The five of them were shocked upon hearing Nickolai’s words.
“Why? Do you not dare?”
Irene couldn’t refute.
“If you don’t reveal yourself now, I will assume that my claim is true.”
Seeing that her life was at stake, Irene could only think of one way. She took a chance.
“Apologies, Your Highness. It is not that I don’t dare—I simply cannot. From where I come from, the only person to whom I may reveal my face is… my husband. It has been a tradition in my family. So please, Your Highness, pardon me. I only wish to respect my ancestors.”
Hearing this, both Arlo and Lucas were shaken. They finally understood why she wore a veil.
Only Old Judy and Lydia held their suspicions, but they kept them to themselves.
Meanwhile, Nickolai laughed, clearly amused by her reasoning.
“Are you telling me that if I were to see your face, I would have to take you as my consort?”
Hearing that, Lucas and Arlo couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Irene lowered her head, hoping this would be her way out. She knew Nickolai was repulsed by the idea of having a woman as his companion. Surely, he wouldn’t force her.
Laughing, Nickolai came to a conclusion.
“Alright then. I will take you in.”
Hearing his answer, all of them were shocked—especially Irene. She hadn’t expected him to accept it.
“You have my word. I will take you as my consort. Consider this your reward for your good deeds. The rest of you may leave. She will only reveal her face before me.”
Irene felt her fate seal itself—death, at the hands of the male lead.
Her whole body trembled.
The two guards escorted Lydia and Old Judy out. They both glanced at Irene, worried. Arlo, too, had no choice but to obey. He looked at Irene, something unsettled stirring in his heart, before leaving.
Only Lucas hesitated.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and knelt down. Nickolai was startled by his sudden action.
“Your Highness, please forgive me. I have already proposed to Miss Irene. She is betrothed to me.”
Irene was stunned by Lucas’s declaration.
Nickolai fell silent for a moment, as if processing what had just happened. Then he turned to Irene.
“Is this true, Miss Irene? You are betrothed to my trusted aide?”
Irene lowered her head. She didn’t need to see his face to feel the tension. His beloved had just proposed to a woman. She could imagine how difficult it was for him to remain calm.
But her life came first.
Seeing this as her only escape, Irene forced herself to agree.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After a moment of silent, Nickolai suddenly laughed.
“Rise, both of you. Why didn’t you say so earlier? I would have congratulated you.”
He reached out to help Lucas up only.
Irene remained wary but silent as she tried to stand. Her legs nearly gave out, and Lucas supported her.
She couldn’t refuse—her body was still weak.
She dared a small glance at Nickolai.
He was smiling.
Irene quickly lowered her gaze again.
In her room, Irene thought deeply, struggling to process everything that had just happened.
She was now betrothed to the male protagonist—the man who, in the original story, was the love of the male lead’s life.
Everything had become tangled.
She was getting dangerously close to the original plot.
What would happen if Lucas discovered her true identity?
No… she had to escape.
She couldn’t marry him.
A knock sounded at the door.
“It’s me, Lucas. May I come in, Miss Irene?”
“Yes.”
After a brief pause, he entered. Their eyes met.
“Irene, I know this is difficult to process. But this was the only way I could think of. I feared for your fate if you became the Crown Prince’s consort. I don’t want you to suffer.” He spoke gently.
“Your Holiness, may I ask you something?”
Lucas nodded.
“Is there no one you hold dear in your heart?”
“No… no one was special to me—until now.” He looked straight into her eyes.
“Irene, you are someone I want. Someone I care about.”
Her heart began to race, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“Your Holiness, what if you regret it after seeing my true face?”
“No.” He shook his head softly. “In these few days, I’ve come to know you. That is enough for me to understand my heart. This isn’t about responsibility anymore.”
He stepped closer.
“I want to be with you. I know you may not love me—and I won’t force you. All I want is for you to be safe. I promise you… you will never suffer. You will live comfortably by my side.”
His voice softened.
“And I know you may not trust me yet. But I believe… in time, you will see my sincerity. I’m willing to wait.”
Hearing his words, her heart wavered.
“Then… I will place myself in your care, Lucas.”
For the first time, she called his name.
She had accepted his proposal.
“Thank you, Irene.” His smile was filled with genuine happiness. “I won’t disappoint you.”
His heart pounded loudly. He almost pulled her into an embrace.
The woman he had chosen… had chosen him back.
And deep within, Lucas made a vow—
Even if it meant standing against the Crown Prince, he would protect her.
YOU ARE READING
When Beauty Destroys The BL World
RomanceIrene was just a normal girl, waiting for her graduation day to set up her new journey. Her dream is to be a doctor and a good daughter for her single father. But all of that change when she tries to help an old lady from a robber, as she was push d...
