Chapter 16
No matter what Damon did, I had bravely said I wouldn’t care—but my legs trembled as I went down the stairs.
‘Today, Damon is giving the magical sword to Valentine as an engagement gift. If I intercept it, I’ll be divorced.’
I forced myself to focus on that thought alone.
Behind me, Miranda stomped her feet anxiously, feeling sorry.
“It’s not like that. Maybe I should have told you first that Master punished Lady Aileen.”
“Damon, how could you say something so cruel to me!”
Aileen Rackton recalled Damon’s actions from a few days ago and felt a deep ache in her chest.
She had been happy just to meet him. Happy that he invited her for tea.
When they had walked arm-in-arm past the pretty café, she had felt like she owned the world.
But after passing all those cafés, Damon had dragged her into a secluded alley, suddenly pressed her against a wall, and threatened her.
Even though he had an aura, Damon’s cold, contemptuous gaze had hurt so much that she couldn’t resist.
“Lady Aileen, enough with your mischief. You’re supposed to become the Crown Princess, yet you behave like a hooligan in broad daylight.”
“Your Grace, if your daughter is judged useless, you will not bestow any recognition. If you don’t want to spend your life confined in the barren lands of the Rackton Duchy, you’d better think quietly about becoming the Crown Princess.”
Like a loyal hunting dog to her father, Damon only wished for her to become the Crown Princess.
The more he desired that, the more Aileen resisted it.
Her desire only grew for the one man who didn’t covet her—Damon Craig.
‘Why is he so sexy even when he acts like a villain? Even if I get scolded every day, if I can be by Damon’s side…’
She scowled briefly, then steeled her eyes. Getting engaged didn’t mean she couldn’t have Damon.
No matter what it took, she would have him!
“Princess, let me help you get ready.”
The maids entered with flowers and jewelry to assist her.
“Just make it quick. It looks like it’s going to rain anyway.”
“Eh? But…”
They knew how much Duke Rackton had invested in this party, so they had to prepare more carefully than ever.
If Aileen looked perfect and pleased the Duke, the maids’ fathers, brothers, or husbands could scavenge something from the noble house.
The maids exchanged glances.
Finally, the most perceptive maid, who enjoyed Aileen’s favor, stepped forward.
“Clarissa has also been invited to the party, so you must make her look insignificant. I heard she plans to wear a pink dress today.”
“Really?”
“I heard from the tailor. Her dress will be a lighter shade than yours.”
“Then she won’t stand out.”
“Exactly. You need to crush her properly. Don’t you remember the royal tea party incident? Crown Prince Valentine sided with Clarissa and ignored you…”
Before the maid could finish, Aileen suddenly grabbed a vase and threw it.
Smash! It hit the wall and shattered, scattering shards everywhere. The shards cut a maid’s arm and neck, drawing blood.
“Ahhh!”
The maid screamed, then immediately shut her mouth at Aileen’s fierce gaze.
“I’m sorry, Princess! I—I was wrong!”
“Wrong about what?”
“Eh? W-well…”
Aileen roughly grabbed the maid’s neck as a warning.
“I am Aileen Rackton. No one can ignore me. Understand?”
“Ugh… please… gag…”
The maid couldn’t even respond, gasping for air.
“Listen carefully. If Clarissa makes it home in one piece after this party, you will be punished instead.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“Rip her dress, trip her, push her down the stairs—whatever. Poison her cake if you like. Do it well, and I’ll reward you. Understood?”
Letting go of the maid’s neck, Aileen walked toward her vanity.
“What are you all doing? Not putting your full effort into making me look beautiful?”
“Yes, Princess!”
The maids trembled as they busied themselves around her.
The empire’s capital was southward, near the coast, and hot and humid year-round.
Damon’s capital fief, Middletown, was right on the coast, often hit by storms—just like Duke Rackton’s capital fief. They were practically neighbors.
Rackton’s fief had originally been in the east but had expanded northward after crushing the Rochen family.
