TVWRL Chapter 52
‘So it’s today. I did say to do it on a grand scale, but I didn’t expect it to be like this.’
I knew he was going to propose, but I didn’t realize it would be today.
‘He could have at least given me a heads-up. I’m so surprised. But a man who got permission yesterday and proposes today? He’s got a drive. He’s well-prepared.’
Everything was good. The only problem was that this proposal was the kind I hated the most—awkward and cringy.
It was my idea, but,
‘I absolutely hate it! I totally hate it! I really hate it! I hate it the most! I just hate it! I hate everything about it!’
My face stiffened without me realizing it, but people thought I was surprised and cheered me on with whistles.
The proposal I dreamed of was quiet but expensive, something that would remain a cherished memory between two lovers.
But that wasn’t possible now. Besides, it was a contract marriage, so what did it matter?
I had to focus on the performance to survive rather than indulge in lofty dreams.
However, seeing how hard it was to concentrate, I was reminded again of how much I despised this kind of proposal.
I told myself to just do it even if I didn’t want to, and I forced myself to smile brightly as if I were the happiest person in the world while looking at Ilias.
Following Ilias’s lead, I carefully stepped inside, making sure not to disturb the heart made of flower petals and avoiding any candles catching on my dress.
The heart was so large that even after the two of us entered, there was still room for a few more people.
‘This is where the prince’s scale shows.’
Ilias, who had been gazing into my eyes, knelt down and presented an elegant ring box. A large diamond sparkled brilliantly inside.
Seeing such a big diamond for the first time made my heart race suddenly.
The condition of “expensive” perfectly matched the proposal I wanted. I doubted anyone could hit the mark better than this.
Am I being too materialistic? No, anyone would surely feel their heart race at the sight of such a ring.
From this point on, there was no need for acting. Happiness flowed naturally.
“As.”
I was so moved by the diamond that tears welled up in my eyes as I reached out my hand. Ilias gently slipped the ring onto my ring finger.
At that moment, petals began to fall from above, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
It was the knights of the guard, including Zion, scattering petals like pollen from the rooftops and trees around us.
It felt a bit like a waste of the knights’ talents, but it fit perfectly with the proposal’s ambiance.
The onlookers watching our proposal wore dazed expressions, as if they were floating on clouds, caught up in a reality that felt unreal.
‘Perhaps it’s because, given the conservative nature of the Empire, a public proposal this loud is a first.’
Ilias’s proposal today seemed like a magical spell that made reality look fantastical.
“Wow!!!”
“Long live the prince!”
“Congratulations, Miss Adeline!”
“Be happy! Prince!”
Cheers, applause, and blessings for us erupted from all around.
Ilias gently kissed my hand, where the ring sparkled, then looked up at me with a smile that made his eyes crinkle.
His flawless and handsome appearance made my heart race like when I first saw the diamond.
Of course, it wasn’t the kind of proposal that suited my personal taste, but just having Ilias made it perfect.
Indeed, handsome is the best! That eye smile is the best!
Our joyful expressions seemed to be perfectly captured by the magic camera. The expression of the photographer looked very satisfied.
I suppose the details of Ilias’s preparations will be featured in the newspaper along with a thorough introduction.
‘By tomorrow, the entire Empire will know about our marriage.’
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
After finishing the grand event of the proposal, we entered the store. The customers who had drawn waiting numbers a few days ago were graciously accommodating our time.
“Your Highness, you did well.”
“Is this acceptable? I’m not even sure myself.”
“You did very well.”
Ilias shook his head wearily and spoke.
“It was possible because Lin helped. I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“No matter how good the plan is, it’s useless if the person executing it can’t do it properly.”
“It felt awkward since it was my first time, but was it okay?”
“Don’t doubt your acting skills. As always, it was perfect. Proposals are something that are hard to do multiple times, yet you handled it skillfully.”
“Then I’m relieved. I always worry about how I appear to others. I’m also concerned about being awkward.”
I smiled with a bewildered expression.
“After seeing people’s reactions today, do you still feel that way? Everyone looked so happy, as if they were the ones being proposed to.”
Ilias nodded seriously.
“Then let’s hurry up and prepare for the wedding.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I’ll come to pick you up in the evening. Let’s have dinner together.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, it is the day of the proposal, so we should at least have a meal together.”
“Oh! That would make for a more picturesque scene. You really are thoughtful.”
“Then I’ll come in the evening.”
“Yes.”
