“I’ll send my men to guard this place.”
If so, that’s a relief.
Surely there won’t be any more trouble at the crown prince’s palace, especially on the day of such a big event.
I gingerly placed my hand over Julion’s.
When we leave this place, all eyes will be on us.
We’ve been rumored to have the romance of the century, and we need to keep it that way.
Julion must have felt the same way, because his demeanor toward me has changed considerably since our first meeting.
“Let’s go, then, Julion.”
May our marriage, which has been eventful from the start, bring us both positive results.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The wedding ceremony was kept as brief as possible, and then it was over.
The sun was setting, so Julion stripped it down to the bare minimum.
I had no complaints, as I didn’t attach much importance to the ceremony myself.
Perhaps if the Emperor hadn’t been in such a state of unrest, and if the Empress wasn’t preoccupied with tending to the Emperor’s needs, it might have been impossible.
“Your Highness, it’s done.”
I caught my reflection in the mirror as I changed into my evening dress.
Zenid had finished my hair and put on an ornament.
The aquamarine ornaments hanging from my snowy white hair shimmered brilliantly.
It was my mother’s favorite gemstone because it matched the color of my hair and eyes.
Even though my hair had turned white now.
“Did His Highness go first?”
“Yes. He said he had something else to attend to.”
“I see.”
Still, it would be better if we went in together.
With these thoughts in mind, I quickened my pace toward the reception hall.
Normally, the couple getting married had to enter through a different entrance, not the main doors.
Since I didn’t have an assigned lady-in-waiting yet, it was just Zenid and me walking along the corridor behind the reception hall.
“Rotty.”
The familiar but creepy voice stopped me in my tracks.
Reflectively, my body stiffened.
A pair of silver eyes that resembled my father stared down at me.
“My sister, you look very pretty today.”
It felt as if darkness had descended only from where he was.
His words were sweet, but to me they were more aggressive than anything he had ever said.
Clutching the hem of my skirt, I called his name with a squeeze.
“Roxis.”
The eldest son of Duke Cassian and the presumptive next Duke. The one who was deeply involved in my mother’s death.
And,
“You should call me brother, Rotty.”
My damn half-brother.
At the sound of his sneer, I snapped back sharply.
“I don’t have time for you. Get out of my way.”
But he laughed silently, his silver eyes shining.
“No, Rotty. You’ll have to make time for me.”
And he took a brisk step toward me.
I wanted to back away, but I held my ground and glared at him as he stepped closer.
“Roxis. Have you forgotten where you are? This is the Imperial Palace, and I am the Crown Princess as of today.”
“Doing cute rebellions in my absence, huh?”
Roxis’ smile deepened.
He had been out for some time under our father’s orders, so I hadn’t seen him for long.
Whatever he’d been doing, he reeked of blood.
I said without concealing a frown.
“Watch your mouth. Unless you want to be beheaded for insulting the royal family.”
It was right after I had finished speaking.
Roxis reached out and gripped my shoulder, then forcefully pushed me against the wall.
“……!”
The shock hit me all over, but fortunately or unfortunately I didn’t take any stimulants today.
In other words, I barely felt the pain.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Zenid turned to call for help.
“There, lady. You’d better stop unless you want to die.”
She was stopped by Roxis.
My pale face was reflected in his silver eyes.
It was an intense confrontation.
Roxis leaned his face closer to mine and ran his free hand through my hair.
“Let’s not embarrass ourselves on this good day.”
“Isn’t it you who’s embarrassing?”
“Rotty, you know what I want? That damn Hemion Martin. That woman.”
I understood everything the moment Hemion’s name came out of his mouth.
Roxis must have been the one who took care of Viscount Martin.
He must have gone insane, seeing me rescue Hemion and bring her here. Hiding in the middle of an empty corridor, lying in wait.
“You’re a Cassian, after all. Act like one and cooperate obediently. This is what father has ordered.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, I laughed.
Since when did he treat me like a Cassian?
“You know one thing and not the other. Cassian stepped on the stage in front of the people. Father would probably praise me for healing her in public.”
“You…!”
Unable to deny my words, Roxis’ grip tightened.
A sensation ran up my shoulders that felt like they were about to burst.
Even though I’m supposed to be numb, it hurts at this point.
But I smirked.
“So, Roxis. I cleaned up the mess you left behind. Shouldn’t you at least thank me?”
I could hear the grinding of his teeth.
At the same time, Roxis’ other hand was about to grab my throat.
From the side, a voice I’d grown accustomed to hearing so often rang in my eardrums.
“Lord Roxis Cassian. What do you think you’re doing to my lady?”
