IWPU 34

Chapter 34

The Crown Prince didn’t answer. Instead of replying, he simply gave a faint chuckle. From the look on his face alone, I felt like I already knew his answer. I was so dumbfounded that I lost my words.

“It’s your coming-of-age ceremony, Bii. Surely it wouldn’t proceed without the main character’s consent.”

Perhaps my expression had been too blatant, because he chuckled out loud.

“…You told a ridiculous lie. The Erharak Hall? How do you plan to explain that?”

“It’s not a lie. His Majesty really did intend to hold your ceremony at Erharak Hall.”

My face hardened. So, the Emperor had indeed planned to conduct the wedding along with the coming-of-age ceremony. Was I to marry him all over again just like that? As I froze, he let out a quiet sigh.

“Bii, as I said before—nothing will proceed without your consent.”

The Crown Prince looked at me seriously.

“I know you’re reluctant about the ceremony. Or rather, the marriage with me, to be precise.”

His golden eyes, which were looking straight at me, dimmed with gloom. I never thought he wouldn’t know. He was quick-witted as well as intelligent. Just from my behavior in avoiding the ceremony, he would’ve figured out my intentions.

But knowing didn’t change anything. I didn’t want to marry him. Instead of replying, I simply met his gaze head-on.

“So how about we both compromise? As much as you yield, I’ll yield too.”

“If I give in to the coming-of-age ceremony, what will Your Highness give in return?”

“I’ll grant you something you want.”

His reply was bold. I looked at him suspiciously. His face gave away no emotion.

“Would you break off the engagement with me?”

“A breakup is not possible.”

His response was swift and firm, as if he had expected my question.

“Didn’t you say you would give me what I want? I want the engagement annulled.”

“You know very well that it’s not possible.”

A wrinkle formed between his brows. He was clearly restraining his anger.

“Say something that’s actually possible, Bii. I’ll try to grant it.”

I didn’t respond. There was only one thing I wanted. Nothing else mattered. But judging by his reaction, it was clear that I wouldn’t get even that. I hadn’t expected much, but still—it was disappointing.

“Ah, you really are—!”

He looked like he was about to say something, then closed his mouth. He brushed his hair back roughly in frustration. His silver hair shifted with the motion of his hand.

“Fine. I give up. I can’t break the engagement, but I’ll delay the wedding.”

His voice was slightly strained. I instinctively understood this was the best he could offer me.

I didn’t like the idea of holding the ceremony at that place, but I had already said too much to the First Empress to back out now. The Crown Prince had made every compromise he could within his power. I decided to take a step back here. For now, it was enough that it wouldn’t be a wedding.

“Very well. Let’s both yield a step.”

He stared at me intently, his expression a mix of conflicted emotions.

“Do you have more to say?”

“You really are a strange person.”

“I think I’m quite normal, actually.”

At my response, he laughed and shook his head. His reaction irritated me. I hadn’t revealed any nasty temper like last time, nor had I caused a scene. I believed I’d behaved properly like any noble lady should. That’s normal, isn’t it?

“Well, that’s not what matters right now. Bii, try not to run into the First Empress as much as possible. She’s a venomous woman. You’re not ready to handle her.”

“I’m just a marquis’s daughter. I don’t have the power to refuse Her Majesty the First Empress if she calls.”

Just like today—if the Empress or the First Empress summoned me, I had no choice but to go. At my answer, he chuckled.

“My, my. My fiancée is quite modest.”

He leaned in close. There was an amused look on his face.

“But you’re quite the expert at provoking her.”

“You were listening?”

“Isn’t the most entertaining thing in the world watching a good fight? No need to spoil the fun by interrupting early.”

With a smirk, he slowly leaned in as if about to kiss me. Just as his face reached mine, I firmly stomped down on his foot. I had ordered high heels I never usually wore just for today.

“Tch. I won’t fall for the same move again— Argh!”

My shoes not only had high heels but also sharp pointed toes. They were made precisely to my specifications.

I knew the Crown Prince was athletic. The fact that he didn’t dodge my step meant he was going easy on me. Unlike last time when I wore lower heels, today’s shoes were high enough to twist an ankle.

