Chapter 102

Yudy’s complexion darkened at the mention of Demian. In truth, 99% of the reason why Meia was made the Crown Prince’s fiancée at a young age was because of Demian.

<Yudy.>

<Yes, Master.>

At first, Yudy found it adorable.

<What?>

David recalled the time when Demian had trampled a bird Meia was nursing back to health, simply because it was receiving her attention.

Demian would crush anything—flowers, jewels, or even people—that captured Meia’s gaze.

There was a look of seriousness and gravity in David’s eyes.

<There’s no other way, Yudy… To protect Meia, she must become the Crown Prince’s fiancée.>

<It’s because she’s young that Demian can’t hide his cruelty. As he grows older, he’ll learn to conceal it. Prince Demian is extremely dangerous…>

<But…>

<Demian’s obsession will be beyond imagination… He reminds me of Lady Ezra from before…>

Lady Ezra had been David’s stalker.

From that point on, Meia spent her days studying to become an Empress. The Duke of Hatzbellua, who had maintained neutrality, declared that by betrothing Patzraelli and Meia, they would shift from neutrality to supporting the Emperor’s faction.

Yudy strongly believed that Grand Duke Florence would be able to protect Meia.

Helena, sitting across from Theodore, observed him. He was an impressive man with black hair and dark eyes. His appearance alone was a passing grade.

Even if he was chosen by Meia, if Helena didn’t find him likable, she was prepared to make his life difficult from behind the scenes. No matter how much Quini praised Grand Duke Florence, she wasn’t going to be easily swayed.

“Do you enjoy drinking, Your Grace?”

“I dislike alcohol.”

“Please, feel free to speak casually.”

“Very well.”

“Do you not drink at all, Your Grace?”

At Helena’s question, Theodore smiled faintly with his eyes.

“If Meia tells me to drink, I’ll do so even if it kills me. But I wouldn’t drink of my own accord.”

Despite the smile in his eyes, his lips didn’t curve into a smile. That contrast made Helena’s arms break out in goosebumps.

As expected, even at a young age, a Grand Duke was still a Grand Duke. He exuded an undeniable aura.

“I see.”

Helena took a sip of the strawberry tea in front of her.

“To be honest, I was moved by the strawberry field.”

At her words, Theodore’s face turned red. His flushed expression made him seem quite innocent, yet he also gave off the impression of someone not to be underestimated.

“I’m thinking of expanding the strawberry field.”

Yudy, sitting next to Helena, put down her teacup and turned her gaze to Theodore.

“You two look good together.”

At Yudy’s sudden congratulatory remark, Meia, who was sitting next to Theodore, beamed brightly.

“It makes me happy to hear that from you, Yudy.”

Yudy turned to Meia with a loving gaze and smiled.

After the death of her parents, Meia had lost her smile. Seeing her now smiling so brightly was enough for Yudy to approve of Theodore.

“Your Grace, I have been by the young lady’s side from the moment she was born until now, never leaving her for even a moment. Of course, she left me behind when she went to the Mage Tower this time, but my heart has always been with her.”

Theodore looked at Yudy intently.

“There’s only one thing I wish for.”

“What is it?”

“Please ensure that the young lady always smiles.”

Theodore nodded solemnly.

“Promise it in the name of your family.”

A promise made in the name of one’s family is verbal, but it’s not made lightly. It’s tied to honor.

Without hesitation, Theodore responded to Yudy’s words.

“I promise in the name of Florence.”

Yudy smiled in satisfaction and sincerely congratulated their engagement.

***

An engagement ceremony is a promise to the person you will spend your future with. A wedding is the act of fulfilling that promise.

Marriages between royals or nobles are often for the sake of lineage, wealth, territory, and political or economic interests.

There are two main reasons for holding an engagement ceremony before a wedding.

The first is if one or both parties are not yet of age.

The second is to gauge the surrounding atmosphere before marriage. It allows both families to identify true allies and enemies threatening their household through the engagement.

The engagement contract is drafted through discussions between the heads of both families, with a particular focus on financial matters.

For instance, it specifies how much wealth the wife will take if her husband dies.

This applies when there are no children. If there are children, all assets go to the child who will continue the family line. The contract also details the division of assets, distribution of wealth, and child-rearing responsibilities after marriage.

It even specifies the penalties for breaking off the engagement and the amount of dowry to be provided before the wedding.

Once both families are satisfied with the engagement contract, the engagement is formalized on the agreed date.

The engaged couple is then recognized as a prospective married couple by society.

“Originally, the engagement ceremony should have been held at the Duke of Hatzbellua’s residence…”

“That’s fine. In the Sirius Empire, the location of the engagement ceremony isn’t considered important.”

“That’s a wonderful tradition. In the Carpen Empire, the engagement ceremony must be held at the bride’s home.”

