WMEEM Ch 29
Engagement (1)
The unexpected encounter with Raff shook me violently. Assuming I would only face him if I returned to Calyx had been a grave mistake. He was a man who could find me whenever he pleased, a realization that terrified me.
Although Terkan dismissed the likelihood of Raff returning so easily, anxiety haunted me even as I tried to resume my daily life.
[Celeste] "I want to learn magic. Or Spacetime Magic, if normal magic is impossible."
Learning magic felt like my only escape from this constant dread.
Terkan offered a faint smile as he steeped the tea.
[Terkan] "If learning were that simple, everyone would master it. You know how costly it is to hire a mage, do you not? Spacetime Mages are rarer still."
[Celeste] "Then how does one become a mage? Did you not learn it yourself?"
[Terkan] "I studied it, of course, but innate talent is everything. A person can learn to use gifts they already have. Creating talent out of nothing is impossible."
If only God had given me even a single talent.
Without the wealth to hire a personal mage or the talent to learn magic myself, I was completely defenseless if Raff struck again.
[Celeste] "How can I protect myself then?"
I considered my options after asking the question.
[Celeste] "What about swordsmanship?"
He glanced over my thin frame and sighed.
[Terkan] "Your physique is unsuited to wielding a sword."
[Celeste] "Can practice not overcome that? I don't ask for much. I only want to stay alive."
[Terkan] "The people targeting you have trained with swords for years, decades, even. And they still practice every day. Catching up to them, even in a second lifetime, would be impossible. Rely on Eli instead."
Hearing that I couldn't match them even in another lifetime brought reality crashing down. Protecting myself with a sword was nothing more than a fantasy.
[Celeste] "Eli was outside my door this time as well."
Even though I knew Eli was doing his job outside, Raff could sneak in again using hidden spies, inexperienced maids, and hired mages. Threats that Eli couldn't stop on his own.
Unless I could protect myself, no guard would ever be enough.
[Terkan] "I intend to put up a barrier around the imperial palace soon, making physical break-ins nearly impossible. In the meantime, I will think of a suitable solution for you."
Hearing that a barrier would protect the palace offered some small comfort.
Terkan poured the steeped tea into a cup and slid it toward me. After finishing his own cup, he gave me a subtle look, as if he had more to say.
[Terkan] "The engagement ceremony shall proceed as scheduled."
[Celeste] "His Majesty refused to postpone it."
[Terkan] "Yes, Your Highness."
[Celeste] "I see. My appearance will seem quite laughable."
[Terkan] "The dress will hide the wounds on your arm and neck."
[Celeste] "It will hide them from others, certainly."
But I couldn't hide them from Batizo, and that was what made it so ridiculous. Assuming he had his own reasons, I chose not to dwell on it.
I didn't see Batizo again until the day of the engagement ceremony.
The day of the engagement ceremony arrived.
I tossed and turned all night, whether from anxiety, anticipation, or something else, and woke at dawn.
Although Terkan had given me detailed instructions about the ceremony, I couldn't focus at all yesterday.
Over the past few days, Terkan had watched my condition very carefully as he made preparations.
He blamed his concern on my injured arm, but there seemed to be another reason. I didn't ask him about it and let him work, knowing he was not the type to give answers even if I asked.
When he spoke in a soft, caring voice, he looked at me with an unusually gentle expression.
Terkan had stepped closer and gently taken hold of my arms, leaning down to meet my eyes while he studied me in silence.
As the silence stretched on, I spoke first.
[Celeste] "Your face says you have something to tell me."
[Terkan] "Rather than something specific to say..."
He rarely hesitated, but now he seemed trapped in uncertainty.
[Celeste] "What is it? Please tell me. It is fine."
[Terkan] "...It is nothing. Please have a good night."
He left without another word.
Was Terkan the reason I couldn't sleep?
Remembering the expression on his face might have stolen my rest.
When daylight broke, preparations for the engagement ceremony began.