I had originally expected him to avoid it. The fact that he went easy on me didn’t sit well. I figured I might as well hit him where it really hurt to feel better.

As soon as I lowered my raised foot to the ground, I kicked forward with my left. He hadn’t anticipated the feint and got hit squarely. He winced and grabbed his shin.

“I don’t use the same trick twice, Your Highness.”

✦✦✦

“You look so beautiful, Sister!”

Lant’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me. Sitting while the maids did my hair, I motioned for him to come closer. He quickly scurried over, and I pinched his mochi-like cheek and stretched it.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop talking like some smooth playboy? I did, didn’t I? You’re so obedient about everything else—why not this?”

“S-stop it…”

“Don’t ‘but’ me. Where did you even pick up that kind of greasy tone?”

His soft, elastic cheek stretched however I wanted. Lant didn’t dare resist, moving his head wherever my hand pulled.

Thinking about it, Lant’s speech habits probably stemmed from his environment. All his teachers were elderly. In searching for the best in each field, we ended up gathering only people who looked like they had one foot in the grave. The youngest of his instructors was Sir Tilt, who had long since retired. The rest didn’t need mentioning.

“Pfft, at this rate, young master’s cheeks will be ruined.”

“Anasha, do you happen to know any young and capable tutors?”

“Hm, I’ll see what I can find.”

Anasha smiled and approached with a velvet box in her hands. She opened the lid.

“It’s a necklace called Morning of Dawn. I thought it’d be perfect for your coming-of-age ceremony.”

Inside was a diamond necklace, dozens of tiny gems strung together.

“It’s my gift to you.”

She fastened the necklace around my neck herself. It matched the dress as if they were a set.

“And this is Evan’s gift. He was really sad he couldn’t give it to you in person.”

She put a pair of transparent red earrings on me. They were drop-shaped red diamonds. They also complemented my dress perfectly.

The dress was mainly white, fitted like a morning glory around the upper body, with the skirt flaring out from the waist. The bodice revealed the curves of my figure but was covered from the neck to the back of the hands with fabric, decorated with lace and pale pearls.

The skirt had a gradient design—from deep red at the hem fading to pure white near the waist. It too was adorned with small pearls, which the designer said symbolized purity and elegance.

When I agreed to hold the ceremony, Anasha had come to meet me with a few people. They were the core members of Luiacha.

Luiacha was still in the preparation stage and not yet public. Anasha planned to use my coming-of-age ceremony to introduce it on a large scale. Though Luiacha later became popular by different means, there was no reason to stick to just one method. I approved her plan.

Everything I wore—from the dress to the jewelry—was Luiacha’s. They did their utmost to style me. From head to toe, there wasn’t a single part untouched by their hands.

“I knew it would suit the lady perfectly!”

Luiacha’s head designer finished adjusting my skirt and looked at me with satisfaction.

“Hair is done as well!”

Another designer stepped back from my hair. Anasha closed the now-empty box with a smile.

“Perfect.”

Just as Anasha said—it was perfect. Everything I wore was the result of Luiacha’s full devotion to me. It had to be perfect.

“I’m even doing live marketing for them, so I’d better get a proper reward, right?”

“Oh my! The whole merchant group belongs to you already. Don’t be so greedy, Bionne.”

“I’m greedier than you think. Even if I had all the money in the world, I’d still nag everyone for more. Better keep working hard.”

Anasha and the Luiacha team burst out laughing.

I reached my hand toward Lant. He quickly grabbed it and helped me to my feet. As I moved to leave with Lant escorting me, his face turned gloomy. I tousled his navy-blue hair with my fingers.

Since he wasn’t yet an adult, Lant couldn’t attend the coming-of-age ceremony. He looked disappointed that he couldn’t come to the party.

“Just wait four more years. Even if you run away, I’ll drag you to the party and make you escort me.”

Lant blushed and nodded. I gently patted his head.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to attend?”

Anasha asked with a nervous look. If someone wasn’t invited, they couldn’t come to the party. Back then, I hadn’t invited her to my coming-of-age ceremony and wedding. Naturally—because I hadn’t even considered her a noble peer. Back then, she couldn’t attend.