“So the reason you were in pain earlier was because you harmed your heart, which is the jewel.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

As I nodded, Cahirun’s jawbone protruded sharply.

“Then why are you covered in ashes? Don’t tell me you threw it into the fireplace? Was it your heart that you said you dropped?”

As if he didn’t need to hear my answer, Cahirun ground out a curse between his teeth. He looked like he wanted to strangle Floria right then and there. Cahirun took a deep breath as if trying to suppress his anger.

Then he suddenly lifted his head and glared at me.

“How could you only tell me something this important now?”

Without me answering, he seemed to guess the reason as he let out a sigh.

“So when you’re by my side, that damned fairy’s magic doesn’t work, is that it?”

Cahirun, who knew better than anyone that fairy magic was useless against a Sword Master, checked once again as he irritably brushed his bangs aside.

Then, with his hand still in his hair, he looked up at the ceiling before turning his gaze back to me.

“We need to find something worth exchanging for your heart.”

“I think I’ll have to pretend to obey Floria until then.”

Cahirun’s expression soured at my words.

“Is there really a need to do that? You said you’re fine when you’re by my side.”

“How can we be together every second of every day?”

“Why not? It’s not that difficult.”

“Are you going to follow me to the bathroom too?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do.”

Cahirun clicked his tongue softly. He seemed quite displeased.

“It’s dangerous. She’s not in her right mind.”

“She won’t kill me right now.”

Floria clearly thought I was the one Cahirun had his heart set on.

‘She must be even more convinced now that Cahirun came to find me himself.’

I was still useful to Floria. She could use me to spy on Cahirun. So she wouldn’t kill me now.

‘Come to think of it, was I really the only one who didn’t know?’

I thought I was rather perceptive.

I still couldn’t quite believe this man liked me.

As I was secretly observing Cahirun, our eyes met and I quickly averted my gaze.

Cahirun, who had been leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed in dissatisfaction, tilted his head and stared at me. Not understanding why, I just blinked. After staring at me for a long time, he slowly opened his mouth.

“My father is unwell.”

As he said, the king was destined to pass away soon due to worsening of a chronic illness. I wondered why he suddenly brought this up, given that he didn’t particularly have any familial affection.

“Hilic has this damn law that you must be married to ascend to the throne. I always thought it was unreasonable, but I never imagined there’d come a day when I’d be so glad for it.”

“What?”

I was bewildered by his sudden words, but then I opened my mouth in disbelief. Cahirun, who personally closed my mouth, smiled faintly.

“Wouldn’t being a princess consort be better than a maid?”

In the original story, Cahirun marries the princess of Etra to compete with Eric for the throne. But Cahirun had firmly declared before the king that there would be no marriage to Izola.

‘Was he planning to marry me since then?’

Judging by Cahirun’s expression, it seemed to be true. It might have been a natural choice for him since he had his heart set on me.

‘So that’s why Cahirun was making those remarks.’

Even though I was right behind him, I had no idea he was speaking with me in mind. I suddenly realized that all of Cahirun’s incomprehensible words and actions until now were because he liked me.

As I bit my lower lip with my cheeks flushing, Cahirun drew closer. I couldn’t breathe at the shallow distance where our lips seemed about to touch at any moment.

“What do you think?”

Cahirun met my gaze seductively.

“About becoming my wife.”

This man clearly knew he was handsome. Otherwise, he couldn’t make such an expression. Without realizing it, I bit my lips that were about to answer as if entranced. I had nearly fallen for it completely.

Clearing my throat to dispel the atmosphere, I pushed away Cahirun’s face that was too close. As the thick air dissipated, Cahirun retreated with a look of disappointment.

“I thought you were weak for my face.”

…So he did know. Well, it would be strange if he hadn’t noticed, given how many times I had stared at him blankly.

“I’m not so easily swayed by such a halfhearted proposal.”

“I spoke with all my heart, that’s too harsh. Can’t you just give in a little?”

Cahirun grumbled sullenly. That look was uncharacteristically cu— No, what am I thinking? I quickly shook my head and spoke to Cahirun, who was still looking at me with subtly persuasive eyes.

“I know why Shana is helping Floria.”

When I revealed the truth about the origin of the first queen, Cahirun laughed as if he finally understood.

“So that’s why you tore apart the annex like a little puppy.”

