ITD

CHAPTER XXXlll

Perhaps it was due to her lack of faith, but once again, the gods were not on her side. This was why she never visited the temple, even on holidays. Courtney swallowed a sigh as she looked at the High Priest, who was smiling cheerily.

Since the Emperor couldn’t make a decision, the High Priest spoke again with certainty.

“As I mentioned, that day is the most auspicious. It is a once-in-a-century event when the power of the Sun God is at its peak, and the Moon can fully absorb it.”

Courtney shot a resentful glance at the High Priest. Why did this once-in-a-century day have to be this year, of all times?

She and her father had come to the palace today to finalize the wedding date. The date recommended by the High Priest was right in the middle of summer, leaving her only three weeks left of unmarried life. From the Crown Prince’s perspective, it was likely that three weeks seemed too long of a time.

Hendrick Devon, who had been nervously watching the Emperor, quickly added his voice.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s decision without question!”

There wasn’t even a hint of sorrow in his booming voice, as though he was sad to see his daughter married off. Courtney glanced at her father in disbelief. What would happen if he didn’t follow through, anyway?

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to his son. Richard, who had been silent all this time, gave a small nod of agreement. The Emperor then declared in his imposing voice.

“Very well, let it be that day.”

“A wise decision!”

No sooner had the words left the Emperor’s lips than Count Devon nearly clapped his hands in praise. He had been hoping the wedding would take place as soon as possible, fearing the Emperor might call off the marriage altogether.

The men in the audience chamber were all laughing and exchanging pleasantries, but Courtney kept her head down, her face clouded with worry. It wasn’t that she intended to reject the marriage now. It was just that now that she knew more concretely what was ahead, she was more terrified than ever. Could she really handle Richard, the perverted Crown Prince?

Seeing that her face still hadn’t brightened, Richard stood up from his seat.

“It seems the discussion has concluded. Lady Devon and I will take our leave.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll head back first, so you two take your time!”

Though Richard had addressed the Emperor, it was Count Devon who responded, sounding very much like a merchant selling off his daughter. Courtney seethed, trying to suppress her rising anger.

Richard approached her and extended his hand.

“Allow me to show you the garden.”

Everything about him—his appearance, expression, and movements—remained impeccably perfect, as always. Even knowing it was just a façade, she couldn’t help but be deceived again.

But today, what really concerned her wasn’t his handsome face. The moment she let her guard down, her gaze almost wandered lower. With an uncomfortable expression, Courtney lightly placed her fingertips in his hand.

As they walked out of the audience chamber together, Richard asked in a worried voice.

“Courtney, have you changed your mind? You haven’t looked well all day.”

“N-No, not at all…”

Courtney quickly lifted her head, but the moment her eyes met Richard’s, she dropped it again. Though she hurriedly denied it, her voice lacked conviction.

It wasn’t right to act this way when they were soon to be married. But she couldn’t bring herself to confess the truth to him…

That, right now, she was going crazy thinking about what was happening down there.

Richard spoke kindly, continuing the conversation.

“I was going to show you the garden. Do you like flowers?”

Courtney nodded weakly. She wasn’t in the mood for flower viewing, but if it helped distract her, a walk through the garden wouldn’t be so bad.

Instead of taking her to the nearest palace garden, Richard led her to the greenhouse behind the western palace where he resided. Unfamiliar with the palace grounds, Courtney didn’t find this particularly odd.

She continued to walk, staring at the ground the entire time. Richard stole glances at her, trying to gauge her mood. Was it the setting of the wedding date that was bothering her? Even so, he couldn’t back down now. He had gone to great lengths to pressure the High Priest into moving the date forward.

Richard stopped in front of the transparent glass building. Thanks to his prior arrangements, not a single ant was in sight.

“What do you think?”

At his words, Courtney finally lifted her gaze from the ground. The enormous glass garden stretched before her, sunlight breaking into shards on its pointed roof.

“It’s huge.”

“Inside, we maintain special flowers brought in from foreign lands.”

Courtney gave a half-hearted nod. In truth, she had no interest in plants. If Richard picked a weed from the side of the road and insisted it was a legendary herb, she would have believed him.

But the imperial palace was the imperial palace, after all.

“Wow…”

Stepping into the greenhouse, Courtney couldn’t help but be impressed. Even though she didn’t know the names of the plants, the flowers and trees looked so expensive that she was once again reminded of the palace’s grandeur. As her eyes widened in awe, a pleased smile appeared on Richard’s lips.

He led her to the center of the glass garden, where there was a sofa, a table, and a wheeled tray, as if they had brought an entire sitting room there.

“This way.”