IGMHTMYS Chapter 05

Posted by Shuzo, Released on September 15, 2025

Episode 5

Before the Crown Prince of Boswell (Lucian Duret Boswell) could say anything, I stepped forward and blocked him.

Ever since Larino told me the Duke’s name, I had been practicing these words countless times just to stand here today. Larino showed me the direction, but never told me the method.

“First of all, I…”

Right now, I was using every bit of strength I had.

The sunlight cast a shadow across Lucian’s face, so I couldn’t see his expression clearly.

That was a relief for me. I swallowed hard.

“I’m not interested in the heir position of the Duke’s family. What I want is to escape this marriage. Nothing else matters to me. I already know the Duke has a child, and I agree that the child should inherit the Duke’s title.”

I knew I was being too bold, but I desperately continued.

This marriage was tied to a promise between two nations.

The Boswell Empire would send military aid to my homeland, and in return, my father promised to open the trade routes of the empire.

It wasn’t something a single person like me could break. King Medice would hunt me down and sacrifice me to Boswell if I tried. Even if I were his blood, he was cruel enough to do that.

“And second…”

I spoke quickly, like a madwoman.

“The Duke can meet other women. I’ll say it again—I only want to avoid this marriage. I have no wish to interfere in the Duke’s life. But the Duke needs a woman suitable for his position, and I can be that shield for him.”

What is he thinking right now? Stay strong, Belisa. Your story isn’t finished yet.

“And third. I can solve the epidemic problem spreading in the Navy.”

That was the very reason why the Crown Prince of Boswell (Lucian Duret Boswell) was so busy.

The epidemic was spreading through the Navy, which explained why the naval security was especially strict now. Lucian was working hard to keep the disease from spreading into Florence.

But this epidemic would later sweep Florence after Frederick and I left. The Emperor used it as an excuse to tie Lucian down in Florence.

As I took a deep breath, Lucian raised his hand.

It was a large, calloused hand. While I stared at it, he seized the initiative. Lucian spoke.

“I wonder how you know about that, Princess.”

He rose from his seat and walked toward me threateningly. His eyes were sharp as blades.

My heart pounded. My hand gripped the chair handle tightly. He leaned toward me.

His large hand grabbed the back of the chair behind my shoulder. With the other, he gripped the armrest, crossing over my arm.

I was completely trapped by him.

Lucian growled,

“Did you plant a spy in this castle? Or maybe some fool in the Navy fell for one of your maids? Or did you—”

“That’s not it. Don’t insult me.”

I forced my voice to stay cold.

“We were on the same ship! I saw it on the way here! I saw the bodies thrown into the sea!”

Still caught in his shadow, I forced my lips to move. My blood ran cold.

“That was your aide, Valec. Everyone on the ship knew what was happening. And I know what this disease is. Medice already suffered from it before.”

His gaze pierced me, sharp like blue steel. His presence pressed down on me, suffocating.

Lucian shot back,

“You pretended not to know before, and now you bring it up only to get what you want.”

“I’m not a good person, Duke. I don’t help another country’s matters without a reason. But as you said, right now I do want something. I want to be at your side. If I become your wife, the Navy becomes my concern, too. So I’ll treat this as my family’s problem, not just another nation’s.”

I explained calmly. Lucian bared his teeth in a sharp smile.

“Fine, Princess. You’re bargaining with my soldiers’ lives. I understand that clearly.”

I exhaled. That was fine. Claiming I was helping out of kindness would’ve sounded like a lie.

Lucian stepped away from me.

I licked my dry lips. My nerves tasted bitter.

“Think of it as the effort of someone desperate to try anything.”

Lucian ran his hand through his hair. He took out a cigar, then put it back.

I followed his pale, elegant hands with my eyes. I felt dizzy, as though all my energy was drained.

“Why do you want so badly to avoid this marriage?”

Maybe it would’ve been easier if I had just thrown myself into his arms and whispered that I loved him.

But what’s done is done.

“Because God sent me here.”

The man finished my words.

“Then shouldn’t you follow that divine command?”

From his neck hung a symbol of God. It swung in front of me as he smirked at my vague excuse.

“I am useful. So hire me.”

Lucian’s sharp blue eyes cut into me like blades.

I swallowed hard. My heart fluttered like a small bird.

The room was filled with the heavy scent of cinnamon. Not a trace of sweat or musk, only clean order.

It was strangely unsettling.

The man sitting here so neatly felt too restrained, too perfect. His face looked more fitting for a reckless libertine than for a strict soldier. His thick lashes shaded his blue eyes, giving him a unique aura.

Without realizing it, I licked my lips. Had I managed to catch his interest?

My stomach tightened with nerves. I opened my lips to say something, but Lucian spoke first.

“Everyone is useful somewhere. But if someone has no use at all, they should be thrown away. Can you even call that a person?”

He smirked.

“The question is… whether your usefulness is something I need.”

His sapphire eyes swallowed me whole. Cold and unfeeling, like jewels without emotion.

He scanned me slowly from head to toe, as though weighing my value.

It was the disrespectful treatment I had never endured as a princess, yet I endured it silently. I even raised my chin proudly.

“So… do you think I have enough value?”

“Well…”

His long eyes narrowed. Even with a smile, he looked anything but kind. That in itself was a skill.

“You’ll have to prove your usefulness, Princess.”