🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 8
It was the afternoon of the national holiday.
After attending all the obligatory ceremonies, Adrian sat at his usual bar, waiting for Hugo.
Adrian had never been one to pay attention to gossip.
He found those idle, made-up stories pointless and didn’t even bother to listen.
But today was different — because half of the chatter in the bar was about Giselle.
“I heard Gus is recommending Theodore as Princess Giselle’s potential husband.”
At the table behind him, a group of men were drinking and chatting, using Giselle’s name like it was a drinking game.
“What? That Theodore of Sonoden?”
“That’s what they say. Since Princess Rosa almost got engaged to him once, Gus must think he’s a fine match and is actively recommending him.”
“Wait, so he’s trying to get rid of his old rival by marrying him off to his wife’s little sister?”
The men around them suddenly grew more animated, clearly entertained by the idea.
“Well, Theodore is a handsome man — exactly the type women like. And he’s smart, too — making money off railroads, mines, whatever he touches. It’s natural that Gus would want a man like that as his brother-in-law and business partner. Plus, if Theodore becomes family, Rosa won’t be tempted by him again.”
Another man laughed and countered, fanning the gossip even more.
“But would Theodore even like Princess Giselle? He used to be quite the playboy. Isn’t the princess supposed to be timid?”
“Which is exactly why they’d be perfect together! A strong woman like Princess Rosa would’ve clashed with him constantly, but a gentle one might balance him out. Besides, he doesn’t seem to be fooling around these days — he’s been focusing on business. Hasn’t even shown up in the salons lately.”
Adrian clenched his jaw.
That rumor about Princess Rosa looking for a suitor for Giselle might actually be true.
When he ran into Rosa at the palace a few days ago, she had glared daggers at him.
“How could you dump my sister? I must’ve misjudged you, Sir Adrian. My sister might be a bit slow sometimes, but she’s more than worthy — both in looks and as a bride. You’ll regret letting her go.”
The more the drunks behind him talked about Theodore and Giselle, the more irritated Adrian became.
Just then, the bar’s side door opened, and Hugo walked in.
He frowned at the half-empty bottle on the counter.
“It’s barely afternoon, and you’ve already drunk this much? You never liked whiskey. What’s going on?”
“Just felt like it.”
“Something bothering you?”
“…”
Adrian said nothing. He poured himself another glass, downed it in one gulp, and grimaced at the noise around him.
“Why is it so crowded? It’s unbearable.”
“It’s the national holiday! People came from all over the capital for the parade and festivities.”
Even so, for a small tucked-away bar like this to be this packed… Adrian sighed and poured another drink.
Hugo reached over, grabbed the bottle, and filled his own glass.
“I ran into Nox and Tristan earlier — they were out having a good time with some young ladies.”
“Ha. Seems everyone’s busy with love these days.”
Adrian smirked faintly as he lifted his glass.
What had Giselle said again? Something about Tristan meeting a pretty girl at the parade?
Marriage, romance — what a farce.
He chuckled under his breath.
Giselle, timid? Rosa had it all wrong.
That woman might be the sharpest of them all.
She had the courage to end a marriage the king himself had arranged — something Adrian hadn’t been brave enough to do.
She’d seen right through him, recognized what a coward he really was.
Adrian laughed again, shaking his head.
Maybe he’d drunk too much.
And then — that disgusting voice behind him started up again.
“If Theodore doesn’t want her, maybe I’ll try my luck. I saw the princess at the last ball — stunning! And those innocent ones are always wild in bed. Plus, if I marry her, the dowry and land alone would keep me rich for generations. The more I think about it, the more tempting it sounds, huh?”
That was it.
Adrian slammed his glass down and stood up abruptly.
Hugo, startled, reached for his arm — but Adrian was faster.
He stormed over to the red-haired man running his filthy mouth and punched him square in the face.
Thud!
“Kyaaa!”
A woman screamed as the bar erupted into chaos. The red-haired man crashed to the floor, chair and all, clutching his bleeding mouth.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
When he looked up, he found himself face-to-face with Princess Giselle’s drunk ex-fiancé, eyes blazing red with fury.
Adrian’s voice was a low growl.
“How dare you speak of the princess with that filthy mouth, you bastard!”
He lunged again, but by now, the redhead’s drinking buddies had leapt to their feet, crowding around Adrian.
In an instant, the whole bar descended into chaos.
Meanwhile.
“Hmm?”
I blinked slowly at the tall, sharply featured man standing before me.
