Chapter – 11
“Trouble.”
Of all people, why did it have to be Ian catching me?
It’s fine. I comforted myself.
For the next year, I would have to deceive the entire empire. A small hurdle like this? I can handle it!
With a strained smile, I opened my mouth.
“I just wanted to get some fresh air, but the twin towers caught my eye. As you know, the Martap Tower is one of the finest landmarks of the empire. My curiosity got the better of me.”
Ian raised an eyebrow, his expression betraying doubt.
At that moment, Anette suddenly shouted.
“It’s my fault, Captain! Lady Irene was just looking around the Martap Tower, but I left her side without permission!”
“Anette.”
I turned to Anette, surprised.
On the surface, she looked composed, but her fingers, hidden behind her dress, were fidgeting rapidly.
“Why did you do that?”
Ian furrowed his brows.
Anette’s fingers twitched even more.
“I thought it would be fine to just buy a few things nearby. But then… I ran into some bad people. I’m really sorry.”
Anette hung her head, looking dejected.
“Because of me, Lady Irene was put in danger. Even ten mouths wouldn’t be enough to apologize.”
“No, Anette. Those were the bad guys, not you. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Lady Irene….”
It was true. All Anette did was walk along the main street. She had no way of knowing that such brazen lunatics were there.
I spoke only the truth in her defense, and she looked at me with eyes full of admiration.
“Sigh… well, alright.”
Ian let out a sigh and spoke something astonishing.
I lifted my head, startled.
“You’re letting this slide?”
“I didn’t detain you. But… be careful from now on. No matter how civilized the empire seems, people like that exist everywhere.”
Ian cast a chilling glance over our shoulders.
As Ian appeared, the delinquents who had frozen like statues collapsed to their knees.
“Ma-Ma-Master!”
“Please forgive us! We were wrong!”
But their pronunciation was terrible.
‘The Orbi fruits really did their job,’ I thought.
The ones who had been hit directly by the fruit were covered with lumps all over their faces. Their swollen lips looked absolutely unappealing.
“You’re apologizing to the wrong person, aren’t you?”
Ian’s icy eyes glared down at the delinquents.
‘Wow, if it were me, I’d have passed out right there.’
Even watching from the side made my limbs cringe. How terrifying must it be for them to face Ian’s gaze directly?
‘Then why provoke people on the main street, huh? Idiots!’
“Le-Lady… we surrender!”
“We beg forgiveness!”
I tilted my head at their strange pronunciation.
“What’s with ‘surrender’? Anette, do you understand?”
“I don’t either!”
“Le-Lady…!”
“Anyway, there’s no negotiating. Take your punishment like the criminals you are.”
People like these should not be left roaming freely.
At that moment, someone came running urgently.
“Lady Irene! Are you safe—Captain?”
It was Sir Joan running down the alley. Seeing Ian and me, Joan bowed efficiently.
“Luckily, you appear unharmed. It seems I failed to protect you properly, and I’ll accept any punishment.”
“No, Sir Joan! I exited through another gate, so it wasn’t your fault. My mistake, Ian. Joan did nothing wrong.”
I hurriedly defended Joan.
Joan had just fallen for my ruse. I had been annoyed watching movie characters sneak past bodyguards, and now I realized I was the one doing it.
“Raise your head, Joan.”
“Yes.”
“Today’s incident will be dealt with separately. Lady Irene, I’ll escort you back, so you handle the rest.”
Ian gestured toward the delinquents. Joan saluted.
“Yes, Captain.”
As Joan approached the delinquents, they trembled like crazy.
“H-Hiiiiik, Joan Ortes?”
“Crazy dog, Joan?!”
“P-Please spare my life!”
They started groveling desperately. Some even broke into tears as Joan drew closer.
I wanted to watch longer, but Ian led me out of the alley.
“If you’re really curious about the Martap Tower…”
As we headed toward the carriage, Ian spoke in a low voice.
“Ask me. I’ll accompany you.”
“You mean… Ian will help me tour the Martap Tower?”
I thought he was joking, but Ian’s face was serious.
“There are dangerous people in the Martap Tower. The Saint, appearing after fifteen years, will surely draw attention.”
I wondered, ‘He must be talking about Rizello.’
Of course, in the original story, Ian and Rizello didn’t get along.
It made sense. Rizello had an obsessive infatuation with the original heroine, and Ian…
‘Because he was the heroine’s first love.’
