Chapter 15

"Prince, why won't you look at me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. When you talk, you never make eye contact with me at all. Do you find it so unpleasant to look at me?"

"Not really..."

Lilith stopped walking and turned to look straight at Jezalde, who was walking beside her.

Jezalde also stopped, but he still did not look at Lilith.

The two were strolling through the inner garden of the palace the day before their wedding.

Lilith had insisted on having a private conversation before the ceremony, and Jezalde—or rather, the Emperor—had agreed, setting aside this time for them.

"Are you still angry because the portrait was so different?"

"Portrait?"

"Yes. Didn't you receive it? The artist made a few... no, quite a few adjustments... I think he was painting my fantasy while looking at me. So it was quite idealized... I suppose you were disappointed when you saw me in person?"

"...I apologize, but I haven't seen the portrait."

"Is that so... I'm glad... No, I'm not! Didn't you even care about what your future bride looked like? You should have looked. You should have been interested."

"...Princess Amaryllis?"

"Ah! I'm sorry! I spoke rudely out of shock!"

Thinking about that portrait made her feel bitter, and she couldn't help but let her guard down.

Seeing Jezalde's expressionless face, she quickly regained her composure, but she couldn't help feeling disappointed by his response. It seemed he wasn't interested at all.

That portrait, which her father had sent in an attempt to make a good impression—though it had the opposite effect—had raised the expectations of the people of Aelar. Over the past few days, Lilith had felt this in her skin. However, everyone was polite and said nothing, though they seemed disappointed.

"Anyway, when I talk to you, I want to see your face. If you keep turning away, I can't tell what you're really thinking, and it's not good for building a good relationship between us."

"Do you... intend to build a good relationship with me?"

"Yes, of course."

Undeterred by his sarcastic tone, Lilith quickly stood in front of Jezalde, stretched up, and grabbed his cheeks, forcing him to make eye contact.

The guards and Tena, who were a short distance away, were startled.

But Jezalde was even more surprised.

Lilith, unusually, showed her displeasure on her face.

"Prince, I understand that you've had many experiences in the past that have led you to think this way. But that's in the past. Isn't it possible to change your mind a little? I'm not asking you to love me. But at least, can't you make an effort to get along? Otherwise, I..."

"Otherwise what?"

"I'll climb to the top of the tallest spire in the palace and shout."

"Huh?"

"I'll shout so loudly that everyone in the palace, and even the entire city, can hear my complaints about you!"

Jezalde, who had thought she might say she would jump, not only found his prediction wrong but also couldn't help but smile at the image in his mind.

He rarely smiled, as people had always said it was creepy, even when he was a child.

He quickly regained his composure, but it seemed Lilith had seen it clearly.

"Why do you always have such a bored expression on your face?"

"Bored?"

"Yes. I just saw your smile for the first time. You should smile more."

"...Is that your strategy?"

"Huh?"

"Making me look at a face I don't want to see and pretending to be innocent to make me interested in you."

"I don't understand what you mean."

Lilith genuinely didn't understand, but Jezalde didn't believe her.

He grabbed her wrists, which were still touching his cheeks, and glared at her.

"I have no intention of falling for your—your schemes."

"Schemes?"

"You don't have to pretend. I don't know what you plan to do by winning me over—"

"Huh!?"

Lilith interrupted Jezalde's stern words without any regard for etiquette.

It wasn't intentional; she just couldn't help it out of surprise.

She stared at Jezalde intently and then snorted.

Jezalde frowned at her unprincess-like behavior.

But Lilith couldn't maintain her ladylike demeanor any longer.

"Prince, aren't you a bit too self-important?"

"What—"

"Of course, you are an important figure in this country, and many people would want to win you over. But what would I gain by doing so? Bringing prosperity to my homeland? We already have enough. In fact, it's because of that prosperity that Fontae targeted us and put us in a difficult situation. If this marriage goes through, we will form an alliance with Aelar and be protected from Fontae. That's enough for me. What more could I want?"

"That—"

"Ah, maybe you think I want to lord it over this country? No thanks. I just want to be left alone. If I could, I'd spend all day in bed! ...Y-You see, I'm... frail."

In her anger, she had revealed her true feelings and quickly added the frailty part.

Jezalde looked at her suspiciously but said nothing.

"In short, I want to build a good relationship with you, even if it's just a little... That's why I asked for this time today."

"...I understand your feelings. However, I need to return to my duties, so I'll take my leave."

Nodding slightly at a signal from a distant attendant, Jezalde left.

Lilith's words seemed to have been understood, but it was unclear how Jezalde felt.

It seemed that this walk, intended to improve their relationship, had failed.

(What was that? Wasn't it incredibly rude?)

Lilith, angry at Jezalde's attitude, stomped back to Tena, making a sound that could be heard.

Tena, who hadn't heard their conversation, could tell from their expressions that the marriage was going to be difficult and held back a sigh.