ITD

CHAPTER XV

“As soon as they’re completed, we’ll send them right over,” said the dressmaker before leaving.

No sooner had she left, the first jeweler arrived. He delivered the wedding jewelry that the Crown Prince had pre-ordered and then laid out the rest of his collection.

From sapphire treasures once belonging to imperial families to a pink diamond rumored to come from a mermaid’s legend—these were rare, high-quality gems. Yet Courtney remained indifferent.

Instead…

“Oh my, Ellie! Look at this one!”

“Is this really a diamond? It’s huge!”

“Yes, it’s quite valuable, but we’re still searching for the right owner.”

Patricia and Elise were all abuzz. Using the excuse of offering their opinions, they made themselves comfortable, urging Courtney to try on this and that. The purpose of suggesting so many pieces was obvious.

“Doesn’t this one suit me better? Ellie, this matches your eyes, doesn’t it?”

“Do you think so? How do I look? Does it suit me?”

“Put them down.”

Courtney’s sharp command left the two women disappointed, their lips pouting in dissatisfaction. Why not share the bounty when the Crown Prince had said he could afford to buy it all?

Clearly displeased with her daughter’s unyielding attitude, Patricia voiced her discontent.

“Who said we want to keep them? We’re just asking to borrow them for a bit.”

“They’re not even mine, so stop eyeing them.”

Despite her mother’s expectations, Courtney had no intention of using imperial wealth to indulge her family’s extravagances or fund her brother’s gambling habits. Aside from the jewelry sent directly by the Crown Prince, she refused to accept anything else from the jeweler.

By dinner, the once dreary dining room had been transformed into a space fit for a grand banquet. Frederick, spotting Courtney all dolled up, couldn’t resist making a snide comment.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess has arrived!”

“Shut the hell up.”

Courtney shot him a fierce glare, but Frederick only chuckled. He still bore bruises, most of which were courtesy of his sister’s fists.

Courtney sat down with a scowl on her face.

Soon after, an unknown maid served the appetizers—hot and rich dishes steaming with freshness. With a kitchen full of fresh ingredients and an extra hand to help, Martha had prepared a meal with gusto, eager to show off her skills. The promise of back pay and a generous bonus lifted her spirits.

The rest of the family, too, seemed happier than they had been in a long time. But despite everyone else’s cheer, Courtney felt unsettled. She still couldn’t understand why the Crown Prince was being so generous.

“Auntie! Try this! It’s yummy!”

Edvard suddenly offered her a piece of meat on his fork. When Courtney leaned in and took a bite, he grinned with satisfaction. Watching the two, Frederick grumbled.

“Edvard, you didn’t offer your father any.”

“Because Dad, you can get your own. Auntie, isn’t it good?”

Edvard spoke sharply to Frederick but smiled sweetly at Courtney, making her smile in return.

The meal was high-quality and plentiful. Courtney couldn’t deny that this marriage would greatly benefit her young nephew.

But, as usual, her sense of contentment was short-lived. Frederick ruined the mood with his typical carelessness.

“Wow, thanks to you, Courtney, we’re all going to be rich! Isn’t that right? I doubt the Emperor is just going to throw a few spoons our way and leave it at that.”

“Stop dreaming. Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Hey, you’re getting awfully smart with your older brother.”

“Do I look like I care?”

As Frederick and Courtney bickered, the maid came out with the main course. Even though the servant was low-ranking, she had been sent by the imperial palace—by the Crown Prince. This made Courtney feel conscious of her behavior, and she decided to hold her tongue.

Just as Frederick was about to make another snide comment, Patricia intervened, speaking in a lofty tone.

“Enough. Courtney would never turn her back on her family, right?”

For a moment, Courtney felt suffocated. She glanced around the table, looking at each member of her family.

Her father, saying nothing. Her mother, looking revitalized after just a few days of luxury. Her brother, smug, and her sister-in-law, beaming with excitement.

None of them cared about her feelings or whether she actually wanted this marriage. They were only concerned with what benefits they could gain from it. No one wondered how Courtney felt about marrying without so much as a spoon to her name. No one asked why the Crown Prince wanted to marry her.

Courtney lost her appetite and set down her fork. She realized she needed to meet with the Crown Prince as soon as possible. As she stood up, Edvard looked at her, confused.

“Auntie?”

“Eat up, Eddie. I’ll eat later.”

As Courtney left the dining room, her family continued chattering excitedly about their plans.

“Do you think they’ll send a gardener to help us fix up the garden?”

“Maybe we could host our own tea party once the garden is done.”

“Good idea! Everyone would love to attend a tea party hosted by the Crown Princess’s family.”

“We should make the invitations as luxurious as possible!”

Courtney shook her head as she climbed the stairs. Though her injured ankle had healed, her steps felt heavy.

Back in her room, Courtney pulled out a piece of stationery. The recipient was Crown Prince Richard. Skipping any formal greetings, she simply wrote that she wished to meet him as soon as possible. After instructing a maid to deliver the letter to Hanson, she felt exhaustion wash over her.

Though she lay down in bed, sleep didn’t come easily. She couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort. While her brother might be a gambling addict, even her parents seemed happy with the sudden wealth. So why was she the only one feeling so uneasy?

Tossing and turning, Courtney finally drifted off to sleep, pondering what she would say when she’d meet with Richard again.