Chapter 1.1 – Even if She Runs Away, It’s Into the Lion’s Den

Marriage.  

‘Ah, marriage is important, sure.’  

The youngest daughter of the Marquis Helvetica, Olivia, grumbled as she downed the alcohol in her small glass.  

‘But I don’t think it’s so important that I have to be rushed like this.’  

In truth, Olivia was quite late compared to others. In the Gothishr Empire, noblewomen typically debuted in society at the age of 14, got engaged shortly after, and graduated from the academy at 18 to proceed with marriage.  

However, Olivia had reached the age of 20 without having a fiancé or even a gentleman to court her. This was largely because her widowed father, the Marquis, and her older brothers had shielded her from suitors.  

But even they had now realized that there were hardly any eligible bachelors left in the marriage market. At every banquet, they eagerly introduced single men to her without pause.  

And today was no different!  

“Olive, meet Zadik Bejosh, Baron Bejosh’s second son.”  

“Cough!”  

As Olivia took another shot of strong liquor, she choked on it. Baron Bejosh’s second son? He was infamous among young ladies for his sleazy courtship methods.  

‘Even though men and women might have different standards for attractiveness, this is just too much.’  

When Olivia turned to her family with resentment in her eyes, they all avoided her gaze with awkward coughs. Only her youngest brother mouthed the word “chess” to her.  

That was when she understood the situation. The Marquis was a passionate chess player, and though he rarely lost due to his skill, it seemed he had been defeated by Baron Bejosh this time, who had been determined to win.  

Sighing deeply, Olivia began drinking heavily from that moment. Every time Baron Bejosh smirked, every time he uttered nonsense, every time she felt an insult rising to her lips, she drank.  

Yet, even as Olivia—an experienced drinker—started to feel tipsy, Baron Bejosh persisted in clinging to her. He acted as if he were already her fiancé, even going so far as to block other gentlemen from approaching her to request a dance.  

It was around this time that Olivia’s eyes met the Emperor’s. Surrounded by noblewomen and young ladies, he looked uncomfortable. Olivia smiled bitterly at the sight. Whether it was the Emperor or the Marquis’s daughter, the plight of aging singles was the same.  

The Emperor, Eloin Wordniak, and Olivia had been friends for over 15 years. Though their relationship wasn’t particularly good.  

Still, at this moment, she felt a sense of camaraderie. Smirking, Olivia raised her glass toward the Emperor and downed it in one shot. As she handed the empty glass to a servant, she stumbled, and Baron Bejosh’s arm snaked around her waist like an octopus.  

“…Let go of me, Sir.”  

“You seem to be quite drunk, so I’m just helping you.”  

“If that’s the case, call a maid instead. I don’t think we’re close enough for this kind of contact.”  

“Let’s head to the lounge. After some rest, I think we’ll be close enough.”  

I swear to the heavens, I have no intention of that! 

Olivia gritted her teeth and tried to push his arm away, but despite his frail appearance, he didn’t budge.  

Her family was scattered around the venue, each maintaining their own social connections or looking after their spouses. While she understood this logically, it didn’t stop her annoyance. If they were going to pair her with such a man, shouldn’t they at least keep an eye on her?  

‘I’ll make sure none of them get away with this when we get home!’  

Grinding her teeth, Olivia’s eyes met Eloin’s again.  

‘I wish that guy—no, His Majesty—would step in and help me.’  

Though it was shameless given they hadn’t spoken since graduating from the academy, the memories of their shared time together made the thought rise unbidden.  

The surprising thing was what happened next.  

“Lady Helvetica, would you grant me the honor of dancing with you?”  

Eloin strode toward her, parting the surrounding crowd like reeds, and extended his hand politely to Olivia.  

“Your Majesty, the pillar of Gothishr Empire, forgive me, but the lady was just about to rest…”  

Baron Bejosh, bold as ever, tried to intervene, but when Eloin raised an eyebrow, he faltered.  

“I asked the lady.”  

Eloin’s expression was domineering, as though he couldn’t comprehend why a mere speck of dust was speaking. Olivia didn’t particularly like this side of him, but at this moment, she didn’t care about anything other than escaping Baron Bejosh.  

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”  

“Lady!”  

Baron Bejosh barked like a wolf deprived of its prey, but Olivia ignored him entirely and took Eloin’s hand. As they reached the center of the hall and began to dance, her tension finally eased.  

