MMFB 24

CHAPTER 24

He subtly frowned.

However, Cassian merely held open the heavy door, as if busy taking the now-ready Khalid away.

Khalid mumbled briefly to himself, yet obediently headed out through the open doorway.

Then Cassian spoke again. “They kept asking you to move to the Crown Prince’s palace until their ears bled, but you played dumb.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“The other day, as soon as Lady Renata said something, you moved out.”

Khalid flinched, his sky-blue eyes darting to stare at a distant mountain, feigning disinterest.

“…I was going to move anyway before the engagement ceremony.”

“Oh, were you?”

“Yes, I was.”

Khalid was slowly starting to find Cassian truly irritating, especially because of the implication that he had changed residences only because Renata had forced his hand.

Of course, her influence wasn’t entirely absent.

But even if Renata hadn’t said anything, he really had been planning to move soon.

However, Khalid knew that any explanation now would only sound like an excuse.

A sudden, inexplicable surge of frustration made Khalid run his fingers through his hair, which Lady Tenea had so meticulously styled.

He ruffled it until a few strands fell loose around his temples.

If Lady Tenea, who had gasped in admiration, saying he looked like a moving sculpture, had seen him, she would have been aghast.

But Cassian simply decided to keep quiet. He had no desire to get entangled in any troublesome incidents.

Khalid was now walking down the corridor. Cassian, following behind him, suddenly spoke.

He absolutely loathed bothersome affairs, yet he felt obligated to fulfill the request of his friend, Renak.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth; one shouldn’t interfere between future couples who so obviously noticed each other.

“Still, just because you’re engaged doesn’t guarantee you’ll get married, you know.”

His tone was as nonchalant as if he were remarking on the pleasant weather.

Khalid stopped. Without turning to look at Cassian, he asked, “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. Your Royal Highness will one day become the new sovereign. In the end, isn’t your will the most important thing?”

“…That’s not wrong. But I need to consider this nation.”

Khalid seemed to choose his words, then replied a beat later.

Unable to fully grasp Cassian’s intent, Khalid looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

Then Cassian, with an unreadable, gentle face, asked again, “Is that truly all?”

“Yes.”

“Is that so? If Your Royal Highness says so.”

Cassian smiled sweetly and bowed his head. What was this sudden change in demeanor…?

Khalid looked at Cassian with narrowly raised eyes. But unable to read his thoughts, he merely tilted his head slightly.

Soon, Khalid began to hasten his steps. He felt a strange pang in a corner of his chest, an illusion.

He swept a large palm across his chest.

“What’s the occasion? You’re actually on time.”

“…Do I seem like such a son to you now, utterly devoid of basic manners?”

When the Emperor spoke in surprise at Khalid’s appearance, who had emerged from among the garden guards, Khalid’s eyes glinted with irritation. He stopped his sneer and looked up.

Standing in the fragrant lilac garden, he slowly met my gaze, positioned a short distance behind the Emperor.

Though I didn’t want to admit it, in his pure white uniform against his dark skin, he was undeniably a handsome man.

Khalid, his eyes fixed on me, walked past the Emperor and approached. His low voice resonated in my ears.

Yet his tone remained brusque. “Your health?”

“I’m fine. Is that all you have to say?”

I had just disembarked from the carriage and arrived in the garden myself. Beside me, Laura was frantically smoothing out the wrinkled hem of my dress from the ride.

At my question, Khalid tilted his head askew. “Was there anything else I needed to say?”

“…No, I didn’t expect anything.”

“Did you expect something like ‘You look pretty today’?”

“Would I, from you?”

I had expected it, but was this truly how it would unfold? I had at least hoped he would show a gentle side during the engagement ceremony.

But Khalid was utterly sullen even today.

Perhaps I should just be grateful he even bothered to show up.

At least I wouldn’t have to go through the engagement ceremony alone without a partner.

Recalling Father, who had been conspiring with Ikalus II since early morning to make thorough preparations, I felt a slight sense of relief. I let out a long breath and forced a smile.

Khalid’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Why wouldn’t you expect it? You’re pretty, Renata. In a way.”

“…If you’re going to say it like that, just don’t bother.”

“In a way” was worse than not hearing it at all.

I was about to push my fist out at Khalid as usual but decided against it.

It was the day of the engagement, and Ikalus II and Father were standing right near us.

I desperately hoped they weren’t listening to our brief exchange.

However, the two gentlemen, whose hearing remained sharp despite their age, fixed their awkwardly raised smiles and glared at us with their eyes.

“Hmm, soon you two will be husband and wife. You shouldn’t treat each other like that.”

Ikalus II chastised Khalid and me. His words implied we should be mindful of our surroundings.

Even though it was a private engagement, quite a few people were gathered today.

The Emperor and Empress, Lady Sinaba, her daughter, Duke and Duchess Hasios, Lady Tenea, Father, and even Baroness Viet, the Barcallia professor who had taught Khalid and me when we were children.

They were all meticulously dressed up, sitting on seats adorned with white fabric and gold embroidery, awaiting us.

Lady Sinaba, who had exchanged a brief glance with me, primly turned her head first.

It seemed she had no intention of offering a greeting even on the day of the engagement.

“Well, they used to throw punches at each other over His Royal Highness Isar, so what can you expect?”

Baroness Viet, unable to bear the awkward glances exchanged by Duke and Duchess Hasios, who had inadvertently overheard my conversation with Khalid, broke the silence.

Then, outrageously, Khalid and I spoke at the same time.

“…That never happened, Lady Viet.”

“When did I ever do such a thing, Madam?”

“Oh, ho ho. The atmosphere seemed a bit off, so I exaggerated a little.”

Baroness Viet laughed, covering her mouth with her fan.

However, Khalid and I found nothing amusing, so we each busied ourselves pretending to be distracted.

Ikalus II, unable to tolerate the suddenly scattered atmosphere of the engagement venue, cleared his throat.

“…Both of you, go up to the platform at once. The Pope has troubled himself to come to the palace for you.”

Ikalus II gestured towards the platform, which was covered in thick red cloth.

But for some reason, I was deeply reluctant.

Because if I went up there, the engagement ceremony with Khalid would finally proceed.

It felt like just yesterday Khalid and I had loudly declared we would throw everything away, so was it really okay to become engaged partners so haphazardly?

Was it truly okay for me, and for Khalid, like this?

I touched the back of my neck, revealed beneath my long braided hair. A sigh kept escaping my lips involuntarily.

If I procrastinated like this, Father might say something.

I didn’t want to be scolded in front of other people.

I made up my mind and took a breath.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming up?”

Then, a cool hand unexpectedly enveloped my fingers, and I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

I subtly looked up to see Khalid looking down at me.

And now that I think about it, what’s with his hair again? It was strangely disheveled, giving the impression that he’d had a drink somewhere.

Ah, perhaps Khalid isn’t in his right mind right now?

If not, why was he rushing me, the man who had loudly declared he would never marry me?

I rose on my tiptoes and whispered softly into Khalid’s ear, “Let go of my hand, please.”