The Perfect Bride - Chapter 27

“Are you all right?” the prince asked.

Well. This much, at least, seemed manageable.

‘Soon Dorothy will find a fine husband and marry well. If that happens, this will all have been worth it.’

Yes. I’m still all right. Better than expected, actually. Even the pointing fingers are starting to feel familiar.

It was almost funny that the prince, of all people, was looking at her with concern. For a flower laced with poison, she felt like applauding the flawless performance of the prince.

“…Your Highness, I’m sorry, but I think I should head back for today.”

But she couldn’t do anything more today. She felt the prince’s gaze linger on her.

“Then allow me to escort you to your carriage.”

Thankfully, he didn’t press her further. A proper, textbook response.

Natalie carefully supported her stiffened mother. The baroness said nothing, quietly relying on her daughter.

Since the duchess was now acting as Dorothy’s chaperone, Natalie thought it best to send her mother back to Warfield.

Her lips, which she had bitten tightly, now tasted faintly of blood.

***

“How could the crown prince end up with someone like her?”

“How do you think that woman managed to snare such an innocent prince? Isn’t it obvious?”

Ian, mid-conversation with Marcus, vaguely caught the words of some fools nearby.

So that’s why she had been staring at the ground.

Ian clicked his tongue softly. Without realizing it, he picked up his pace as he headed back toward her.

“……”

His gaze fixed on Natalie’s lower lip.

Up close, it was even worse. In the moment he had looked away, her lip had split, and she looked completely defeated.

Even if she were a woman with three children, it would still be unsettling to leave her alone like this. Though her mother was by her side, still—

Ian slowly swept back the hair that had fallen over his brow. Marcus, walking behind him, swallowed hard. That gesture always meant trouble.

Ian lifted his gaze and looked past her shoulder. In the distance, the men in tall hats who had been whispering quickly scattered.

Pathetic bastards.

He swiftly memorized their faces and dropped his gaze.

Her brown eyes flinched and avoided his. They looked damp.

The moment he realized that, his heart began to pound rapidly. It was a deeply unpleasant sensation.

The odd thrill he’d felt over the past few days plummeted.

How could a person look so pitiful? She looked even more miserable than a squirrel that had lost its home and its last acorn.

Pity. A touch of responsibility. It was that feeling again.

“Miss Daus.”

After helping the baroness into the carriage, he impulsively stopped Natalie as she lowered her head to greet him.

“You should’ve just slapped them.”

“…Pardon, Your Highness?”

“I have good hearing.”

Her face showed clear discomfort.

“…I’m sorry you had to hear that because of me.”

“That’s not the point.”

Ian waved his hand dismissively.

He didn’t want to see that look on her face. Just imagining her shrinking back with that expression made him nauseous.

‘I can’t stay by her side all day…’

“Next time, just slap them. That’s better.”

The words slipped out without much thought.

In that moment, he wondered whether pity and a bit of responsibility could really make someone this anxious—but he couldn’t find an answer.

Natalie’s eyes widened, then turned incredulous. She was terrible at hiding her emotions, just as bad as she was at acting.

She had no idea what kind of look she was giving a prince.

“…That’s not something just anyone can do.”

She muttered, each word heavy with frustration and resentment.

“You’d never understand, Your Highness, not even if you died and came back.”

The last part was nearly inaudible.

When that sharp edge of her former self resurfaced, Ian finally felt his erratic heart settle.

This strange wave of relief, coming after such tension—he didn’t understand it.

He now felt like the most generous prince in the world, ready to bring her the moon and stars if she so wished.

“That much I can handle quietly.”

“That’s a very dull joke.”

“Murder is a bit inconvenient.”

When he said it with a half-smile, Natalie couldn’t even hide the look that said she never wanted to associate with him again.

Her brown eyes, now dry from burning with fury, made Ian’s lips twitch upward.

Yes, this was it. This was her. He even felt a hint of fondness.

“I’m not fond of blood. I have a weak stomach.”

“I just want to live quietly. Though it seems too late now, I still don’t think there’ll be any bloodshed.”

“Is that so? We’re quite the match.”

“…I don’t think we are.”

He feigned ignorance while joking, and she, in her soft voice, firmly disagreed.

