Ch#29

Episode 29

Gaspar often used to say.

"Probably, the stories of dragons kidnapping princesses in fairy tales and legends came about because of the existence of the bride."

"If the Imperial Family's Madness comes from failing to overcome the dragon's bloodline, there's no more efficient solution than you."

Mage Tower Lord Gaspar was a dreadful human being.

But there was one undeniable fact: he was a genius.

If he weren't, he couldn't have risen to the position of Mage Tower Lord, nor would he have been chosen by the possessor Evangeline.

That's why, when I went to the Catacombs to find Arpad, I first observed his reaction to my blood.

If Madness was progressing, Arpad wouldn't have been able to resist the temptation of my blood.

But he didn't rush at me like a madman upon seeing my blood.

After that, I could proceed with my plan reassured.

The reason I approached him first, knowing he was a dangerous existence to me, was simple.

'Because I knew my existence would be that useful to Arpad.'

At the same time, the reason I remained wary and unable to trust him was the same.

'Because he's too useful, Arpad could be dangerous to me.'

And to be honest, I also had this thought.

'Rather than just being used by Ludwig and Evangeline like this, I'd rather be sucked dry by Arpad and die!'

Then at least Arpad would escape Madness, and that would serve as a huge blow to Ludwig.

But that was a story for when there was no other path.

I wanted to live if possible, so I hoped Arpad could be cured of Madness without knowing about the existence of the bride.

However, I couldn't know if Arpad himself would think the same way.

'Because the easiest and fastest method would be to suck my blood dry.'

Of course, that wasn't the only way, but...

'And there's that... embarrassing method too...'

Anyway, no matter what method was used, I wanted to protect my safety.

And I wanted to maintain the initiative over the situation.

So unless something extraordinary happened, I had no intention of telling Arpad first that I was the 'bride.'

* * *

Yes. That's what I thought, but...

Faced with this ominous gaze, I began to wonder if my choice was wrong.

Looking into Arpad's gleaming red eyes, I thought.

'But even now, I can't be sure Arpad's Madness hasn't progressed.'

After being frozen for a moment, I forced myself to move.

Waving my hand in front of Arpad's eyes, I asked.

"Hello? Are you in your right mind?"

Even though I waved right in front of him, Arpad's gaze remained persistently fixed on me.

"Mr. Arpad Istride?"

"...Now you're not even addressing me properly?"

"Ah, that's a relief."

"What's a relief?"

"I thought maybe your Madness was rising. I'm glad it's not."

Arpad looked at me with a dissatisfied expression and asked again.

"Why are you dodging the answer?"

"Huh? What answer?"

"I asked you earlier, didn't I? Whether I should love or hate such an existence."

I widened my eyes.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"What?"

"Deciding whether to love or hate such an existence is up to you, Your Highness."

I'm right, aren't I? Why ask me about your own feelings?

"Actually, it's the opposite. So do you want to love it or hate it?"

I was quite curious about this.

That 'existence' was me, and Arpad asked me such a question without knowing it.

The very part I keep worrying and feeling anxious about.

No, to be precise, I was curious why he specifically paired 'hate' with 'love.'

"Usually, if such an existence exists, wouldn't you naturally come to love it? Like Artanus loved Princess Istride?"

At my words, Arpad's footsteps stopped abruptly.

"Usually, you don't attach words like 'hate' to that, do you?"

He answered without turning around.

"Because I think I'd end up wanting to hate it."

"...!"

I was a little, no, quite surprised. A feeling as if my heart sank below my ribs.

Fortunately, Arpad was facing away, so there was no chance of my expression or feelings being exposed.

"If meeting means I have no choice but to love. Isn't that saying even my own emotions can't be controlled as I wish? If I'm subjected to such a thing, I think I wouldn't be able to help but hate it."

Well, that was a very him-like response.

Arpad had already said to me several times before.

He dislikes people who try to manipulate him.

That's why Arpad even despises and rejects his own father.

As if my heart had never sunk earlier, I replied cheerfully.

"That's truly fortunate."

Arpad turned around and asked.

"What is?"

"Since I'm not such an existence, you won't need to hate me."

Arpad didn't respond to my words.

And he didn't ask anything more either.

He just lay down languidly on the bed first and stared intently at me.

Since it was my bed, I couldn't tell him to move or get out.

We were officially a married couple who had performed the marriage ceremony.

Moreover, a couple so madly in love at first sight that they committed marriage by abduction—a love of the century.

It wasn't even some time later; if we used separate bedrooms already, it could actually spark rumors.

For example, suspicions like, 'Was the marriage by abduction just a performance?'

I lifted my head proudly and went into the same bed as Arpad.

And turning my back to him, I pretended to be fast asleep.

From behind, I thought I heard Arpad sigh while staring at me, but I ignored it.

And so, all night long.

* * *

"Ugh... As expected, you're a completely useless human being......"

In the end, I completely failed to sleep properly.

