Chapter 14: Thoughts

Volume: 3

Title: Chapter 14: Thoughts

“Celicia, you can put me down now, can’t you?”

After being carried by Celicia for two blocks, Ewan finally lost his composure. He spoke with a serious expression.

Though the delicate touch of her small hand on the nape of his neck, from where she held his collar, felt quite pleasant, such a posture was utterly demeaning to his prestige as a duke’s son.

‘Even if you are a princess, Celicia, you shouldn’t humiliate me like this…’

“What, do you have an objection?”

Celicia lowered her head, her cool gaze sweeping over Ewan.

“No, none at all.”

Ewan offered a sincere, placid smile. “How could I possibly object? My legs are actually a bit weak right now, so I’m practically begging for someone to help me walk.”

“Is that so? Are your legs still weak, then?”

Celicia glanced down, her expression carrying a deeper meaning.

“No, they’re not weak anymore!”

Ewan instinctively shivered, immediately breaking free from Celicia’s small hand and bouncing in place a few times.

“Full of vigor, feeling great! I could walk up ten floors without getting winded!”

“Oh, good then.”

Celicia released him. “Walk by yourself.”

With that, she continued her unhurried stroll.

Celicia, clad in a flowing white gown, walked gracefully along the deserted late-night street. Her light steps occasionally stirred the fluttering hem of her skirt, making her seem like an unpredictable cloud carried away by the gentle breeze.

‘How beautiful,’ Ewan thought, echoing Anna’s earlier sentiment.

Even though the young woman before him was merely walking normally, the effortless elegance she displayed was enough to eclipse the grandeur of the entire city shrouded in night.

Ewan stared at her exquisite back for a long moment before finally snapping back to reality and striding to catch up.

He adjusted his pace, walking abreast with Celicia, and cautiously observed the princess’s profile from the corner of his eye.

She remained expressionless, her stunning face seemingly frozen by a layer of ancient, unmelting ice.

“Um… are you angry?”

Seeing Celicia’s continued silence, Ewan asked tentatively.

“Angry?”

Celicia finally paused. “Why would I be angry?”

“Because…”

Ewan awkwardly scratched his cheek. “You saw what happened just now?”

“Just now?”

Celicia’s eyes flickered. “Was that something worth getting angry about?”

“Uh…”

Before Ewan could figure out how to respond, Celicia turned to him, a hint of mockery gracing her beautiful face.

“You wouldn’t actually think I was jealous, would you, my esteemed fiancé?”

“How could I…” Ewan chuckled nervously.

“Of course not.”

Celicia tilted her pale neck slightly, like a proud white swan.

She was Celicia.

She was the princess of this nation.

She possessed her own pride and dignity.

Fighting over a man?

Being jealous?

Such things could never be associated with the name Celicia.

Even if she were no longer a princess one day, even if Ewan Campbell truly became outstanding enough to capture her complete attention, and even if he were to be whisked away by another woman, she would never harbor such thoughts.

Absolutely impossible!

“I merely did that to remind you.”

“Hm?”

“Ewan Campbell, the news of our impending engagement has spread throughout Belrand. I hope you won’t be seen publicly entangled with other women during such a crucial time, disgracing the royal family’s reputation.

Many eyes are on you now, and on your Campbell family. If those people were to tell His Majesty that you insulted the royal family’s dignity and demand your punishment, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I… I see.”

Ewan awkwardly scratched his head.

He truly hadn’t considered it from that angle.

Presumably, once the engagement news broke, the Campbell family became the focal point among all the nobles in Belrand.

Indeed, he should be more cautious at such a time.

However…

If not in broad daylight, then perhaps secretly?

Ewan stroked his chin… suddenly feeling a surge of excitement.

He couldn’t help but feel it would be even more thrilling that way.

****

“Speaking of which, Celicia, are you alright with this?”

“…With what?”

“This engagement.”

After a brief moment of excitement, Ewan became serious again, considering the situation from Celicia’s perspective.

“I remember you weren’t fond of this engagement, were you?”

Ewan gazed into Celicia’s eyes, speaking earnestly. “If it’s merely an engagement, there’s still room for you to reconsider. But once the betrothal ceremony is complete, you’ll be tied to the name Campbell for life.”

The betrothal ceremony was both a ritual and a contract.

In the Empire, this ceremony held sacred validity.

Once it was concluded, people would no longer see her solely as Her Royal Highness, but also, and more prominently, with the label of future Duchess.

“So, are you… thinking of me?”

Seemingly surprised by Ewan’s words, Celicia turned her head, a half-smile playing on her lips.

“Of course.”

Meeting Celicia’s gaze without flinching, Ewan stated seriously.

“I wish to hear your true thoughts.”

In the original book, Celicia was not the type to be bound by engagements or so-called status; otherwise, she wouldn’t have captivated Ewan so completely.

She had always outwardly shown indifference to this engagement… because she truly didn’t care.

If she disliked her intended fiancé, she would likely have run the original Ewan through with a sword rather than marry him.

That was why Celicia’s sudden appearance and her words had astonished Ewan so much.

“Heh.”

Celicia suddenly let out a soft laugh.

“To hear such words from you, who committed such outrageous acts against me, should I find it laughable, or should I feel touched?”

“Pfft…”

Unexpectedly, Celicia brought up past events so abruptly, nearly making Ewan spit out a mouthful of blood. He said with a crestfallen expression, “I told you that was just an accident, do you believe me?”

Celicia remained noncommittal, but then changed the subject. “Just as you thought, if I didn’t like you, I would rather stab you with a sword than marry you.”

“But.”

“But?”

“But, I am still the princess of this nation, after all.”

Celicia suddenly turned, looking at the magnificent city, now enveloped in the deep night.

Born and raised here, she bore the expectations of many, and thus had to shoulder corresponding responsibilities.

The title of princess brought her not only resources and status.

It also brought responsibility.

“I would naturally be unwilling to simply become a tool. But if I can find a balance between my personal preferences and the interests of this nation, I believe I wouldn’t refuse.

After all…”

Celicia turned back, her silver-white hair fluttering in the gentle breeze, her cool gaze deeply fixed on Ewan.

“You aren’t so detestable now, are you?”