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Chapter 24
Travel, huh.
Since Belisa had bet her entire life on this, one could certainly call it a journey.
“Yes. You’re coming with us.”
“Wow!”
Amelie wriggled excitedly, her face flushed. Until now, Lucian had never once taken Amelie along anywhere. But today, for some reason, she was allowed to accompany them. It was the first time since coming to Lucian’s estate.
Amelie’s excitement level was at an all-time high. Belisa looked down at Amelie, who was clinging to her leg. The child’s small, adorable head bobbed as she hugged Belisa and hopped in place.
“I’m so happy! I love going with you, and I love going with Lucian too!”
Belisa awkwardly returned the hug. Amelie’s nanny nodded from behind. Belisa glanced toward the shore and spoke.
“Shall we go inside and look around?”
“Mmhmm! Okay!”
Until the ship left the harbor and got far enough from land, it was better to stay out of sight. No need to draw unnecessary attention.
“Give me what I asked for.”
Matteo grabbed Dixie.
“Oh— I forgot. I must’ve been too nervous.”
Dixie handed over a bag with an awkward smile. It was the item Belisa had asked for after meeting the Grand Duke. After giving Belisa the bag, Dixie followed her in.
Belisa and Amelie walked side by side into the cabin. Soldiers immediately filled the deck as if nothing had happened.
The small commotion from moments earlier vanished without a trace. Matteo scanned their surroundings sharply. Soon, two soldiers climbed aboard.
“No one followed?”
They were the ones who had secretly escorted Belisa from the Imperial Palace.
“No one.”
“Good.”
Matteo nodded. Fortunately, Belisa had acted flawlessly—no suspicion from the palace. Since no one followed, she hadn’t been discovered. Their journey would be peaceful.
“Searches must have already begun. Go hire people outside and create confusion. These are clothes Her Highness often wore.”
“Yes, Sir Matteo.”
The soldiers disembarked again. Women wearing the princess’s clothing would roam inside Xavier to mislead pursuers. Matteo stared toward the distant Imperial Palace.
The sea rolled gently, as if nothing unusual had happened.
Your Grace…
Now the only remaining issue was for Lucian to crawl out of that swamp. Matteo smirked. Lucian had never failed—not even once.
Lucian looked around the wedding hall with languid eyes. Most of the murmuring was about him. Because he rarely appeared in society, events like this were the only chance people had to see him.
Lucian was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in society, second only to Frederick. Both were members of the imperial family, and Lucian was the head of the Navy. Though he was a prince who had not become emperor, his title as Commander of the Navy gave him power.
Parents with unmarried daughters paid especially keen attention to him.
Lucian, either unaware or uninterested, simply sat in his seat and stared forward. His lips curled faintly.
Sitting with his legs crossed elegantly, he looked sleek and threatening—like a shark. His height, a head above most men, only made the impression stronger.
Even in the flood of gazes, Lucian remained composed.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
At the attendant’s call, everyone shot up to their feet. Those hoping to catch the Emperor’s eye craned their necks even more. Lucian, however, remained seated, not even turning his head. The Emperor and Empress took their seats beside him.
“It’s hard to see your face these days, Lucian.”
The Emperor spoke in a gruff tone. Lucian glanced at him.
“It has been a while, brother. And sister-in-law. Seeing you both well puts my mind at ease.”
The Emperor softened and laughed, clapping Lucian’s shoulder heartily.
“You rascal. Would you finally stay on land if you got married? You don’t even need to patrol in person! Why must you wander outside all the time?”
Lucian gave a faint laugh. Married? He already was married. But no one knew that setting sail was for his bride’s sake. Not until he returned to land and revealed it. Once he did, nothing could be undone.
“I’m simply doing my duty.”
The Empress spoke gently to the Emperor, smiling sweetly—an innocent face incapable of malice. Frederick took after his mother.
“Fulfilling duty is important, yes. Still, Lucian, take it easy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I feel secure knowing you are there.”
Lucian chuckled softly. His eyes met the Empress’s for a moment.
Her smile, her gaze—her very way of thinking resembled Frederick’s. He was like her exact copy. A son she had raised with all her devotion. Lucian’s expression cooled in discomfort.
He looked away. The wedding began shortly after. Even then, the Empress kept her gaze fixed on him.
‘The bride has disappeared, Your Majesty. The King of Medici urgently acknowledged his illegitimate daughter as his heir, and the ceremony will proceed with her instead… The wedding will continue as planned, but…’
The lady-in-waiting’s frantic report replayed itself in her mind. The Empress narrowed her eyes. Lucian’s calmness irritated her. Then again, everything about him—from one to ten—was irritating. Even that annoyingly handsome face. But today, he was somehow even more vexing. There had to be a reason.
She clicked her tongue softly. Whatever it was, the wedding needed to proceed smoothly.
They could not afford further scandal.
Even though the Emperor was smiling pleasantly now, he had nearly collapsed with rage when he heard the bride had vanished. The Empress swallowed a sigh and looked away.
Frederick stood before the altar.
Dressed in white ceremonial attire, Frederick looked—depending on one’s point of view—either like a saintly angel in a painting or unnervingly dazzling to the point of discomfort. For Lucian, it was definitely the latter. That excessive brilliance must be to distract from the swapped bride.
Lucian narrowed his eyes.
He had learned well from the Empress—how to hide one’s true feelings.
Lucian leaned back, watching Frederick with a crooked posture.
And then, just as Belisa planned, the replacement bride entered the hall. Belisa was famous across the continent—the most beautiful woman in the world, Medici’s daughter, Belisa Ella Medici. Her sleek, shining black hair and clear blue eyes were said to be exquisite.
“Who is that?”
The whispered suspicion spread slowly among the guests. None dared speak loudly in front of the imperial family, but all stared at the bride with puzzled eyes.
“I’ve seen Princess Belisa before—this isn’t her.”
“Same here.”
Eleanor walked forward steadily beneath those stares. If not for Belisa, she would never have dreamed of such a grand wedding. She chose to think positively. This was the path to everything she wanted.
To become Empress, bear a child—
And keep Belisa by her side.
Eleanor’s eyes sparkled with dreams.
Sister. I’ll find you, I promise. Don’t worry.
Eleanor smiled brightly.
Frederick’s emotionless gaze passed over her. Perhaps still dazed from the shock he’d received that morning, everything felt unreal. He was thinking of that brazen princess.
Never in his life had he met a woman so bold and difficult. It made her linger in his mind even more.
Did I push her too hard?
Had she run away out of fear? She’d said she was going in search of love. She didn’t seem like the romantic type. She was a princess—she had surely never faced hardships. What if something terrible had happened? His mind spiraled with endless possibilities.
But every thought returned to one person—
Belisa.
Strangely so.