“That was a desperate action for me, so please don’t laugh like that.”

How desperate I had been. As I glared at him, annoyed by his teasing expression, he took my hand. Then he curled his lips deeply.

“You have no idea how much I’m holding back right now.”

As Cahirun said, his purple eyes were deeply sunken. Moreover, a chilling aura emanated from beyond his smiling face. It was clearly conveyed that he was very angry.

That expression and gaze were strangely reassuring.

“So I’d like you to stop churning inside and answer me. Preferably in the positive.”

Cahirun interlaced our fingers and gripped them anew. A hint of anxiety flickered in his purple eyes that always seemed composed.

There was also a glimpse of uneasiness that he might be rejected. I could feel his pure desire to marry me, regardless of the situation.

To overturn the original story where Floria was the protagonist, I needed to help Cahirun ascend to the throne by marrying him, as he said.

But I hesitated to answer. Though fear of death still outweighed guilt, somehow I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

“…It feels like I’m using your sincerity.”

“I told you I don’t mind.”

“Is it okay even though I don’t like you?”

“That’s a bit of a blow.”

Cahirun retorted playfully, clutching his heart with one hand. Yet he gripped my fingers even tighter.

Looking down at his hand, much larger than mine, I spoke carefully.

“If you’re okay with that, then let’s get married.”

Cahirun’s eyes widened. Before he could speak, I quickly added a condition.

“Only until you ascend to the throne.”

“What do you mean?”

Cahirun furrowed his brow. He looked very displeased by what he had heard. I intentionally spoke coldly.

“Right now, you need marriage to ascend to the throne, and I need power to keep Floria in check. Our interests align well. So if it’s okay with you, I’d like to get married.”

Becoming a princess consort rather than a maid would better protect me from Floria. While a maid of the First Prince’s Palace could disappear without a trace, the same couldn’t be done to a nation’s princess consort.

“But I don’t want to become queen. I want to live freely outside the palace.”

I feel bad for seemingly just using Cahirun, but it would be better for him to meet someone he can share love with rather than spending a lifetime with me who has no feelings for him.

I know it’s an extremely selfish thought. But from the moment I was possessed, my goal has always been to leave the palace and live safely and freely, having been frustratingly entangled in the original story.

“Interests, huh. That’s a damn cold definition.”

Cahirun raised an eyebrow with a displeased face.

“Don’t you like it? If you’re not keen on it, we can find another way…”

“Who said I don’t like it?”

Cahirun cut me off sharply and stretched his lips into a long smile.

“Alright, let’s do it. That relationship tangled with interests.”

Cahirun yanked the hand he was holding. Suddenly pulled in, I looked up at him while half-embraced.

His expression as he smiled at me was somewhat challenging. The nape of my neck chilled at his gaze, which seemed to be looking at a fish caught in a net.

I tried to break free from his arms, but Cahirun didn’t budge. Rather, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had somehow fallen into a trap as his grip tightened firmly.

But it was too late to back out now.

“So, has our contract marriage been sealed from today?”

Cahirun grinned, showing his teeth.

A few days later.

I took a deep breath in front of Floria’s door. My heart still raced just thinking about what had happened in here.

Cahirun was displeased until the end. His eyes showed anxiety that I might suffer some misfortune.

As if he had no choice due to my stubbornness, he held out a ring with a round jewel embedded in it.

“This ring contains my aura. It will help you once if something happens.”

And he also gave me a bracelet enchanted to only react when I was with Floria.

The bracelet I had been appalled at for being perverse now couldn’t have felt more reassuring. Knowing that Cahirun would be closely monitoring my movements made me feel at ease.

“Welcome. I didn’t expect elder sister to visit first, I’m so happy.”

Floria greeted me as if nothing had happened that day. She took my hand and guided me to the table with a gentle face and bright smile. I quickly prostrated myself at her feet.

“What are you doing? Please get up, elder sister.”

Floria tried to raise me, but I prostrated myself even lower.

“Please forgive me, Your Highness. I swear I never meant to deceive you intentionally. I was just worried you might doubt me, so I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.”

“If you didn’t want to be doubted, shouldn’t you have spoken up more?”

Floria said in a laughing voice. But I could tell her mood was very bad.

“I’ve come to distrust you completely now, elder sister. I was so sad about it that I almost broke your jewel yesterday.”