“Thank you so much… No, I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty. I didn’t want to stay there even a second longer.”  

“…You smell of alcohol.”  

She had barely managed to express her thanks when Eloin criticized her. Olivia’s eyes narrowed sharply.  

“I drank because I didn’t want to talk to that perverted octopus. Why?”  

“You drank?”  

Only then did Olivia flinch at his remark. Now that her tension had eased, the alcohol seemed to be hitting her harder.  

“My apologies. I meant to say, ‘I have drunk,’ Your Majesty.”  

“It doesn’t suit you at all.”  

What doesn’t? Olivia tilted her head. Eloin glanced down at her face before speaking calmly.  

“You being formal with me.”  

It made sense. Until their academy days, they had been casual friends. After graduation, however, the former Empress passed away due to illness, and the Emperor followed soon after, leaving Eloin to inherit the throne suddenly.  

Olivia smiled awkwardly. Though they had been inseparable as children, they had grown distant since their academy days due to certain events. She hadn’t expected him to speak like this.  

“Well, it’s only proper. You’ll get used to it soon enough.”  

Besides, who knew when they would speak again? If she married a lord with a distant estate, she might never see him again.  

Eloin’s sleek temple twitched slightly before smoothing out. Olivia tensed. That expression was his tell for dissatisfaction.  

“If one doesn’t do what is proper, shouldn’t they be punished?”  

“W-Well, yes, that’s true.”  

What on earth is he trying to say? Olivia grew increasingly uneasy as she spun outward in the dance, extending her arm. Her dress flared dramatically, oblivious to her growing anxiety.  

And then, as the dance brought her back into Eloin’s arms, he spoke again with a strangely satisfied expression.  

“Instead of punishment, I have a proposal.”  

“…A proposal?”  

“I’ve noticed that you don’t seem to want to meet marriage prospects.”  

“You’ve been watching me?”  

“I merely happened to see.”  

Of course. Olivia felt a mix of relief and disappointment as she nodded.  

“Ah, I thought as much.”  

“…So here’s the thing.” 

After clearing his throat briefly, Eloin hesitated before continuing.  

“Would you spend tonight with me?”

“!”  

When someone is truly shocked, they can’t even scream. It was fortunate that she didn’t cause a scene, but her mind was thrown into chaos, and her high heel instinctively stomped down on Eloin’s foot.  

“Are you trying to assassinate me? This time, I really should punish you.”  

“I was startled and made a mistake! What do you mean by spending the night together all of a sudden?!”  

Regaining her composure, Olivia lowered her voice and snapped at him. There wasn’t even a hint of romantic tension between them, let alone any shared affection over the past two years.  

Yet Eloin merely chuckled softly.

“What are you thinking? I’m simply asking you to stay with me until sunrise. You can enjoy some of your favorite drinks if you’d like.”

“…Drinks?!”  

The thought of rare liquors that were exclusive to the Emperor flashed through Olivia’s mind, tempting her for a moment. But she quickly narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.  

“What’s the reason for such a proposal?”  

“I’m sick of hearing people tell me to find a partner. Isn’t it the same for you?”  

“Ah….”  

In other words, he was suggesting they pretend to be lovers temporarily.  

It made sense. Even surrounded by beautiful women, Eloin hadn’t seemed particularly happy. Remembering his expression from earlier, Olivia nodded in understanding.  

As the music ended, the two lightly bowed to each other. Eloin’s gaze lingered on her, waiting for an answer, and Olivia felt her cheeks tingle slightly.  

“Lady Helvetica!”  

The voice she had momentarily forgotten startled her shoulders. Baron Bejosh was pushing through the crowd toward them. Eloin blocked him with his back and asked again.  

“What will you do?”  

Between Baron Bejosh, who seemed ready to devour her whole, and her old friend proposing to be her fake lover, Olivia didn’t have much choice. Eloin’s suggestion wasn’t a disadvantage for her either.  

All she had to do was appear at a few official events with him until he chose an Empress, then claim she couldn’t forget him and move to a neighboring country to live leisurely.  

With her plan formed in an instant, Olivia saw no reason to hesitate. She quickly clung to Eloin’s arm.  

“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”  

“A wise choice.”  

The murmurs that followed them as they left abruptly stopped when Eloin turned to glare. Baron Bejosh, too, was left looking like a dog that had lost its prey.