Cedric spoke in a dry voice.
“He was not from the Kingdom of Uplin, but someone who had blood mixed from that side. They say he was half from this empire.”
At that moment, Baron Slane, who had the most white hair, clicked his tongue and said,
“As expected, when there is Uplin blood mixed, that is how it is. No matter how much blood from our empire is mixed in, that blood can’t be hidden.”
Everyone nodded and laughed. I somehow did not smile. Talking about blood and origins felt like they were talking about my background, which I didn’t like. Especially since my father bought his title with money, this kind of place always felt uncomfortable.
Besides, it seemed like among the nobles it was still important to check which family someone came from. It was strange that it was unusual for me to even stand here.
Sighing quietly inside, I kept looking forward.
“Don’t you worry about me?”
A low voice stirred my ears unusually. When I looked up, Cedric was staring straight at me. I did not know what to say.
‘I wasn’t not worried.’
Cedric looked at me silently for a moment, then turned his head. His expression looked colder than before. I glanced briefly at his injured hand. Cedric ignored me and talked with the people around him. Especially, some people who looked like high-ranking nobles caught him and spoke with him, but his long and boring words made me just ignore it.
Looking around, ladies were gathering together or some nobles were chatting happily in groups.
I felt like I was the only one standing awkwardly next to Cedric, so I stepped back a little. Then Cedric stopped talking and looked at me. The nobles nearby also stared blankly at me for a moment.
I panicked and blurted out,
“I’m going to the bathroom.”
Everyone nodded awkwardly and smiled. Then Baron Slane called a passing servant and said,
“Have the Lady Jedburgh shown the way to the bathroom.”
I looked surprised, and Baron Slane smiled kindly and said,
“The path here is especially confusing. If you follow the servant, it will be easier to find.”
I nodded awkwardly, but Cedric did not let go of me. I pushed his arm lightly, embarrassed. Only then did Cedric release his arm around my waist. But his eyes stayed fixed on me and did not move away.
I was thankful to be away from Cedric and quickly turned to follow the servant. As soon as I left the banquet hall, the servant spoke kindly,
“You just come this way.”
I faithfully followed the servant. I didn’t really want to go to the bathroom, but I wanted to get away from Cedric somehow. Soon, I saw a fancy door. The servant bowed and left first.
The palace bathroom was quite fancy and clean. There was no one inside, and the quiet atmosphere was very pleasant.
I stood in front of the mirror for a moment. Compared to the time I was in Yurhen’s temple, the dress and even the rings on my fingers were all very fancy. The wedding ring, which had a very familiar shape, caught my eye the most.
It was too fancy. It felt too tight and uncomfortable. Without thinking, I took off the wedding ring, and my hand finally felt like my own. I put the ring in my pocket and left the bathroom.
“Revril.”
At the sudden voice, I turned my head and saw Cedric leaning against the wall. When I hesitated, he calmly stepped away from the wall. He looked at my fingers for a moment, then looked at me with cold eyes.
“Did you lose it?”
His blue eyes flashed strangely. I took the ring out of my pocket. Cedric looked at the ring in my palm, took it, and put it on my fourth finger while holding my hand. Surprised, I looked at him. He looked at my hand with the ring and said,
“No matter what your heart feels, at least wear this.”
“…”
“So you can at least masturbate alone.”
I was shocked, and Cedric chuckled quietly.
“Sometimes, it feels like you liked me in a dream.”
His eyes seemed to touch something deep inside me. I looked at him silently, and he took my hand, interlocking our fingers tightly.
“But now, it doesn’t matter. Those feelings cool down easily anyway.”
It felt like he was belittling the feelings I once had for him, and it hurt. The days I spent hoping and confused passed through my mind. I finally said what I had kept inside.
“You don’t love me.”
“…”
“You never did. Even when you were with Selena, you only watched me.”
I felt anger rise inside but held back.
“I thought you still cared for me. But you never told me anything and just made decisions on your own.”
I tried to pull my hand away, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled me toward him. Before I knew it, I was in his arms. I tried to escape, but Cedric wrapped his arm around my back, holding me tightly.
“I thought you would stay by my side no matter what I did.”
“…”
“But I never thought you would really leave.”
He sounded very arrogant. I couldn’t help but say,
“Does it mean it’s okay to face anything if I’m by your side? You said you would be engaged to Selena. No matter what I said, you just…”
I almost cried and stopped talking. Cedric slowly let go and looked at me. I didn’t look back and muttered,
“I want to leave your side. I don’t want to feel empty staying by you anymore.”
I spoke honestly but felt sad. In the end, loving him only brought emptiness. I hung my head low, and Cedric touched my cheek. His hand was warm. As I looked at his injured hand, his low voice echoed above me.
“I’ve cleaned everything around you now, but you still don’t like it?”
My feelings for Cedric had already faded, so what use was it now? I only wanted to be away from him.
Cedric looked at me for a moment, then lowered his hand.
“Well, you don’t worry about me, so of course you wouldn’t like me.”
“…”
“My very presence must be unpleasant to you.”
I said nothing and stayed quiet. Cedric didn’t care and held my hand. His grip was strong. Even trying to pull away, I couldn’t match his strength.
“Let’s go.”
His voice was calm but somehow intimidating. When I didn’t move, he pulled me harder.
I was almost dragged back into the banquet hall. The aide greeted Cedric and pointed to a high place.
“Everything is ready now.”
Cedric nodded simply and took my hand, leading me up the high stairs in the banquet hall. Everyone stared at us. Sweet music played, but my heart was beating nervously.
“What is this?”
I asked as I followed Cedric. He stopped for a moment and looked at me. His eyes were quite cold and dry.
“I’m going to openly announce you as my wife.”
“But everyone already knows.”
I thought he would bring me around to introduce me to people one by one. But I didn’t expect Cedric to announce it so openly. He didn’t take his eyes off me and said,
“I made a great achievement in the victory, but celebrating without you would feel empty.”
“Cedric, still, if you do it like this…”
“Why? Is there another man?”
My face stiffened at that moment, and Cedric smiled a little.
“I’m doing this to prevent that kind of thing. Don’t you like it?”
I turned my stiff face away.
“You’ll do it anyway even if you don’t like me.”
“You know me well.”
Cedric pulled my hand again. In the middle was a large cake. It was decorated big for the victory celebration, with fancy pink rose petals spread everywhere. Seeing my stiff expression, Cedric gently touched my cheek.
“Smile. Everyone here will envy you.”
