If the Empress hadn’t provoked her, Sabina would have been torn between using the potion in the bouquet to control either Rosemary or Titiana, who was set to receive it.

However, when the Empress’s lady-in-waiting mentioned her unfortunate mother’s fate, Sabina’s decision was made—Rosemary would be her target.

At that moment, the perfect opportunity presented itself. The High Priest had just finished his blessing and was asking the couple to make their wedding vows.

“Do you vow to cherish and love each other for life?”

As Rosemary opened her mouth to answer, Sabina seized the moment and quietly recited the spell to activate the potion that Autumn had told her about.

And at that very instant…

Bang!

With a tremendous noise, a vase near the Emperor on the platform exploded. Fortunately, knights and mages were nearby to prevent any harm, but they couldn’t stop the ensuing commotion.

“Eek!”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

Everyone turned to look at the Emperor in shock, and Sabina was just as bewildered.

‘What is this? What on earth happened?’

The vase beside the Emperor was ablaze. The attendants poured water over it, but the fire showed no signs of extinguishing.

Amidst the chaos, the Emperor remained calm. He waved his hand with a gentle smile.

“There’s no need to worry. On such a joyous day, look at this old man. Let’s proceed with the ceremony.”

Only then did those watching him reluctantly turn their attention back to the Crown Prince and his bride.

Except for one person—Sabina.

The Emperor’s gaze, which had been warm, now turned to Sabina. It was a cold stare, colder than ice, something she had never seen before.

Sabina, who usually couldn’t read others’ cues, sensed that things had gone terribly wrong.

‘Something’s not right. Something…’

It felt like a deep abyss was pulling at her feet.

***

“Yuri, let’s get married.”

It was a confession I had delayed and avoided time and again.

Yet, when I finally said it to Yuri, it flowed out as naturally as breathing.

We both stared at each other with wide eyes, saying nothing. In his blue eyes, only my face was reflected.

Yes, it was entirely me.

‘Yuri has always been like that from the start.’

From the beginning, he had been courteous to me and always listened to my voice. Even though he was anxious I might leave, he assured me marriage wasn’t necessary because I didn’t want it.

‘I was such a fool. Yuri isn’t like them, so why did I assume we would be unhappy?’

If misfortune came our way, he seemed like someone who would kick it away with a smile.

‘And if there’s any misfortune Yuri can’t kick away, I’ll just chase it off myself.’

Now, I had a firm heart and confidence.

I thought Yuri would jump for joy at my proposal. But unexpectedly, he hesitated.

After blinking several times, he rubbed his eyes with his hand, mumbling.

“I feel like I heard something strange. It sounds like Titi’s voice saying what I want to hear.”

“You heard it right.”

I held Yuri’s hand that was rubbing his eyes. Only then did Yuri, realizing it wasn’t a dream or a hallucination, take a light breath.

“Marriage… you said it was a crazy thing to do, didn’t you?”

Yes, it is a crazy thing.

But even so, if it’s with you, I think I’d like to do that crazy thing once more.

“Even crazy things should be tried three times.”

“Ha…”

Yuri let out a deep sigh. I frowned.

“Are you not interested anymore? Was my proposal too late?”

At that question, Yuri quickly turned to me. The yellow stars I loved were scattering in his eyes.

He suddenly grabbed me by the waist, lifted me high, and answered loudly.

“Of course not! My answer is absolutely yes!”

“W-Wait a minute! Doing this here will bother Rosie!”

As my perspective suddenly rose, I met the gazes of many people watching us.

I covered my now bright red face with both hands. Realizing he had drawn attention, Yuri put me down, but it was too late. It seemed like he had simply lifted his lover and encased her in his arms.

Feeling Yuri’s weight leaning heavily against me, I patted his back with my palm.

“Let go, we’re in the middle of a wedding.”

“Just a moment. Let me hold you.”

“But still…”

I glanced around, worried that the two of us were attracting too much attention. Then Yuri whispered softly in my ear.

“I want to leave right now to a place where it’s just the two of us, but I’m holding back, so just stay in my arms.”

I couldn’t disappear. I had promised firmly to catch Rosemary’s bouquet.

And then…

Bang!

A tremendous noise echoed throughout the grand ballroom, and I looked up in surprise.

“What?”

“What was that sound?”

“Look, there’s a fire!”

With everyone pointing, I quickly identified the source of the noise.

The Emperor was seated where all eyes were focused. Behind him, Colin was chanting a spell to extinguish the flames engulfing a vase.

But the fire wouldn’t go out.

“Is it the flowers that are burning?”

“What on earth are those flowers?”

The murmuring spread. This was a wedding venue, and flowers were everywhere.

“Could it be a failed spell?”

“But isn’t the one trying to extinguish the fire the Tower Master?”

“What on earth is happening…”

People were uneasy, worried that the flowers in front of them might catch fire too. Some even stood up and backed away as if to flee. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s presence, the commotion would have been much greater.

Watching this, I bit my lip.

It was a dreadful potion that couldn’t be extinguished by water or magic.

“Yuri.”

“…Yes.”

At my call, Yuri, who had stiffened, slowly nodded.

“It seems like it.”

It was clear that the terrible potion Sabina possessed was involved.

She had indeed tainted Rosemary’s bouquet with the potion.

***

“I want to use this to set a trap. To corner Sabina immediately.”

Having heard from Yujin about the dangerous potion Sabina possessed, Yuri suggested setting a trap.

The idea was very tempting. If we caught her in the act and exposed her crime in front of everyone, no matter what power Princess Sabina held, she would face severe punishment.

But I couldn’t bring myself to use it as a trap. This was Rosemary’s once-in-a-lifetime wedding.

I couldn’t ruin my friend’s wedding, so I told Rosemary the truth.

“I heard that Princess Sabina has a potion that’s difficult to suppress, even with magic. I’m scared she might use it at your wedding. Since you’re in charge of the bouquet, I thought she might put the potion in the flowers or around them when making it.”

Hearing this, Rosemary’s eyes widened in shock.

“I knew she was thoughtless, but doing something like that at my wedding? Before it’s my wedding, it’s the Crown Prince’s national marriage. It’s a national celebration, so why…”

“It’s not certain. I just heard about the potion’s existence, and I’m worried it might harm you, so I’m telling you in advance. It’s never bad to be prepared.”

“Titi.”

Even with just those words, Rosemary understood that I was giving her valuable information. She held my hand tightly and promised.

“Thank you for thinking of me like this. I’ll make sure to repay your kindness.”

And Rosemary truly repaid my kindness.

Knowing about Princess Sabina’s plot, she could have just avoided it, but instead, she helped us set a trap.

She even involved the Emperor.

‘She said she told the Emperor her suspicions, but he didn’t believe her.’

However, the Emperor didn’t dismiss his doubts about Sabina.

So, he had a maid switch the flowers soaked in the potion with other prepared flowers the day before. He was prepared for both the possibility of truth and falsehood.

When Sabina cast the spell, it wasn’t the bouquet, but the flowers swapped by the Emperor, mixed with the potion, that reacted.

‘And Sabina really did use the potion.’

The vase that couldn’t withstand the intense flames during the wedding was proof of that. In other words, the Emperor witnessed with his own eyes Princess Sabina’s attempt to ruin the Crown Prince’s national marriage.

‘In the end, you’re up to no good again.’

Even if she had spiked the potion, she could have avoided guilt by not casting the spell.

Yet, she chose to commit the crime until the very end.

As I watched the flustered Princess Sabina from afar, Yuri asked me in a low voice.

“Since the Emperor is the only one who knows, Titi won’t get the satisfying revenge she wants. Can you be content with that, Titi?”