“It’s a special day, so I’m going to do something special.”
Noah spoke in a slightly excited voice. It seemed as if I could see about nine tails swaying elegantly behind his back.
But do you really want to marry me?
At this point, it's impossible to tell if he's being sincere, obsessed with fact-checking, or just crazy possessive, unwavering in his means, methods, and goals. He might suddenly lose interest and demand a divorce. Or he might even break off the engagement on the eve of the wedding, leaving me with a devastating emotional impact.
He is an unpredictable man.
The reason we have negative thoughts like, "What if that happens?" on a topic we are somewhat certain of and hopeful about is that we are afraid.
Before I knew it, I was dreading the end of my relationship with Noah. I knew it would definitely be heartbreaking. It's more shocking to experience something unexpected, like an accident.
If I want to hurt a little less, I should kick first.
"No, I do not want?"
Noah smiled, his eyes widening like crescent moons. I quickly looked away. He was acting selfishly, and I couldn't get angry.
“No, it was so sudden.”
“I was trying to surprise you.”
“Yes, I’m really surprised. Are we really getting married?”
I asked with a blank expression, feeling as if my soul had been sucked out of me. Noah slowly tilted his head, his expression seeming rather surprised.
“You said you would do it first, right?”
“When am I?”
He chuckled and lifted the tip of his nose.
"Yes, that's right. Since you're so fickle, we're having an engagement ceremony in advance. You might suddenly decide not to do it, yes?"
I don't know. What should I do? Why is he pouring out all the worries I've been having? That man doesn't accept rejection, and his answer is set in stone. Furthermore, he's branding me capricious, nailing me down with absolute certainty.
The amazingly crazy man is smiling prettily while pushing ahead with a surprise event.
He makes it impossible to refuse. Maybe he's pretending to accept it because I can't win.
On December 25th, a large crowd gathered in the magnificent banquet hall where the coming-of-age ceremony was being held. Most of the attendees were men in military uniforms, and few women were seen, except for those in uniform. Even the Countess of Morey, a close friend, didn't show up.
I thought that since he was a soldier, his connections were all military, but at the ballroom, he seemed to be friendly with people like congressmen, bank presidents, Supreme Court justices, and businessmen.
“Why are there only soldiers?”
“If they talk to the Princess, I’ll hand them over to court-martial.”
Noah responded to my questions with nonsense.
I thought that maybe the ill-tempered Princess Medea would come and say, 'This engagement is invalid!', but she didn't come, perhaps because she had pride.
Inside the lavishly decorated banquet hall, long tables covered with white tablecloths were filled with wine and a sumptuous feast. A band in formal attire played soothing music, and people approached each other, offering their congratulations in polite tones.
No one asked who I was, where I came from, or what my family background was. The ceremony, which began with the coming-of-age ceremony, then the ball, and then the engagement ceremony, seemed like it would take quite a while.
My mind was spinning as I listened to the kind words of strangers here and there. This place was home, but I longed to go home. An officer in his forties stopped me and gave me a long lecture about becoming a true adult.
When I came to, I was cutting a gorgeous three-tiered cake. Like soldiers, the people who stood up in unison applauded. It felt like receiving a commendation at a military base.
The gifts people had brought were piled high in the front. Servants went around announcing that after a brief ball, the engagement ceremony would begin.
Someone approached and draped a white fur shawl around my shoulders. He wore a three-piece suit of dark gray fabric with thin stripes and diamond-set cufflinks on the sleeves. A coat, which had been removed, was draped over one arm.
The man who had unbuttoned the white fur draped over my shoulders smiled playfully. "I'm getting engaged to that man? I can't believe this."
"Princess. It's annoying because there are so many people. Let's run away together for a while."
"What are you talking about when you've invited so many people?"
Noah spoke in a slightly excited voice. It seemed as if I could see about nine tails swaying elegantly behind his back.
But do you really want to marry me?
At this point, it's impossible to tell if he's being sincere, obsessed with fact-checking, or just crazy possessive, unwavering in his means, methods, and goals. He might suddenly lose interest and demand a divorce. Or he might even break off the engagement on the eve of the wedding, leaving me with a devastating emotional impact.
