Previously
Evgenia scolds Alexis for leaking news of her marriage proposal to the Crown Prince, though Alexis argues it would be a relief for Kayden. Before departing for the southern campaign at dawn, Alexis reveals the secret timing of the military march to Evgenia, unaware she already knew.
Delano reflected that if Euclid hadn't pointed out his blunder so definitively, he never would have caught it on his own.
The realization that he might have committed an unforgivable mistake upon their arrival at the Basilian Duchy sent a chill running down his spine.
At the same time, a thought crossed his mind:
( ‘Ah, how can a man be so gracious?’ )
Every member of the Duchy of Rodion respected their kind and benevolent lord, but Delano, whose admiration went well beyond ordinary devotion, instinctively praised Euclid in his heart all over again.
He prayed fervently that the future Duchess of Rodion—soon to marry into this noble house despite the match being a loveless political arrangement—would realize just how fortunate she was to have such an honorable husband.
At that moment, Euclid, who had been quietly gazing out the carriage window, began gathering the reports he had set aside and put them back into his bag.
Noticing this, Delano realized they were nearing their destination, the Basilian estate. Straightening his already immaculate posture, he suddenly felt a prickle of thirst.
Hoping to lighten the awkward mood that had lingered earlier, Delano addressed Euclid, who remained as composed as ever, looking as though nothing could rattle his calm demeanour.
Though Euclid had never shown any particular interest in women, Delano thought it impossible for any man not to feel even a shred of tension when meeting his bride-to-be for the first time.
Delano offered, “From what I hear, the Basilian lady is said to be the finest beauty in the Empire.”
Though malicious rumors had later tarnished her reputation, during her coming-of-age ceremony she had captivated the hearts of many young nobles with her striking, alluring beauty. Tales of their unrequited pining had spread far and wide.
Naturally, those feelings were thoroughly stifled once word broke that the Imperial family had marked her as the future Crown Princess, given her close childhood bond with the Crown Prince.
Delano briefly worried that his remark about the future Duchess’s appearance had been too informal, but his concern melted away when Euclid offered a faint, courteous smile.
Still, Delano couldn't help but feel a flicker of dissatisfaction. As much as he respected Euclid's enduring poise, part of him secretly wished to see a tiny crack in that unshakeable exterior.
Just then, the carriage slowed to a brief halt before rolling forward once more.
Having already prepared to disembark, Euclid gave a nod in response.
Though Euclid had admitted to feeling a bit nervous, in truth he felt nothing of the sort. To him, this was merely an emotionless political marriage that would not last.
Even so, he couldn't entirely shake a sense of guilt and pity for the lady.
While he didn't know the whole story, it was clear she loved someone else and was being forced to marry a stranger.
Worse still, that stranger was him—a man who held neither expectations nor emotional investment in the union.
Euclid stepped down from the carriage with his usual practiced, serene smile, entirely unaware that his long-held composure was about to shatter.
Today was the day I had waited for so long—the day I would finally meet my favorite character!
Though I knew I needed a good night's rest, excitement and nerves kept me tossing and turning until I finally drifted into a shallow sleep.
When I woke at dawn and looked into the mirror, I froze in sheer shock.
( ‘What… what is this?’ )
Just yesterday, my complexion had been flawless and clear! Smooth and radiant, a polished surface so slick a fly would have slipped right off.
( ‘Could this be… a pimple?’ )
Staring at the hard, red bump sitting squarely in the middle of my cheek, I couldn't believe my eyes.
The strength drained right out of me as I confronted the brutal reality.
Why, of all days, did this have to happen today—the crucial day of my very first meeting with my favorite character? I had gone to such lengths to ensure I looked my absolute best, even picking out a vibrant dress I rarely wore and cajoling Anne into giving me a special skincare treatment.
…Could that have been the problem?
( ‘Ugh, they were right! Too much of anything is never good!’ )
My grandmother's favorite saying abruptly sprang to mind: moderation is key.
Evidently, my greed had backfired. Normally I never did anything special to my skin, yet it had always glowed. And now look at me!
Defeated, I sank to the floor with a hollow laugh. But no amount of laughter could mask my despair.
To make matters worse, faint dark circles under my eyes laid bare the toll of my sleepless night.
( ‘This is a catastrophe. I'm doomed. Out of all days… why today?’ )
I tried splashing water on my face, but the blemish remained stubbornly fixed. I bit my lip in frustration.
Right then, Anne knocked on my door, as if sensing I was awake.
Anne gasped the moment she saw my face, clapping both hands over her mouth in horror.
I was already reeling from shock and frustration, but Anne's reaction only plunged me deeper into misery.
Anne looked despondent, lamenting that it was likely her fault since I never usually bothered with special skincare.
The moment I nodded, Anne sprang into action, hastily gathering various supplies.
For some reason, the way she had handled the face pack yesterday had given off such an expert impression that it filled me with a glimmer of hope.
Since I had been told our guest would arrive around lunchtime, I thought perhaps my skin could return to normal before then.
A few hours later…
Sionel, who never struck anyone as the sort of man to remark on or care about a woman's appearance, froze in his tracks the instant he spotted me in the foyer.
Having stepped out of my chambers just moments ago without even checking a mirror after hastily caking on cosmetics to conceal the spot, I blinked in bewilderment.
Sionel sighed and turned his head away, as if assuming I was being deliberately evasive.
Sensing something was amiss, I glanced back at Anne, who stood behind me.
Anne shrank back and averted her eyes.
( ‘Anne, you can't mean…?’ )
Unease seized me as I quietly asked, “Melissa, does my face look strange to you?”
Melissa was terrible at lying.
My spirits sinking further, I cast about for another target.
That was when I noticed Duke Basilian standing ahead of me, visibly hunching his shoulders as though desperately trying to avoid eye contact, terrified I might address him.
‘Hmm.’ Should I be glad Alexis wasn't here, or not?
Had that brat been present, he probably would have clutched his stomach, mocked me openly, and pointed out precisely what looked bizarre—though at least he would have been honest.
While I agonized briefly over this dilemma, a voice broke through my thoughts.
I spun around at the Duke's words and saw a carriage pass through the front gates, making its way toward the main manor.
It was the magical carriage I had asked the Duke to dispatch to the Duchy of Rodion.
At that moment, my heart began to pound wildly, and the reality hit me that I was only moments away from meeting my favorite character.