52. That Woman is a Disaster.
The gazes pouring in from all sides were sharp as spears.
Feeling her whole body tense for the first time in a while, Bianca took a firm step forward.
Although flustered, Bianca was quite familiar with such situations.
‘It’s Princess Bianca.’
‘Oh my? Entering the banquet hall without an escort?’
The malicious whispers that spread like birdsong whenever she appeared were all too frequent.
The imperial family was always an untouchable, sacred realm, but Bianca was an exception. People never missed the rare opportunity to tear down something noble.
Could hyenas leave prepared prey alone? This was even an exhilarating game condoned by the emperor—essentially sanctioned by the imperial family itself.
Bianca had to survive alone amid claws raised from all directions. That was how she lived for years. Yet now, unlike back then, she had at least three people she could call her allies.
‘It’s fine.’
Bianca soothed the turbulence within her and displayed an elegant and lovely smile that anyone would envy.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of nervousness in her expression as she softened her eyes and relaxed the corners of her lips gracefully.
“So many guests are here.”
Walking across the banquet hall exchanging greetings, Bianca held herself upright and regal, just as she always had.
“I invited you today because there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Standing from his seat, Jillian approached and gently took her hand as though to escort her.
Though it was vexing that he hadn’t informed her beforehand, any faint resentment melted away when she saw Jillian’s pure joy.
“Was it too sudden?”
“A little.”
Bianca chuckled briefly at the warmth encircling her waist.
As she looked at him, she felt the weight of the stares clinging to her cheeks like burning marks.
“I thought it would be better to give some notice if we were to host in spring, so I arranged today’s gathering. Coincidentally, it’s the day when all the commanders are present.”
Bianca gave a faint smile at his kind explanation.
Lies.
She knew what kind of man he was—cunning to the core.
Bianca vividly remembered him drying her tears on countless occasions in various ways: with a seductive look one day, playful words another, or sometimes an expression more sorrowful than hers.
He was never tired of it.
And yet, such a meticulous man had prepared this gathering so recklessly?
Impossible.
There was no way.
Bianca smiled broadly, her eyes folding like crescent moons. Hidden behind her long lashes, she swiftly scanned the attendees.
Six people sat around the table. Including herself and Jillian, they add up to eight.
Hailey and Creta were there.
Elizabeth, who had been introduced as the commander of the 6th Fortress, was present as well.
Judging by appearances, they all seemed to be vassals or key confidants of Baloch.
But why go to the trouble of arranging such a sudden meeting for introductions?
“You can take your time preparing for the wedding, but wouldn’t it be wise to inform them who the bride is in due time?”
Clatter.
At that moment, someone’s fork fell. Only then did Bianca understand the meaning of this gathering.
This wasn’t an introduction—it was a warning.
Elizabeth’s face turned pale as her expression betrayed her thoughts.
The atmosphere remained strange throughout.
Whenever their eyes met, Jillian offered a gentle smile, but when their gaze parted, his face hardened into a chilling mask.
His stiff expression was unfamiliar to Bianca. Yet, she didn’t find it frightening or ominous.
On the contrary, it seemed steadfast and reassuring. He was, after all, the Duke of Baloch. Soft sentiments didn’t suit this setting.
The meal passed in silence, the soundless tension broken only by the arrival of dessert.
“May I speak now?”
The smiling face of Jillian showed no sign of tension, as if he had been smiling since the beginning.
Perhaps mistaking the duke’s silence for permission, the speaker turned his gaze to Bianca with a grin.
“Good day, Madam, I am Blatt, commander of the 7th Fortress.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Commander Blatt.”
Bianca gently set down her teacup and greeted him warmly.
With that, introductions followed one after another. Even the cold Elizabeth and the taciturn Killian managed polite smiles.
Then came the words:
“Commander of the 4th Fortress, Hailey Armour.”
Bianca’s smile froze as Hailey introduced herself so nonchalantly as “commander.”
“Oh.”
All she managed was a short gasp that sounded like a sigh.
A fan.
A fan would have been helpful.
Bianca struggled to maintain her composure, but it wasn’t easy.
“I currently serve as the head maid of the main castle.”
Hailey’s initially formal introduction softened abruptly, taking on a familiar tone.
Bianca felt her mind spin.
“I am Raymond, commander of the 3rd Fortress. I hold no additional titles.”
“An honor to greet you. I am Creta Barhan, commander of the 2nd Fortress.”
Good heavens.
By this point, Bianca found it nearly impossible to keep her wits about her.
How could the strange head maid be the commander of the 4th Fortress, and the sickly aide the commander of the 2nd?
Her thoughts were a tangled mess. Still, Bianca nodded in acknowledgment, hiding her inner turmoil.
As the chaotic introductions ended, Jillian, who had remained silent until then, spoke.
“We’re getting married in spring.”
“…”
Though no one said anything aloud, the atmosphere grew restless. Glances were exchanged, shoulders shifted—none of it pleasant.
Bianca bitterly lowered her gaze, offering a faint smile.
