On the day when Count Nova's trial ended, Cecilia asked Eden for a drink and got drunk.
'Either.'
The woman who had always called Eden by the title of “Your Highness” when she was conscious, had sweetly whispered his name when she was drunk. That’s why Eden still vividly remembers the feeling of his heart sinking that night.
'I always wanted to call you by your name.'
'Then call me that. You can do that.'
So Eden gave her permission to call him by his name. He said that she could call him by his name as much as she wanted and that she could have whatever she wanted.
'Did you promise?'
Cecilia smiled happily. Her soft and gentle face was lovely and cute. Considering her usually elegant and intelligent face, it was understandable why she was reluctant to drink.
But when that night actually passed, Cecilia completely forgot the memory of that day. The memory remained only for him.
“I told you, you would call me by my name now.”
“...”
“Stop using formal terms.”
That really upset him. It was such a small, insignificant thing, but it still made him feel that way.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t remember. I was drunk, I really don’t remember...”
Cecilia grabbed Eden with a puzzled look on her face and explained. Instead of saying it was okay, Eden just stared at Cecilia until she got the answer she wanted.
“Are you really giving me permission to use your name?”
“As much as you want.”
Eden whispered softly. Cecilia smiled bashfully like a child who had received an unexpected gift.
"Thank you."
“...”
“No. Thank you, Eden.”
Cecilia whispered as she pulled Eden's face closer and gave him a short kiss.
At the same time, Eden's heart pounded and beat irregularly beneath their close chests. His face was as calm as usual, but his heart could not wear a mask.
"You're welcome."
Eden answered in a low voice. They were still face to face, and his breath touched Cecilia's lips every time he spoke. Perhaps it stimulated him, and Eden soon kissed her. Cecilia did not refuse.
“...”
She just hugged Eden's neck and lowered him to her. Then she closed her eyes and watched the man sinking into her.
'Your Majesty, may I have your name?'
Previously, Eden had never allowed Cecilia to call him by his name first. So Eden’s attitude of asking her to call him by his name first was a change, an unfamiliar courtesy. Since she had already been burned once, she didn’t want to act rashly.
However, she was not so stupid as to not notice something that was just within reach.
Now was the time for certainty, not doubt.
'Either.'
The woman who had always called Eden by the title of “Your Highness” when she was conscious, had sweetly whispered his name when she was drunk. That’s why Eden still vividly remembers the feeling of his heart sinking that night.
'I always wanted to call you by your name.'
'Then call me that. You can do that.'
So Eden gave her permission to call him by his name. He said that she could call him by his name as much as she wanted and that she could have whatever she wanted.
'Did you promise?'
Cecilia smiled happily. Her soft and gentle face was lovely and cute. Considering her usually elegant and intelligent face, it was understandable why she was reluctant to drink.
But when that night actually passed, Cecilia completely forgot the memory of that day. The memory remained only for him.
“I told you, you would call me by my name now.”
“...”
“Stop using formal terms.”
That really upset him. It was such a small, insignificant thing, but it still made him feel that way.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t remember. I was drunk, I really don’t remember...”
Cecilia grabbed Eden with a puzzled look on her face and explained. Instead of saying it was okay, Eden just stared at Cecilia until she got the answer she wanted.
“Are you really giving me permission to use your name?”
“As much as you want.”
Eden whispered softly. Cecilia smiled bashfully like a child who had received an unexpected gift.
"Thank you."
“...”
“No. Thank you, Eden.”
Cecilia whispered as she pulled Eden's face closer and gave him a short kiss.
At the same time, Eden's heart pounded and beat irregularly beneath their close chests. His face was as calm as usual, but his heart could not wear a mask.
"You're welcome."
Eden answered in a low voice. They were still face to face, and his breath touched Cecilia's lips every time he spoke. Perhaps it stimulated him, and Eden soon kissed her. Cecilia did not refuse.
“...”
She just hugged Eden's neck and lowered him to her. Then she closed her eyes and watched the man sinking into her.
'Your Majesty, may I have your name?'
Previously, Eden had never allowed Cecilia to call him by his name first. So Eden’s attitude of asking her to call him by his name first was a change, an unfamiliar courtesy. Since she had already been burned once, she didn’t want to act rashly.
However, she was not so stupid as to not notice something that was just within reach.
Now was the time for certainty, not doubt.
***
It was the day of the Emperor's birthday banquet. In his honor, bread and drinks were distributed on the streets. It was said to be the Emperor's grace for the commoners who could not attend the party like the nobles.
