* * *

“You’ll realize it soon enough. That there’s no one else but me.”

A chilling voice echoed. Normally, I’d have laughed and brushed it off as nonsense, but given the current situation, I couldn’t muster a single chuckle.

“So, what’s this plan of yours?”

I deftly changed the subject, and the two of them, as if nothing had happened, started explaining their plan with serious expressions.

“The engagement ceremony is scheduled for four days from now.”

“That’s sooner than I expected.”

At my surprised reaction, Baek Yigang’s gaze blatantly shifted toward Delcia.

“The representatives from Arthe arrived earlier than expected to prepare, which pushed the timeline forward.”

“Ugh, that couldn’t be helped. In our culture, arriving early to prepare for major national events is considered a sign of respect.”

Ah, so they came early on purpose to expedite the engagement ceremony…

“Anyway, the night before the engagement ceremony, Delcia will board a carriage specifically prepared for her and return to Arthe.”

“Huh? Then what about the ceremony itself?”

Shouldn’t she at least be present for the engagement? How can you call it off—or whatever—without the main participant?

“That night is the highlight of this plan.”

Before I could fully process the situation, Delcia’s face lit up with an ominous smile.

No, it wasn’t ominous—it was downright sinister.

“Lately, wedding dresses have been made in more generous sizes.”

With those cryptic words, Delcia playfully aimed a measuring gaze at my shoulders.

Then, with a cheerful expression, she nodded as if she’d reached a conclusion.

“Dowoon, you’re going to wear it.”

“Wait, what?”

“What else? The wedding dress!”

Her absurd declaration came crashing down like a guillotine.

No, what kind of insane…

“Exactly.”

Baek Yigang chimed in, looking uncharacteristically pleased as he nodded along with Delcia.

These two are out of their minds. With my build? In a dress? Are they serious?!

“Absolutely not! No way!”

“So… you’re telling me to spend the rest of my precious life in this foreign land, married to a sociopathic groom, without ever seeing my parents again…? I’ll waste away in a loveless union, fall ill, and die young. Meanwhile, my lover back home will storm Pendium with an army to avenge me… Sniff.”

…Why does she remind me of a female version of Baek Yigang?

The unsettling feeling was undeniable. She seemed alarmingly good at shameless theatrics.

“Y-you don’t have to think so… dramatically.”

“That’s not a bad outcome. Arthe could be conquered in a single day.”

Baek Yigang nodded indifferently, as if the idea didn’t concern him at all.

His nonchalant demeanor made it hard to laugh off.

“What? ‘Conquered’? You insolent man! How dare you?!”

“It’s the truth. Any objections?”

How do these two start bickering the moment you look away? They’re like children!

“Ugh… Enough! Fine, fine. I’ll wear the dress. Just the dress.”

“What are you saying? If you’re wearing the dress, you’re attending the engagement ceremony too.”

“That’s right. The ceremony has to proceed as planned.”

Delcia, who had been snarling at Baek Yigang moments ago, immediately turned to me with a resolute tone.

Even Baek Yigang agreed, snapping his gaze toward me with unnerving synchronicity.

Why do they only get along when they’re ganging up on me?

This isn’t just my imagination, is it…?

“No way! Absolutely not!”

This time, I wasn’t backing down. Enough is enough!

I shot to my feet, crossing my arms into a firm X.

It was already a struggle to agree to the dress.

What now?

Attend the ceremony in it? That’s insane!

Both of them have lost their minds!

If I walk into that ceremony hall like this, I’ll die of humiliation on the spot. It’s so obvious it hurts.

“Sit down, Cheong Dowoon.”

“Dowoon, sit.”

Their calm faces contrasted sharply with the commanding tone in their voices.

Why are they like this?!

If I’d known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have agreed to this stupid hidden quest!

Stupid system…

If you’re going to possess someone, you should at least respect their human rights!

Where did my dignity go…?

“I get what you’re worried about, but it’s not going to happen. Don’t be scared.”

Baek Yigang’s hand patting me in reassurance was clumsy, especially since he’d just been the one to spout all that fear-inducing nonsense.

I glared at him briefly before he grabbed my arm and pulled me back into my seat.

Resigned, I slumped slightly and shot him a skeptical look, waiting for him to speak.

