IWPU 32

Chapter 32

Even if I broke off my engagement with the crown prince, the situation wouldn’t change. Even if we pretended to cooperate for mutual benefit, I’d still have to live constantly on edge, never knowing when I might be betrayed.

No matter how I calculated it, the chances of me becoming close with the First Empress were practically nonexistent. For one, I was physiologically incompatible with her. And I was certain she found me just as unpleasant.

So, I decided to throw caution to the wind.

“Recklessness is not courage, Lady Elient,” the First Empress said, gritting her teeth and enunciating each word. I took a sip of the tea I’d been savoring and set my cup down. The warm liquid slid smoothly down my throat.

“Well, depending on who’s doing it, recklessness can sometimes be seen as a skill.”

“Hah, a skill, you say.”

The First Empress curled one side of her lip in a sneer. It clearly meant she didn’t think I was capable of such a thing.

I met her gaze head-on. A silence colder than ice settled between us again. Neither of us blinked as we stared each other down.

“C-come to think of it, your coming-of-age ceremony must be approaching soon, yes?”

It was the Empress, who had been quiet until now, watching the First Empress and me like a mouse in hiding, who suddenly broke the silence. Her words were abrupt and out of place. I turned my gaze from the First Empress to her.

“I was just wondering how the preparations are going…”

She trailed off and stole a glance at the First Empress. It seemed like the two of them had planned to bring this topic up.

I straightened my back and leaned against the chair. I didn’t know what they had prepared, but I couldn’t just sit there and take it.

“Your Majesty’s concern humbles me.”

“I’m curious as well,” the First Empress added, unfolding her fan once again. Her eyes remained cold as ice, but her lips curled into a faint smile.

“What preparations are even necessary? Everyone has a coming-of-age ceremony.”

“But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. And yours is especially… spe-cial.”

Anasha had found out. There was no way the First Empress didn’t know that I wouldn’t be holding a ceremony. She seemed to be trying to coax me into saying it myself.

Not holding a coming-of-age ceremony also meant delaying my debut into society. The official reason I had given for skipping the ceremony was the grief of losing my maternal grandfather. If I didn’t hold the ceremony because of that grief, then attending any party in the near future would be illogical.

In other words, I couldn’t debut into society without several months of delay.

Until that debut, I would remain merely the Crown Prince’s fiancée. For the wedding to proceed, I needed to debut into society first. That was why the Emperor had moved the wedding forward to coincide with my original ceremony.

The First Empress didn’t want the Crown Prince and me to marry. Being a fiancée was very different from being the Crown Princess. As a fiancée, House Elient’s ability to support the Crown Prince was limited. But as Crown Princess, my house would become his in-laws, fully backing him.

That was why the First Empress was so desperate to block our marriage.

“Oh dear, I nearly forgot—there’s no one to help you prepare for your ceremony, is there?”

Normally, a girl’s mother would handle the preparations. If she had no mother, then a grandmother or other close female relative would step in. But I had none of those.

Anasha, my maternal grandmother, existed in name, but she was a commoner. Mentioning her here would do no good; the First Empress would never accept her and might even use it to insult me further.

“How sad. How can a noble lady possibly hold a proper ceremony without a chaperone?”

The Empress echoed the First Empress’s words with feigned sympathy. They were trying to get me to say I wouldn’t have the ceremony.

Originally, I had no intention of holding one anyway. But seeing how far the First Empress was pushing made me reconsider.

Though commoners didn’t follow the same rules, noble young ladies were required to have a chaperone to debut into society. Attending without one was akin to appearing naked in the middle of a public square—it would be the perfect excuse for ridicule.

Typically, the mother acted as the chaperone. Without one, the closest high-ranking female relative took on the role.

But I had no one to serve as my chaperone. I wracked my brain to think of someone suitable. House Elient had no one. On the Pisson side, my grandfather had two sisters, but both lived far away from the capital. It was impossible for them to return in time.

