Chapter 24
I rose from my seat and bowed politely to the Emperor. While showing proper respect to him, I also didn’t forget to try shaking off the Crown Prince’s hand that rested on my shoulder.
“You may go now. I’ll rest here for a bit before leaving.”
The Emperor waved his hand dismissively.
He was the ruler of the Empire—the man who could control the wily high and low officials with just one hand. There was no way he hadn’t noticed my subtle actions. But in the end, the Emperor respected my wishes. I bowed quietly and stepped back.
“Just how far are you planning to follow me?”
Even after leaving the Baharoth Palace and passing through the garden, the Crown Prince continued to trail behind me. I turned around and glared at him.
“Isn’t it natural for a fiancé to escort his betrothed outside the palace?”
“That’s a courtesy you’ve never shown before.”
He smiled gently. I scowled at him openly. When he stepped closer, I instinctively stepped back.
“I didn’t expect you to use the deceased as a shield, Bii.”
His red lips curled into a smile—not quite a sneer, but something similar. His golden eyes locked onto mine.
I didn’t avoid his gaze.
“And you, Your Highness, used His Majesty as a weapon.”
The reason he had summoned me to the inner hall of the Baharoth Palace was clear. He wanted to pressure me by using the Emperor. The old me might have followed the Emperor’s words just to avoid unnecessary friction. But that time had passed. Once the fire had been lit, it wouldn’t stop until everything was reduced to ashes.
His eyes widened slightly. Then, after a moment of stiff silence, his lips slowly parted, and he burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Well, well. I really walked into that one, didn’t I?”
He laughed brightly, genuinely amused. It was the first time I’d ever seen him laugh so freely. And oddly, despite having landed a solid hit, I felt like I was the one who had been outplayed.
‘He’s cursed. Definitely cursed.’
I turned away, leaving him still laughing.
‘The best thing to do is avoid someone like him altogether.’
But he grabbed my arm. I tried to shake him off reflexively, but his firm grip didn’t budge. I had no choice but to face him again.
“I warned you not to provoke me.”
His eyes gleamed fiercely. Those deeply golden eyes looked like they’d been delicately crafted by a master artisan. And within those golden orbs, I was perfectly reflected.
I glared at him challengingly.
“I don’t recall giving you permission to use my nickname.”
“I didn’t expect to be rejected by my own fiancée.”
He leaned in, his smooth nose nearly brushing mine. I wanted to shove him away, but there were too many watching eyes. The palace maids, pretending not to look, were clearly peeking at us with great interest.
‘I want to throw him to the ground so badly…’
Even if they couldn’t hear what we were saying, there was no way they’d miss it if I tossed him aside.
“As your fiancée, you should treat me with more courtesy.”
A twitch flickered between his brows.
I smiled sweetly at him and whispered in his ear.
“Sometimes, even prey can bite the hunter, Your Highness.”
I shifted my entire body weight to the tips of my toes. Hidden under my long dress, my foot pressed firmly onto his.
‘Tch. If I were wearing heels, I could’ve crushed his foot.’
I bitterly regretted not wearing high heels today.
“Milady—ow!”
As I exited the inner palace, Marie, who had been waiting inside the carriage, shot up and smacked her head on the ceiling. She clutched her head and plopped down.
“Even after all these years, you’re still as clumsy.”
“Sorry, milady…”
Marie drooped at my scolding. She hurriedly stepped out to open the path for me. I passed her and climbed into the carriage.
“Heading straight home again today?”
She asked as she closed the door. I shook my head.
“To Vivaldi Street.”
“Vivaldi Street?”
“Yes.”
She looked puzzled, but I didn’t answer. I was too drained to offer a kind explanation. Sensing my silence, she quietly relayed the destination to the coachman through the front window. I leaned deep into the seat.
Meeting the Crown Prince always exhausted me, but today was twice as tiring. Meeting the Emperor on top of that had worn me down even more, and the finale…
“Sigh…”
“Milady?”
