After the meeting, Veronia and Killian strolled through the garden together.

It was because the Emperor and Empress, along with the Duke and Duchess of Drea, had conspired to drive them into the garden.

“I was deeply moved by Your Highness’s words today.”

“Pardon? What do you mean…?”

Ever since the announcement of their impending marriage, Veronia had been out of her mind.

So she couldn’t help but ask again, not immediately understanding Killian’s words.

“I mean your words about listening to the people’s hardships first.”

“Ah…”

Killian, who had been concerned about her gloomy expression all along, asked.

“Are you not pleased with it, Your Highness?”

“With what?”

“The marriage.”

“…”

Veronia hesitated for a moment before finally speaking honestly.

“I think the timing is not right. I don’t like how our sacred marriage is being used like this. I don’t want… to be used in any way anymore.”

“Then why don’t you think of it as truly being for the people, rather than being used?”

Is that even possible? Don’t be ridiculous. Veronia spoke with her eyes instead of her voice.

The people were struggling with poverty and exhaustion.

What they needed right now were a few gold coins or sacks of flour.

‘The news of a beautiful princess marrying a brave knight… isn’t that enough for fairy tales?’

Veronia looked up at Killian, swallowing the unspoken truth deep in her throat.

Understanding her dissatisfied gaze, Killian slowly opened his mouth.

“I don’t think money and food are all that keep humans alive. I believe love and hope are also essential to life.”

“…”

“If we can become a hope that soothes the hearts of the tired and angry people, even a little, I’m fine with that. I’ll allow myself to be used. So please don’t worry too much, Your Highness.”

“…Sir Killian.”

Listening to his gentle baritone voice, looking at his kind face, meeting his ever-upright and bright gaze, her heart began to flutter.

And at the same time, that symptom appeared.

That symptom of Killian’s confession from last night replaying in her mind.

‘I’m concerned about that night I spent with Your Highness. I’m concerned about our kiss. I’m… concerned about Your Highness.’

Veronia’s face turned bright red.

At that moment,

Plop, plop, suddenly large raindrops began to fall.

“Ah…!”

Without hesitation, Killian took off his jacket and covered Veronia’s head with it.

The large jacket covered most of her upper body.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“There’s a tent where we can take shelter from the rain! Let’s go there.”

Killian nodded after confirming where Veronia’s finger was pointing.

Then he swiftly lifted her up.

“Excuse me for a moment, Your Highness.”

Surprised by Killian’s sudden action, Veronia flailed her legs.

“Eek! Sir Killian?”

Killian began to stride forward, holding Veronia tightly.

The rain quickly intensified, but fortunately, the spacious tent was dry and cozy, untouched by rainwater.

As soon as they reached the tent, Killian carefully set Veronia down.

“Thank you.”

“I apologize for startling you in my haste.”

“It’s alright.”

Veronia smiled gently, stroking her still-pounding chest from the surprise.

“But you’re all wet now. What should we do?”

She felt sorry and concerned seeing him soaked from head to toe.

“When the rain stops, just give me a warm cup of tea. That will do.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Veronia and Killian sat side by side, watching the relentless rain.

Their eyes were on the heavy raindrops, but their minds were filled only with thoughts of each other.

Killian could vaguely sense it.

The fact that while he was grateful for the adults’ meddling in bringing them together in the garden, Veronia didn’t seem to appreciate it much.

He felt hurt, but he also thought it couldn’t be helped.

It seemed only natural that she would find his sudden confession from last night burdensome.

Even so, he wanted to stay with her longer.

So he requested a warm cup of tea, relying on her apologetic feelings.

‘It might seem childish… but this is the only way…’

Killian quietly swallowed a sigh. The same was true for Veronia.

The time spent with him was poison to Veronia.

His kind gaze, voice, and every action weakened her resolve.

Made her yearn for more.

‘That’s why I hoped not to run into Killian until the day I left…’

But today didn’t seem to be going according to her wishes.

‘I need to escape at least two days before the marriage announcement. If I disappear after the news breaks, it will unnecessarily put Killian’s name on people’s lips.’

There was another problem.

‘I really hate the idea of Killian blaming himself…’

She was afraid he might think she ran away because she disliked marrying him, leaving a deep wound in his heart.

‘That’s not it… It’s absolutely not because of Killian… It’s all because of the Imperial family, because of the original story!’

She felt utterly frustrated that nothing was going as she wished.

