“Uh…”

Cecil’s words got stuck in her throat. After hesitating for a moment, she mumbled in a very small voice.

“Are you currently trapped here?”

“How else does it look?”

“I’m sorry.”

Cecil bowed her head. Despite Marian’s fluffy laughter in response, Cecil could feel that she was under a lot of stress.

As Marian said, shortly afterward, maids rushed in and swiftly cleaned up the room.

Cecil was first surprised by the sight of them quickly tidying up the room, then a second time when they avoided making eye contact.

Marian, who had been staring blankly at the room being organized, asked, “Es… I mean, did the Prince of Birds send you here?”

“Yes. He wished for you to be his companion.”

“Companion.”

Marian’s face momentarily displayed a cold smile. She asked mockingly, “What kind of conversation do they want us to have?”

“They didn’t mention anything like that.”

“Really?”

Marian messed up her hair as if in a daze and suddenly lay down on the bed. Then, looking surprised, she opened her eyes wide and said to Cecil, who was staring at her.

“I’m going to rest. I’m tired.”

“…Ah, I’ll leave now.”

Instead of answering, Marian just waved her hand. Just before leaving the room, Cecil glanced at Marian. Marian, who had the blanket flipped over, looked very petite.

‘She’s really trapped.’

The first meeting with Marian ended by confirming the uncertain feeling.

On the way out after finishing the conversation, Cecil thought about Marian.

It was good news for Cecil that there wasn’t a very close affectionate relationship between her and Espen.

‘If she wants to escape, helping her shouldn’t be a problem, right?’

Once she disappeared, Cecil’s position would be vacant again.

‘Isn’t it a good conclusion for both of us?’

The problem is how to help her escape. While Cecil was deeply lost in thought, a low voice called her from behind.

“Lady Cecil.”

“Eek!”

Due to being too immersed in deep thoughts, she was surprised even though it was her own scream. The person who called her was Espen’s aide.

Cecil hesitated but obediently followed him to Espen’s office.

“I greet His Highness.”

She bowed her waist and politely greeted, but instead of responding to her courtesy, Espen said indifferently.

“Marian seems to have calmed down a lot after meeting you.”

“Really?”

Cecil’s face turned a bit pale. She bowed her head, trying not to show any signs of confusion.

‘I haven’t been gone from there for long, and they’ve already received a report?’

Persistent obsession and Marian’s exhausted face overlapped in her mind.

Cecil bit her lower lip. Sweat gathered in her palms, feeling damp.
Espen must have noticed Cecil’s uneasiness, but he spoke as if it were inconsequential. To him, Cecil might not hold significant importance, so his reaction was expected.

“Visit her every day. And listen to her story. If you have time, have a meal together.”

Cecil had initially planned to use Marian but found herself having such thoughts as the situation unfolded.

‘Is it really okay to just watch?’

On a humane level, it felt wrong to just abandon Marian.

As Cecil was lost in her thoughts, Espen, with an uncomfortable expression, asked, “Why no response?”

Cecil clenched her fist. Various words circulated in her mind, but what came out was this.

“When will our wedding take place, Your Highness?”

Espen’s face wrinkled. Rolling the pen in his fingers, he handed Cecil a mocking smile.

“I don’t recall ever allowing you to ask Yeong-ae that.”

Cecil grasped the hem of her dress tightly. She couldn’t understand why she was asking this at this moment. However, despite her attempts to control it, the words she had suppressed for a long time poured out effortlessly.

“Our engagement has been long. I’ll soon be beyond the age for marriage. It would be nice if Your Highness could provide a clear answer.”

To Cecil’s bold words, Espen chuckled.

“Do you want to marry me?”

“There isn’t a woman in this country who wouldn’t desire the position of the future queen.”

“So, it’s not because you love me.”

Trying to mock the birds too, Cecil had to use all her strength to hold back her lips.

‘She doesn’t love me either.’

It wasn’t a thoroughly calculated relationship from the beginning. Even Marian, resembling her so much, made Cecil wonder if she wasn’t being used.

After contemplating for a moment, Espen, in a calm tone, asked, “Would it bother you if I had other women?”

Cecil wondered if her face was distorted.

“No.”

“Well, you’re not a bad match. It would be good to display it publicly.”

“…”

After a brief contemplation, Espen nodded approvingly.

“I’ll consult with my advisor and consider an appropriate date. Get closer to Marian. She’s someone you’ll have to get along with in the future.”

“…Yes.”

In the future.

That word pierced her heart like a dagger.

‘Is enduring this misery really the answer?’

On the way back home, Cecil kept her eyes closed in the carriage. Even though her parents, who had eagerly come upon hearing Marian’s story, kept asking, she had no strength to respond.

“Marian.”