After Ilias left, those who came for consultations congratulated me on my happiness before sharing their own concerns.
Receiving congratulations from everyone made me feel like I had truly been proposed to, and I couldn’t help but feel giddy.
‘It’s just a contract. I shouldn’t get so excited.’
The power of words is truly immense. Deeply grateful for the blessings from everyone, I promised myself that I would make Ilias a prince in return.
It seemed like it hadn’t been long since we started, yet it was already time to close the shop, and I hadn’t seen many people.
While I was doing my makeup for dinner with Ilias, Sarah entered.
“Sarah, welcome. Can you redo my hair? The prince will be here soon.”
Sarah looked at me awkwardly before replying.
“Miss Adeline, Priest Chris is here.”
“Priest Chris?”
“I told him you had a prior engagement with the prince today, but he wouldn’t leave.”
“Miss Adeline.”
Confirming that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, Chris barged into the consultation room with an unpleasant expression.
It was the first time I had seen Chris like this, and I was taken aback.
He asked with a cold demeanor that seemed to send chills through the air.
“Is it true that you are getting married?”
“Yes, it is true.”
With that soft response, Ilias entered.
“Adeline, what’s going on?”
At the unexpected voice, Priest Chris turned his head.
For a moment, their eyes met, and the atmosphere became tense with a palpable chill.
Ilias spoke to Chris without emotion.
“What brings you here, Cardinal? Do you have business with my fiancée?”
It was I, not Chris, who reacted first to Ilias’s words.
“Wait a moment.”
Both men turned to look at me.
“Your Highness, what did you just say to Priest Chris?”
“I asked if he has business with my fiancée.”
“No, before that.”
“What’s going on here?”
“No, before that.”
“Cardinal?”
“Who is the Cardinal?”
My voice trembled from shock. Ilias looked at me with a bewildered expression. And Chris’s face twisted in dismay as our eyes met.
“Ah, well, I…”
As Chris struggled to find his words, Ilias looked at me and said calmly.
“Lin, this is Cardinal Christian Verzel, who is referred to as the next Pope of the Myaria Church. Do you know him? Why is the Cardinal here?”
A Cardinal.
This time, my expression twisted in disbelief. I looked at Chris, or rather, Cardinal Christian Verzel, with intense anger.
“Yes. No, no. The person I know is Priest Chris. I don’t know Cardinal Christian Verzel.”
As I took a step, Cardinal Christian Verzel hurriedly approached me.
I extended my hand to indicate for him not to come closer.
“Miss Adeline.”
Christian looked at me with a lost expression.
“I will explain. I will explain everything.”
I looked at Christian with icy cold eyes.
“I don’t want to hear any explanations that justify the deception all this time. Sarah, please tidy up the shop.”
Christian approached, but Ilias blocked my way.
I crossed my arms around Ilias’s arm and stepped outside. My legs felt weak, and I had no choice but to lean on him.
Once outside, I glanced back at the shop where Cardinal Christian was.
‘How could he do this to me? Has he been toying with me all this time?’
I had thought of him as a friend.
“Lin, Lin.”
I returned to reality at the sound of Ilias calling me.
Throughout the ride in his carriage, my whole body trembled.
Feelings of anger and futility from betrayal, the loss of a friend who felt like family, bitterness, and sadness all hit me like a storm.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Leona felt dizzy when she heard that Ilias had proposed to Adeline in front of everyone today. She collapsed as if she had crumbled.
To confirm the facts, she had rushed to Adeline’s shop in a frenzy without even a carriage.
Just as she was about to enter the shop, the door opened, and Leona instinctively hid her body. It felt pitiful and miserable to be hiding like this when she had done nothing wrong.
But soon, something even more humiliating happened.
Ilias and Adeline emerged from the shop, arm in arm.
Seeing that scene felt like the sky was falling down.
He was the man she had marked as her future husband. To have him taken away by someone like Adeline was a blow to her pride.
While she struggled to sort out her complicated feelings, something incomprehensible unfolded before her eyes.
Christian, looking as pitiful as an abandoned puppy, came out.
“Why is Cardinal Verzel coming out from there? With that expression, no less.”
Leona didn’t know exactly what had happened inside. But there was Adeline coming out, linked arm in arm with Ilias, and after a while, Christian emerged with a face that showed he had lost everything.
Something felt off. There was definitely something complicated going on. She had a gut feeling.
Leona felt that she might be able to turn the situation around.
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