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~Chapter 9~
Even when I tried to imagine a face more handsome than Etienne’s, my poor imagination fell woefully short.
No matter. I didn’t need to imagine it — I was about to witness it in person.
The very thought of such a visual feast had my spirits soaring.
“Also, Lord Etienne asked me to deliver this to you,”
Lisa said, handing me a folded slip of paper.
The handwriting, neat and severe, was unmistakably his.
“Don’t act up. Keep your mouth shut and sit still.”
I could practically hear Etienne’s frosty tone echoing from the page.
“Ha! What does he mean, ‘don’t act up’? I’m not a child.”
Still, my indignation faltered — I had been rather excited at the prospect of seeing a handsome man.
Right. Focus. This isn’t just about pretty faces.
Veseth wasn’t merely Dahlia’s lifelong obsession; he held both Etienne’s and my fate in his hands.
I slapped my cheeks lightly.
“Focus, Dahlia. Focus!”
Penny helped me dress for the meeting. My wardrobe was modest, mostly dark, but in her capable hands, even simplicity transformed into grace.
My short, plain hair was neatly braided.
Not bad at all. Penny truly had skill — she’d proven it the day she’d trimmed my burnt hair.
“If only I had some jewelry to finish it off.”
The display cabinet in my room was pitifully empty — not even a simple ring.
Then again, what could a criminal expect?
Sighing, I abandoned vanity and stepped into the corridor.
Golden lamplight lined the hall like a regiment of obedient soldiers. Between them hung grand paintings, each subject’s gaze eerily fixed upon me.
Wait… were those frames…?
“Penny, are those frames real gold?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Perfect. If I get divorced, I’ll just steal one.
Smiling at my unrepentantly Dahlia-like thought, I reached the reception room.
The crimson velvet-lined doors opened to reveal splendor — chandeliers, heirloom furniture, the faint aroma of polished wood and wine.
Two men sat waiting.
The servants bowed deeply as I entered. Both men turned toward me — Etienne and an unfamiliar guest.
The stranger had silver hair like Etienne’s, yet his presence radiated light instead of frost.
Oh my—he’s glowing. Literally glowing.
“Dahlia.”
His eyes curved warmly, his smile spreading wide and easy.
“Have you been well?”
How was I supposed to answer that?
In the original story, Dahlia had loved him — obsessively, ruinously so. She had once tried to murder the heroine Sophienne for his sake.
Should I pretend to still pine for him? Or play the part of a woman who had moved on?
“Yes. And you?”
“I’ve been well.”
Keeping my words brief, I took slow, careful steps and sat beside Etienne. I barely had time to steady my breath before Etienne spoke first.
“What brings you all the way here?”
His tone was curt — hardly welcoming. But Veseth, unbothered, smiled like sunlight through glass.
“I came because I missed you.”
Wow. He diffused Etienne’s hostility with a single smile.
That’s protagonist behavior right there.
Not just beautiful — gracious too.
Of course, in the novel he’d been loving to a fault… perhaps a little too much.
But that’s a standard male-lead affliction, isn’t it?
“You haven’t changed,” Etienne murmured, a faint laugh tugging at his lips.
He laughed? Etienne… laughed?
Not his usual, menacing smirk — a genuine smile.
The sight of two stunning men smiling at each other nearly melted my brain.
Two silver-haired gods — one warm spring, one icy winter.
The Gentle Sun and the Frozen Moon.
Ah, children… your grandmother once saw this divine sight with her own eyes. After that day, every man looked like a squid to me—but I have no regrets.
I blinked hard, dragging myself back to the present. Handsome faces were dangerous; they fogged the mind.
Focusing again, I tuned into their exchange.
“Actually, I’m passing through on business. I’m importing gemstones from Bastitas and happened to be nearby.”
Etienne nodded. Even when Veseth followed up with light jokes, Etienne didn’t bristle.
Veseth teased; Etienne retorted. Yet beneath it all, there was an ease between them — too much ease.
Wait. Aren’t they supposed to be rivals for the throne?
In the novel, Etienne had plotted rebellion — he was the final antagonist!
Was I missing something here? Were they smiling while waging an invisible war of words?
According to the book, noble society thrived on this — polite duels wrapped in civility.
Still, no matter how closely I watched, I couldn’t read their true thoughts.
I only knew one thing: both were absurdly, unfairly handsome.
Eventually, I gave up trying to decipher their expressions.
Veseth sipped his tea and spoke again.
“How’s married life treating you? You’re taking good care of our Dahlia, I hope.”
The words our Dahlia hit like a thunderclap. Etienne’s head turned slowly.
“Our Dahlia?”
His voice remained calm, his face impassive—but the air grew icy enough to bite.
Um, Prince Veseth? Maybe don’t call me that in front of my husband? Retract, delete, abort mission!
“You know her—she pretends to be tough, but she’s soft-hearted. Isn’t that right, Dali?”
And now an endearment. Fantastic.
He even winked.
Good grief, this is the same flirtatious eye that doomed Dahlia’s life, isn’t it? Beautiful devil.
Still, I maintained the perfect diplomatic smile. I will not die for your charm. I choose steak and survival.
Then I felt Etienne’s gaze.
Calm face, yes—but his eyes blazed with silent fury.
A chill crawled down my spine.
Was he suspecting something?
After all, Dahlia had once stolen valuables to give to this very man.
I stiffened, dropping the smile.
Listen, Veseth. I’ve never been your childhood sweetheart. I owe you nothing, and I want no part of your charm.
“I knew you two were acquainted, but I didn’t realize you were so close,” Etienne said quietly.
“We haven’t met since before your marriage,” Veseth replied easily. “But Dahlia kept me updated through her letters.”
“Letters,” Etienne repeated.
He turned his eyes on me.
I turned mine away so fast my neck nearly cracked.
Letters? What letters? I’ve written nothing but a divorce form in this life!
Still, guilt prickled. Maybe Dahlia had written those letters once.
“Of course,” Veseth continued with a chuckle, “Dahlia’s always been special to me.”
Veseth, please stop talking.
“You should’ve married me instead of him.”
“Ha! Dahlia used to say that too. You two even sound alike—maybe that’s why couples start to resemble each other.”
He laughed at Etienne’s barbed tone as if oblivious—or perhaps provoking on purpose.
Before things could get bloodier, I jumped in hastily.
“That was the past. I was young and foolish then. Now I love Etienne. I’ll stay by his side forever, won’t I, darling?”
Leaning in, I rested my head gently on Etienne’s shoulder.
He won’t push me away here, not in front of the Crown Prince… right? Right?
“…”
No response.
The silence grew heavy. Even Veseth’s smile faded.
Then Etienne’s hand rose — and pushed my head away.
It wasn’t violent, but the look on his face — pure disgust — was enough to make me thank every god in existence that he’d stopped there.
At least he didn’t hit me. Progress!
Veseth broke the silence with an awkward chuckle.
“You two look good together. See? Etienne may seem cold as marble, but he’s warmer than people think. I’m glad you’re getting along.”
“That’s what you think?” Etienne’s smile twisted.
“Sure. You never bother hiding your distaste when you dislike someone.”
Oh, Veseth… you’ve clearly never seen him look at me. That’s his disgusted face.
“By the way,” Veseth went on lightly, “you do remember Her Majesty’s birthday ball, don’t you?”
“I’m not going.”
“I figured you’d say that. But His Majesty insists on seeing you this time. You’ve skipped the last two years.”
Etienne said nothing, his expression unchanged. But my heart leapt.
The Empress… finally. The Empress makes her entrance.