Even though the ceremony was meant to be simple, just handling the basics created chaos. Getting dressed and done up took hours.
Tailored with a high neckline, the gown hid my wounds perfectly.
Batizo sent a necklace for me to wear. The maids helping me gasped in awe, but knowing Terkan had picked it out instead of Batizo left me feeling empty.
Even if it didn't have expensive gems, anything Batizo chose himself would have made me happy. Yet wishing for a gesture like that was nothing more than a foolish dream.
Wearing a necklace as heavy as its brilliant shine throughout the ceremony felt exhausting.
[Elizaveta] "A necklace like this should be shown off in front of the noblewomen!"
Elizaveta, who had been watching me since morning, popped a piece of candy into my mouth when I skipped breakfast.
Every time a dress was fitted, makeup was applied, or jewelry was fastened, she gasped and clapped with enthusiasm. Although she was a bit noisy, her energy was far better than awkward silence.
[Celeste] "I will run into them at the ceremony anyway."
Even though the event was considered small, formal protocol was still followed, and many nobles attended.
[Elizaveta] "Don't just run into them. Show it off openly and crush their pride!"
I already knew what the noblewomen and young ladies said about me through palace rumors. Whispers about my short stature were common, and insults about my character and lack of education spread freely.
Honestly, it didn't bother me much. Compared to the women of Kellinev, I was indeed small, and I really was an uneducated princess.
Still, knowing that I would have to attend social gatherings with them after the ceremony made me anxious.
[Elizaveta] "Part of the fault rests with me, however. I apologize to you for that."
[Celeste] "Why would any of this be your fault, Elizaveta?"
I asked as she looked down in disappointment.
[Elizaveta] "Because of my reputation."
I had heard rumors about Elizaveta's reputation in Kellinev as well. Just as she had told me during our first meeting, she was a free spirit who lived differently from typical noble ladies.
Because I understood better than anyone how much it hurt to be singled out for being different, I had never blamed her.
[Celeste] "Don't think like that, Elizaveta. The fault is not yours. It is that they dislike who I am."
[Elizaveta] "Why would anyone dislike you?"
I gave a gentle smile to Elizaveta, who looked at me with wide eyes.
The title of Fake Princess will follow me until I become Empress and die.
No matter how hard I tried, my origins would always be repulsive to some people. So winning everyone's affection had never mattered to me. Being able to share my heart with people I cared about was enough.
Tarega was here, and so was Elizaveta, along with Aranad, even if he was far away. I was not completely sure about Terkan, but he certainly didn't hate me.
Building a bond with Batizo might take time, but I could wait. This was more than enough.
Expanding my small world from just Tarega and Aranad to include three more people was more than enough.
Even though the invitation list was limited to important figures, a large crowd had gathered.
Stepping into the temple for the first time, its oppressive grandeur weighed heavily on my chest. To make matters worse, my tight undergarments cut off my circulation, making the discomfort unbearable.
No matter what, finishing the engagement ceremony successfully was the most important thing, and it took all my focus.
The ceremony itself was straightforward. After we exchanged rings in front of the assembled witnesses, an officiating priest declared our engagement in the name of the deity. That was the end of the rite.
The guests ate and talked among themselves.
Since I couldn't mingle, I stayed by myself while Batizo drank glass after glass of liquor.
From the very start of the ceremony, he acted strange. Even though he was dressed flawlessly, his mind was clearly somewhere else.
His tired eyes glinted as sharp as honed blades, giving off an aura far too terrifying for anyone to approach.
Everyone watched Batizo nervously, everyone except Terkan.
While Terkan kept his usual cool composure, Batizo's condition worried me. I worried that nightmares were haunting him again, but asking him directly was out of the question.
As Batizo downed glass after glass, getting increasingly drunk, all kinds of thoughts filled my head.
He is completely drunk. Spending our first night together properly will be impossible. So why did he insist on doing this today?
Has he changed his mind?
Passing the night without anything happening sounded nice. Still, a part of me wondered if he was drinking heavily on purpose just to avoid sharing a bed with me.
