* * *

After a series of twists and turns, the meal finally concluded.

Yet, I could hardly recall what I ate since Baek Yigang kept staring at me so intently throughout.

I managed to force the food down when he declared I wouldn’t be allowed to leave otherwise, but now that it was all gone, a new worry crept in—whether I’d still fit into the dress.

Of course, it was a magically altered dress, so it would fit.

But magic wouldn’t exactly hide the protruding belly underneath, would it?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What’s wrong with my eyes?”

“They’re… indecent.”

His retort left me speechless.

Of all people, the most indecent one here had the audacity to call me indecent?

“Your Highness, Lord Dowoon, the fitting room is ready for you.”

Just in time, Asel entered and summoned us.

It was time to prepare for the ceremony.

“Let’s get moving,” Baek Yigang said.

When we returned to the palace, Asel and Anna were joined by several knights who accompanied us.

“By the way, where’s Philip?” I asked.

“He has other tasks to handle.”

Even without details, it wasn’t hard to guess that Philip was likely preparing for the aftermath of the Emperor’s collapse.

Of course, they couldn’t afford to neglect preparations for a day they’d been awaiting for so long.

“But it’s strange. The Arthe side hasn’t made a fuss about Delcia’s absence.”

“I can explain that!” Anna chimed in.

“In the northern continent, where Arthe and Pendium are located, there’s a custom where the bride disappears for an entire day before the ceremony begins. It’s a cute tradition meant to heighten anticipation for the bride.”

Hearing her explanation, it all made sense now.

This must be why Delcia had been able to plan her escape to Arthe the night before the engagement day.

“That’s fascinating. Is it only in the northern continent?”

“Well, my father’s from the western continent, and over there, the bride and groom are not allowed to see each other from the engagement until the wedding day. Each continent seems to have its quirks.”

I found these little details delightful—details that didn’t quite come through when I was just reading the original novel.

Traditions that were unnecessary yet fascinatingly varied, embraced wholeheartedly by those involved.

“It feels too real to be just a story.”

This world, where people weren’t simply supporting or leading characters in a book, felt vividly real.

Take Baek Yigang, for instance.

He was nothing like the original version I’d read about—a cold figure who sneered at life and glared at people with blood-soaked eyes.

Now, here he was beside me, casually throwing out absurd proposals and wearing his emotions on his sleeve.

With his warmth palpable through my hand, it was hard to deny the reality of this place.

“Baek Yigang, where’s Delcia?”

“There’s another drawing room deeper inside the Crown Prince’s palace. She’s there.”

Well, that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about.

“You’re late. Please hurry this way,” Rata said, pulling me along as soon as we reached the fitting room.

Looking back with a helpless expression as I was whisked away, I noticed Baek Yigang already surrounded by other designers.

He wasn’t getting off easy either.

I was dragged back to yesterday’s infamous curtain room, where Rata and the other designers began to work on me like I was some sort of doll—dressing, undressing, pinning, and adorning me.

Naturally, I wasn’t allowed to utter a word.

“Mannequins don’t talk,” they’d said. How could humans be so consistent in their nonsense?

“Ah! Finally, we’re done!” Rata exclaimed after what felt like an eternity, stepping back with satisfaction.

In the mirror, I saw myself in a pure white wedding dress with a deep veil pulled over my face.

Holding a large bouquet, my build didn’t seem as prominent as I feared.

At this rate, people might actually mistake me for Delcia. Pendium’s residents weren’t particularly familiar with her, so as long as no one looked too closely, I should be fine.

Still, the veil obstructed my view, but considering the alternative—people screaming as soon as I entered the hall—keeping it pulled low seemed like the safer option.

“Please wait here for a moment.”

With Rata and the designers finally gone, I was left alone in the room.

Looking down at the dress’s cumbersome train, I let out a deep sigh.

“I mean, I’ve put it on, but still…”

Haah.

The weight of it all sank in.

The thought that I’d need help to take this off because of the magic made me sigh even deeper.

I’d only just put it on, but I was already worried about removing it.

Knowing Baek Yigang, he’d never willingly help me out of a wedding dress.

As I stood awkwardly by the curtains, trying not to sit or wrinkle the fabric, I sensed a presence behind me.

