~Chapter 34~
I worried unnecessarily that she might catch on to a weakness. Yet the Empress still smiled, as if she were used to such sharp retorts.
“Your jest goes too far. It is my sincere wish that the Crown Prince enter the palace and assist His Majesty, Emperor Demerov, and His Highness, Vessus.”
“Do you mean I should abase myself as Vessus’s footstool? I’m afraid I have no intention of doing that.”
When Etienne scoffed so openly, the Empress’s face stiffened. Her calm voice rose in pitch.
“Footstool? Offering loyalty to Vessus, the next emperor, is both an honor and duty as a citizen of the empire. Does the Crown Prince not think so?”
“Yes, I do not. The emperor must earn the loyalty of his people through his own abilities, not by force. Your Highness’s unreasonable arrogance remains unchanged.”
“Crown Prince!”
The Empress’s face flushed violently.
Oh… just hearing this from the side made me feel like a perfectly roasted chicken. I could only imagine how furious she must be. Of course, I didn’t feel sympathy for her—in fact, I felt rather pleased.
Who told her to mess with our Etienne!
“Enough, Empress,”
Emperor Demerov intervened—not for Etienne, but for the Empress. Just as the novels described, seeing it in person made it undeniable: the Emperor was… a king of favoritism.
He favored Etienne over Vessus. He was always harsh with Vessus, yet indulgent with Etienne.
And yet he had to consider the Empress, so he placed Vessus in line for the throne, giving him power without love, and gave Etienne love he couldn’t possibly manage.
As a result, Etienne had to bear the full brunt of the Empress’s wrath.
The Empress hid her anger behind a fan.
“Etienne is… consistent. Mischievous as ever.”
“Indeed. That audacity so resembles me, haha. His looks, those sharp eyes… Yes. If he’s my son, he must be like that.”
The Emperor continued praising Etienne obliviously. I had thought Vessus might have inherited his tactlessness, but it seems he took after the Emperor himself!
Even if not a biological child, how could he inherit that…?
Anyway, it was a relief that Etienne hadn’t inherited it.
As the compliments kept coming, the Empress’s face darkened. Beautiful? Scratch that. She looked like a poison dart frog right now.
“Vessus is fine, but he lacks that audacity. To do great things, one must have it. I raised Etienne well. Having borne and raised him is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life!”
The Emperor laughed heartily, proud as if he had personally given birth, while the Empress’s face twisted with disgust. Even I, who disliked her, was wary at this moment.
Emperor… please stop… Can’t you see your wife is angry…?
The atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable. I cast a glance at Etienne, silently pleading: When will we leave? Now that the formal greetings are done, can’t we go back?
“Dalia, it seems you’ve gained some weight.”
The Empress’s gaze turned toward me.
Startled, I looked up at her, having just been signaling Etienne silently. She looked at me with calm composure again. She had married me to Etienne, knowing I liked Vessus. She probably wanted to isolate Etienne with her own people. So, she didn’t dislike me…
Perhaps it was merely a conversation diversion.
I hesitated over what to say.
The former Dalia had behaved “properly” before the Emperor and Empress. Then…
“It is thanks to Your Majesties’ care.”
I cast my eyes down lightly.
It should seem natural. Considering how perceptive she must be, she’d notice immediately if I hesitated.
“I am pleased that the Crown Princess says that. Etienne is fortunate indeed.”
The Empress chuckled. Somehow, her words seemed to carry the unspoken: “Not entirely without cunning.”
“But besides that, something about you has changed.”
I swallowed hard. Good thing I was looking down; otherwise, she might have seen my pupils quake in panic.
“Your aura… seems kinder, somehow.”
Her gaze pricked at my forehead. My heart thumped violently. How did she recognize this from just a few words?
“Etienne seems to treat the Crown Princess well,”
the Emperor laughed again. Then he rambled on, claiming I resembled a loving partner—what nonsense.
The Empress’s briefly softened expression soured again.
