SEM 24

#024

It was Rozella who had forced Greddy into marrying Eliana despite his reluctance. However, it was also true that she felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety whenever she saw the couple appearing in the newspapers day after day.

The Greddy who met Eliana was quite different from the man Rozella had always known. When she saw the photo of them holding hands and kissing by the riverbank at twilight, as if they were truly in love, she was so furious that she didn’t even realize the newspaper in her hands had crumpled.

Even when Emperor Mateo declared he would host a party on the same day as their wedding, she didn’t object—partly out of jealousy.

Rozella was confused by the conflicting emotions she felt about Greddy and Eliana’s marriage. But once the wedding was called off, she did feel a sense of relief.

‘Everyone already knows Eliana is Greddy’s lover—so maybe there’s no need for them to marry?’

Nothing had changed, really.

Greddy was still nothing more than a marionette dancing in Rozella’s palm. Even now, if she told him to cancel the wedding, he would obey without question.

Rozella’s eyes gleamed.

“The wedding was canceled? I don’t understand what you mean, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Rozella had been watching Greddy, who was chatting happily with other women, but turned away the moment she saw Mateo glaring at Eliana with a burning gaze. Her expression instantly froze.

“You don’t understand? I find that more unbelievable. The invitation I received said the wedding of Duke Cryber and Lady Eliana was today.”

Rozella’s voice was cold as she set down her teacup.

“Yes, that’s correct, Your Majesty,” Eliana nodded.

The party that had started at noon was gradually winding down. It had been hastily arranged to prevent Eliana and Greddy’s wedding from proceeding.

That the event had reached this level of grandeur was entirely thanks to Baron Hoffman’s enthusiastic sponsorship.

“His Majesty refused? Is he just saving face? In that case, we should change the venue.”

“Change the venue?”

“If the tea party suddenly becomes a wedding, my brother the Emperor will lose face. Better to treat this as a pre-wedding event and hold the actual ceremony elsewhere later.”

“What? That’s not what was promised. Did the Emperor really give his consent to the wedding?”

“If you doubt it, walk away now. It’s not like I included the Baron because I needed his money.”

There was no way Baron Hoffman, so deeply disliked, would be granted an audience with the Emperor. The Baron had no choice but to fully trust Greddy’s word.

Even now, he hovered anxiously around the Emperor like a dog waiting to be fed, hoping to be summoned.

Eliana glanced briefly at Baron Hoffman before turning her eyes to the table. The atmosphere was so tense that she couldn’t relax for a moment.

“You mean to say… you already held a private ceremony before the party?” someone asked.

Greddy, having finished chatting with the women, looked around as if searching for someone. Rozella alternated glances between Mateo and Greddy as she continued her conversation with Eliana.

Receiving the attention of both men without meaning to annoyed Eliana, and sarcasm slipped into her voice.

“No. The wedding hasn’t happened yet.”

Eliana looked up at the sun and sipped her tea. The soft hum of gossip and the imperial orchestra’s performance created a perfect background for enjoying the beautiful garden.

“What are you thinking? Ah! Will you be having a child right after the wedding?”

“What?”

She hadn’t meant to push this far—at least not before confirming the Emperor’s obsession with Eliana.

“I mean, both your former husbands were eager for heirs, weren’t they? Yet you never had children. Is there… a problem on your end, perhaps?”

At Rozella’s out-of-line remark, Eliana set down her teacup. The others around Rozella looked at Eliana with mocking eyes. Their disdain was obvious.

“The Baron aside, wasn’t the Marquis especially desperate for an heir? And he was already older when you married him…”

Rozella shrugged, glancing around as if seeking agreement.

“I didn’t realize Her Majesty was concerned with the state of my bedroom.”

“Lady Hoffman, don’t take it personally. It’s advice from someone with more experience in marriage.”

The nobles, who had already been eavesdropping on the Empress’s table, perked up even more at Eliana’s retort.

“Well, I’m sure you already know everything about my bedroom, don’t you?”