The maids of the Crown Prince's palace helping me with my makeup glanced at me and asked.

"Yes? Did we make some mistake......?"

"No. It's just last night... no. It's nothing."

Then a subtle atmosphere flowed among the maids.

One clueless maid showed excessive loyalty.

"Could there have been someone who disturbed Your Highnesses' rest last night? Please tell me. I'll teach them a lesson!"

"......"

The senior maids made eye signals, but she seemed to have no clue at all.

It was also bothersome to explain in detail.

"It's not that, so it's fine."

At the same time, one of the seniors took the clueless maid away.

Although she lowered her voice, I could hear her reprimanding clearly.

"It's because the two are so deeply in love that Her Highness the Crown Princess is exhausted! How can you be so clueless!"

"Gasp! I'm so sorry!"

It wasn't that at all, but it was also awkward to interrupt and say no.

'Well, it's a bit embarrassing... but having such rumors isn't bad...'

I pretended to look at the distant mountains and hear nothing.

The maids were doing their best to dress me up.

They were working hard to cover the dark circles that appeared because I didn't sleep properly—what a hassle.

The most noticeable among the maids assigned to me was Esia, who was currently covering my dark circles with makeup.

She was quite skilled with her hands and quick in her actions, which I liked.

After my makeup was finished and there were fewer watching eyes and listening ears around, I cautiously asked.

"Ah, His Highness the Crown Prince said to hear news about Delphin Residence from you."

"Ah, that's right. Shall I report now?"

"Yes. Please."

That's right. This maid was one of the close aides who received direct orders from Arpad.

She wasn't high-ranking enough to collect information directly, but it seemed she was at a level to relay it to me.

"Regarding the maid named Annie, she says there's no need to worry at all. Since the situation at Delphin Residence is so chaotic right now, there's no one who would interfere and bother her separately."

"That's a relief. But if Annie is like that, does that mean Sir Beltane is different?"

"Yes. Since Grand Duke Ludwig is still at Delphin Residence."

That guy, despite being humiliated by Arpad last time, still hadn't left Delphin Residence.

Maybe after living there like his own home for the past three years, he's deluded himself into thinking it's really his.

"Is Ludwig harassing Sir Beltane?"

"They say he's locked him in the underground dungeon."

Seizing someone else's house and harassing their knight.

It was absurd, but the problem was that Ludwig was exactly the kind of guy to do that and more.

"He wasn't severely assaulted or injured, was he?"

"They say not to that extent."

"Did he receive proper treatment for the injuries he sustained on the wedding day?"

"...I don't know about that either, Your Highness."

Well, even this was more detailed than I expected.

'Arpad's information network is quite good.'

It seems he didn't run a Mercenary King side job for nothing.

Even so, I couldn't rely solely on Arpad's abilities and organization forever.

'I need to create my own people and my own organization.'

This would take time. But I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.

I gave Esia an order.

"Send someone to Delphin Residence in my name to bring the maid Annie and Sir Beltane here."

I was especially worried about the two of them and couldn't bear it.

Sir Beltane was injured and locked in the dungeon, wasn't he? I couldn't just leave him there.

I needed to thoroughly clean out the entire Ducal Residence, but first, I had to at least get those two out.

Then Esia made a troubled expression for a moment and asked.

"Is this something you have His Highness the Crown Prince's permission for?"

"...!"

I stiffened my face and looked back at Esia. Anyone could see I was angry now.

Then Esia, startled, knelt right there.

"I apologize, Your Highness."

"Whose side are you on?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince commanded me to serve Your Highness."

"...So you're saying you're His Highness the Crown Prince's person."

"That is......"

This was something I already knew. Both Esia and I.

Seeing Esia relay the information I requested from Arpad made it clear.

That she was Arpad's person.

But Esia asking whether my order had the Crown Prince's permission was a different matter.

I replied coldly.

"Go back."

"...Yes?"

"I said go back to your master. There's no reason I need to get permission from His Highness the Crown Prince even for matters concerning my own household personnel."

Then Esia's complexion turned pale.

It seemed she realized her mistake.

"I'm sorry! Please forgive me just this once!"

But I didn't change my mind.

The other maids finished my makeup while tense.

Until then, Esia remained kneeling.

I completely ignored Esia as if she weren't there.

And I told another maid to relay the order to bring Annie and Beltane from Delphin Residence.

I wasn't trying to have a tug-of-war with the maids.

I knew my surroundings were all Arpad's people, and that was natural.

But if I'm interfered with even in such trivial matters, I can't do anything.

Moreover, the biggest and most important matter I faced was something else entirely.

'The banquet at the Artanoos Hall a month later!'

If that banquet wasn't successfully held, I couldn't be properly recognized as the Crown Princess.

And the biggest obstacle facing the banquet was precisely the Empress and Evangeline's schemes.

'The two have already declared war on the Capital's social circles. They said to be prepared for exile from social circles if you attend the banquet at the Artanoos Hall.'

This had to be shattered first.

Translator: Nox