He is an unpredictable man.
The reason we have negative thoughts like, "What if that happens?" on a topic we are somewhat certain of and hopeful about is that we are afraid.
Before I knew it, I was dreading the end of my relationship with Noah. I knew it would definitely be heartbreaking. It's more shocking to experience something unexpected, like an accident.
If I want to hurt a little less, I should kick first.
"No, I do not want?"
Noah smiled, his eyes widening like crescent moons. I quickly looked away. He was acting selfishly, and I couldn't get angry.
“No, it was so sudden.”
“I was trying to surprise you.”
“Yes, I’m really surprised. Are we really getting married?”
I asked with a blank expression, feeling as if my soul had been sucked out of me. Noah slowly tilted his head, his expression seeming rather surprised.
“You said you would do it first, right?”
“When am I?”
He chuckled and lifted the tip of his nose.
"Yes, that's right. Since you're so fickle, we're having an engagement ceremony in advance. You might suddenly decide not to do it, yes?"
I don't know. What should I do? Why is he pouring out all the worries I've been having? That man doesn't accept rejection, and his answer is set in stone. Furthermore, he's branding me capricious, nailing me down with absolute certainty.
The amazingly crazy man is smiling prettily while pushing ahead with a surprise event.
He makes it impossible to refuse. Maybe he's pretending to accept it because I can't win.
***
On December 25th, a large crowd gathered in the magnificent banquet hall where the coming-of-age ceremony was being held. Most of the attendees were men in military uniforms, and few women were seen, except for those in uniform. Even the Countess of Morey, a close friend, didn't show up.
I thought that since he was a soldier, his connections were all military, but at the ballroom, he seemed to be friendly with people like congressmen, bank presidents, Supreme Court justices, and businessmen.
“Why are there only soldiers?”
“If they talk to the Princess, I’ll hand them over to court-martial.”
Noah responded to my questions with nonsense.
I thought that maybe the ill-tempered Princess Medea would come and say, 'This engagement is invalid!', but she didn't come, perhaps because she had pride.
Inside the lavishly decorated banquet hall, long tables covered with white tablecloths were filled with wine and a sumptuous feast. A band in formal attire played soothing music, and people approached each other, offering their congratulations in polite tones.
No one asked who I was, where I came from, or what my family background was. The ceremony, which began with the coming-of-age ceremony, then the ball, and then the engagement ceremony, seemed like it would take quite a while.
My mind was spinning as I listened to the kind words of strangers here and there. This place was home, but I longed to go home. An officer in his forties stopped me and gave me a long lecture about becoming a true adult.
When I came to, I was cutting a gorgeous three-tiered cake. Like soldiers, the people who stood up in unison applauded. It felt like receiving a commendation at a military base.
The gifts people had brought were piled high in the front. Servants went around announcing that after a brief ball, the engagement ceremony would begin.
Someone approached and draped a white fur shawl around my shoulders. He wore a three-piece suit of dark gray fabric with thin stripes and diamond-set cufflinks on the sleeves. A coat, which had been removed, was draped over one arm.
The man who had unbuttoned the white fur draped over my shoulders smiled playfully. "I'm getting engaged to that man? I can't believe this."
"Princess. It's annoying because there are so many people. Let's run away together for a while."
"What are you talking about when you've invited so many people?"
I said, grabbing onto the hem of my skirt and being led by Noah's hand out of the banquet hall.
As I walked out into the snow-covered garden and circled the mansion, I saw a fountain, its water frozen solid, like a sculpture carved from ice. Noah paused before the fountain, glaring at me with his wide, raised eyes and a smile. The soft moonlight shimmered on his silver-white hair, which had been bathed in the dark night sky.
“Diana.”
While I was lost in the dreamy atmosphere for a moment, Noah called my name clearly in a low, deep voice.
"Yes?"
“Can I tell you what I want?”
“Speak.”
He closed his mouth hesitantly and lowered his eyes.
The silence that followed our conversation left me unbearably tense. Noah's mysterious blue eyes, beneath his eyelids, met mine again.
