Chapter 33
A Sudden Proposal
It takes just one hour for a person to lose everything.
“Looks like I’ve won again!”
By now, a crowd had gathered around the square table, watching the game unfold. Celestian leisurely sipped from his whiskey glass.
His green eyes, which had briefly roamed the room, locked onto Daphne’s again, his head tilting slightly to the left as if to ask, What do you think?
This game favored those who wagered boldly and those who could deceive with even the subtlest expressions—right down to the angle of a smile or the light in their eyes.
Celestian had just bluffed with a terrible hand, acting as though he held a straight flush, and lured Chadwick into his trap.
“They say no one on the continent can match Romeo Rodriguez’s poker face, but…”
The pile of bills beneath Celestian’s arm was enticing enough to make Daphne’s mouth water. Just three rounds ago, she had been scolding him for betting too much, but that was already a distant memory.
Should I drag him across the continent’s gambling dens?
Daphne briefly entertained the idea before shaking her head. She valued a stable life far too much to risk it all on a single game.
“Dealer, this has to be cheating!”
Chadwick loosened his grip on the cards and hung his head.
“Cheating is not allowed,” the dealer replied firmly, gathering and shuffling the cards. Chadwick groaned, pressing his hand against his temple. His ears were flushed so red they bordered on black. Losing four rounds in a row must have been humiliating.
The golden boarding ticket now shimmered under Celestian’s hand, eliminating Daphne’s need to bash someone’s head with a chair.
Not only had Celestian won back all the money he had lost, but he had also claimed the coveted ticket—all in just one hour!
“Well done, Cele!”
Daphne felt an impulse to hug his annoyingly beautiful face and plant a kiss on his cheek.
“Is that all?”
Celestian’s expression soured slightly, as if her praise wasn’t quite enough.
“Shall I say, Well done, Your Highness? Amazing job! Or maybe a warm hug?”
She playfully spread her arms wide. Celestian leaned back, brushing his black hair back with one large hand. Seizing the opportunity, Daphne grabbed his wrist and glanced at his watch.
“We’re running late. Let’s go.”
There was only one hour left until the ship set sail.
Before they could leave, Chadwick grabbed Daphne’s wrist.
“Where do you think you’re going? Let me write you a check. Someone fetch cash for me!”
Chadwick barked orders, his face a blotchy mix of red and purple. But no one moved to obey him.
“Why don’t you strip instead? Not that there’s much to see,” Daphne sneered, looking down at him with mocking disdain.
The light reflecting off her golden eyes made Chadwick feel even more defeated. When Daphne raised her fist to hit him, he quickly released her wrist.
“You people…”
Chadwick glared at Celestian. His narrowed eyes glimmered with something sinister as he heaved a frustrated sigh.
“Do you even realize who this man is? Is that why you’re acting so nonchalant?”
The crowd, which had been laughing among themselves, suddenly turned their attention to Celestian.
“He’s mine. At least pay me for the show…”
The probing stares made Daphne uncomfortable.
“Is he a foreign actor?”
“He’s handsome, that’s for sure.”
“Never seen him before.”
The murmurs spread through the crowd.
“This hotel is full of anonymous guests. It’s impossible to know. So, you know who he is?”
A mustachioed man chimed in, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
“If you read the papers, you’d know. He may have dyed his hair, but I recognize him clearly.”
Chadwick sneered, glancing between Celestian and Daphne.
“He’s the traitor, Theriosa.”
“Am I that good-looking? What an honor,” Celestian replied, his eyes wide with feigned innocence. He even touched his cheek as if genuinely surprised, causing Daphne to let out a disbelieving huff.
“Hmm… He does bear a slight resemblance.”
“But isn’t the traitor supposed to have golden hair? Didn’t they say he was the spitting image of the beautiful Princess Theriosa?”
The conversation shifted, and the stares returned to Chadwick.
“Well, he does have golden hair, doesn’t he?”
