As he spoke up, the other nobles didn’t stay silent either. Those who had been watching the empress’s reaction saw the emperor’s satisfaction and seized the opportunity to raise their voices.

“That’s right!”

“It’s a blessed marriage!”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Their ability to jump on the bandwagon was impressive. April, about to click her tongue, snapped back to her senses and tried not to forget where she was.

“Then, with the final kiss, the wedding ceremony will conclude.”

With a sour expression, the officiant spoke, and a cold light appeared in Calsion’s eyes.

‘Even the priests have fallen into the empress’s hands.’

Priests were supposed to remain impartial, unaffected by any power. Yet, hearing them make a fuss over a “bad omen,” it was clear the empress had intervened. Still, perhaps because they were priests, they couldn’t go too far, so they made a scene over a mere drop of ink.

This meant that, from now on, they couldn’t expect any support from the temple. For Calsion, who led the knights, this was a painful loss.

The priests were said to be chosen by the goddess, all of them possessing divine power. With that power, they could heal injuries great and small. If the empress gained full control over them, it could be fatal in a crisis.

A chill crept across Calsion’s now expressionless face. The priest, meeting Calsion’s eyes, coughed awkwardly and looked away, while Calsion sneered.

As April watched the standoff between Calsion and the priest, she was about to sigh when her veil was lifted, revealing her face in the bright light.

“Oh my, the young lady is so beautiful.”

Someone’s compliment reached her ears. April tried her best to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. Compliments about her looks were always welcome. Having grown up without hearing kind words in the duke’s mansion, April was weak to praise.

Calsion, seeing her flushed face, took her chin in his hand. As April tried to step back from the large hand at her waist, she ended up leaning into his arm instead. Calsion didn’t miss the chance and pulled her closer.

‘No…! This is my first kiss!’

Calsion, holding her chin to keep her from moving, brought his lips close to hers, which parted slightly in surprise.

“Why are you so jumpy? Do you have something to say?”

“N-no, nothing.”

Their lips were almost touching, but not quite. Calsion turned his body to block the view of the nobles and royals. He pressed his lips right next to hers, then lifted his face.

“Waaah!”

The place, which had been silent for a moment, erupted with cheers. Calsion released her waist and flashed her a grin. His mocking smile seemed to ask what she’d been expecting, but April simply offered a gentle smile in return.

‘Hmph! Thanks a lot!’

At least she’d kept her first kiss!

She wanted to grumble, but there were too many eyes watching. April, smiling serenely, placed her hand atop Calsion’s outstretched one. The trembling from her nerves had faded, and her hand was calm.

There was no need to tremble. This marriage had no other meaning. It was simply a union of two families. The only difference was that it was a union between the imperial family and a noble house.

But what did that really matter? The imperial family was founded by the first emperor, and the duke’s house by his vassal.

‘So there’s no need to think too deeply about it.’

Even being royal wasn’t anything special. Just like her, they had to bow to the emperor’s commands and go through with unwanted marriages.

With a calm face, she walked to the end of the wedding aisle. She heard the applause of the nobles congratulating them, but April wasn’t swayed. There was no need to be. The only thing left for her was to gain her freedom through this marriage.

‘For that, I need his agreement.’

She had to escape as soon as possible. Otherwise, she could get caught up in the imperial power struggle and die here.

Standing at the highest place in the palace, guided by attendants, April and Calsion waved lightly to the cheering citizens of the empire. In that moment, April made up her mind.

She would reveal the secret of her birth to Calsion as soon as possible and remove herself from this situation.

***

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“What do you mean, what am I doing?!”

As soon as the wedding ended, the emperor lashed out at the empress. He had said that to calm public sentiment, Calsion needed to be brought into the palace, but now the empress had tried to stir up trouble at such an important wedding.

“Didn’t you see how the nobles’ expressions changed at the priest’s words earlier?”

“Hah! So what? My children still aren’t crown prince, and you want to bring the Second Prince into the palace?!”

The empress’s face was full of dissatisfaction. The emperor sighed at her continued complaints, even after he’d explained himself several times. Still, he suppressed his anger and explained once more.

“I told you, the people are suspicious. We need time to reassure them. I’m not saying I’ll make Calsion crown prince!”

“Then why don’t you give our Walter the position of crown prince right now?!”

“It’s not the time yet!”

The emperor’s irritation grew at the repeated argument. He was fed up with the empress’s refusal to understand, but he held back because he loved her.

Now that the border situation was finally under control and public sentiment was being soothed, if he suddenly made Walter crown prince, people might question his qualifications. Compared to Calsion, who had guarded the borders for years and achieved great feats, Walter had done nothing.

There were growing calls to make Calsion crown prince because of his achievements. If the subject was brought up now, there would be voices insisting on giving the position to Calsion.

‘If I want to pass the empire to the son I love, there can’t be any noise. To prevent any dissent, I need to give Calsion a suitable reward.’

He was disappointed that the empress didn’t understand his intentions, but he didn’t show it and tried to comfort her.

“The only one to succeed me is Walter. I promised you that, didn’t I?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“So don’t worry.”

Hearing the emperor’s words, the empress decided to back down for now. If she pressed further, it would only be the same conversation again.

When the emperor patted her hand, the empress bowed and left the office. Once outside, she bit her lip and muttered quietly.

“I’ll be watching, Your Majesty.”

***

April, guided by the maids, arrived at her room and let them help her out of her dress. After being bathed and prepared, she was left alone.

The princess’s bedroom in the Second Prince’s palace was rather simple, but it couldn’t be compared to her room at the duke’s mansion. Though the decorations were minimal, the quality of the furnishings was on a different level.

April patted the bed. After smoothing the plush mattress, she lay her face on it.

“I’ve escaped.”

Her softly spoken words sounded surprisingly loud. Startled by her own voice, April gripped the blanket tightly. She smoothed out the wrinkled covers and sat up straight.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

She needed to stay sharp. Only then could she avoid being swayed by Calsion’s intentions.

“I will decide how this marriage ends.”

“Do you really think you can?”

“Kyah?!”

Startled by the sudden voice behind her, April jumped up from the bed. Noticing her bewildered gaze, Calsion pointed to a door in the wall.

“This bedroom connects to mine.”

No wonder—he’d entered the room without even opening the main door.

‘Wait, doesn’t this mean I have no privacy?’

What if something happened with him coming and going as he pleased? April’s eyes darted upward.

“Go on, finish what you were saying. There must be a reason you’re talking about the end of our marriage, especially on our wedding night.”

Calsion’s black eyes glinted. April, flustered by his sharp aura, turned her head away—and was even more surprised. His white shirt was stained red.

As her gaze flickered to his chest, Calsion casually brushed off his clothes. The sight of red drops falling sent a chill down April’s spine, so she squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again.

“You’re quite perceptive, just like the first time we met. Most people would have screamed.”