At the word of the monastery, the complexion of the family turned pale in an instant. Raphine's conscience was pricked, but she tried to ignore it.

He couldn't tell his family to tell the truth in order to avoid Antonio's proposal.

Then the family will try to confront the imperial family at any cost.

Raphine didn't want her family to make any sacrifices for her.

"Yeah, Mom allows."

The eyes of the family widened at the words of the Duchess. If Sophia, the real decision maker of the duke family, allowed it, no one could object.

"Ah, Father!"

"father!"

At that moment, the quiet Duke Aston grabbed the nape of his neck and slipped over.

* * *

"What?"

When Empress Rebecca heard the news, she was just as angry as Antonio.

'That cheeky thing.... You dare play with my son?'

Antonio had already spoken as if the two had already agreed to marriage.

There's no way his son could lie, so it's clear that Raphine's girl mocked him.

'I'm going to kill you...!'

Empress Rebecca, who was trembling in anger, immediately regained consciousness and went to visit Antonio.

Unsurprisingly, Antonio was shivering as if he had already expressed all his anger in the dance hall.

As Rebecca drew closer to where Antonio was sitting, she was astonished to see her son's hand full of scars.

"Anthony!"

"...."

Antonio bit his lip without answering.

Rebecca immediately ordered the attendant to bring a treatment tool.

"Antonio, this mother has also heard the news. How dare that cheeky girl deceive you!"

"...."

"This mother will surely take revenge. So don't worry too much...."

"Your Majesty said so."

"What?"

Antonio muttered in dismay in a cracked voice.

"There are certain things that I will never allow...."

Rebecca's expression distorted at those words.

"I can't forgive you for coveting your brother."

"dare...."

Rebecca clenched her fists so that her nails cut into her flesh. When he thought of the emperor, his stomach seemed to turn over with anger.

"But why not?"

"...."

Rebecca sighed and looked into Antonio's eyes. Of course, he had been away for a while, but it was the first time he had seen his son so angry.

It was not unfamiliar to me somehow.

"Why shouldn't you covet your brother?"

The corners of Rebecca's lips rose.

Antonio's appearance today was very similar to that of her in the past. Viscount Tedler always urged the Empress. You bitch, don't covet your brother.

Rebecca patted the back of Antonio's hand and ruffled his hair.

"Why not? Of course it will."

"...."

"Whatever it is, if you take it and win it, that's it. It's only natural to get back what was originally mine."

Rebecca laughed like a snake and whispered.

But inside, I already had other plans.

She also wants Antonio to steal everything from Zerkan and extort it, but only one thing. Women were never allowed.

When Antonio ascended to the throne in the future, it was fatal to write a stigma that he stole his brother's wife.

It is not something that was not completely recorded in the history books, but such emperors were all evaluated as the worst emperors.

You can't make your son an emperor like that.

But for this moment, he had to appease Antonio. As tempting with sweet fruit.

"Antonio, if you follow this mother's words, you can take everything from Zerkan."

"... how? What should I do, Mother?"

Antonio asked, trembling with anger. His expression became increasingly distorted.

Tears of sorrow and regret flowed down the corners of his eyes. Soon, Antonio burst out crying like a child.

"My poor son...."

Rebecca whispered softly comforting her crying son in her arms.

After you take everything from Zerkan, Raphine will follow you as the last loot.

* * *

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

"Congratulations."

At the congratulations from the maids, the Empress could not hide her smile and smiled broadly.

Is there any news that you have heard recently that is so happy and enjoyable? The Empress did not have time to raise the corners of her lips the whole time.

"Tomorrow, I will invite the Duchess to discuss the arrangements for the engagement."

"You must be very busy."

"Yeah, really. The sapphire palace next to the west palace should also start maintenance."

The Sapphire Palace was a residence for the Crown Prince to stay with the Crown Princess when they got married.

It was empty so far, so it needed to be rearranged.

The Empress was excited even though she had a lot of work to do.

"Anyway, I don't know if I started well...."

The Empress looked out the window worriedly.

"Your Majesty is trying to do well."

"of course. Don't worry too much, Your Majesty."

After the permission of the emperor and the empress was granted, only today did Zerkan go out to the imperial palace to deliver the marriage proposal with the official seal of the imperial family.

