The Perfect Bride - Chapter 44

Ian, who had been quietly observing his cousin’s behavior, maintained a gentle expression out of consideration for his flowerbed-dwelling relative and spoke politely once more.

“Sophia, if you didn’t quite understand, I can repeat it in Fossan.”

“No, Ian. I heard you clearly. You said you love Miss Natalie Daus and intend to propose to her.”

Sophia replied in fluent Grand Battenese. Her eyes, full of pity as if looking at a lamb, and her face filled with concern for him made Ian let out a small chuckle.

It seemed his cousin had matured a bit since she was eight. Unfortunately, her meddlesomeness and self-conviction had already fully developed back then.

“It must have been very difficult for you. Suddenly becoming the heir and having to learn and adapt to so much.”

“Thank you for your concern, Sophia.”

At his words, a flush of color returned to Sophia’s face.

“Ian, I understand the burden you carry. That’s why I can share it with you.”

Her sparkling blue eyes said that only she could understand him, and that no one else was more fitting to stand by the future king.

Too bad. The one to become Grand Batten’s next monarch isn’t me—it’s Charlotte.

Ian idly thought that Sophia’s eye color was the one feature they had in common. Then he retracted his smile from his cousin, who had completely misunderstood.

As his expression turned cold in an instant, Sophia flinched.

“Since you’ve misunderstood me completely, I’ll say it in Fossan this time.”

Ian began speaking in elegant Fossan.

“I love Miss Natalie Daus so much, I could forget all my obligations.”

At last, the benevolent smile vanished from Sophia’s face.

“I will propose to her, and if she gladly accepts, I’ll be the happiest man in the world.”

The embarrassing words flowed easily. A trace of amusement appeared on Ian’s face.

“That’s impossible.”

You’re a man who’s going to be king. Sophia’s voice trembled as she argued back.

Reading her thoughts clearly, Ian lifted one corner of his mouth.

“If her status is a problem, then I can step down, can’t I?”

“…That’s absurd, Ian. What did she do to you?”

Clearly, my prince has lost his mind, bewitched by a witch. Sophia realized Ian’s condition was serious.

It was strange. She had thought everything would resolve smoothly once she met him at the banquet today, just like always.

Why isn’t it working this time? Have I ever had such a difficult situation in my life? Sophia’s face turned pale.

Regardless, Ian whispered with the face of a man madly in love.

“Well. She did nothing. I simply found her.”

“……”

“Yes, I found her.”

He even smiled, as if savoring the words more and more.

“Don’t worry, Sophia. I could give up my succession rights at any moment. Even if I must renounce all the privileges of royalty, I don’t mind. Even without the title of prince, my worth won’t change.”

“Ian, you’ll regret this. Please, come to your senses.”

Sophia looked up at her deranged cousin with tearful eyes and whispered desperately.

Yes, you’re kind. Ian returned a sweet smile to her. But the words that followed were far from kind.

“As a sincere piece of advice between close cousins…”

“Oh, Ian. Please…”

“I recommend you look for another prince immediately. I’m a sinking ship. And what you need isn’t Ian, but a prince, isn’t it?”

Ian was still speaking in Fossan, but Sophia could not understand him. She had never once considered Ian and the prince as separate entities.

“Oh, and if my dear cousin supports my love, it would mean a great deal.”

That was the end of the conversation.

In the next moment, ripples appeared in Sophia’s blue eyes, and then large tears began to fall.

“His Highness must take responsibility for what he said today. The Kingdom of Fossa will not overlook this matter!”

The Countess of Lange, who had stayed by the princess’s side the entire time, threatened sternly with a hardened expression. Then she helped the weeping Sophia away from the scene.

Now, Sophia had to accept the truth that Prince Ian was not the prince of her dreams.

And to protect her lofty honor and pride, it was wise to be more proactive than anyone in pretending no engagement discussions had ever taken place with House Astears.

The important thing to note is that Sophia did not cry because she was heartbroken from Ian’s rejection, but because she pitied her cousin who had lost his mind.

Ian, realizing this, gave a hollow laugh and shook his head slightly.

***

Thus, a day passed and the inauguration day dawned.

Sophia appeared wearing a three-strand pearl necklace and a bustle. Her status as a princess, her rare silver hair, and her slim, elegant attire quickly drew attention.

