Chapter 17

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 17

Chapter Title: Princess Carry into the Palace

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I was hiding behind one of the imperial palace's characteristically massive pillars, but I could tell who it was.

There's no way I couldn't recognize her.

"Farewell, original story's heroine."

It felt like something akin to pitch-black smoke was filling my chest.

I suddenly recalled my death in my third life.

Right after the guillotine's blade came down on my neck.

Covered in my blood, that woman had been grinning from ear to ear.

"…Ah?"

"……."

"Hilia."

Was it because I remembered that pain and rage from back then?

For a moment, I didn't even hear Arpad calling my name.

Only after he grabbed my shoulder and shook it did I finally snap out of it.

"…Are you okay?"

By then, Arpad's face was right up close to mine.

So close that his breath brushed my cheek.

It was so near that even my seething anger toward Evangeline momentarily faded.

It felt like he'd hauled me out of a swamp with one hand.

Thanks to that, it took me a beat to understand why Arpad was so worried about me.

"Your hand is cold."

At some point, Arpad's hand had clasped mine.

"And you're drenched in cold sweat."

His forehead was pressed against mine. Arpad muttered lowly.

"Your body doesn't seem unwell, though……."

"I-I'm fine."

It was just that my emotions had surged too intensely for a moment.

But Arpad wouldn't hear of it.

"No. You look really unwell."

"What? I said I'm clearly……!"

But the man, who seemed like stubbornness sculpted into human form, hopped off the horse while cradling me.

My vision shook.

"Eek!"

Surprisingly, he landed on the ground while flawlessly maintaining the princess carry.

'I'd heard dragon bloodline influences physical prowess too… but this is impressive.'

He started heading toward the Crown Prince Palace, hoisting me up effortlessly in his arms.

"My bride is so frail, I'm worried about putting her on a horse anymore."

He said it loud enough for those nearby to hear.

That's when I glimpsed it over his shoulder.

Evangeline's eyes, blazing several times more fiercely than before.

She was undoubtedly furious.

The moment I realized that, a bizarre thrill consumed my mind.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around Arpad's neck and clung to him showily.

And so, our entry into the imperial palace unfolded like a brazen parade for all to see.

Only Arpad's magnificent steed trailed tamely behind us.

Crack!

Blood splattered across the white marble railing etched with delicate floral patterns.

Evangeline's prized elegant nails had snapped under the pressure.

But she felt no pain at all.

'What the hell did I just witness?'

That scene had been that shocking.

She'd rushed over after hearing Arpad and Hilia had entered the palace.

Seeing them parading atop a single horse like they owned the place was outrageous enough.

But he was straight-up princess-carrying her all the way to the Crown Prince Palace.

And moreover.

'Did Hilia just glare right at me?'

That wasn't all. She'd even smirked, as if flaunting it.

As though she knew Evangeline's heart inside out.

Even Evangeline hadn't anticipated hurting this much at the sight of Arpad carrying another woman.

Yet there she was, acting like she could read it all.

'A mere book character dares!'

Empress Isabel, oblivious to her daughter's turmoil, clicked her tongue softly.

"She's thrashing about in desperation. Even so, she won't earn the Emperor's recognition."

Malicious, vicious rumors about those two had already circulated the capital six times over.

The palace servants were eagerly trading the gossip.

"Those two were in an affair from the beginning, they say."

"Can you believe it? I heard Duchess Delphin seduced both the Crown Prince and the Grand Duke."

"Heavens. If that's true, she's the harlot of the century, isn't she?"

"Even so, snatching his cousin's wife through bride abduction marriage? Has the Crown Prince truly gone mad? It's terrifying."

A whirlwind of negative rumors swirled around the pair.

At the same time, plenty pitied Ludwig.

"Having his bride stolen by the Crown Prince's mania… so pitiful."

"Even after that, he said he harbors no resentment toward the Crown Prince or Duchess Delphin."

"He's too good-hearted for this world."

Rumors that would fill Ludwig with shame and fury if he heard them.

But the Empress couldn't care less.

She snorted dismissively.