Perhaps that was why the people on the street didn't pay any attention to the nobleman's carriage passing by. Their faces were filled with smiles.
When was the last time she laughed like that...
“I heard it was resolved well.”
Before the party began in earnest, only the direct royal family was present. It was uncomfortable to see the Empress and Damon there as well. Cecilia, who had been consciously thinking of something else, came to her senses at the sound of the Emperor's voice.
“I wondered what he meant when he suddenly came to me and asked for authority over the island...”
The Emperor sitting at the highest seat burst into laughter.
“You were trying to negotiate with Benia to take full ownership of the island? You’re a piece of shit.”
Well, that was a good thing, but the Emperor was so proud of his second son that he didn't know what to do. Damon's tightly shut lips twitched in discontent.
“Why did you suddenly become interested in Raner Island?”
“The Grand Duchess played a big role.”
Aster was the first to speak up at the Emperor's question. The Emperor looked at Cecilia with wide eyes. Cecilia smiled awkwardly and avoided his gaze.
“After listening to the story of the chambermaid’s hometown, she felt sorry for the people who were being beaten up here and there, so she wanted to ask for help.”
“Oh, really?”
“I don’t know much about this either, so I asked the second Prince and his wife for help.”
The Emperor nodded with a satisfied expression.
“I am so happy to have received such a wise and kind wife.”
Then he joked while looking at his second son who was staying in his seat without saying anything.
“Isn’t that right?”
The Empress reluctantly nodded to the Emperor's question. She did not openly grumble like Damon, but she was not positive either. Cecilia's activity was unexpected, so her face was not as relaxed as usual.
“That’s right. I didn’t know that the Grand Duchess was so delicate and strategic.”
The voice of praise was also somewhat subtle.
“Let’s either make money by using that island that is notorious for being useless or let’s negotiate in the name of the royal family to clearly define ownership of the island.”
“...”
“How could I have suddenly thought of that...”
The Empress blinked slowly and muttered. Her tone was somewhat meaningful. It was as if she was trying to figure out where things had gone wrong.
“You must have gotten it. Or maybe you received a request from Brother Eden.”
At that moment, Damon broke the mood with a displeased voice. Isabella's gaze, which seemed a little pitiful, fell on Damon and then fell.
“If it was true ability, wouldn’t she be the Crown Prince’s wife, not the Grand Duchess?”
Because he kept causing trouble everywhere, even the gentle Isabella began to dislike Damon.
“Damon Oberon Wyatt!”
The Empress's hand, which seemed lost in thought, moved quickly. The beautifully decorated fan hit the back of Damon's hand quite painfully.
“That’s because I only give opportunities to my brothers!”
“Aren’t you old enough to know what to say and what not to say?”
And she scolded her son sharply. It seemed like she was teaching her son as a mother, but in fact, she was using her head. She was able to stop the Emperor from yelling and expelling the Third Prince.
“I’m sorry, Grand Duchess. And Crown Princess.”
The Empress quickly apologized to both of them. Isabella and Cecilia accepted the Empress’s apology with a half-hearted smile. It was a half-hearted apology since they did not receive it from the person who should have been receiving it.
“Don’t think I’m going to let your bad mouth get away with it forever, Damon.”
Since things had ended like that, it was difficult for the Emperor to come forward. He ended up just clicking his tongue and giving a short warning. Still, it seemed like he couldn’t criticize him for being a son or a dog.
That damn thing won't change anytime soon.
Cecilia clicked her tongue briefly inwardly and then stared at Eden. It seemed as if he had been watching Cecilia the whole time because their eyes met right away. Cecilia smiled at him out of habit.
Certainly, if Aster were not present, Eden would have been a better fit for the Emperor's position. He was the right person for the job.
“They said everyone has arrived, so let’s go.”
If Aster had not existed, she would have had to find a suitable candidate for the throne between Eden and Damon. Cecilia could not possibly choose. One was a seed that would destroy the country, and the other was a nightmare that would kill her. Fortunately, she did not have to worry about such things, and she was grateful.
Perhaps that was why the people on the street didn't pay any attention to the nobleman's carriage passing by. Their faces were filled with smiles.
When was the last time she laughed like that...
“I heard it was resolved well.”
Before the party began in earnest, only the direct royal family was present. It was uncomfortable to see the Empress and Damon there as well. Cecilia, who had been consciously thinking of something else, came to her senses at the sound of the Emperor's voice.
“I wondered what he meant when he suddenly came to me and asked for authority over the island...”
The Emperor sitting at the highest seat burst into laughter.
