"Of course not," Askin said, a short but determined 'no'. "I only attended today because the circumstances demanded it."
"I see. You're right. There is always a reason for everything," Ian replied, his eyes scanning Askin’s outfit. It was a pointed, sarcastic comment about the matching "couple" costumes they were wearing—clothes that made them look far more intimate than Askin was willing to admit.
Askin’s face stiffened. "I have only one question for you."
He looked at Ian, his mind racing through everything the man had said and done tonight.
"The reason you added that additional clause to our deal... is it because you are interested in Princess Altsbeit?"
Askin spoke skillfully, avoiding the word "breakup" in case anyone was eavesdropping. But it seemed clear to him that Ian’s support for Askin’s freedom was rooted in his own interest in Charlize.
Ian gave him a smooth, mysterious smile, his emerald-green eyes glinting.
"It’s true that I am interested," Ian said, his voice dropping to a low, determined monotone. "But I will be very clear with you. I didn't include that provision out of mere curiosity. Unlike most, I distinguish between my public affairs and my private life. Isn't that the basis of all good negotiation?"
Ian bowed gracefully and plucked two glasses from a passing tray.
"I believe you will eventually understand my intentions, Duke. I will wait for the day you are ready to express your own."
"..."
"It won't be long now," Ian added, referring to the final preparations for the funds Askin needed.
For Askin, it wasn't a bad situation. He took the drink Ian offered, even though he usually avoided alcohol at functions. But right now, his stomach was tied in knots—not from the drink, but from the confusion that had been slowly invading his heart.
'Charlize Altsbeit... what kind of person are you?'
He couldn't stop thinking about her. Why had she been acting so strangely? How did she dare to show him that vulnerable, almost pitiable side of herself? He couldn't forget the past—he wouldn't—but his conviction had always been to look at the present. And right now, the present version of Charlize was an enigma.
Askin was about to take a sip when a voice—familiar, oily, and utterly unpleasant—echoed through the hall.
"May I have the attention of all the esteemed nobles gathered here?"
The music died down as every eye in the room turned toward the speaker. Duke Altsbeit was standing on a golden pedestal that had been brought into the center of the hall. He stood higher than the crowd, looking down at them with a smile that reminded Askin of a coiled snake.
"I have an important announcement to make," the Duke declared.
Askin felt a cold surge of anxiety.
* * *
"Before I get to the main event... I would like to thank His Majesty the Emperor."
The room was silent as my grandfather stood at the center of the hall. I stared at him, my eyes wide. He’d set up a golden platform near the orchestra, positioning himself so he could be seen by everyone. Since he couldn't use the stairs reserved for the Royals, he’d built his own stage. It was a blatant display of his greed and ambition.
I felt a wave of nausea. The Gaemang Club women around me seemed to realize what was happening; they were watching me and my grandfather with wide, expectant eyes.
"Lately, thanks to His Majesty, our Empire is overflowing with life," my grandfather began, his voice oily with false praise. "Our people are thriving, and our nobles are serving with unparalleled loyalty. Truly, we are blessed."
I looked toward Loxdian. 'Tyrant Brother, if you're really a tyrant, you'll stop this right now!' I thought desperately.
But when I saw Loxdian, my heart sank. He was lounging in his chair, looking bored and even slightly amused, as if he were telling my grandfather to go ahead and entertain him.
'No, no! If he says it...!'
My heart felt like it was being squeezed. I wanted to run, to stop him, to do anything to silence those words. But the alcohol I’d just downed was hitting me harder than I’d expected. My arms and legs felt heavy, as if I were moving through water.
The nobles nearby noticed my staggered movements and hurried to get out of my way. A path opened up, but I could barely make my feet move.
'No. No. Please, no!'
But neither my grandfather nor the heavens were on my side.
"Today is a noble day, a day to commemorate the goddess’s blessings upon our Empire," the Duke continued. "And it is my great honor to share even more wonderful news on such an auspicious occasion."
I looked at the crowd. Half of them were from my grandfather’s faction, watching him with greedy respect. I bit my lip until it bled. 'You can't do this! My hope coins! My money! My life!'
"I am proud to announce the happy news today!"
The words felt like a physical blow.
"My dearly beloved granddaughter, Charlize, has finally reached a joyous conclusion with her worthy fiancé, the Duke of Lemut. This coming autumn, this beautiful couple will be united in a grand wedding ceremony!"
*Boom.*
The declaration hit me like a thunderclap. I felt a sharp, stinging pain in my heart. The intoxication vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, paralyzing fear.
'I'm going to die.'
The thought was loud and clear. If the engagement wasn't broken, if this wedding went through, my survival was over. I had to do something. I had to run to Askin, tell him it was all my grandfather's doing, tell him I didn't agree...
But would he believe me? Or would he just see it as another one of my cruel games?
My body wouldn't move. 'Why... why does it have to be so hard?' I wondered. 'What did I ever do to deserve this?'
* * *
The moment Duke Altsbeit made the announcement, Loxdian vaulted from his seat.
"Shit! What kind of nonsense is that?"
His movement was so violent his chair flew backward, crashing to the floor. The nobles near him trembled with terror as a wave of pure, dark energy radiated from the Emperor.
"Your Majesty!" Noah shouted, trying to bring Loxdian back to his senses.
Loxdian barely managed to restrain himself from going on a rampage, but his rage was absolute. Who did that old man think he was, marrying off his sister like she was a piece of property? It was absurd.
'I’m the one who decides who my sister marries,' Loxdian thought, his eyes flashing with fury. 'I’ll find her someone who doesn't want power, someone who just wants peace. Someone with enough money to fund her every whim... No, I don't even need that. I’m her brother; I’ll provide for her for the rest of her life.'
Duke Altsbeit had sold his own daughter years ago, and now he was trying to sell his granddaughter for even more power. Loxdian was about to shout his invalidation of the announcement when someone else stepped forward.
"That is a blatant lie!" a voice rang out, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.