~Chapter 33~
I cleared my throat once and hurried to walk beside him again.
“So, about that—since we can’t rely solely on my memories, I came up with a plan. Instead of just searching aimlessly, how about fishing? We don’t know what kind of fish we’ll catch, but still.”
Etienne looked unconvinced.
“I don’t think I did it alone. If I had acted by myself, I would’ve stolen something valuable and sold it. Why steal documents like that? Someone definitely ordered me to do it. And that person is probably—”
Probably Bethes.
But I didn’t say the rest.
I had suspicions, but no concrete evidence.
I also wasn’t certain Etienne fully believed me yet.
What if he accused me of insulting the Crown Prince? I didn’t want to get arrested.
Besides, there was always the possibility of another mastermind behind it all.
“So let’s figure out who ordered it. It’s simple. By now, they’re probably getting anxious. They’ve likely noticed that I’ve changed. That’s when we start scattering bait—just subtly enough so they approach us first. Then we wait, and snap—catch them.”
Etienne crossed his arms.
“There’s a flaw in your story.”
“Really? I thought it was a perfect plan!”
“First.”
He raised one long finger.
“If what you’re saying is a lie.”
“Ugh, you still don’t believe me? How long is this going to take? Do I need to pull out my heart or something?”
“Second.”
Ignoring me as I bounced in frustration, he raised a second finger.
“If they believe you betrayed them, they won’t approach so easily.”
“No, it’ll be the opposite. They’ll be curious why I betrayed them, and where the item is now. And they’ll worry it might fall into your hands. They won’t have the luxury to hesitate.”
Etienne stopped walking and turned toward me. He lowered the two raised fingers into a clenched fist. The lantern light flickered in his eyes.
“Third—this is too dangerous for you.”
This time, I had no comeback.
Being labeled a traitor could invite retaliation.
“It’s fine. You’ll protect me, won’t you, Etienne?”
I smiled and nodded playfully.
Well… it was half sincere.
Etienne stood there for a long while, staring at me.
Several more days passed, and finally it was time to depart for the Imperial Palace.
I woke before dawn and was dragged around nonstop by Penny.
She slathered my body with some strange, heavily scented oil.
“Raise your arms.”
“How many times are we doing this…? Be honest. You’re rubbing oil on me, spraying fragrance—are you planning to roast me? Are you getting rid of gamey smells?”
As the banquet approached, the schedule became increasingly hectic. On top of that, Etienne’s constant nagging appeared at all hours.
I felt like week-old banana pudding.
I just want to quit everything and rest.
“As if we’d eat someone as skinny as Lady Dalia just because there’s no food. I’d rather chew on raw radish.”
“Tch. That argument has no logical holes.”
“Anyway, please endure it just a little more. To look beautiful at the banquet—”
“I don’t need any of that anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ah… nothing.”
I stopped there. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Penny, but there was no need to broadcast a carefully laid plan.
“Prepare the clothes I used to wear.”
“The ones you wore before…?”
“Yes. Those gloomy, depressing—no, the dark-colored outfits that perfectly suit my taste.”
Penny’s eyes widened. She must have assumed I’d wear Nathan’s dress after all the preparation.
“I want to wear that. Pack plenty of them.”
Though puzzled, Penny said nothing and helped me into the navy-colored dress.
It was a shame I couldn’t wear Nathan’s dress to the palace. But it felt better to give the impression that I hadn’t changed much from before.
If I seemed like a completely different person—as if possessed—whoever was behind this might not approach me at all.
Four carriages for people, three wagons for luggage, countless horses and knights—an enormous procession departed. The journey would take two days.
At least I had one piece of luck: I was alone in my carriage. If Etienne had been riding with me, the whole trip would’ve been unbearably awkward.
Once we left the territory, the land turned mostly into pasture. The monotonous scenery stretched endlessly, dotted with animals grazing peacefully.
Leaning my forehead against the carriage window, I absentmindedly watched the unfamiliar animals and soon began nodding off.
Except for spending the night in a small village, the carriage barely stopped. My body grew stiff and twisted from the ride.
As the sunset painted the sky a muddy gold, massive castle walls finally came into view.
The moment we passed through the gates, a deafening roar filled the air.
Crowds had gathered like clouds to welcome the returning Crown Prince. Parents lifted their children onto their shoulders, waving excitedly.
