Chapter 113
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I possessed the body of a villainess locked away in a desolate tower.
Chapter 113
―Cletan Imperial Capital, Central Palace.
"Please step down."
"Ah, yes...."
With the Knight's escort, I descended from the carriage and took in the grand Central Palace before me, leaving the distant view of the Imperial Capital behind.
The Central Palace was far more magnificent than Salt, so breathtaking that one could stand and admire it for hours...
Yet I moved forward with an unwavering gait.
Of course, an ordinary person would have displayed sorrow over a nation on the brink of ruin or humiliation at being held hostage.
But I was far from ordinary in many ways.
'I've finally arrived where he is.'
Lyden Kletan.
My lifeline when I was drowning in despair over an impending marriage to that ugly Count Ravioli.
Berga couldn't hide his worry until the very moment he sent me off, but I actually welcomed this situation.
After all, it meant escaping from those tedious state affairs that gave me a headache just looking at them.
And more than anything, the fact that Lyden had summoned me here...
'Could it be a proposal?!'
My cheeks flushed with rosy dreams, though no one could see.
I'd never been suited for paperwork anyway, and my dream was to be a perfect noblewoman showered with my husband's love. Of course, I'd leave household matters like managing the estate to the capable members of a distinguished family....
Still, as the Crown Princess of the great Empire, I'd have plenty of staff at my disposal, so what would I have to worry about?
'How utterly romantic.'
A man willing to wage war just to have me.
Yet a man who wouldn't harm his own people just because I might be sad.
I'd thought about it the entire journey, and I couldn't imagine anything more magnificent.
'If I asked, he would surely grant Salt its freedom.'
Yes, I remained firmly convinced that all of this was happening because Lyden loved me.
"The Crown Prince has prepared a victory celebration banquet. Please come inside."
The entrance to the banquet hall had appeared before I knew it.
Snapping back to attention at the maidservant's voice nearby, I carefully stepped through the open doors.
The gazes of the assembled nobility immediately fixed upon me.
I barely had time to marvel at the banquet hall's scale, which dwarfed anything Salt could offer.
Soon I began performing the role of an elegant princess.
"Truly, she is dazzlingly beautiful."
"The Princess of Salt. Or rather, I suppose we should call her the former Princess of Salt now. In any case, Princess Lemeia Salt is indeed as renowned for her intelligence and beauty, isn't she?"
My lips curved into a smile as I heard the whispers around me.
I'd never thought of myself as particularly intelligent, but I wholeheartedly agreed with the assessment of my beauty.
And after all, doesn't beauty lend the appearance of intelligence?
People judge everything by what they see, after all.
"We've completely subjugated Salt, but to incorporate it into the Empire without resistance, we'll need a political marriage...."
But the moment I heard talk of politics, the sparkle drained from my eyes.
'Subordination, whatever that means... it's all so complicated.'
But I couldn't let it show.
There was a saying that if you kept your mouth shut and lowered your gaze while maintaining a noble expression, you'd get halfway there.
By the time I reached the seat where Crown Prince Lyden sat, I bowed with a graceful demeanor.
"The Empire's little sun, Crown Prince Lyden Cletan—I am honored to meet you."
"Lemeia Salt."
As I executed the Imperial bow perfectly—having practiced it dozens of times—Lyden's voice descended upon me like a blade.
"Your Highness... the Crown Prince."
When I lifted my head, my face had flushed crimson.
Even from my perspective—and I was considered quite tall—Lyden looked like he'd stepped straight out of a fairy tale, impossibly perfect.
He was even more handsome than the portrait I'd seen before.
After a brief pause, Lyden offered me a faint smile.
"Welcome to the Empire."
"I am deeply honored, Your Highness."
"In celebration of our victory, and for you who will be staying here, we've prepared this banquet—please enjoy yourself freely."
But then.
With those words, Lyden turned his gaze elsewhere and began moistening his throat with wine.
'What?'
My eyes widened at this completely unexpected response.
'That's... it?'
There was no tender affection toward the lover(?) I'd finally met, no dance invitation?
As I stood frozen and hesitant for a long moment, Lyden's gaze found me once more.
"Ah, I almost forgot."
As if remembering belatedly, Lyden clapped his hands together lightly and rose to his feet.
"Princess, come with me for a moment."
"Oh, yes...! Of course, Your Highness."
Assuming he'd simply been preoccupied and forgotten, I interpreted his invitation as a request for a private rendezvous between lovers, and I hurried to follow him.
Beyond the door at the back of the banquet hall lay a space reserved for the Imperial Family—a place where one could rest comfortably.
Every single decoration felt like an exquisite work of art.
And within this setting, Lyden stood out perfectly, like a living painting that refused to be overshadowed.
As I gazed upon him, my cheeks began to flush pink once more.
"Princess."
The door closed, and at the soft sound of his voice, my face brightened.
"Your Highness...!"
Alone in this narrow space, I threw myself toward him with overwhelming emotion.
...Or rather, I tried to.
"You haven't replied to any of my letters."
If only Lyden hadn't spoken those words.
"...Pardon?"
I froze mid-stride toward him, and only then did the meaning of his words sink in, my face flushing red.
"The situation in Salt has been so unstable lately...."
"So that's why it was difficult to reply?"
"Yes? Yes."
"That's strange. I confirmed there were no problems exchanging letters or goods, yet you're telling me my letters never reached the Princess."
"Well, there were various issues within the Royal Family as well."
Had I been mistaken in thinking Lyden would naturally greet me warmly?
Sensing the atmosphere flowing in an interrogative direction contrary to expectations, she studied his expression carefully.
Yet Lyden still wore an inscrutable expression.
"Then let me change the question."
Soon, Lyden approached with a formal smile and asked.
"Six months ago, you advised me to take a step back from the conflict in the Pahel Region. What was your reason?"
"Ah."
It was a topic I hadn't anticipated at all.
Lemeia stared blankly at her own seal imprinted on the white letter he had produced.
"There must be a reason for such advice, no?"
"That is, well, so...."
"Read it. It's a letter written by the Princess herself."
Though I accepted the letter, I couldn't understand its contents nor read a single sentence properly, unable to recall when I had even sent it.
Only from the scattered diplomatic terminology and difficult vocabulary could I be certain it was written with April's assistance.
In truth, Lyden and I had been exchanging letters for quite some time.
It was common in this society for royalty and imperial family members of foreign nations to exchange formal letters to deepen their relationships.
Back then, I hadn't found reading at that level difficult or taxing.
But as I grew older and my duties as Princess of Salt increased, and fatigue accumulated from active social engagements, I began to dislike thinking deeply about things.
It was around then that I discovered April's abilities, and I began delegating all work requiring mental effort to her.
The letters exchanged with Lyden were no exception.
'What should I do?'
However, I hadn't expected April to disappear, so I never considered what would happen after she was gone.
The volume of letters exchanged with Lyden increased after April's involvement, as did their length.
I had never accepted any of it as a warning sign. I simply firmly believed that Lyden's interest and affection toward me were growing.
But facing this situation now felt maddening.
Until now, whenever Lyden asked something through letters, I had pretended not to receive them and sent entirely different replies to evade the situation—but I couldn't do that now, standing right before him.
Completely panicked, I blurted out something without thinking.
"I don't remember."
"What?"
"It's been so long that my memory is a bit..."
Normally, I had no great difficulty with image management or saying and doing things contrary to my true feelings.
But in such an awkward situation, even that became difficult.
Just as I desperately tried to manage my expression, I looked up at Lyden with frightened eyes.
"Hehehehe, kekekeke, hahahaha."
Suddenly, Lyden burst into strange laughter.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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