“Come on, the Ghost Duke is supposed to be so stunning that even men fall for him. This guy? Not so much.”
The dealer waved dismissively, making Chadwick’s expression darken further.
“And even if this man is the traitor, what does it matter? Are you suggesting we report him? What has the royal family ever done for us to make it worth the trouble?”
“The owner of Saturn Mariel.”
Me?
Daphne turned at the mention, thinking she had been called out.
“They advertised a huge reward for anyone who brings in the traitor’s head. Didn’t you all see it?”
Chadwick’s tone was dismissive, as if he were merely making an observation. It didn’t seem like he had recognized Daphne yet.
Celestian’s narrowed eyes fixed on Daphne, who feigned ignorance, glancing away as if she hadn’t heard.
“Sir, take a break. A true gentleman knows when to accept defeat,” the dealer said calmly.
Celestian didn’t respond, only offering a polite smile as the crowd’s attention shifted to him. He seemed to bask in the scattered compliments sent his way.
Meanwhile, Daphne, standing quietly by his side, felt like she had become invisible.
“Excuse me, but… doesn’t anyone recognize me?”
“Your face does look familiar, miss. Are you from a noble family?”
Daphne nodded, prompting a few onlookers to whisper amongst themselves, guessing her lineage like they were trying to identify a celebrity.
“Beaucater and Green—Daphne. So she’s the owner of Saturn Mariel he mentioned…”
“Ah, haha.”
Cut off again!
“You don’t look like Secradion’s villainess at all, though. Your hair doesn’t even look like it’s on fire.”
“So many young ladies claiming to be Daphne Beaucater today. Is it some kind of special day? Just earlier, a few more came by.”
Daphne suddenly recalled the girls who had been standing quietly in line behind her. Her mouth opened in shock, unable to laugh in this situation.
Celestian let out a small laugh. When Daphne glared at him, he quickly covered his mouth and cleared his throat.
Pouting, Daphne reached for the ticket under Celestian’s arm.
‘Huh?’
She was puzzled because Celestian blocked her hand.
He rested his elbow on the table, propped his chin on his hand, and stared at Daphne. Sitting on a bar chair, he was at eye level with the standing Daphne.
“Since you helped me, I’ll forgive you for making me angry all this time. Give that to me. I have to go, the ship’s departing soon.”
Daphne held out her hand.
“To where?”
“Page-René.”
“What’s that?”
“My future nephews… Celestian, don’t mess around. I really have to go. You got that for me, didn’t you?”
She whispered while pointing at the ticket.
“Nope. I just won it by luck in a bet.”
Celestian’s green eyes narrowed in a teasing smile.
“Stop joking and hand it over.”
“Well, Daphne, do I look like I’m joking?”
Not just teasing — it felt like he was outright mocking her.
“You…”
“Yes?”
“Don’t call my name. I never gave you permission.”
Daphne growled, but Celestian only responded with another sly smile.
“You scolded me for not knowing your name before, but now you’re telling me not to say it. I truly don’t understand you.”
“That’s because you—”
“Celestian Theriosa. They may not know who you are, but I do.”
Chadwick, who hadn’t left yet, interrupted.
Humiliated once again, Daphne grabbed a crystal glass. Celestian placed his hand over hers, stopping her.
“I heard you failed to assassinate His Majesty. But how did you learn I’m staying in this hotel? So, you’ve heard I’ve moved up in the line of succession? Planning to wipe out the royal family branch by branch? How delightfully sinister.”
‘What?’
“Did you dye your hair that color to resemble Romeo? Admirable effort.”
Everything he was saying made no sense at all. Daphne wasn’t the only one bewildered. Everyone who had been quietly chatting around their table had stopped, wearing equally baffled expressions.
“Haha.”
Daphne let out a hollow laugh.
“Wipe out the royal family? Move up in the line of succession…?”
Chadwick’s words were so absurd she had to repeat them in her head. It was still funny.
“Hahaha.”