“In our empire, we wouldn’t mind holding it in a stable. After all, what matters is the couple’s feelings.”

Meia and Theodore exchanged smiles.

Ordinarily, the parents of both families would handle the arrangements for the engagement ceremony. However, both Meia’s and Theodore’s parents had passed away.

Thus, the two of them had no choice but to discuss the engagement ceremony themselves.

“I want to make the engagement ceremony meaningful, coinciding with your coming-of-age celebration, Theodore.”

“I’ll help you with anything.”

“Should we start by drafting the greeting?”

Traditionally, at engagement ceremonies, the parents of the couple express their gratitude to the guests on behalf of the families.

“Since we’re not speaking from the parents’ perspective, we’ll need to give thanks as the couple themselves, right?”

This was Meia’s first time preparing for an engagement ceremony herself, and she felt anxious. However, she couldn’t let her worries paralyze her.

The event was an opportunity to showcase how much effort and care the future Grand Duchess of Florence had put into preparing Theodore’s coming-of-age celebration and their engagement. It was a chance to demonstrate her grace and attentiveness to the retainers.

Everything had to be perfect.

“Meia, there’s something I want to say to you.”

“What is it?”

“Thank you for becoming part of my family.”

The word “family” was a painful one for Theodore.

But now, he could say it with a smile.

It was all thanks to Meia.

“Family… That’s true. Since we’re going to be husband and wife, you and I will become family.”

Her sweet words made Theodore’s eyes grow red.

“Theo.”

“This makes me so happy that I should be smiling, but instead, I feel like crying.”

It seemed as though the overwhelming emotions and sensations were spilling out through his tears.

“Theo, please smile for me.”

At Meia’s words, Theodore quickly wiped his eyes and gave her a bright smile.

“As I thought, I love seeing you smile, Theo.”

Meia gazed at Theodore’s noticeably flushed earlobes and smiled softly.

Looking at his smiling face, she reached out and held his hand.

Her fingers lightly brushed his cheek as if to soothe him, causing Theodore to flinch.

“Meia.”

“Your eyes are even redder now.”

Theodore, whose neck had turned crimson, murmured to himself that he needed to stop crying so often.

“I’m sorry for showing my tears so frequently.”

“You’re adorable.”

“What?”

“You’re beautiful.”

She stroked his hair and gently caressed his cheek.

“You’re beautiful even when you cry, Theo.”

Theodore tilted his head slightly, his moist eyes fixed on Meia.

“Theo, I like you so much.”

At her sudden confession and compliment, his Adam’s apple bobbed visibly.

“I tried not to be greedy. Just having you understand my feelings and stay by my side makes me this happy.”

His beautiful black eyes were fixed solely on Meia.

“You have no idea how much I want you. You’re so lovely that it’s unbearable.”

His sweet whispers filled the air.

Meia cupped his cheeks lovingly with her palms.

Theodore leaned in, capturing her lips. A thrilling sensation surged through both of them.

The sound of their ragged breaths and the wet noises of their kiss echoed loudly in the room.

They continued their passionate kisses, chasing after the overflowing traces of each other’s touch.

“Theo.”

Her gaze remained locked on his heated eyes and lips.

“Theo, stop.”

With a firm resolve not to let their first night unfold like this, Meia pushed against Theodore’s shoulders with all her strength. However, he didn’t budge.

“Just once.”

Theodore looked at Meia with a pleading gaze that seemed almost childlike.

“You’ve never stopped at just once, Theo.”

His downward-sloping eyes, paired with a strangely cute yet seductive expression, made it hard to resist.

‘Hold on, Theo!’

She thought, but before she could say it, his lips captured hers again.

The fiery sensation of his kiss, drawing her in, left her breathless once more.

“Mei, I feel so good right now that I want to let go of everything and stay like this with you.”

She could clearly sense what he wanted.

“You said you had somewhere to be today.”

“Did I?”

“You haven’t forgotten already, have you?”

“I remember. Just one more time before we leave…”

Theodore, with a desperate expression as though he might cry, didn’t back down easily.

“Then, we should get ready to leave.”

Letting out a small groan, Theodore sighed. Then, as if making up his mind, he smiled charmingly and began acting playful.

He resembled a puppy whining and exposing its belly to its owner for attention.

‘He’s doing it again!’

Lately, Theodore’s kisses lasted at least an hour once they started.

It wasn’t that she disliked kissing him—she loved it, and that was the problem.

She worried that she wouldn’t be able to control herself.

If she didn’t stand firm now, they’d end up prolonging it again.

“No matter how cute you look, I won’t give in, fiancé.”

As Meia tried to stand, Theodore pulled her back into his arms and lightly kissed her again. Then, smiling brightly, he acted even more mischievously.

“…Even now?”

Because of this, they ended up leaving later than they were supposed to.