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Chapter 2
“Ha— seriously, you’re hopeless. Adrian’s already being forced into this marriage by Father’s command; he doesn’t even like you! And now you don’t even remember how desperately you used to throw yourself at him?”
Rosa clicked her tongue, sweeping her perfectly curled hair back with all the grace of a queen.
“Unbelievable. You cried your eyes out at that ball, begged me to call Adrian out for you—and now you’ve forgotten the entire thing? You really are an idiot.”
“Hey, could you maybe not be so harsh? I’m a patient, remember?”
“You’re perfectly healthy. Except maybe for that head of yours.”
“I mean—emotionally! I’m traumatized!”
Rosa only scoffed, her red lips twisting into a smirk.
“Well, you can be as ‘traumatized’ as you want—just don’t show it when you see Adrian. He’s got no patience for tears.”
“Good point.”
“Moron.”
Rosa frowned and looked me up and down, scanning me from head to toe.
“Are you even eating properly? You’ve lost weight. You look awful. No wonder he dumped you—you’re about to get dumped again!”
“Rosa!”
Was that supposed to be concern or an insult?
Honestly, she wasn’t wrong about one thing. The food here really didn’t suit me. Everything was greasy and heavy, and eating dishes I’d never even seen before was exhausting.
If I were back in Korea, I’d just gulp down a hot bowl of soup and be done.
But here, every meal came in a five-course procession that lasted hours.
No wonder I’d lost weight.
Rosa was still frowning at me.
“You’ve become weird. Forgetful, moody, and now you’re making these so-called prophecies? You know what they say—people who change suddenly like that usually die young. Keep it in check.”
“I—I haven’t changed that much.”
“Don’t forget, our late uncle had some kind of psychic ability. That stuff can run in families, can’t it?”
“N-no! It’s not like that.”
“You’re even stammering now. Honestly, you’re strange. Anyway, when you see Adrian, tell him I said hello.”
“Wait, where are you going?”
Why did that sound like she was heading off on a long journey?
“What are you talking about? I’m leaving for my honeymoon with Gus soon. We had to delay it because of the war, so this time I’m going to enjoy it properly.”
“Oh, lucky you.”
“If you’re jealous, you go instead!”
Sheesh. What a temper.
I sighed and shook my head—but suddenly, an image flashed through my mind.
I frowned, blurting it out before I could stop myself.
“Rosa—don’t get on any ship with red letters painted on it! If you do, you won’t make it back on time!”
“…What?”
Rosa gave me a pitying look, snapped open her fan, and strutted away to find her husband.
The moment I’d been dreading finally arrived. Adrian was coming to the palace today.
I’d been biting my tongue since yesterday, resisting the urge to grab someone—anyone—and beg them to show me a picture of him.
But the truth was, I didn’t know a thing about him. Not his face, not his voice, nothing.
So, I needed intel.
But asking the maids what my own fiancé looked like would sound ridiculous.
They already looked at me like I’d gone mad. If I actually asked, they might call for a physician—or worse, Father.
So I stationed myself near the open sitting room where the maids liked to gossip, and eavesdropped.
“When do you think Her Highness’s wedding will be? There must be so much to prepare!”
“Sure, but… does she really have to go through with it? If it were me, I wouldn’t marry a man who doesn’t love me.”
“But he’s so handsome. Anyone would fall for him.”
“Handsome, sure—but what else does he have? Honestly, the princess could do better.”
Bless you, Lynn!
I wanted to give my head maid a paid vacation right then and there.
“Well, I don’t know about that. Her Highness is cute and all, but she’s kind of timid…”
“Yeah, true.”
Take that blessing back.
Lynn’s voice continued.
“You’ve seen the way Sir Adrian looks at her with those cold eyes, right? Gives me chills. Every time I see that, I forget how handsome he is. Sigh—Her Highness still isn’t fully recovered, body or mind. If only His Majesty would postpone the wedding till next year…”
I frowned as I listened, then quickly cleared my throat when a royal guard walked by.
So, Adrian’s handsome. Well, that’s a relief at least.
But when I saw a silhouette cast across the corridor window—broad-shouldered, bathed in sunlight—I suddenly got annoyed.
