A Proposal, a Challenge, and a Summons

‘Only ‘not so annoying’?’

Ewan turned his head, a hint of surprise in his gaze as he looked at Celicia. ‘I thought your assessment of me would be a little better.’

‘This evaluation is already good enough,’ Celicia paused, ‘especially compared to your former self.’

‘Is that so? But I still feel it’s not quite enough,’ Ewan suddenly leaned closer, blinking playfully. ‘To be forced to marry me when I’m only ‘not annoying’—that seems rather pathetic, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘Hm?’

Celicia raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled.

‘So?’

‘So… I should try a little harder?’

Ewan nervously rubbed his hands. ‘To make you truly and completely fall in love with me… that seems a bit impossible.’

After all, this was the notoriously aloof Celicia. Though Ewan knew from the original book that she possessed a ‘cold outside, warm inside’ disposition, that icy exterior was not easily melted.

Even Ariel, the original protagonist, had spent nearly half the book trying to win her over. It was, as far as Ewan knew from the plot, the most challenging conquest.

Ewan knew he had no protagonist’s halo, nor any special charm, so he naturally lacked such confidence.

‘But…’

‘I think if I put in a bit more effort, making you feel even a slight fondness for me should still be achievable.’

Ewan chuckled. ‘After all, I believe there’s a significant difference in feeling between marrying someone you don’t dislike and marrying someone you actually have a slight fondness for. I truly hope you can be happier.’

‘Slight fondness…’

Celicia seemed unprepared for Ewan’s sudden declaration, her delicate brows arching slightly.

The young man before her, despite his typically playful expression, now held a gaze of profound sincerity.

And his words… no matter how she heard them, they sounded like an indirect confession.

His second confession.

Unlike the first, which had been delivered in an utterly distasteful manner, this moment was different. A gentle breeze stirred, mist swirled, and the young man’s smile was radiant, his golden hair gleaming. He possessed a handsomeness and charm that even she had to concede.

In the quiet of the night, someone hummed a long, lingering melody, resembling a sweet, winding love song.

Yet, the idea of him ‘conquering’ her merely to make her happy… it felt strangely peculiar.

Celicia’s clear, cool eyes fixed on Ewan for a moment before she abruptly spoke, ‘Is this how you coaxed those two girls as well?’

‘Pfft…’

Ewan nearly coughed up another mouthful of old blood.

Was this truly the time to be discussing such things? Did the princess not understand the atmosphere?

‘Wh-what coaxing…’

Ewan shamelessly retorted, ‘These are all my true feelings! Truer than pearls!’

‘Is that so?’

Celicia’s voice drifted away.

The next moment, the scattered fallen leaves by the roadside suddenly stirred.

Ewan’s heart tightened.

Alarm bells rang in his mind.

Before he could even react, a cold, white light flashed before his eyes.

Ewan’s body stiffened.

Feeling the sudden chill against his neck, he tilted his head back slightly, cold sweat already beading on his forehead.

So fast…

Ewan’s gaze dropped to the crystalline longsword resting against his throat, a surge of shock coursing through him.

He hadn’t even seen when Celicia had made her move.

Compared to a few months ago, she seemed to have grown significantly stronger.

No, that wasn’t right. During the special circumstances months prior, her strength had been severely limited.

This, now, was the true brilliance of the empire’s renowned top genius.

‘Is that all?’

Celicia narrowed her eyes, a rare, faint smile playing on her lips. ‘Ewan Campbell, your sincerity is quite weak.’

‘Th-this… this is a venue issue. How about we change locations and try again?’

Ewan jutted out his neck, feigning nonchalance.

‘You wouldn’t be my match anywhere.’

Seemingly oblivious to Ewan’s flirtatious remark, Celicia casually dispersed the crystalline longsword.

Then, as Ewan stared in a daze, she extended a slender, pale finger and gently hooked his chin, much like an overbearing CEO teasing a weak, soft, and adorable subordinate.

A mysterious curve graced her lips as she said, ‘Then work harder, my esteemed fiancé. You are still far from good enough.

I would never fall for a man weaker than myself.’

‘Wh-what do you mean, ‘not good enough’!’

Blindsided by Celicia’s domineering aura, Ewan froze for a moment before erupting in indignation. ‘Let’s try another place, and I’ll show you if I’m good enough or not!’

‘Heh.’

Celicia remained noncommittal, turning to continue forward.

Her swaying skirt and hair were like the ice flowers that still lingered in the air, not yet fully dispersed.

Breathtakingly beautiful.

****

‘So, Celicia, where exactly are we going?’

Ewan, thoroughly defeated by Celicia once again, stared with dull, lifeless eyes, finally remembering the main topic of the day.

Upon reflection, Celicia’s involvement in the previous incident must have been for more than just a mere ‘warning.’ A warning could have been delivered at any time; there was no need to deliberately cause him trouble… or rather, to deliberately create a difficult situation for him.

Celicia was not so idle; she must have had a legitimate reason.

‘The Emperor has summoned you,’ Celicia said casually, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

‘Oh, so it’s my father-in-law… Wait, what did you say?’ Ewan’s eyes suddenly widened as he stared at Celicia in astonishment. ‘You said His Majesty summoned me?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Such an important matter, why didn’t you say so sooner?’

For the third time that night, Ewan nearly spat out old blood. He immediately began pacing like an ant on a hot pan, frantic with worry.

The Emperor was suddenly going to see him.

What should he do? He was completely unprepared.

Were there any specific protocols? Would it be polite to simply compliment his daughter’s excellence upon meeting?

‘Why are you so anxious?’

Celicia glanced at Ewan.

‘Do you really think Father would specifically summon you this late?’

‘Uh… you’re right.’

Ewan calmed down. In the dead of night, it hardly seemed like a suitable time for an imperial summons.

Then why…

‘The formal summons should be delivered tomorrow. Before that…’

‘Before that?’

Celicia’s gaze suddenly turned cold. ‘First, go wash off that stench of women.’

‘…’

****

Celicia led Ewan to a seemingly unassuming residence.

‘This is…’

‘My temporary residence.’

‘So humble?’

Ewan was taken aback.

Though the building before them faintly hinted at clever and exquisite design, it certainly didn’t look like a place a princess should inhabit.

‘It’s only temporary; why make it conspicuous?’

Celicia seemed unfazed, walking forward to unlock the door herself.

‘No guards?’

‘Do I need protection?’

‘True… What about personal maids, then?’

‘I have hands and feet; why would I need maids?’

‘You truly are something else…’

Ewan sighed in admiration, but then his eyes brightened.

No guards.

No maids.

Which meant…

Late at night.

A single man and woman.

Alone together.

Spending the night as a pair?