CHAPTER 10
“They said it would be a grand announcement, so I thought it might at least make the papers… What on earth is going on?”
Who am I, and where am I?
To explain the current situation: I’m standing in the square in front of the imperial palace, which is usually reserved for announcements from the emperor to the entire empire or for knighting ceremonies honoring great achievements.
A circular stage stood at the center, surrounded by tiered, circular seats arranged like an amphitheater for spectators.
And right now, I was standing on that central stage.
Just how enormous and extravagant must an engagement ceremony be in Ian’s mind, for the crown prince himself to be giving a speech at an engagement announcement that was replacing the actual event? And on top of that…
“His Majesty the Emperor had intended to attend in person… but he deeply regrets being unable to…”
Is that really something that should be echoing throughout the entire plaza?
Onstage, the Crown Prince began talking about how significant our engagement was, and the audience seats—packed so tightly there was no space left—were filled with people nodding continuously in agreement.
I turned to Ian beside me, who was smiling proudly at the speech, and whispered through clenched teeth.
“This is really ex-tra-va-gant.”
“Does it not meet Lady Riley’s standards? Still, this is the largest venue in all of Poletto, so I ask for your understanding, even if it’s lacking.”
I wasn’t being sarcastic!
“Wouldn’t it have been better to just hold a regular engagement ceremony?”
“Preparing a ceremony would take several days and be troublesome.”
Just what kind of engagement ceremony was he imagining that would take days to prepare?
In Poletto, an engagement ceremony typically involved decorating the fiancée’s garden and inviting close acquaintances for a party-like gathering. So what sort of decorations required that much time…?
Suddenly, I remembered his glittering carriage.
“Are you planning to decorate the engagement venue with jewels or something?”
“Wouldn’t it be too plain if it were just jewels?”
Right, to him, this announcement was modest.
“We send our greatest expectations and blessings for this union!”
Finally, the Crown Prince’s long and awkward speech came to an end. He spoke as if our engagement would bring prosperity and peace to the empire.
It was just a contractual engagement… How was I supposed to live with this guilt?
“Waaah!!!”
But of course, the crowd—clueless about how I felt—burst into cheers as if fully agreeing with the Crown Prince’s words.
“Riley!! Ian!!”
They even began chanting our names and clapping rhythmically.
“This… is all… for courtesy… I suppose.”
“What?”
Ian was saying something beside me, but the cheers were so loud I couldn’t hear him. I just frowned in confusion, and then Ian offered me his hand with a charming smile.
What is this? Does he want me to take it?
Once I took his hand, Ian pulled me to my feet and led me to the center of the stage. And then…
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“……”
At Ian’s next action, the cheers grew even louder, and camera flashes from the reporters in the front rows started going off rapidly.
“Just look at how well our lady photographs.”
“Anna, can you please… put that photo somewhere I can’t see it?”
Inside the carriage heading for Brookshell, I was slouched over, completely drained, while Anna seemed to be bursting with energy.
After the massive engagement announcement, we said our goodbyes to my father and Natasha, and immediately boarded the carriage. Eric was nowhere to be seen—likely busy with the aftermath of the event—so I gave Natasha a short note to pass along to him:
“Brother, I’ll be back soon.”
It’s not like we talk properly anyway.
“The lady’s shocked squirrel expression is captured so vividly!”
Anna hadn’t put down the photo taken at the announcement since earlier. No matter how many times I told her to stop, she stubbornly clung to it.
The thought of that photo ending up in the newspapers and spreading throughout Poletto made me feel… mortified.
Why did he have to kiss me on the cheek? I was terrified to even look at the photo. I could already imagine how awful my expression must have been.
“You should’ve struck a cute pose and looked nice!”
“Oh come on, Lady. This is absolutely adorable. If you’re not going to keep it, I’m taking it.”
Anna continued to talk about the photo endlessly, while I drifted in and out of sleep as the carriage rocked violently.
“My lady, I think we’re almost at Brookshell.”
