1. Love of the Century

The ‘love of the century’ between Second Prince Cardi and Lady Arthe had recently become the issue monopolizing all the imperial citizens’ attention.

Two people who refused arranged marriages set by their families and fell in love at first sight. Separation amid fierce opposition from the imperial family and the ducal house.

Nevertheless, the story of two people who ardently yearned for each other and ultimately won their love was like an opera.

Finally today, their wedding ceremony, which drew the world’s attention, was unprecedentedly grand.

And the bride, Arthe, who had been detained until the end of the banquet, was walking down the corridor exhausted and limp.

Until yesterday she had been the young lady of the ducal house that could make even birds fall, and she had just become a princess of the Sable Empire.

Though she should be happy about the fruit of love she finally achieved, somehow a shallow shadow was cast over Arthe’s expression.

“Your Highness the princess, you have worked hard.”

“I just want to throw everything off and lie down quickly.”

After answering the maid perfunctorily with the feeling that the dress was crushing her entire body, she opened the door to the suite.

“It’s supposed to be our first night. You’re too late, aren’t you?”

At the unexpected voice, Arthe quickly realized that her modest wish would not be easily fulfilled.

“Oh, my! Then I shall take my leave……”

The maid, whose face turned red in an instant, withdrew, and Arthe surveyed the scene inside the room with a stiff face.

‘What kind of scheme is that again?’

What met Arthe’s gaze was Cardi, who was sprawled on the bed with his upper body naturally exposed.

Sharp yet neat features.

The black hair symbolizing him as the legitimate heir of the Sable Empire was moistly wet, perhaps because he had just finished showering, and beneath it, his cool red eyes were seductive enough to make it hard to recall his usual self.

While Arthe was blankly staring at the moisture flowing down over his jawline, the surrounding scenery slowly came into her field of vision.

Swaying red lights and fluttering light pink canopy.

Tools whose purpose was completely unknown.

A dizzying fragrance was even lingering at the tip of her nose.

The imperial attendants must have decorated the room suggestively for the imperial couple welcoming their first night.

“Arthe, you’re pretty.”

While she was looking around in a daze, a low and smooth voice came from above her head.

“But you’re not going to sleep in a wedding dress, are you?”

Before she knew it, Cardi had approached right in front of her nose.

Naturally, Arthe’s gaze turned to Cardi’s bare upper body.

Though she wasn’t short either, her eye level only reached Cardi’s chest.

The large and solid body caught her eye first, and then Cardi’s body scent rushed into her nose.

What on earth was this situation? While Arthe was pondering, her gaze eventually reached Cardi’s waist.

Though a towel was draped over it, it was practically no different from being n*ked.

What was beneath that thin cloth was something even Arthe could easily figure out.

The moment Arthe’s eyes shut tight as she clearly realized where her gaze had landed, Cardi’s red eyes sparkled mischievously as he reached his hand toward Arthe’s face.

His straight fingers that approached in an instant lightly circled around frozen Arthe’s earlobe, then removed the heavy earring.

At that tickling sensation, Arthe barely exhaled and opened her mouth.

“To lay hands on a lady’s earring is against etiquette—”

“You’re my wife now, aren’t you?”

When Arthe’s words were momentarily blocked by the irrefutable statement, Cardi raised the corner of his mouth.

“Relax. I’ll help you.”

Cardi, who naturally removed the earring from the other side as well, placed both hands on Arthe’s shoulders.

“I’m fine……”

“Stay still.”

Without giving her a chance to refuse, Cardi, who embraced her, groped Arthe’s neck and placed both hands on her necklace.

Her whole body stiffened at the excessively close distance, and breath touched her tense nape.

At that moment, all the fine hairs around her neck stood up at once.

Just as her brow was about to furrow at that tickling feeling, she realized that his fingers were sliding along her neckline.

Her patience had already exceeded its limit long ago.

“How much longer will it take?”

A low voice that she had tried hard to suppress flowed from Arthe’s mouth.

“……Well. I can’t find the clasp.”

Nevertheless, at the quiet voice felt right behind her ear, Arthe finally shut her eyes tight and opened her mouth.

“I’ll just do it myself. I’m perfectly capable by myself……”

“You said you just wanted to throw everything off and lie down quickly.”

Cardi’s red eyes curved in an arc.

“As a husband, I can’t help but assist my proactive wife.”

“Why are you being so shamelessly lewd? I always say that lewdness is also a disease—”

It was when Arthe, who had been holding back, finally gritted her teeth and raised her voice.

Thud.

The necklace that had been hanging around her neck came undone and settled heavily onto the carpet on the floor. At the same time, Cardi muttered in a slightly low voice.

“A newlywed couple who really only ‘slept’ through the night…… would that be okay?”

The low voice sank suggestively as if seducing.

“The empress’s maids aren’t fools, Arthe.”

Though the necklace that had been heavily pressing on her neck and shoulders had clearly come undone, she strangely felt as if her breath was being constricted.

Those red eyes were now even giving off a dangerous feeling.

She really hadn’t expected this situation.

‘No, the first night wasn’t in the contract terms, was it?’

