Chapter 23

Following the palace attendant's instruction to turn around, Aristine turned her body. As she did, her long, luxurious hair swayed gracefully through the air. Her originally radiant silver hair, now meticulously groomed with a comb oiled with flower oil, seemed to be finely ground and scattered diamonds. The lavender-like, mysterious color of her hair stood out even more.

The lower part of her hair was left to flow freely, while the upper part was braided into several strands, adorned with a floral crown made primarily of peonies, roses, and lilies. Despite being excessively ornate, the floral crown seemed perfectly fitting on Aristine's head, enhancing her beauty as a bride. The moment revealed the true beauty that could make even flowers bow their heads in shame. Her violet eyes were deep and transparent, her coral-colored lips appeared soft and smooth, her small, straight nose and vibrant cheeks, and her flawless, gently glowing skin. Her silk dress flowed smoothly along her perfectly proportioned limbs. The jewelry she wore seemed to gather light, and the platinum chain hanging down sparkled with every movement she made. She looked like a figure from a myth, a fairy or a goddess, something other than human.

The maids, who had planned to mock the new bride dressed in barbarian attire, were amazed. Their eyes widened in shock, and their faces were filled with astonishment. Only after Aristine turned another half-circle at the palace attendant's instruction did they exhale the breath they had been holding.

"Hmm, at least she doesn't disgrace the name of the Sylvanus Empire."

"Exactly, just enough."

"At least she's not embarrassing."

The maids raised their noses, acting as if it was nothing. However, they had completely forgotten the fight they had just been in. They idly fanned themselves, pretending to be indifferent.

While the palace attendants made final adjustments to her attire, the maids peeked at Aristine through their fans.

'Clothes are like wings, right? That's why.'

'Look at those jewels... They're so big and vivid, and they sparkle like that. How much do they cost?'

'Even one of the jewels on the chain could buy a decent dress.'

The maids' eyes were filled with envy and admiration as they whispered to each other.

The princess should have been a humble and plain presence. Everything that belonged to her should have come to them, just as it did in the palace.

The image of themselves sweeping through society in lavish attire, with Tarkan's strong arm around their slender waist, danced in their minds.

'Tarkan must have paid for all of this.'

'As expected of Tarkan...'

The maids' faces twitched with greed as they thought of their master's husband.

By Sylvanus standards, Tarkan was not a good man. He not only failed to treat ladies with respect but had even dared to intrude into a lady's bedroom rudely. He was a problematic man.

'But...'

Even so, he was charming. In front of him, Sylvanus men looked like mere boys. His piercing, intense gaze, chiseled features, prominent jawline, and his well-built, muscular body made him an incredibly desirable man. Moreover, he possessed the perfect combination of ability, status, and wealth.

Seeing Aristine so beautifully adorned, the maids became even more restless.

'Hmph, what a waste on that ragged princess.'

'I'm better than an uneducated lunatic.'

'A woman as elegant, noble, and aristocratic as me should be by his side.'

The maids bit their lips in frustration.

Of course, no one else paid any attention to them.

"His Majesty Tarkan will be surprised to see the princess."

"Hehe, I can't wait to show the princess to him. I'm curious about his reaction."

"His Majesty Tarkan will look even more handsome today."

"Ah, this will truly be a historic wedding. Their beauty is outstanding."

Aristine's shoulders straightened at the palace attendants' chatter.

'Isn't it more historic that this is a political marriage that ends centuries of hostility?'

At least the palace attendants, who had worked hard and even sweated, were satisfied with the result. It was fortunate.

'They are truly passionate about their work. I should recruit them.'

I need to make a lot of money to hire such passionate employees.

"A, and we prepared something soft and comfortable."

"It's really soft and can withstand any shock."

"It's a bit narrow, though."

The palace attendants whispered in low voices. They laughed with a strange expression, their eyes gleaming oddly.

"Good job."

Aristine praised them for remembering and paying attention to her words. It was indeed a sign of their competence. Her desire to recruit them continued to rise.

"Shall we go now, Your Highness?"

The palace attendants energetically opened the door. It was time to ride the carriage to the ceremony venue.

* * *

"Why did it take so long..."

The Sylvanus knights, who had been waiting outside for a long time, were about to voice their complaints as soon as the door opened. However, the moment they saw Aristine, their words died in their throats. They forgot their irritation and gaped in amazement.

For a moment, they looked bewildered, but soon they began to scrutinize Aristine from head to toe as if evaluating her. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman, incomparable in appearance.

'Too precious to give to a barbarian.'

'She should be admired by a noble knight like me.'

Their eyes gleamed with desire and greed as they watched every step Aristine took. These were the same people who had made dirty jokes about her during the journey.

When Aristine was about to board the carriage, the senior knight, who had never offered to help her during the long journey, extended his hand. He smiled boldly, pretending to be a courteous knight.

He had only refrained from touching the unwashed princess, but now it was different.

Aristine ignored the extended hand and tried to board the carriage alone.

However, the senior knight grabbed her hand.

"......"

The knight who held Aristine's hand smiled slyly.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just escorting Her Highness. Come, get into the carriage."

As he spoke, he unpleasantly caressed Aristine's soft hand.