“Eliana’s bedroom life? Wasn’t the problem that it didn’t stay in the bedroom?” Claire added.

At Claire’s remark, the noblewomen burst into giggles, cheeks flushed.

“There’s been plenty of gossip about your unusual tastes—whether true or not. But I’m more concerned for the Duke than you.”

Rozella turned her gaze to Greddy, who was deep in conversation, her face full of concern.

“…”

“He’s the subject of many rumors, but he’s quite delicate.”

“No one knows the Duke better than Your Majesty,” Claire added quickly, flattering Rozella.

The Duke who loves the Empress.

A love that can never be fulfilled.

And an Empress who pretends not to notice while fanning the flames.

In any case, what mattered most was Greddy’s heart.

Eliana lowered her head, feeling a deep sense of defeat.

She finally remembered why he wanted to marry her.

To shield the Empress from pain—to become her protector.

“You only need to say one word to the Duke, Your Majesty,” Claire said, raising her voice on Rozella’s behalf.

It was the first time Claire had met Eliana since that day. There was a desperate tone in her voice.

Rozella shook her head wistfully at Claire, her eyes and smile tinged with melancholy. The more soft-hearted nobles dabbed at their tears with handkerchiefs.

“The Duke must now walk his own path.”

At the Empress’s frail voice, Claire let out a deep sigh.

Eliana, who had remained silent all along, looked at the Empress.

Their gazes met in midair.

‘Am I stealing the Empress’s man right now?’

Rozella pursed her lips and glared as if something had been taken from her. It wasn’t just unrequited love from the Duke—Rozella seemed to love him back.

Eliana averted her gaze, pretending not to notice. She didn’t have the luxury to care about others’ feelings.

“His last gaze always ends up on the Empress. I’m sure it’ll be the same this time.”

The noblewomen began offering Rozella words of comfort.

Eliana, silent like an outsider, sipped her tea.

She let the flattery directed at Rozella wash over her, paying no real attention.

Just then, Greddy spotted Eliana from afar and gave her a small wave. His radiant smile followed.

Eliana blinked blankly at the smile aimed her way, then raised her hand in return.

“You vulgar thing! How dare you act so brazenly in front of us!”

At that moment, Claire’s sharp voice cut across the party. Everyone was already watching Eliana and Rozella’s table, so the effect was explosive.

Eliana turned her head.

“Brazen? What are you talking about, Lady?”

She responded to Claire’s sudden outburst, clearly baffled.

“Did you eat something rotten? Why are you so arrogant?”

Claire scowled, clearly irritated that Eliana was talking back without flinching.

Rozella’s expression also hardened. It seemed the brief exchange of greetings with Greddy had sparked this confrontation.

“Because he said it was okay.”

“…What?”

Claire’s mouth clamped shut. Her eyes darted toward Rozella.

“He said that as the future Duchess of Cryber, I’m allowed to touch his ear and bite his lips.”

“…What?”

Claire’s lips parted.

“The Duchess of Cryber is allowed such things,” Eliana confirmed calmly.

The guests at the table stared at her, wide-eyed.

“It seems the Duke holds Lady Eliana in great affection,” Rozella said, smiling coolly.

Eliana smiled as if she were painting the expression on her face.

“If Your Majesty says so, I no longer have any reason to doubt his love.”

Rozella’s hand, holding the teacup, froze midair.

Eliana looked at her knowingly, as if she had uncovered everything.

“His love?”

Eliana bit her lip and lowered her head, looking overwhelmed with shyness.

‘He really did fall in love with her? He chose her over me?’

Rozella’s trembling hand couldn’t bear the strength she was putting into the teacup.

‘This marriage was meant to protect you, Your Majesty. So you should let this little mischief slide.’

Eliana lowered her gaze, trying to calm her pounding heart with warm tea. Greddy might question her later, but for now, she didn’t care.

She hated Rozella in this moment—Rozella, who received Greddy Cryber’s tender love.

A love Eliana Hoffman had never experienced, not even once.