“Cheong Dowoon.”

I turned my head reflexively at the sound of the familiar voice and saw Baek Yigang standing there.

He was dressed in an ivory ceremonial outfit, adorned with an amethyst brooch matching his eyes.

While the outfit was formal, his strikingly radiant face made the entire ensemble seem extravagantly opulent.

“Hey… aren’t you the one who looks more like the bride here?” I quipped.

“You seemed to prefer something flashy,” he replied.

It took me a moment to realize he was referencing something I’d said earlier before lunch.

‘I just thought Delcia’s outfit today looked a bit flashy… and pretty.’

His expression earlier had seemed off, and now I understood why—he’d been holding onto my words this whole time. Unbelievable.

“Even though the ceremony won’t proceed to the end, it’s better for you to understand the sequence,” he said nonchalantly, ignoring my exasperation as he stepped closer to stand beside me.

Our reflections appeared side by side in the mirror.

I had been meaning to ask about the ceremony’s progression, so I stayed quiet and listened.

“First, the Emperor will give an opening speech. After that, I’ll make my entrance, followed by you. Then, we’ll exchange vows, go through the gift exchange, and finally toast to conclude.”

“When does the Emperor collapse?”

“The moment you enter.”

It matched what he’d hinted at during his initial explanation of the plan.

He assured me that no chaos would ensue. No one would even see me in the dress, he’d said.

Though, realistically, the designers had already seen it, as had Anna and Asel.

At this point, a few more people wouldn’t make a difference.

Still, a promise was a promise.

“When you walk into the hall, just look at me. I’ll be right in front of you.”

“Got it.”

“And the Emperor… won’t make it past tonight.”

Baek Yigang, reiterating my concerns with a calm gaze, began to get to the heart of the matter.

Today was finally the day the incompetent emperor of Pendium would lose his light.

In the original course of events, Piel would ascend the throne, cause chaos, and eventually get overthrown by Ian, who would then take the crown just before the nation’s ruin.

But this time, things would be different.

As Baek Yigang desired, and as I wished, Baek Yigang himself would become the emperor—no one else.

“So, that means you’ll be ascending the throne tomorrow,” I said.

Baek Yigang gave a slight nod.

While scanning my reflection in the mirror, he spoke again, as if he still had more to say.

“And, I’ve already searched Piel’s room.”

Not “I will” but “I already have”? When did that happen?

“Already?”

“I had Nefron handle it.”

Nefron. Though I had never seen him in person, I’d heard that he was the most discreet of Baek Yigang’s shadows.

Skilled in stealth and always cloaked in black, even the other shadows had never seen his face.

I’d once asked if it was safe for Baek Yigang to wander around without a guard, and that’s when I learned about Nefron’s existence.

Yet, for all that he’d told me about Nefron, Baek Yigang didn’t seem inclined to let me meet him.

“And? What were the results?”

“Nothing,” Baek Yigang replied in a bored tone.

“The room was too clean—suspiciously so.”

As if it confirmed nothing of importance, he answered with disinterest.

“That was expected. Piel probably anticipated his room being searched,” I said.

“True. Stay close to me today—don’t wander unnecessarily.”

“When have I ever wandered unnecessarily?”

My nonchalant response made Baek Yigang’s eyes narrow into thin slits.

He was unmistakably glaring at me.

“When the emperor dies, I’ll ascend the throne. Piel knows that and won’t just sit still. He’ll make a final desperate move.”

As he said, Piel was the most unpredictable variable in this plan.

His potential for chaos was the biggest threat.

“He might not act now. Maybe he’ll wait until after your coronation to make his move. With Aquila already in his grasp, Piel has no reason to rush.”

“Then all the more reason to strip him of his position quickly. Ian must be the next emperor after me.”

“…You’re already thinking about the next emperor?”

“We can’t predict the future.”

When I stared at him, puzzled, Baek Yigang replied in his usual dry tone.

Normally, an emperor ruled for 30 to 40 years unless rebellion occurred.

Yet here was Baek Yigang, not even crowned, already talking about a successor.

It felt far too premature.

Why was he saying such things? It sounded as if he didn’t expect his reign to last long.

* * *