“Crown Princess?”
Grace was confused.
The Crown Prince had suddenly appeared and asked her to become his Crown Princess—anyone would see that as a proposal.
But… a person proposing wouldn’t glare so fiercely like that.
With some hesitation, Grace asked,
“Do you… like me, Your Highness?”
“…What?”
Carl’s brows furrowed slightly.
At his suddenly sharp gaze, Grace quickly spoke again.
“I mean, you just proposed to me, and proposing usually implies that there’s some affection involved…”
“Sit down, first.”
Carl gestured for her to calm down and took a seat on the sofa in the corner of the study.
Was I wrong? Then why would he say something like that?
Grace suppressed the urge to run from the room in embarrassment and awkwardly returned to her seat.
“To become emperor, I need a Crown Princess. To be precise—someone who can fulfill that role smartly, without being emotionally attached to me.”
“A person who can fulfill the role?”
This wasn’t a proposal.
And the Crown Prince definitely didn’t like her.
As soon as she realized that, she let out a short sigh and her head cleared a little.
It’s a relief he doesn’t like me, but…
Grace mulled over his words and asked hesitantly,
“So… you’re asking me to pretend to be the Crown Princess?”
“A contractual marriage.”
Carl’s eyes glowed icy blue.
“We make a contract marriage to achieve what each of us wants. If you become the Crown Princess and help me, I’ll give you what you want in return.”
What I want…
Grace pursed her lips unconsciously.
Living quietly as a librarian in the royal library or building a small library in a quiet place, working as a librarian and living in peace, undisturbed by anyone.
It was her dream and vision for the future—something she had never spoken aloud, only kept quietly to herself.
The Crown Prince had the power to make that dream come true.
But to achieve that, she’d have to marry without affection and live as Crown Princess?
“I can’t do something like that.”
Grace firmly shook her head.
Carl’s sharp gaze locked onto her.
Grace ignored it and spoke with even more resolve.
“I gave up the title of a noble lady long ago. I just want to live quietly as a librarian at the royal library.”
“You’re being too hasty.”
“No matter what you say, my answer will remain the same.”
“…”
Carl was silent.
He just looked at her wordlessly.
Feeling like she couldn’t breathe under the pressure, Grace forced herself to remain calm and drove the final nail.
“I can’t do it. I’m sorry.”
She stood up and bowed.
That should’ve been a polite enough refusal.
No matter how much the Crown Prince wanted it, he’d have to give up by now…
“Sit.”
A cold voice pierced her ears like a dagger.
When Grace cautiously lifted her head, she found that Carl had closed the distance between them.
So close that the slightest movement might make them touch—between them flowed an unknown scent.
Sweet yet heavy, like velvet.
“I can give you everything you want.”
His low voice thudded against her heart.
“The library, the librarian position… restoring your family and title. It’s all possible.”
“!?”
Grace blinked quickly.
As their eyes met, Carl smiled faintly.
That small smile made her even more nervous.
She didn’t want to acknowledge the knowing look in his eyes.
“Don’t say you don’t want anything. I already know a lot about you, Miss Grace.”
Carl spoke as if he had seen right through her.
How did he know?
Grace bit her lip in shame.
Her pale face blushed a faint pink, and Carl’s smile deepened as he gazed at her.
“There are things in this world you can’t do alone, no matter how strong-willed you are. What I want is the same. That’s why I’m proposing a contract.”
“But I don’t understand something.”
Grace carefully opened her mouth.
“You’ll become emperor eventually anyway. Why are you offering me this contract?”
“Because if I want to survive, I have to become emperor as soon as possible.”
To survive?
Before Grace could ask what he meant, Carl continued,
“So, the contract ends the day after the coronation. Once I become emperor, I’ll announce the divorce, and I promise there will be no disadvantage or problem for you.”
Marriage. Crown Princess. Divorce.
They were words she had never seriously considered before.
But now, all of a sudden, she was forced to.
“Any more questions?”
His gaze softened again, as if he were enjoying this situation.
Grace, avoiding his eyes until now, finally met them and asked,
“Why me?”
Her voice trembled, but her green eyes remained steady.
“I don’t fit the role.”
She was born a noble, but she considered herself no different than a commoner.
She didn’t miss the life of nobility and had buried it in her past.
And now to become the Crown Princess? It was absurd.
“The Crown Princess has to lead from the center of the nobility. There are more suitable people.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because… because I…”
“Because you’re only a noble in name?”
Carl’s quiet words struck her most vulnerable spot.
So accurate, it was as if he could read her mind.
Grace avoided his gaze, barely holding back tears.
Then a large hand gently cupped her cheek.
Her stiff neck turned with his touch, and she met those piercing blue eyes again.
Their faces drew closer and closer.
A strange, fearful, dangerous feeling swept over her body.
