Chapter 45
This Kiss is Business
In an instant, the rose became a secondhand good.
Daphne found even responding to Oscar too tiresome. Instead, she wrapped her arms firmly around Celestian’s waist and leaned closer into his chest. Oscar’s face twisted into a scowl.
“Oh, is this your final answer? Shall I deliver it as is?”
“Please do. And if you need an excuse, just say the rose stems all broke, so they’re unsellable~,” Daphne replied nonchalantly, signaling the end of the conversation.
Oscar let out a dry chuckle. He bowed once more to Celestian before heading down the stairs.
“Amber Green is selling roses now? What does that have to do with you?” Celestian asked, his expression hardening.
“It’s about a marriage proposal.”
Celestian’s face froze further.
“You know the prince?”
Daphne loosened her hold on his waist and leaned back slightly.
“No. From what I’ve heard, he’s supposedly the most handsome man in their country.”
“Proposing marriage to someone you’ve never even met?”
“That’s just how it works for noblewomen born in this era. Like it or not, it’s all for the family, for the greater good, blah blah blah. But my mother keeps pushing these things on me.”
“Perhaps your mother was a commoner harshly oppressed by high society in her past life,” Celestian remarked dryly, sipping water from his glass.
Daphne nodded briefly at his comment but quickly shook her head.
“This doesn’t feel right.”
“Did I misspeak?” Celestian asked, immediately correcting himself.
Daphne shook her head again, a pout forming on her lips.
“My mother arranged for me to meet the sixth prince, but she originally talked about the crown prince. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Celestian’s green eyes filled with confusion as he studied her. She crossed her arms, her displeasure clear as her brow furrowed.
“Why would she suddenly decide on the sixth prince instead of the crown prince?”
“I don’t understand.”
Celestian’s brow knit together.
“Are you saying Amber Green proposed the marriage to a prince instead of the crown prince, and that’s what’s bothering you?”
“Cele, isn’t that obvious? If you’re going to aim for something, aim properly. Becoming a princess consort is nice, but being a crown princess is even better.”
Daphne’s reaction suggested this was the most natural thing in the world. Celestian gave a faint smirk in response.
“So that’s why you were never interested in becoming the crown princess.”
“Your Grace, Duke of the Eternal Winter Isles, I’m only speaking hypothetically.”
Daphne placed a graceful hand over her chest and closed her eyes with a teasing smirk.
“I’ve never had any interest in being in a position where everyone looks up to me. I have a fear of heights, you see.”
Then, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
“Why am I even soothing him right now? Why does he look so irritated?”
She opened one eye to glance at him. Celestian, resting his elbow on the sofa and his chin in his hand, was gazing at her intently.
“What about being a duchess?”
“Is that position vacant?”
“If you desire it, I’ll make it yours.”
“Oh, Duchess of the Phantom Isles,” Daphne said, blinking rapidly. The unexpected proposal made her feel a mix of flattery and bewilderment. Though “Duchess” sounded like an impressive title, she shrugged casually.
“I’d rather just live as Daphne Beaucater.”
“……”
Celestian’s lower lip jutted out slightly. As Daphne reached out with her ring finger to nudge it playfully, a commotion broke out upstairs.
The sound of the name “Lady Denver” being called reached them.
Sure enough, Psyche appeared, her striking presence catching everyone’s attention as she scanned the deck from the doorway of the VIP suite.
The entire gathering seemed to pause, captivated by her beauty. Her curly hair bounced as she tucked strands behind her ears, her blue eyes sharp as if she could shoot lasers.
When her gaze landed on Daphne, Psyche’s expression softened instantly, and her face lit up. She quickly descended the stairs, almost running toward her.
Daphne shook her head slightly, straightened her posture, and prepared to meet her. As crown princess, Psyche commanded respect, and it was customary for everyone below her rank to stand and greet her. Daphne, however, was an exception.
Glancing back, Daphne noticed Celestian still lounging in his seat, not bothering to adjust his arrogant posture.
