When Beauty Destroys The BL World

Distrust

All the noble come to congrats both of them. Irene could only nods her head and smile politely despite the pain and numb on her mouth.
She even noticed the envy looks of every woman in the crowd.
How could they not? The crown prince that they have long admired and desired was passionately kissing and married to the person they considered a horrendous woman.
Many have thought that the crown prince will eventually annulled their engagement. But it turn out that he still marry her, after everything that vile woman done.
Moreover, as much as they hate to admit it, the woman in front them now, is remarkably beautiful and alluring. All of the man, even the husbands couldn't help but steals a glance.
"Congratulations, your highness." An older man came forwards with a young woman beside him. Both of them said their congrats.
"Thank you, Marquis Xander. And thank you Alma." Nickolai thanked them. So, Irene did the same.
Irene recognise this woman character in front her. She is the crown prince childhood friend. Who's always beside the main characters. Alma has been in love with the male lead since a child. But she never confessed her true feelings. She only maintained a friendship with the crown prince. Alma is also excel in studies and great doing business. She always helps the male lead and the male protagonist whenever they're in trouble. Even wanted to fill in the position as the crown princess so the male lead can continue his relationship with the male protagonist with ease. This cause a rivalry between Dacia and Alma.
Dacia resented and jealous of her because Alma is the only woman that the main characters cared and protected. Now seeing one of the important characters, Irene couldn't help but feel conflicted.
"How have you've been, your highness?" Alma suddenly asks. Irene was taken aback with the sudden question. Knowing how both of them didn't have a good relationship, for her to be concerned about the villainess health. Considered how the villainess always treat this character badly due to jealousy. But she still answered politely.
"I'm fine, thank you for asking, Lady Alma."
Alma eyes shook for a moment, as if she didn't expect to get such answer from Irene. However, she still give out a smile.
"My daughter was worried when we heard you being ill the day the young lord Verick finally brought you back home. There's a talk about you upon your returned. A rumour. That could affected your reputation. Such as your chastity." The Marquis suddenly cited. Which attract the attention of people around them for his loud voice.
"Father!" Alma seemingly disapprove of her father action. But that didn't stop him.
"It is true, is it not? The duke daughter had been missing for so long. No one can be sure if she has been keeping herself pure till now. A lot can happened out there, especially to a young lady such her age, without any protection."
Everyone started to murmured in agreement. Their gaze towards Irene changed to cynicism and scornful.
"That's enough, Marquis Xander. How dare you trying to slander my daughter in this very day!" The duke come forward. Irene turn to see the duchess beside him is looking at her, with a worried look. Irene only shakes her head, to signal the duchess she's fine.
"How is this slandering, Duke Wickson? It is a fact, that your daughter had run away from your household. She probably had a lover and a child to raise outside. Your daughter already had a bad reputation amongst all the noble woman. To think she become a crown princess, is such a concern to our nation. You can't blame us people to think of the worse. Beside, your daughter hasn't yet say anything for her behalf." The Marquis stated.
Everyone immediately turn to Irene and Nickolai. Alma look worried, hurriedly bow her head towards them.
"Apology your highness, my father was... simply curious. He didn't meant to offend you."
"Yes, yes. I hope you're not offended by that, your highness." The Marquis said. However, his expression shows no remorse at all.
Indeed, he deliberately tried to provoke Irene. He disapproved of the union between the duke's daughter and the crown prince. Thinking that, Dacia Wickson is not suitable for the crown prince. Being the loyal servant for the crown prince, he wanted someone worthy for the crown princess position. But such decision is already decided by the king, none dare to defy it.
So he decided to humiliated her to this very day.
Dacia was known for her ill mannered and quick tempered. He believe if bringing this up in front of the crowd will lead her to embarrassed herself by making a scene, thus will change the king opinions about her. Thinking such situations that were about to happened, make him grin.
Irene who knew the Marquis intent, just about to said her piece when Nickolai suddenly interrupted.
"No need for apologies, Marquis Xander. Alma. I know that you both have the best interests for the royal family. Such matter as this should be clarified by the crown princess herself." Nickolai said seemingly giving Marquis Xander the permission to question her as such.
Irene who heard Nickolai words, realize that the male lead didn't have the slightest intention to defuse the situation. He even more willing to help the Marquis to shame her in front of everyone. This realization make her aware that the male lead is not on her side. She needs to take the matter on her own.
After bowing her head towards Nickolai, Irene then came forward. Everyone watch as Irene bow her head towards the king and queen who also noticed the situation from their sitting spot, asking for permission to speak her behalf. Having been giving the permission, Irene thanked them. She turn to look at the crowd.
"Many of you heard a lot of rumour that been going around about me. Today I will clarify it all. I admit that I did runaway from home. But not to embarrassed the royal family nor my family. It is because I myself know that I don't deserve to be the crown princess. I came to realize all the mistakes that I've done and the people I have hurt. I was unworthy. That why I took such length to runaway. I thought that was the wise decision I made. Yet, I was wrong. Not only I have make my family worry. I even add a burden to the royal family, to put a searched for me. You all might think I encounter injustice or suffering along the way. I didn't. In fact, I even meet good people. In a small town, the people there are welcoming and warm hearted. I live there without any worries. If any of you think that I make up the stories, I can assure you it is not, for I have ask a favor on behalf of the dukedom to provide some medical supplies nor necessities to the town folks as a token of my gratitude."

