The Perfect Bride - Chapter 38

“On Saturday, I won’t be able to escort you at the Itman Station dedication ceremony.”

“Ah, I see. Understood.”

“You’re not going to ask why?”

“I’m sure you have your reasons.”

At her indifferent reply, Ian raised an eyebrow. With a crooked brow, he muttered, “I really don’t like this today.”

“W-what did I do? I don’t think I did anything.”

Ian gave her a sharp look, as if the very lack of reaction was the problem. Natalie avoided his gaze by pretending to look around the drawing room.

“…The Itman Station that connects to the central railway station is special. It’s connected underground.”

Natalie, distracted, turned to Ian. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity despite herself.

“Underground? You mean beneath the ground?”

“Yes. About as deep as a four-story building. The railway was built down there.”

“Is that even possible?”

“It is.”

Ian’s flat reply made Natalie’s eyes widen in astonishment.

“I can’t even imagine a train running underground.”

Only then did she fully understand Dorothy’s excited chatter about people scalping tickets just to attend the dedication ceremony.

Though it had been over a decade since trains first began running to distant corners of the land, most people still paused in awe when they saw one spewing steam and shaking the earth as it passed.

And now, that fast, massive machine would run beneath the ground?

“That’s truly amazing.”

Natalie’s face lit up. Ian’s slightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and the corners of his mouth subtly lifted.

“It’s not that amazing. Anyone who’s seen the tangled streets of Dwan could have the idea.”

“I just imagine a giant with a broom sweeping the congested streets clean. Isn’t that normal?”

“…Normal? You’re the amazing one.”

Ian chuckled. Natalie, caught up in the moment, only then realized how childish her imagination had been. She cleared her throat in embarrassment.

“…Ahem. Anyway, just as you said, Itman Station is quite special.”

“As Duke Ian Valdermar, the chief investor in this construction, I have to welcome the distinguished guests—not as Prince Ian.”

His voice carried more ease and authority than usual. He already radiated brilliance, but in that moment, he seemed to shine even more. Natalie couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“So this time, Marcus will be escorting you.”

“…Sir Peeble always ends up going through so much because of me.”

“He’s paid for the work he does. You don’t need to worry about Marcus.”

“Haha, right.”

She felt as if she were floating.

It was that sensation of slowly rising with a balloon. Natalie could feel her thoughts loosening as she unconsciously let out a soft laugh. She didn’t even notice it herself.

Ian blinked at her sudden laugh. After a beat, he spoke again.

“I’ll send a carriage. Just come with Marcus.”

“Got it. Understood.”

“Good.”

He wasn’t sure whether he liked her understanding tone or her smile more.

“That alone should make it seem like I’m completely enamored with you.”

Oddly buoyant, he found himself unusually talkative.

At that moment, the balloon in Natalie’s heart popped. She plunged downward, fast and deep. The loosened thread of her mind snapped taut again.

He hadn’t meant anything by it, but her face was left with only a forced smile.

“…Of course.”

Maybe there was no need to worry about her heart fluttering around the prince.

Just when her heart raced and her thoughts blurred into fantasy, he always threw cold water on it and dragged her back to reality.

This is all fake. None of it is real.

“Of course, I’ll be by your side at the after-party.”

Yet he said it so gently. Even when no one was watching, he was meticulous. Natalie consciously lifted her lips and nodded.

“By the way, what are your plans for Sunday?”

“Pardon? I’ll follow whatever Your Highness does, of course.”

“…Aha. You can look forward to the party.”

She figured it meant she should brace herself.

***

“Sophia, how about spending this summer in Huntington? There’s no better place in Grand Batten to enjoy the season.”

To lift her niece’s spirits, Violet had set a tea table in the conservatory and shared a travel plan sure to please.

Huntington, owned by Prince Ian, was known for its beautiful natural scenery. It was a well-known summer retreat for the Grand Batten royal family. Sophia answered with a faint smile.

Her somber demeanor made Violet’s brows twist slightly. Despite her efforts, Sophia still looked downcast.