“You were trying to negotiate with Benia to take full ownership of the island? You’re a piece of shit.”
Well, that was a good thing, but the Emperor was so proud of his second son that he didn't know what to do. Damon's tightly shut lips twitched in discontent.
“Why did you suddenly become interested in Raner Island?”
“The Grand Duchess played a big role.”
Aster was the first to speak up at the Emperor's question. The Emperor looked at Cecilia with wide eyes. Cecilia smiled awkwardly and avoided his gaze.
“After listening to the story of the chambermaid’s hometown, she felt sorry for the people who were being beaten up here and there, so she wanted to ask for help.”
“Oh, really?”
“I don’t know much about this either, so I asked the second Prince and his wife for help.”
The Emperor nodded with a satisfied expression.
“I am so happy to have received such a wise and kind wife.”
Then he joked while looking at his second son who was staying in his seat without saying anything.
“Isn’t that right?”
The Empress reluctantly nodded to the Emperor's question. She did not openly grumble like Damon, but she was not positive either. Cecilia's activity was unexpected, so her face was not as relaxed as usual.
“That’s right. I didn’t know that the Grand Duchess was so delicate and strategic.”
The voice of praise was also somewhat subtle.
“Let’s either make money by using that island that is notorious for being useless or let’s negotiate in the name of the royal family to clearly define ownership of the island.”
“...”
“How could I have suddenly thought of that...”
The Empress blinked slowly and muttered. Her tone was somewhat meaningful. It was as if she was trying to figure out where things had gone wrong.
“You must have gotten it. Or maybe you received a request from Brother Eden.”
At that moment, Damon broke the mood with a displeased voice. Isabella's gaze, which seemed a little pitiful, fell on Damon and then fell.
“If it was true ability, wouldn’t she be the Crown Prince’s wife, not the Grand Duchess?”
Because he kept causing trouble everywhere, even the gentle Isabella began to dislike Damon.
“Damon Oberon Wyatt!”
The Empress's hand, which seemed lost in thought, moved quickly. The beautifully decorated fan hit the back of Damon's hand quite painfully.
“That’s because I only give opportunities to my brothers!”
“Aren’t you old enough to know what to say and what not to say?”
And she scolded her son sharply. It seemed like she was teaching her son as a mother, but in fact, she was using her head. She was able to stop the Emperor from yelling and expelling the Third Prince.
“I’m sorry, Grand Duchess. And Crown Princess.”
The Empress quickly apologized to both of them. Isabella and Cecilia accepted the Empress’s apology with a half-hearted smile. It was a half-hearted apology since they did not receive it from the person who should have been receiving it.
“Don’t think I’m going to let your bad mouth get away with it forever, Damon.”
Since things had ended like that, it was difficult for the Emperor to come forward. He ended up just clicking his tongue and giving a short warning. Still, it seemed like he couldn’t criticize him for being a son or a dog.
That damn thing won't change anytime soon.
Cecilia clicked her tongue briefly inwardly and then stared at Eden. It seemed as if he had been watching Cecilia the whole time because their eyes met right away. Cecilia smiled at him out of habit.
Certainly, if Aster were not present, Eden would have been a better fit for the Emperor's position. He was the right person for the job.
“They said everyone has arrived, so let’s go.”
If Aster had not existed, she would have had to find a suitable candidate for the throne between Eden and Damon. Cecilia could not possibly choose. One was a seed that would destroy the country, and the other was a nightmare that would kill her. Fortunately, she did not have to worry about such things, and she was grateful.
***
The doors to the banquet hall were firmly shut as Damon, Eden and Cecilia, Aster and Isabella, and the Empress and Emperor entered.
“These days, I feel fortunate to have lived this long.”
The Emperor began the banquet with these words. Then he looked around at his grown children and smiled happily.
“Of course, this peace is thanks to all of you present here. I know that.”
But that look of helplessness was only temporary. The Emperor pulled his chin in slightly and looked down at the nobles who had bowed their heads below him with a solemn face.
“I hope that you will continue to work hard for the peace of the empire without being swayed by any unexpected winds.”
If it was a little windy, it was referring to Damon and Count Oberon who were trying to shake Aster up presumptuously. It was an indirect warning to those who were trying to secretly agree with them.
How could anyone want to side with Damon over Aster? Cecilia was somewhat impressed by their foolishness and recklessness.
“To achieve that goal, I plan to announce two things in particular today.”
The Emperor smiled and raised his index finger.
“One is to announce the engagement of Malone Jackinson and Ilya Nova in the name of the Royal Family.”