Because their marriage, no, the love of the century itself was an audacious play to deceive the entire empire.

Arthe hastily recalled their contract terms in her head.

Though they had hurried the contract marriage for their goal, the first night wasn’t in the conditions.

Should she have written the clauses about physical contact in detail?

So, at first, it definitely wasn’t supposed to be like this.

***

So, what was the cause of all this?

As is the case with most problems in human affairs, family education—yes, family education was the problem.

There’s a lot to say about the problems with ducal family education, but to carefully retrace the problem, it was about a year before the first night when Arthe had screamed inwardly.

No, actually, we must go back to that day very long ago.

That era when the Frey ducal house was still called the pillar of the empire.

‘Arthe van Frey,’ the only daughter of the ducal house, was receiving education in the virtues of a noble family’s daughter with all her might that day as well.

“For three hundred years since the founding of the nation, the Frey ducal house has consistently maintained its pride as the emperor’s support. Miss, you must also always conduct yourself properly for the family.”

Teacher Bartier, who was responsible for Arthe’s education, had been teaching with all his might what he considered right since Arthe was about three years old when she began to stutter through sentences.

Those were mostly tedious and damn good things like proper conduct for young ladies in social circles, marrying into good families, ways to elevate family honor, etc.—there are people above people and people below people……

Even when Arthe was seven years old, when she asked with an innocent expression how babies are made,

「For a young lady of a noble family to have curiosity about such things. Really, these days’ children are completely spoiled……」

When Arthe was 13 years old, when she said she wanted to become a duke and bring glory to the ducal house.

「Haven’t you heard the saying that when the hen crows, the household falls to ruin? To bring glory to the family honor, you just need to meet a good husband. A duke, you say. Absolutely preposterous.」

Was it only these two times? Teacher Bartier’s educational philosophy was always unwavering.

His brainwashing education continued under the name of strictness, and thanks to that, he had been completely in charge of Arthe’s education from when she was three years old until today when she became an adult.

Perhaps because of that. Arthe, who received consistent brainwashing—no, education—was somehow different from other noble families’ daughters.

“Today’s words are also excellent. I will engrave the words of my teacher, who is like heaven, deep in my heart.”

Arthe, who had been respectfully listening to Teacher Bartier’s words that were repeated without change, carefully opened her mouth when his words ended.

“Since Miss is so virtuous, good marriage prospects will come when you debut in society. After marriage, you should devotedly support your husband, and bear healthy and strong sons for the family……”

Arthe listened to Teacher Bartier’s words that continued for quite a while afterward with perfect posture without a single disturbance.

How much time had passed? Someone burst open the door of the quiet classroom, interrupting Teacher Bartier’s endless words.

“Miss Arthe! Please look at this!”

“Who dares during sacred class time…… Is it Viscount Bert’s daughter again?”

“Teacher Bartier. Miss’s debutante ball is coming up and I’m dying of busyness, so exactly how long do you intend to keep nagging?”

At the words of Mel, Viscount Bert’s daughter who was Arthe’s close maid, Teacher Bartier’s mustache trembled.

“Mel, such manner of speech toward your teacher.”

When Arthe stepped forward at that sight, Mel held out a newspaper article to Arthe with a coquettish snort.

“I’m sorry. Miss, please look at this newspaper article.”

Mel, who had lightly ignored the teacher, handed over a gossip magazine whose front page featured Arthe’s story in large headlines.

[The only direct descendant of the Frey ducal house, the only daughter whom the duke cherishes and dotes on. ‘Arthe van Frey’s’ society debut coincides with the 300th anniversary celebration banquet……]

“All the gossips in society are making a fuss about Miss’s society debut!”

“Mel, gossips…. There’s no need to listen to those who enjoy themselves with others’ stories.”

At Arthe’s sharp rebuke, Mel’s lips pouted.

“……I’m sorry, Miss.”

“Excellent as always. Since the debutante day is when Miss will be recognized as the daughter of the ducal house, it wouldn’t be excessive to review etiquette countless times.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Now then, those who disturb sacred academic cultivation should leave. It’s class time.”

Having been scolded by Arthe and then receiving Teacher Bartier’s consecutive words, Mel turned around glumly.

Arthe was someone who, even when receiving compliments about being pretty and seeing beautiful dresses, would outwardly act nonchalant but inwardly blush and be pleased.

She could act childishly like other young ladies her age, but Mel felt sorry for Arthe, who despite being the same age, carried too much responsibility.

‘Still, I must prepare the most beautiful dress in the world for our Miss’s debutante ball!’

Fortunately, Mel was the type to quickly shake off negative feelings. Mel resolved herself while thinking of Arthe’s society debut, which was most important.

Not just Mel, but all members of the ducal house were pouring their heart and soul into the successful society debut of their only lady.

Her society debut was perfect for elevating the family’s honor and showing that the ducal house was still strong.

As a result, everything was perfect.

The ducal house’s procession entering the imperial capital was more dignified than any other family attending the banquet, and it was sufficient to display the prestige of a founding contributor family that had served as the empire’s pillar for many years.

Not knowing that it was a step toward the family’s downfall.

***