After a short sigh, he finally said, with a calm face but ominous words:

“Right now, the Emperor’s health is failing.”

I hadn’t expected to hear those words here, so I could feel Delcia flinch for a moment.

But soon enough, without any further reaction, she seemed to accept it, as though Baek Yigang had given her a brief heads-up beforehand.

My first thought was, ‘So, he knew after all.’

I had previously thought that Baek Yigang would ignore the Emperor’s condition, but things unfolded just as I had expected.

“The Emperor doesn’t have long to live. The engagement ceremony was moved up, partly at his request. He knows it himself, about his condition.”

Baek Yigang continued in a lazy tone, almost as if speaking to himself, before locking eyes with me.

The gaze that met mine in the air was firm and heavy.

“When the Emperor collapses, the engagement ceremony will fall apart too. So, you won’t have to show yourself to anyone else.”

“Wait, I get what you’re saying, but… how can you be so sure? There’s no guarantee the Emperor will collapse exactly at that moment.”

I already know the answer.

The Emperor will certainly collapse during the engagement ceremony.

Curiously, Baek Yigang pinpointed the exact timing that matched the original story.

But Baek Yigang couldn’t possibly know that. How is he so certain?

“I’ll make sure of it.”

His answer was brief, but the meaning behind it wasn’t light.

It implied that if things didn’t go according to plan, he would take matters into his own hands and deal with the Emperor directly.

It wasn’t exactly a conventional solution, but that’s precisely why it seemed the most clear and reliable option.

“Did you see that? Hail is not normal. That’s why I won’t marry him. But trust is a different matter. In fact, I trust him more because of how reckless he is.”

Delcia seemed to understand Baek Yigang’s intention and closed her eyes with an expression of disgust.

But honestly, considering you trust him like that, you’re not exactly normal either.

“There’s another problem. If I enter the engagement ceremony, the nobles of Arthe won’t just stand by. The difference in stature alone will give me away. They’ll realize right away that I’m not you.”

Just getting rid of the Emperor wouldn’t necessarily solve the problem with the nobles of Arthe.

It seemed they were very invested in the engagement, considering they had already come to prepare…

If something goes wrong, it might lead to war.

But Delcia waved her hand lightly.

“Don’t worry about that. My brother already knows about my plan.”

“Your brother?”

“Catan Rietri. He’s the crown prince of the Arthe Empire. Since the Emperor is ill, he’s currently acting as regent.”

Baek Yigang explained briefly, and someone finally came to mind.

Right, I remember now.

He was the man who appeared as part of the congratulatory delegation from Arthe when Ian became the Emperor in the original story.

I couldn’t remember much else, but there was one thing that stood out. I’m pretty sure… they called him Siscom.

“My brother will do anything I ask. This time, the Empire’s well-being is at stake, so he sent me for the greater good, but if I give him an order, the nobles will quietly return home.”

I had no idea how long they had been preparing for this, but it seemed the plan had already been set with the regent, the acting Emperor of Arthe.

“Impressive preparation.”

“…That’s how desperate I am. Just because I’m a princess doesn’t mean I can choose whatever I want.”

A bitter smile tugged at Delcia’s lips. It must have been heartbreaking to come to a foreign land against her will, even though she had someone she loved.

At least it seemed like we all had genuine reasons for helping each other… maybe I should lend a hand as well.

“Delcia, do you happen to know the coordinates of the Arthe Imperial Palace?”

“Huh? Coordinates?”

Delcia looked at me with a confused expression, as though she didn’t understand what I meant.

“Oh, sorry. That’s what we call it among wizards… What should I say?”

“I mean the location. The direction, like north, south, east, west, on a map.”

I glanced at Baek Yigang, who was nearby, and he quickly caught on, stepping in to explain instead.

“Ah, I know.”

“Once I have that, I can send you there directly using magic without needing a carriage. It would take too long to travel to Arthe, and it could be dangerous if we hurry…”

I felt a bit embarrassed for butting in, but Delcia covered her mouth slowly, her face showing deep gratitude.

“Just as I thought… I like kind people! A man who cares for a lady—how noble! So different from that damn crown prince!”

Hmm. It feels like someone’s giving me a sharp glare from the side… Did I mess up again?

* * *