Ch#8

Episode 8

That's right.

The reason I went through the trouble of talking nonsense and acting to provoke Ludwig was for this timing.

'Because I knew the Emperor would come!'

My wedding with Ludwig was personally arranged by the Emperor.

The Emperor, who didn't trust his own son, wanted to build power for his nephew Ludwig.

And I was chosen as the means for that.

That's why the wedding ring on my finger is an imperial treasure.

During the engagement ceremony, the Emperor called Ludwig and me together, gave his blessings, and presented this ring as a gift.

Because of that, the Emperor planned to make a surprise visit this morning, the wedding day, to give his blessings.

'Of course, I remembered that timing perfectly!'

If my calculations were correct, the Emperor would have heard our argument.

Then it was perfect for him to misunderstand Ludwig as a playboy who abandoned his fiancée in trouble the day before the wedding.

No, it's not a misunderstanding.

Because it's the truth.

With my scream heard in the midst of it, it wasn't unreasonable for the Emperor to misunderstand.

The Emperor strode over and pulled my wrist from Ludwig's grasp.

He rolled up my sleeve, looked, and clicked his tongue.

"What on earth happened with this bruise?"

'That was done by your son, you know.'

I couldn't say that.

So I just evaded the question.

"It's nothing."

As I pulled my sleeve back down to hide the bruise, to the Emperor it would look like this.

'It'll just look like I'm trying to cover for my fiancé.'

Sure enough, the Emperor flared up at Ludwig like fire.

"I am very disappointed in you, Ludwig."

"That's not true, Your Majesty! I didn't do anything!"

But Ludwig's excuse must have sounded pathetic to the Emperor.

He didn't seem to believe it at all.

The Emperor warned his nephew in a low, rumbling voice.

"You know better than anyone that it was I who pushed for today's marriage. And the meaning behind it too."

"Y-Your Majesty!"

"If you disappoint me even once more, I'll have no choice but to consider other alternatives."

Ludwig's face turned pale.

Unlike when we were alone, he couldn't interrogate or blame me further in front of the Emperor.

'Cowardly bastard.'

Suppressing his displeasure, Ludwig carefully placed the veil over me.

Even then, he didn't forget to cheaply lower his voice to a whisper to threaten me.

"We'll see about tonight."

From under the veil, I raised the corner of my mouth and lifted my middle finger inside the bouquet.

'If I create another situation where I'm alone with you, I'll eat my own hand!'

With Ludwig and I sharing the same bed with different dreams, my fourth wedding procession began.

Through the window, the familiar sights of the Capital and the crowds passed by.

By now, it was enough to make me sick.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, the sound of hooves stepping on paving stones.

Along with the sound of carriage wheels turning, my heartbeats grew louder and louder.

Before I knew it, the bridal carriage began to pass in front of the Imperial Palace.

Exactly, the place I had promised with Arpad.

* * *

Strangers who didn't know any better cheered loudly for today's bride.

Their blessings sounded like curses to me.

"Woo! Congratulations!"

"Your Grace, the Grand Duchess!"

"You two will make such a perfect couple!"

"May God's blessings be with you both!"

Though I hated hearing it, the reason I left the carriage window wide open was simple.

Because I needed to search with wide-open eyes.

'Where is the Crown Prince? Is he over there? Here? There?'

The promised place, the promised time was noon.

But looking around the square, not a single strand of the Crown Prince's blond hair was visible.

A sudden surge of anxiety rose.

'Surely, surely... he's not going to not come, is he?'

The Crown Prince must have learned yesterday that Agrippina's Tear I gave him had no effect on his Madness.

Naturally, the credibility of my words would have increased.

Knowing a way for him to become Emperor without going mad—he couldn't ignore that.

'But what if he still doesn't believe?'

My heart pounded ominously.

'If that's the case...'

Though the chance of failure is greater, I'd have to execute the alternative method I had in mind...

Then.

Thud!

An unexpected shock assaulted me, nearly making me fall forward.

"Wh-what is it?"

The carriage seemed to have braked abruptly. The murmuring of people outside could be heard.

When I finally gathered my wits and leaned my head out the window, filled with anxiety and anticipation.

I saw him.

A man sitting arrogantly on a dazzling white horse, blocking the bridal procession.

'Arpad!'

Bathed directly in the noon sunlight, Arpad's hair shone more brightly than the Emperor's crown.