Psyche approached swiftly and placed her hands gently on both of Daphne’s cheeks. Her expression seemed to silently scream, “Daphne, why are you hanging out with these people? You should’ve come to me first!”
“Are you feeling better?” Psyche asked.
“See for yourself,” Daphne replied casually.
Celestian stood then, his shadow suddenly towering over Daphne as he turned toward Psyche.
“Psyche,” he greeted her.
Daphne pursed her lips, glancing between the two. She couldn’t help but feel guilty. After all, she had promised to meet Psyche as soon as she boarded the ship, but here she was, chatting with Celestian instead.
“And not just anyone—of all people, it’s the guy Psyche can’t stand.”
Celestian extended a gloved hand toward Psyche. Daphne froze for a moment.
Psyche’s face remained expressionless, but perhaps due to the onlookers, she reluctantly placed her hand in his. Celestian bowed slightly, his lips brushing her hand in a courtly gesture.
“Oh my.”
Daphne’s eyes darted between the two striking figures—the golden-haired duo looked dazzling together. Though she often told Psyche that Romeo suited her best, seeing these two side by side wasn’t bad at all.
“They actually look great together.”
Celestian’s faint smirk was surprisingly composed. Contrary to Daphne’s expectations of him turning red or trembling, he appeared relaxed and poised.
It was Psyche who seemed rattled. She cast a pleading glance at Daphne before lowering her blue eyes.
Daphne covered her mouth with her hand, amused by the subtle drama unfolding before her.
“It’s been a while,” Psyche said softly.
“……”
Celestian responded with a smug smile that Daphne had only seen on the most arrogant of princes. Releasing Psyche’s hand, he added, “Congratulations on your wedding. You’ve achieved what you always wanted.”
Behind him, the sunlight seemed to gleam brighter, as if highlighting his presence.
The words were dripping with thorns. Daphne’s eyes widened in surprise.
“That sounded a lot like, ‘Do you really think you’ll be happy after leaving me?’”
On the deck beneath the vivid blue sky, the two radiant blond figures stood like a scene straight out of a novel. The sight was so surreal it made Daphne’s throat itch uncomfortably.
Glancing at her own red hair, Daphne pulled out the two ribbons Celestian had tied for her earlier. She ran her fingers through her braided hair, undoing it and smoothing out her curls.
After letting go of Celestian’s hand, Psyche reached out and clasped Daphne’s.
“Daphne, are you going to the memorial party?”
Psyche’s tone was laced with urgency. It was as if she’d throw Daphne overboard if she dared to say yes. Daphne shook her head, and Psyche’s face immediately broke into a bright smile.
“You’ll come with me now, right?”
“Later, later. I brought a gift—it’s in my room.”
“What is it? Ah, no, don’t tell me. That would ruin the fun.”
Psyche mimicked Daphne’s usual phrasing, giving her another cheerful smile. She whispered her room number and then quickly turned to leave. On her way back, just before entering the cabin, Psyche handed her gloves to a maid.
“What a character.”
Daphne often found Psyche’s bold little actions endearing, and this time was no exception. She chuckled softly before looking up at the man still towering over her, his shadow casting her in the shade.
“I can’t see his expression.”
Stretching her legs, Daphne stood up. Soon, the memorial party and the bachelor party in the ship’s lower garage would begin. While she’d assumed the “bachelor party” was some sort of gladiator event, she’d overheard it was actually gambling.
“If even gambling addict Romeo acknowledges its legitimacy, it must be serious.”
Of course, gambling required money. Since it was a royal club, currency wasn’t used directly; instead, gemstones, small estates, and blank checks were converted into chips.
“I still have a few treasures not tied up in the trust.”
This was why having an emergency stash was non-negotiable. If her mother found out, she’d demand everything immediately.
Having resolved her thoughts, Daphne extended her hand toward Celestian. She was asking to be pulled up.
Celestian offered his bare hand. As their skin touched, a faint static shock sparked between them. He pulled her up firmly, and as she stepped out of the shadow, the sunlight made her red hair glow like fire.
