What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 3.2

It wasn’t a false rumor, Caitlyn thought as she looked at Princess Adelheid. The small and fragile princess, who seemed likely to evoke a protective instinct in anyone, had a perfect and beautiful appearance as if God himself had crafted her. Only one person, Archduke Akbar, had an unimpressed face. Considering his usual temperament, it wasn’t particularly strange, so Caitlyn didn’t harbor any questions.

“Uncle!”

The Princess called Archduke Akbar with a lively voice and approached them. Princess Adelheid followed quietly behind her. Exclamations flowed from everywhere at her thoughtful demeanor, as she tried not to assert any presence.

“Your Highness, have you been well?”

At the Archduke’s greeting, the Princess laughed out loud. The Princess, who had only just reached adulthood this year, still had a face that looked more like a girl than an adult. However, the traces of intense study and training to become an unlikely successor remained vividly on her two calloused hands.

“No matter how long it’s been, there’s no need to be so polite in front of me, Uncle Roxias.”

“I cannot do that. Your Imperial Highness is the only daughter of my lord, His Majesty the Emperor.”

The Princess had a disappointed face, but unable to break the Archduke’s stubbornness, she soon changed the subject.

“Uncle, I heard you already know Princess Adelheid? The Princess kept talking about you.”

Archduke Akbar’s reply came back somewhat slowly.

“……Yes, I have met her once.”

“Only once?”

The Princess looked surprised.

“Princess Adelheid is……”

Caitlyn noticed that now was the opportunity. Since Princess Adelheid was still approaching and everyone’s attention was focused on her, now was the chance to slip away without anyone’s notice. She gradually turned away from the Archduke, who was sincerely answering the Princess, and hid herself in the crowd of the banquet hall.

‘Phew, I feel like I can breathe.’

Apparently, the Emperor and Empress were scheduled to arrive much later. Caitlyn was not surprised, as Leslie had warned her in advance that such delays were frequent. Who would dare to harbor complaints even if the Emperor was an hour late, or two hours late?

Especially in a place overflowing with people who were overwhelmed with gratitude just for being able to attend the Imperial Ball.

“Cathy! Over here!”

Caitlyn was only able to find Leslie after wandering around the ballroom for about ten minutes. To be more precise, it would be more accurate to say that Leslie found her.

“Leslie!”

Caitlyn hurried toward Leslie. Leslie, whose face looked exceptionally clearer today, was surrounded by suitors, but seeing her approaching with quick steps as soon as she discovered Caitlyn, she seemed to have suffered quite a bit.

“Is it okay for you to be here, Cathy? His Grace didn’t seem to want to let go of you at all…….”

“You saw all of that?”

Caitlyn couldn’t help but be surprised. It wasn’t as if she and the Archduke had been alone. Since prominent nobles and even Princess Adelheid and Princess Julia had joined them, she naturally thought that all eyes would be focused on them.

“Of course.”

Leslie nodded.

“And most of the people here saw that scene. Can I be honest?”

“……Yes.”

Caitlyn swallowed hard. She could know the future of others, but she could not look into their minds. She truly needed Leslie’s honest perspective.

“Everyone thinks His Grace the Archduke is completely head over heels for you, Cathy.”

“……That’s not very good.”

Leslie agreed.

“Yes, it’s not good.”

Originally, their plan was an impulsive engagement that was meant to be seen as a scene where both parties were now regretting it. That way, they could easily part ways after each of their goals was achieved. But no matter how much Caitlyn showed that side, what was the use if the Archduke said and did the opposite?

‘I’ll have to take action myself.’

But soon she realized that she didn’t even need to take action. The princess, who was like a little fairy from Solaris, had completely achieved Caitlyn’s goal for her.

* * *

‘Ridiculous.’

Caitlyn Hardick had disappeared the moment his interest was focused on the Princess. It was a moment that didn’t exceed a few seconds, yet she was a woman with a knack for slipping out of his grasp. She was a woman who was fascinating even if one knew her entire life. On the other hand, this woman in front of him…….

“It seems Her Imperial Highness has made a needless misunderstanding because I admire Your Grace so much. I am sorry. To be so obvious.”

Roxias Akbar responded with a faint smile.

“We met for the first time just a short while ago. I am glad to have given Her Highness a good impression.”

Adelheid’s complexion grew darker.

“Your Grace…… is our meeting only worth that much?”

One of Roxias’s eyebrows went up, but he continued to stay silent. He could silence Adelheid if he set his mind to it, but he was curious about what words she would spit out.

“His Majesty the Emperor formally introduced us. I’m sure Your Grace knows what this means.”

“I’m not quite sure.”

Roxias spoke softly and tilted his head.

“Would Her Highness care to enlighten me?”

“……Your Grace.”

“Yes, Princess.”

No one dared to intervene in their conversation. No matter how high-ranking a noble might be, they were of a different order from the ruling family. If someone dared to step forward to mediate, they could be socially ruined in high society for such presumption. The only one who could mediate between them both—the Princess—was instead observing the situation with interest.

“There is only one reason why I came to Britannia.”

Even until the very moment the Princess of Solaris dropped the bomb.

“It is because His Majesty the Emperor promised that he would let me become Your Grace’s spouse.”

At that moment, the first thing Roxias Akbar checked for was Caitlyn Hardick. Ironically, she had disappeared into the crowd and was nowhere to be seen.