Episode 7
Jane burst in, rolling across the floor like a kid, her voice bright and excited. Her face looked mischievous, a wide smile lighting it up.
“Jane! Always knock before you open the door—”
“Oh, come on, sister! The Princess said this is important and told me to run right over! A guest from the Navy is here! He’s asking if he can see the Princess right away!”
It was finally here.
The dark cloud inside my chest lifted, and it felt like sunlight poured down on me.
No need to hesitate when this was the news I’d been waiting for. I left Jane and Dixie bickering behind and ran down to the first floor so fast I didn’t notice a shoe slip off.
Standing with the sun at his back, I couldn’t see the man’s face. The stiff military carriage between the doors proved Jane hadn’t lied.
It felt like God was lowering a lifeline down to me.
I stopped in front of the man and panted, trying to speak.
“Wow, you’re here. What did the commander say? Did he ask me to be brought? Or did he send a message?”
The man brushed past me slowly.
He smelled of wood and cinnamon. As he walked, he bent and picked something up from the floor.
It was my shoe.
“What’s the hurry that you greet me barefoot?” he said.
The sunlight faded, and his blue, jewel-like eyes flashed out from the shadow. They looked like a polished mineral staring straight at me.
“…Lucian?” I said.
“If you ran out like this to greet me without keeping your dignity, I’d be touched,” he said, smiling.
“…Don’t you think you’re late? Frederick arrives tomorrow!” I snapped.
“First, mind your dignity,” Lucian replied.
He smiled and knelt. The way he slipped my shoe back onto my foot was skilled and gentle.
Even such a simple act felt strangely charming. The hand that covered my bare foot was cool, without warmth—yet, oddly, that only drew me in more. He felt dangerous in a way Frederick did not.
When my foot was snug in the soft leather, Lucian smiled. Then, in a mocking show of intimacy, he pressed his cheek to mine.
“We should verify facts,” he said. “This morning, by the treatment the Princess gave, Thomas woke up.”
“For crying out loud… So you didn’t trust me?” I snapped.
“I am not someone who trusts easily. But your words were proven, so let us move to the next step.”
He took my arm and linked it through his as if the two of us were close.
“Wait—! Look at me like this—”
“It’s fine.”
“…Is this at least presentable?”
“You’re wearing clothes. That’s better than not wearing them.”
Ugh—what a bastard. I bit my tongue.
I glanced back for a moment, silently asking if I’d made the right choice.
Lucian slid his arm around my shoulder, and we walked as if it were natural.
“People will be waiting at the temple,” he said.
“The temple?” I asked.
“Our grand wedding is planned for today,” he answered.
“What??” I stared at him. I hadn’t expected to hear that.
“This was likely what you wanted. I’m very pleased. Shouldn’t we see what face Frederick will make tomorrow?”
Lucian looked pleased, though his eyes were still snake-sharp.
“Let’s go, quickly.”
I gripped Lucian’s arm. Any kind of hell was better than Frederick’s hell.
He gave a low laugh.
A little later, we stood before the envoy, who kept clearing his throat in disbelief, and the chief justice of Florence—who looked like he’d been dragged here by the collar—and we swore our vows.
The sunlight was unusually bright, and the temple felt holy. The air inside smelled of incense and something thick and sweet.
My nose twitched.
“Do you vow to love forever? Groom, do you pledge to always respect and protect your spouse?”
I glanced at Lucian.
He lifted his lips in that graceful way that made him look handsome.
He nodded.
“I do.”
So short. No hesitation.
“Bride? Bride, answer. Do you pledge to respect and protect your spouse forever?”
“…I do,” I answered.
The chief justice sighed again.
That was enough. Together we—
“I now declare you husband and wife. In the name of God this stands, and no suffering of life shall part you.”
We were married.
Wow. This actually happened.
That thought hit me right after the ceremony. It was absurd.
I sighed and slumped into the carriage.
I had never imagined I would be married so suddenly.
But life always moved in directions I could not guess.
I glanced at the man who had become my husband today.
Lucian sat calmly, going over documents. His composed face did not change.
“…Did we really get married?” I asked, feeling dazed.
He looked up at me. His eyes shone clear, and then he gave that smooth smile.
“We are married. Is there a problem? We followed the proper procedure. Or have you changed your mind now?”
“No… it’s not that…”
It felt strange. Did this really free me from Frederick?
He organized the papers with long fingers and tilted his head. Every movement of his drew my eyes.
Damn him—damn royalty. So annoyingly good-looking.
Frederick, or him—what a mess.
“Now we should align our goals, right? For a successful and beautiful marriage. This can’t be the end of the plan, surely.”
Lucian’s eyes sparkled like jewels, cold and bright.
My mouth tingled. Where should I start?
He asked a very basic question—my final goal.
“…I proved my worth to you, right?” I asked.
Lucian gave a light nod.
“So that is why you are here.”
“Now show me your worth,” he said.
His eyes widened, and he gave a low laugh.
“How? Where? In what way?” His voice sank into a secretive tone as he leaned toward me.
I swallowed. He really was—
“…I think you, Lucian, have the power to make Frederick into nothing but rags,” I said.
“And?” he prompted.
I reached and grabbed Lucian’s collar. He stared at me, surprised. A little blue flicker sparked in his eyes. I pulled him close, gripping his wrist to make my threat clear.
Then I poured all my hate into my words.
“I think our goals match. Help me kill that bastard, Duke—help me kill him, Lucian.”
The devil in Lucian’s eyes bloomed into a grin.
“I promise.”
Ooh.. well he hates them enough to not ask her for reason..