* * *

"Wh-what's this?"

"What on earth is going on?"

People were bewildered.

The wedding of Ludwig, the Emperor's nephew, and Hilia, the sole heir of the Delphin Ducal Family.

This was the biggest event next to a royal wedding.

Naturally, a huge crowd of spectators had gathered, and they all became witnesses to an unbelievable event.

Someone had single-handedly blocked the bridal carriage procession heading to the Grand Temple.

Of course, the knights should have shouted and subdued him to drive him away.

If it weren't for the fact that the one blocking the bridal procession was 'this man'.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The head knight escorting the bride exclaimed in shock, calling out to him.

"Your Highness. What brings Your Highness here in such a manner..."

With an awkward expression, he signaled to his attendant with his eyes.

'Go quickly and inform the Grand Duke!'

He was Ludwig's knight. It was natural for him to act to inform Ludwig of this situation.

Just as the quick attendant was about to head toward the Grand Temple ahead.

Thwack!

The Crown Prince raised a crossbow like lightning and shot the attendant's leg.

"Argh!"

The attendant grabbed his leg and rolled on the ground.

The knights' faces turned pale.

"Why are you suddenly doing this, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Arpad grinned, his red eyes gleaming. The murderous gaze sent shivers down the spines of those watching.

"What do you mean? I merely caught a rat trying to run off without permission right in front of me."

"Your words are too harsh!"

Unable to bear the insult, Ludwig's knight had his hand on the sword at his waist.

But he couldn't bring himself to draw it.

'Too many eyes watching.'

For him, Ludwig's knight, to draw his sword before the Crown Prince would be outright treason.

Not only the knight, but Ludwig could also be implicated. And Ludwig would never allow that.

That's when it happened.

While the knight hesitated, someone else moved first.

Surprisingly, it wasn't the Crown Prince. Someone no one expected to step forward here.

Swish, a white veil draped under the noon sunlight.

"Duchess!"

"Your Grace, the Grand Duchess!"

Amidst the shocked crowd, Hilia, today's bride, walked out calmly alone.

She greeted in a composed voice.

"The daughter of Delphin greets Your Highness. What brings the esteemed Crown Prince Your Highness here?"

Seeing the bride step forward, the knight actually felt relieved.

'Surely even the mad Crown Prince can't cause more trouble before his cousin's bride.'

The knight tried hard to ignore the fact that he was hiding behind a delicate noble lady.

Then, an exchange of greetings that seemed strangely amicable followed.

"So you are the Duchess Delphine. We meet for the first time. Pleased to meet you."

"It's because I rarely participate in social activities. My apologies."

And then a situation even more incomprehensible than the bride stepping forward unfolded.

The Crown Prince, who had blocked the bridal procession and even shot a crossbow—a mad act—dismounted from his horse.

A white cloak fluttered elegantly. Only then did the knight realize.

The Crown Prince was now wearing the full ceremonial attire usually reserved for New Year's ceremonies or grand banquets.

And though he hadn't thought that far, it was customary to wear similar attire at the Crown Prince's own wedding too.

Duchess Delphine, today's bride Hilia, requested calmly.

"If we continue like this, I might be late for the wedding. Please step aside."

Hope appeared on the faces of the escort knights.

A noble and pitiable lady had personally requested it. Anyone who valued honor couldn't possibly refuse this.

But there was a fact everyone had momentarily forgotten.

That nothing was more incompatible with the mad Crown Prince than honor.

The Crown Prince's hopes were shattered when he strode right up to the bride and committed an outrageous act.

Swish, the Crown Prince reached out and lifted the bride's veil.

For a man other than the groom to lift the bride's veil is a terrible humiliation.

An act so shameless it could warrant a duel challenge.

"Y-Your Highness!"

"This can't be!"

"What on earth...!"

Amidst the screams, people were more captivated by the bride's beauty than by the bewildering situation.

The white veil that had been draped was lifted, revealing the Duchess's small, pale face to everyone.

Her luscious pink cloud-like hair was adorned with a laurel wreath made of diamonds and silver.

Her cheeks, flushed pink, were utterly adorable.

Each time her eyelids, holding large purple pupils, blinked, all sorts of subtle colors between blue and red shimmered.

'Sh-she's like a fairy...'

Even the attendant who had been shot with the crossbow momentarily forgot the pain and stared blankly, thinking this.

Translator: Nox