Chapter 1.2

To be honest, Cecilia had never really expected Edward Ceres to accept her proposal so quickly.

They had crossed paths at social events less than a handful of times.

But each time, Edward had shown not the slightest bit of interest in her.

To him, Cecilia might as well have been invisible.

That’s why she struck where it would hurt him most. His deepest grudge. His hatred for the emperor.

She’d expected it to work, but the speed of Edward’s reaction made it clear. His resentment toward the emperor ran deeper than she’d imagined.

Edward cleared his throat.

“We’ll need to marry as soon as possible. By next week, you’ll already be elected as the future empress.”

“…That soon?”

Cecilia was terrified.
Edward looked at her with something close to sympathy.
In truth, Cecilia Graham had done nothing wrong. She was a mere nineteen-year-old girl. A baron’s young daughter.

It wasn’t her fault she was beautiful enough to catch the emperor’s eye.

And though something about her unnerved him in ways he couldn’t understand, that too wasn’t her fault.

“The engagement… we need to announce the engagement quickly.”

Cecilia murmured, closing the distance between them. A soft, sweet fragrance—harmless, just like her—brushed against his nose.

“Your Grace, would you be willing to cooperate with my plan?”

“Tell me.”

Edward was genuinely curious now.

What kind of scheme could this bold and desperate girl propose?

Cecilia rose up on her toes, but she was still far from reaching his ear.

Before she could speak, Edward dipped his head ever so slightly, lowering himself to meet her eye level.

Her small, velvety voice tickled his ear, lingering like an echo.

“Are you prepared to become a laughingstock?”

A strange sensation fluttered in Edward’s stomach.

Maybe that’s why he didn’t hesitate to say,

“Use me as you wish.”

⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°

The very next evening after receiving Cecilia Graham’s proposal, Edward made his way to the ball hosted at the Estate of the Marquis of Entienne.

The House of Marquis Entienne was one of Edward’s many enemies.

It was almost strange that he’d been invited at all.

‘How fortunate.’

Edward smirked.

Had he needed to drag one of his few actual friends in tonight’s plan, he wouldn’t have felt nearly as comfortable.

Because if his assumptions were correct, the House of Marquis Entienne would soon bear the brunt of the emperor’s wrath.

With calm resolve, he stepped into the ballroom.

The Entienne’s had spared no expense in flaunting the new wealth they had amassed through trade.

Gold, crystal, and glass covered nearly every surface, transforming the entire hall into a dazzling spectacle.

It was the perfect stage for the “show” he and Cecilia Graham were about to put on.

As Edward scanned the room, it didn’t take long to find her.

Cecilia Graham glided gracefully through the ballroom.

Dressed in a pale pink gown, she looked as delicate as a butterfly and as radiant as morning dew.

Even without executing their plan, her beauty alone would have made her the talk of the night.

The moment Cecilia spotted him, her eyes sparkled.

As she strode toward him with elegant confidence, Edward was certain.

The proposal is imminent.

It was clear that Cecilia intended to propose before the ball even officially began, ensuring rumors could spread as widely and quickly as possible.

Right now. This very moment.

‘She’s going to propose before we even exchange greetings.’

And Cecilia did not defy his expectations.

As soon as she stopped a few steps away from him, she slipped a ring off her left hand.

It was a costly diamond ring, perfectly in line with House Graham’s reputation for sparing no expense when it came to their only daughter.

She held the ring out to Edward, bold and proud.

Her clear voice echoed across the ballroom.

“Duke Edward Ceres, will you be my husband?”