Chapter 29
Franz pursed his lips into a thin line as he watched Linden’s back receding toward Belisa.
He sighed while watching Linden chatting affectionately with his wife.
Linden was a man skilled in dealing with people. Franz had always tried not to be swayed by him. But today, that was proving difficult.
Franz shook his head, not bothering to hide his displeasure. The mood in the banquet hall was growing more and more festive.
Adjusting his attire, Franz walked across the hall.
Unlike his heavy heart, the lively and excited atmosphere of the banquet made him uncomfortable.
After the bride and groom shared their first dance, the rest was left to the guests. Franz had no more duties left.
All that remained for the newlyweds was to consummate their marriage.
Alesia must have known that and left her seat accordingly.
With a tense expression, Franz exited the hall. The guards standing at the massive doors quickly opened them when the prince approached.
Turning his back to the dazzlingly lit banquet hall, a dim corridor stretched out before him.
Franz began walking slowly down the hallway, lit by candlelight.
Only the sound of his footsteps echoed through the corridor. Around the midpoint, a faint breeze was heard.
Moonlight began to pour in through the windows lining one side of the hallway. Franz looked outside. A bright moon had emerged from behind thick clouds.
“…Your Highness.”
Just as his gaze settled on the drifting clouds and moon, a quiet voice came from behind a pillar.
Franz turned slowly, as if used to this.
“Already done with the investigation?”
“There wasn’t much to investigate.”
Harun grinned and approached Franz. Today, he was wearing a deep gray cloak like a cloud.
If he took a few steps back, he’d disappear into the shadows.
“There wasn’t any unusual movement in Ambrose today. The baron seemed preoccupied dealing with heavy rains.”
“You mentioned a downpour.”
“Yes, the city wall collapsed, and the baron was struggling to repair it.”
Harun paused in his report and tilted his head, examining Franz. Franz furrowed his brows under the persistent gaze.
“What is it?”
“You’re not quite how I expected.”
“What were you expecting?”
“Some fluttering excitement or nervousness? Like a groom on his wedding night?”
Franz scowled at Harun’s teasing.
“Did you learn that nonsense from Linden?”
When Franz snapped at him, Harun scratched his cheek sheepishly.
“So even the duke thinks Your Highness doesn’t seem very groom-like today.”
“You’re too nosy.”
“So are you not going to the bridal chamber? This way leads to the study, not the bedroom.”
Franz’s face hardened at Harun’s pointed remark. It hit the mark. Harun sighed.
“To complete the soul bond, you must consummate the marriage. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
His voice, which had been playful, turned serious.
“You know full well that the potion’s effect is nearing its limit.”
“Did you examine the necklace?”
“Hmm? Oh—that diamond necklace Her Majesty the Empress gave you?”
Harun blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden change of topic.
“It’s not a mana stone. Pure diamond. No magic cast on it either.”
“Good.”
Franz muttered, rubbing his forehead. As he turned, Harun stepped in front of him.
“If you’ve lost your way to the bedroom, I can guide you there.”
“Harun.”
“All right, all right. No need to get mad. That disrupts your mana.”
Harun raised his hands with a shrug. Franz stared at him before biting his lip.
Then he turned his head in the opposite direction—the direction of the prince’s bedroom.
“I’ll consummate the marriage. That’s what she became my wife for.”
“Now that’s more like it.”
A low chuckle followed Franz’s resolute words.
Franz let out a heavy sigh.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, Harun’s gray cloak darkened like a shadow and his figure vanished like smoke.
Alesia stood awkwardly in the second prince’s bedroom. She had come here to consummate the marriage. It was a bit early, but she had no choice thanks to Belisa’s constant pestering.
Belisa insisted it was better to get it over with quickly. After all, the night wouldn’t last forever.
Alesia didn’t agree, but Belisa’s nagging had pushed her here anyway.
She glanced around the room with subdued eyes.
The bedroom was perfectly prepared for the newlyweds.
A transparent canopy draped from the ceiling over the bed, and red rose petals were scattered across the sheets.
The air was thick with the scent of roses.
The candlelight glowed amber, blending with the pale moonlight to light the room.
Everything was exactly like in her previous life.
Even the slightly open window and fluttering curtains.
The only difference was the book in Alesia’s hands.
Before coming to the bedroom, she had gone to the library and picked the thickest book she could find.
She hadn’t even looked at the title. What mattered was how long it would keep her occupied.
“A book this thick should last me through the night.”
She placed it on the table with that thought in mind.
After the consummation, Franz would likely leave immediately. She’d be left alone to endure the long night—and needed something to keep her company. The book would be her companion.
Her pale hand gently stroked the hardcover.
For the next two years, Alesia would read countless books. Just as many as the number of nights she would spend alone.
“When was it that Franz came to me drunk?”
She traced the gold lettering on the cover, lost in thought.
The consummation itself didn’t matter. What happened that night was merely the completion of their soul bond.
What mattered most was the night she became pregnant.
That was the night to avoid at all costs.
She wanted to have a child—but at the same time, she didn’t.
If fate couldn’t be changed, then losing the child would be inevitable.
If she were lucky, she might be able to protect the child.
Maybe if she refused Lady Roshanak’s visit, or avoided going down the stairs with her, she wouldn’t miscarry.
But none of that was certain.
Alesia didn’t want to take risks with her child.
If there was a chance she might lose it, she didn’t want it at all.
She didn’t want to be tortured by false hope.
“Losing it once was enough.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and shut her eyes tightly.
She wanted to get out of this room as fast as possible.
She already knew exactly what would happen next—and it made her sick.
Franz would come in, drunk. He’d tear off her clothes and take her roughly.
He would have no regard for her feelings. It would be a cruel night.
She would cry from the humiliation and pain. Even if she begged him to stop, he wouldn’t—until he got what he came for.
And once he did, he’d leave her without hesitation.
Leaving Alesia alone in the cold room.
“It’s okay. I’ve already been through it. It’s nothing.”
She hugged herself tightly.
Even though Franz hadn’t arrived yet, it already felt like it was happening again. It was horrifying.
What she hated most about returning to the past wasn’t seeing Franz again.
It was knowing she would have to share her body with him again.
Knowing she’d have to relive that dreadful night.
Her frail body began to tremble.
She tried to calm herself, again and again—but the fear wouldn’t let go.
“I want to run away.”
Her eyes snapped open.
Run away.
Yes, she could run.
Why hadn’t she thought of that before?
She hadn’t been able to avoid the wedding—but maybe she could avoid this night. If she could just get through tonight, she wouldn’t have to endure another horrifying night.
The promise she made to Franz was drowned out by her terror. She couldn’t even remember it.
Alesia jumped to her feet.
As she rose from the bed, the rose petals scattered and fluttered. Crimson roses floated down around her apricot-colored dress.
She stepped on them as she walked to the door.
Her heartbeat pounded louder the closer she got.
She swallowed dryly and reached for the handle.
She pulled open the door—and her eyes widened.
Franz was standing there.
His golden eyes, now deep and dark, looked down at her.
Alesia sank into despair.
There was no escape now.
The wedding night had begun.
