Daddy, I Don’t Want to Marry!

Had he just called Bea his sister? What was he saying? It was only after I listened to the two mens exchange that I could understand why the crown prince was infuriated. It seemed that the madman was upset that someone else had laid hands on his preywell, at least that was how I interpreted it.

The knights soon began retreating, and I realized that Bea was still next to me, tied up. I did my best to quickly release her from the restraints and asked, Are you okay, Your Highness?

She nodded in response, her eyes on the crown prince. Looking at her trembling eyes, I could guess what she was thinking. It seemed that she was gratefulat least at this momentthat he had saved her. She was a merciless person to her enemies yet an infinitely generous and loving person to her friends. That was the Bea I knew.

Nevertheless, I was aware of the crown princes true colors. How did everything end up like this? I was aware that the original story had changed, but this was more than I had expected. According to the novel, the crown prince and the princess should have become sworn enemies by now. It was clear to me that my attempts to escape the death flag were changing the story.

Just then, I saw the crown prince approaching us. I couldnt help but be nervous. I didnt know what he was thinking, but I knew how cruel he had been. He sent the head of an assassin he had beheaded as a gift and even killed his own servants. There was no way he was a normal human being.

I swallowed dryly as I wondered what he would do to Bea. To my surprise, he held out his hand toward me.

Ill escort you, he said. I stared at the outstretched hand before me then smiled softly. All my efforts to escape my doom had been useless. I felt as if I was being mocked; the man who resembled the Grim Reaper who may try to torture me in the future had reached his hand out twice to me already. I had no choice but to admit that he was interested in meeven if his gaze was that of a ferocious beast supervising its prey.

I turned to Bea to realize that her crimson eyes were directed toward me, filled with overwhelming trust and affection. Perhaps she had been moved by what I had done.

I guess shes another person to take care of from now on.So she chose me over Mikhail, and the crown prince was for some reason interested in me. Now that things had become like this, there was no reason to continue running away from my death flag. The only choice left was to fight against the unavoidable crises before me.

Thank you for saving us, Your Highness, I said as I grabbed onto his hand.

Clasping my hand tightly, he answered, I was only doing the right thing.

Feeling a strangely familiar atmosphere, I looked up at his masked face for the very first time.

Is he

I noticed the familiar eyes which I had turned away from in fear until now.

* * *

A heavy silence stifled those in the emperors study.

Where are those who were sent to Avalta?

Your Majesty, we cannot deny the fact that the foreign monarch is a man of great agility

Then what about Beatrice? Where is she?!

About Her Highness We have received the report that she has not returned to her room yet. For this reason, we have ordered the Dragon Knights to search hiding places around the palace.

Count Pyrex was in the middle of giving reports to the bothered emperor when the Dragon Knights leaderGaleentered. His face was swollen on one side.

In anticipation, the emperor queried, Did you find her?

Y-Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince spotted us while we were in the middle of capturing Her Ladyship and asked us what we were doing. I answered honestly and he assaulted me without asking further.