Chapter 2.2

A small smile crossed Cecilia’s face.

“You’re better at this act than I expected.”

“I could say the same to you.”

“I have to be…” Cecilia murmured the words softly.

It sounded less like she was answering him and more like she was reminding herself.

For a split second, a bitter smile flickered across her face before she suddenly twisted her right ankle and visibly stumbled.

“Lady Cecilia!”

Edward moved instinctively, catching her fall, only to realize that this too had been part of her plan.

By imperial custom, dancing partners were expected to maintain a respectful distance from one another.

But now, thanks to Cecilia’s stumble, Edward had wrapped her tightly in his arms.

It was a public display of affection. One that suggested a bond as intimate as marriage.

From this moment on, even if the emperor were to issue a decree naming her the empress, it would be too late. He couldn’t marry her now.

“Call me Cecilia.”

She had to be in real pain from twisting her ankle on purpose, but Cecilia looked up at him with a soft, innocent smile, as if nothing had happened.

“We’ll soon be husband and wife. How long do you intend to address me so formally?”

“…Cecilia.”

“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Her voice had a teasing lilt to it.

“Edward.”

Soon after, they withdrew from the dancing crowd.

To everyone else, it looked like Cecilia’s “injured” ankle was at fault, but in truth, it was to mingle and talk with others. To show off their relationship even further.

‘What a fascinating woman.’

Edward mused, enjoying the attention he and Cecilia drew.

Putting on a performance to survive was one thing, but this nineteen-year-old girl, holding her head high before him…

‘Selfish and arrogant. She truly believes her choice is the right one.’

Cecilia Graham thought she could shape her own future.

Much like Edward Ceres had believed at nineteen.

A smile tugged at Edward’s lips.

Yes, she would make the perfect Duchess of Ceres.

And the reason was simple.

Edward was certain he would never fall in love with her.

Not because her presence inexplicably unsettled him, that was a trivial reason at best.

But because she reminded him, painfully so, of who he used to be. A young, foolish man who believed he could defy fate.

What Edward needed was a wife he could remain detached from, someone he could coldly discard if the situation demanded it.

Cecilia Graham was exactly that.

And his mind never changed after that.

…Not until the day that marked exactly one year since their wedding.

The day Cecilia betrayed him and walked away.

⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°

Five years had passed since the disappearance of Duchess Cecilia Ceres. A case that had once rocked the entire Rynek Empire.

Now, a commotion of equal intensity was erupting at the Guardian Tower of the Magic Kingdom of Mezina.

“Somebody stop her!”

“Like anyone could stop her just because we asked!”

“Well, yeah, but… what are we supposed to do if Lady Cecil leaves?”

“Then why don’t you stop her? You’re the closest to her.”

“Says the one who claims to be her best friend!”

“When did I say that? You’re the one who—”

The apprentices bickered and shoved each other in chaos, but the moment the door opened, they fell silent.

Because that “Lady Cecil” stepped out, gliding gracefully into the hall with a hefty travel bag in hand.

The true guardian of the tower. The Light and the Salt. The Alpha and the Omega…

No title was too grand for her.

She was Cecilia, the archmage who had gathered a legion of devoted followers.