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Chapter 12
“…I’m still thinking. The bride is missing, and the one who took her hasn’t shown up either…”
Isabelle sighed and added,
“But now, everyone thinks Duke Ludwig’s marriage is already ruined.”
The bride was kidnapped before she even stepped into the ceremony hall, and three days had passed. Even if she returned now, no one could guarantee her honor.
The Emperor also considered the marriage as good as over.
He had also witnessed something troubling:
‘Ludwig seemed to treat the bride harshly…’
He had long considered his nephew a possible replacement for his unstable son.
But even so, if he had known what would happen, he wouldn’t have pushed for the marriage.
His thoughts didn’t get far—someone interrupted.
The Empress spoke.
“I’m very worried, Your Majesty. It’s about Arpad.”
“….”
“Could it be that he’s been completely consumed by madness? Otherwise, there’s no explaining such a lawless act.”
That was also the Emperor’s biggest concern.
The Empress lifted her teacup gracefully. The movement pulled back her long sleeve, revealing a large, distinct scar.
The Emperor knew well how she got that scar.
‘That’s from the time… the first time Arpad showed signs of madness…’
It weighed heavily on his mind.
A ten-year-old child had caused that much damage. The Empress still couldn’t lift her right arm properly.
Isabelle had once been his nanny and a maid to the late Empress. She and Arpad were close—until that incident.
The Emperor couldn’t blame her for the distance that followed. That scar was a debt he owed her.
He knew she had shown the scar deliberately, to remind him of Arpad’s madness.
‘It’s only natural the Empress can’t trust Arpad—she experienced his madness firsthand… just like me.’
She then struck where it hurt most:
“Perhaps the Crown Prince inherited his mother’s madness…”
“Watch your words!”
Bang!
The Emperor slammed his armrest in anger. Isabelle bowed politely.
But her goal was already achieved. The Emperor thought of a woman—the only one he ever loved, Arpad’s mother, who died from her madness.
‘Arpad… he looks too much like her.’
That was why he couldn’t trust his only son.
When Empress Isabelle left the audience chamber, two people were waiting.
Duke Ludwig, shouting loud enough for all to hear, and Evangeline standing beside him like a wife.
Evangeline approached eagerly.
“Mother, what did His Majesty say?”
Evangeline was Isabelle’s daughter before her marriage to the Emperor. Though treated like royalty, she could never truly be one.
Isabelle shook her head.
“He didn’t say much. With neither Arpad nor the bride appearing, he’s not sure what punishment to give.”
Ludwig groaned.
“How could this be? Guilty or not, the crime is clear! Of course, His Majesty favors his own son…”
“Enough.”
The Empress silenced him coldly.
“Only His Majesty can control Arpad. Don’t provoke his anger.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
He gritted his teeth in frustration.
Evangeline mumbled beside him:
“…Why did Brother Arpad choose that woman…?”
Isabelle gave her a disapproving look but turned the topic, since Ludwig was present.
“Public opinion is more important right now. His Majesty will be influenced by it.”
For the past three days, the Empress had worked hard to spread bad rumors about Arpad.
‘This is just another madness episode.’
‘Ludwig and Lady Delphine’s marriage must be honored.’
Ludwig’s eyes gleamed like a wild beast.
‘I won’t let you take her, Arpad—not without a fight!’
He was purposely ignoring the fact that she had already been taken.
Only after the rushed wedding did I finally escape looking like a crumpled tissue.
Looking in the mirror… wow. I looked like a mess.
‘And he still kissed me looking like this. The Crown Prince is something else.’
Even the priest who officiated deserves some credit.
‘This is the first time I’ve had a wedding looking like this.’
All my past weddings were grand and majestic.
Just me, the groom, and the priest—such a simple wedding.
But I felt lighter than ever. Happier than any other time.
‘It’s done. I’ve finally taken the first step away from that bastard!’
Also, for the first time in three days, I could finally wash and change clothes. That alone was heaven.
Soaking in hot water, I melted away.
But as soon as I had the marriage on paper, new worries bubbled up.
‘Is Sir Beltane okay…?’
I didn’t even check on him while planning the fake abduction marriage.
‘He must be so worried. He thinks Arpad really kidnapped me.’
Knowing his uptight nature, he might even try something reckless.
‘No way… he wouldn’t, right?’
I needed to act fast. And I also worried about Annie.
‘She definitely thinks I’ve been kidnapped for real.’
They’d be panicking. But it was safer for them not to know the truth. There wasn’t enough time anyway.
‘At least Beltane saw me go to the catacombs. Annie saw I was plotting something. I hope they’ve figured it out.’
That was all I could hope for now.
With the wedding sealed, I needed to return to the capital quickly to clean up the aftermath.
As I was worrying, sharp-fingered maids washed me, dried me, dressed me, and brought me to the bedroom.
“May you have a blissful night.”
“Sweet dreams.”
Their words were oddly meaningful.
I snapped out of my thoughts—suddenly standing in a red silk-decorated bedroom.
At the center, an enormous bed—almost room-sized—surrounded by red curtains.
Incense wafted from all sides, roses in vases on the side tables…
‘This atmosphere is… way too sensual.’
My face burned just looking at it.
If this were a regular arranged marriage, I’d probably be bracing myself now.
‘But this isn’t.’
My first meeting with the groom was in a gloomy catacomb. We exchanged threats and blades, not love.
This was more of a survival alliance than a romance.
‘The palace maids don’t know that, so… whatever.’
After three days of grueling travel, I was beyond exhausted.
Embarrassment be damned—I threw open the bed curtain.
“Soft sheets! Pillows!”
That was all I cared about—until I saw the inside.
“What… what is this?”
The pristine sheets were buried under rose petals—overly romantic and way too much.
And then came the ominous sound behind me.
Creak—
The bedroom door opened. A wave of steam followed.
And then…
“As expected, my bride is quite eager. You couldn’t wait even a little while…”
“What are you talking about?!”
I turned around—and immediately turned back.
Standing in the doorway was Crown Prince Arpad, dripping wet, wearing nothing but a red robe.
He walked toward me. Toward the bed.
“W-Why are you here?!”
With a soft smile, he replied,
“It’s our wedding night, my bride.”
