Ashid hesitated, unable to answer immediately. He couldn’t completely trust Daniella. But it wasn’t as though he completely doubted her either. As he stood there conflicted, he finally spoke.
“No. That won’t be necessary. But report immediately if there’s any suspicious movement.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lowell bowed respectfully, his face tense.
The Mona Forest Villa, North of the Capital of the Aschilad Empire
The villa, part of the imperial palace’s private estate and the annual site of the Emperor’s hunting festival, was already filled with numerous royals and nobles.
Daniella stepped down from the carriage with Ashid escorting her. As they walked together toward the tent prepared for them, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
He wore a simple black uniform with no ornate patterns or embellishments—just a cloak. Perhaps because of that, his strikingly handsome face stood out even more.
“Handsome people don’t need to dress extravagantly to look great. No, the simpler the outfit, the more it draws attention to the face.”
Daniella marveled inwardly with pure admiration.
Meanwhile, Ashid frowned slightly as he noticed people stealing glances at Daniella.
‘What’s with all the staring?’
Ashid looked at Daniella. Her pale yellow silk scarf was tied like a ribbon instead of a collar, and she wore a simple light green dress with long sleeves and a hem that gently brushed her ankles—she looked just like an early spring wildflower.
She did look lovely—but not to the extent that she should attract everyone’s gaze. At least, that’s what Ashid thought.
Yet for some reason, the number of nobles—especially the men—who stared at her had noticeably increased recently.
‘It’s irritating, and I don’t know why.’
His frown deepened, bothered by a vague sense of displeasure.
Just then, Marquess Klaus, the Emperor’s chief attendant, approached the two and bowed.
“His Majesty has something important to say and ordered me to bring you immediately upon your arrival. Please follow me.”
Ashid nodded curtly. The two followed the attendant toward the Emperor’s tent. Surrounded tightly by armed imperial guards, they entered and saw the Emperor seated on a high-backed chair.
Ashid knelt first and paid his respects.
“Ashid Carlyle Alberich greets His Majesty, the great Emperor of the Aschilad Empire.”
“…Daniella Lilianne Alberich greets the sun of the great Empire.”
Following his lead, Daniella bowed as well and stole a glance at the Emperor.
With short black hair, sharp eyes, a prominent nose that gave him an arrogant impression, and a firm mouth—he looked more like Ashid than Adrian.
No—he looked exactly like Ashid. She could easily imagine this is what Ashid would look like decades from now.
But the look exchanged between the two men was icy cold. The atmosphere was so frigid that it was hard to believe they were father and son. Daniella felt uneasy under the weight of it.
“You summoned us, Your Majesty.”
“…!”
“Ah, so my brother and the Grand Duchess are here as well.”
Adrian entered the tent.
He first greeted the Emperor warmly, then paused as he noticed Ashid and Daniella. The memory and emotions from Princess Elizaveta’s party came flooding back vividly.
Unsure of what to do, he hesitated by the entrance.
“Oh dear. You were already here, Your Highness? I’ve been looking all over, completely unaware.”
Just then, the Duke of Rodion suddenly appeared behind him. Standing beside the Duke was Emily, dressed in a dazzling pale pink dress unsuitable for the hunting event. Blushing shyly, she bowed silently to Adrian.
Unlike when facing Ashid, the Emperor smiled warmly at the three standing at the entrance.
“Crown Prince, bring the Duke of Rodion and Lady Emily Linburton over here.”
They obeyed the Emperor’s command at once.
Daniella furrowed her brow slightly as she watched them move to stand on the right side of the Emperor.
‘What on earth is the Emperor planning, calling all of us here like this?’
As she tried to guess his intentions, the Emperor looked around and spoke.
“The reason I summoned you all here is because I have something to announce to you before it is officially declared to the nobility.”
“What is it, Your Majesty?”
Adrian asked kindly. The Emperor’s eyes softened as he looked at his son.
“Crown Prince, your new betrothed has been decided. Here, Lady Emily Maya Linburton will be your future partner.”
“…What?”
“After the hunting festival ends today, this joyous news will be announced to all royals and nobles.”
The Emperor looked at Emily as he spoke.
‘What?’
Daniella’s eyes widened in shock. Ashid also frowned slightly at the unexpected announcement.
Everyone—except for the Duke of Rodion—turned to Emily. Feeling their gaze, color returned to her cheeks.
Adrian stared at her, dumbfounded, as if he’d been hit over the head. His mind went blank. With a trembling voice, he asked the Emperor,
“…When did this happen? Just a few days ago, you said the matter was still being discussed among multiple candidates…”
“After discussion with the Duke of Rodion, we concluded that Lady Linburton is the most suitable match for you. Even Elizaveta recommended her first. So, what is there to hesitate about?”
“But…”
“What’s wrong? Are you displeased? Do you have someone else in mind?”
The Emperor studied Adrian’s expression as he asked. Tension crossed the faces of Emily and the Duke of Rodion.
Adrian’s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Someone he had feelings for… His eyes involuntarily turned to Daniella.
‘No. That’s not it.’
He had no lingering feelings for Daniella. She simply wasn’t the right person for him. The past they shared, the things he witnessed, and the testimonies he heard all supported that.
The strange feeling he got when he saw her now… it was just because she seemed so unaffected by their broken engagement. That was all.
He tried to convince himself of this and met Emily’s eyes beside him.
She had been recommended by his aunt and uncle. There must be a reason his family was so certain about her. He should trust them—just like when he had accepted his engagement to Daniella on his mother’s advice.
Adrian shook his head.
“No. I don’t.”
“Then you accept your engagement to Lady Linburton?”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Pressed by the Emperor, Adrian gave his answer weakly. Emily’s face lit up.
‘Seriously? He’s really going to get engaged to Emily? Then what about Camellia, the heroine of the original novel?’
Daniella’s eyes widened in disbelief as she watched.
Had the plot of the original novel gone off course? If so, what would happen from now on? What if the story unfolded in a direction she didn’t recognize? Daniella felt completely lost in confusion.
“…Ha.”
Ashid let out a short, incredulous laugh as he watched her.
Seeing Daniella frozen, wide-eyed, staring at Adrian and Emily like she had been struck by lightning—he was almost speechless.
Though he could understand her feelings. Hearing that your former fiancé still held in your heart was getting engaged to someone else—how could that not be shocking?
But understanding and wanting to understand were different matters. Ashid suddenly felt a flare of inexplicable anger rise within him again.
On impulse, he grabbed Daniella’s wrist and pulled her tightly to his side.
Then, flashing a smooth smile toward Adrian and Emily, he delivered a final blow to the moment:
“Congratulations, Adrian. I hope you find happiness with your beautiful and wise fiancée.”
“…!”
“Just like I have with my wife.”
Daniella’s eyes grew even wider at his bewildering words. Her mind wanted to ask what on earth he was doing, but she was too stunned to speak.
Seeing her like that, the corners of Ashid’s lips rose even more without him realizing it.
Adrian’s expression darkened.
Just like Ashid said—Ashid and Daniella did look happy together. They looked good as a couple.
Adrian felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of despair as he muttered weakly.
