*“Let me ask you one thing. Why did you borrow that dirty money in the first place? Was it not 'dirty' when you were desperate?”*
My own voice echoed in my head, mocking me. I had been right, of course. Askin had made a choice. He had hated Charlize, but he hadn’t hated her money when he needed it to save his sister.
Askin covered his eyes, squeezing them tight as he sat in the darkness of his office. He couldn’t deny it. But then another voice entered his mind—the polite, calculated voice of Ian Child.
*“Please make sure to break the engagement with Princess Altsbeit.”*
Askin ground his teeth. What was the Child family really after? Nothing in this world was ever truly free. He knew he was borrowing the money to break the engagement, but why was Ian Child demanding it as a condition?
Was he looking for a new toy? Was it possible that Ian and Charlize were working together, playing some elaborate game that he was just a pawn in? Could Ian Child be the "next" fiancé?
The thought sent a jolt of something through him—a ridiculous, irrational spark of imagination that made him jump from his seat.
* * *
*Chirp.*
I woke up late. Very late.
When I finally opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a circle of anxious maids.
"What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?" I asked, sitting up and stretching.
"Princess...!" Susan, looking like she was on the verge of tears, stepped forward. "Since eight this morning... the Duke’s knights and banners have been waiting at the gate. They have orders to... well, they’re waiting for you."
"Oh. Is that all?"
I yawned and turned my head away. The maids looked horrified, but I’d expected this. Jette wouldn’t have kept my secret; he was a good man, which meant he was a terrible secret-keeper when it came to his superiors. Grandfather must have heard about me sending the healing mage to the Lemut estate.
I’d already decided that my relationship with my grandfather was over. The "affection" he’d shown me was just a thin veneer over his desire for control. I was a tool to him, and I’d just stepped out of line.
Instead of rushing to apologize, I stayed in my robe and ordered a late breakfast. I stretched my legs out on the sofa, swinging them back and forth as I picked at a plate of cookies and scanned the morning newspaper.
The maids were at a total loss. They hovered around me, trying to coax me into eating more or getting dressed, but I was determined to kill as much time as possible.
"Princess, please... a sandwich? You can't just eat cookies for breakfast."
"Are you choking? Here, have some juice."
I was just about to take another sip of juice when I heard a loud, rough banging on the door. It wasn't a polite knock; it was the sound of someone who was finished waiting.
'Here we go,' I thought, slowly setting down my glass. I expected my grandfather’s knights to burst in and drag me away. I was already mentally preparing my "Vicious Princess" defense.
The door flew open, and a tall figure stepped into the room.
'Loxdian?'
I stared. My tyrant brother was standing there, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
"What's with that face?" he asked, his eyes sweeping over my messy hair and silk robe.
"Brother? What are you doing here?"
"Who else would it be?" Loxdian adjusted his collar, looking uncomfortable. "Aren't you even going to say hello?"
I blinked. My own escort knights were huddled near the door, looking completely bewildered. Seeing the Emperor personally barge into my room was clearly not on their schedule.
"So," I said, trying to sound more composed than I felt. "To what do I owe the honor of a visit from the Sun of the Empire?"
"The designer called," Loxdian said, his voice flat. "The dress is finished. She told me to come get you."
"...A designer told the Emperor what to do? And you actually listened?"
Loxdian’s expression twisted into a scowl. "Do you want to die? Just get up and get dressed. I don't have all day."
I suppressed a laugh. He was so much like my old boss, Yoon Ji-hoon—loud, arrogant, and yet strangely predictable.
"Fine, fine. I’m coming. Is it the Imperial Palace again?"
"Where else would we be going? Stop whining and move."
I jumped off the sofa. I was actually thrilled. This was the perfect excuse to avoid my grandfather. I’d be under the protection of the Emperor, and Grandfather wouldn't dare interfere.
I quickly called the maids and began to prepare. I didn't forget to kick Loxdian out so I could change. He grumbled about "daring to overthrow the Emperor," but he actually went out and waited in the hall.
When I finally stepped out of my room, I found him leaning against the wall, looking like a painting. He really was unfairly handsome.
"What took you so long? Are you trying to make me late?"
"I was as fast as I could be, Brother," I said with a bright smile.
I couldn't help but feel a little spark of joy at his annoyance. It was just like back in my old world—his unhappiness was my happiness. Or maybe that was just Charlize’s lingering influence.
"Let's go. I’m curious about the dress."
"Hmph. Look who’s excited now."
We started down the hall, but we’d only taken a few steps when a figure turned the corner.
It was my grandfather.
He stopped dead when he saw us. His eyes narrowed as they landed on Loxdian, but only for a fraction of a second before he composed himself.
"The King of the Howling Beasts under the Golden Sun... I see His Majesty the Emperor."
Loxdian didn't even acknowledge the greeting. The playful, annoying brother I’d just been talking to vanished, replaced by a man whose expression was as cold and sharp as winter frost.
"You’ve all heard the sacred beast of the Imperial Family called that," Loxdian said, a crooked, hostile smile appearing on his lips. "Duke, you really should stop with the mockery. It’s beneath you."
His voice was dripping with cynicism. It was a strange way to talk to his own maternal grandfather.
"Mockery? I would never dream of such a thing in front of Your Majesty," Grandfather replied, his voice smooth and dangerous.
"Is that so? Then let me offer a nickname of my own. A raccoon dog whose hair is about to fall out. Oh, but of course, I’m not talking about you, Duke."
"..."
I felt a sudden chill. I quickly lowered my gaze, making sure my expression stayed perfectly blank before my grandfather’s eyes could find me.