Chapter 38

“In the future, please don’t call me ‘Crown Princess’, use the title ‘Your Majesty’.”

Ires and the priest looked at Rixus’s reaction before running their mouths.

“It’s natural.”

“……”

“Before you were my wife, you were the great monarch of Spinel.”

This time, Rixus scribbled out the special agreement clause with a pen.

Next to us, Ires and the priest could look at each other.

In fact, it was a rare request that had no precedent, and the Rixus who readily accepted it like that was very unusual.

But I got it all too easily. As Rixus had utmost respect for me.

The others had no choice but to keep their mouths shut as the crown prince said it was okay.

The wedding would be held in Aktoum, and the date of the wedding would be set after Aktoum’s seal was stamped on the ‘Holy Marriage Permit’.

Before Rixus took out his seal, he added a few more items.

Most of them were for the people.

Thoughtful special provisions to protect their property rights from being harmed when the two countries merged.

‘…It’s really for the people.’

I loved my people, but Rixus also loved his terribly.

As an individual, he was a cold man, but as an emperor, he was a very good ruler.

‘Since an oracle has come down that I will annihilate those people, he must have decided to kill me…’

I also made a great choice to protect my people.

I accepted this proposal and became the wife of my nemesis.

“Rixus.”

He looked at me without a word, holding up his seal.

“If someone who would destroy the empire appears, how would you feel?”

Rixus lowered his gaze indifferently and answered.

“Well.”

On the other hand, I was very nervous.

“It has nothing to do with how I feel.”

He said as he glanced through the final set of items we agreed on.

“If such a dangerous and evil being appears, I will have to kill him… whoever it is.”

He answered without thinking for a second. He was going to kill that person, whoever it was.

Boom. Our marriage permit was stamped.

My heart pounded at the sound.

‘Dangerous… An evil being.’

‘That’s what you think.’

Back then, the oracle was only revealed, and without seeing me or knowing me, he must have just decided that I was dangerous and evil.

So he must have killed me in contempt.

My brain was tingling as if I was drenched in cold water.

‘I was too lazy.’

As I received Rixus’ confession, warm affection, and unstoppable heart for a few days, I became soft.

I was thrilled, and it was true that I imagined a different future with Rixus.

‘But will the future really change?’

‘When that damn blue rose blooms on my body… How will Rixus react?’

What if the woman he liked was actually the evil demon in the oracle?

If an oracle came down saying that I would annihilate the people he cared about.

‘…Will he keep smiling at me?’

I vaguely stared at the man who seemed too cold for me to even have hope.

In the meantime, Rixus completed the marriage permit and handed it over to Ires.

“Bring this to my uncle.”

“Will Archduke Marquis agree to all these provisions, Your Majesty? Archduke Marquis is a very conservative person…”

As Ires was pouring out words of concern, his eyes met with the chilly ones of Rixus.

“…I’m sorry, but I should just keep my mouth shut and bring it to him, right? Yes! I’ll go!”

Tadadadada, Ires ran out of the office with the priest.

While that happened, I also stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To a social gathering.”

“Have you already made friends in Aktoum?”

There was a feeling of surprise and pride in his tone, but he was still sullen.

“I have to be diligent and get close to at least one person.”

After all, even my husband-to-be was not truly on my side in this strange land.

“So that when I die later, there will be someone who will shed at least a drop of tears.”

I snapped at Rixus, who was just guilty of asking. Then I hurriedly headed towards the door.

He seemed a little perplexed and called me.

“Berylia.”

“What!”

In hindsight, it was evident that Rixus could not keep up with the emotional changes of his wife-to-be, who had suddenly become angry.

He looked like an innocent puppy gazing at his owner who took out a snack, but suddenly trampled on it and got angry.

Rixus quickly changed his expression and checked his watch.

“Let’s have lunch together today.”

I replied in 1 second.

“I have no thoughts of doing so.”

Then I went out the door, leaving Rixus behind.

Rixus pulled me with all his might… But I couldn’t get any closer to him.

I had to endure his heart to survive.

I must be wary, and there had to be boundaries.

Because of our future that he doesn’t know, that only I know. 

That was the dilemma.

* * *

“Ah, Your Majesty! Your face is shining today.”

“Welcome, Your Majesty. Looks like you had a great night.”

When I returned to the room, Seryl and Laura greeted me in turn.

“Huh… hehe. Did you have a comfortable night?”

Even Maribel, who smiled like a sly chick, was here too.

‘No, what kind of things are you guys imagining?’

First of all, I sat down and took a sip of the tea the maids gave me.

They gathered around me. Like sparrows sitting in a mill. Their eyes were ‘sparkling’ so much that it was a burden.

