Chapter 54
Rachel nervously shifted her gaze to the crystal ornament placed on the seat across from her.
“…Yes, Aselin hit me with that. But how did it end up here…?”
“Ha, even when the evidence is right in front of you, you still lie.”
Rachel flinched at the sharp voice and looked up.
“…What are you saying…?”
“You disgusting liar. I was a fool to trust you!”
Alex’s voice struck like thunder, full of regret.
Rachel looked up at him with wide, shocked eyes.
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and glared at her coldly.
“I thought it’d be fine if you stayed hidden somewhere. But now you show up and ruin everything?”
His eyes had completely lost the kindness they once held. He looked at her like she was an annoying bug.
Rachel trembled.
“I didn’t ruin anything. Didn’t you hear? Aselin did this to me!”
Alex scoffed and grabbed Rachel’s bruised wrist tightly.
“Ahh!”
“You really thought I’d fall for your lies? That I’m that easy to fool? Your maid confessed everything. That you hurt yourself. And that you planned to kill Aselin at the wedding.”
“…!”
Rachel froze like she couldn’t breathe.
Alex looked at her like she was filthy, full of bitter regret.
‘She lied to me, and now she’s even been messing around with Pierre? And I gave up golden-egg-laying Aselin for this woman? I must’ve been crazy!’
Alex’s eyes were filled with disgust when Rachel suddenly shouted.
“M-Mila only said that because she was scared! Afraid Aselin would hurt her! You saw Aselin’s rough hands too—you even said so yourself!”
“Still, Aselin loved me sincerely.”
“…?”
“She didn’t run around with other men like you did!”
Rachel’s lips twisted in shock.
“You really believe that? You don’t know she’s been sneaking into the First Prince’s castle all the time, saying it’s for medical treatment?”
Alex frowned deeply.
He rubbed the back of his stiff neck and spoke slowly.
“I was the one who approved her becoming the First Prince’s personal pharmacist. And at least Aselin didn’t use me like you did.”
“Use you?”
“You used Pierre to secretly side with the Second Prince. What was I to you, your money bank?”
He looked Rachel up and down with disdain.
Every time they met, she always wanted something.
Besides acting cute, she had no skills, just endless greed.
If he’d invested all that money in Aselin instead of her, he’d probably be swimming in riches by now.
Alex didn’t bother hiding his disappointment as he spoke again.
“Now listen carefully. What you did today caused a huge mess. You’re going to clean it up yourself.”
“…Is this about Pierre? I’ve already ended things with him. Now I only have you—”
Suddenly, Alex reached out and grabbed Rachel’s neck tightly.
His grip twisted her slender neck with a growing pressure.
“If you can’t understand words, then shut up and just listen! Before I kill you.”
Rachel, face red, quickly nodded.
Alex let go roughly, still looking at her with disgust.
Then came his cold command—and Rachel’s face turned pale as if all the blood had drained from it.
***
“Wow, Your Highness, you look so beautiful today!”
Anna beamed with round eyes and clasped hands.
Her hair was neatly braided, and she looked calmer than usual, though her cheerful personality remained.
“Thanks, but it’s cold—why are you all standing out here?”
Aselin looked at the servants lined up like soldiers.
Judging by their uniforms, the entire staff was here—from the head chef to the lowest maids.
Then Alvin stepped forward, like he was acting in a play.
“As loyal servants, we must greet our noble Princess with all honor! Welcome, beautiful Princess!”
Alvin removed his hat and gave a dramatic bow.
The rest of the staff followed, bowing their heads in unison.
“…You really didn’t have to go this far.”
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Aselin scratched the back of her head.
Alvin then politely offered his hand.
“Come, let me show you to the room prepared for Your Highness.”
Behind her, the servants were busy carrying in the luggage.
Aselin followed Alvin through the halls.
Walking behind him, she saw his broad back and heavy build, and it made her want to laugh.
[He’s not bad to look at like this, right?]
Claude’s casual voice echoed in her mind.
A while ago, Claude had called her to the palace, saying he needed her to check something important.
He had asked her to see who would act as the bride during the wedding.
When a veiled woman removed her veil, Aselin’s jaw had almost dropped.
Alvin’s face, heavily powdered and painted bright red, had flushed crimson from embarrassment.
He was actually quite handsome for a bodyguard, but his muscular build made the dress strain at the edges.
Aselin had bitten her lip to stop herself from laughing and had asked:
[Won’t he be found out quickly? He’s too big and strong-looking.]
Claude replied:
[You didn’t notice it at first, right? And if we want to lure in the snakes, the stand-in must be skilled with a sword for protection.]
Aselin had kept quiet after that.
[I agree! I’ll protect both our Princess and our lord with everything I’ve got!]
Alvin had shouted, but his ears and neck were red as if sunburned.
Aselin had felt a little bad for him and signaled that he could change back into his normal clothes.
He’d run off shyly like a bashful bride.
She remembered laughing at his retreating figure.
Snapping back to the present, Aselin lifted her head.
The massive imperial palace appeared beyond the hills, and her smile faded.
Just as expected, the wedding was the perfect bait.
Claude had even gathered information while interrogating Rachel’s cousin Jeremy in the tower.
Whether it was Alex or Pierre, she knew someone would try to ruin the wedding.
But she didn’t expect so many to show up like a pack of wild dogs.
According to the reports from their spies, Rachel had set fire to the wedding aisle, and Alex had shown up out of nowhere to whisk her away.
When she heard that, Aselin just laughed.
Why would she serve herself up as bait when she knew she’d be targeted?
She let out a quiet laugh while thinking of how to catch and punish those snakes.
Then Alvin’s voice broke her thoughts.
“This is a path only the Prince and Princess may use.”
Aselin noticed the path was unfamiliar.
As they walked, more space opened up—so wide it was hard to believe.
Even the windows, outer walls, and rooftops sparkled like new.
Was the whole place scrubbed clean? It hadn’t been this clean last time she visited.
Tilting her head in curiosity, Aselin entered the building.
Suddenly, she noticed an unusual carpet.
“Oh? The carpet’s new. And the pattern’s unique.”
“Yes, His Highness specially ordered it. It was enchanted by the Empire’s greatest mage.”
“Enchanted?”
“Yes. If anyone besides the Prince or authorized staff steps on it, their intestines will explode on the spot.”
“My… my intestines will explode?!”
Shocked, Aselin froze in place.
Alvin quickly reassured her.
“Ah, no worries! You were the very first person added to the authorized list.”
“…I-I see…”
Letting out a slow breath, she continued walking up the stairs, the golden carpet with dragon patterns stretching ahead.
Finally, she reached the door to her room.
“Come in.”
Claude’s deep voice came from inside.
“Have a lovely time, Your Highness,” Alvin said, closing the door behind her.
‘This… is…’
Aselin’s jaw dropped.
The room looked completely different from before.
The heavy, dark curtains were replaced with soft, light-purple ones that let in warm sunlight.
The floor was covered with a soft wool carpet that gently cushioned every step.
“Do you like the room?”
Claude’s deep voice gently reached her ears as she looked around in awe.
