🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 05
“….”
I had been summoned separately to the Emperor’s reception room.
The reason was obvious.
I had almost turned the empire’s crown prince into a eunuch right in front of the Emperor.
‘That bastard Ulysses… what right does he have to go get treated?’
I was supposed to have my head cut off soon anyway—he should’ve just stayed a eunuch.
Ugh, what a waste.
I sat on the sofa grumbling when a warm cup of tea was placed in front of me.
For a moment, reality hit me too hard.
‘So this cup of tea is my last meal…’
If it’s a last meal, they could at least serve something better.
Even while complaining internally, I couldn’t bring myself to touch it and just stared at the floor.
Then the Emperor spoke.
“Miss Pravia, stop staring at the floor.”
“….”
“Come on. It’s fine.”
Fine? Does that mean “Do you know your crime?”
Thinking I was being tested, I lowered my head deeply.
“I have committed a crime worthy of death.”
Honestly, I didn’t think it was a crime worthy of death. He attacked first. But unfortunately, he was the empire’s only crown prince.
I braced myself for punishment—but instead, something unexpected came.
“It is not a crime worthy of death. More importantly, are your wrists alright?”
“…Pardon? Ah.”
I looked down at my wrist belatedly. As expected, where Ulysses had grabbed me, a dark bruise had formed.
‘I’m definitely going home to a storm of concern.’
The duke would definitely lose his mind.
‘No, wait. I’m about to die anyway—what concern?’
But then the Emperor said something that shocked me even more.
“Ulysses must have grabbed you too hard. Even I must admit my son has flaws.”
I blinked rapidly.
Was the Emperor always like this?
The Emperor I knew from the original story was extremely strict—especially with the crown prince. So strict that Ulysses suffered from emotional deprivation, which later led him to fall for Dahlia’s maternal warmth.
“I’ll call a healer for your wrist immediately.”
His expression looked genuinely apologetic.
Is he… also possessed like me?
It was absurd to think, but I couldn’t otherwise explain his behavior.
“I’m fine. I’m already grateful for your concern.”
“The Duke of Pravia will be worried.”
Ah. So that was it.
That explanation made sense. The Pravia family had enough wealth and power to confront the imperial family.
I smiled politely and shook my head.
“It’s alright. However… may I request that His Highness the Crown Prince be prevented from causing further trouble?”
“Of course. I apologize for today.”
“There’s no need for Your Majesty to apologize.”
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject.
“Still… I heard you made Lady Hebe cry. And even ruined a hat she bought for me.”
I… ruined a hat for the Emperor?
I was about to defend myself when—
“How thoughtful of you. Frankly, I didn’t like the hat anyway.”
“…Pardon?”
“Flowers and ribbons? How childish. And yellow? My taste is more refined. That hat almost insulted me.”
I froze.
What… is going on?
Before I could process it, I suddenly remembered something—
She was the future mother-in-law of Dahlia Hebe.
Enemy of my enemy is my ally.
‘Is she… actually a good person?’
But that hope was immediately shattered.
“I’m glad you’re here, Miss Pravia. A proper woman like you is needed to correct a reckless boy.”
…Of course.
Evelyne Pravia’s life was nothing but money, family wealth—and zero luck.
“Right now he’s just confused by Lady Hebe. Time will fix it. If needed, I’ll force an engagement myself—”
“No, no! I’m really fine!”
I quickly waved my hands in panic.
Engagement to the crown prince? Absolutely not.
‘I’m going to live with my parents forever!’
When did I decide that? Yesterday, after shopping with Henry.
The Emperor looked disappointed.
“Why? Didn’t you like Ulysses?”
Well… Evelyne did.
I quickly thought.
This man was basically the empire’s top matchmaking machine. And he was determined to tie me to his son.
And he would never believe a simple “I changed my mind.”
‘I didn’t want to use this method…’
I put on a sorrowful expression.
“Actually… someone proposed to me the same day the Crown Prince rejected me.”
“…What?”
The Emperor leaned forward sharply, visibly shocked.
Perfect reaction.
My acting improved instantly.
“He gave me a beautiful bouquet of roses and a ring. Things I never received from the Crown Prince. I felt… truly loved.”
I looked out the window dramatically, then turned back with a soft smile.
“So I accepted.”
The Emperor looked stunned.
Yeah. I’d make a great con artist.
‘First thing when I get home—find a fake fiancé.’
This time, getting caught means execution.
And I should probably pay him enough to buy a mansion a month.
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Magic Tower
Dahlia Hebe nervously bit her nails.
‘Why is there no news?’
After meeting Evelyne at the boutique, Dahlia had gone to Ulysses crying, holding the ruined hat.
And she had only said one thing:
“This was a gift for His Majesty… but it got ruined.”
Ulysses, simple-minded as he was, assumed Evelyne had destroyed it.
He stormed off angrily.
But now a whole day had passed.
Finally, Ulysses arrived at her lab.
“Dahlia.”
At last!
She hurried to open the door.
“Your Highness.”
But something was off.
Ulysses didn’t look angry.
He didn’t look relieved either.
It was something in between.
“…Why?”
He should’ve been furious after meeting Evelyne.
But instead, he said something unexpected.
“The Pravia lady says she no longer loves me.”
“…Pardon?”
“She denied the hat incident, but she says she won’t bother you anymore. She doesn’t love me, and she’s not interested in you either.”
“That… can’t be…”
“So relax.”
He pulled Dahlia into his arms.
But Dahlia’s mind was racing.
She doesn’t love him anymore?
Impossible.
But she quickly masked her expression.
“No, Your Highness. That can’t be true. She only said that because you were there. Otherwise, why would she have humiliated me at the boutique?”
Ulysses stiffened again.
Dahlia continued crying.
“She will keep tormenting me… I’m scared, Your Highness…”
“Dahlia…”
He looked shaken.
Dahlia smirked internally.
Too easy.
Then—
“But the Emperor said… she has a fiancé now.”
“…What?”
A fiancé?
Dahlia quickly realized what was happening.
Oh. I see.
Jealousy tactic.
How typical of Evelyne.
But this only helped Dahlia.
She clung to Ulysses.
“She probably bought a fake fiancé. She lies that easily.”
“Then she deceived both me and His Majesty?”
Ulysses’ expression darkened.
Dahlia whispered into his ear.
“If His Majesty hears this, he’ll be furious. Let’s confirm it ourselves.”
“How?”
“Send an invitation. Ask her to bring the fiancé.”
Evelyne Pravia couldn’t control her emotions.
So if she saw Dahlia next to her “true love,” she would surely lose control.
Dahlia smiled sweetly.