Seeing how drunk Batizo had become, the guests exchanged knowing glances with one another. They were undoubtedly thinking the same things I was.
Pitying and amused eyes turned toward me. Even so, I kept my composure and sat up straight.
Instead of just staying calm, I looked the noblewomen straight in the eye. Since I had been told that I would have to see them often, getting used to them now seemed wise. A part of me wanted to show them I was not weak, though I didn't know if it would work.
Elizaveta was the only one who smiled at me. The others looked away the moment our eyes met, not because they were intimidated, but as if they were looking at someone disgusting.
As the ceremony neared its end, Batizo stood up first. Even though he had been staggering only moments before, he now walked straight as if he were completely sober, without glancing at me even once.
Shortly after, I stood up and left the room as well.
Now, our night was beginning.
Terkan walked ahead, while the maids followed behind me.
I expected him to lead me to Batizo's bedchamber, but the path turned in a completely different direction. Wondering where we were going, I followed him in silence, trusting where he led.
He walked down into the underground level.
Are there bedrooms down here too?
It was less freezing than the floors above, but a damp, underground smell hit my nose.
Water dripped continuously somewhere in the distance, and my clothes felt heavy as they absorbed the moisture in the air. Just as expected of a basement, a gloomy chill filled the corridor.
Terkan stopped in front of a door.
I went inside with the maids and began preparing for the time I would spend with Batizo.
They washed my body and rubbed precious scented oils into my skin. After dressing me in a nightgown, they combed my loose hair until it was smooth. I felt like a doll being dressed up.
When the maids finished and left, Terkan stepped inside. His crimson eyes inspected me from head to toe. Just like when we first met, his look felt strange.
No, it was different from that day. His eyes looked cold, yet strangely sorrowful.
[Celeste] "What is it?"
Terkan looked at me without answering.
[Celeste] "Are you inspecting me?"
[Terkan] "What else would I be doing?"
[Celeste] "No. I misread you."
Silence settled between us as he studied me once again. He stepped closer and stroked my hair.
[Terkan] "Soft."
[Celeste] "..."
He ran the back of his hand along my cheek and moved it down toward my neck.
[Terkan] "Your skin is... smooth as well."
As if to prove he was inspecting me, Terkan spoke his thoughts aloud. He cupped my chin with his palm, his thumb gently brushing across my lips.
[Terkan] "Your lips are lovely."
A soft sigh escaped him.
Our eyes locked. Terkan used his other hand to push back my hair, leaning down to whisper against my ear.
[Terkan] "Your scent is lovely as well."
[Celeste] "Did you choose this oil too?"
He stayed silent, giving a quiet confirmation.
To think he even picked out the scented oil.
Even though I had already guessed it, hearing him confirm it felt strange.
[Terkan] "If anything happens, call for me."
[Celeste] "What could happen?"
With Batizo here, what could possibly happen?
[Terkan] "Raff might sneak into the palace again."
I let out a small laugh and shook my head.
[Celeste] "That is ridiculous. He refuses to face His Majesty, so he would never dare enter his bedchamber."
[Terkan] "...That should be true."
He stepped back a pace, looked over my whole body, and walked around me once.
I left the bathhouse with Terkan and stood in front of the door to the next room. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
Seeing how nervous I was, Terkan waited patiently beside me.
A few deep breaths couldn't completely get rid of my anxiety, but I felt a little better than before.
[Terkan] "Are you ready to go inside?"
[Celeste] "Yes."
He knocked.
[Batizo] "Enter."
His voice rang out from inside, bringing reality crashing back.
The heavy door creaked open with a faint groan, and I stepped inside.
The heavy pressure hanging in the air unnerved me, draining away my courage to face Batizo.
The strong smell of alcohol filling the room made me want to cover my nose, but I stopped myself so I would not be rude.
The door clicked shut behind me.
[Batizo] "Welcome. Fake Princess."
It was a title I had not heard in ages, one I thought I had forgotten.
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