I’ve seen this situation somewhere before.

“If I have to give up this person, I’d rather give up the throne.”

I thought only the naive youngest son of a rich family would say such lines, but I never expected to see it in real life. I was inwardly shocked, feeling like I had become the protagonist of a daily drama.

It was perfect up to the point where the trembling king threw a nearby statue in response to Cahirun’s firm declaration.

Cahirun lightly dodged the statue flying through the air. Instead of grabbing the back of his neck, the king frowned deeply as if he had a headache.

“My already short lifespan is wearing down even faster because of you.”

The king glared at Cahirun with a pale face after heaving a deep sigh.

“You’re acting so recklessly because you know I don’t approve of Eric, aren’t you?”

Cahirun didn’t answer, as if it wasn’t wrong.

“Yes, I wanted to put you on the throne knowing that child isn’t fit to be king. But do you really not know how threatening Eric’s support is right now? That child made a shrewd marriage. And you…”

The king’s disapproving gaze swept over me again. Though I was prepared, being openly looked down upon was very unpleasant. Cahirun patted my hand. Strangely, it made me feel a bit better.

“You…”

The king, watching this, let out a long sigh.

“Fine, do as you please. But know this. If you lose this fight and Eric ascends to the throne, he will surely bring great calamity to our Hilic.”

It was a more easily given permission than expected. Though calling it permission was subtle, but anyway.

Although I didn’t like the king’s words and actions, he seemed to have unexpectedly discerning eyes. His last words seemed almost like a prediction of the future.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Cahirun asked as he came out wearing a robe. Snapping out of my thoughts, I was startled by his uncovered upper body and averted my eyes.

“You should fasten it properly before coming out!”

“We’re about to be married, why so formal suddenly.”

Cahirun snorted and sat down in front of me. It was the usual signal for me to dry his hair.

‘Damn, we’re about to be married but you still want to use me as a maid till the end?’

I grumbled inwardly as I started drying his hair. While roughly rubbing with the towel, I suddenly remembered and asked.

“By the way, where did you learn to say such things?”

“What things?”

“‘I won’t marry anyone but this woman.’, ‘If I have to give up this person, I’d rather give up the throne.’ Neither of those suit you at all.”

“What kind of things would suit me then?”

Cahirun asked with a chuckle.

“How did it feel hearing those? Did you like it?”

“No. It just sounds childish.”

“Strange.”

“Why, did you think I’d like it?”

“I recited lines exactly from ‘My Lord, I Can’t Take It Anymore’.”

I unknowingly grabbed his hair tightly. Cahirun laughed softly.

“I did say I like it rough, but I’d prefer if you did that up there.”

Cahirun said, pointing to the bed with his chin. My face burning, I rubbed his head even more roughly.

How long is that damned book going to follow me around like a tail!

“I think you’re misunderstanding, but I don’t really like that book. No, I haven’t even read it at all.”

“I see.”

“It’s true, I’m telling you!”

“Alright, I got it.”

“No, you don’t believe me right now. I really didn’t read it!”

The rumors about Cahirun and me spread beyond the palace throughout the capital. Various newspapers rushed to headline our story.

Needless to say, Cahirun’s popularity dropped significantly as expected.

Moreover, with Gavis Palong, who previously had a scandal with me, being summoned, I was portrayed as a femme fatale of the century, and Cahirun became the foolish prince who fell for such a seductress.

The gossip about Cahirun and me was the best-selling topic in taverns. The citizens of the kingdom mocked and criticized us as much as they had supported Eric and Floria’s love.

It would be a lie to say I didn’t care, but it was expected so there was nothing to be hurt about.

I was worried that Cahirun, who had never been a laughingstock to anyone in his life, though he might have been feared, would take it to heart, but it was needless concern.

“Compared to being called ‘a madman out of his mind’ or ‘a petty man with no consideration despite his large size, not even as much as an ant’s hind leg’, this is nothing.”

Who said such things to you?

Whoever it was must have been quite brave, I thought, when

‘Is that so? How unfortunate. To end up with such a madman you don’t even want to associate with.’

I recalled Cahirun smiling faintly.

Damn, he had recited exactly what I had said to Floria back then.