She wanted to push him away.
But her body, like it was under a spell, refused to move.
When they were close enough that their noses could touch, red warning lights flashed in her head and her heart pounded wildly.
Move, please!
Just as Grace tried to push him away—
“I believe you’re the only one who can help me. That’s all.”
Carl’s calm voice echoed in her ears, making her dizzy.
“Do you need time to think?”
“…Yes.”
She barely managed to move her lips to answer.
Carl gave a small chuckle.
Just that smile made her feel her face heat up.
“One week. Decide by then.”
Though you’ll come to me in less than three days, he added under his breath before walking out of the study.
Grace clutched her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“Hello, Viscount Aster.”
At the unfamiliar voice, Ivan looked up.
Shiny chestnut hair and gentle eyes.
She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Stea of the Macbury family. Do you remember me?”
Thankfully, a memory from a tea party years ago came back.
“It’s been a while. But what brings you to the royal library?”
“To borrow books, of course. I even got an official permit.”
Stea Macbury proudly waved a small piece of paper bearing the royal seal.
“Was it given by Her Highness the princess—or the Duchess of Grickel now?”
“No, His Highness the Crown Prince asked Miss Grace for it.”
When Grace’s name came from Stea Macbury’s lips, Ivan felt strange.
The Macburys were a powerful northern family, and Stea was noble and graceful, fitting her status.
She and Grace, who worked as a librarian, didn’t seem to have any connection.
“Where is Miss Grace? I heard she works here.”
“Librarian Blodin no longer works at the royal library.”
Stea’s eyes widened.
“Did she go far? Where?”
“Not far…”
Just as Ivan started to answer, a postman entered the library.
“Urgent message! Is Miss Grace Blodin here?”
“Who sent it and from where?”
“From Countess Claire Blodin at the train station.”
As soon as he heard the name, Ivan knew it was Grace’s family.
“Librarian Grace Blodin is in the West Wing study. Go there.”
The postman bowed and left, and Stea Macbury frowned slightly.
“The West Wing… that’s where His Highness is.”
Her gaze passed Ivan and drifted toward the Trion Palace.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
As night began to fall, the train’s white smoke grew bolder against the sky.
With a loud whistle, the train quieted and peace returned to the station.
Seeing people enter the station, Grace stood up.
“Hello, madam.”
“It’s been a while.”
Countess Claire Blodin replied coldly—her displeasure obvious.
A reunion after nearly nine years.
But it wasn’t a joyful one.
They were relatives, yes, but not close. In some ways, they were worse than strangers.
An awkward silence weighed heavily until a young girl peeked from behind Claire.
“Hello, Laura.”
“…Hello, sister.”
Laura Blodin answered so quietly it was almost inaudible, then hid again.
Claire shot a disapproving glare at her daughter hiding behind her and marched outside.
Despite the warm weather, she wore a heavy northern-style dress, drawing stares from the city folk.
That attire was common up north, but rare in the capital.
Unbothered, Claire headed straight for a waiting carriage.
“To Royal Avenue. The mansion with the blue door.”
“Royal Avenue?”
The coachman was startled, nearly dropping his hat.
“That’s right. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Royal Avenue was near Trion Palace—home to royals and powerful nobles.
After helping Laura into the carriage, Claire turned around.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“Me?”
“Of course. How can Laura and I get around the capital without you?”
With a frown and a click of her tongue, Claire got into the carriage.
Her glare said don’t make me repeat myself.
Grace suppressed memories of the past and reluctantly sat next to Laura.
After the scenery changed twice, the carriage stopped in front of a cozy mansion.
Small but elegant—even the bricks were pretty. It suited little Laura perfectly.
Grace glanced around the parlor, then sat on the sofa.
She had greeted them at the station and accompanied them here—surely, she’d done enough.
When would be the right time to leave?
She was about to mention her schedule and say goodbye when Claire spoke first.
“So, what time can you come tomorrow?”
“What?”
“We need to visit the dressmaker and get two gowns made as soon as possible.”
What was she talking about?
As Grace stared blankly, Claire frowned.
“You may not care about such things, but even you should know this much. You’ll be attending many balls, so you need at least two fashionable dresses.”
“I have work tomorrow. I can’t take time off whenever I want.”
Claire scoffed.
“So now I have to adjust to your work schedule?”
Despite her mocking tone, Grace remained cold and shook her head.
Then Claire shot up, shouting.
“You may work, but as a noble of the Grand Count’s house, you should at least maintain some dignity! You may have lost the title, but you’re still a Blodin!”
“Do whatever you want. I already said no.”
Grace replied coldly and calmly stood.
Claire looked her up and down with a sneer.
“Still, it’s nice to be young. Even looking like that, someone wants to marry you.”
…What did she just say?
Grace, who had been about to leave the house, turned back.
“Marry?”
