CHAPTER 141…………………………
Moreover, Ron Careis had changed completely.
The Ron of before would never have wiped out a family, nor killed thousands of imperial citizens.
Of course, the strangest thing of all was Bianca.
Because of that, I had to hurry and save her from danger.
“I should have noticed earlier…”
Ever since the very first time I met her, there had been a sense of foreboding.
But I had missed it.
I had thought it was just personal matters, never imagining anything serious could happen.
Regret hit me late, but by then, it was already too late.
“Anne, don’t blame yourself. It’s not over yet.”
“…Yeah.”
“And it’s not too late. Perhaps Lady Alter has been holding on all this time, hoping someone would save her.”
Ron’s red eyes looked at me warmly.
I shook off my sinking heart and gathered my strength again.
“Should we tell Father as well?”
“Don’t worry about Father, Anne.”
“Huh? Why?”
“By now, your brother has probably told him.”
“What? Sherbert already?”
“Mm.”
Ron nodded slightly, eyes gently closed as he looked at me.
“Anne, today you’ve been surprised more than once.”
“There are too many things to be surprised about!”
When I raised my voice, Ron scratched his dark blue bangs with a worried expression.
“What should we do… there’s still one more left.”
“One more left? What is it?!”
I furrowed my brows without realizing it.
What on earth are the Careis men planning now?
Just then, Ron, who had been sitting across from me, suddenly leaned closer… smooch.
The moment my view was blocked, something moist brushed against my lips and fell.
“…!”
My heart skipped a beat in shock.
Every thought that had filled my mind vanished instantly.
Had I become an idiot?
Where am I, and who am I?
The man smiling in front of me was… Ron Careis.
“Ron! Wh-what was that just now?!”
“A kiss.”
“…Y-yeah, that’s right, but suddenly you… you!”
“Was it too short? Do you want more?”
“…Yes.”
Unconsciously, I said yes.
I felt sorry for Ron, who had anticipated my flustered reaction, but this was instinct.
My heart was fluttering like a fresh fish, and if Ron didn’t kiss me again immediately, it felt like it might stop.
So hurry… do it. Please.
His gem-like red eyes moved closer to me.
And in an instant… smack…
“Ugh.”
Our lips met.
Soft and moist.
It was pure happiness.
Just as I was about to lose myself in the sensation of his lips, there was a knock.
Someone was at the door.
Ron, who had been leaning close, returned to his seat.
“…Haa.”
I pressed my flushed cheeks and told them to come in.
“Ron, Anne! So you two were together… hmm?”
Sherbert stopped walking midway and narrowed his eyes, glancing between me and Ron.
“You two… what is this?”
Ron answered curtly to the sudden question.
“And what about you, brother? Just barging in and asking ‘what’s going on’?”
At Ron’s words, Sherbert chuckled and leaned back in the remaining chair at the table.
He looked completely at ease, as if he had never been sick.
We had promised not to be sad anymore.
This was also Sherbert’s request.
He said that now that he had returned to the old self, we should treat him normally.
Sherbert, with a mischievous expression, asked:
“The mood feels… hot. Did you two sneak a kiss without me knowing?”
“…!”
“…!”
I was shocked, but couldn’t help laughing at Ron’s next move.
“Kup… ugh!”
Ron had taken the cookie in front of him and stuffed it into Sherbert’s mouth.
“I thought your mouth might be bored, so I’m feeding you.”
Like a squirrel storing food in its cheeks, Sherbert’s face puffed out.
But it seemed tasty, as he strained to chew and swallow, even drinking Ron’s herbal tea.
“…Huh, I’ve had no appetite lately, but eating sweets makes me feel alive again.”
Sherbert had been physically and mentally exhausted because of Bianca’s situation.
I looked at him with pity and gave him my share of the cookies.
“By the way, you said you told Father. What did he say?”
“He approved.”
“Really?”
“Mm.”
Sherbert continued, as if it were no big deal:
“Father said that if you still love the lady who made your body like this, there’s nothing that can be done. He also told me to go and crush the Alter family.”
“Excuse me?”
“He can accept Lady Alter, whom his son likes, but he can’t stand the Alter family itself.”
Of course, it was natural for the Duke to react this way.
After all, they had made his precious son like this.
“Father said your plan is excellent, Anne. Kidnap Bianca on the wedding day, and then capture the Duchess of Alter.”
“Since he approves, I’ll give it my all.”
I clenched my fist, resolute.
Sherbert, watching me with a small smile, said:
“As expected, reliable. While we execute the plan, Father will strengthen the Careis guard even more. No matter how many palace soldiers, they won’t be able to get through.”
“Then we just have to do our part properly.”
Ron, who had been listening carefully, spoke:
“If there’s truly an evil spirit in the Duchess of Alter’s body, we need to find a way to capture her before it leaves.”
“Mm, for that we’ll need divine power.”
It was crucial to follow the original plan here.
Ron Careis, possessed by an evil spirit, had caused a massacre.
The reason he met his end after that was surely due to the holy power of a saint.
Therefore, turning Bianca to our side was more urgent than anything.
The season of budding sprouts had arrived.
The empire was bathed in the fresh energy of spring.
Moreover, the founding festival of the Triya Empire began today, filling the air with excitement.
The imperial palace was extremely busy. The Crown Prince’s wedding coincided with the empire’s anniversary.
It had been postponed countless times, so the palace staff prayed that it would finally take place today.
“Hannah, how’s the dress?”
“Yes, Head Maid. The dress and shoes are ready.”
“And Lady Alter?”
“She has just entered the palace.”
The Head Maid exhaled briefly and gestured to the line of maids in the hallway.
They hurried to the bridal waiting room.
Originally, it should have been in the main palace, but at the Crown Prince’s special request, it was held in the separate palace where he stayed.
Upon arriving, the Head Maid was tense.
Having lived her whole life in the palace, little could startle her—but this scene did.
“Head Maid, it’s Melly.”
After greeting her, Lady Alter appeared in the Head Maid’s sight, looking far from a bride.
Her frail body seemed on the verge of collapse, and her face was pale.
I had seen her several times before, but she looked worse each day.
To an observer, it seemed as if the bride had been dragged to the wedding against her will.
‘But Lady Alter said… she really wants to marry.’
The Head Maid realized that the palace’s recent turmoil had been due to the Crown Prince’s wedding.
Unfortunately, the Crown Prince did not want to marry, while Lady Alter was determined to become his wife.
Yet why did the bride’s appearance look so pitiful?
“I’ll do my best to serve you.”
The Head Maid bowed and immediately showed the wedding dress.
Bianca’s sunken eyes twitched slowly.
Her gaze finally fell on the pale lavender dress.
“…It’s beautiful.”
With Bianca’s emotionless praise, the bride’s preparations to become Crown Princess began.
The Head Maid worked diligently, placing the necklace, crown, and rings to revive her dying appearance.
Then—
“The Crown Prince has arrived.”
At the attendant’s words, all maids, including the Head Maid, kneeled and stepped back.
Crown Prince Alex walked past them.
Unlike the bride, he was not prepared in the slightest.
He stopped and spoke:
“…Everyone, leave.”
At his heavy words, the kneeling maids hurriedly exited.
Silence fell instantly.
Bianca’s eyes gazed dully at the Crown Prince’s reflection in the mirror.
Alex leaned slightly forward, meeting her eyes.
“Lady, I’ll tell you just one thing.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please.”
“I… don’t like you.”