“My dear, seeing you like this breaks my heart.”

“I’m all right. Many people may hope for a marriage between me and Prince Ian, but we were never officially engaged.”

“Oh, Sophia.”

She feigned indifference and responded with a calm voice, but Sophia’s heart ached. It was because she had looked into Ian’s scandal shortly after her audience with the King and Queen of Grand Batten.

But there was no way he would actually marry ‘that woman.’

In Batten, the monarchy reigned, while the cabinet and nobility governed. The royal family’s authority stemmed from legitimacy.

“…Not yet, anyway.”

More than anything, Ian hadn’t said he would marry that woman. Not yet.

Violet noticed Sophia’s lingering feelings and her eyes sparkled. She reached out carefully to comfort her beloved niece.

“I know better than anyone how much Ian’s scandal must have hurt you.”

Sophia modestly lowered her eyes and offered her hand.

“But you are Princess Sophia of Fossa, and Ian is a prince of Grand Batten.”

“You’re speaking of royal duty, aren’t you?”

Expectations placed on royalty were no different in Fossa. As a kingdom older than Grand Batten, it held even stricter views on royal duty and noble lineage. Trained from childhood as a royal successor, Sophia had never once doubted or resented her responsibilities.

“Someday, you’ll become a crown princess, and whenever that time may come, you must be ready to fulfill the duties of a queen.”

“Yes. I am ready.”

At her confident reply, Violet gave a complicated smile and gently caressed her cheek.

“One of the queen’s duties is to preserve the dignity of the royal family. To wear the crown and protect the line. It is truly a lonely task.”

“But above all, it is noble.”

Sophia’s blue eyes sparkled with expectation. She only knew one side of a queen’s life—the one Violet had once known too, in her younger days.

Violet pressed those innocent blue eyes to her chest.

“…It breaks my heart to pass this heavy burden onto someone I love.”

To wear the crown and endure its weight was meaningful. Believing that gave Violet the strength to hold her place.

“A wise and loving girl like you will overcome any trial. No matter what may come.”

She whispered as she embraced Sophia.

“Thankfully, Ian is not someone who would let you grieve for long. He knows what matters. And I don’t say this just because he is my son.”

Though her son was constantly driving nails into her heart, he was at least different from her wretched husband.

“I believe his anxiety over becoming crown prince is what’s causing this. That’s why he’s straying for a while.”

Indeed, many viewed Ian’s scandal as the misstep of a prince burdened by the upcoming appointment.

“I hope you don’t believe Ian has truly fallen for that woman. She is merely a fleeting amusement.”

Violet believed this as well. She trusted her son’s taste, above all. It had to be a rebellious whim that led him to such a woman.

It was clearly a fling, and could never be true love.

“Everyone makes mistakes, you know? Please don’t say you no longer wish to marry into House Astiers because of this.”

Sophia gave a small nod from within Violet’s arms. “Of course I still love Grand Batten. It’s just that Ian doesn’t seem inclined to propose.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. If you stay firm, Ian will soon regret his foolish behavior. I’m confident he’ll give you a necklace before the season ends.”

“You really think so?” Sophia lifted her face slightly from Violet’s embrace.

“Of course. You’re the one who can steady Ian’s heart in a storm.”

Violet looked at her with great affection and whispered, “So I hope this becomes a moment that makes you even stronger. Don’t pay any mind to what people say. Hold your place.”

“Your words give me strength.”

“Oh, you even speak so prettily. Now, lift your head.”

Two pairs of blue eyes, descended from the royal bloodline of Ethena, met. Sophia, now refreshed, gave a gentle smile.

“For now, forget everything complicated and focus on socializing with the ladies today. I’ve invited only those who will be helpful if you end up living in Dwan.”

In addition to the conservatory, Violet had opened the gardens of Windsorbell Palace for the first time in a while to host a garden party for her niece. Only the most prominent ladies received invitations from the queen. And of course, none had declined.

Sophia’s face brightened. The resilience of a woman who had lived a life filled with love was truly remarkable.