“Can I hug you?”
"Ah?"
Was it a hug you wanted to receive?
We're "in a relationship," but we've never hugged or shown any real affection. I cleared my throat and nodded.
With my permission, Noah's hand gently pulled my arm. His strong arm wrapped around my waist. Not knowing where to place it, I clenched my fists and held them gently in front of my chest.
Noah, who had been holding me tightly in his arms, let out a long sigh. The movement of his firm upper body, his chest rising and falling, was transmitted directly to my chest, which was close to mine.
It's just a hug, but I feel like I could faint from the warmth and scent of someone's body. I've definitely dated and experienced physical contact in my life, but nothing like this. What on earth is this overwhelming feeling?
“Princess. You’ve had a hard time growing up.”
Noah whispered in a voice so tender and patted my back. The remnants of emotions that had been buried beneath the surface suddenly surged up, rising in sorrow.
I hid in Noah's arms, hiding my expression. No one had truly embraced me, and no one had ever said anything to me. I'd struggled to become an adult, yet no one had ever told me I'd worked hard or done well.
Rather, I was angry that I couldn't do what I wanted, and even my eccentric grandfather, who was the only one who protected me, passed away as soon as I became an adult.
“Thank you. Noah, you worked hard too.”
I clenched and unclenched my fist as I answered. Perhaps because we shared similar childhoods. The book describes only a small portion of our past, so I can't fathom everything, but I knew Noah would sometimes make the same expression as me.
Perhaps the obsessive need to protect one's place and what's one's own is similar. Noah took off his coat, laid it on the marble fountain, and sat me down. He entwined my jet-black hair with his fingers, gently stroking it, and asked.
“You’re an adult now. Is that okay?”
Is it because you haven't even touched me yet, because I'm not yet of age? I don't even know if this is my real birthday. I nodded readily.
“Yes, it’s okay.”
"Really?"
“Of course. You don’t have to ask.”
“Are you saying I can kiss you without asking?”
Was that what you meant? My shoulders twitched. My heart was racing again. I might actually lose consciousness at this rate.
“Now... a lethal dose...”
When I finally managed to get the words out, Noah tilted his head and snickered.
“Can you look at it?”
I didn't want anyone to see the expression I was making. I'd been in so many relationships, I couldn't believe I was acting like this. I clutched Noah's collar, bowed my head, and nodded.
“Now that we’re both adults, I won’t let you see it.”
A playful yet serious voice sounded, and Noah's hand cupped my cheek. My eyes darted around, lost in thought. My heart pounded, trembling somewhere in my stomach.
As the intervals between our breaths grew shorter and shorter, my ears began to feel stuffy. Noah's warm breath touched my cheek. I could see his downturned eyelashes and flawless, smooth face up close.
I felt dizzy and high, so I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut. But how was I supposed to kiss? Was this even allowed? My mind went blank, and even my thoughts faded away.
“Master!”
A man's urgent voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Startled, I tried to pull away from Noah, but he held me still with strong arms and hands.
"Why."
Noah asked with a look of discomfort on his face. He had turned away so he couldn't see who it was, but it seemed to be a servant. The servant, panting for breath, opened his mouth.
“I think you should come for a moment. Princess Medea has arrived, but she fell badly down the stairs.”
“Am I a doctor?”
Noah's nervous voice resonated through my body like a growl.
"I tried to support her, but she wouldn't let anyone touch her. She was bleeding, but she told me not to touch her unless it was Your Highness."
“Then just let her die from excessive bleeding.”
It was a sincere voice that said, "But it doesn't matter." I patted Noah on the shoulder.
“Go ahead, go and reject it.”
“Why are you sending me to another woman?”
"Please make sure you do this, or it'll just keep happening. I'll wait here."
He pulled away, grabbed my shoulder, and smiled affectionately.
"I'll do as you say, Princess. I'll be back shortly, so stay here. We might miss each other."
"All right."
I don't want to follow him and see that sight, and I can't show my flushed face in public. I need to calm down and prepare myself to accept his industry award, or rather, his lips.
