Episode 13
Violent and Bold
Lucy went to the Imperial Palace again with Pierre.
This time, they were there to greet Pierre’s brothers and sister — the princes and princess of the empire.
As Lucy walked slowly toward them gathered in the palace greenhouse, her soft lavender dress made her beauty stand out.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lucy Beria,” she said politely.
“Welcome! Oh my, you’re so beautiful! My brother always said he didn’t like any of the noble ladies people introduced him to — how did he end up finding someone like you?”
Princess Sedna praised Lucy brightly.
But as soon as Lucy sat down, Prince Phoebe’s eyes stared at her too boldly.
Riouniel and H. had warned Lucy about him — not just because he wanted to steal Pierre’s position, but because…
‘They said Prince Phoebe is a womanizer who doesn’t refuse any woman — just like the late Marquis Serie.’
Even after marrying a princess from another kingdom, he hadn’t changed his ways.
Lucy had told her friends not to worry — surely, he wouldn’t flirt with his *brother’s* lover. But looking at his eyes now, she wasn’t so sure.
She’d experienced stares like that many times before, yet it still disgusted her.
Phoebe smiled faintly.
“Anyway, it’s good to meet you. Even if this isn’t what I imagined, it’s still comforting to see someone by Pierre’s side.”
“I’m lacking, but I’ll do my best as the Crown Prince’s wife,” Lucy answered softly.
Then, suddenly, Prince Nick interrupted.
“So, how is it? I heard your family’s status was restored… You must have struggled a lot before. Life must be much easier now, right?”
“Ha ha… yes, it is.”
“But don’t you find it hard to adjust? People who used to be poor usually never feel satisfied.”
His mocking tone didn’t bother Lucy at all.
Instead, she smiled brightly and replied, “Satisfied? Oh no, I’m always full — full from the Crown Prince’s love.”
“What? Love doesn’t pay for food. I meant money and power—”
“If that’s what I wanted, I would’ve begged His Highness to marry me immediately. With a secure title, life would be easier, right?”
“…”
“But instead, I waited patiently for the Imperial Family’s permission and followed every rule. That should tell you how much respect and sincerity I have toward him.”
Her sharp reply shut Nick’s mouth completely.
Princess Sedna clapped lightly.
“Wow, the power of love… amazing! Come, have some tea.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Lucy replied.
“It’s so nice to finally have another woman here! It’s always been full of men. I totally support your marriage!” Sedna said warmly.
Lucy felt relieved — maybe she had at least one ally in the palace.
But then Sedna spoke again, and Lucy’s expression stiffened.
“Still, you’ll have a hard time. My brother’s a bit… weird.”
“…Sorry?”
“How should I put it — he’s cold, a little rude, and kind of blunt. Well, he lost our mother when he was young, so please be patient with him.”
“Sedna.”
“Oh, sorry! Did I offend you, brother?”
Pierre stayed silent.
“Don’t be mad. You know I’m just honest.”
Lucy turned and looked around. All the brothers had mocking smiles directed at Pierre.
*So that’s why you wanted to rise above them,* she thought.
Pierre just smiled silently.
“Don’t take it too harshly,” Phoebe said. “Sedna’s just worried about you.”
“Yeah,” added Nick. “If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t say anything. Be thankful that we still pay attention to you.”
Pierre’s lips twitched. Normally, he would have ignored it. But not today — not in front of Lucy.
He’d always endured the insults quietly, never showing weakness.
But when they insulted him in front of *her*, anger finally broke through.
“You’re all very bold,” Lucy suddenly said. “Or maybe just reckless?”
“What did you say?”
Pierre looked at her in surprise — he hadn’t expected her to speak up.
“Speaking so rudely to the Crown Prince — if you plan to talk like that, maybe don’t start the conversation at all.”
“Why? We’re brothers. We were just giving advice,” Nick said defensively.
Lucy laughed — out loud.
“Ha! Since when does mocking and insulting someone count as ‘advice’?”
The room fell silent.
