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Chapter 2
Silence fell.
The entire ballroom went quiet.
Everyone stared at the two of them in stunned disbelief.
Public proposals were not particularly rare, and a reaction like this was anything but ordinary.
It certainly wasn’t simply because a woman had proposed to a man.
Edward knew the exact reason.
The flower of high society had just proposed to the empire’s most undesirable bachelor.
Ever since the current emperor had ascended the throne, any noble lady in her right mind had avoided becoming involved with him.
Of course, there had been a few women who, captivated by Edward’s exceptionally handsome appearance, confessed their love like moths drawn to a flame.
But their parents had been far more sensible, and not a single passionate young lady had been able to overcome her family’s opposition.
He took a confident step forward.
Cecilia’s cheeks were lightly flushed.
Had she been born a commoner, she would have become an actress whose name echoed throughout the empire.
Though, in truth, the role she was playing here was no different from that of an actress.
Edward looked down at Cecilia.
Out of everyone in the ballroom, only he and she knew what thoughts were coiled inside that small, beautiful head of hers.
“Cecilia.”
“…Edward.”
Cecilia called his name as though he were the only man in the world.
Edward opened his mouth, speaking quietly, yet loudly enough for everyone around them to bear witness.
“My love, how could I possibly refuse you?”
Cecilia’s face lit up with radiant joy.
She gently lifted Edward’s left hand and slipped a ring onto his ring finger.
Despite how nervous she must have been, her movements never trembled once.
At the same time, the ballroom erupted into loud commotion.
Realizing this performance needed another dramatic touch, Edward gently pulled Cecilia into his embrace.
He briefly considered kissing her, but remembering she was only nineteen, he decided it was far too soon.
“…”
Edward was momentarily speechless.
Cecilia was far too soft and delicate.
It felt as though she might crumble apart in his arms if he held her too tightly.
The next thing that unsettled him was her scent.
That fragrance again.
Sweet…
Innocent.
Yet somehow, no matter how long he breathed it in, he felt he would never grow tired of it.
“…E-Edward.”
Cecilia gently pulled herself away, looking slightly uncomfortable.
Only then did Edward realize he had been holding her without noticing how much time had passed.
He quickly let her go.
“My apologies.”
He apologized quietly enough that only Cecilia could hear.
Passionate lovers would never apologize for embracing each other too long, so it was better if no one else heard those words.
At his apology, Cecilia’s turquoise eyes sparkled.
She gazed up at him for a moment before seemingly remembering something.
“Then… shall we dance? Marquis must have invited the finest orchestra in the empire for this occasion.”
“My entire evening belongs to you. Simply give the order.”
Someone nearby gasped at Edward’s suggestive words.
Cecilia’s face turned bright red, but she didn’t seem offended.
If anything…
It was the exact opposite.
She covered her mouth with a smile before taking Edward’s hand and leading him forward.
The orchestra began playing a waltz.
Ignoring the increasingly uproarious reactions of the crowd—so loud they nearly drowned out the orchestra’s masterful performance—the two danced with unmistakable passion.
Smiling faintly, Cecilia spoke.
“You’re a better actor than I expected.”
“I could say the same to you.”
“I…”
Cecilia murmured softly.
“I have to be.”
It sounded less like an answer to him and more like words directed at herself.
For the briefest instant, a bitter smile crossed her face.
Then she suddenly twisted her right ankle, stumbling so obviously that it couldn’t be mistaken.
“Lady Cecilia!”
Edward instinctively caught her in his arms.
Only after doing so did he realize this had been calculated as well.
According to imperial custom, a man and woman dancing together were expected to maintain a respectable distance.
But because of Cecilia’s deliberate stumble, he had no choice but to hold her tightly.
It implied a level of intimacy befitting a married couple.
Even if the Emperor issued an imperial decree immediately, he would no longer be able to marry Cecilia himself.
“Please call me Cecilia.”
Though she must have been in pain after intentionally twisting her ankle, Cecilia smiled sweetly as though nothing had happened.
“We’re going to be husband and wife soon. How long are you planning to keep calling me so formally?”
“…Cecilia.”
“There, wasn’t that easy?”
she teased.
“Edward.”
A short while later, they stepped away from the dancers.
Officially, it was because of Cecilia’s injured ankle.
In reality, it was to mingle with the guests and flaunt their relationship even more openly.
Interesting woman.
Edward enjoyed every bit of the attention pouring toward both him and Cecilia.
He could put on as many performances as necessary to survive.
But this nineteen-year-old baron’s daughter, standing proudly before him with her head held high…
She’s selfish. Arrogant. She truly believes her choices are the right ones.
Cecilia Graham believed she could shape the future with her own hands.
Just like Edward Keres had believed when he was nineteen.
The corners of Edward’s lips curled upward.
Yes.
She would make the perfect Duchess of Keres.
The reason was simple.
Edward was absolutely certain he would never fall in love with this woman.
It wasn’t merely because she somehow always made him feel strangely uncomfortable.
How could he ever love someone who reminded him so painfully of his younger self—the foolish boy who had once believed he could change fate?
Edward needed a wife who would never sway him with sentiment, someone he could coldly abandon whenever circumstances demanded it.
Cecilia Graham was exactly the woman he had been looking for.
His thoughts never changed after that.
…At least, not until exactly one year after their wedding day, when Cecilia betrayed him and disappeared.
Five years after the disappearance of Duchess Cecilia Keres—a case that had shaken the entire Linek Empire—
an equally chaotic uproar was taking place inside the Guardian Tower of the Magic Kingdom of Mezina.
“Someone stop her!”
“You think Lady Cecil is the kind of person who’d listen if we tried?”
“Well… that’s true, but… what are we supposed to do if Lady Cecil really leaves?”
“Then why don’t you stop her? You’re the one closest to Lady Cecil.”
“I thought you were!”
“Since when? I’m pretty sure you said before that you—”
The apprentices argued as they shoved one another forward.
But only for a moment.
The instant the door opened, everyone fell silent.
Because the very “Lady Cecil” they had been talking about stepped gracefully out of the room, carrying a heavy travel case.
The Guardian Tower’s true guardian.
Its light and salt.
Its Alpha and Omega…
She was the great archmage who had countless followers, to whom no title of praise could ever seem excessive.
Cecilia.
