ATMM 04

Chapter – 04

“…Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Roxis’s hand, which had been resting near my neck, slowly clenched into a fist and then fell back down.

Yet the hand that had been on my shoulder remained in place.

“No matter that you are my concubine’s brother.”

Yulion approached, his face filled with displeasure. He glanced down at my shoulder, where Roxis’s hand had been resting.

“I am a jealous person.”

It was a tone I had never heard from him before.

Yulion gripped Roxis’s wrist tightly and applied force.

“So I would prefer that the two of you refrain from physical contact in front of me.”

Slowly, Roxis’s hand slipped away from me. I inhaled deeply, freed from the pressure. The tingling that started in my shoulder ran down my spine.

“Do not misunderstand. We were only talking.”

“Oh? You converse with your body, do you?”

Yulion’s golden eyes flicked to my shoulder, which had just been held. I couldn’t see clearly, but there must have been a deep bluish bruise. Yulion’s expression grew even colder.

“That’s just how siblings talk, Your Highness.”

Roxis, as if it were nothing, removed his hand from Yulion’s grip and smiled pleasantly.

“I’m relieved to see that my sister is receiving much love.”

“You should watch your words carefully, Sir Roxis Kasyan.”

Yet Yulion’s intensity sharpened even more. He took my hand and pulled it toward himself.

“Now, you are not just my friend’s sister—you are the Crown Princess of the Empire.”

Roxis looked slowly between Yulion and me, then smiled faintly, placing a hand over his chest.

“It seems I’ve made a mistake. I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness.”

He bowed, but Yulion’s gaze remained icy.

“A mistake?”

Yulion’s eyes, tinged with ridicule, landed on my shoulder.

“Titles may be mistaken, but this… this is not something that can be excused as a mere mistake.”

“…Your Highness.”

“This matter will be formally addressed to Duke Kasyan.”

“Your Highness, there’s been a misunderstanding—”

“You’ve raised a child poorly, Duke Kasyan. Only Roxis would dare continue to argue with the words of the Crown Prince.”

Only then did a deep look of despair cross Roxis’s face. His father, known for his extreme dislike of public embarrassment, would surely punish him harshly. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Roxis tried to speak again to smooth things over.

But Yulion would not allow it.

“Or perhaps…”

His voice turned chilling. Even without weapons, it felt as if a blade was pointed at Roxis.

“Do you wish to receive immediate judgment here and now?”

It was a warning: continue and I will use force. Roxis’s fingertips trembled, but he forced a smile and bowed.

“…I apologize. I will withdraw.”

Only after Roxis’s navy-blue back disappeared from view did Yulion look toward me.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I am.”

I reflexively covered my shoulder at his gaze.

‘Of all things, I had to wear an off-shoulder dress.’

Since my shoulders were exposed, covering them with my palm did little. Yulion’s brows furrowed as he saw the red and purple bruises.

“You should have called someone instead of dealing with this yourself. Why act foolishly?”

He paused mid-sentence, raking his hand through his hair in exasperation. His white forehead and furrowed brows gave off an annoyed tilt.

“…I’m sorry. I’m not angry at you.”

“I was about to yell anyway. You just arrived a little too late.”

Yulion narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Fearing an awkward story might slip out, I quickly changed the subject.

“We’ll be late. Let’s go in first. I’ll fix my hair quickly.”

The perceptive Genid came close to me.

“There is a powder room right next door, Your Highness.”

“Good. Let’s go quickly.”

I passed Yulion and headed toward the powder room with Genid. He seemed eager to say something but didn’t hold me back.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry.”

Genid looked distressed as soon as we arrived at the powder room.

“I should have acted more quickly.”

“It’s not your fault. But is there something to cover my shoulder?”

At the banquet, it would be obvious that something had happened. Headlines like “Violent Crown Princess in Scandal” or “The Crown Prince’s Secret Hobby” could sweep across the continent.

“How about this?”

Genid brought a dark navy shawl. It seemed to match my light sky-blue dress well.