“Did you not like it?”
Celestian asked quietly, his eyes fixed on her wind-tousled hair.
Daphne ignored the question, pretending not to hear it as she swept her hair back and walked off ahead of him.
“Hm.”
Celestian removed his gloves, tossing them onto the table carelessly, and followed Daphne’s retreating figure.
****
The conditions for entering the bachelor party were specific: only men with lovers or wives—or knights serving a lady—were allowed.
In other words, only men who were truly loved. On top of that, all the funds used as stakes in the games had to be prepared by the women.
The moment Daphne returned to her room, she picked up a pen and began listing items on a credit memo with her signature. These were treasures she had been gathering to offer as tributes to princes:
A small rural town at the intersection of trade railroads, located on a decommissioned mining site.
The “Tears of an Undying Mermaid” gifted by the empire’s largest merchant.
The “Crown of Illion.”
And national treasure-level gold and jewels Daphne had preemptively secured using memories from her past life.
By the time she had listed about fifteen items, she scanned the list one more time and clicked her tongue. She thought ruefully about how she could have dealt with her uncle using just these instead of her mother’s inherited gold mine.
“Celestian.”
Setting down the pen, Daphne picked up her lipstick and reapplied it. She crooked her finger, and Celestian leaned in slightly, obedient as ever.
Seeing his innocent green eyes stirred an uncomfortable mix of guilt and forbidden excitement along her spine.
“First off, I’m sorry.”
Daphne muttered an apology she didn’t truly mean, grabbing his face and pulling him toward her. She pressed her lips firmly to the small mole above his eyebrow.
“…..?”
Celestian looked at her, startled and confused. From just fifteen centimeters apart, his wide eyes dominated her view.
“Business. Just business,” Daphne added defensively, as if explaining herself.
Celestian froze mid-motion, his hand hovering awkwardly in the air. Daphne bit her lip.
She had vowed not to let personal feelings interfere with this “business.” Yet, her lips had instinctively landed on the first mark she had been eyeing all along. It was too late now.
Rising onto her toes, she pressed another kiss to his cheek.
“What… are you doing?”
Perhaps growing accustomed to her sudden actions, Celestian’s arm slipped around her waist. Daphne glanced back to see his strong, ungloved hand gripping her firmly, the red hair on her back slightly mussed by his hold.
“The crown prince said you should go to the bachelor party,” she said, diverting the topic.
Daphne was both curious and anxious about what Romeo might be planning for Celestian at the event.
“Will he just take it quietly? Or will he fight back?”
Daphne wasn’t allowed to enter, being a woman, which only added to her frustration.
“This is your betting stake. Even if you lose it all, it’s fine—”
She turned toward the vanity, intending to retrieve the items, but Celestian didn’t release her.
At first, his grip hadn’t felt restrictive. But as she tried to pull away, his arm tightened around her waist.
Celestian’s drowsy expression hovered just above hers. Their noses were barely ten centimeters apart, his breath brushing her face.
“Too close!”
“Prince, could you let me go?”
“I’ve attended bachelor parties many times before.”
Despite the competitive nature of royal succession, princes often gathered on weekends for activities like rowing or squash. Daphne was aware of these traditions.
“They would always arrive late, basking in the love of their wives or lovers. There was no penalty for tardiness—only for those who came without such affection. They became the butt of everyone’s jokes.”
Daphne instantly understood what he meant by “basking in love.” Her expression turned complex. Did that mean he, too, had… experienced such things?
“Of course, I was a prince, so they never treated me like that.”
Celestian added lightly, as if to reassure her. Only then did Daphne’s furrowed brow relax slightly.
“But I’m no longer a prince, Daphne. You made sure of that.”
His words were calm, yet they carried a pointed edge.
“Could you just get to the point? And also, let me go—”
Celestian leaned down, brushing his cheek lightly against her lips. The suddenness of the action made a faint, awkward squelch sound echo between them.
“So this much… won’t be enough.”
