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TCPETBL | Chapter 003

TCPETBL

🌷 Chapter Three – The Petal of Grace Within Marble Halls

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The inside of the palace was just as vast and majestic as its imposing exterior.

Evelina had only left the Duke’s mansion once in her life, but even in her wildest dreams, she had never seen such grandeur.

She looked around in astonishment, unable to hide the wonder in her eyes.

Arsyn, watching her, found his heart faltering at the sheer loveliness of her awe.

Lavish ornaments and richly hued paintings adorned the marble walls in elegant harmony.

As Evelina took it all in with the wide-eyed curiosity of a child, the sharp clicking of heels echoed across the hall.

She flinched, instinctively turning her gaze forward.

Descending the grand central staircase was a woman whose curious gaze fixed solely on her.

She had the same molten-gold hair as Arsyn—but her eyes were a piercing violet.

Evelina realized immediately—it was Lady Karina Rockfield.

‘That woman…’

“This is my future wife, Princess Evelina Rutzfeld, Mother.”

At Arsyn’s words, Karina’s poised steps suddenly grew swift and light.

Evelina’s dread intensified with every stride the woman took toward her.

She braced herself for a furious tirade—for a voice to cry out, How dare you bring the cursed princess here! Is there truly no other woman in the empire?!

Though Arsyn seemed fond of her, Evelina couldn’t shake the fear that Lady Karina would not share the sentiment.

Unable to meet her gaze, Evelina lowered her head.

‘What if she tells me to leave…? If I’m cast out like this, I won’t even have the courage to face my father again.’

The Duke had fed her, clothed her, raised her for over twenty years—wasn’t it now her time to repay him, as he once said?

Tightly shutting her eyes, Evelina released Arsyn’s arm and fell to her knees the moment Karina halted before her.

“Evelina!”

Arsyn’s startled cry rang out.

Evelina pressed her forehead to the polished floor and spoke in a trembling voice.

“I-I won’t make a sound and I’ll live as if I were dead… So please, I beg you, don’t cast me out.”

“………….”

“I truly mean it! Please… believe me.”

Yet Karina said nothing.

Evelina bit her lip.

Her knees throbbed painfully, but she remained still.

She needed to hear Karina’s voice, needed to know that she wouldn’t be thrown away—even if it took hours.

Then, a gentle hand clasped hers and helped her up.

“Oh, my precious child.”

“…Pardon?”

“You’re even more beautiful in person than you were in your portrait.”

Lady Karina smiled softly.

The sharp lines of her eyes melted into warmth, her expression glowing with maternal tenderness.

Flustered by the unexpected kindness and compliment, Evelina quickly lowered her gaze.

“Th-thank you, Lady Rockfield…”

“Oh dear, ‘Lady Rockfield’ sounds far too formal.”

Evelina looked up, startled by the lighthearted reproach.

“From now on, I’m your mother.”

“…What?”

“Call me ‘Mother.’”

Evelina could hardly believe it—the way Karina held her hand, the affectionate way she spoke, as though she’d never let her go.

And then, with an exaggerated huff, Arsyn gently pulled Evelina’s hand from Karina’s.

“Mother, stop trying to seduce my wife.”

Evelina let out a small, playful laugh.

His words were shockingly blunt, especially toward his mother—but rather than scold him, Karina simply laughed and patted his shoulder.

“You have only yourself to blame for being slow. Anyway, why was my darling girl so afraid?”

“It’s because of your sharp eyes, Mother.”

“And you forget, Arsyn—your face is just as grim as mine.”

Arsyn pouted, but Karina dismissed him with a wave.

Evelina could only stare at the two of them in quiet confusion, baffled by their strange dynamic.


After quite some time, Evelina was finally guided to her room.

While mother and son squabbled over who would show her the way, Noel had silently seized the opportunity and escorted her with a smug smile.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit small? This is the largest room, but if you find it cramped, we’ll just knock down the wall and expand it.”

“N-no! It’s fine, really! It’s already so much bigger than the room I used to have.”

Evelina shook her head frantically.

This room alone was ten times the size of the attic she’d once called home.

It was decorated in warm, creamy hues—and she adored it.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s only temporary, though. Just until the wedding, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

“Temporary?”

“Yes. Since you haven’t officially married the Archduke yet.”

“Ah… Right.”

Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink.

Traditionally, couples shared a bedchamber after marriage. Noel wasn’t wrong.

Evelina glanced around the room once more.

Given that it was ‘temporary,’ they could have furnished it modestly. Yet every piece of furniture looked brand-new and elegantly curated.

Noel took out his pocket watch and muttered softly.

“She should be arriving any moment now…”

Evelina tilted her head in curiosity, just as a soft knock came at the door.

“Ah, perfect timing.”

Noel smiled and opened it.

A maid stepped inside and bowed respectfully before Evelina.

“This is Berri, Your Grace’s personal maid.”

“Greetings, Your Grace. I’m Berri. It is my honor to serve you.”

Somehow, without Evelina noticing, her title had shifted—from princess to Archduchess.

It had happened as naturally as water flowing downstream, and Evelina hadn’t realized it at all.

