TVWRL Chapter 51
It seemed like a remark made while recalling the past of not being able to protect Empress Olivia. I was well aware of the wound Aust felt from losing Olivia, having read it in the original story.
I could understand the concern that if he lost me, Ilias would also become like himself.
“I am not someone who needs to be protected by anyone. The Crown Prince and I will protect each other. Please do not worry, Your Majesty.”
As I sent a determined look to Emperor Aust, he accepted my feelings.
After a brief silence, Emperor Aust spoke with a resolute expression.
“Even if you do not ascend to the position of Empress, now that you are a member of the royal family, there is much to learn. Until permission is granted, stay in the palace and learn.”
Unlike the Crown Prince, the other princes would receive titles upon marriage and leave the palace to live outside as a sign of independence.
We were naturally planning with the intention of leaving the palace as well.
‘It seems like they want to teach me royal etiquette simply because I am a commoner.’
The Emperor’s sudden proposal of marriage and the suggestion of living with the royal family were simply shocking.
Although I was taken aback by Aust’s suggestion, Ilias quickly regained his composure and stepped in to manage the situation.
“Father, isn’t that against the laws of the royal family?”
“You are the one who chose to marry Senner.”
This meant that he was the one who broke the royal law in the first place. As Ilias fell silent, Emperor Aust continued.
“Isn’t there much that Senner must learn to truly become a member of the royal family? From the moment she marries you, Senner’s mistakes are not solely hers but also the royal family’s mistakes, right?”
What a predicament. It was indeed a troubling matter.
I thought that once we left the palace, we could fill our home with our own people, so a contract marriage wouldn’t be difficult. However, if we had to stay in the palace, the situation would change.
Our married life would undoubtedly be under the watchful eyes of Emperor Aust and Empress Sierra.
If we did not present a perfect married life, a perfect image of a couple, we could be discovered. It seemed like a very dangerous contract marriage.
“I will allow your marriage on the condition that you live in the palace until I give my permission. Otherwise, I will have to reconsider the marriage after some time.”
Ilias looked at me with a troubled expression. It was something that couldn’t be undone now.
If this marriage were to break down now, I might have to flee deep into the mountains to escape the church’s pressure and live like a nomad.
And above all, I would live my life in constant fear, always running, wondering when I might lose my life.
“I will do my best to become a member of the royal family. I will never disappoint you, Your Majesty.”
Given the circumstances, I had no choice but to work hard.
If I learn quickly and do well, I could leave the palace soon. I eagerly turned my hopes around again.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
As planned, we went to the prince’s palace, where Ilias stayed, and had dinner together.
“I’m sorry, Adeline. This was completely unexpected.”
“It’s okay. At least thanks to that condition, we got the marriage approval that I thought would be difficult. Besides, when else would I be able to live in the palace?”
I spoke with a naive and excited expression, as if it were a message to be conveyed to the Empress, Sierra.
“Living in the palace is frustrating and difficult in many ways. I want to leave the palace every day.”
Ilias also engaged in conversation, keeping the report in mind.
“As it may be scary alone, but we are together. With you by my side, what is there to be afraid of? You are enough for me.”
“Thank you for saying that, Lin.”
“It’s actually a good thing. This marriage will already be a topic of gossip due to our statuses. If I fail to meet the expectations of being a princess, it will reflect poorly on the royal family. In this situation, how could I not understand the Emperor’s deep intentions? I am grateful just for the permission he granted. After the marriage, I will work hard to avoid becoming a subject of gossip.”
To be honest, we didn’t care much about what others said, but we pretended to be concerned to avoid suspicion.
“I will also pay special attention to ensure that Lin doesn’t have a hard time.”
“Your Highness, you said I could continue working even after we marry. That thought hasn’t changed, right? I hope you will definitely keep that promise.”
Ilias nodded his head.
“Of course. I will make sure to get my father’s permission regarding that matter.”
However, the confident expression on Ilias’s face turned troubled.
Now that I think about it, since I am entering as a princess, I will fall under the management of Empress Sierra rather than the Emperor. This means I will need permission from both the Emperor and Empress Sierra.
Upon reflection, it seemed that getting permission from Empress Sierra would be easier than from the Emperor.
This is because women of high status in the empire do not work. Commoners are different, however.
If I, a commoner, worked, the nobles might point fingers at me for doing commoner things as the princess.
If that were to happen, Ilias’s claim to the throne would become even more distant.
