~Chapter 9~
“Crown Princess, this is Grand Duke Cedric Frederick.”
Noticing a subtle change in Edward’s mood, Leah looked back at Cedric with curiosity.
“Nice to meet you, Grand Duke Cedric.”
“The pleasure is mine, Crown Princess. I was curious about what kind of person you were.”
“About me?”
“Yes. I didn’t expect you to be this beautiful.”
At Leah’s puzzled reaction, Cedric spoke with a charming smile.
Ah… red eyes…
“Do you like them?”
Cedric leaned forward slightly, lowering himself to meet her gaze.
“Huh?”
She didn’t step back at all and looked straight into his eyes.
“Do you like my eyes? You’re the first person who’s stared so openly.”
“Ah, I’m sorry if that was rude.”
Only then did Leah lower her gaze and step back.
Edward, standing beside them, didn’t miss a single moment of that exchange.
“Do my eyes make you uncomfortable?”
“Uncomfortable…?”
Leah lifted her head again and looked up at Cedric.
“Most people say they’re ominous and avoid making eye contact with me.”
Leah’s eyes widened slightly. She remembered the High Priest Geoffrey’s reaction when the red light appeared during the ring ceremony.
Does red mean something ominous?
Seeing her fall silent in thought, Cedric let out a quiet chuckle.
Just as Leah was about to speak again—
“Grand Duke Cedric, we need to greet the other guests, so we’ll take our leave now.”
“Oh, it seems I kept you too long.”
Cedric smiled lazily and stepped aside, clearing their path.
“Crown Princess, I hope to see you again.”
“Ah… yes, Grand Duke. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”
As Leah passed him and glanced back once more, Cedric met her eyes with a languid look and smiled beautifully.
There were countless important guests to greet, and it felt endless.
Leah felt her lips growing dry.
Edward smoothly ended the conversation he was having and led her to the balcony, drawing the curtains closed.
He seated her on a long bench prepared there, brought her a cool glass of lemonade, and handed it to her.
Leah drank it all in one go.
“Would you like another?”
Edward asked, offering his own glass.
“No. You must be tired too, Your Highness.”
She leaned back against the chair and looked up at the night sky.
Breathing in the fresh air made her feel a little better.
“I don’t think I could ever… get married again.”
“Hahaha.”
Edward burst out laughing at her unfiltered comment.
“Sounds like you were considering another marriage.”
“Ah…!”
Leah realized her mistake and quickly turned to look at him.
“That… wasn’t something I should say in front of you.”
She laughed awkwardly.
“I was worried I might’ve messed up. I felt like my soul was slowly leaving my body.”
She quickly changed the subject.
“You did better than I expected.”
“You had expectations?”
Edward, who hadn’t expected much from Leah—who seemed to know nothing about the empire—just smiled faintly instead of answering.
Leah straightened up from the chair and studied his expression.
“Uh… I guess you didn’t, judging by that reaction…”
“Hahaha.”
Edward laughed comfortably, like he was joking with an old friend.
Just this short break seemed to wash away his fatigue.
Leaning back, Edward lifted his head and looked up at the night sky.
Leah quietly watched his profile, then turned her gaze upward as well.
The softly shining stars in the calm night sky seemed to bring peace to both of them.
***
After the long, exhausting banquet ended, Leah and Edward returned to the Crown Prince’s Rivers Palace and entered the bridal chamber the servants had carefully prepared.
In the center of the spacious room stood a large bed. To the left was a marble table, a long sofa, and two single chairs, with a large window beside them.
There were two more doors inside the room—one on the left leading to the bathroom and dressing room, and one on the right leading to the sitting room.
The servants had decorated the room with flowers and ribbons, but Leah was so exhausted that none of it registered.
Two maids came in and practically carried her to the bathroom.
Leah, completely drained, let them take care of her like she had no strength left.
Dressed in clean white pajamas, she returned to the bedroom with dazed eyes and saw Edward standing there in a robe.
The maids bowed together and hurried out of the room.
Leah blankly watched them leave, then staggered to the bed, pulled back the covers, climbed in, and lay on her side with her face against the pillow. Her mind felt completely empty.
Edward watched her movements, covering his mouth as if holding back a laugh.
He sat on the edge of the bed and quietly looked down at Leah, who had collapsed without any guard up.
“Are you going to sleep right away?”
“Yes… unless there’s something I need to do…”
“Aren’t you hungry? You only ate a little at the temple this morning.”
“…I’m so tired I don’t even feel hungry.”
She answered absentmindedly, never once looking at Edward.
“I understand. Then, please rest.”
Edward stood and walked toward the door leading to the sitting room.
“Your Highness.”
She rolled over and called out to him.
Edward turned to look at her.
“…Where… are you going?”
“…I’ll be sleeping in the guest room.”
“…”
They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Then Leah suddenly sat up.
“The guest room?”
“…Yes.”
“Th-then… you’re saying we’ll sleep separately?”
“…”
“Why?”
She looked shocked as she crawled on her knees to the end of the bed where he stood.
Flustered by her reaction, Edward stepped closer.
“Wouldn’t that be more comfortable for you?”
“Am I uncomfortable to you?”
When Edward came close, she looked up at him with eyes like an abandoned kitten.
Edward found her gaze hard to deal with.
“No… it’s not that you’re uncomfortable… I was worried you might be.”
“I’m not uncomfortable. Not at all!”
Leah shook her head quickly.
What if something happens while we’re sleeping separately…
“If I sleep alone in such a big room… it’s really scary… and I already came to such a strange place all by myself… it’s so… lonely…”
She spoke in the softest, most pitiful voice she could manage, glancing up at his face.
Edward was completely caught off guard and found himself speechless.
“Can’t we sleep together? Like at the temple… at least until I get used to living here, okay?”
“…”
“It’ll help us get close faster too…”
“…”
“I swear! I won’t even touch one fingertip of yours!”
She raised one hand like she was making a solemn oath, her eyes shining with determination.
Edward laughed in disbelief.
He laughed! Did it work?
“…Alright. But if you feel uncomfortable at any time, tell me.”
“Not at all! Not uncomfortable at all!”
Leah smiled brightly, celebrating her victory.
Of course it’s uncomfortable… but that’s not the problem right now, Your Highness…
***
Early in the morning, Edward woke up and turned his head to check the space beside him.
Leah, who had gone to sleep facing away to give him space, had somehow turned over and was now facing him.
Her skin was clear like a child’s, with a small straight nose, softly shaped eyebrows, long lashes, and slightly parted rose-colored lips. There wasn’t a single thing about her that wasn’t beautiful.
Remembering how she’d sworn she wouldn’t touch even a fingertip, Edward let out a quiet laugh.
What on earth is she thinking…
He gazed gently at Leah, who was sleeping deeply beside him without a hint of caution.
Liking the fresh dawn air, Edward carefully got out of bed and walked to the window.
As he absentmindedly reached to open it, his hand paused.
He turned back toward the bed. Leah’s white, rounded shoulder had slipped out of the blanket.
After watching her quietly for a moment, he walked back and pulled the blanket up over her shoulder.
Then he left the room.