“Diana.”
Noah smiled kindly, took off his uniform coat, and draped it over my head.
“I’ll finish it when I get back.”
I felt my face flush even more, and I watched Noah's back as he quickly left. As I rubbed the back of my stiff neck, a thin metal string wrapped around my fingers.
I wasn't wearing a necklace because I was wearing a dress that covered my neck. I looked down at what I was holding in my hand.
A pink rose diamond necklace hung around my neck.
“Did you sneak it in while hugging me?”
It seems like a coming-of-age gift, but it's cute that they gave it to me like this.
“It’s pretty. Were roses one of the Coming of Age Day gifts?”
Roses, perfume, kisses. So, a kiss... Are you really serious about me? I don't know why.
My heart pounded again, and I tried to calm myself down and gather my thoughts. The sound of the piano playing, faintly carried by the wind, seemed to be coming from the orchestra's location inside the building, close to where I was standing.
I listened for a moment, the sorrowful and beautiful piano melody somehow familiar. The moment I realized I'd heard it before, my heart sank with a different meaning.
I stood there dumbfounded, feeling the color drain from my face, and tried to recall the title of a familiar piece.
This is not a song for engagement ceremonies.
It's actually a piece of music that exists in the world I was in, a piece by Chopin titled "Tristesse (original title - Sorrow)". Since it's a world created by the original author, the actual piece may exist with a different meaning...
A lurking sense of foreboding filled me, and I felt a pang of oppression. Though this was a fictional country, it spoke the language of my world, and I remembered the imperial palace, which resembled a winter palace in a real country.
The parts not described in the original work are likely filled with things the author experienced, witnessed, or knew in his lifetime. After all, the author died in the 20th century.
Here, too, the song might be about a breakup. It's unlikely a band would choose such a song for an engagement ceremony.
It could be any signal.
As soon as I thought about it, a chill ran down my spine and goosebumps appeared.
"No."
A surge of anxiety washed over me, as if my most feared accident was imminent. I leaped to my feet, grabbed Noah's coat, and started running toward the entrance of the banquet hall. My long skirt kept tangling around my feet, and my high heels sank deep into the snow. I stumbled several times, but I didn't even notice the pain.
The music grew louder and more intense. White snowflakes slowly descended from the dark night sky. The music, building to a scream-like climax, suddenly stopped.
The silence was eerily quiet, increasing the sense of unease.
Bang.
A sharp gunshot was heard inside the mansion.
My whole body screamed, a shiver running down my spine. A single gunshot began, followed by a chaotic series of loud noises, the sound of something breaking and shattering, and the sound of a hail of gunfire.
So many thoughts are clashing so sharply that my legs can't move properly.
A sky filled with falling snow instantly, and my hands fluttered in the air. As if by some involuntary force, my knees buckled and I fell to the ground.
“Why on earth?”
There's no way he's coming for me. If he insists on coming, he's coming to kill me.
I don't even know the specific reason the Admiral insisted on killing me. As if answering a question without a target, someone's lukewarm hand urgently grabbed mine and pulled me up.
"Ah."
I looked up, relieved to see Noah, but then felt my vision blur. There stood a tall, well-built man with jet-black hair and straight blue eyes.
“Miss Claire, you’re here. I’ve come to rescue you.”
It was Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Groenendaal of Belford.
I was reminded again that this was a world created by the author.
The lieutenant colonel was supposed to come rescue the "kidnapped girl." It was bound to happen. Perhaps that's why fate, disguised as a coincidence, led me to meet Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal. The gaps in the text were filled, the story was reorganized, and whoever was kidnapped was still there.
And in the end, the main character is Celine.
Is it fate that somehow connects the two through the incident of kidnapping, regardless of the pain and emotions of the supporting actors?
As I walked out into the snow-covered garden and circled the mansion, I saw a fountain, its water frozen solid, like a sculpture carved from ice. Noah paused before the fountain, glaring at me with his wide, raised eyes and a smile. The soft moonlight shimmered on his silver-white hair, which had been bathed in the dark night sky.