Despite the vast lands, the Duke had bought land in the central capital near the lake, driven by ambition.
‘If we compare to Korea, Duke Rackton lives in a Han River-view district like Seocho, and the palace is on a mountainside in Pyeongchang-dong.’
Of course, royal lands were scattered across the empire, including islands.
Middletown was like Pangyo—full of commerce and technology. Damon ran countless businesses there.
So the distance to Rackton’s capital wasn’t far, and there was no need to rush.
The hot, humid day was exhausting, but the dark clouds and cool breeze made it bearable.
As I left the estate, enjoying the wind, I heard approaching footsteps.
“Are you ready?”
Damon appeared in his evening attire. I gasped inwardly.
‘Insane looks! Absolutely insane.’
He usually wore black shirts and leather pants, making him seem shadowy and oppressive. I could barely meet his gaze.
But now, in a dazzling white shirt and pale apricot jacket and trousers, he looked like a completely different man.
His black hair was neatly combed, revealing his round, pale forehead. Straight, dark eyebrows accentuated his masculinity.
‘What if he outshines Valentine?’
Of course, his striking appearance would overshadow the handsome Valentine.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Climbing into the carriage, Damon’s gaze lingered briefly on my neck before looking away.
“Don’t do anything today to get on my nerves.”
“When have I ever—”
He glared sharply, and I swallowed my words. It seemed pointless to argue.
“Do exactly as I say. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Soon, the carriage entered Rackton’s capital fief.
Passing the expansive garden, it stopped in front of the spring garden where Damon and I had wed.
Damon stepped down first and extended his hand toward me.
I was surprised by this rare courtesy, yet his cold gaze made refusal impossible.
I gently placed my hand on his. He twisted it, pressing our palms together and curling his fingers around mine.
My hand disappeared into his large palm, and his warmth surged over me.
‘Was his hand always this warm?’
Biting my lips, I tried to calm my racing heart.
“Focus, Clarissa. Today is important.”
His warning was low and serious. Whatever plan he had, it was undoubtedly significant.
‘His earlobes are red. Is he angry?’
Guided by his hand, I followed him toward the garden where the party was held.
Damon spotted Duke Rackton and released my hand as he approached.
I finally relaxed a bit—but then his hand grabbed my waist.
He pulled me close, pressing half my body against his side.
Startled, I twisted to free myself, but Damon held me tighter.
“I told you. You do exactly as I say.”
“Then tell me why. What important thing are you planning?”
“Do I have to explain everything to you? Just follow my instructions, Clarissa. You wanted me to act affectionate, didn’t you?”
He was frustrated that I hesitated while doing exactly what he wanted.
I huffed, glaring, then wrapped my arms around his waist.
With my other arm, I clung to him like a cicada.
“Hup!”
He stiffened and frowned, groaning.
Despite his resistance, I smiled challengingly.
“You can’t just act affectionate. The whole world knows I clung to you, crying, to marry you. And that’s true. I love you, Damon.”
I thought saying what he hated most would make him let go—but Damon’s eyes reddened; he hated it but tried to endure.
“Y-You’re sticking too close… let me breathe a little.”
“I’m not squeezing you. If you really hate it, you can push me away.”
“…No. I have no choice but to endure.”
With a firm expression, Damon began walking.
I clung to him like a cicada on an old tree, matching his steps.
Everyone’s eyes were sharp on us.
Noble girls, captivated by Damon’s beauty, wealth, and mystery, surely gossiped about me.
I could even hear their whispers.
“You have no shame, acting so improper.”
“I heard Lady Aileen’s hair was pulled recently. Trying to seduce His Highness Valentine?”
“Who in their right mind would cheat on such a perfect man?”
Hearing the malicious rumors, I felt no intimidation.
‘Jealous, are you? Wait just a little. I’ll leave this man soon. Then have at it!’
I raised my head and smiled ecstatically.
Damon stopped in front of Duke Rackton. Only then did I release my hold.
“Your Grace, Duke Dwayne Rackton.”
“Clarissa Craig, at your service.”