As it is a union between the Imperial Family and the Aston family, we decided to follow the royal etiquette as much as possible.

The Empress took a sip of tea to calm her pounding heart.

* * *

Raphine narrowed her eyes as she saw the carriage approaching through the front door of the mansion.

'It's going to happen so quickly.'

I did not know that the emperor and the empress would rush to work this far.

An engagement relationship is established when Raphine receives and signs the official marriage proposal brought by Zerkan.

After that, it will be even more crazy. After the engagement ceremony, you will be staying in the Imperial Palace.

'Is this right? ....'

Even though it was a contract marriage, I was still nervous because it was a marriage.

In fact, Raphine had a dream of love marriage.

'Is it possible to keep dating after divorce?'

It is true that divorce is not a bad society, but there are still many conservative people, so it is true that I am concerned.

"No, now is not the time to worry about this."

Raphine quickly came to her senses, quickly changed her clothes, and left the room.

As I went down the stairs, I saw Zerkan standing in the hallway. He, who came with the royal servants, shined especially today.

Except for her mother and Adrian, the family stood there with a blank expression on their faces.

Raphine glanced over the faces of her family, and then turned her gaze back to Zerkan. And the moment Zerkan's eyes met in the air. His brow wrinkled slightly.

It looked as if it was really possible to act in such an environment.

Raphine smiled at his concern inwardly and changed her expression.

"Oh, my lord!"

Raphine, who had changed into a moved expression in an instant, hurried down the stairs.

"majesty...!"

Raphine approached Zerkan's nose and looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

The attendants looked at Raphine in surprise.

On the other hand, the family looked at Zerkan with familiar but still bad eyes.

"la... blood."

"Yes, my lord. I didn't know you would come this way."

"of course... You must come by yourself."

"Are you here to see me? I was so impressed."

It was a lovely tone and voice, as if walking on clouds.

Everyone was stunned, but Zerkan was the most bewildered.

The most important moment in Raphine's scenario was when Zerkan and her were together. Raphine mobilized all her acting skills.

"Come on, my lord."

Raphine blinked her long eyelashes and gently folded her arms around Zerkan's. Anyone could see that he was completely in love.

"yes...."

Zerkan also tried to be as natural as possible, but it was quite difficult.

The butler guided the party to the drawing room, and Raphine sat close to Zerkan's side.

The servant from Hwangseong handed the papers in a golden envelope.

Zerkan took it, took out the sealed document, and handed it to the Duke of Aston.

"...."

The Duke of Aston had a particularly plain expression on his face. I haven't slept since the day I heard the news.

Zerkan tried to ask if he was okay, but then he shut his mouth.

"ha...."

Raphine took out a handkerchief from her arms and pecked her eyes as if she was about to die from being so happy.

Thanks to the acting of the past few days, the family no longer doubted Raphine. In particular, the twins were completely acceptable faces.

However, Adrian watched Raffine carefully with eyes full of subtle suspicion.

Adrian, who supported the marriage of the two, was the basis for Violet's argument.

When Violet heard the news of Rafine's marriage, she was more indignant than anyone else, but she could not accept the situation and even made up a conspiracy theory.

"Raphine can't do that. There must be some conspiracy. Zerkan might have threatened Raphine!>

Maybe it was because he lifted his ear so that a scab was sitting on his ear, and Adrian watched the two of them with a strange suspicion.

But Raphine was the face she really fell in love with. How can you call those eyes a lie?

As expected of Adrian, Raphine's eyes were genuine.

'Handsome is really good-looking.'

I was a little worried, but since Zerkan was beside me, it was easier to act.

To be honest, no matter what woman you take, you will be able to immerse yourself in the acting in one second.

Besides, Zerkan had a very nice scent, so it was just pleasant to be next to him, rather than uncomfortable.

'It seems a bit selfish, but....'

Raphine completely immersed herself in the role, forgetting what she had been worried about until now.

"Now sign...."

At the words of the imperial servant, Raphine raised a pen as if waiting, and signed.

Thus, the engagement of the two was decided. Now that you raise it to eclipse, you will never be able to turn it down.

'Yeah, let's see.'

To be married to a prince who looked like this, job satisfaction was the best.