Chapter 3.6
Julia explained the core of the situation quickly and simply. Having understood the gist, the Emperor let out a deep sigh.
“He’s done a terrible thing to Adele.”
“……The Princess of Solaris did seem very disheartened. But hasn’t my uncle already gotten engaged?”
The Emperor snorted.
“My daughter, you know Roxias too little. If Roxias really intended to marry that commoner girl, would he have just sloppily put a ring on her finger without even holding a formal engagement ceremony or a celebratory banquet?”
Julia’s eyes widened. It sounded plausible now that she heard it.
“Probably, he’s keeping that girl around because there’s something he wants. He’ll end up marrying Adele in the end, so don’t you do anything useless either.”
Adelheid slowly turned toward them. At her fairy-like, light, and elegant bearing, the Emperor let out a soft exclamation of admiration. ……Why was that? For a brief moment, the thought crossed Julia’s mind that what the Princess of Solaris desired might not simply be the position of Archduchess—but she quickly dismissed the notion as foolish. After all, if one were to choose the greatest unmarried man in Britannia—no, on the entire continent—it would undoubtedly be Roxias Akbar. So why, then, would the Princess of Solaris want anyone else?
* * *
Fortunately, the servants of the Archduke’s household did not see her disheveled appearance. It was because the Archduke had brought her into the bedroom while practically shielding her in his arms. Of course, Caitlyn was also aware of the fact that she couldn’t just consider this a relief. The more the Archduke seemed to cherish her, the further she was moving away from a safe and scandal-free annulment.
But Caitlyn did not rebel. More than anything, the most important thing was to make the Archduke keep his promise. If she offended the Archduke’s mood by asserting unnecessary pride, Edward would die just as destiny intended. Archduke Akbar sat Caitlyn down on the sofa, who was staying still like a doll, and then poured a glass of transparent liquor and handed it to her.
“Drink.”
Caitlyn forced herself to take the drink and gulped it down. She didn’t enjoy high-proof liquor, so her throat felt like it was on fire, but she didn’t want to risk provoking Archduke Akbar further. Naturally, a series of dry, hacking coughs followed. Once she barely regained her senses, she saw Roxias Akbar’s golden eyes looking straight at her.
“It is quite strange.”
Contrary to his casual tone, his burning gaze felt as if it would incinerate her right then and there.
“Even though I’ve been thinking about it for all those years, I truly don’t know what to do with you.”
“…….”
“Should I kill you, let you live, or just take you……?”
Goosebumps erupted naturally at his gentle tone. Caitlyn suppressed the urge to run away and stayed in her place. Even if he were to act on a whim and try to kill her now, he would eventually realize that he needed her.
“Sometimes, I just want to lock you up. So you can’t go anywhere. So that there is nothing you can do of your own free will.”
Caitlyn swallowed hard. She had never done anything to be the target of such intense emotions. Thus, surely, the target who should be hearing those words of love and hate…….
‘It’s not me.’
The ghost of Cassandra, whom she didn’t know at all, was floating between them. But Caitlyn didn’t care. Roxias Akbar was someone who would leave her soon. Even if what he wanted was to be tied up for an infinite amount of time, swayed by Cassandra, it was none of her business.
“……Hah, you don’t even flinch.”
“Was I supposed to move?”
Caitlyn tilted her head. The Archduke looked at her with a somewhat hollow face.
“Truly…… you.”
Archduke Akbar, who was about to say something but stopped, suddenly changed the subject of conversation.
“Did you see the Solaris Princess’s future, Cathy?”
“No. I didn’t know I was supposed to.”
Caitlyn shook her head slightly. Since she had no interest in the Solaris Princess, she had quickly left before she even properly encountered her.
“Next time, make sure to see it. Because it will be interesting.”
Hearing that made her want to see it even less. Surely she must have met a terrible end. When Caitlyn frowned slightly, Archduke Akbar laughed out loud.
“You have a face that says you truly can’t believe my words.”
“……No. I just thought that the criteria for what Your Grace and I find interesting would be different.”
“It’s a similar thing.”
Caitlyn didn’t bother to reply.
“Get some rest. As for the Princess of Solaris…… I’ll take care of her myself.”
It was a confident declaration.
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