Perhaps thanks to her nanny’s advice, Sophia wisely introduced herself strictly as a foreign princess and cousin to the prince.

As the representative of Fossa, Sophia was the most distinguished guest. Regardless of anyone’s preferences, escorting the highest-ranking lady fell to none other than Prince Ian Valderma, Duke of Valderma.

That Prince Ian was escorting her intrigued not only the other guests but also the spectators outside who had heard the news.

The noble man and woman rumored to be marrying soon.

The prince and princess standing side by side looked perfect together. Prince Ian, the pride of the nation, needed no further comment, and the silver-haired princess from Fossa looked like she had stepped out of a fairy tale.

People whispered that they might soon see an article reporting that Prince Ian had gifted a necklace to Princess Sophia.

Then what would become of the baron’s daughter?

Would she become Prince Ian’s mistress?

Where was she now? Would she appear at the inauguration? If so, could they witness all three together?

The inauguration was a venue meant to prove Grand Batten’s status as a progressive power, but the guests’ main focus was elsewhere.

“You really won’t introduce the baron’s daughter to me?”

Sophia, who had been greeting guests with a lovely smile, suddenly asked Ian.

“As I said before, this is not a social gathering.”

“I’m just curious who my ‘cousin’ cherishes as a friend. I only want to say hello. Perhaps she and I might become good friends, too.”

Whatever her reason, Sophia had been looking for Natalie since earlier. It seemed her nanny hadn’t told her that ignoring the baron’s daughter would be more dignified.

The princess, who firmly believed in her own righteousness, likely had no intention of bullying Natalie. But even Sophia simply speaking to Natalie would become an enormous scandal and a juicy bit of gossip.

“I’m quite possessive and jealous. I don’t want to share my ‘friend’ with my cousin. I ask that you focus on this historic moment for Grand Batten today.”

There was already more than enough gossip. Her appearance as Ian’s partner was sufficient.

When Ian flatly refused, yet again a flicker of shock passed through Sophia’s eyes.

Clenching her lips, she turned her head, her round eyes darting and her blue irises shifting quickly. Watching her search for the baron’s daughter herself, Ian felt utterly exhausted.

His cousin was more troublesome than he thought. Not to mention her nanny, who glared at him with wide open eyes.

To keep the wild-foal-like Sophia away from Natalie, Ian resolved not to approach Natalie at all during the ceremony. And yet—

‘What now.’

Natalie once again stood out shockingly. Despite the distance, she caught his eye too easily.

In the surging crowd, she alone remained clearly visible.

Was it because she had chosen every piece of her outfit herself and he was familiar with them? Still, there was no time to admire her at leisure.

A tall man had stepped in front of Natalie and Marcus. Natalie looked uncomfortable, and Marcus had stepped slightly forward to deal with the stranger, creating the impression of a love triangle.

Ian frowned involuntarily.

He already knew that Natalie attracted troublesome men.

Assigning Marcus as her escort hadn’t been just because he was Ian’s aide—it was because Marcus was skilled at handling social situations. A fool trying to assert dominance with his title or family name would be no match.

But what was this setup, looking like a lovers’ quarrel?

By the time Ian realized it, his legs were already moving.

A wild foal of a cousin? No, the wild foal was clearly himself.

Ian, where are you going? Sophia’s voice faded behind him.

His steps toward her were long and hurried. He noticed that the crowd parted of its own accord with every step—one thing he liked.

“Natalie.”

There were still a few steps left until he reached her. But seeing her reaching for the unfamiliar man, he called her name sharply.

Thankfully, Natalie turned to him immediately.

Only then could Ian slow his pace. His stiff expression softened slightly.

At the same moment, the man Natalie had reached for turned his head belatedly over her crown.

Their gazes met briefly, followed by a polite bow. Seemingly aware of the gathering attention, the man swiftly slipped away.

Whoever he was, he was perceptive and quick. Still, he rubbed Ian the wrong way.

Several things were bothersome. But most of all, the man’s gaze—after greeting Ian—lingered far too long and longingly on the back of Natalie’s head.

Ian’s expression hardened again. His eyes dropped to Natalie’s face.

‘She may have had a man before.’

Not out of resentment or anger, but staring at Natalie’s furrowed brow, which seemed crumpled from that lingering gaze, Ian thought quietly to himself.