CMBD CH 126

Chapter 100

The designer Charlotte visited the Prince’s Palace.

It was because Dana, after hearing about the ball, asked what she should do.

Charlotte was delighted upon hearing that Dana had come to visit.

“It’s completely different seeing a model in person compared to imagining it.”

Fortunately, she seemed satisfied that the dress she had made and Dana’s current measurements were not much different.

“Your Highness the Prince, please wait here. I will assist Her Highness the Princess Consort and check the outfit.”

Charlotte seated Edwin on the sofa in the reception room.

By placing a temporary partition in the spacious reception room, there was now enough space for changing clothes.

Ssshh—

He clearly heard the sound of fabric brushing against fabric.

It was a one-of-a-kind dress prepared for Dana.

Edwin rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

Dana had readily agreed to attend the Founding Festival.

That meant publicly revealing herself as his wife.

Was Dana accepting him?

If so, it would be a very happy thing.

It meant he could openly love her with pride.

But what kept lingering in his mind was Dana’s gaze.

Ever since arriving at the Prince’s Palace, Dana had been looking at him strangely.

Within her calm eyes, something was clearly hidden.

But Edwin could not decipher it no matter how hard he tried.

Why are you looking at me like that?

If only he could understand Dana’s thoughts, he would give everything.

At that moment, a bright voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Pink really suits you, Your Highness the Princess Consort!”

Despite her calm personality, Charlotte spoke excitedly several times.

She genuinely seemed satisfied with Dana’s appearance.

Meanwhile, Dana found the way Charlotte addressed her somewhat awkward.

Charlotte was casually calling her “Princess Consort.”

Even the assistants helping her dress moved carefully, treating her with great respect.

Would she receive such treatment every day if she stayed with Edwin?

What stopped her deepening thoughts was Charlotte’s laughing voice.

She called out to Edwin beyond the partition.

“Your Highness the Third Prince, you must also see this beautiful sight!”

At her words, the attendants removed the temporary partition.

Edwin, who had been seated, lifted his head.

He had already checked the design of the dress.

He had already imagined Dana wearing it thousands of times.

But he could not speak.

“……”

Dana was truly dazzling.

“…Beautiful.”

For the first time in his life, Edwin felt the limits of his own vocabulary.

He had never been so moved even by works of art.

Various shades of pink fabric harmonized perfectly, fitting tightly around Dana’s upper body.

Then it flowed downward in a voluminous skirt.

Delicate floral decorations were placed between her chest and hem.

Everything looked as if it had been made specifically for Dana.

Seeing Edwin, who had been completely entranced, Charlotte chuckled softly.

Then she spoke to Dana.

“Your Highness the Third Prince personally came to request the creation of Your Highness the Princess Consort’s dress.”

Dana’s eyes widened slightly at those words.

It was unheard of for a husband to personally commission his wife’s clothing.

“I heard that Your Highness the Princess Consort likes flowers. That you love nature.”

Only then did Dana look over the dress.

The floral decorations were hydrangeas, her favorite flower.

Edwin had remembered so much about her.

Charlotte carefully observed Dana’s expression.

A designer must always satisfy her client.

But the Princess Consort’s expression was difficult to read.

Young noble ladies of her age usually showed excitement while wearing dresses.

But the Princess Consort remained calm throughout.

Then she seemed lost in thought, and her gaze kept changing.

Bitterness, affection, confusion, then calm again…

Those were the emotions Charlotte could read.

What could have happened?

She was curious, but it was not something she could ever ask.

The Imperial Palace’s chief designer did not hold her position by skill alone.

She was always cautious with her words and actions.

“Then I look forward to seeing you again on the Founding Festival day. It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Princess Consort.”

After helping Dana change back into her clothes, Charlotte left the Prince’s Palace.

Dana, now back in her uniform, had returned to her usual self.

She sat diagonally across from Edwin.

Edwin wanted to immediately ease Dana’s feelings, but she did not seem to want it.

She made no attempt at conversation and seemed to be lost in thought alone.

However, it seemed clear that she had decided to accept him.

Dana, I want to talk to you. About our first meeting, and why I had to deceive you.

Suppressing the rising emotion in his chest, he took out a ring from his pocket.

Then he spoke the words he had been holding back.

“It’s not finished yet, but I wanted to share it with you on a meaningful day.”

On the day they would publicly announce themselves as a married couple, he wanted to make it special with matching rings.

A transparent mana stone shimmered on the ring.

“I know you don’t fully accept me yet.”

“……”

“If you’re ready to talk with me, I want to add my power to this ring.”

He intended to use his magic to create an unbreakable bond between himself and Dana.

Even if it meant risking his life.

Carefully, he took Dana’s hand.

As Dana quietly allowed it, Edwin gained courage and slipped the ring onto her finger.

The mana stone ring trembled once, then adjusted its size to fit her finger.

It had recognized its owner.

“Thank you, Dana.”

Edwin said sincerely.

But there was no response.

The Emperor once again invited Marquis Aria to lunch.

This time, the Empress also joined.

“It has been a long time, Marquis Aria.”

She also welcomed the Marquis warmly.

“Thank you for remembering me.”

“It is unfortunate that you will be leaving again after the Founding Festival. There was a problem in Aria territory, I hear?”

The Empress, who had already heard the story from the Emperor, expressed concern.

“Fortunately, thanks to His Majesty immediately forming an investigation team, we are awaiting the results.”

“We must cut off problems before they grow. If the results are not favorable, I will send the Rune Knights.”

The Empress smiled, saying she would do her best to help.

The Rune Knights…

Liam spoke up.

“Do you mean the knights led by His Highness the Third Prince?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“……Then the Prince and his wife will come together.”

Liam had clearly requested the Emperor to send Dana for the purification plant.

If the Third Prince came, he would visit as the commander of the Rune Knights.

‘Then he already knows my son-in-law’s identity?’

The image of Dana’s face from last time came to mind.

The girl did not seem to have even the slightest suspicion about the Third Prince’s identity.

She simply looked confused by the strange feeling she sensed.

‘By now, she might have figured it out…’

If so, was she bearing that shock alone?

He had heard that Dana had no family to comfort her pain.

Liam became worried about her.

It was not because he suspected she was his biological granddaughter.

From the very first day they met, Liam had already opened his heart to Dana.

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Her upright and pure nature also appealed to him.

A servant’s voice interrupted Liam’s thoughts.

“Your Majesty, the Minister of Magic has arrived.”

“Derrick?”

Must be urgent.

The Emperor instructed that Derrick be added to the meal.

Then he spoke to the Marquis.

“Do you remember the noble house that cooperated in searching for your daughter’s whereabouts?”

“Ah, you mean the Child Duke House.”

“Yes. They helped investigate who threatened your family. They found nothing, but they truly tried their best.”

“I was too overwhelmed at the time to even express my gratitude.”

Soon the doors of the dining hall opened.

“I apologize for interrupting lunch, Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Derrick greeted everyone with a smile.

“And… Marquis Aria.”