Chapter 13
“Your Majesty, may I ask you something?”
The question grew stronger as she spoke.
Shanur nodded slowly as if pulling himself out of deep thought.
“Go ahead.”
“Why don’t you break the curse right away?”
This was something Beloni had been curious about for a while. Initially, she thought he might be figuring her out, but now they had signed a contract and even announced their marriage. She couldn’t understand why he was delaying lifting the curse.
“We’re about to be legally married, and the contract is already finalized. Oh, and just in case, I’ve been taking contraceptives, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
To break the curse, they needed to consummate their relationship. To avoid any unwanted pregnancies during that process, Beloni started taking contraceptives a while ago. Though it was mentioned in the contract, hearing her say it out loud felt entirely different.
The awkwardness was all his. Shanur sighed and rubbed his face, feeling a wave of discomfort at her casual remark about taking contraceptives.
“…I told you before, didn’t I? I think the third prince is the one who cursed me.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I don’t have any evidence yet. Plus, the curse isn’t severe right now.”
Beloni caught on quickly.
“Oh, so you’re deliberately not breaking the curse?”
“Correct.” Shanur nodded.
“If the curse were to suddenly be lifted now, the third prince would naturally suspect you. A year from now, without me as your shield, do you think it would be difficult for him to deal with you?”
Without hesitation, Beloni shook her head.
“It wouldn’t be hard at all.”
A year later, she might have plenty of money, but that would be all.
Shanur was her shield for only one year. After that, she would have to fend for herself.
“I know the third prince well, and he knows me just as well. Even after we’re married, I won’t be able to lift the curse immediately.”
“Then when do you plan to break it?”
She was essentially asking him when he intended to take her virginity. Did she realize that?
Shanur looked at her, waiting innocently for an answer, and swallowed another sigh.
The more they discussed breaking the curse, the more he felt like a scoundrel.
“I… I don’t have any plans for now. I’ll let you know if that changes.”
He couldn’t believe he’d just promised to give her advance notice before taking her virginity.
Looking visibly uncomfortable, Shanur added, “Also, stop taking the contraceptives. It’s bad for your health to keep using them.”
“They taste awful, but I can handle it.”
Shanur frowned.
“Even so, don’t take them anymore. I’ll take them instead.”
Contraceptives, whether for men or women, came with side effects. Long-term use could reduce fertility. Beloni was naturally surprised that someone of Shanur’s noble status would willingly take such a risk.
“Your Majesty, you’d take contraceptives?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, it’s not that, but… are you sure it’s okay?”
Shanur understood her concern.
“If you’re worried about side effects, don’t be. I have no desire for children anyway.”
Hearing this, Beloni wanted to say it didn’t matter to her either. In her previous life, she had been unable to conceive, despite never using contraception for five years.
Her husband’s family blamed her and mistreated her, though they didn’t push for divorce because of the money she brought in. Beloni had suspected it might be her husband’s issue, but when she learned he had impregnated his mistress, she realized the problem had indeed been hers.
So, Beloni figured that taking contraceptives wouldn’t affect her anyway. She had no plans to remarry after her arrangement with Shanur ended.
Still, Shanur’s offer to take the contraceptives himself was unexpected, and it left her feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion.
As she lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers, Shanur hesitated, sensing something was wrong.
“…Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“No, not at all. I just…” Beloni smiled softly. “I’m grateful.”
Her smile made Shanur pause.
“I’m grateful for everything. The more I think about it, choosing you as my shield was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“Good.” Shanur turned his head, hiding the faint smile on his lips.
He never imagined he would meet someone who treated him as a “shield.” The very idea should have been irritating, but for some reason, coming from Beloni, it didn’t feel so bad.
“Maybe it’s because she’s so honest,” he thought.
There wasn’t even room to feel annoyed.
Though neither of them realized it, their affection for each other quietly began to grow, like unnoticed drizzling rain that leaves everything soaked when it finally stops.
By the time they noticed, it would be too late to turn back.
The next day, Andria came to visit.
After a long night spent adjusting dozens of outfits to Beloni’s measurements, Andria looked tired but brimming with energy.
Once Marina left the room, leaving just the two of them, Andria spoke while holding a teacup.
“Before we begin, may I ask how you knew about this?”
Andria didn’t know, but in Beloni’s previous life, this had been a widely known scandal. Andria Salon had been famous enough for even Beloni, who had little interest in fashion, to learn about it.
In short, Andria had been exploited by her twin sister, Andria, for years. While Andria worked tirelessly in the shadows, Andria took credit for her designs and gained fame.
This came to light only after Andria’s death from overwork, when Andria’s work quality noticeably declined, and a former acquaintance exposed the truth.
“I’m in business,” Beloni replied vaguely, though she had only recently started investing.
“I happened to meet someone who knew Andria from their orphanage days. They said she was talented from a young age.”
She fabricated a story about how this acquaintance mentioned Andria, Andria’s more talented twin, who had mysteriously vanished from the public eye.
Hearing this, Andria looked startled. “So someone remembered me…”
“Of course. Some people remember you.” Beloni sipped her tea, tactfully ignoring Andria’s teary eyes.
Andria took a deep breath and spoke with determination.
“Thank you for telling me. What should I do? I’ll do anything to live as Andria.”
Beloni outlined her plan and how they would stay in touch. Andria listened attentively, nodding with resolve.
“I trust you. Even if we fail, I won’t blame you. I’ll follow your plan.”
“Don’t worry. This plan will succeed.”
Beloni was confident because she had Shanur, her unshakable shield, on her side.
