In Time And Memories

Chapter Thirty-Eight

It's already late at night but looks like these nobles have no plans on going home. There are still dancing in the middle, drinking different alcohols, eating those delicious foods.

"How are you feeling, Princess? If you want to retire, just tell me so I can notice the emperor," Prince Urus whispered to me.

"I'm fine," I answered coldly. My mood has already turned sour because of the meeting in the garden and his answer to my question earlier is still lingering in my mind.

He married me just because he wants to?! What kind of reason is that?

"Why do you think his highness married Lady Azelaine?" My ear twitched. Another set of noble ladiea are gossiping while I'm just a few steps away from them. How shameless.

"It's princess now."

"Who cares? It's not like we will get executed for that." One of them giggled.

I can fucking hear you all.

"Don't you think his highness married her because of her family's influence?"

"But I heard that house of Laurenze is not even supporting his highness, which I doubt Princess Azelaine would have agreed with it."

I tried my best to ignore their conversation even though I'm not intentionally eavesdropping on them. My eyes roamed to avert my attention but it was caught once again after hearing what the lady said.

"Is it not because of her body?" All of them gasped. My eyebrows furrowed and slowly looked down then to the man beside me.

"Shh! Watch what you say!"

"I mean... She undeniably has a perfect body at the age of eighteen. Any man would like to marry her just because of that."

I couldn't help it. I stood up while my chest is harshly rising up and down. My hands are also balled into a fist, trembling with anger. As much as I want to throw a fit, I shouldn't make a scene. Especially that this is a royal occasion.

I feel humiliated. I can't even tell if they are praising my appearance or disgracing it. That feels disgusting.

How can they say that the reason why a man would like to marry me is just because of my body?!

Out of anger, I walked out of the ballroom without even a word. Forget about the banquet, I just want to leave and take a rest. I have been feeling suffocated ever since the banquet started.

My anger just fueled up after remembering Prince Urus' answer. Did he really married me because he wants to or he wants me body?

I feel like throwing up.

"Your highness, are you alright?" One of the servants asked after meeting me at the hallway.

"Where's the nearest room?"

"I'll escort you, Your highness." The servant led the way and opened the door. She also opened the light then started to prepare for my bath. I started to remove my dress and went to the tub.

After I finished taking a bath, I told the servant to leave and don't forget to close the lights.

There's a lot of thoughts going on in my mind right now. Remembering the noble ladies' conversation is just reminding me of my anger. Also the conversation we had in the garden. I still can't forget that my mother just suddenly shows up.

A lot of things has already happened on this day. I'm just glad I don't have to face Queen Frizella since she just drains my energy.

Speaking about her, I heard that she left the empire because of her political agenda. I don't know the details but I hope that it's not something evil.

I almost jump out of surprise when the door suddenly opens. The room is a bit dark since the lights are off but I can see his clothes.

"Ah— I apologize, Princess. I thought no one is here." It's Prince Urus.

My eyes squinted. He turned his back and was about leave the room but I ran towards him then held his arm. I'm still angry and I need to let this out.

"Princess, I am truely sor—"

"Why did you marry me?" I'm stubborn, that's given. But I will never stop unless I know the truth or to confirm what those ladies have said earlier.

He sighed. "I believe I answered that earlier, Princess." I pulled his arm to face me. The part of the room where we stand is being illuminated by the moonlight. So I can clearly see his face and so does mine.

"Tell me the truth."

"It is the truth, Princess. That's because I wanted to," he answered firmly.

I squinted my eyes then examined his expression. "I don't believe you." I'm looking directly at his eyes, expecting something but there's none. Not even a single twitch on his eyes nor at any muscle of his face.

My hands went on the robe's belt and pulled it with a trembling hands. The robe fell on the floor, leaving me completely naked in front of him.

I can feel my face heating up because of embarrassment but I don't care. He wants my body? Then I'll provoke him. I want to see what kind of jerk he is.

"This is what you wanted, right?"

At first, I thought his eyes will look down on my body but it didn't, instead, it remained on my face as if he's reading my thoughts.

Come to think of it, I don't even know what is his ability. What if his ability is telepathy?

My mouth gaped and my eyes blinked repeatedly as I watch him take off his coat. What is this? The ladies were right after all? Prince Urus just married me because he wants my body. And in the end, he is just like those lustful men.

I felt a cloth draped over my shoulders and my back no longer felt the cold breeze.

My eyes widened after realizing what he did.

Prince Urus took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders to cover my naked body. I really thought that he will take off his clothes starting from his coat but he didn't. His eyes still remained on mine, he didn't even took a single glance on my body.

"I never wanted your body or anything on you, Princess. That is not the reason why I married you." He turned his back on me then left the room.

I was left here dumbfounded. I am wrong about him.

———