She thought her body was feeling chilly, and suddenly, achoo, she sneezed. Killian’s face immediately darkened at the sound.

“Are you cold, Your Highness? This won’t do. Let’s go back right now.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m worried you might catch a cold.”

“…”

Killian’s face was very serious as he worried about her physical condition. Veronia was momentarily taken aback by his expression.

‘Ah… Killian! Isn’t this a complete character breakdown? Why are you worrying with such a sincere expression! What’s with this sweetness!’

Veronia felt dazed. She felt intoxicated by romance, as if drunk on alcohol.

She gently took Killian’s hand and smiled softly.

“I’m really fine… So let’s just stay like this for a moment.”

“Your Highness…?”

“Just… I’m really happy right now.”

Veronia turned her gaze forward to watch the heavy rain.

Fortunately, Killian did not press further.

The sound of rain hitting the tent roof was pleasant.

She liked the scent of the rain-soaked grass, and the warmth felt from their touching arms.

This time, sitting side by side with Killian, was truly enjoyable.

‘Killian, please don’t misunderstand or blame yourself. I’m not running away because I dislike marrying you. Even less because I dislike you. So… please… you must be happy.’

Veronia gently rested her head on Killian’s shoulder.

She wished and wished again.

For Killian to remember this moment.

For him to somehow know that she had liked him.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Your Highness, good morning! Did you sleep well?”

The maid Linda’s steps were hurried, as it was a day filled with busy schedules.

The day after tomorrow, the article announcing Veronia and Killian’s marriage was to be published in the newspaper.

Today was the day for their portrait work to accompany the article.

It would be barely enough time to reduce facial swelling, apply makeup, put on the dress, and finish the hair ornaments even if they moved busily all morning.

‘Busy, busy! But I couldn’t be happier!’

A bright smile spread across Linda’s entire face.

Linda felt extremely happy at the thought of sharing the most important moments of Veronia’s life from now until the wedding for the next few months.

Linda thought it was the greatest fortune to witness every step of the wedding preparations for the most beloved and beautiful woman in the world, right by her side.

“It’s time to wake up, Your Highness! … Your Highness?”

Usually, Veronia was a light sleeper and would open her eyes at the first call.

But not today. She was still curled up under the blanket, motionless.

‘Could she be unwell? She had cold symptoms a few days ago after getting caught in the rain! Though she seemed to get better soon, I wonder if it’s gotten worse again…’

Linda, with a sudden fear in her heart, carefully approached the bedside.

“Your Highness? Are you feeling unwell? Your Highness?”

Linda gently shook Veronia under the blanket, but there was still no response.

So she shook a little harder.

‘Huh…?’

Something felt strange.

The sensation under her fingertips was… different!

“Your Highness, forgive my rudeness!”

Linda urgently threw back the blanket.

She wasn’t there.

Instead of Veronia, there was a pillow curled up in the bed, just about the size of a person.

“Your Highness!”

Thump-thump, her heart was beating frantically.

Her fingertips trembled.

‘Where did she go so early in the morning? Did she go for a walk? But why the pillow…?!’

Linda immediately ran out of the bedroom. She had to find Veronia.

An ominous feeling was striking Linda’s heart, head, and entire body.

[This is the timeline separator]

The Imperial Palace was turned upside down.

It was because Veronia had disappeared overnight.

“That crazy thing! That insane thing! That dim-witted thing, how dare she repay kindness with enmity! That rotten thing! I should have killed her long ago. Veronia, that damned X!”

Sandra’s face turned bright red as she shouted at the top of her lungs, uttering all sorts of profanities.

Still, it didn’t ease her anger.

“Mother, please don’t worry too much. She’ll come back on her own soon. She’s a child who has lived only in the palace her entire life. How could such a thing escape the palace and the capital?”

“My brother is right, Mother. The United Knights led by Sir Killian and the capital patrol are searching this area thoroughly, so she’ll be caught by today.”

“How about thinking of the punishment you’ll give when our sister returns? That will make your wait less lonely, Mother.”

As the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince offered their consolations, Sandra’s brow finally relaxed a bit.

“Such a terrible caprice at this crucial time! Veronia, that child must have lost her mind.”

“She did seem a bit strange in the head after collapsing from poison at her last birthday, but I didn’t realize it was this severe. I should have watched her more carefully. It’s my fault.”

“It’s not your fault, Brother Tate. It must be because our sister is weak-minded and foolish.”

All of this was being said by Veronia’s blood siblings.