What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 1.17

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“Princess, you must dress quickly. Please, come inside.”

The attire of the maids, who were making a great fuss, was just as strange. Wearing long pleated skirts with white cloth draped over their upper bodies, the maids hurriedly sat her down and began to brush her hair.

“I’ll put coral ornaments in your hair. Since your arms are white and long, you must, of course, wear gold bracelets……. Hey, what are you doing not bringing the mirror quickly?”

Caitlyn absentmindedly looked at her reflection in the mirror held up by the maid.

‘……How unexpected.’

A face completely different from her actual face was reflected in the polished metallic mirror. Long, thick black hair and brilliantly shining golden eyes. It was a look similar to yet different from Helenus.

Unlike him, who had a mild and soft impression, her reflection looked cold and delicate, like a well-honed dagger. Almost like… Archduke Akbar. Caitlyn was shaken, but none of the maids noticed.

“You don’t seem nervous at all. Well, I suppose, how many suitors has it been now…….”

“I know you have high standards, but try to do well this time. I heard he’s incredibly rich! you should live in luxury.”

“It’s good for us if things go well for you, Princess.”

The maids put so much effort into decorating her that she felt like a doll a young girl was playing with.

“Finished!”

Caitlyn’s body moved on its own. She walked along the ancient castle toward somewhere. The long corridor ended at a stone chamber. On a long marble chair placed in the middle of the chamber, an old man wearing a gold crown was leaning back. Standing next to him, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and draped in purple cloth turned toward her and beamed.

“Ooh, the Princess has arrived! You are truly beautiful, O great King Priamos.”

So, that man is my father. Caitlyn thought as she looked at the white-haired king. It wouldn’t be strange to call him a grandfather, yet he was her father.

Even more absurd was the suitor who looked to be fifty years old, his eyes gleaming with greed toward her. When her body hesitated, unable to move closer, King Priamos beckoned her.

“Come here, Cassandra.”

Cassandra. That seemed to be her name in the dream.

“Look at Polydamas, son of your suitor Panthous. No matter how picky you are, you will be satisfied with the gold and silver treasures he has brought.”

Caitlyn’s mouth moved on its own.

“Father already possesses countless riches. Is there any reason to desire even more wealth, like Midas?”

Priamos’s face crumpled.

“……You have quite the tongue for your father. Polydamas, she is my daughter, but her natural temperament is a bit… like that. Will you take her regardless?”

“Yes, O King. Does a woman’s virtue not lie in her beauty? Just as one must endure the thorns when plucking a rose, I too shall become accustomed to your daughter’s viper-like words.”

Priamos’s mouth hung open.

“Then it is settled! Now nothing shall rescind this marriage. Come, let us go to the Temple of Hera and make our vows.”

She felt her hands trembling. Caitlyn tried to say something, but her body would not move according to her will. Instead, the strength drained from her legs, and she collapsed to the floor, her hands covering her face as sobs began to escape her lips. Caitlyn couldn’t help but be surprised. It was because she could clearly feel that this was a staged, false cry.

“Heuh, h-hic…… huuuh…….”

“Cassandra!”

Priamos rebuked her loudly.

“How old are you, acting like such a child? You truly make your father ashamed!”

Caitlyn’s lips quivered. She slowly raised her head and looked at Priamos. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down.

“……Do you hate marrying that much?”

Priamos’s voice softened slightly.

“But Cassandra, you…….”

Priamos’s words were cut off by her own voice, which burst out rapidly.

“I dare not say this in front of this gentleman, but I have unavoidable circumstances that prevent me from marrying. Father, I implore you, please listen to me.”

Polydamas cleared his throat.

“Since she says she dislikes me this much, I also have no intention of pursuing anything further with the Princess. O King, let us consider the previous covenant as having never happened.”

As he strode out of the stone chamber, Priamos glared at her with a cold gaze.

“Now, since things have gone as you wished, speak. What on earth is the reason?”

Caitlyn lowered her head. To Priamos, it must have looked like a pitiful daughter, but she knew. The fact was that the owner of this body was clenching her teeth hard to suppress a giggle.

“Father, I am already a defiled body. Therefore, I cannot marry anyone…… please forgive me.”

“De-defiled?”

Priamos sprang up from his seat and approached her.

“Do you even know what that means! You, my daughter, the Princess of Troy…….”

“Father, please be silent. I fear the God may be angered.”

“……The God? You, surely…….”

“Yes.”

The Princess of Troy raised her head. The two golden eyes set in her pale face burned fiercely like torches. As if they held the light of the sun itself.

“Phoebus Apollo has taken me.”