Countess Lauren’s salon succeeded, her efforts to support commoners might expand.
Even after abandoning my social rank, it could provide a small space to breathe.
I helped the two of them organize the snacks. When the maid brought tea, it felt like a proper tea gathering.
I calmly asked them as I sat across from them.
“Did Estelle arrive right after my wedding?”
“Maybe a week later?”
Theo answered me.
A week later.
If she had arrived slightly earlier, I would have found a reason to check Estelle’s wing scar.
How could I see the scar on Estelle’s wing?
I recalled the diary as I ate a slice of pound cake. Perhaps I discovered it while gifting her clothes?
Then I could just give her clothes as a gift.
‘But what excuse should I use?’
At that moment, my eyes fell on the vast array of desserts on the tea table. Could I consider this a reward for them?
There was no time to hesitate. I acted immediately.
“Estelle, this bread is so delicious! Was it hard for you to bring it?”
“Oh, no! Thanks to Theo, we got it quickly.”
Estelle quickly waved her hands while putting down her fork. Theo looked very proud.
Alright. I waved my hand at Theo in a measured way and then spoke to Estelle again.
“Still, I want to give something in return for these treats.”
“These were all bought by Theo! It’s fine, really.”
Oblivious to my thoughts, Estelle giggled. Theo’s smile was now almost bursting through the ceiling.
I was undeterred.
“Still, I want to give back as much as I received. Is that okay?”
After a few exchanges, I became the victor.
Meanwhile, the wedding was scheduled for two weeks later. I asked Demian to move it up as soon as possible at the imperial court.
Thanks to that, the schedule was packed, leaving no time to breathe.
A three-day wedding ceremony. Fifteen dresses to wear.
Even so, due to limited preparation time, it would be a relatively simple wedding.
‘A wedding.’
I closed the carefully prepared pamphlet. I had to select sixty dresses for fifteen outfits.
I shuddered. Was it always this exhausting?
In my previous life, I was just a college student, completely unrelated to marriage. I had attended a few weddings only as a guest.
It wouldn’t be entirely false to say I had never dreamed of my own wedding.
But I never expected it would be with my enemy.
I exhaled in frustration and lifted my hair with one hand.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
I lifted the hem of my dress slightly and bowed.
Even with my eyes lowered, I could feel my father’s gaze sweeping over me from above.
He was checking whether I observed the proper etiquette of a royal.
‘A person I just can’t warm up to.’
I, Theo, Estelle, and even the original Rosalyn—all of us had difficulty with Duke Moore.
It was natural. How could anyone grow fond of someone who behaved like that?
My mother, remembered only vaguely, had been kinder.
It was hard to imagine how someone like him could have fallen for her at first sight and courted her.
“Hmph.”
My father muttered briefly. Taking it as a signal, I straightened my bowed posture.
By the time I turned, I could see my father’s back.
Just thinking about meeting Demian made my stomach churn; I worried I might faint from nerves.
‘How should I face him?’
If I didn’t act like a girl in love, he would suspect me again immediately.
I could no longer delay the wedding.
My stomach churned, and my face gradually paled.
“…Please be careful.”
I turned slightly and saw Theo seeing me off. Unlike a small noble, he waved his hand like a child.
“Alright.”
I responded, and Theo beamed. My queasy stomach calmed slightly.
Yes, I had to do it for them.
For Theo and Estelle.
I just needed to endure a little longer to reach a happy ending.
If Theo and Estelle purify the land of death, I might even relocate to another empire.
Which empire would dare refuse a hero?
I could endure until then.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again.
And hurried to follow my father out of the main gate.
The carriage glided smoothly over the well-paved road. I gazed at the bluish light settling over the landscape outside.
My father, sitting opposite me, remained silent for a long time. The carriage was heading to the imperial palace.
Yesterday, we had received a letter inviting us to a dinner.
It was common to hold dinners to strengthen relations between families before a marriage. I hadn’t expected it to proceed despite such a tight schedule, but it was the imperial court, so I let it pass.
The carriage stopped at the side gate, winding along the high stone walls. Soldiers guarding the door opened the iron gate as soon as they saw the carriage’s emblem.
A subtle tension arose as the gate opened. I would have to act the part during the dinner. Pretend to be utterly in love with Demian.
A fragile noblewoman who would seemingly die if the wedding were delayed even a little.
“Maintain your dignity.”
The low voice came from across. I looked at my father. His golden eyes were sharp and focused on me.
Even now, that was all he had to say. I lowered my gaze.
“Yes…”
His tone suggested he had no personal stake in the matter. Well, what could I do? If the wedding were delayed, he would immediately become Demian’s target.
I would try to maintain dignity as he said, but more important was to appear utterly in love.
I did not expect understanding. I smiled.