She blinked in confusion and murmured:

“Um… I don’t want to burden anyone. I can manage things on my own.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ve been alone since I was little. I can handle most tasks by myself.”

She smiled, sheepishly.

Noel was rendered speechless. But Berri, after a brief hesitation, spoke up gently.

“Your Grace, I wasn’t forced to come.”

“Huh?”

“I volunteered.”

Berri smiled softly, then added:

“In fact, there were many who wished to serve you personally, but I was chosen. The day I was selected, I was so happy I couldn’t sleep.”

Her cheeks reddened with excitement.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Evelina.

“…There were many?” Evelina whispered in disbelief.

“Of course, Your Grace! We were all waiting for you!”

Berri clenched her fists and spoke with sincere passion.

Though her gaze was honest, Evelina couldn’t bring herself to fully believe her.

‘She must be saying that just to earn my favor—because I’m to be the Archduke’s wife.’

It stung, a little—but Evelina understood why someone would pretend.

Still, she knew Berri would feel hurt if she rejected her, so she nodded gently.

“Then… please take good care of me, Berri.”

“Of course, Your Grace~!”

The only thought in Evelina’s mind was to avoid troubling Berri as much as possible.

Noel glanced at his watch and said:

“Berri, please give Her Grace a tour of the palace.”

“Yes, sir~!”

Berri beamed with enthusiasm.

“Your Grace, I would have shown you around myself, but something urgent came up. I have no choice but to entrust Berri with the task.”

“It’s alright. Please take care of your work.”

“Then I beg your leave.”

Noel bowed and exited.

Berri still wore a bright smile as she looked at Evelina.

It must have been her first day—she seemed so full of excitement.

Evelina hesitated, then stood up carefully.

“Um… would you mind showing me around the palace?”

“Absolutely~!”

Just then, a firm knock resounded at the door—and Arsyn’s voice echoed within the room.

“Evelina, are you inside?”

“Y-Yes.”

When Berri opened the door, Arsyn stood with a wide smile on his face.

Evelina swallowed nervously.

He was gentler than she had expected, and yet… he still carried an air of danger.

Perhaps sensing her unease, Arsyn’s voice softened.

“Evelina, may I give you a tour of the palace?”

“Ah… Certainly.”

Though her voice trembled slightly, she replied more calmly than before.

“In fact, there’s something I’d like to show you first.”

“Something? Where?”

Evelina tilted her head, curious—but Arsyn only stared at her silently, his expression unreadable.

Worried she had made a mistake, she spoke carefully:

“Y-Your Grace… Did I… say something wrong? If I did, please tell me. I’ll be more careful next time.”

“…What? No, no, not at all. I just… you looked absolutely adorable when you tilted your head like that.”

Evelina’s expression went blank.

She replayed his words in her mind—then her face bloomed scarlet.

She had never been called ‘adorable’ in her entire life.

Afraid of looking embarrassed and offending him, she struggled to compose herself.

“Th-th-thank you…”

But she shut her eyes in dismay, mortified by her stammering.

Unable to meet Arsyn’s gaze, she followed him silently down the corridor.

They stopped just beyond the room they had left.

Evelina eyed the door curiously.

Then, Arsyn slowly opened it.

“…Wow.”

The word slipped from her lips the moment she laid eyes on what lay beyond.

It was a dressing room—lavish, luxurious, and filled with stunning gowns.

She stepped forward unconsciously, then halted halfway.

“Why did you stop?”

“I… Is it alright to enter someone else’s dressing room?”

Arsyn blinked in surprise.

“What are you talking about? I had this dressing room made just for you, Evelina.”

“For me…?”

“Of course. Everything in this palace belongs to you.”

“…But aren’t you the owner, Your Grace?”

At her innocent words, Arsyn smiled tenderly.

He raised a hand, brushing it through her hair.

“What do you mean, Evelina? From the very beginning… this entire palace belonged to you—not me.”

“…I’m the owner?”

Her eyes widened in bewilderment, but Arsyn only smiled in reply.

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The cursed princess is enough to be loved

The cursed princess is enough to be loved

저주받은 공녀는 사랑받기 충분하다
Status: Ongoing Type: ,

Evelina Rothsfield was a princess marked by a curse—one etched not in scars or spells, but in the haunting brilliance of her crimson eyes.

Gleaming like forbidden rubies, they were seen not as a gift, but as a harbinger of ruin. In a world where scarlet irises foretold calamity, Evelina veiled her gaze beneath layers of somber black, shrouding both her eyes and the truth they bore.

Born amidst the tragedy of her mother’s death, her very existence was deemed a sin—her life condemned from its first breath to be lived beneath the weight of guilt and sorrow.

Upon reaching womanhood, Evelina was nearly bartered away to the infamous Archduke Arsene Rockfield—a man whispered about in hushed tones, painted in rumor as a mad tyrant or a merciless tormentor of women.

And yet, what she found was a truth that defied every tale.

He looked upon her not with cruelty, but with reverence—as though she were a treasure no crown could contain.

"I cannot bring myself to imagine a world in which you do not exist."


His voice, steeped in aching devotion, was matched only by the softness in his eyes as they rested on Evelina, wrapped tenderly within the safety of his arms.

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