Chapter 63: “So She’ll Feel the Defeat Even Sharper”

Even after he pulled away, Edelweiss couldn’t breathe for a long moment. It was as though she’d forgotten how—she couldn’t recall how to draw air in or out.

While she stood there, lashes trembling in confusion, he looked perfectly calm.

At least Lady Riche was covering Princess Charlotte’s eyes—that was some small mercy.

When Edelweiss’s gaze met Lady Riche’s, a wave of heat washed over her; embarrassment flared anew.

The searing warmth of that kiss—far deeper than she’d expected—still clung to her lips.

Annoyed by that lingering heat, she shot Damian a sideways glare.

He only smiled placidly, as if he had no idea what she was upset about—utterly brazen, pretending ignorance when he clearly knew.

Leaning in again, he murmured by her ear:

“Smile.”

“……”

“Your sister is seeing something she can’t have, but you do.”

“……”

“That way, her sense of defeat will be… keener.”

Ha. She hadn’t imagined he’d phrase it so bluntly.

He tilted his head, directing her eyes toward a spot beyond him.

There, Rosemary’s violet irises blazed with envy—far stronger than before.

She even had tears welling, unable to swallow her bitterness.

Perhaps Rosemary had already fallen for Damian. The naval-victory banquet had only been the moment she’d realized it.

And now, once again, Rosemary had lost him.

Then—and now.

She still lacked the standing to remain at his side.

“In the name of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

As the bell rang out, everyone except Rosemary clapped their hands.

The wedding banquet was held in the grand ballroom of the Rüer Villa.

Neither Rosemary nor Duke Stern were present—they must have left as soon as the ceremony ended.

Damian and Edelweiss received countless congratulations from the banquet guests.

Many had never set foot in the Rüer Villa, which had been built solely for Princess Charlotte, and were openly awed by its grandeur.

As the banquet drew to a close and guests gradually departed,

Princess Charlotte brought over a glass of grape juice.

“Brother, can I drink this?”

“Give it here.”

Damian took the glass. One sip later, his brows furrowed.

“This isn’t juice—it’s wine.”

“Technically, it’s juice with wine mixed in!”

It hadn’t been a mistake—she’d intentionally spiked the grape juice and given it to Damian.

“For the record, it’s 100-year-aged Belterre wine.”

Princess Charlotte puffed up proudly, hands on her hips.

Belterre wine? Edelweiss was startled.

Belterre wine was infamous for hitting late—it seemed mild at first, but soon enough, a heavy intoxication would crash down.

Especially at 100 years aged, the effect would be much stronger.

Knowing this, Damian sighed heavily, clearly annoyed.

“…Charlotte.”

“I have my reasons!”

Princess Charlotte darted behind Edelweiss, sticking out her tongue.

“Oh, really?”

Edelweiss found it cute and shielded the princess with a smile.

“You keep covering for her, and she’s getting more spoiled. So, what exactly were Your Highness’s ‘reasons’?”

Damian looked exasperated but eventually softened his expression.

“Chloe said married couples should drink a little to have honest conversations.”

“…What kind of conversations?”

Both Damian and Edelweiss looked dumbfounded by the answer.

“Brother, is your hearing bad? Oh no.”

Damian gestured to Lady Riche nearby.

“Yes?”

As she stepped closer, Damian clenched his jaw.

“You really told a child something that ridiculous, Chloe Riche. And let me guess—you’re also behind this wine stunt.”

“Ohoho, did I? I don’t quite remember~”

Lady Riche dodged Damian’s gaze playfully, then leaned in to whisper in Edelweiss’s ear:

“I’ll take Her Highness back to House Riche for tonight. Mother’s been wanting to see her, and… well, you are newlyweds.”

Her voice was dripping with mischief.

Edelweiss knew exactly what she meant by taking the princess away—especially with the added “newlyweds” comment.

Already nervous about what came next with Damian, she could only smile awkwardly.

“Hey, but—what’s rabies?”

Suddenly, Princess Charlotte blurted out the word rabies, leaving everyone momentarily puzzled.

“Where did you hear that?” asked Lady Riche, tilting her head.

“Earlier, some of brother’s men said that now he’s married, maybe the mad dog’s rabies will finally get cured.”

“Brother’s men”—meaning Damian’s naval officers—had probably said it in jest.

“Aha, that’s because His Highness’s nickname is ‘mad dog.’”

At Lady Riche’s explanation, Edelweiss covered her mouth and let out a soft chuckle.

Princess Charlotte innocently asking about rabies, and Lady Riche casually explaining mad dog—both were amusing in their own right.

So… his nickname is ‘mad dog.’

It was because she suddenly remembered what he’d once said:

‘Don’t forget that I’m a son of a b*tch.’

Maybe he’d said that… because the officers called him that behind his back.

“Hm, well, it’s true. Brother has a bad temper—he’s even worse to others. Sister, please treat my brother’s rabies. I’m counting on you. I think it’s your responsibility now.”

What now? I don’t know how to cure a rabid mad dog…

“…I’ll try my best.”

Still, she decided to play along with Princess Charlotte. In truth, she just said it to tease Damian.

“Charlotte, who said that to you?”

“It was a long time ago—I don’t remember!”

Princess Charlotte cheerfully guaranteed anonymity.

Despite having just heard it, she claimed it happened long ago and that she’d forgotten.

At her ridiculous excuse, Damian’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Collective punishment doesn’t sound so bad. I guess I’ll have them all run laps.”

He muttered as if this worked out perfectly for him.

As the mood lightened, Edelweiss smiled—but then spotted Anna from afar, mouthing something like she had something to say.

“I’m tired. I’ll head up first.”

“Okay! See you tomorrow, Sister!”

With Princess Charlotte’s send-off, Edelweiss went upstairs with Anna.

The bedroom Anna had prepared was filled with the gentle scent of flowers.

A large bed with a golden, intricately carved frame.

Warm tones in the curtains and wallpaper gave the room a cozy atmosphere.

The maids who had followed them in, including Anna, bowed their heads.

“We’ve drawn your bath, Your Grace.”

“…Alright.”

Your Grace.

That title reminded her again that she was now married to Damian.

“Anna will attend to me. The rest of you may leave.”

“Yes. Have a peaceful night, Your Grace.”

After dismissing the maids, Edelweiss carefully stepped into the bathroom.

A wide, deep tub made of luxurious white marble stood out.

Soft jasmine-scented candles—her favorite—filled the air.

So that’s what the fragrance had been earlier.

The warm water, with pink petals floating on the surface, gently enveloped her skin.

As she soaked in the softly bubbling bath, the fatigue she’d accumulated melted away.

She motioned for Anna, who was kneeling and gently washing her arms, to stop.

“Anna.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“You have something to say, don’t you? Everyone’s gone. You can speak now.”

Only then did Anna realize Edelweiss had dismissed the others so she could speak freely. Her eyes widened.

“How did you know?”

“I could see it—you wanted to say something, but you kept holding back.”

Anna hesitated, then finally opened her mouth.

“Earlier, while I was helping Viscountess Benel, she said something. She asked what it was like to serve Your Grace, and if I had any complaints.”

“I was about to get angry because it made me uncomfortable… but then I thought something.”

“…What thought?”

“I realized I need to know what she’s trying to do to you.”