Chapter 16

Translated by XyeHeart Edited by XyeHeart

Diana was completely taken aback.

Her father and brother couldn’t say anything when Meriel, who was no different than her own dog, spoke back to them a while ago.

Diana assumed he’d scolded her for the same reason he always did.

Unlike in the past, Meriel, who is no longer a fool, was the banquet’s star.

What if she ruined the princess’s enviably lovely gown?

But it was a good idea to ruin the wedding ceremony, but it didn’t work out.

She didn’t believe the monster Grand Duke would sacrifice himself for anyone.

Every time she caused an accident, she was chastised for doing something stupid, but everyone let it slide.

Her emperor father would simply stroke her hair and smile at her, as he always did the next day.

Diana was determined to do the same this time.

“What the hell are you doing?”

The Grand Duke’s words, which sounded like a thunderbolt, caused her mouth to close. While assisting Meriel, who had fallen to the floor, he looked at Diana as if he were looking at some of the dirtiest trash in the world.

“Oh! No…I- I’m…”

“No matter how much the princess likes to joke around, she knows how she stood her ground.” He clenched his teeth.

“But..I didn’t…”

Diana felt humiliated.

Why did she have to bear the brunt of the Grand Duke’s wrath and Meriel’s collapse on her own?

“But I didn’t do it!”

She was in tears, staring at Meriel with a dumb look in her eyes.

“Isn’t today a joyous occasion, Your Grace? It was just a prank from my sister… just ignore it.” Meriel said this while pleading, then turned to face Diana.

“I’m sorry I haven’t had much time to talk to you because I’ve been busy.”

“Huh… what… what?” Diana expressed her confusion.

“Yet, the shock of the day hasn’t worn off…”

Meriel stumbled. Grand Duke’s act of holding her up gently as if she were a broken glass was profound. She could hear the sounds made by the noble ladies around her.

The appearance of a husband who genuinely cares about his wife is always appealing. Regardless of how much of a monster he is.

Furthermore, he is so attractive that he defies the term ‘monster’. She’s not admiring it now because she was so taken with him the first time she saw him.

“What are you talking about?! When did I…?”

“Enough!”

Grand Duke cut her off and hid Meriel behind his back.

He went on, exuding a deep rage that made her body numb.

“You can simply treat my wife recklessly because she has not been sane in the past.”

“……Ha!”

“Then explain yourself.”

Diana was tempted to scream in exasperation. She wanted to express her rage by grabbing Meriel’s hair right away.

However, the whispering eyes around her and the Grand Duke’s fierce eyes caused her to bow down.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m joking, of course… I’m-I’m sorry… Meriel, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right, Diana. It was due to my inadequacy.”

Meriel accepted her apology with a sweet smile. Her warm smile warmed everyone’s hearts in the banquet hall.

She was an immature princess who harmed Meriel by playing tricks on her, and Meriel transformed into a benevolent and kind princess. Diana felt irritated and frustrated to no end.

“I’m sorry for inviting you all and only showing you negative things. I will be generous in exchange, so please enjoy.”

After telling everyone to enjoy a colorful, free feast, the Grand Duke escorted Meriel. Leaning weakly against him, she was recognized as a “weak but loving princess” in all the banquet halls’ hearts.

Diana exited the banquet hall, biting her lips and casting a more ferocious gaze than usual.

“Father, brother! That woman must be insane!..How could this happen in a single day?!”

In the room where she went screaming in rage, there was her brother, who was even angrier than she was, and her father, who was frozen with a dark face.

“How come you allowed that? Right now, that b*tch!…”

“Be quiet, Diana.”

Dale, who usually lavished her with affection, abruptly cut her off.

“Brother?”

“If you don’t want to lose your position as a princess, stop doing anything.”

They were the only ones who ever complimented her. Diana turned to face her father, Draven. She gave him a look, but he averted his gaze.

“Accept responsibility and remain sober for the time being.”

“But Father!”

“What pranks have you pulled this time, Diana?” Dale yelled angrily.

Diana was baffled.

She was adamantly opposed to doing so.

“What the hell is the matter with Meriel? She was a fool, and now she’s just acting like a normal person! Why would a father and brother bow to a naive young lady?”

