Chapter 59
Troubled Vow
“Wow! Miss, you’re truly beautiful.”
“That’s right! You’re the prettiest I’ve seen today.”
Sophia and Mari admired as they placed a lovely flower crown on Himena’s head.
Even though the two were clapping their hands and making a fuss, Himena kept sighing while looking at her reflection in the mirror.
“Has the Marquis… finished preparing?”
“Just wait a moment. I’ll go check.”
After Sophia left, Mari looked at Himena’s gloomy face and asked worriedly,
“Why are you like that, Miss? Are you worried about being found out?”
“No, it’s not that… I’m just wondering what I’m doing… I don’t think deceiving others with lies just for my reputation is something to be excited about…”
‘Of course, it’s not only for me, but also to protect Kyle from the serial killer, and to protect the writer too, but will this really work…?’
“Miss, please cheer up. If this doesn’t work, you might actually have to marry the Prince. The Prince will likely have several mistresses right after marriage. Would the Duke want his only daughter to suffer through a loveless marriage all her life?”
Mari held Himena’s hand kindly to comfort her.
“Right? Thinking about that, deceiving a little like this… is nothing, right?”
“Of course. So today, you have to act like a truly happy fiancée. I heard they even called the capital’s officials to be in the gazette?”
“Yes, that’s right. Okay, get a grip! I can do this!”
Himena slapped her cheek gently and steeled herself.
“Thanks, Mari. I’m really glad I told you the truth. I always feel so reassured that you’re on my side.”
“Hehe, you’re welcome. I’m the one who’s grateful you always treat me like a real little sister.”
“I hope Mari finds a really good man and has a happy marriage someday. When you do, I’ll prepare everything for you.”
“No way, Miss. I’ll never get married. Men are all untrustworthy. They say they love you, but change their minds quickly…”
“Oh? I thought you were too young to have dated, but I guess not? We’ll have to talk about it sometime.”
Himena narrowed her eyes and teased Mari.
“What? No, it’s not that… I-I don’t know, Miss!”
Mari blushed deeply and covered her face with both hands, embarrassed.
“Come on, there’s no denying it! From the way you talk, it wasn’t just one or two, right? Huh? Right?”
“No, really, it wasn’t.”
Knock! Knock!
“Miss, the Marquis has arrived.”
“Oh? Tell him to come in.”
“Kailian, are you ready? Then now…”
Kylean, opening the door to escort Himena, stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her standing by the window.
“Kail? You’re here?”
Her slender neck and milky white shoulders.
The pure white dress reflected the soft, gentle sunlight streaming through the window.
A faint blush on her cheeks and a shy smile lingering at the corner of her moist lips.
The unreal beauty of a goddess who had just stepped into this world—the fiancée was waiting for him.
“I… don’t know how to put it… It’s like… you’re so dazzlingly beautiful, almost unreal.”
“Mari, let’s step outside for a moment.”
“Ah… yes…”
Sophia tried to take Mari out awkwardly, but Mari looked back at Kailian’s gaze toward Himena with a puzzled expression and reluctantly left the room.
“Th-thank you. Kyle is looking very… handsome today too.”
Himena’s heart fluttered as Kylean, dressed in a formal outfit of deep navy with ornate gold embroidery, entered the room.
He was the kind of man who pulled off dark clothing sensually.
His deep black hair and the dark blue uniform made his pale, cool skin stand out.
His red eyes, seemingly indifferent but holding one’s gaze tightly like chains, pierced deeply into the heart of whoever met them.
When he smiled slightly and looked at you, it felt like your whole body was being tightly bound by invisible chains.
‘Don’t fall for him. He’s someone else’s man. His compliments are part of the act. If he wasn’t the Knight Commander, he’d have to be an actor—he’s that good at acting. I have to do my best too.’
“Himena.”
Kylean came closer to her.
“…Yes.”
“To refuse a betrothal gift and instead request a direct trade of Acticos specialties… I’m surprised once again.”
“No, no, a betrothal gift is absurd. I’m just grateful for this fake engagement. Besides, I’ve been to Acticos once before.”
Himena cautiously looked at him and continued.
“Contrary to expectations that it’d be a barren place, I was surprised by the high quality and variety of specialties. If we bring them into Karafedon, it could have positive economic effects for both sides. My father also really liked the chaga mushroom tea.”
“Himena…”
Kylean wrapped his arms around her waist, took her hand, kissed her palm, and gazed at her for a moment.
A fresh and sweet floral scent gently filled the air.
It felt like such a scent would also come from her moist, soft pink lips.
Suppressing the strong urge to kiss those lips, he quietly asked.
