She couldn't believe it. [Liene] “Laffit!” Her former lover spat out the same nonsense as his uncle, right in front of her eyes, which were trembling with shock. [Laffit] “I will spend the rest of my life thanking God for this day, where I can have the beautiful Princess as my wife. I hope the Princess will also accept and be happy with me as your husband.” [Liene] “Our relationship is over! Our relationship will never return! Forcing a marriage won't change a thing!” [Laffit

[Liene] “There are all sorts of rumors following Tiwakan. There was a rumor that their leader was a sodomite, wasn't there?” She tried hard to remain calm. A sodomite? What a ridiculous rumor. She remembered his kiss. It was impossible for a man to kiss someone he didn't desire with such passion. If she thought about the forced kisses she had given her own lover, the answer became even clearer. It was purely an unfounded rumor. It must be just a rumor. [Laffit] “How can yo

[Lyndon] “You claim you came to convey your condolences in person... Hmm.....” His expression was clearly far from welcoming. However, he also showed no signs of grief over his nephew’s death, as he knew that he had not truly died. [Liene] “Yes.” She faced Lyndon, the Chairman of the Grand Council, who had refused to budge despite her repeated requests for him to come to the palace. Since Nauk’s finances had fallen into deficit, he had completely neglected his duties as Chai

She lost all sense of time, submerged entirely in the moment. When the kiss finally ended, she gasped for air. Her lips felt warm and puffy. His lips were wet and glistening; hers likely were too. [Black] "I didn’t expect that kind of reaction." He murmured, pulling back only far enough for his lips to move. [Black] "It doesn't feel bad. Including this dress." The arm that was claimed to be injured was now wrapped tightly around her waist. She felt a thrilling sense of dan

[Liene] "......What?" Those light-colored pupils swept over her neck and the lower part of her body. Liene, who unconsciously lowered her head following his gaze, felt her cheeks flush. Is it because my clothes are loose? She knew her clothes weren't fitting her body well. However, she thought her clothes weren't bad enough to be openly stared at like that. ...I didn't think he was the type to care about other people's clothes. She tilted her head, confused. What about hi

The path out of the chapel was quiet, just as it was when Liene entered. It seemed she wouldn’t run into the Tiwakan search team. It was a huge relief. Liene took a long breath after she was a good distance away from the chapel. The moon was shining dimly tonight. It was the first time she felt grateful that the sky wasn't so bright. "We must hurry," Liene said, suddenly stopping and slightly pulling Weroz’s clothes. Weroz turned. “What does Your Highness mean?” [Liene] “

[Liene] "That is...." It was extremely strange. Taken? By whom, from whom? You are the one who took me from him. He spoke as if Liene already belonged to him. [Liene] "Why do you use a word like 'taken'?" [Black] "And now I think, it’s good that you weren't taken." [Liene] "Lord Tiwakan—" [Black] "If you had married another man, it would have become messier. ...And it would have been harder for me to restrain myself." His murmur sounded blurry and unclear, like he was dreamin

When Liene returned with scissors in her hand, Fermos—Black’s right-hand man—arrived faster than the royal physician and had already completed all the necessary procedures. Weroz, who came with Fermos, realized he couldn’t help and could only stand awkwardly with Mrs. Flambard, like mute wall decorations. [Fermos] “You were hit by an arrow?” Fermos asked while bandaging Black’s shoulder with cloth. The question felt strange, considering he was the one who had just torn

The meeting was over. As was said, Fermos left with Weroz to discuss the movement and relocation of troops. Mashilow, who had to finalize the marriage contract before the Tiwakan could unceremoniously invade the castle, also hurriedly left the audience room. A chilling silence, like a pressing suit of armor, enveloped the room that now only held the two of them. Although there was a large table between Lord Tiwakan and herself, big enough to seat thirty or more peo

[Flambard] "...What?" She was so surprised that she released the lace she was pulling. The petticoat slipped and fell to the floor. [Liene] "How long does it take for signs of pregnancy to show?" [Flambard] "T-that... I mean..." While Madam Flambard was stammering, the security guards ran and knocked on the door. Knock, knock! [Guard] "A message for Your Highness. The Tiwakan Commander has arrived at the castle gate. Lord Weroz awaits permission to open the gate."

At first, he thought he had misheard. [Fermos] "Ah, in that case the child... No, wait a moment. What? What do you desire?" [Black] "The Princess of Nauk." Fermos raised his monocle. [Fermos] "My Lord desires a woman? And a woman whose face you have barely seen properly? What could possibly be the reason, My Lord?" [Black] "..." The Tiwakan Commander chose silence rather than an answer. Indeed, he hardly ever spoke. He had no name nor origin. No one knew anything about his li

His cheek was red on one side from fresh, undried blood. [Black] "An urgent matter required my immediate attention, hence the delay. Please be seated." The man extended his hand, indicating the seat. ...Focus! I must stay calm. Despite the battle, Tiwakan had appeared at the promised location. Whatever had transpired, it seemed it was no significant obstacle for Tiwakan. [Liene] "I welcome the Tiwakan Commander. I am curious, what urgent matter caused me, your prospective bri

A crumpled letter lay in her fingers. It was the second one. [Liene] "......" She gazed at her rigid, bloodless hand. It did not feel like her own. The content of the letter was brief: —"We have waited for half a month; please deliver your answer." The message was almost identical to the first: —"To the Princess of Nauk Castle: The Commander of the Tiwakan Mercenaries proposes marriage. I await your reply." And the Tiwakan Mercenaries had been laying siege to the castle for

"I'm pregnant with another man's child." A lie Liene was forced to tell to reject a proposal from the most vicious mercenary leader on the entire continent. However, the man's answer... “It doesn’t matter who the child is. You can just give birth. But in return, I will own you, Princess." Liene couldn't understand the meaning behind his words. What did this man really want from a princess of a poor kingdom on the verge of ruin?