Malone Jackinson and Ilya Nova? Naturally, everyone's eyes turned to them. They were names that were a hot topic recently and could not be ignored.
“Malone Jackinson himself asked me.”
After a long search, someone found Ilya, who had been hiding in a corner. Everyone's attention turned to her, along with a murmur of voices.
“I want to follow the imperial law that says not to punish the innocent.”
The Emperor called Malone and Ilya to the table where he was sitting. Whether the Viscountess was pretending to faint or not, Marlon, who was escorting Ilya, was calm.
“Did you know that His Majesty the Emperor will give a congratulatory speech?”
Cecilia took her eyes off the Emperor who was reciting the congratulatory speech and turned her gaze to Eden.
“No, I didn’t know.”
A calm reply came back. But even if he had known in advance, it would have been news that Eden had no interest in. Cecilia knew that.
Because he was the kind of person who had no interest in anyone outside his circle.
“...And so the marriage I have blessed today will become an eternal vow that cannot be broken until death.”
The moment the Emperor finished speaking, Cecilia looked at Ilya. Their eyes met immediately as if she had been looking this way the whole time. Ilya was glaring at Cecilia and Eden as if she had found an opportunity for revenge.
Cecilia smiled serenely. It was funny how Malone, believing that she was in love with him in such a short time, was so arrogant.
“...”
At that moment, Malone's eyes met Cecilia's. He looked as good as the rumors said. He smiled like a gentleman. However, it was hard to see that there was no intention behind it.
Perhaps it was because of that strange tendency. Since his relationship with Ilya wasn't sincere anyway, she wouldn't have to feel guilty. Cecilia blinked as she thought about that.
"... Your Highness?"
It was then. Eden’s hand, which was holding Cecilia’s hand, gained some strength. It was as if he had sensed the passing gaze between the two and unconsciously applied strength.
“These days, I feel fortunate to have lived this long.”
The Emperor began the banquet with these words. Then he looked around at his grown children and smiled happily.
“Of course, this peace is thanks to all of you present here. I know that.”
But that look of helplessness was only temporary. The Emperor pulled his chin in slightly and looked down at the nobles who had bowed their heads below him with a solemn face.
“I hope that you will continue to work hard for the peace of the empire without being swayed by any unexpected winds.”
If it was a little windy, it was referring to Damon and Count Oberon who were trying to shake Aster up presumptuously. It was an indirect warning to those who were trying to secretly agree with them.
How could anyone want to side with Damon over Aster? Cecilia was somewhat impressed by their foolishness and recklessness.
“To achieve that goal, I plan to announce two things in particular today.”
The Emperor smiled and raised his index finger.
“One is to announce the engagement of Malone Jackinson and Ilya Nova in the name of the Royal Family.”
Malone Jackinson and Ilya Nova? Naturally, everyone's eyes turned to them. They were names that were a hot topic recently and could not be ignored.
“Malone Jackinson himself asked me.”
After a long search, someone found Ilya, who had been hiding in a corner. Everyone's attention turned to her, along with a murmur of voices.
“I want to follow the imperial law that says not to punish the innocent.”
The Emperor called Malone and Ilya to the table where he was sitting. Whether the Viscountess was pretending to faint or not, Marlon, who was escorting Ilya, was calm.
“Did you know that His Majesty the Emperor will give a congratulatory speech?”
Cecilia took her eyes off the Emperor who was reciting the congratulatory speech and turned her gaze to Eden.
“No, I didn’t know.”
A calm reply came back. But even if he had known in advance, it would have been news that Eden had no interest in. Cecilia knew that.
Because he was the kind of person who had no interest in anyone outside his circle.
“...And so the marriage I have blessed today will become an eternal vow that cannot be broken until death.”
The moment the Emperor finished speaking, Cecilia looked at Ilya. Their eyes met immediately as if she had been looking this way the whole time. Ilya was glaring at Cecilia and Eden as if she had found an opportunity for revenge.
Cecilia smiled serenely. It was funny how Malone, believing that she was in love with him in such a short time, was so arrogant.
“...”
At that moment, Malone's eyes met Cecilia's. He looked as good as the rumors said. He smiled like a gentleman. However, it was hard to see that there was no intention behind it.
Perhaps it was because of that strange tendency. Since his relationship with Ilya wasn't sincere anyway, she wouldn't have to feel guilty. Cecilia blinked as she thought about that.
"... Your Highness?"
It was then. Eden’s hand, which was holding Cecilia’s hand, gained some strength. It was as if he had sensed the passing gaze between the two and unconsciously applied strength.
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