THBO 41

Chapter 41

No matter how she raised her nails, the man’s arms were like steel.
“Calm down.”
“I’m leaving now, let go!”
“Try to calm yourself—”
“I said I’m leaving!”
“In this state?”
His tone remained calm.
The low, steady voice struck her mind once more.

Startled by the sudden question, Cecilia flinched, and Alexis’s hand, which had been blocking the door, slid away. Then he grabbed a fistful of her hair.
“In this state?”
“……”
“You’re really going to leave with that hair color?”
A cascade of silver spilled over the wide palm.
At that icy hue, Cecilia forced her reluctant thoughts into motion.

If she ran out with silver hair…
Then… the fact that she was a false princess would be exposed.
…If that happened.
A familiar nightmare resurfaced: a miserable fall amidst everyone’s scorn and pointing fingers.
She had vowed thousands of times that, when that moment came, she would simply accept it, endure it without disgrace—but the fear was vivid as ever.

Cecilia bit her lips hard.
She wanted to shout that it didn’t matter and storm out.
But frustratingly, what overwhelmed her was a bitter, practical fear—
A reality that crushed even her impulsive urges.
The words she almost spat out never formed a sound and had to die in silence.

Cecilia stopped struggling and let her hands fall limply.
Resignation gnawed at her body, and sorrow wrapped around her neck like shackles.
Even the man’s arms wrapped around her waist had gone slack.

As she slowly turned, she saw his calm and composed expression pouring over her.
His deep, characteristic gaze showed not the slightest change.
“Let’s go back.”
Alexis gently lifted her.

Despite her desire to resist fiercely, she had to let herself be held.
Exhausted, unable to even move her fingers, she swallowed curses while catching her breath.

Crossing the room to the balcony, Alexis carefully placed her in a chair.
“You’re beautiful.”
He tilted his head to point at the sky.

But Cecilia didn’t look up—she kept staring at him.
She continued until Alexis finally sat down and returned her calm gaze.
Every time fireworks exploded, the side of his face was painted in colorful light.
Even amid the dazzling illumination, his indifferent expression and pure eyes remained distinct.
Purple waves rolled, revealing a single streak of scar in the roughened color.
Even this strong man seemed to have been wounded.

‘…Ridiculous.’
If he could choose any woman he wanted—provided it was a normal relationship—why did he insist on this impossible woman?
Born to be a victor, why show such a loser-like expression?
Why that expression, one he shouldn’t show, one he shouldn’t even know?
Why. Why. Why!

Cecilia gripped her glass tightly and downed the remaining wine, then set the glass back down.
“So.”
She suppressed the urge to throw it at her ‘younger brother,’ who blinked innocently.

Whether he knew she had just spoken a word or not, the corner of his red lips curved slightly.
The trace of bitterness in his smirk only fueled her anger further.

“…What exactly do you want to do?”
“Why overthink the brand? If we love each other, isn’t that enough?”
“Hah.”
“You’ll become Empress, then.”
“This is infuriating…”
Cecilia smirked, moving her toes.

How could people stand watching the Crown Prince and Princess of the Empire end up together?
Ridiculous.

“Why does someone who’s seen all sorts of sights spout such nonsense?”
“……”
“Socially underdeveloped? Dull-minded? Lost reason? Do you really think that’s possible?”
“And why wouldn’t it be possible?”
“Damn it, are you really going to do something like this?”

She raised her voice in frustration, though she tried to suppress it.
“You are going to be Emperor of this country. Get a grip. If you want to claim your rights, you must first fulfill your duties! You have a proper obligation to uphold the morality and basic principles of this country!”
“And that’s the only reason?”
Cecilia nearly threw her glass in that instant.
“Your reasoning is quite weak.”
“Weak?”
“Weak. Your sister’s feelings matter more than the eyes of the people…”
“Let’s go back to the room.”

Grinding her teeth, she had no choice but to stomp her foot again.
“Don’t want to deal with this lunatic, so just dye my hair back.”
“What if I refuse?”
Cecilia smiled faintly, glancing toward the balcony railing. Knowing her sister’s stubbornness, the young man surrendered immediately.

He held her waist as she tried to turn, pulling her closer.
The gentle yet firm pressure forced her to instinctively bow slightly.
Now so close to his face, Cecilia bit her lips again.
The bitter taste intensified from her repeated bites.
Terrible. Really terrible.

The gaze of this relentless man fixed on her bruised lips.
Though he neither kissed nor touched her, a heated flush spread to her ears.
From the bite marks to the bleeding wound, his eyes inspected every detail.
He looked, crushed, then looked again…
She wanted to say something but couldn’t.
Any movement would only provoke him further.

So Cecilia froze, unable to breathe properly, unwilling to feel the sweet-bitter scent of his breath.
She hated it.
This was all too much.
The violent sensation poured in, overwhelming her ability to control her emotions.
Even as she wanted to hide her raw expression, it was exposed.

The moment she flinched, he tilted his chin slightly.
The distance was maddeningly close.
Her firm grip on his shoulder couldn’t push him away.
Her hands curled into fists.

The dizzying sensation surged, choking her breath. Her thoughts jumbled, judgment blurred.
Right and wrong, morality melted away.

‘No.’
No. This isn’t right.
This really isn’t right.

The tension snapped. Her hands, gripping his shoulder, nearly gave out.
“Dye it.”
Cecilia commanded just in time. Alexis slid his hand away, maintaining his gaze.
Thanks to keeping his eyes fixed on her, she saw her silver hair fade.

Once the dye was done, she brushed her hands off and stood up.
Staggering slightly, she straightened her posture, ready to walk calmly down the path she had dashed through.

And the impression her calm back gave…
“Milady.”
Alexis, who had followed silently, called her as she tried to leave the room.
Even a single word from him made her crumble.

She struggled with whether to look back, and the sight of her hesitation gave Alexis a vile sense of satisfaction.
‘She will look back.’
He waited, certain.

As expected, the proud woman chose stubbornness and slowly turned.
The blazing gold was endlessly delightful. Her beauty alone could make one rejoice even as their body burned, Alexis’s eyes curved slightly.
“Have a good night.”
Cecilia sent a glare full of curses but smiled out of courtesy.
“You too. See you again tomorrow morning.”
…Ah, truly a relentless man.

Alexis sighed lightly and watched.
The woman leave, her white heels disappearing into the distance.
It felt like a midsummer night’s dream.

Usually she escaped into sleep, but not this time.
Cecilia tossed and turned all night, finally catching two hours of shallow sleep.
She awoke with a start to the sun shining, the clock pointing at nine.
Would the world collapse? Would it end in a few hours? She had even foolishly hoped for it…
Yet a perfectly ordinary new day had begun.
“This is maddening.”

The hopeless future engulfed her.
Regardless of her natural hair color, she had grown up as Alexis Rüssien’s sister.
A cuckoo princess with black hair, lucky enough to be integrated into the royal family. That was her.
The empire would never forgive.
What Alexis wanted was treachery. A strict “taboo” that anyone with moral sense would despise.

Even ordinary people would be horrified…
And the precious Crown Prince, meant to be an example for all and reign as Emperor, was doing it?
With his own sister, raised as royalty?
…Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.

Not just for her sake, but for the sake of that pitiful, foolish, insane ‘younger brother.’
Cecilia hardened her expression.
All lingering sleepiness vanished, and her mind cleared completely.
She could only flash a resolute glare.