"The best scenario would've been Ludwig reclaiming his bride, but with things as they are, no helping it."

The Empress turned to her daughter.

"Think of it as gaining leverage to boot her out later, after Ludwig engulfs the Delphin house… what?"

"……."

The Empress clicked her tongue again and cradled her daughter's bloodied nails.

"Can't you let go yet? That foolish obsession?"

"But Mother……."

"I told you to give it up. Arpad will never be a puppet like Ludwig."

The Empress knew her daughter had carried a torch for Arpad for ages.

She herself had been persuading her all along.

Under her mother's prodding, Evangeline replied with helpless resignation.

"Yes, I know, Mother. I know full well."

But Evangeline simply couldn't stomach the scene she'd just seen.

Not even if Arpad was a dying man she could never have.

'Why should I let some other woman stand by his side? I'm burning with rage, and it hurts so much?'

The soul possessing Evangeline had always believed one thing.

That she was the true heroine.

Why treat book characters as if they were real people?

'I'll kill her! Plans be damned, I won't stand for this!'

Evangeline's green eyes ignited with sinister murderous intent.

Surprisingly, Arpad carried me all the way to the Crown Prince Palace for real.

His breathing didn't even hitch.

'What insane stamina.'

I'd already learned it bone-deep from riding together nonstop for three days.

The chief steward and servants at the Crown Prince Palace greeted us in a panic.

"Your Highness! You're finally back!"

"Do you have any idea how shocked we were by the rumors?"

"Surely, that lady is……?"

They stared with a tangled mix of shock, curiosity, and doubt.

Arpad brushed off their confusion and replied with perfect composure.

"The Crown Princess."

For the record, I was still in his arms.

A bit embarrassed, I whispered to him.

"Can't you put me down now?"

"Why? Don't want to be put down? Hate being carried by me?"

A crease formed between his smooth brows. He looked displeased again.

Why? This man was impossible to read.

"It's not that, but everyone's watching. It's embarrassing."

"Why embarrassing? Am I?"

He might actually get mad if I agreed.

"…No. But being carried in front of everyone is naturally embarrassing."

"I'm not embarrassed."

Arpad was utterly brazen.

"Put me down because I'm embarrassed!"

"No."

"Why? Why not? I have legs! I walk just fine!"

"Because you keep insisting on being put down. Now I don't want to."

You contrarian!

Flabbergasted, I wriggled to force my way down, but it was pointless.

I'd lost the battle of strength, so I had no choice but to stay put.

Going further, Arpad even berated the servants while holding me.

"What are you lot doing?"

"Y-Yes? Your Highness?"

"Not even properly greeting your mistress?"

I was stunned.

'No, for greetings or courtesy, shouldn't you put me down first? They were obviously waiting for that!'

But Arpad was unhinged. Unhinged means no sense or reason applies.

And the Crown Prince Palace servants, long accustomed to their mad master, flattened themselves instantly.

They dropped to their knees in unison and bowed to me.

"We greet the Crown Princess."

"May Artanus's glory forever be with Your Highness."

Thanks to them, I had a one-of-a-kind experience.

Receiving servants' greetings while cradled in a man's arms.

How could it not be?

'I'm probably the only Crown Princess in history greeted like this!'

Masking my thoughts, I replied with dignified poise.

"…Pleased to meet you all."

I wanted to bawl. My cheeks were on fire.

I had no choice but to bury my face in Arpad's broad shoulder, pretending to hide.

The servants and Arpad took it the wrong way.

"The Crown Princess seems quite fatigued."

"Shall we call the court ladies?"

"Best to have them standing by, just in case."

No need!

"We've prepared the Ivory Bedroom preemptively, in case."

"Good work."

The Ivory Bedroom was the Crown Princess's quarters.

A room I'd never once used across my three lives. It felt oddly surreal.

And Arpad carried me right into the Ivory Bedroom.

'Fine, your stamina is legit!'

Only inside the bedroom did he finally set me down.

Not on the floor.

He perched me on the bed light as a feather.

Arpad's gaze collided straight with mine.