Though grateful that she had been diverted from suspicion, I silently prayed: please stop, sir… just let me go.
I remembered the endless speeches at company dinners. Faking illness was the perfect escape.
“Cough, cough.”
I coughed quietly. Acting was another talent of mine.
Etienne, reading the signal perfectly, seized the moment.
“It seems the Crown Princess is unwell. If it is not too rude, may we take our leave?”
“Yes, you’ve traveled far enough. Go rest.”
Faking illness had worked perfectly! I hurriedly bowed, sneaking out before anyone could stop me.
The moment we were out of sight, my legs gave way, and I sank to the floor.
“Phew… that was nerve-wracking. Meeting high-ranking people really drains you. Not for me, socializing.”
Etienne reached out to me. I looked at his elegant fingers briefly, then took his hand.
He pulled me up. A faint smile lifted his lips. The tingling from his hand traveled straight to my heart.
Why is he smiling for once? Handsome as ever… Did I act well enough?
I cleared my throat subtly and smiled brightly at him. A small, strong bond seemed to form between us.
Not romance… more like… camaraderie.
The servants led us to a room.
Etienne explained it was the room he used while living in the palace. Despite having been empty for a long time, it was spotless.
He handed his coat to a maid and sat on the sofa.
I stood awkwardly in the center, unsure where to go.
Why bring me here too? Did Etienne have more to say?
Yet he seemed intent on resting. His touch loosened my neatly pinned hair, letting it cascade over my shoulders.
“Etienne, where’s my room?”
“This is it.”
He looked at me, his sharp eyes softened by a small smile.
“And you, Etienne?”
“Of course, I’m here too.”
The banquet would last for days. We’d have to stay in the palace at least a couple of nights. But here? Just one room?
I glanced around again. Spacious, yes, but only one room. And one bed. That meant…
“No way.”
I pointed at the large bed in the center, then at myself, at Etienne, and back at the bed.
You, me, one bed.
Etienne nodded as if it were perfectly normal.
No… it can’t be!
“Nooo! Why? It’s the palace, surely there’s no shortage of rooms!”
“Unless specially requested, couples are given a single room.”
Couple… right. We are a couple.
I’d never even shared one room before; I kept forgetting.
“Fine. Then I’ll request a separate room.”
“Why? Is it uncomfortable?”
“Of course!”
I answered sharply, bouncing back as if shot out of a cannon. Etienne’s mouth pressed into a straight line, and a coldness passed over his tired face.
“You’ll be uncomfortable too. Normally we—”
“I don’t mind.”
His firm answer left me speechless. Unmoved? No matter that he didn’t see me as a woman, this was too much.
“Absolutely not!”
What if I got carried away? One bed with such a handsome man, and I couldn’t even move a finger? Impossible! I couldn’t do it!
And I’d be divorced immediately.
“Think of the plan. Everyone thinks we don’t get along. Wouldn’t it be strange if we shared a bed? Vessus will be here too.”
The old Dalia would never have shared a bed with Etienne while Vessus was nearby. She’d crawl out the window into Vessus’s bed if necessary.
But one room with Etienne? That almost proves I’m a different person. So it was absurd.
Etienne’s expression stiffened further.
“What does Vessus have to do with it?”
I was startled by his reaction.
Does Etienne still trust Vessus? Even knowing the documents are connected… Etienne… is surprisingly innocent in trusting people.
Then I shouldn’t mention that I still suspect Vessus.
“Um… well… the plan is like that. Anyway, we should have separate rooms for now.”
Etienne sprang up and approached.
“Why… why…”
Why does he always invade my space like this? Surely he knows his face is a weapon. This sly fox!
I managed to squeak out a question, but he didn’t answer, only stared for a long moment. Then, in a low voice, he spoke slowly, each word deliberate:
“We’ll prepare a separate room.”
Then he spun around and left.
I hadn’t done anything wrong—why do I feel so intimidated!?
Why are you mad at me? Did you want to share a bed? Why? As if we always slept together! We normally have separate rooms!