In response to her outburst, Dale sighed in frustration.

“Meriel is the previous emperor’s daughter. She is the direct descendant.”

“What’s the problem with that?! The Emperor is now our father!”

“Our father became Emperor because the Meriel you’re referring to was only a young girl at the time! So far, she’s been a fool and hasn’t matured, so there’s no problem!”

“What-what…what do you mean?”

“It means that if she reaches adulthood and returns to her senses. Meriel can reclaim everything!”

Diana collapsed to the ground. Sorrowful tears flowed.

“That’s ridiculous! So, if she asks you to hand over the throne, you have no choice but to comply?”

Draven exhaled with a throbbing headache. He had a lot on his mind.

[Stop doing pointless things..then, Your Majesty, you will have nothing to worry about.]

Draven shook his head as he remembered what Meriel had said.

“Don’t do anything.”

“Father!”

Draven pressed his temples and grumbled in response to Dale’s rage.

“If I don’t do anything stupid… she won’t ask you to hand over the throne? What makes you think she’s telling the truth?”

He remembered her cold expression, which contrasted sharply with her smile.

Draven reminded her of the previous Emperor, whom he had assassinated.

“It was a girl who tried to make ends meet by dressing up as a fool. She is wise enough to realize she will be killed when she grows up, so she marries the Grand Duke.”

“Unless she wants a civil war, she won’t want to be crowned easily.”

Draven was certain she wanted to live.

Of course, if she had told the truth 14 years ago, everything would be different, but she doesn’t seem to remember.

She was astute, so she quickly grasped the situation and knew what she needed to do.

She seemed to understand that the murder threats he made were not motivated by the truth of the past, but rather by the desire to keep the throne. In any case, it was a good thing for him.

“So keep quiet for a while.”

Draven, on the other hand, had no plans to ignore her.

It was only for the time being. He should not have left anyone who threatened his position and harmed his beloved family.

‘Of all people, it’s the Grand Duke Dustin’

At the complicated thoughts, Draven sighed and closed his eyes.

* * *

Meriel had to deal with her awkwardness until she exited the banquet hall and went to her bedroom.

She knew Klaus had entered the banquet hall because he matched the rhythm of her passionate acting so well.

‘I still can’t believe it happened.’

She wasn’t hurt badly enough to require care and concern.

She tripped and fell but was untouched.

It was a calculated action to begin with, so it was natural.

Even after leaving the banquet hall, he was still angry, and the hand on her shoulder was very careful.

She blew the opportunity to say it was a sham performance.

“Well…thank you.”

“Can’t you avoid it like a fool?”

Meriel admitted it. Her acting was flawless.

“Today’s jokes and that princess’ attitude…How did you live in the Imperial Palace?”

“I’ve had a decent life.”

“It doesn’t look good at all.”

“All I had to do was stay healthy and alive. And act stupid.”

Klaus sighed, wrinkles on his brow. He said this as he opened the bedroom door.

“I’m sorry to say, but you’re a fool.”

“It’s all right, I was a fool.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I didn’t mean it that way either.”

Meriel entered the bedroom, turned, and reached between his eyes. She pressed her palm against his creased brow. She squeezed his wrinkled brow.

“What are you doing?”

“I wanted you to avoid wrinkles on your handsome face. Something strange happened, but today is our wedding, so you have to put on a happy face.”

Meriel laughed as she slowly lowered her hand.

“Am I going in by myself?”

“What?”

“Am I the only one who uses this room?”

Meriel inquired of Klaus, who was still holding the door.

Klaus, who had only just realized what the word meant, swallowed his breath.

“Are you sure you understand what you’re saying?”

“Of course, we’re a couple,” she replied confidently.

Klaus exhaled and pushed her back.

“It hasn’t even gotten dark yet.”

“This is my first night. I’m hoping I don’t get slapped in the face.”

“Meriel!”

As he yelled her name, Meriel giggled.

He was cute with her because he couldn’t even look her in the eyes while turning his red face. It was the polar opposite of how he felt when he saw her fall.

Klaus only became so honest in front of her.

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