I picked up one of the piled-up letters, answering the topic they were most curious about.

“He was like a dignified imperial family member.”

“Ah! Oh my.”

“……Okay.”

“That’s too much…….”

……Was it really so disappointing to hear that an imperial family member was like an imperial family member?

I felt so sorry for them, so I told them a little bit of the truth.

“But he was so sexy that I almost passed out…”

“Aaaaah!”

“Oh!”

“Huh… huh!”

I put their reactions aside and looked at each letter that came to me with an indifferent expression.

A lot of invitations had been sent to me by nobles who wanted to line up behind me.

Among them, one luxurious invitation card engraved with a world tree pattern stood out.

The carefully written words stood out.

“Verdi’s Salon?”

As I recited the name of the place, Seryl said in amazement.

“What kind of place is it?”

Laura calmly answered my question.

“It is said to be the best place for social gathering in Aktoum. In this salon, you can enjoy Aktoum culture such as literature, painting and music, and arts that penetrate through the times. You can also enjoy sports and cooking.”

“Is that so?”

Maribel added in a timid and meek voice.

“Members are carefully selected.”

Laura added.

“You can only enter with the permission of Madam Verdi. As Maribel said, the screening is strict, so even among the former empresses, there are some who were not invited.”

In short, it seemed to be a place that was a bridge between culture and art.

Where members were selected after careful consideration.

Which meant information and connections were bound to gather there.

There was no reason to hesitate any longer.

“I’m going to the salon right away, so get ready.”

“…We can’t go because we weren’t invited.”

As Maribel blinked her light blue eyes and said so, Seryl burst into tears.

“I really want to visit too, but I’m very, very sorry! If Your Majesty makes a recommendation, we may be able to enter too…”

“Seryl, you’re not supposed to say that. I’m sorry. Your Majesty.”

When the embarrassed Laura stopped Seryl from saying further, I willingly said,

“No. I’ll make a letter of recommendation.”

“!”

At once, the three maids all looked at me with surprised faces.

Laura said cautiously.

“Your Majesty, they say that the invitations are usually worth five billion ferring. That’s how much…”

“It’s a small amount.”

The eyes of the three maids shook aimlessly at my reaction.

“I’ll do it, so please wait patiently.”

Maribel blinked her sky-blue eyes and asked, unable to hide her excited heart.

“Do you have any plans…?”

I replied with an arrogant smile.

“Of course.”

Actually, I was lying. I was going to consider the method from now on.

I went to the salon after receiving innocent gazes that trusted me 100% to the point of being burdensome.

In any case, it was calculated that it would not harm me for my close associates to attend the largest noble gathering.

I also wanted to do something for my maids. After all, they have always been on my side.

As soon as I entered the salon, a handsome man as fresh as a flower greeted me.

“Welcome, Your Majesty the Queen!”

‘Oh my God, my eyes are open from the entrance. They’ve set up a handsome man like an ornament.’

Young people who I guessed to be just 20 years old were welcoming me at the entrance.

All of them were outstanding.

‘Madam Verdi must have a great aesthetic.’

I admired myself.

“I’ll guide you inside, Your Majesty.”

I moved according to the guidance of a nobleman.

Upon entering, the fragrant smell of flowers and the cheerful music of the symphony orchestra enveloped my whole body like waves.

I liked it and felt good from the first impression.

It was an outdoor salon where even the warm sunlight was a beautiful decoration.

To one side, I could see nobles sitting freely on soft sofas next to outdoor tables.

But when I entered, everyone stood up.

“Your Majesty the Queen!”

All eyes were focused on me.

Considering the past ‘welcome banquet’ incident, it was an improved attitude.

“It’s an honor to have you visit my salon, Your Majesty.”

Madam Verdi was a bright-eyed woman with fair skin and refined blonde hair.

She felt smart and gentle. I didn’t feel the messy aura typical of social giants, so I somehow liked it.

I also responded with a moderate smile.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Madam Verdi bowed down and politely set an example.

“Your Majesty, today is the day of the ‘Shooting Competition’ and ‘Dessert Day’.”

“…….”

“You don’t have to participate today, so please enjoy it comfortably.”

She was a thoughtful woman. She was telling me to just observe the atmosphere since it was my first visit.

Thanks to that, I felt at ease as I didn’t prepare anything.

But it was then.

A very beautiful, but somehow dull and cold voice penetrated between Madam Verdi and I.

“No, Your Majesty. I hope you will take an active part today.”

A challenging way of speaking. I slowly turned my head.

“!”

My eyes completely met with the enemy’s light blue eyes.