I Taught You Carefully, So Why Are You Obsessed?

I was momentarily at a loss for words as I met her gaze. It was already awkward enough for her to ask after seeing Ian and me holding hands, but the follow-up question was truly absurd.

‘What do you mean, ‘are we dating’?’

I blinked for a while in a daze before finally answering.

“Um, Your Highness. We’re married, after all.”

“……”

“……”

“Oh.”

A few seconds later, the princess let out a loud laugh.

‘What was that reaction, like she just realized something?’

Just as I was about to feel dumbfounded, the princess giggled, as if it didn’t really matter.

“Anyway. I hope you two get along well! I’m rooting for you.”

‘It’s not just the emperor, but the princess too…’

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Ian and I had somehow become this family’s entertainment.

❖ ❖ ❖

By the time we finally decided on the accessories the princess would wear to the celebration, it was already evening.

The peculiar game of playing dress-up only ended when a servant knocked on the powder room door, reminding us it was time for dinner.

When we descended to the banquet hall together, the Emperor, Empress, and Ian were already seated.

We were embarrassingly late.

The princess, however, didn’t bat an eye at the sight of those already seated. She calmly and shamelessly took her place at the table, while I, mortified, hurried to offer my respects.

“I apologize for being so late,”

“Hahaha, no need to worry,” the Emperor replied.

“I hear you’ve been keeping Louisa company all day. I trust she wasn’t too much of a nuisance?”

Princess Louisa narrowed her eyes at his teasing tone.

“Your Majesty, the Duchess was enjoying herself. She likes playing with me.”

Her playful huff mirrored the carefree nature of Ian, except Ian, in his own way, maintained a bit more propriety.

‘Well, to be fair, Ian is better at keeping his boundaries,’ I thought. At least he maintains some decorum, unless the Emperor says something particularly outlandish.

“While I appreciate you keeping the princess entertained,” the Emperor continued, “perhaps you could spend the rest of your vacation with Ian. Why not take a walk together?”

Hadn’t they asked me to visit the princess just earlier? The sudden change in their attitude left me scrambling for an appropriate response.

Before I could speak, the princess cut in again. “Your Majesty, I didn’t interfere! I even told them to have a good time, but the Duchess followed me anyway. Earlier, I saw them holding ha—”

“Princess? Perhaps it’s time to sit down” I quickly interjected, forcing a smile as I covered her mouth.

‘We don’t need that getting out,’ I thought anxiously.

But despite my quick intervention, the Emperor’s eyes had already narrowed in suspicion.

“Hmmm,”

he hummed, his gaze becoming even more curious. His expression looked so much like the princess’s that I couldn’t help but think, They’re identical.

Like two peas in a pod.

“Were they holding hands?”

“Nothing of the sort,”

I said, quickly taking a seat next to Ian.

The Emperor, clearly enjoying the situation, smiled.

“I wish you both a happy and harmonious marriage.”

This family really didn’t need DNA tests. Their uncanny similarities—from appearance to their way of speaking—were enough.

Just as I was pondering this, the Emperor’s attention shifted back to Ian.

“Anyway, where were we?”

“You were discussing the invitation from the Nomos Empire, Your Majesty,”

“Ah, right. I would like you to visit the Biblios Academy this summer. Since we’ve officially received an invitation as the Levant Empire, it would be a good show of sincerity to send someone.”

I almost dropped my spoon. Clutching it tightly, I quickly looked up.

“…Biblios Academy?”

The Emperor, Empress, and Ian all turned to me in unison.

“Ah, the Duchess wouldn’t have heard yet,”

The Emperor explained, putting down his cutlery.

“The Nomos Empire recently sent us an invitation. They’re hosting the 100th anniversary of the National Biblios Academy and want to invite special instructors. Ian has been recommended as a swordsmanship instructor.”

My grip slackened, and the spoon almost slipped from my hand again. I managed to catch it just in time.

“…They want Ian… as an instructor?”

The National Biblios Academy was an esteemed institution in the Nomos Empire, offering comprehensive education in everything from swordsmanship to magic, music, physical education, and the arts. Graduating with the headmaster’s seal from Biblios Academy was a ticket to success anywhere on the continent.

But that wasn’t the issue.

The problem was that Diana was there!!!

Diana, my cherished heroine, was currently attending Biblios Academy, majoring in costume design at the School of Fine Arts. After being heartbroken by Ian’s marriage, she threw herself into her studies and was accepted into the academy. Diana was simply amazing.

‘But that’s not the point right now.’

I snapped back to reality.

‘Ian, going to Biblios Academy? That was never part of the original storyline!’

I inwardly screamed. The academy was vast, but if Ian accepted the invitation, news of his visit would undoubtedly spread. Diana would hear about it, and if they ran into each other…

What if they accidentally meet while they are unprepared?!

Who knew what Ian might say in such a situation?

Just thinking about it made my head hurt.

“Could I go with him?”

I blurted out without thinking, still holding my spoon awkwardly.

Everyone turned to me again.

“The Duchess? You want to go?”

“My lady?”

I couldn’t possibly let Ian go there alone. I nodded, determined.

“Well, yes! I’ve always wanted to visit Biblios Academy. It’s the top educational institution, after all!”

The Emperor tilted his head in curiosity.

“Are you interested in higher education, Duchess?”

Before I could stammer out an excuse, the Empress leaned over and whispered something in the Emperor’s ear, causing him to smile knowingly.

His gaze flicked between Ian and me with a satisfied look.

“Ah, I see how it is.”

It seemed like they’d made a huge misunderstanding, but I don’t have the energy to clear it up.

“Well, since you’ll be there for five days anyway, it would be better for both of you to go together rather than be apart. Why not make it a ten-day trip? You didn’t get a proper honeymoon after all,” the Emperor suggested with a chuckle.

I nearly choked on nothing.

“…Honeymoon?”

How did we end up here?

Unlike my bewilderment, the Emperor seemed to have made up his mind.

‘Wait, if we extend the trip, Ian will have an even higher chance of running into Diana,’

I realized with growing panic.

“Your Majesty, I’m very grateful, but I don’t think—”

“We’ll do it,” Ian cut me off, agreeing without hesitation.

I stared at him in shock.

You’re supposed to be on my side!

Why are you nodding along with the Emperor?

Ian, unfazed by my reaction, calmly continued.

“If you want to see the academy, it would be better to have plenty of time. I believe Biblios Academy offers a week-long visitor program. You could even participate if you’re interested.”

I might not be fond of Ian, but now he was just talking nonsense.

Before I could protest, the Emperor nodded in approval.

“How considerate of you both. It’s settled then. The Duke and Duchess will visit the Nomos Empire together this summer.”

The Emperor laughed heartily, and I could only let my hands fall limply beneath the table.

‘Did I just…..dig my own grave?’

♧♧♧

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