I thought he was my only savior. But to him, I was just the daughter of his enemy.
01
My suitor, my savior
One bright spring day. The scent of spring filled the air through the window, but my room was still winter. The hallway was dusty and devoid of any servants, and the air was chilly and devoid of warmth. It all suited me, a half-princess.
Even though it was a ruined villa, it was more bearable than the humiliation and abuse I had endured before being imprisoned here. This shabby space became my only sanctuary.
''It's already spring.''
I sat by the window and stretched out my hand. A flower petal fluttering in the wind gently landed on my hand. I smiled faintly as I looked at the petal that had landed on my hand.
''It's pretty.''
The moment I tried to grab it in my hand,
bang-
I heard the door open. I turned my head to look at the door, which was wide open, and saw three women in maid's attire standing in front of it.
''This is a letter.''
The woman among them strode briskly toward me and handed me a letter. It was half-torn, and she seemed to have no intention of covering up the evidence that it had been read without the owner's permission.
I looked at the letter, then turned my head again and looked at my palm. The petals that had been on my hand had blown away in the wind.
''You don't even say hello to me.''
''This is a marriage proposal.''
''A marriage proposal? To me?''
"Yes, to be exact, it's Rose's letter. Not Iris's."
I glared at the maid holding the letter and snatched it away. Of course, no letters will be sent in Iris's name now, or ever. Iris is dead.
To be exact, I'm dead to the outside world. Iris, that is, I'm the Emperor's illegitimate child. When the Emperor's beloved daughter, Princess Rose, died, he brought me back to life as her substitute. Rose is dead and Iris is alive, but Iris is dead and Rose is alive. From that day on, my life became so twisted that it couldn't be resolved.
''S.Coups? Choi Seung-chul??''
"Yes, I am the Northern Grand Duke of the Lezen region. The princess is now being taken as the Crown Princess. As a hostage."
The maids, having finished speaking, began to giggle among themselves. Their thoughts were quite different from my current situation. He would be my only lifeline.
Goosebumps ran through my face. The corners of my mouth twitched uncontrollably. I was so excited that my whole body shivered, my breathing ragged. If that were him, if that were him, I could definitely bring down this damned empire.
''Choi Seung-cheol... No, so you're saying that S.Coups is the grand duke?''
''Ha... That's right!''
Choi Seung-cheol... Yes, it was definitely the boy I met at the flower shop ten years ago. He was my only ally in life, my first love. Of course, I haven't seen him since our first meeting ten years ago, and my name has changed, but he would definitely recognize me.
"No matter how much the princess dislikes it, it's useless. The marriage has already been consummated."
As soon as I heard that, I jumped up from my seat.
Marriage? Right now? When, when is my wedding?
The maids who heard my words looked at each other, glanced at each other, and then smiled unpleasantly.
''today.''
''evil!''
They each continued their work, ignoring my screams. I cursed inwardly and looked in the mirror.
The hair that had been disheveled was neatly arranged, the clothes that had been disheveled were now shining pure white, and the scent of the earth that had filled his body had now become a strong scent of roses.
''It's all done.''
''and...''
Even though she was an abandoned child, perhaps because it was the wedding of her daughter, whom she cherished in public, she really did see a beautiful bride getting married today in the mirror.
While I was admiring it for a long time, the maids had already left their seats.
''Even though his hands are rough, he has some skill.''
As I spun around in the mirror, the hem of my dress followed me, a beat slower than before.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a polite knock on the door and I answered, still looking in the mirror.
''Come in.''
I heard the door open and close, but no sound. I turned my head in confusion, and there he was, standing there.
''Nice to meet you, Your Highness.''
''uh...?''
''This is S.Coups.''
That was my second meeting with Seungcheol.