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Chapter 07
“Bring me some alcohol.”
“Pardon?”
It was still working hours.
Swallowing his protest, the knight glanced into the office.
As expected, it was a complete mess—furniture shattered and strewn everywhere.
He silently offered condolences to the adjutant who would return shortly. Looks like he’ll be handling all the work again today.
Not that I’m in any position to pity anyone…
The most pitiful one here was himself—the one assigned to guard duty every time this lunatic threw a tantrum.
Before Frederick could grow more irritated, the knight quickly answered.
“Your Highness, I’ll go to the kitchen at once.”
Fearing stray sparks might hit him, he hurried away.
Frederick stared at the back of his head, then let out a derisive snort and adjusted his cravat.
Moments later, he had restored himself into the flawless image of the First Prince.
“…An annulment?”
Those damned pink-eyed bloodlines.
His jaw tightened as he recalled the duke and his daughter from moments ago.
They had dared to act so smug in front of the Emperor—dared to disregard him.
Especially Lisbeth Armierosia.
He felt like strangling her to death.
You dare betray me?
She could have simply sat still and accepted the position of Crown Princess. What did she think she could accomplish without him?
Three years.
Three years spent carefully maneuvering until Lisbeth Armierosia would be entirely in his grasp—moldable at his whim.
He had been patient. He had waited. He had been only one step away from obtaining everything he wanted.
He could not let it all crumble like this.
I just need to become Crown Prince first.
His violet eyes, dark as a swamp, sank deeper.
Scandal or not—it didn’t matter. Lisbeth could do nothing without him.
Eventually, she would come back.
“You dare think you can defeat me.”
Fine, Lisbeth. If you want to play like this, I’ll indulge your little tantrum—just this once.
He let out a soft laugh and returned to his office.
Click. The door shut.
When Lisbeth arrived at the Stella Knights’ headquarters, she ran into Calix almost immediately.
“Calix Payon!”
He had been loitering at the entrance with a rather unpleasant expression. At her voice, his eyes widened.
“Lady Armierosia?”
“What are you doing here?”
“That damned son of a—… No, I mean—nothing. Just standing around.”
He fumbled the words, but Lisbeth had clearly heard the curse slip from his mouth.
Not only that—she spotted a tiny speck of blood on his sleeve.
There was also a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead.
Did he just finish training?
Lisbeth narrowed her eyes, but Calix avoided her gaze and merely cleared his throat.
“What brings you here, my lady?”
“I just came from an audience with His Majesty. Ah, the engagement with the First Prince has officially been annulled.”
“That’s good.”
“Right? Now we just need to have our wedding.”
“Wedding…?”
As though the word had never crossed his mind, Calix’s eyes wavered. His face seemed to grow warmer by the second.
Is it hot?
Lisbeth blinked at him before explaining carefully,
“Since people are chewing on the scandal so enthusiastically, we’ll hold a grand ceremony. Something extravagant enough that they’ll say, ‘The scandal was messy, sure—but the wedding was worth seeing.’”
“Please don’t call it dirty. I don’t like hearing you speak of yourself that way.”
“…And you’re fine with it?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
He replied calmly. As she tilted her parasol slightly, she caught sight of his blue eyes looking down at her.
The intensity made her ears feel warm, and she quickly straightened it again.
“Anyway, that’s the plan. I thought I might reuse some of what was prepared for the wedding with the First Prince… Would that be alright with you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Her wedding. With me.
Calix rubbed at his burning ear.
Lisbeth in a pure white wedding gown, smiling brightly as she took his hand.
Under the summer sun, she would shine brighter than the sun itself…
“…Calix?”
“…Ah. My apologies.”
No matter how many times he told himself not to get ahead of himself, he always ended up like this.
Lisbeth eyed him suspiciously before continuing.
“Come to think of it, you’ve never shown me your marquis estate, have you? What if we held the reception there?”
“…My estate?”
“Yes. The one you received from the imperial family. It has a grand hall, doesn’t it?”
“It should…”
I thought she disliked it.
Calix looked at her uneasily.
She had stopped seeking him out after he returned from war and was elevated to marquis.
He had assumed she disliked the fact that he’d risen in status.
He had even resented her a little for it.
After all, he had accepted the title for her sake—to stand just a little closer to her.
Perhaps it’s better she doesn’t know right now.
She did not know his desires.
That was why she could confide in him, ask him to join her in revenge, suggest a wedding.
He knew he should confess—even now—seek forgiveness.
But he didn’t want to.
He wanted to remain by her side like this, while she knew nothing.
Calix lowered his gaze from the summer light.
“…Are you sure?”
“As long as the hall is big enough.”
“Then we’ll do as you wish.”
“…Calix Payon.”
Lisbeth frowned slightly, her voice turning sullen.
“Are you satisfied just following my lead?”
“What do you mean?”
“You keep saying you’ll do whatever I want. Even yesterday. Is that enough for you? Don’t you have your own opinion?”
“….”
“Honestly, even this revenge against the First Prince… Maybe you don’t even want it, and you’re just forcing yourself because of me—”
“No.”
Calix cut her off, smiling faintly.
“No, my lady.”
“….”
“I’m a soldier.”
“I know. You’re a knight.”
“A knight and a soldier are different.”
She knew he had roamed countless battlefields. That such a man could call himself a soldier.
But she didn’t understand what he meant.
She tilted her head, staring at him as if to peer into his thoughts.
Under her silent So?, he reluctantly continued.
“A soldier doesn’t recite chivalry or cling to righteousness. He acts simply to survive.”
“….”
“So if you knew what I truly wanted…”
“….”
“You would be surprised.”
Does he mean he doesn’t want to play fair with Frederick?
She felt the same way—there was no need for him to warn her.
She tightened her grip on her parasol.
Is Calix worried about me? Or about himself?
Does he think I’ll be frightened and run away if he says he isn’t a knight?
No. She had never once feared her friend. And after dying once, there was little left to fear at all.
Lisbeth let out a confident scoff.
“If that’s true, then I’m a soldier now too.”
Because if it meant surviving—and bringing that demonic man to ruin—she would do anything.
She looked up at Calix firmly.
He seemed slightly startled.
“Then we’re comrades on the same battlefield.”
“My lady…”
“So tell me.”
“….”
“If it’s something you can tell me, then tell me.”
“….”
“Calix Payon. I want to know what you’re thinking.”
His lips parted, but no words came. He closed them again.
She stood there, parasol raised, looking up at him in quiet challenge.
Perhaps the most harmless and beautiful soldier in the world.
Calix sighed in resignation.
“Then…”
“Yes?”
“May I choose your dress?”
And in the end, what escaped his lips was only a soft, deflating laugh—and a polite request.