I began to think that Empress Sierra might actually welcome my actions.
Of course, there was a chance she would oppose it to maintain the royal family’s dignity, but that seemed very unlikely.
I figured Empress Sierra would be more concerned about Ilias becoming a laughingstock than about the royal family’s image.
“I want to show Lin the garden.”
“Oh! I’m curious. Let’s go quickly, As.”
I exaggerated my excitement to express my joy at being in the palace, even though I was tired. It was more important to avoid suspicion.
The garden, adorned with colorful flowers as if woven with delicate threads, was as beautiful as a scene from a fairy tale.
A refreshing and sweet scent wafted through the gentle breeze. When I looked up to the side, Ilias was gazing at me with a graceful smile.
Suddenly, standing next to an unrealistically handsome man in a space that felt like it belonged in a dream made me feel as if this moment wasn’t real.
‘That’s right. I had entered a book, didn’t I?’
No matter how much it was a contract, marrying a character from a book was astonishing.
‘So, is the space I’m living in now reality? Or is it unreal?’
I had lived only for the sake of extending my life after possessing this body, but perhaps because of the romantic atmosphere, questions that had no answers began to arise.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just lost in thought because it’s so beautiful.”
“Then shall we go back now, Lin?”
“Sounds good.”
After creating a picture of a loving stroll, I returned home with Ilias seeing me off.
It felt like I had crossed a high and rugged mountain. Of course, there were still countless peaks left to climb.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
When I arrived home, I was so relieved to have received permission for the marriage that my whole body ached.
I took a warm bath and called for Sarah.
On the table lay the cookies that Ilias had given me. Eating the sweet cookies with the tea Sarah had brewed made me feel much better.
“Sarah, I think I need to tell you something in advance. I have a few requests.”
“Miss Adeline, please feel free to say anything.”
“I received permission for the marriage from the palace today.”
“What?”
“So, it looks like I’m going to enter the palace.”
Sarah’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t close her mouth in surprise. When I waved my hand in front of her, she snapped back to reality and smiled with tears in her eyes.
“Congratulations, Miss Adeline. To be honest, I was really worried.”
I could easily guess the concern she felt for me, openly dating in such a public manner.
“Thank you, Sarah. I know you must have worried for various reasons. It’s okay now.”
Sarah nodded her head.
“Speaking of which, I have a request for you, Sarah.”
“Anything. I will do anything for your request, Miss Adeline.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. Then, let’s go to the palace together.”
“Excuse me?”
Sarah froze in shock, as if turned to stone.
“Of course, it will be tough for you to adapt to a new place, but I really want you to come with me. You’re the only person I can trust.”
In the palace dominated by Empress Sierra, I needed someone I could rely on.
“Sarah, let’s go together.”
Sarah nodded vigorously and replied.
“Yes, Miss Adeline. I will go with you. I may be insignificant, but I want to help you. And thank you for trusting me.”
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Money was very important to me. After the divorce, the more wealth I had, the better I could live comfortably.
And the work I was doing now wasn’t a lifelong career.
Since it was still the early part of the original story, I could predict people’s futures, but as time went on, I wouldn’t know my own future either. So, I had to grab as much as I could while I could.
That’s why, even though I was busy and overwhelmed with various tasks, I didn’t slack off and worked every day.
Today, as I was walking to work like any other day, I felt something was off due to the noisy atmosphere. The store was surrounded by so many people that I couldn’t see inside.
‘What’s going on? Didn’t they take a number? Sarah should have arrived first.’
As I wondered and tried to push through the crowd blocking my way, someone shouted.
“It’s Miss Adeline!”
People started murmuring and looking for me. Just then, those who spotted me parted to clear the way.
‘Is this what the miracle of Moses was like? But why?’
A sense of unease flickered through my mind.
As I hesitated at the unexpected situation, people gestured for me to hurry in with curious expressions. They couldn’t hide their excitement.
‘Is my face that entertaining to look at? What’s going on?’
All sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.
At the end of the path I cautiously walked down, surprisingly, Ilias was waiting for me.
‘Why is Ilias here?’
As I was taken aback, my vision widened, revealing more strange sights.
Ilias was standing in the center of a large heart made of flower petals and grass.
‘Wow!’
The moment I locked eyes with Ilias, astonishingly, the court orchestra began to play. Eight musicians had settled in a corner and started performing a serenade.
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