His face looked familiar… but I couldn’t quite place it.
Someone like that, though — you shouldn’t forget after one look.
“Oh my, what a surprise! What are the odds?”
My sister Rosa’s voice pitched oddly between cheer and panic.
She smiled stiffly — the corners of her lips twitching — and the expression was so forced it was almost funny.
“Gus said this café has the best cakes in town, so I came out for a bit… I didn’t expect to meet you here, Sir Theodore.”
The moment I heard the name Theodore, everything clicked.
Ohhh, right!
This was the Theodore — Rosa’s first love and almost-fiancé.
I’d even overheard gossip about them at a recent ball. All the young ladies there had been sneaking glances at him.
“Gus recommended this place, you say…”
Why was Rosa repeating herself like a broken record?
Hmm. Based on my impeccable detective skills, I could deduce:
If she kept emphasizing that Gus had recommended the café, that part was definitely true.
And judging from her flustered face, she clearly hadn’t known Theodore would be here.
That look of shock wasn’t acting — not even close.
And since I’d already explained my “natural romance” philosophy to her, this meant… Gus must’ve set her up to bring me here under the pretense of a “natural encounter.”
Except—plot twist! The man waiting here turned out to be her first love.
Wow. My brother-in-law’s got a dark sense of humor.
Theodore himself was a striking man — broad-shouldered, with sleek black hair slicked back neatly, and bold, handsome features softened by a calm confidence.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit and, after glancing between us, took our hands in turn and kissed them politely.
“It’s been a while, Princess Rosa. Princess Giselle.”
The situation was so entertaining that I almost burst out laughing — but I held it in and greeted him politely.
Rosa composed herself and asked,
“Oh ho, it’s been ages! How have you been? I heard you’ve been quite busy lately.”
“Your husband, Sir Gus, insisted I bring a cake from this shop to his new office on the national holiday. He was very persuasive.”
“M-my husband?”
Ohoho! Popcorn time.
So Gus and Theodore already knew each other?
Judging by everyone’s expressions, none of us had expected this, but now everyone realized everyone else knew — and knew that everyone else knew.
It was a glorious mess.
Still, if I were Gus, I’d never put Rosa in front of her first love like this. What was his game?
Well, not my problem. I was enjoying the show.
Rosa brushed her hair back several times and turned toward me.
“This is my sister. Do you remember her?”
“Of course. Though, she always kept her head down — it’s my first time seeing her face properly.”
Huh.
Adrian was right. Giselle’s social skills: zero.
“Princess Giselle, I heard you recently broke off your engagement. My condolences.”
With that, Theodore flashed a charming smile — the kind that hides a jab beneath the surface.
He knew exactly why we were here.
I waved my hand lightly.
“Oh, don’t be. It was refreshing. Why chase after someone who doesn’t want you?”
Rosa pinched my arm under the table and let out a fake laugh.
“Oh, you—honestly. Bragging about being dumped? Hahaha!”
“You’re the one making it awkward, though.”
“Ahem.”
Since they’d already met, Theodore suggested we sit down for tea on the outdoor terrace.
“How was your honeymoon, Princess Rosa?”
Rosa seemed to have regained her composure.
“Oh, wonderful. But… how did you know we went on one? Did my husband tell you?”
“The yacht you traveled on — the Mode Ho — is mine.”
Whoa.
So he was loaded.
Rosa’s eyes went wide like full moons.
I clapped my hands.
“Wow!”
She quickly pushed my hands down under the table.
“R-right… of course.”
Theodore’s lips curved in amusement as he studied me.
“You’re quite different from what I’d heard, Princess Giselle. Much more… lively.”
I smiled back.
“That’s the first time anyone’s said that. I’m actually kind of a loner, you know?”
“Ack!”
Rosa pinched my hand again.
“Haha, my sister’s just been unwell lately. She’s still recovering, that’s all.”
Rosa looked torn — unsure whether to encourage this “match” or to end it.
But I could already see how this would go.
She was married, after all.
Anyone could tell I was the one being “introduced.”
But honestly? This was doomed.
First, it wasn’t a natural meeting. Second, Theodore was not someone I could handle.
My power told me so.
He was ambitious. Cold. Calculating.
So I decided to play the fool — better to make things clear now than let them drag on.
Besides, everyone here already knew we weren’t suited.
At least this way, I wouldn’t have to see him again.
And then—
Loud commotion erupted from the street below the terrace.
