Chapter 5

Twisted Engagement (5)

Cecil rose from his seat, saying, “I’m not kidding, I’m just saying that I like you. I’ve had enough time to deal with you already.”

The room that Rowena brought them to was small. There was also a chair similar to the throne, but there was no place for other nobles.

When the emperor sat down, many of his subjects came into the room, had a meeting, and did a small briefing on it.

Since the royal court was formal, people even came to this room where he was briefed or received a secret report.

Rowena looked bewildered as Cecil approached. Her heart was pounding just because the crown prince came close.

It was perhaps because he was the first person she had ever received a proposal from.

Y-you’re wrong! It’s… It’s because I’m scared of you! It’s because I am afraid!

“I think I’ve given you a lot of time. Have you thought about it?”

It had been a week since the conversation that day. Rowena looked down without looking directly at Cecil.

“Well, I don’t fit in as your partner!”

“As long as I like it, why do I need something that suits me?”

“What about my feelings?”

Cecil grinned as Rowena, who got angry for a moment, raised her head and said. Rowena lowered her head in embarrassment.

Cecil said in a soft voice, “That’s why I’m seducing you over time like this, don’t you think? You also said you liked my face, so I don’t think it’s a bad combination.”

Rowena looked up impatiently and said, “I… may sound arrogant, but I want to marry someone I love, not because we seem compatible!”

The corners of Cecil’s mouth went up.

“One year.”

“What?”

“I’ll give you a year to fall in love with me. Is that enough?”

Rowena was dumbfounded. As she stared with her mouth open, Cecil continued.

“Oh, I’m going to get married and do everything in the meantime. If you don’t want me after a year, I’ll divorce you. I’m changing the fact that we are to marry.”

“I’m not an easy girl”

“Of course, you’re not. You’re not an easy woman, you’re an innocent woman.”

Rowena was angry, but she was so angry that she couldn’t say anything. Cecil smiled mockingly at Rowena.

“You’ve never been in a relationship before, have you? Don’t you think so?”

“Oh, I don’t think so, I’ve been in a relationship! We are inseparable too!”

“Oh? You’ve never held hands before, right? You haven’t kissed yet, have you?”

Far from believing it, Rowena shook her fists and shook. She had held a hand coming from a carriage or dancing at a party, but she hadn’t kissed yet. She didn’t have enough time to date because she wanted to be a librarian and had to study.

“Who said so? I-I’ve been living a very promiscuous life! I’ve had several lovers, and I did everything I could!”

Rowena shouted, but Cecil didn’t believe a wink. It was because she had made him learn about Count Adelia after he decided to marry her.

According to investigations and reports from people, Rowena had been living quietly under her patriarchal father. Going to the temple was all about going out except for attending some balls and parties her father took her to.

Although they often met the Marquis of Wenson who lived next door, going out together was also limited to the temple.

Rowena was so devout that she went to the temple three or four times a week, sometimes five times. Cecil doubted this.

She must have snuck out because she knew someone in the temple.

After changing her clothes at the temple and doing business, she came back as a proper lady. Otherwise, she would not have taken the national librarian exam and obtained a certificate.

Count Adelia would never have allowed it.

“Oh, did you? I guess I have a lot to learn from you. I haven’t even kissed yet.”

“Yes…?”

You’re lying. You look like you’ve had so much fun!

Rowena seemed to be able to believe that Cecil had one or two lovers hidden from him.

“If we send a wedding invitation and get engaged… I will bring you into the imperial family and you will learn the ways of the royal family, and then we’ll have a bedroom education together. It is considered repulsive to learn it from a woman, but that’s good.”

Cecil grinned wickedly.

“Since you’re my fiancée, you can be my bedroom teacher, right?”

“What…?!”

She hadn’t even agreed to an engagement yet, and she’s already a bedroom teacher!

Cecil added with a grumpy look to the stunned Rowena.

“I’m telling you. If you’ve deceived me, I’ll add contempt of the royal family and lock you in a room where only I can go in and out of the palace.”