Marie approached, alarmed by my sigh. I waved her off to indicate I was fine.
“Are you really okay? You don’t look well. Should I turn the carriage around?”
“No, it’s fine.”
I shook my head and closed my eyes. She said no more. Honestly, stomping on the Crown Prince’s foot had felt incredibly satisfying. When he frowned in pain, I even felt a little thrill.
But that feeling was fleeting.
‘You’re such a troublesome man.’
Though my heels weren’t high, I had put my full weight into that stomp. It must’ve hurt. But he had looked at me and smiled as if nothing happened. It was such a bright smile, it felt like flower petals were dancing around him.
Startled by the strange feeling, I had tried to shake off his arm, but he was quicker. With the hand that wasn’t holding my arm, he gently cradled the back of my head. It happened so fast I couldn’t react. His face came closer, and I felt a soft warmth press against my forehead.
“You really are difficult, Bii.”
His voice, tinged with laughter, was like sweet honey.
I rubbed my forehead. I could still feel the soft touch of his lips.
“Haah…”
A sigh escaped from deep within me. I couldn’t make sense of the Crown Prince’s behavior.
‘What does he even want from me?’
Was he seriously trying to fall in love with me? It felt like I had stepped on a landmine. I thought I had gotten the better of him, but his reaction didn’t match someone who had been defeated. Annoyingly, he even seemed happy. I couldn’t pinpoint where things went wrong. It was like I’d hit a grand slam… only to lose the game in the end.
“Milady!”
Marie called again at my sigh. I shook my head.
“I’m fine.”
Despite my words, she fidgeted nervously and hesitated before mumbling softly.
“It’s not that… We’ve arrived at Vivaldi Street.”
“….”
Nothing ever went smoothly when the Crown Prince was involved. I shook my head, trying to clear him from my thoughts. As I prepared to get off, Marie quickly opened the carriage door.
Vivaldi Street was lined with upscale stores for nobles. The area was clean and elegant, as expected.
“Where to, milady?”
I hesitated. There were stores for clothing, jewelry, stationery, weapons—everything. I looked them over. Nothing stood out.
A few days from now was Rant’s birthday. Technically, it was the day he came to the Ellient family, but we called it his birthday.
Rant didn’t know his real birthdate. His mother had died of illness when he was very young. He had lived like a serf on a farm until a servant of the Marquis found and brought him in.
He remembered little about his mother—only the image of a weeping woman. He told me with a calm, almost detached expression. He didn’t seem sad when he spoke of her. Just composed. Almost indifferent.
He had learned hardship before emotion. Tossed among peasants without parents to protect him, he hadn’t even learned how to cry or smile properly. No one had cared for the weak boy. He hadn’t even learned to speak well. He’d always answered slowly, stumbling over his words.
It was only later that I realized why he had never cried or resisted my bullying in the past—he hadn’t known how.
I had held Rant in my arms. He was now a large, dog-like man, but back then, he had been small and fragile enough to fit perfectly in my embrace.
Even then, every time I hugged him, he would stiffen like a board. He had no memory of being held by anyone. He didn’t know what to do. So, I slowly stroked his bony back, feeling each ridge of his spine. Over time, his stiff body began to relax. Then, hesitantly, he raised his arms and gently rubbed my back—copying what I had done to him.
“This side’s faster—Ow!”
“Milady!”
Lost in thoughts of Rant’s birthday gift, something hit me hard from behind. I nearly fell forward but barely caught my balance. Marie, who had been ahead, rushed to steady me.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fi—”
“Oh no!”
She shrieked as she looked me over. I flinched at her high-pitched scream, about to scold her when she pointed to my skirt with a teary face.
“Milady, your dress…”
I looked down where she pointed. My pale green dress was splattered with bright red liquid. I grimaced instinctively. Red stains on green fabric—utterly hideous.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing!?”
Step back Sirius