Irene turn to look at the king and queen.

"Also, the king and queen had been generous enough to send the town folks some supplies and goods."

People around then murmured to each other hearing her part of the story. Seemingly believing her words. Especially seeing that the king and queen smiles and nod their heads indicate that she's telling the truth. Even the Marquis face turned dark, when the outcome he want turn differently. Irene smiles and turn to look at the people.

"When my brother found me and brought me home. I was anxious and worried of what will happened to me, knowing the rumour that had been spreading about me. The more I thought about it, the more worried I get. It had affected me so badly, that I fallen ill. Fortunately, the king and queen were kind and open-heartedly accept me as their future family regardless of my past mischievous and mistake. As well as his highness, who had been nothing but kind to me. Having been giving such chance, how can I disappoint them again." She adds. Finally, Irene look at the Marquis Xander.

"I understand that, Marquis Xander was worried for the kingdom sake to question me as such in this very day. Without any malicious intent. Now, do you feel reassure, Marquis?" Irene politely asks.
Feeling the looks of the people around him, particularly the king and queen. How can he dare to oppose nor rebuke her in front them?
"Absolutely, your highness." The Marquis said. As he and his daughter bow down his head, as to show respect towards her. No one had expected the once stubborn, snobbish and spiteful person will be able to act so sensible, civil and graceful. Even Nickolai look amused seeing such result. He just took a sip of his wine with ease, while Irene gets back to her sit after she thanked and dismiss everyone, bringing back the lively atmosphere.
Sitting back down to her sit, Irene show a soft smile, looking calm. But deep down in her heart, she was really afraid. She had to grip her own hand to stop her trembling behind the big table. Nickolai who notice her predicament just smile sarcastically as he sip his wine.

Finally, Irene is escorted to her wedding room. This night is unavoidable.
Their wedding night.
Even in the novel, the villainess and the male lead had to share the night together after the wedding. For it is a custom in the royal family. Going against the custom is said to bring such bad omen. However in the novel, because of the villainess trying to use drug on the male lead to sleep with him, causing him to left the room angrily, leaving her alone. Since then, a rumour spread how the crown prince leaving the crown princess on their supposed wedding night. It is known then, that the crown princess is not favour by the crown prince. That is one of the main point pushing the villainess to cruelty.
But now, following through the contract both her and the male lead agree to gone through this very night.
Still, Irene is left unsure, even though there's a contract between them as assurance. Remembering what happened back then, how the male lead didn't intent to help her, knowing full well the Marquis intention. Fortunately, she remembers that scene in the novel, where the Marquis embarrassed the villainess in front of everyone. Hadn't she sent a letter to the queen and requested for her help the same day when Irene sent a letter to the crown prince, she will definitely will end up in the same situation as the original villainess if it wasn't the queen backing. Irene took a safe route, if such event were to happened. And she had indeed took a right decision.
Knowing that she will meet him tonight, Irene decided to confront the male lead about this matter to assure her own safety.