TCBUP 47

Chapter 47

 Engagement Gift

After the whirlwind that was the engagement incident, things had become quiet—almost boring.

Not that I was free.

After the failure of our first fund, we poured all our energy into launching the second, and business was finally getting on track. That meant twice as much work.

And as the workload increased, Nox became more sensitive.

It felt like standing in front of a porcupine with its quills fully raised.

He usually gets a bit sharp when working, but this was different.

It was as if his nerves were frayed not from work, but from being mentally occupied with something else.

‘This isn’t the time to act cute.’

I’d probably just get scolded again.

While cautiously sipping coffee and watching Nox, who had skipped lunch again, a letter arrived at the office.

It was in the same envelope as the one that had abruptly notified us that our first building would be taken away.

“What is it this time?”

There’s nothing left to take.

I rushed over to him.

“They’re returning the building. Along with compensation for damages.”

“What?”

Nox and I looked at each other, momentarily speechless.

Just like it had been seized without warning, it was being returned just as suddenly.

But neither of us could fully relax.

Nox was suspicious of hidden motives. I, on the other hand, remembered what Leon had said:

“You’ll receive an engagement gift soon.”

“I need to look into this. Please wait a moment.”

“You don’t have to, sir.”

I stopped Nox, who was about to rush out of the office.

“I… I think I know why.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

After a moment’s hesitation, I took a deep breath.

Telling the person you’re trying to win over that you’re engaged to someone else isn’t exactly easy.

It wasn’t just about favorability.

He was bound to find out eventually, but I didn’t want him hearing it from someone else. At the very least, I owed him that much respect.

“This is… an engagement gift.”

“Engagement?”

“Yes, um… my engagement.”

Was he surprised? He must be. Was he disappointed?

I cautiously glanced at him, but unexpectedly, he looked calm.

The afternoon sunlight streaming through the window reflected off his glasses, making it hard to read his eyes.

But one thing was clear—he wasn’t shocked or disappointed.

He just looked at me steadily, not saying a word.

His silence was unbearable, and I found myself explaining, as if to justify it.

“My fiancé is Prince Aiden.”

“……”

“The imperial family—more specifically, the Empress—ordered it. I tried to refuse, but… for various reasons, I ended up accepting.”

I didn’t need to explain the Empress’s overwhelming influence or Prince Aiden’s standing in the imperial family.

Nox, who believed that money flow mirrored power flow, was sensitive to politics and heard many things from his clients.

“Did you ask His Highness to return the building?”

“No, I didn’t. He must’ve found out somehow.”

In truth, I had told Leon while explaining why I had been at that salon.

He knew how upset I was about losing the building—and gave it back to me, using the excuse of it being an engagement gift.

It was thoughtful, but it left me feeling strangely unsettled.

For some reason, I felt ashamed to face Nox and wanted to escape the room.

“It was our first building. Even if it didn’t mean much to you, it was really precious to me.”

“……”

“It made me sad to think it would remain as your only failure. So… anyway, let’s be happy we got it back. Together.”

“……”

“Please… be happy about it. I’d really like that.”

Nox still didn’t say a word.

The mellow summer afternoon sunlight touched him softly, but he remained still like a stone sculpture in a cave.

The only movement came from Nox’s favorability lock.

Like greenery swaying in a humid breeze peeking through the window, it briefly colored my vision green—then disappeared.

It must have gone up.

I should check, but I didn’t have the courage.

“You always do the unexpected, miss.”

A faint, shadowed smile appeared on his lips.

But even that smile disappeared almost immediately.

“To the point it’s frightening.”

Looking weary, he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

Then he held the glasses in his hand and looked straight at me.

It was the first time I’d seen his eyes without the barrier of those lenses. They were deep and rich like summer foliage.

And under his right eye, there was a long, dark scar—one that didn’t match the image of tranquil greenery at all.

Nox Green’s favorability has surpassed 50%.

Halfway there! Only 50% more to go to complete your romance route!

Let’s go for the ending! Hwaiting!

[Nox Green’s favorability 46% → 51%]

As you’ve passed the 50% threshold for the first time, you’ve received a reward.

Please check the item and guide in your inventory.

Oblivious to the mood, the status window cheerfully displayed its congratulations.

But I had no mind to check it.

He was still looking at me, and I couldn’t pull my eyes away from his.

“Welcome, Sienna.”

“How have you been?”

Today was my second meeting with the Empress.

After accepting the engagement, I found it odd that the imperial palace remained unusually quiet—until I received her summons.

I didn’t want to return to the palace, but I couldn’t refuse the Empress.

“Now that we’ll be family, feel free to be at ease, alright?”

“Of course.”

With a bright smile, I held my dress and gracefully curtsied before taking the seat she offered.

It hadn’t been long since my last visit to this reception room, but the interior had already changed completely.

Maybe it was in preparation for summer—the rattan furniture handwoven by craftsmen, and the snow-white silk cushions, made the place feel like a vacation resort.

The ivory curtains fluttered in the breeze, and the vibrant blue wallpaper adorned with silver-painted leaves completed the illusion.

‘Does she redecorate this entire villa every season? How extravagant…’

No wonder ordinary citizens like me struggle to make a living.

…Well, I’m not exactly a commoner anymore. I’m the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

“I called you here today to ask for your understanding.”

“Please speak freely.”

“Normally, royal announcements of engagements or major events are made official with the Emperor’s seal. However, His Majesty can neither speak nor move now, so it’s difficult to obtain his seal.”

“Can’t someone else stamp it on his behalf?”

For a moment, a flicker of irritation passed over the Empress’s forehead—but it vanished instantly.

She quickly masked her feelings with a gentle smile.

“I understand your concern, Sienna. But don’t you think the Emperor would want to handle such an important document regarding his son’s marriage himself? I hope you can understand the situation.”

‘So there’s something going on.’

Rumors were already circulating that the Empress was behind the late Empress’s death, the Emperor’s illness, and Prince Aiden’s withdrawal from public life.

Leon hadn’t denied any of it either.

Compared to someone like her, I was less than a speck of dust. Standing against her too soon could bring trouble to Leon.

So, in front of the Empress, I planned to play the role of the foolish, shallow Sienna the social circles believed me to be.

She was still evaluating me—wondering whether I could be used or should be discarded.

Ideally, she’d see me as a pawn—one so lacking in cunning that she could easily manipulate me.

That way, she’d let her guard down. And then maybe—just maybe—I could catch her making a mistake, something that could help Leon.

“Well then, how about meeting the Emperor today?”

“I heard he’s very ill. Will it be alright?”

“There are times when he regains his senses. I hope today is one of those days. He must be curious about the girl who will become his daughter-in-law.”

“Yes. I’d really like to meet him too.”

“And Sienna, even if the engagement hasn’t been officially declared yet, you’re still Aiden’s fiancée. Don’t you think it’s time to return to the social scene?”

Ah… the moment I was dreading had come.

It was time for me to step back into the social world I’d sworn to never return to—with my own two feet.