At the time of my original ceremony, my wedding to the Crown Prince had been held simultaneously, so no chaperone was needed. But I couldn’t marry him just to spite the First Empress.

“If Lady Elient is alright with it, I wouldn’t mind taking on the role myself.”

The First Empress smiled arrogantly as she waved her fan. Now that she had made that offer, no one else could volunteer unless they wanted to oppose her.

Being my chaperone would be seen as directly challenging the First Empress’s influence over the social world. Unless someone of much higher status or willing to become her enemy stepped up, no one would dare take the role.

It wasn’t just the ceremony in danger—my social debut was now at risk. To debut, I had to either accept the First Empress’s offer or find someone else willing to oppose her. And once her offer became public, no other noblewoman would dare defy her to support me.

“What is your decision, Lady Elient?” she asked, her crimson lips curling.

‘She thinks she’s won.’

“I appreciate Your Majesty’s offer, but my maternal grandmother has already agreed to be my chaperone.”

The moment I decided I’d have to ask Anasha—scandal or not—the doors opened and the Crown Prince entered.

Behind him, attendants and maids stood frozen, unsure of what to do. He had likely brushed them aside and come in himself.

He swiftly approached, took my hand, and helped me to my feet.

“I’ve missed you, my lady.”

He looked into my eyes and kissed the back of my hand. I could still feel the softness of his lips.

“Y-Your Highness!” the Empress exclaimed.

“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing to her. The Empress, startled by his sudden appearance, nearly shrieked.

Lifting his head, he added, “I heard my fiancée was here. How could I just sit still?”

He smiled brightly at the Empress. She blushed under his charm.

Objectively speaking, he was an exceptionally handsome young man. His porcelain skin was flawless, his lips naturally red and moist, as if painted. His nose was sharp, and his jawline elegant. His slightly hooded eyes curved alluringly when he smiled.

Though his features could seem delicate, his strong brows, tall stature, and muscular frame—refined through swordsmanship—enhanced his masculinity. And when those piercing golden eyes met yours, it felt like being pulled into a bottomless abyss.

Back then, I had fallen in love with him at first sight, never to recover.

The Empress, still finding her footing as a woman, was clearly flustered by his charm. The First Empress clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

The Empress shrank, red-faced, at the rebuke.

“The Crown Prince of the Empire acts far too rashly. Show some decorum,” the First Empress scolded, waving her fan.

Turning away from the Empress, he gave the First Empress a sharp look.

“Isn’t this the age of passion? How could I not be excited when my fiancée’s coming-of-age ceremony is near? I hope Your Majesty, kind as ever, will understand the heart of this foolish youth.”

The First Empress’s fan froze mid-air. If looks could kill, the Crown Prince would’ve died a dozen times from her glare.

By addressing only the Empress, he had completely disregarded the First Empress. Then he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. His intent was clear.

I decided to play along with his game.

“Why did you come so late, Your Highness? I waited endlessly for you.”

“I didn’t know you were here. You should’ve come to my palace instead—then you wouldn’t have had to wait.”

He looked regretful and kissed my forehead gently. Then, seizing the moment, he pulled me even closer.

I was tempted to stomp on his foot—especially since I was wearing heels—but the First Empress was glaring at me right in front of us. It wasn’t worth the risk. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his back and pinched his side as hard as I could.

His body jolted slightly. I gave him a satisfied smile.

“Her Majesty the Empress summoned me,” I said sweetly.

“Oh dear, I suppose Her Majesty forgot today was meant to be our special day—just as His Majesty decreed. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

“Y-yes, of course. You’re absolutely right. I must have forgotten,” the Empress stammered, nodding so hard it looked like her head might fall off.

The Emperor had ordered that the Crown Prince spend time with me two to three times a week. He also forbade others from disturbing us during that time.

Though unintentionally, the Empress had violated the Emperor’s decree by summoning me here. Her face turned pale as she looked pleadingly at the First Empress.