IORAWM 32

Chapter : 32

‘It seems I really can’t refuse the Crown Prince’s request to be his partner.’

Unless there was a special reason, it was customary to attend the ball with one’s betrothed.

Especially at the early spring ball held every March, there was a romantic superstition.

‘It’s said that those who have promised a future to each other and walk together along the palace’s blue carpet, receiving blessings at the end, will spend their lives together.’

Of course, I had no desire to spend a lifetime with the Crown Prince.

But everyone would expect the Crown Prince and me to enter together.

‘But what if the Crown Prince and I enter separately?’

Then the nobles would think there is discord between the two empires’ futures, and the scandal would blow up.

[Divorce of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Expected, a Dark Cloud Over the Royal Family!] …all in a way that makes me look better.

‘Hmm. For now, I’ll accept the Crown Prince’s partner request, but on the day itself, I’ll make an excuse to avoid him and make Duke Licesis my partner instead.’

But it would be bad if the Crown Prince noticed my malice.

‘He has to believe in me completely.’

That way, he’ll be truly shocked later.

‘But even if I partner with Duke Licesis, if the Crown Prince demands a partner swap, that’s the end. I need a good excuse to maintain my partnership with the Duke…’

[What excuse should I use?]

I chewed on my pen, deeply pondering, when suddenly:

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess, we’ve arrived.”

With the coachman’s voice, I straightened from my seat.

Outside the window, I saw the grounds of the Crown Princess’s palace.

It was my sanctuary since marriage, my private domain more independent than any other part of the royal residence.

Looking at it, a pang of regret arose.

‘If I end up divorced, I’ll have to leave this place behind.’

With that bittersweet thought, I stepped down from the carriage.

‘Huh?’

From a distance, Head Maid Evelyn was running toward me.

Soon, she stood before the carriage door, her face bright.

“There’s a gift of dresses and jewelry sent for Your Highness.”

‘…A gift?’

Hopefully, it wasn’t from that person.

As I leaned out to look, the maid approached closer.

I whispered immediately.

“Who sent it?”

The maid let out a relieved sigh and answered.

“His Majesty, the Emperor.”

Ah, of course.

‘So His Majesty’s favor toward the Crown Princess remains, even if she commits an affair.’

I got out of the carriage and followed the maid.

Soon, my eyes fell on piles of dresses, fabrics, jewels, and accessories.

Even at a glance, all were rare and exquisite.

Perfect for wearing to the early spring ball immediately.

I picked up the card resting atop the gifts.

[Dear daughter-in-law! Won’t you please wear this gift from your old dad at this early spring ball? Among all the blossoming flowers, I want to cherish the memory of your beauty for a long time!]

I flipped the letter over.

‘The cheesy remarks are just the same. Looks like I haven’t lost the Emperor’s favor.’

The Emperor, Keyslan, who had ruled this country for decades, periodically sent gifts and letters to those he cherished.

Among them, I unusually received gifts every season.

‘Well, I’ve been quite helpful with work.’

For some time now, I had been handling almost all royal affairs.

[To the Crown Princess Letier. To the future Empress, Celestina presents a task.]

At some point, the Empress began using the guise of “Empress training” to delegate work to me.

I was shocked the first day I faced the piled-up documents.

‘So all my hard work finally paid off?’

Lost in thought, the maid, holding the card, spoke.

“Even with all the rumors spreading, His Majesty still favors Your Highness. That’s one worry less.”

From the maid’s perspective, assisting my revenge, she couldn’t ignore the Emperor’s position.

And naturally, if the Emperor exerted pressure after hearing about my scandal, I would be in trouble.

‘I should maintain relations with the Emperor.’

Of course, since the Emperor is the Crown Prince’s biological father, I will eventually have to oppose him… but for now…

‘I need to meet Duke Licesis and gauge his reaction.’

Until then, I would act as the exemplary daughter-in-law.

Decided, I turned to the maid.

“I’ll use the gifts from His Majesty to coordinate my outfit for the early spring ball.”

“An excellent idea.”

The maid agreed, and I clenched my fist.

‘I’ll show the nobles the Emperor’s favor.’

At this early spring ball, I would shine with splendor and confidence.

No one would dare look down on me.

‘I won’t sulk over my husband’s affair or be laughed at by society.’

Having set my plan for the early spring ball, I immediately commanded the head maid.

“Summon the maids. Today, we’ll discuss the ball’s outfit.”

At my words, the head maid’s eyes gleamed.

“It will be quite the enjoyable time.”

After she rang the call bell four times, six maids entered the dressing room, accompanied by others carrying makeup kits.

We spent some time discussing the coordination for the early spring ball.

“Nunaa!”

A familiar voice called from outside the door.

At the same time, I glimpsed the maids’ displeased expressions in the mirror.

“It’s Prince Ruark.”

“Of all times!”

The lamenting maids sent me pleading looks, but I shook my head.

‘I can’t ignore Ruark. I can’t predict the disastrous consequences of avoiding him.’

Since my attire was already ready, I commanded without hesitation.

“Come in, Rua.”

“Mm.”

With that short reply, Ruark entered, hands behind his back. And then…

“Nuna, can you let me take the maids?”

He demanded abruptly.

“……”

I stayed silent, watching him carefully in the mirror.

‘Your clothes are messy.’

Ruark could usually handle knights without blinking.

But if he had just finished sparring, the Licesis knights must have been formidable.

‘I’m glad I entrusted Ruark to the knights!’

Satisfied, I spoke to the maids.

“All right, everyone, leave.”

Soon the maids left, and Ruark walked confidently in.

But I didn’t welcome my younger brother.

‘Something about him seems off.’

No matter what he said, I wouldn’t yield.

So I observed him only through the mirror, not turning around.

Finally, when Ruark pulled up a chair beside me:

“Did you send the Licesis knights well?”

I said coldly, as if it were his role, to assert authority. But…

“Yeah, I sent them back to the duke’s mansion. And this… I brought this…”

He handed over a bundle of gossip magazines, his voice chilling. I paled and took them.

[The Secret Life of the Imperial Crown Princess…]

I closed my eyes briefly after reading the first line.

These were the worst, low-tier gossip magazines from the back alleys.

‘Why on earth…?’

I had ordered my secret agents to collect gossip by any means, yet here it was, in Ruark’s hands.

“Do you know what this is, Nuna?”

Ruark’s eyes looked strange, making me flinch.

‘…A little seasoning is needed for the affair plan, right?’

And since I was about to launch my revenge, I needed to control the variables.

I needed to confirm with my own eyes that rumors about me were proceeding as intended.

‘But to be caught by Ruark while collecting gossip…’

When I closed my eyes, Ruark suddenly stood up.

He wandered around the room, then shouted:

“Nuna, is this what you wanted? You didn’t do this yourself, did you!”