“You’re all very brave. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about me, haven’t you?”
“Rumors? Well…”
“And even knowing them, you insult the man I love right in front of me?”
Lucy stood up and placed both hands on the table. The teacups rattled.
“Careful! That’s an expensive cup!” Sedna cried.
“Oh? It looks delicate. Would be a shame if it broke.”
Then Lucy let the cup drop.
*Crash!* The glass shattered on the floor.
“Are you insane?! What’s wrong with you?!” Sedna screamed.
“Yes, I am insane,” Lucy said coldly. “Isn’t that what everyone says? That I’m the violent woman who hit her husband with a vase?”
“…!”
“There are a lot of glass things here. So fragile, so easy to swing around…” she murmured, pacing slowly around the table.
Everyone except Pierre watched her in fear.
“You’ve made me angry, and since I’m violent and bold, I’m finding it hard to just sit quietly.”
“Wh-what, are you threatening us?!” Nick yelled.
“Watch your mouth,” Pierre warned. “You’re speaking to your future sister-in-law.”
“What? You’re defending this crazy—”
Pierre stepped in front of Lucy, shielding her.
He looked… oddly amused.
“Brother, are you really letting this woman into the Imperial Family? A violent commoner with no proper bloodline?!” Nick shouted.
“I told you to mind your tongue.”
“Brother, stay out of it! It’s embarrassing enough she’s a widow!”
“Enough!” Phoebe finally interrupted.
He sighed.
“We apologize if we offended you, but throwing a teacup is still a bit… much.”
Lucy smiled faintly.
“I just wanted to show you something. Once a cup is shattered, you can’t glue it back together — just like your so-called brotherly love.”
“…”
“I’m sorry if my method was a bit extreme,” she added calmly.
Phoebe nodded slightly.
“Perhaps Miss Lucy is right. My younger siblings still lack maturity. I apologize on their behalf.”
“Brother!” Nick started, but Phoebe silenced him with a glare.
“The atmosphere is ruined. Let’s end today’s meeting,” Phoebe said. “Goodbye, Pierre.”
“Take care,” Pierre replied. “We’ll meet again soon.”
Lucy grabbed Pierre’s hand, and they left.
Behind them, sharp insults followed, but Lucy ignored them completely.
Honestly, it even felt refreshing — though maybe she had gone a little too far.
But Pierre’s silence on the way back made her uneasy.
When they finally reached the mansion, they both sighed.
“I’m so sorry,” Lucy said.
“For what?”
“I made such a mess. You were probably enduring it for a reason. I should’ve done the same.”
“…”
“But still — how could they talk to you like that? They’re worse than strangers!”
Pierre smiled faintly. “Even so, I’m grateful. You stood up for me.”
“…”
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“What is it?”
“Do you like me?”
Lucy choked. “W-what? Of course not!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Really!”
“Hmm.”
“Why would you even ask that?”
“Because you always defend me. You always take my side.”
“…”
“I knew the answer already… but hearing you say no so clearly still hurts a little,” Pierre said with a laugh.
Lucy’s face turned bright red.
“You’re teasing me!”
“Maybe a little. You’re cute when you get flustered.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“But I wasn’t joking about everything.”
“What part wasn’t a joke?”
“That it hurt when you rejected me so quickly.”
“…”
“I want you to like me, Lucy.”
Those words froze her completely.
She didn’t know why he said it — or what answer he expected.
She only had one question in her mind: *Why?*
“Revenge alone makes life too bitter,” Pierre said softly.
“…”
“If you add even a little love to it, that love will give you strength.”
“I…”
“Don’t overthink it. Go rest. Good night, Lucy.”
Pierre quickly left the room.
Lucy just sat there, confused — left with unanswered questions.
“Why did he say that…?” she whispered.
Sure, she had defended him — but hadn’t he done the same for her?
*We’re just bound by a contract,* she reminded herself. *That’s all.*
But deep down, she knew that wasn’t the whole truth.
Even after telling herself that, she couldn’t fall asleep that night.