“Looks good. I don’t need to redo my hair, right?”

“No, just a little here…”

With practiced hands, Genid fixed the minor details and draped the shawl over me, his face once again wet with emotion.

“I really am fine. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

“Don’t lie. With bruises like these, it has to hurt.”

“Hmm…then just a little. Really.”

And it was true—I hardly felt the pain. But Genid didn’t know about my condition. I had hesitated to tell him and then missed the timing.

‘Besides, it will heal anyway.’

Speaking would only cause unnecessary worry. I deliberately spoke cheerfully and stood up energetically.

“All set? Let’s go. The main character can’t be late.”

“Yes…”

Genid’s timid voice still carried guilt. I left the powder room without another word. But after only a few steps, I stopped again.

“Yulion?”

He was leaning against the wall where the earlier confrontation had occurred. Seeing me, he straightened up.

“Why aren’t you going in?”

“I can’t guarantee there won’t be another Roxis.”

For a moment, I was speechless. He must have waited for me in case of another potential danger.

Yulion cleared his throat and held out his hand.

“And it is a wedding banquet, after all. We should go together.”

Seeing his outstretched hand, I couldn’t help but smile. Now I understood why people called Yulion the upright Crown Prince who cares for the weak.

“Your Highnesses, congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you.”

At the banquet, my role was mostly ceremonial: sit in the designated seat, greet the nobles who came, and receive congratulations. Other nobles were busy chatting among themselves, mostly about me—or more precisely, about the Hemion incident earlier that morning.

“Was it Hemion Martin? I heard he was addicted to poison…”

“Did Your Highness have medical knowledge?”

“Well, I heard the rumors about making poison.”

“Oh, so you could make an antidote too?”

Ridiculous stories circulated. They were all things I had secretly spread in the past, under the guise of studying medicine, because my father would have opposed wasting time otherwise. Claiming it was poison earned his reluctant support. Over time, support dwindled as my studies yielded little, but it had served its purpose.

“But wasn’t it kind of impressive?”

“What do you mean? You mean, Your Highness?”

“Yes! My maid saw it up close and gave me a detailed account…”

One young lady started talking nearby. I wished they were farther away, out of earshot, but they were only a few steps away. Embarrassed, I averted my eyes, only to meet Yulion’s gaze.

“I was surprised too.”

Oh no. Yulion was ready to comment on the same topic. I tried to redirect my eyes as another noble approached.

“Sorry I’m late. Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Not late at all. Thank you, Count Retin.”

Count Retin seemed relieved that I didn’t scold him as he expected. More nobles arrived in succession, allowing me to avoid Yulion’s piercing gaze.

‘Father isn’t here.’

My sisters and other Kasyan princesses had refused to participate as they didn’t want to be bridesmaids. Duke Kasyan would normally attend both the ceremony and the banquet, but even as the event neared its end, he hadn’t appeared. Roxis was likely running around trying to manage the Hemion situation.

‘At least the most important leverage is in my hands.’

Today’s events had yielded an unexpected advantage—something useful for the future.

After the banquet, I sank into a preheated bath. Warm water enveloped me, making me feel dazed.

“Your Highness, I’ll sprinkle rose petals.”

“No need.”

“But it’s the first night!”

Genid excitedly scattered the petals into the tub. Whatever he imagined wouldn’t happen, but I decided to enjoy the sweet atmosphere. After the fragrant bath and a massage, I finished.

My body now relaxed, I stepped out to see the Crown Prince’s attendants waiting.

“I will assist you, Your Highness.”

They draped a thin nightgown over me, light and fluttering, covering only the essentials, with the rest semi-transparent.

“Isn’t there another outfit?”

It seemed this alone would be quite chilly. The attendant fixing my hair hesitated and asked,

“Do you have a preference?”

“No, it’s just a little cold.”

The attendant tilted her head, confused, when suddenly:

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince is here.”

With the voice of the servants outside, the door opened. Yulion knocked lightly on the doorframe before entering.

“May I come in?”