“Diana.”
While I was lost in the dreamy atmosphere for a moment, Noah called my name clearly in a low, deep voice.
"Yes?"
“Can I tell you what I want?”
“Speak.”
He closed his mouth hesitantly and lowered his eyes.
The silence that followed our conversation left me unbearably tense. Noah's mysterious blue eyes, beneath his eyelids, met mine again.
“Can I hug you?”
"Ah?"
Was it a hug you wanted to receive?
We're "in a relationship," but we've never hugged or shown any real affection. I cleared my throat and nodded.
With my permission, Noah's hand gently pulled my arm. His strong arm wrapped around my waist. Not knowing where to place it, I clenched my fists and held them gently in front of my chest.
Noah, who had been holding me tightly in his arms, let out a long sigh. The movement of his firm upper body, his chest rising and falling, was transmitted directly to my chest, which was close to mine.
It's just a hug, but I feel like I could faint from the warmth and scent of someone's body. I've definitely dated and experienced physical contact in my life, but nothing like this. What on earth is this overwhelming feeling?
“Princess. You’ve had a hard time growing up.”
Noah whispered in a voice so tender and patted my back. The remnants of emotions that had been buried beneath the surface suddenly surged up, rising in sorrow.
I hid in Noah's arms, hiding my expression. No one had truly embraced me, and no one had ever said anything to me. I'd struggled to become an adult, yet no one had ever told me I'd worked hard or done well.
Rather, I was angry that I couldn't do what I wanted, and even my eccentric grandfather, who was the only one who protected me, passed away as soon as I became an adult.
“Thank you. Noah, you worked hard too.”
I clenched and unclenched my fist as I answered. Perhaps because we shared similar childhoods. The book describes only a small portion of our past, so I can't fathom everything, but I knew Noah would sometimes make the same expression as me.
Perhaps the obsessive need to protect one's place and what's one's own is similar. Noah took off his coat, laid it on the marble fountain, and sat me down. He entwined my jet-black hair with his fingers, gently stroking it, and asked.
“You’re an adult now. Is that okay?”
Is it because you haven't even touched me yet, because I'm not yet of age? I don't even know if this is my real birthday. I nodded readily.
“Yes, it’s okay.”
"Really?"
“Of course. You don’t have to ask.”
“Are you saying I can kiss you without asking?”
Was that what you meant? My shoulders twitched. My heart was racing again. I might actually lose consciousness at this rate.
“Now... a lethal dose...”
When I finally managed to get the words out, Noah tilted his head and snickered.
“Can you look at it?”
I didn't want anyone to see the expression I was making. I'd been in so many relationships, I couldn't believe I was acting like this. I clutched Noah's collar, bowed my head, and nodded.
“Now that we’re both adults, I won’t let you see it.”
A playful yet serious voice sounded, and Noah's hand cupped my cheek. My eyes darted around, lost in thought. My heart pounded, trembling somewhere in my stomach.
As the intervals between our breaths grew shorter and shorter, my ears began to feel stuffy. Noah's warm breath touched my cheek. I could see his downturned eyelashes and flawless, smooth face up close.
I felt dizzy and high, so I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut. But how was I supposed to kiss? Was this even allowed? My mind went blank, and even my thoughts faded away.
“Master!”
A man's urgent voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Startled, I tried to pull away from Noah, but he held me still with strong arms and hands.
"Why."
Noah asked with a look of discomfort on his face. He had turned away so he couldn't see who it was, but it seemed to be a servant. The servant, panting for breath, opened his mouth.
“I think you should come for a moment. Princess Medea has arrived, but she fell badly down the stairs.”
“Am I a doctor?”
Noah's nervous voice resonated through my body like a growl.
"I tried to support her, but she wouldn't let anyone touch her. She was bleeding, but she told me not to touch her unless it was Your Highness."
“Then just let her die from excessive bleeding.”
It was a sincere voice that said, "But it doesn't matter." I patted Noah on the shoulder.
“Go ahead, go and reject it.”
“Why are you sending me to another woman?”
"Please make sure you do this, or it'll just keep happening. I'll wait here."