“Have you thought about what I might do if I get too immersed in the act… and lose control?”
“Ah, no… not yet…”
Himena shyly looked away and bit her lip lightly.
‘Ah, this is maddening…’
Kylean breathed hotly onto her palm and gripped it tighter.
“I’ll just scold you as needed.”
“Hmph. Understood.”
He smiled bitterly and took a deep breath forcibly.
“Well then… may we leave now?”
“Yes. Phew…”
Himena also took a deep breath and linked arms with Kylean as they stepped out into the garden.
Under a clear sky without a single cloud, white chairs lined up neatly on the lush green lawn.
An arched iron gate decorated with colorful flowers and white lace ribbons reflected the bright sunlight—an outdoor ceremony venue.
Because of Himena’s request, or rather, her threat-like request to keep the number of guests to a minimum, the Duke invited only a few close noble relatives, some trusted aristocrats, the Duke’s staff and knight representatives, officials for the gazette’s article, musicians, and…
Eron, shocked by the engagement invitation, sat in the guest seats with a dark expression alongside his adjutant.
As Himena walked into the venue, she nervously clutched Kylean’s arm without realizing it at the sight of the guests.
Honestly, Kylean was just as nervous.
But seeing Himena holding tightly onto his arm, he smiled softly and silently caressed her hand.
Unlike the two who were tense about the fake engagement, the ceremony proceeded relatively calmly.
“I, Kylean Termos, swear before God, my family, and these guests to take Lady Himena Sylvester as my wife for life.”
“I, Himena Sylvester, swear on my family name before God, my family, and these guests to take Marquis Kylean Termos as my husband for life.”
After the vows were made under the steward’s guidance, Whales and Mari opened jewel boxes they had prepared and put diamond rings on each other’s fingers.
‘Phew… is it over now?’
As the two exchanged rings and smiled shyly at each other, the steward announced the next step.
“Now, to conclude the ceremony, the couple will share a kiss.”
“What? A kiss? Where?”
Himena was taken aback by the unexpected announcement, her eyes wide as she looked at Kylean.
Kylean also looked at her nervously.
‘Oh no, I didn’t think about this part. What should I do? Where should I kiss to avoid angering anyone? The forehead? People would find it weird…’
‘Where exactly am I supposed to kiss? Like last time, a kiss on the cheek? Should we kiss at the same time? How do you kiss both cheeks simultaneously? Our mouths are both in the middle. Or should I go first?’
Feeling the gaze of all the guests upon them, the two awkwardly looked at each other’s faces.
“Himena…”
Kylean called her name softly and took her hand. Startled, Himena quickly responded in a small voice.
“Yes. I-I will.”
But!
“Hmm?”
“Oh!”
They leaned in to kiss each other on the cheek simultaneously but stopped, then moved apart in opposite directions but stopped again, then moved in the same direction but stopped—a series of extremely awkward movements.
“Hmm?”
“What’s wrong with them?”
The guests murmured suspiciously at their strange behavior.
‘Ah, this can’t look this awkward! Ugh, I don’t know what to do!’
Nervous, she suddenly grabbed Kylean’s neck with one hand and surprise-kissed his lips.
Kylean’s eyes widened in shock, then he smiled broadly, and the guests burst into cheers of congratulations.
“Cough, well, our daughter has always been very proactive… hahaha.”
The Duke made a joke, and Himena’s face turned deep red like a ripe plum as she bit her lip again.
After the ceremony, the reception continued between the garden and the mansion’s dining hall.
“Well then, handsome future son-in-law, let me pour you a drink! This is a punishment for making my daughter suffer!”
“Yes. I’ll take it gladly.”
Kylean clinked glasses repeatedly with the nobles in the dining hall, while Royce told the officials in the garden an unsolicited love story about the two.
“…So the Marquis was looking for the owner of the glass slipper found on the palace steps that day, and it turned out to be our Miss.”
“G-glass slipper?”
“So the rumors about the noble lady in the capital…”
“I can testify those are false.”
Eron approached and supported the story.
“Lady Sylvester is very just, kind-hearted, and intelligent. If she had really treated the knights cruelly as the rumors said, this bodyguard knight wouldn’t even be here.”
“Exactly. Our lady is not such a cruel person. And she’s always been devoted to the Marquis, never close to any other man.”
“Ah, I see now.”
The officials nodded in agreement.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
Eron left their conversation and wandered the mansion looking for Himena.
‘I should at least say goodbye…’
Going up to the second floor, he passed by an open door of a dark study and heard someone muttering.
‘Hmm? Who is that?’
