“Who says we’re going to be married?”
It was disgusting. At that moment, Dana felt even the last bit of warmth she once had for him disappear. How could I have ever loved someone like this? Even a monk drinking water from a skull wouldn’t feel such revulsion.
“I’d like to ask the same. Where does your arrogance come from, assuming I would maintain an engagement with you after all this?”
“From my power.”
Raios smiled playfully. It was the boyish smile she had once adored.
“Danae, even if you want it, breaking off the engagement is impossible. Because I will refuse it.”
“Is that so?”
“There’s no historical precedent for anyone breaking off an engagement with the imperial family. If you’ve decided to live in this world, maybe you should study its history a bit.”
“There’s always a first for everything. Haven’t you thought I might be the right person to be that first?”
“…”
How he interpreted her words, Dana couldn’t tell, but Raios stared at her in silence. Then he stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray.
“Tomorrow, I plan to escort Allice.” He declared calmly. “I intend to have an engagement ceremony with Allice. So I suggest you skip the banquet, Danae Windsor.”
“No, I will attend. So, hold your engagement ceremony another day. Tomorrow’s banquet is mine.”
“You still haven’t come to your senses. Do you not understand yet that my authority outranks yours?”
“Indeed, I don’t. I really don’t.”
“What?”
“I said I don’t understand. If adapting to this world is what Your Highness so desperately wants from me, this is as far as I go.” Dana smiled brightly. “I can’t adapt, Raios Geranze.”
That’s right, she couldn’t. Rather than meekly succumbing to Raios’s irrational demands, she would prefer death.
“It has become clear now. I can never truly become a person of this world.”
Raios’s black eyes suddenly grew cold.
“Is that so?”
But it was brief. Raios casually brushed his black hair back. “Then wait 97 years. The dimensional gate will open then, and you will able to leave this world.”
“…”
“Until then, don’t forget—you’re my subject.”
“…”
“I’ll say it again. Do not attend tomorrow’s banquet. You’ll only end up humiliated, Danae.”
“…”
“You have no one to escort you, right?”
She couldn’t argue. Who would escort ‘Danae Windsor’? No man would dare. It was understandable since Raios had ruthlessly ruined every man who dared to approach her.
After behaving like a lunatic, now he says this?
The crown prince’s infamous jealousy had long deterred noblemen from even glancing at Danae, fearing his wrath. No one was bold enough to volunteer as her escort.
Raios knew that fact well. That’s why he said it. After orchestrating such a situation, now what did he say? She has no one to escort her?
“Do as you wish, Your Highness. I will do the same.” Dana spoke coldly and turned to leave, not wanting to exchange another word with him.
As she was about to exit… Dana stopped without realizing it. On the side table, there was a flower shining softly in the moonlight. That was…
“Ah, that,” Raios spoke indifferently, noticing her gaze. “The flower I was going to give you.”
“…”
“Allice had a hard time today, so I gave her first. Please understand.”
Dana stared at the flower shining in the moonlight, then opened the door and walked out.
The flower was Moonlight Flower, a rare treasure that only grew in the southern continent.
“Is there anything you want, Dana?”
A few days ago, Raios asked her.
“Hmm? There isn’t.”
“Come on, tell me anything. I can give you anything you want.”
“Then, please give me a Moonlight Flower.”
But it went to Allice.
Doesn’t matter. She didn’t really care about the flower. Besides, the Windsor family had exclusive rights to import Moonlight Flower; Dana could get them anytime. But…
Giving it to Allice because she was having a hard time? He shattered her world. Yet he cares only about Allice’s distress? Moreover, to ruin her award ceremony to punish her?
You b*stard. Sc*m trash.
Anger boiled within her. The most infuriating part was that things would go Raios’s way. As the empire’s crown prince, he could easily cancel her medal award ceremony tomorrow.
No. Absolutely not. I won’t let it be taken away. She needed the award to become the deputy head. Dana was determined to receive the medal no matter what.
But how?
Fortunately, a plan quickly came to her mind.
“Milady.”
Stepping outside, her secretary, who had been waiting for her, approached.
“I need to see His Majesty.”
“…Pardon?”
Her secretary looked bewildered, as if asking if she was crazy.
“Milady, do you really think His Majesty will stop the engagement ceremony tomorrow?” He added firmly, perhaps hearing the quarrel. “His Majesty won’t even meet you.”
“I know. It’s fine. You can go back first.”
After sending her secretary away, Dana sought the emperor. And as expected…
“I apologize, Lady Danae.”
The guards firmly blocked her.
“His Majesty has refused to meet you.”
As expected. She wasn’t surprised because she had expected it. Rather, it would be more surprising if the emperor had agreed to meet her.
The emperor detests meeting people.
Emperor Yustio avoided personal encounters to an extreme degree. He only appeared for necessary state duties. He was famous for refusing all private audiences, just like now.
“Could you please ask him again? Says Danae Windsor asking to see him.”
“Understood.”
But soon, the guard returned with a stiff face.
“There’s a message from His Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“Get out…”
“…”
“T-That’s his message…” The guard seemed embarrassed.
Dana found it amusing. Does it run in their bloodline? His way of delivering harsh words was just like Raios’s.
“Alright, then…” Dana wrote a note and handed it to the guard. “Could you please deliver this to His Majesty?”
[To Your Majesty,
It seems the Moonlight Flowers will soon flourish in the imperial palace garden.]
It was moments later.
“Hi-His Majesty.” The guard approached, looking dazed. “Request your presence inside.”
I knew it. It worked just as she had expected.
“Lady Danae. His Majesty was extremely furious after reading the note…” The guard warned her.
Dana just smiled. Of course, he would be. That message just now. It was a threat.
Creak. The moment she opened the door and entered,
“―!”
A cold hand wrapped tightly around her neck. Dana held her breath. Before her stood a man, dazzlingly radiant, gripping her throat in his hand.
“Danae Windsor,” The emperor whispered. “Do you have a death wish?”
Thank you for the chapter!❤️🔥