Aristine looked at him for a moment, then raised her eyes to meet his.

"How dare you touch a member of the royal family without permission."

The knight flinched at the low voice and the authority in her eyes. This was the first time the princess had asserted the authority of the royal family.

The knight was flustered and didn't know how to react.

"Shouldn't you kneel and beg for my mercy?"

Her calm voice carried weight, and the knight involuntarily let go of her hand. He felt ashamed of his own actions.

Reacting this way to the princess he had mocked.

"Haha, Princess, you know your position. Why are you suddenly acting like this?"

The knight deliberately laughed more exaggeratedly and belittled Aristine.

"Royalty has its own standards."

The knight's eyes, scrutinizing Aristine from head to toe, were filled with contempt, not reverence.

"Do you think you're the Second Princess?"

The knight poked Aristine's shoulder, as if to show that he could do so without consequences.

"Did you forget who you are after being treated well in Ailugo and marrying a prince? Really..."

He twisted his lips in a sneer.

"You're just a barbarian, after all."

The knight rubbed Aristine's shoulder with his thumb.

Her skin was incredibly smooth.

"That's why they hold you in high regard."

His pride wounded, his eyes filled with mixed emotions as he slowly scanned her slender neck and prominent collarbone.

Aristine's eyes narrowed.

"You really love your subordinates, don't you?"

The knight frowned at the unexpected comment.

'I knew the princess was mentally unstable, but...'

Aristine smiled.

"Are you doing this because you want to be locked in the underground dungeon with me?"

The knight's expression hardened at her words. He remembered the subordinate who had been dragged to the underground dungeon, beaten to a pulp.

Tarkan had done that.

'I would have prevented it if I had been there!'

'I should have shown that barbarian the skills of an imperial knight.'

'Attacking me when I wasn't there...'

He had exchanged such words with his subordinates, but honestly, he didn't want to face Tarkan.

He could tell just by looking at him.

'That guy is a monster...'

Looking at the pale knight, Aristine whispered softly.

"Dogs have proud noses, and it would be fun if we both had proud noses. Or... maybe something else would be quite nice."

Aristine's gaze moved downward, precisely to the knight's crotch.

"I'm more drawn to this side. What about you?"

Smiling sweetly, Aristine looked like a beautiful and pure angel. Despite her appearance, her words threatened to break his precious third leg.

The knight instinctively covered his crotch.

His face turned pale with fear.

Even though nothing had happened yet, he already felt pain in his precious area.

Aristine smiled at the knight's pitiful reaction and boarded the carriage alone.

'How can someone be so lacking in learning ability?'

Sitting down, Aristine blew a breath out of her mouth.

If one person had acted like this, they should have known better.

'I need to deal with the knights soon.'

For that, she needed an excuse.

'I wish they would cause an accident on their own.'

She was worried that scaring them like this might make them more cautious.

'No, no. If they were smart, this wouldn't have happened.'

They might act out even more in front of their subordinates, thinking it would restore their wounded pride.

Aristine looked out the window.

The knights were marching around the carriage, guarding it.

She easily spotted the senior knight, who was fuming with anger.

He seemed embarrassed by his overreaction to the threat to his precious area.

His subordinates were pretending not to notice, but they were glancing at him sideways, making it worse.

'Oh, he's about to explode.'

In a way, he was a consistent person.

It was a good omen for Aristine.

By the time she thought this, the carriage had arrived at the ceremony venue.

* * *

Inside the elaborately decorated ceremony hall, Diona stood in a corner of the lobby, trying to maintain her composure.

The square outside the hall was crowded with people, including journalists.

Even inside, the excitement and commotion were palpable.

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the woman who would become Tarkan's wife, the kingdom's hero.

'I should have been the one to receive that expectation...!'

Diona was the only woman close to Tarkan.

The only woman he had allowed by his side.

She was supposed to be Tarkan's wife.

As the queen, she would rule the country with Tarkan, the king.

She had thought there was no other future for her.

'But a princess from Sylvanus!'

Diona's expression remained unchanged, but her tightly clenched fists trembled.

"Oh, Lady Diona."

Young ladies chatting in the lobby noticed Diona and greeted her.

Always composed and mature, Diona was the envy of all the young ladies.

Moreover, her brother had sacrificed himself to save his comrades in the Plains Battle, dying a heroic death.

The story was famous, even in ballads.

Who could be unmoved by the noble sacrifice of a young warrior?

Naturally, the prestige of the Pallaman family, Diona's house, had risen.

"Ladies."

Diona greeted them with a smile, as if she had never been angry.

"You look beautiful today. More beautiful than the bride, perhaps?"

"What are you saying? Princess Aristine is truly beautiful."

Diona smiled seductively, praising Aristine.

"I've heard that she is beautiful. Everyone was surprised when she appeared at the audience."

"But, after all, she is from Sylvanus."

"Too small and plain..."

The young ladies whispered in low voices, careful not to be overheard.

"Although I say this, I think someone like Lady Diona would suit His Majesty Tarkan better."

"Me too."

Diona said nothing, her lips curling into a seductive smile.

'Forget about being a wife, I need to make money.'