Ignoring the spectacle, I took out a mirror.
I looked exactly as Penny had styled me that morning.
My hair was tightly pinned up, not a single strand out of place.
Wow… how did she manage this with short hair? Penny’s skills are no joke. She should’ve opened a salon instead of a dress shop.
My well-fed face glowed faintly, but the wide-brimmed hat cast it in shadow.
I practiced the expression I’d rehearsed.
Yes. This was it.
I looked like someone missing a screw.
The lively woman with pink hair and violet eyes was gone. In her place stood a faded, melancholic woman, like something left neglected for too long.
Soon, the carriage came to a complete stop.
Phew.
I exhaled deeply again. My nerves still wouldn’t settle. I fidgeted with the candy pouch Etienne had returned to me.
Still… going to the palace with candy in my mouth would be too much, right? Hold it in. I can do this without it.
Everyone but me is a fish.
I’ll catch them all.
The carriage door swung open.
The sunset glare made me briefly close my eyes.
Ahead of me, a massive, ornate fountain erupted with water, scattering light in every direction.
Standing before it was Etienne.
I hadn’t noticed when he got down, but he was waiting for me. His appearance was immaculate, as if measured by a ruler.
The scene was so picturesque that I froze for a moment.
Etienne extended his hand toward me.
My gaze lingered on his long, pale fingers. I knew it was merely formal etiquette among nobles, yet my heart thumped wildly.
Wait… do I have a hand fetish?
I imagined myself taking his hand, entering the palace beside him like an affectionate couple, basking in everyone’s envy.
If only we really were like that.
I tore my gaze away and stepped down from the carriage on my own.
I could feel the servants watching, bowing while sneaking glances.
The Crown Princess ignored the Second Prince—right here in the Imperial Palace, in front of everyone.
Yes, go ahead. Watch closely, then go spread rumors.
“Crown Princess Dalia treats Etienne like a dog.”
Add some seasoning, make it scandalous.
Upon entering the palace, the first order of business was to greet His Majesty the Emperor.
Etienne and I stood before the doors. My mouth went dry, my stomach churned.
To distract myself, I stared hard at the doors.
Wow… looking closely, they’re incredibly ornate.
A roaring lion was engraved in gold upon them. Its eyes were set with massive red rubies.
How much would those be worth?
I was wiggling my fingers, about to count the gems in the lion’s mane, when Etienne placed his hand over the back of mine.
When I turned to look, he gave the slightest nod—so subtle only I could notice.
Ah… that was encouragement.
I lowered my gaze to his hand covering mine.
So… he held my hand because he thought I was nervous?
The churning in my chest was replaced by a ticklish warmth. I felt a little calmer.
Right. We’re together.
Emperor, Empress—what’s the big deal?
“We greet His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”
Etienne bowed. I followed suit.
The Emperor, whose face closely resembled Etienne’s, exuded dignified charm. It was easy to imagine he’d been devastatingly handsome in his youth.
At that moment, my theory gained credibility: this country’s good looks were hoarded by the imperial family.
Beside him sat Empress Tatiana.
Her red hair was elegantly arranged, and every glance and gesture she made was refined. If I hadn’t known her true nature, I might have fallen for her beauty.
But the Empress was Etienne’s enemy.
She dared to target my husband’s life?
Remembering the ambush on the carriage, I regarded her warily.
“It’s good to see you. It’s been hard to see your face, my son. Have you been well?”
Emperor Demerov spoke as he brushed back his silver hair. Affection practically dripped from his broad smile.
The silver hair really was the imperial family’s trademark.
No matter what hair color they married into, did the children always come out silver-haired?
Wow… dominant genes.
“Indeed. It’s so hard to see you these days. Why don’t the Prince and Princess take up residence in the palace?”
The Empress smiled sweetly as she spoke to Etienne. To an outsider, she might’ve sounded like a gentle, loving empress even to a stepson.
Etienne clearly didn’t see it that way.
“You pushed us out when it suited you, and now you tell us to come back?”
Unlike the Empress, who hid her true feelings perfectly, Etienne’s voice was laced with thorns.
I flinched and looked at him.
Even if they didn’t get along… was it really okay to say that so bluntly?
And in front of the Emperor, no less?