At that moment, something covered her hand. It was a large, warm hand—Jillian’s.
Under the table, he grasped her hand firmly, his gaze unwavering and directed forward.
“I brought her here after securing the approval to take in someone so noble. However, I felt it would be improper to proceed without a proper proposal or wedding.”
His words stirred another wave of glances and whispers among the commanders. The faint scorn they exchanged carried a familiar ring.
They likely assumed the princess had demanded an extravagant wedding to cause such a fuss.
Addressing the murmuring commanders in a strong voice, Jillian continued, “Therefore, I proposed. She accepted, and now, we’ll begin preparing for the wedding.”
“When is the wedding?”
The question came from Raymond, the commander of the 3rd Fortress.
“In spring. Once the wave subsides and Baloch’s winter has passed.”
“Wouldn’t making her wait so long be disrespectful?”
Raymond cast a quick glance at Bianca as he finished his question, as if gauging her reaction.
That subtle look made Jillian burst into laughter.
“Don’t push it.”
“Push what?”
“I mean there’s no need for you to add to the impatience on this side.”
The sophisticated formality in Jillian’s tone vanished entirely.
He intertwined his fingers with Bianca’s, smiling faintly.
“But isn’t this taking too long?”
“That doesn’t mean we can prepare the wedding carelessly. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, isn’t it?”
At Jillian’s thoughtful remark, shock rippled through the room. Even Creta and Hailey looked similarly startled this time.
“Surely, you wouldn’t suggest throwing something together as soon as the wave ends, right?”
“Of course not. I just worry that making the princess wait too long might seem disrespectful.”
Raymond’s comment seemed considerate of Bianca, but it wasn’t at all.
His use of the term “princess” revealed his true feelings.
Understanding his intent, Bianca chose not to rebuke him. Instead, she offered a short, knowing smile.
“You’re so considerate.”
“Pardon?”
He hadn’t expected such a response.
Raymond’s face betrayed his astonishment as if he couldn’t believe she wasn’t angry.
Reading his expression so clearly, Bianca couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness. However, while I may not be from the North, I’m well aware of how significant the wave is here. I’m not so young or foolish as to sulk over something so trivial.”
“Well, that’s…”
“How thoughtful of you.”
Her murmur seemed deliberately audible.
In a gentle tone, Jillian added, “It’s kind of you to consider the North’s circumstances.”
“It’s only natural. This place is my home now.”
Bianca echoed his sentiment with just the right amount of agreement.
Jillian was always a kind man. His behavior in front of others surely had its reasons.
“With such grace, how could anyone resist falling for you?”
Oh no.
Bianca felt heat rise to her cheeks. She had expected his actions had a purpose, but this time, he had gone too far.
“Leaving such a person behind would weigh on my mind, so I left Hailey and Creta to stay with her.”
“…”
Oh.
Suddenly, something clicked in Bianca’s mind.
As Jillian absentmindedly scratched her palm with his fingernails, Bianca looked up at him.
His gaze remained fixed on the commanders, his tone calm and measured. His playful yet pleading demeanor was unchanged.
“If they hadn’t stayed, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on the Ice Wall at all because of my concerns.”
Ugh.
A sound of someone stifling a retch came from somewhere in the room.
Now she understood.
Bianca finally grasped why Jillian had suddenly arranged this gathering.
This wasn’t a warning.
It was a stage set for her acceptance.
A performance designed for the commanders of Baloch to recognize the imperial princess Bianca as one of them.
To make sure they accepted the fact that the Duke of Baloch had humbled himself, begged for her hand in marriage, and even left two commanders to care for her.
Slide.
Jillian’s thumb lightly grazed Bianca’s palm again.
Though it was only her palm, it felt as though her heart was being scratched, leaving her chest unbearably ticklish.
The sensation spread like feathers filling her insides, leaving her flustered and warm, making it impossible to maintain her composure.
“I’m doing my best, so please wait until spring.”
“Of course. I’ll wait until the end.”
At that moment, Jillian’s hand, which had been lightly tickling her palm, suddenly trembled.
Squeezing his slightly colder hand, Bianca whispered softly, “I’ll wait until you return.”
For a moment, his breath wavered.
Tremendously so.
Then, in a low voice, he replied with undeniable sincerity, “This time, I won’t be late.”
For some reason, his voice sounded as if it carried a trace of tears. Though his face remained dry and composed, Bianca had a vivid sense that he might start crying.
In front of everyone, Jillian made his vow.
“This time, I won’t be late. So, when spring comes, please become my bride.”
He promised to make her the happiest person in the world.
This time, without fail.
“Yes.”
At his resolute words, Bianca smiled back at him, looking as lovely as ever.
But one person didn’t think so.
Elizabeth thought to herself, “That woman is a disaster.”
To think she would drive the commanders into such absurd conversations during the wave season.
The woman who bewitched their lord was, in Elizabeth’s eyes, nothing short of a calamity.
Her gaze turned icy cold.