I apologized belatedly that it wasn’t my true feelings, but he seemed to hold quite a grudge.

“Well. It was such a shocking thing to say, I’m not sure if I can forget it,” he said with a smile that clearly meant he would never forget.

It was only natural that the forces supporting Cahirun rose up in protest.

They flocked to Cahirun, demanding that he immediately withdraw his intention to marry, but were once again silenced by the childish line, ‘If I have to give up Reneola Violet, I’d rather give up the throne.’

I couldn’t understand why that line worked at all.

Given the situation, it was only natural that the queen and the second prince wholeheartedly welcomed our marriage, and I was satisfied to see Floria pleased that things were unfolding exactly as she had said.

Cahirun and I agreed that the speed at which the rumors spread was faster than expected, probably due to the queen’s expertise in such matters.

“The queen can be helpful at times.”

Cahirun smiled with satisfaction.

Days passed quickly, and soon it was the day of the royal equestrian competition.

Thanks to Cahirun, who seemed intent on dragging me around as a maid until our wedding day, I was in the waiting room.

“Lady Reneola, I’ll show you my second-place performance today, so please watch.”

“I’ll aim for second place too.”

Machi and Randolph seemed to have no expectations of winning from the start. Everyone else in the waiting room also appeared to be aiming for second place.

Far from being intimidated, they all seemed excited at the prospect of seeing the swordsmanship of the continent’s one and only Sword Master up close.

“His Highness will present you with a golden rose today, won’t he, Lady Reneola?”

“You can look forward to it, everyone will be envious.”

Since learning about my contract marriage with Cahirun, Machi and Randolph had been treating me as a prince’s consort rather than a maid.

I was grateful, but the sparkle in their eyes was quite burdensome. Still, they were among the few people who supported our marriage.

‘Well, it’s not a real marriage, but it’s nice to be congratulated anyway.’

Just as I was making excuses to myself, it happened.

“Reneola.”

Cahirun, dressed in battle attire, strode over, wrapped an arm around my waist, and kissed the top of my head.

It was an action meant for those in the waiting room to see.

We had agreed to show affection openly in front of others since deciding on the contract marriage, but I hadn’t expected this level of skinship. Surprised, I pushed him away, and he laughed softly.

Sounds of surprised inhales could be heard from all around.

While Cahirun was being helped into his armor by Machi and Randolph, I surveyed the waiting room.

Indeed, they were all knights with large builds and well-defined muscles. Even for a Sword Master, it seemed it wouldn’t be easy for Cahirun to win.

Cahirun grabbed my chin, making our eyes meet. He was frowning as if displeased.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing, just looking around.”

As I mumbled my reply, Cahirun brought his face close enough that our foreheads almost touched and whispered.

“Look only at me. I’m the best here.”

Cahirun confidently raised the corners of his lips. I pushed his shoulders away, feeling his breath so close.

What are you doing in a place crawling with knights everywhere?

When I glared at him, he pleasantly smiled and stroked my cheek with his thumb. I had to take a couple of steps back, feeling a burning sensation spreading from where his fingers touched.

As I watched Cahirun put on his cloak, I heard whispering from behind.

“Why would the First Prince want to take such a woman as his consort? Why not marry a proper lady like the Second Prince did?”

“They say that Palong viscount also ended up like that because of her.”

“It’s no wonder there are rumors of her being a seductress. And I heard she’s so cruel to the palace staff, it’s obvious what kind of queen she’ll be.”

“I respect the First Prince, but he has no eye for women.”

Do they think I can’t hear them, or are they saying it loud enough for me to hear? I inwardly laughed bitterly.

“Even now, if he changes his mind and drives her away immediat—”

Thud!

The sound like something exploding was Cahirun driving his sword into the floor. The knights shut their mouths and stared at Cahirun with stiff expressions.

Cahirun lightly pulled up the sword half-buried in the ground and coldly swept his gaze across the waiting room.

“I think I hear dogs barking somewhere.”

They probably thought they wouldn’t be identified in the crowded waiting room and spoke carelessly. But Cahirun’s gaze was unerring. The knights he looked at couldn’t hide their expressions.

“They’re all dead.”

Machi clicked his tongue, tsk tsk.