It had taken four days. We had traveled without rest except for meals and sleep. Aside from a wheel problem on the carriage, everything had gone relatively smoothly.
Knock knock. A knock on the window, and Anna rolled it down. It was one of the Duke’s knights.
“We’re nearing the border. There will be an inspection. When we give the signal, please disembark briefly for the check.”
“Understood.”
The knight gave a small bow and left.
“Anna, don’t close the window.”
The fresh scent of grass flowed into the carriage with the breeze through the open window. I took a deep breath—it made me feel refreshed. My mother once said a true lady should never do something so uncouth, but I felt like I’d regret it for life if I didn’t do it now. I leaned out the window.
“My lady! What if you fall?!”
Naturally, Anna panicked and held onto my waist tightly, which helped me enjoy the moment more securely. Brookshell already felt gentler than the stark atmosphere of Poletto.
“Looks like you’re about to scream.”
Just as I was debating whether or not to scream, Ian—who should’ve been riding in the flashy carriage ahead—appeared on horseback, following us from behind.
“Why are you on a horse?”
“Because I predicted Lady Riley would do something reckless.”
“…This is my first time doing it.”
“It’s my first time seeing someone do something this reckless.”
“I’ll come back inside, okay?”
“Feeling stifled?”
Of course I was. I’d been stuck in a carriage for four days.
I nodded vigorously, and Ian signaled the group to stop. He dismounted, pulled me out from the carriage, and carried me in his arms.
Why does this man keep picking me up lately…?
“At this rate, I might get used to it.”
He sat me on the horse, then climbed up behind me.
“I-I don’t know how to ride!”
“I do.”
He gave the signal to move, and we were off.
“Aah!”
“You should lean back comfortably—unless you want to fall.”
How could I lean back comfortably? This was anything but comfortable!
Ian must have been displeased with how awkwardly I sat, because he clucked his tongue and pulled me back until my back was pressed against his chest.
As time passed and I slowly adapted, Ian matched my pace and gradually increased the horse’s speed. Eventually, I became used to the rhythm and movement, and a different kind of exhilaration filled me—much more freeing than leaning out of a carriage window.
The wind made my eyes water, but I couldn’t help smiling.
“You seem to be doing better.”
Ian’s low voice reached my ear.
“Yes, this is fun! No—I mean, not that kind of fun—it’s really fun!”
I couldn’t see his face since he was behind me, but I had a feeling Ian was smiling too.
After riding for a few minutes, the border inspection station came into view, and we slowed down. Just as I was absentmindedly stroking the horse’s mane—
“G-Greetings to the Duke of Crayton!”
The guards at the checkpoint rushed over and gave thunderous salutes. Ian only gave a small nod in return.
They were likely palace guards from Brookshell, and while saluting, they kept glancing at me, clearly unsure whether they should report my presence or not.
“Uh… pardon me…”
One guard hesitantly spoke up, and the one next to him poked him nervously in the ribs.
“Inspection…”
“Oh no, no! Duke, sir! Please proceed! This man was just newly assigned here—I’ll make sure he’s properly trained!”
“You’re the one who needs training. The checkpoint inspects everyone—no exceptions, remember?”
Tch. He always acts like an exception himself.
“Y-Yes! Then, the inspection…!”
Before he could even finish, the guards hurriedly got to work.
Watching Ian interact with the guards, I noticed he seemed different from how he was in Poletto. There, he had a soft yet stern aura—but here in Brookshell, it was the other way around: stern, with a touch of softness.
“All clear! You may proceed!”
The guards lined up again in front of Ian.
“Good work. Oh, and—”
“Yes, sir! Please speak!”
“Report everything you just saw here to His Majesty immediately. As quickly as possible.”
“Wha—ah, yes! Understood!!”
The guard looked briefly confused, then answered firmly.
At Ian’s signal, the procession began moving again, and our horse crossed the painted border line.
“Welcome to Brookshell, Lady Riley.”