“…Then, may I get in the carriage now, Your Highness?”

Her face was flushed red, ready to burst. He figured he’d better stop provoking her.

He stepped aside like a gentleman.

Natalie, looking quite prim, walked right past him and headed toward the carriage.

Then, suddenly, Ian felt another surprising urge.

‘What’s wrong with me?’

They’d just talked enough to last him a week, yet watching that round head move away made his mouth itch again.

“I wasn’t joking when I said not to hold things in. So next time, if you feel like hitting someone, just do it. I’ll take care of it.”

By the time he came to his senses, he had already blurted it out.

Natalie, who had been about to board the carriage with Marcus’s help, froze and looked back at Ian.

“If it’s hard to do it yourself, you can make me do it. Or have Marcus handle it. That’s his job.”

Marcus and Natalie both froze, though for different reasons.

After a moment’s hesitation, Natalie turned and stepped back toward him, whispering while glancing around.

“…If I really did something, wouldn’t that cause trouble for you?”

“Just follow your heart. You’re allowed to.”

Ian chuckled silently at how unfiltered his words had become.

But he had no regrets. In fact, it felt like something he absolutely had to say.

She stood there, completely stunned, mouthing something like You’re insane.

Ian hated fools who thought they had nine lives. But watching Natalie react like this was both entertaining and satisfying.

“Glad that’s the impression I gave.”

Today, he might actually be dumber than her.

Caught mouthing those words, Natalie stiffened. After mouthing her lips a few times, she finally spoke.

“…Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“Is there something you want from me?”

“Pfft.”

But what could he do? Natalie Daus was just impossible.

She looked more serious than ever. Ian couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Ahaha, what was that?”

“I asked if there’s something you want from me.”

She was incredibly earnest. It felt inappropriate to keep laughing at her like that, so Ian had to bite down hard to regain composure.

“Well, marriage for now. Divorce after a year.”

“I mean, besides that—if there’s something more.”

“From you? Do you have anything worth taking?”

He acted like a villain just often enough that Natalie couldn’t bring herself to ask, Are you interested in me?

Of course not. The prince couldn’t possibly be doing all this because he had feelings for her. She pursed her lips, already expecting mockery.

Ian looked down at her and slowly moved his lips.

“Well…”

Her brown eyes, brighter under the sunlight than usual, were full of suspicion and caution. It made him want to laugh.

“Now that you mention it, maybe I do.”

“W-what is it?”

“I’m not exactly sure.”

“……”

“If I figure it out, I’ll let you know first.”

“…How kind of you.”

Her sour expression made it clear she wasn’t grateful at all.

Ian’s eyes sparkled. He could probably make that face even funnier.

“Your Highness, then I’ll—”

“Let’s change how you address me.”

“How?”

“Ian.”

Her face contorted at once. Ian, pleased by her reaction, nudged her again.

“Go ahead. Say it.”

“How could I dare call a prince by name?”

“Would you prefer Dave? That’s a family nickname, but I’ll make an exception for you.”

“……”

“My middle name is David. It should feel familiar.”

“Ian.”

“Yes, Natalie.”

At the mention of “David,” she folded faster than lightning. Ian smiled with deep satisfaction.

“Ha…”

Though she sighed right in his face, he didn’t mind at all.

“…May I ask one last thing?”

“As many as you like.”

“This won’t ruin Grand Batten, will it?”

“My bride is more of a patriot than I thought.”

“It won’t, right?”

“Strictly speaking, this is patriotism. It’ll be a massive success, just watch.”

She wore her usual skeptical look and nodded reluctantly.

“Any more questions?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Ian.”

“…Yes, Ian.”

Pleased by her response, Ian relaxed his gaze and suddenly asked, “Do you know there’s an exhibition at the Royal Art Museum in two days?”

What’s he up to now? Natalie tensed as she replied, “Yes. I heard Lady Horace and my sister will be attending.”

“What about you?”

“There’s no need for me to go anymore. And if I showed up, it would just cause trouble…”

“Come with me.”

His voice was so bright it was almost cheerful.

“Let’s meet there in two days.”

…Two days? Natalie’s face lit up as she asked, “So I get a day off tomorrow?”