That guy had the nerve to glare at me? At me?! Sweet, delicate Giselle? How dare he!
Still fuming, I turned toward my chambers—when a voice called from behind me.
“Giselle!”
A tall, blond man with a familiar face approached. Ordinary build, warm smile—my older brother, Prince Lucas, heir to the throne.
And beside him stood two knights in formal uniform.
“Out for a stroll, Your Highness?” one of them asked.
As the three approached, I met Lucas’s eyes and smiled.
“Ah, perfect timing,” he said. “Sir Adrian and Sir Hugo have just returned from the front. They were on their way to see Father.”
“I see…”
Okay, which one is Adrian? They’re both gorgeous!
The first man had dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a tall, powerful frame.
His cold expression and straight posture radiated confidence and pride. That seemed very Adrian-like.
The second man had soft blond hair with a hint of silver, and pale gray-blue eyes.
He was slimmer than the first but still tall—and undeniably handsome.
Strong nose, slightly upturned lips… he looked kind and gentle.
So, the dark-haired, icy one must be Adrian, right?
Lucas noticed my hesitation and prodded, “Well? Adrian’s back. Shouldn’t you at least greet him? You were waiting for him, weren’t you?”
I turned toward the dark-haired man, grabbed my skirts, and curtseyed.
“Hello, Sir Adrian!”
“….”
The air went still.
Wait… did I pick the wrong one?
“It’s been a while, Your Highness,” the dark-haired knight said with a polite bow. “I’m Hugo.”
Oh no.
I awkwardly waved my hand, laughing weakly.
“Right! That’s what I meant. Of course, Sir Hugo. Slip of the tongue, haha!”
God, just kill me now.
I could’ve just greeted both at once, but nooo—I had to guess and make a fool of myself.
Maybe I really shouldn’t tell anyone I used to be a shaman’s daughter.
Then the blond knight—the real Adrian—bowed slightly and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“Have you been well, Your Highness?”
“Yes, and I’m glad you’ve returned safely, Sir Adrian.”
“…”
That was it?
Silence stretched between us, long and awkward—like years passing in seconds.
Lucas cleared his throat loudly and patted Hugo on the shoulder.
“Well, since it’s been a while, why don’t you rest in my study for a bit, Sir Hugo?”
Hugo glanced between Adrian and me, looking oddly uneasy.
What, did I look like I was going to eat him alive?
As the two men walked off toward Lucas’s chambers, I followed Adrian out into the garden.
The air was warm, the sky clear, and the flowerbeds bursting with color.
Around this time of year, I’d usually be tagging along to shaman rituals back home…
After a long silence, Adrian finally spoke.
“The reason I came to see His Majesty today…”
He paused, then continued evenly.
“…is to request that he reconsider our marriage.”
Ah. So I was right. He didn’t like me after all.
Oddly, it didn’t hurt.
This was, after all, the first time I’d even met the guy. No matter how handsome he was, he came from a completely different world than mine.
No feelings attached.
“I see. Well, I wish you luck.”
“…What do you mean by that? Are you saying you’ll go through with it anyway?”
His frown deepened, those icy blue eyes narrowing on me.
In that moment, I finally understood what the maids meant. That look—cold, dismissive, almost disgusted.
So Giselle hadn’t been shy—she’d just been stubborn.
“No,” I said brightly. “I mean the opposite. Why would I cling to someone who doesn’t want me? There are plenty of men in the world!”
“…?”
The bewildered look on his face was delicious.
So this was the famously aloof knight? He looked like someone had just slapped him with a fish.
He hesitated, studying me. Maybe wondering if I’d gone insane—or if I was plotting something.
“You’ve… changed, Your Highness. Quite a bit.”
“Have I?”
“Yes. You didn’t even recognize me.”
I swallowed a groan and shut my eyes tight.
“About that—uh, I fell off a horse a few weeks ago and hit my head.”
“You… injured your head?”
“Yeah, but that has nothing to do with this. I just don’t chase men who don’t want me. Since I’m a princess, I’ll meet lots of men, date around a bit, and when the time feels right—then I’ll get married.”