Chadwick was clearly delusional, acting like he was someone important. Daphne hadn’t seen someone this ridiculous in a long time!
Her bright laughter echoed through the now-silent gambling hall, turning heads. The clear sound was so mocking that others couldn’t help but share in her amusement, making Chadwick feel even more embarrassed.
“What is he even saying? Hahaha…”
Celestian supported Daphne’s body as she bent over laughing.
It wasn’t quite rude enough to call it impolite, but it wasn’t exactly polite either. Chadwick clenched his teeth in frustration.
“What a crazy woman.”
Muttering a curse, he grabbed his suit jacket and stormed off.
“What a lunatic.”
Daphne muttered as she finally stopped laughing. She reached back and placed her hand on the ticket on the table, but once again, Celestian’s hand covered hers to stop her.
“Daphne, stealing is bad.”
“Stealing? It’s mine.”
“What’s yours? Am I yours?”
Daphne narrowed her eyes, glaring at the prince with his playful smile.
“I didn’t refund it, so it’s still mine. Therefore, everything you have is mine too. The money, the ticket—everything on this table.”
“Fine, take the money. But not the ticket. Win it back in a proper game.”
“Since I didn’t get a refund, it’s still mine. So, everything you have is mine too—this money on the table and that boarding pass.”
“Take the money if you want. But not the ticket. Win it back fair and square in a new game.”
“What’s with you, Your Highness? I’m out of time, Celeste. Just give it to me already!”
The more Daphne reached for the ticket, the higher Celestian lifted it. Eventually, they were both standing, and Daphne stretched both arms upward, even standing on tiptoes to try and reach it.
‘This ridiculous height difference!’
A sudden wave of frustration hit her. She straightened her posture and aimed a kick at his shin, but Celestian was faster, smoothly pulling his leg away.
He glanced at her forehead, smiling as if finding her cute.
“You give up so easily.”
Daphne clenched her fist and punched his chest with a solid thud.
“Ugh…”
Celestian grabbed the spot where she had hit him with his free hand. Seizing the moment, Daphne tried to snatch the ticket again but failed.
“Celestian Theriosa, you’re so childish! Give it here!”
“Ow.”
“My fist hurts more! Is your body made of stone?”
“Why can’t you break that bad habit? Every time, you hit or kick when you don’t get your way.”
“Everything of mine is mine. That includes my habits too. Why would I give them to someone else? If you don’t like it, then make me yours.”
The other gamblers in the hall watched the bickering pair with growing amusement.
One of them leaned toward Colin, who stood nearby holding a money bag, and whispered, “Hey, Colin, do they know each other?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
“A lover’s quarrel?”
“Yes! That seems likely! His Lordship has been waiting for the lady.”
Colin’s voice remained bold and confident.
“Tsk, tsk. It’s obvious. Got kicked out by his wife for acting foolish, huh?”
A grinning onlooker cupped his hands around his mouth and called out loudly, “Hey, you two! Why not just get a room? You’re practically making a scene here. His Lordship’s winnings could probably cover the cost of a honeymoon suite!”
“What?!”
Daphne, who was winding up for another punch at Celestian, froze in disbelief.
“Perfect timing, actually. His Lordship’s been eyeing the lady since earlier, after all.”
“Are they married yet?”
“I’m single!”
Daphne’s eyes went wide as she held up her bare left ring finger for emphasis.
“Forget the crown prince! You two should just get married already. Why not go and hijack the ship? If you do, this hotel will even chip in a little wedding gift.”
The continuous teasing made Daphne want to scream. Or better yet, grab those smug men by their collars and shake them senseless!
And to make it worse, the fact that it felt more embarrassing than infuriating made her want to shake herself too.
“Should we, Daphne?”
Daphne whipped her head around to face Celestian.
“Take over the ship, claim it for ourselves…”
He was already back in his bar chair, sitting lower than her now, grinning up at her with that same playful smile.
“Shall we get married?”
