Jane came rolling in and shouted with excitement. A bright smile was plastered on her mischievous face.

“Jane! Be sure to knock before opening the door…”

“Sister, hear me out! This is important! I was told to fetch the princess right away! There’s a guest from the Navy! He’s asking if he can see the princess right now!”

It had finally arrived.

The dark clouds in my mind had cleared, and brilliant sunlight was shining.

It was the news I had been waiting for, so was there any need to hesitate?

I left Jane and Dixie, who were bickering, and rushed to the first floor. My shoes fell off, and I didn’t even realize it.

The man stood with his back to the sunlight, so I couldn’t make out his face. The rugged carriage of a soldier visible between the doors only proved that Jane wasn’t mistaken.
God was trying to extend a rope to me.

I stopped in front of the man, trying to muster a word between breaths.

“I-I’m here. What did the commander say? Did he tell you to bring me with you? Or did he have something to tell me?”

The man passed me at an unhurried pace.

His scent was a mixture of wood and cinnamon. With his long legs, he walked past me to pick up something that had fallen on the floor.

The shoes I had been wearing.

“What is so urgent that you come out to meet me barefoot?”

In the absence of sunlight, the blue gem revealed in the shadows gleamed. Eyes shining like minerals looked straight at me.

“…Grand Duke Lucian?”

“I’m honored that you came all the way here in spite of the pain just to see me.”

“…Grand Duke, don’t you think you’re late? Frederick will be here tomorrow…!”

“First, take care of yourself.”

Grand Duke Lucian smiled and knelt, bending his knees. Skillfully and gently, he took my foot and slid one of my shoes over it.

Even the seemingly insignificant act looked so dazzling.

The hands covering my bare feet were cold, without any hint of warmth, which was funny to me.

He was a man who harbored a different sense of danger than Frederick.

The sight of my feet burrowing into the soft sheepskin was blinding even to my eyes.

Grand Duke Lucian smiled brightly. Then, he stood and rubbed his cheek against mine.

“I need to do some fact-checking. This morning, Thomas woke up after taking the medicine prescribed by the princess.”

“You piece of… Are you saying you don’t trust me?”

“I’m in no position to trust just anyone. Now that the princess’ words have been proven, let’s move on to the next step.”

Grand Duke Lucian pretended to be friendly, taking my arm and linking it with his.

“Wait a minute… I look like this right now…”

“It’s okay.”

“…Am I not unsightly?”

“But you’re still wearing clothing. Much better than not wearing anything.”

‘You bast*rd,’ I bit the tip of my tongue.

I looked back for a moment.

I guess I made the right choice.

In the meantime, Grand Duke Lucian wrapped his arm around my shoulder and walked as naturally as flowing water.

“People are waiting at the temple.”

“The temple?”

“We’re going to have a grand wedding today.”

“What??”

My eyes popped wide as I reflexively looked back at the man.

I never expected it to turn like this.

“Isn’t this what you were hoping for? I’m having a lot of fun right now. Aren’t you curious to see what kind of expression Frederick will make tomorrow?”

Grand Duke Lucian seemed quite thrilled.

However, his eyes were still as sharp as a snake.

“Let’s go, quickly.”

I grabbed Grand Duke Lucian’s arm.

Any hell would be better than Frederick’s hell.

The man laughed huskily.

A little later, we swore an oath in front of the high priest, who kept clearing his throat with a look of exasperation, and the Supreme Court Justice of Florence, who seemed as if he had been grabbed by the collar.

Due to the particularly bright sun, the atmosphere inside the temple was hallowed. Inside the temple, there was a musty, sweet smell that combined with the scent of incense.

I wrinkled my nose.

“Do you pledge eternal love? As the bridegroom, do you swear to always respect and protect her?”

I glanced at Grand Duke Lucian, whose lips curved upward.

His exquisite beauty was not of this world.

Grand Duke Lucian nodded his head. A very concise answer, without hesitation.

“Bride? Please answer. Do you swear to respect and protect the groom for the rest of your life?”

“…I swear.”

The Supreme Court Justice sighed in response to my answer.

That would suffice as an affirmative.

Thus, the two of us—

“—With this, I declare the two of you husband and wife. This is done in the name of God, and no pain in life shall separate you two.”

—became a couple.

I-it worked.

That was my first absurd thought as a bride after the wedding.

* * *

I sighed and sat in my carriage.

Never would I have imagined that I would suddenly get married.

But, as always, life took an unexpected turn.

I glanced at the face of the man who had become my husband this day.

Grand Duke Lucian was looking at documents with a relaxed expression. He didn’t look fazed in the slightest.

“…Are we really married?”

I asked foolishly without realizing I spoke. The man raised his head and stared at me.

Grand Duke Lucian’s eyes sparkled transparently as he smiled shyly.

“We did. Was there an issue? Didn’t we follow the important procedures? Or are you having a second thought?”

“That’s not the case…”

What a bizarre feeling this is. Will this truly free me of Frederick?

The man organized our documents. As he adjusted the folder with his slender fingers, he tilted his head.

Grand Duke Lucian’s every movement stole my attention.

Crazy. Damn imperial family, why do they have to be so frustratingly handsome? Be it Frederick, or this guy.

“Then isn’t it about time for us to align our goals? For a successful and magnificent marriage. Unless this marriage is the end goal?”

Grand Duke Lucian’s eyes shone like jewels.

It was a cold look.

My throat suddenly became dry. How should I start? Grand Duke Lucian asked a very basic question, regarding my end goal.

“…I proved my worth to Grand Duke Lucian, didn’t I?”

Grand Duke Lucian nodded his head lightly.

“That’s why the princess is here.”

“Now prove your worth as the Grand Duke.”

Grand Duke Lucian’s eyes widened as he let out a low laugh.

“How? Where? In what way?”

His voice gradually became quieter as he leaned toward me.

I gulped.

His looks are really…

“…I believe Grand Duke Lucian has the power to reduce Frederick to rags.”

“So?”

I stretched out my hand and grabbed Grand Duke Lucian by the collar.

A small tint of blue arose in his eyes.

I put strength into my wrist and pulled the man toward me as threateningly as possible.

Then, I spoke with every ounce of hostility in me.

“Our purpose is aligned already. Help me kill that b*stard, Grand Duke.”

The devil in Grand Duke Lucian’s eyes smiled broadly.

“I promise.”

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