“Episode 50”
Exciting wedding!
As Daphne tried to pull her hem away from Celestian’s grip, she suddenly saw a sinister scene in his palm—a scene reminiscent of the novel she read in a past life, where the surviving “villainess” met her demise on this ship. Killed by the enraged Romeo and left near an island swarming with alligators, her body was left in a state beyond recognition. The description was so gruesome it still haunted her memory.
Daphne tidied the golden locks covering his face and muttered, “But he couldn’t possibly know about that.”
An inexplicable tension kept sending shivers down Daphne’s arms, but she forced herself to dismiss the feeling.
—
When Daphne opened her eyes, she saw a ceiling adorned with sophisticated geometric patterns. She recalled the strange dream she just had—something about falling from a cliff. Was it about growing taller?
She glanced to her side and saw an unfamiliar beauty with long eyelashes lying in front of her. Celestian’s hair was different from before, disheveled as if he had briefly awoken without her noticing.
‘I was just lying haphazardly on the bed.’
Daphne found herself lying properly under the covers, and Celestian was sleeping outside, leaning towards her. Curious, she peeked under the covers but found him wearing the same clothes as before. Feeling a slight disappointment, she got up and drew the curtains.
The horizon where the sun was rising shone brightly, and the sky was a refreshing shade of blue, with a faint, crisp scent in the air. All traces of yesterday’s alcohol disappeared, leaving her feeling rejuvenated.
Despite bustling around the room getting ready to leave, Celestian remained fast asleep. Daphne covered him snugly with the blanket before heading out, hesitating briefly at the door. But wouldn’t it be rude to ignore what he said in his drunken state? With determination, she opened the door and headed to where El Aljesté awaited her.
—
El Aljesté was waiting for Daphne with swollen eyes.
“How did I lose everything? Does that even make sense? If it seems unwinnable, why not give up? Men need to let go of their useless pride. It’s just money!”
“He even asked the Duke of Theriosa if there was no way to exchange it without a ticket. Can you believe it?”
Daphne only sighed and shook her head. With accessories pinned to her hair, she could only clench and unclench her fists in frustration.
“Your dress is beautiful, Daph.”
Daphne’s off-shoulder dress, made of silk starting with white and gradually transitioning to a deep blue, shimmered with pearls to catch the sunlight.
“Pisca is impressive. Sending us invitations like that. Shameless.”
Despite her words, El seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the first day.
‘The invitation was sent by the royal family.’
El’s lover was a sailor in the Sercadion Navy. When she heard that he had lobbied even at the risk of treason for El’s sake, Daphne couldn’t help but laugh at his tearful and cute love.
“So, what did Celestian say?”
“Oh, he told me to ask you. He said it’s yours.”
“Yeah, it’s mine since it came into my hands~”
Daphne crossed her legs arrogantly, wearing the white Mary Jane shoes that were from her own shoemaking workshop.
El’s eyes widened. The exchange between Daphne’s cute refusal and El’s disappointed expression continued for a few minutes.
“Anyway, shouldn’t we also prepare for the Duke of Theriosa?”
“Why?”
Daphne pondered for a moment, bringing her fist to her chin. Then suddenly, it clicked.
She almost forgot. Her goal was to see Celestian’s miserable face!
“I just want to make the ‘Prince Consort’ feel a little bad.”
El was taken aback by Daphne’s sincerity. She needed to put on a displeased expression, but it was Celestian who should feel bad, not Pisca.
“Why don’t you consider my feelings, El? Do you have any reason to do this, even using the man I like?”
“Oh…”
Daphne imitated Romeo’s tone, making El feel sorry for her.
“And he’s naturally handsome even without dressing up.”
“Stop joking and bring him here. I’ll dress him up to match my suit.”
“Oh? What’s this all about?”
“I’ll accept the gratitude with five pairs of Zellane shoes.”
“Oh, you opportunist.”
As Daphne and El exchanged glances and chuckled, the room bell rang. Irritated by the repeated ringing, Daphne frowned.
“Miss Becater, are you there?”
The voice sounded urgent. When Daphne opened the door, a pale-faced crew member stood there.
“Yes?”
“It seems your companion is looking for you. So…”
“Companion?”
As Daphne glanced around, there was no one in the corridor. The crew member hesitated, saying there was somewhere else to check. Daphne asked El to wait and followed the crew member.
Down the stairs from the VIP cabin, one floor below. The crew member led Daphne to a secluded area where few people passed by.
‘Where are you taking me?’
A strange uneasiness surged. At that moment, a long lamp hanging from the ceiling flickered once with a sizzle. Feeling a sense of foreboding, Daphne crossed her arms and hugged herself.
“Is it the companion you’re looking for?”
The crew member pointed to a corner. As Daphne approached, the figure of a man sitting on the floor with his hands on his knees, staring at the ground, became clearer.
‘Why do ominous feelings always come true?’
As Daphne got closer, the figure’s colors became distinct. Recognizing the familiar silhouette, Daphne’s jaw dropped slightly.
“It seems to be him. Why is the prince over there? No, why is he barefoot…?”
The crew member shrugged as if unsure. Daphne gestured for him to wait and nervously looked around. Fortunately, there was no one on the unused floor.
“Sele.”
Daphne approached him and called his name. At the same time, Celestian raised his head. His eyes, already red from crying a moment ago, were even redder now.
“Why are you like this? Are you having a hangover? Do you want to get up because you’re afraid someone will see you?”
Daphne reached out her hand. He furrowed his brow, his gaze even carrying a hint of disdain. As Daphne offered her hand, Celestian stood up on his own.
With his towering height almost reaching the ceiling, Daphne took a step back to keep her distance.
“I told you to wait a little, Your Highness.”
“You…”
You?
“You.”
“Me?”
“Is it so difficult for you to say a word to me before leaving?”
Celestian approached as Daphne took a step back. She had to crane her neck to look up at him. But at this moment, rather than feeling bad, she felt something else.
‘It’s a bit scary. No, not scary.’
Instead, Celestian seemed like someone trembling in fear. Daphne momentarily suppressed the urge to hug him tightly.
In the dimly lit area, his eyes lacked their usual brightness. The peridot that once seemed to shine even in darkness now looked murky, like moss under the water.
“I was in Algeste’s room for dressing. And this is a ship, so where could I go? Why are you like this?”
“Why…”
He grabbed Daphne’s arm with force. It felt like he was checking for any injuries. And it felt like he was trying to regain a sense of reality by touching her.
‘Uh.’
Daphne realized belatedly that it was the first time he touched her body without permission, not just her clothes. The pressure on her arm continued to intensify.
“Why don’t you listen to me? I told you this place is dangerous.”
“Your Highness, why are you in a rush again? Please calm down.”
His grip on her bare skin became stronger. Daphne frowned in discomfort.
“Cele, it hurts.”
“Why are you like this? I asked you why. Can’t you tell me?”
He led Daphne’s arm into his shadow without permission. Standing with barely an inch of space between them, she could even count the streaks in his irises.
Daphne instinctively knew that she didn’t want to hear what he was about to say.
“You’re here…”
“Why, did I die in your dream last night?”
As Celestian’s red lips opened menacingly, Daphne interjected.
“Oh.”
He suddenly seemed to snap back to reality with a loud pop.
Focus gradually returned to Celestian’s green eyes. He blinked several times, fluttering his eyelashes.
Daphne swung her arm to push him away.
“Yeah, that could have happened.”
“…”
“In your dream, tell me how I died, Celestian.”
He looked at his own hand, now devoid of Daphne’s warmth, for a moment. He looked genuinely uneasy.