He pulled away, grabbed my shoulder, and smiled affectionately.
"I'll do as you say, Princess. I'll be back shortly, so stay here. We might miss each other."
"All right."
I don't want to follow him and see that sight, and I can't show my flushed face in public. I need to calm down and prepare myself to accept his industry award, or rather, his lips.
“Diana.”
Noah smiled kindly, took off his uniform coat, and draped it over my head.
“I’ll finish it when I get back.”
I felt my face flush even more, and I watched Noah's back as he quickly left. As I rubbed the back of my stiff neck, a thin metal string wrapped around my fingers.
I wasn't wearing a necklace because I was wearing a dress that covered my neck. I looked down at what I was holding in my hand.
A pink rose diamond necklace hung around my neck.
“Did you sneak it in while hugging me?”
It seems like a coming-of-age gift, but it's cute that they gave it to me like this.
“It’s pretty. Were roses one of the Coming of Age Day gifts?”
Roses, perfume, kisses. So, a kiss... Are you really serious about me? I don't know why.
My heart pounded again, and I tried to calm myself down and gather my thoughts. The sound of the piano playing, faintly carried by the wind, seemed to be coming from the orchestra's location inside the building, close to where I was standing.
I listened for a moment, the sorrowful and beautiful piano melody somehow familiar. The moment I realized I'd heard it before, my heart sank with a different meaning.
I stood there dumbfounded, feeling the color drain from my face, and tried to recall the title of a familiar piece.
This is not a song for engagement ceremonies.
It's actually a piece of music that exists in the world I was in, a piece by Chopin titled "Tristesse (original title - Sorrow)". Since it's a world created by the original author, the actual piece may exist with a different meaning...
A lurking sense of foreboding filled me, and I felt a pang of oppression. Though this was a fictional country, it spoke the language of my world, and I remembered the imperial palace, which resembled a winter palace in a real country.
The parts not described in the original work are likely filled with things the author experienced, witnessed, or knew in his lifetime. After all, the author died in the 20th century.
Here, too, the song might be about a breakup. It's unlikely a band would choose such a song for an engagement ceremony.
It could be any signal.
As soon as I thought about it, a chill ran down my spine and goosebumps appeared.
"No."
A surge of anxiety washed over me, as if my most feared accident was imminent. I leaped to my feet, grabbed Noah's coat, and started running toward the entrance of the banquet hall. My long skirt kept tangling around my feet, and my high heels sank deep into the snow. I stumbled several times, but I didn't even notice the pain.
The music grew louder and more intense. White snowflakes slowly descended from the dark night sky. The music, building to a scream-like climax, suddenly stopped.
The silence was eerily quiet, increasing the sense of unease.
Bang.
A sharp gunshot was heard inside the mansion.
My whole body screamed, a shiver running down my spine. A single gunshot began, followed by a chaotic series of loud noises, the sound of something breaking and shattering, and the sound of a hail of gunfire.
So many thoughts are clashing so sharply that my legs can't move properly.
A sky filled with falling snow instantly, and my hands fluttered in the air. As if by some involuntary force, my knees buckled and I fell to the ground.
“Why on earth?”
There's no way he's coming for me. If he insists on coming, he's coming to kill me.
I don't even know the specific reason the Admiral insisted on killing me. As if answering a question without a target, someone's lukewarm hand urgently grabbed mine and pulled me up.
"Ah."
I looked up, relieved to see Noah, but then felt my vision blur. There stood a tall, well-built man with jet-black hair and straight blue eyes.
“Miss Claire, you’re here. I’ve come to rescue you.”
It was Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Groenendaal of Belford.
I was reminded again that this was a world created by the author.
The lieutenant colonel was supposed to come rescue the "kidnapped girl." It was bound to happen. Perhaps that's why fate, disguised as a coincidence, led me to meet Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal. The gaps in the text were filled, the story was reorganized, and whoever was kidnapped was still there.
And in the end, the main character is Celine.
Is it fate that somehow connects the two through the incident of kidnapping, regardless of the pain and emotions of the supporting actors?
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