I thought their conflict came from Rizello being jealous of Ian, but now it seemed they simply clashed by nature.
‘I wonder how I should handle this…’
I hadn’t met Rizello yet. Only thirteen days remained for the Saint verification procedure. I had to meet Rizello within that time.
‘Since I’ve already been caught, going to the Martap Tower directly would be too risky.’
I would have to find another approach. Going straight to the Martap Tower was the most reliable option, but it was impossible now.
I sighed deeply, lost in thought. Ian glanced at me.
“Remember, our engagement is the day after tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
I wouldn’t forget—it was my first engagement ceremony.
‘Married to a man I’ve known for just three days? Life is unpredictable.’
I understood why Ian was rushing. With the scandal already in the newspapers, he needed to officially confirm our relationship as soon as possible, before the rumors spread further.
It made sense that he wanted to solidify our engagement, but only if he was completely certain I was the Saint.
I knew he trusted me regarding the relic of the late emperor.
The Saint verification procedure wouldn’t be complete for more than ten days, so Ian had to decide whether to accept or reject me immediately.
Ultimately, he chose to ride the same boat as me, and I was grateful.
But what if Ian realized he made the wrong choice?
Had he prepared a contingency plan?
My curiosity got the better of me.
“Just hypothetically… what if I don’t pass the verification? What happens then?”
“Curious, are you?”
Ian tilted the corner of his mouth.
A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly shook my head.
“No… not really.”
“I’ll tell you.”
“No, it’s fine! I don’t want to hear it.”
“I insist. It seems you don’t fully understand our contract yet.”
Ian leaned closer, his deep blue eyes locking onto mine.
“Having exchanged the Immutable Contract Stone, we are already on the same boat. No matter who lied, cheated… even if you’re not the Saint, you are my wife for the duration of our contract. In every sense.”
‘In every sense?!’
His dangerously low voice sent shivers down my spine.
He explained gently, but the content was terrifying.
‘What do you mean “in every sense”!’
“Of course, my heart will hurt if I am betrayed.”
Ian added something outrageous.
‘Heart? At that point, he’d drag me to an underground prison and not show mercy.’
I scoffed at my own weak thought. Ian watched me and raised a corner of his mouth as if amused.
“So… do not betray me, my wife.”
“My wife… can we drop that when it’s just the two of us?”
“No. The more you resist, the more you need to get used to it.”
Sigh.
I laughed inwardly. Fine, he wanted to play that way. I wouldn’t be the only one teased.
“You’re right, dear.”
“…….”
I looked up at Ian and smiled brightly, emphasizing the word “dear.”
“We need to get used to this quickly. We’re only engaged now, but soon we’ll have to share a bed. Right, dear?”
“…….”
At the mention of sharing a bed, Ian’s expression visibly stiffened.
I snickered to myself and pressed further.
“I’m looking forward to it. How well will we pretend on the first night? Exciting, isn’t it, dear?”
Ian’s blue eyes froze like ice.
I laughed quietly, thinking:
‘Easy. Such a pure virgin.’
Ian didn’t say another word until the carriage ride ended.
“I hear Ian’s aide… Lucian, is buying up all the large merchant stocks.”
A smooth voice echoed in the emperor’s private office.
The owner of the voice had waist-length red hair. Five years ago, she had been the center of a historic royal wedding—Empress Lorelai.
“Flowers, jewels, outdoor decorations… he’s buying everything.”
Emperor Rashid chuckled.
“Seems he’s decided on a grand wedding. He’s not usually extravagant… has he developed a sudden whim? Or is the Saint that charming?”
“You’ve known all along, Your Majesty, that Ian never intended to start a family. That’s why many of the imperial faction never opposed him.”
Ian Estevan was the undisputed first heir of the throne.
“Yet now, he intends to marry a Saint.”
Rashid slowly stroked his chin.
“Has my beloved brother truly fallen head over heels in love? Or does he covet my throne…? Ah, no, not that.”
His eyes sparkled as if remembering something.
“It would be easy to judge once I meet this Saint woman. Is she truly someone worth falling for? My own eyes will tell me.”
“Perhaps the House of Biontin will make the first move, Your Majesty. Might I suggest waiting until then?”
“Perhaps.”
Rashid shrugged at Lorelai.
“You know me—I cannot simply wait.”
