The frantic, chaotic buzzing of the capital city’s central marketplace seemed to freeze in time.
Grand Duke Killian Von Rosenberg’s opulent black-and-gold royal carriage stood dead center in the bustling thoroughfare, completely surrounded by a massive wall of stunned noble ladies, whispering debutantes, and bewildered citizens.
The air inside the carriage, however, was thick with a completely different kind of tension.
Inside the velvet-lined interior, Princess Evelyn Von Eldoria lay completely unconscious, her pale, delicate face devoid of color.
Her head had fallen sideways, resting softly against Killian’s broad, unyielding shoulder.
Sitting directly across from them on the narrow leather bench was the Imperial doctor, his elderly hands trembling slightly as he pressed his fingers against Evelyn’s left wrist, carefully checking her rapid pulse.
Killian sat perfectly statuesque, his icy midnight-blue eyes fixed entirely on the physician, his freezing aura making the confined space feel remarkably small.
The doctor slowly released her wrist, letting out a measured breath as he turned his gaze toward the formidable Grand Duke.
“There is no cause for severe alarm, My Lord,” the doctor spoke softly, adjusting his medical pouch.
“Her Highness has merely collapsed due to a combination of extreme physical exhaustion and severe overthinking.
Her mind and body have been subjected to immense strain.
I shall prescribe a regimen of strengthening medicines; please ensure she consumes them strictly on schedule.”
“Very well.
Leave the medicine,” Killian responded, his voice deep, smooth, and carrying an absolute, quiet authority.
He extended his long, gloved hand, taking the small paper packets of herbal remedies from the physician.
“Then I shall take my leave, My Lord,” the doctor bowed deeply inside the carriage, carefully gathering his equipment.
“Go,” Killian commanded simply.
The doctor cautiously pushed the left door open and stepped down from the carriage onto the cobblestone street.
The moment his feet touched the ground, the wall of noble ladies swarmed him instantly, their fans fluttering furiously as they bombarded him with frantic questions.
“Doctor!
Tell us instantly!” Lady Beatrice demanded, her voice cutting through the noise.
“What has truly happened to Princess Evelyn?
Is she ill?!”
The doctor cleared his throat, raising his hands to placate the anxious crowd.
“It is nothing severe, ladies.
The Princess has simply collapsed due to fatigue.
It is nothing more than temporary physical exhaustion.”
Lady Catherine, standing near the front, narrowed her eyes in deep skepticism, watching the doctor hurry away into the crowd.
‘Nonsense,’ she thought fiercely to herself, a twisted sense of certainty locking into her mind.
‘She just fainted right after vomiting in the middle of the street!
This doctor is clearly hiding the absolute truth from us on the Duke’s orders.
She is definitely pregnant!
There is no doubt about it.’
Following the doctor’s departure, a profound, heavy silence settled over the market.
The royal carriage remained stationary for several minutes, the crowd watching it from a respectful distance.
Inside, the heavy fog of unconsciousness finally began to lift from Evelyn’s mind.
Her delicate eyebrows twitched slightly, a soft groan escaping her lips as her eyelids fluttered open.
For a few disoriented seconds, her vision blurred, but as it cleared, she realized her cheek was resting against a firm, warm surface.
She looked up slightly and realized with a sudden jolt that her head was placed directly on Killian’s shoulder.
Panic and intense shyness flooded her system instantly.
Evelyn bolted upright in a frantic scramble, adjusting her posture as her face flushed a deep, vivid crimson.
“I—I…
what happened to me, Killian?” she stammered, her voice trembling with embarrassment.
Killian remained perfectly calm, his stoic expression unbothered as he looked at her flustered state.
“You vomited due to exhaustion and lost consciousness completely,” he explained with absolute serenity.
He then reached to his side, picking up the small packets left by the physician and extending them toward her.
“Take this.
The doctor has prescribed these medicines for you.”
Evelyn reached out, her fingers brushing against his gloved hand as she took the packets.
Before she could speak, Killian raised his hand, gently placing his large, cool palm directly against her forehead to check her temperature.
His gaze bored into her eyes, his voice low and resonant.
“Are you feeling better now?”
Evelyn’s heart did a violent, erratic flutter against her ribs, the sheer warmth of his gesture making her blush even more intensely.
She lowered her gaze, whispering softly, “Y-Yes…
Killian, I am feeling much better now.”
“Then let us proceed,” Killian spoke smoothly.
He pulled his hand back, turned to open the carriage door, and stepped out onto the cobblestone street.
He then turned around, extending his hand back toward the interior, his midnight-blue eyes locking onto her.
“Shall we continue with our shopping?”
Evelyn looked at his extended palm, a beautiful, genuine smile breaking across her face as her anxiety began to fade.
“Yes, let us go.” She placed her hand in his, stepping down gracefully from the carriage.
Killian turned his gaze toward his head butler, who was waiting rigidly nearby.
“Sebastian, guide us to the most grand and prestigious clothing establishment in this capital.”
“Right away, My Lord.
Please follow me,” Sebastian replied with a respectful bow.
Sebastian led the couple down the main avenue, stopping before the grand, towering entrance of the city’s most elite royal boutique.
The massive, glass-paneled double doors were thrown open by the guards, and the moment they stepped into the luxurious interior, the opulent scents of fine silks and rare perfumes washed over them.
Sitting near the center of the showroom was the shop owner, a sophisticated woman in her early thirties, elegantly dressed in high-society garments.
The moment her eyes landed on the silver-haired grand duke, her professional posture vanished, replaced by sudden awe.
She rushed forward, bowing deeply.
“Lord Rosenberg!
It is an absolute honor to welcome you to my establishment.”
Sebastian stepped forward slightly, his tone crisp and professional.
“Mrs.
Smith, please present the finest, most exquisite gowns available for our Lord Rosenberg’s fiancée.”
Mrs.
Smith’s eyes widened slightly in shock at the word ‘fiancée,’ but she recovered instantly, her face lighting up with a brilliant smile.
“Of course!
Right this way, please.
Allow me to show you our absolute masterpiece.”
The boutique owner led them to a grand display area, gesturing toward a breathtakingly beautiful, deep purple gown.
The fabric was made of the rarest enchanted silk, shimmering softly under the light, adorned with incredibly intricate, hand-woven silver embroidery along the bodice and hem.
“This is our finest creation, My Lord.
The craftsmanship is entirely unparalleled.”
Killian cast a brief glance at the garment before turning his head toward Evelyn.
“Evelyn, go and examine it.”
Evelyn stepped forward, her amethyst eyes widening with pure delight as she traced her fingers lightly over the shimmering purple fabric.
A radiant, joyful smile broke across her face.
However, as she leaned closer, her eyes accidentally caught sight of the small, gold-embossed price tag attached to the sleeve.
The sheer number of zeroes written on the tag struck her like a physical blow.
Her joy vanished, replaced by absolute, wide-eyed shock.
‘This…
this costs more than a small estate!’ her soul screamed in pure panic.
She turned around frantically, looking at the boutique owner with an embarrassed, hurried expression.
“Please…
could you perhaps show me a different, more modest dress?
Something else, please.”
Killian, who had been standing silently in the background, watched her reaction with a critical eye.
A faint, unreadable expression passed through his midnight-blue eyes.
He walked forward, his towering form completely dominating the space as he looked directly at Mrs.
Smith.
“Listen to me.
Show us only the most expensive dresses in your entire inventory.”
Evelyn’s head snapped toward him, her jaw dropping as she stared at Killian’s entirely unbothered face.
“Killian, wait—”
“Right away, My Lord!
Please, follow me to the private showroom,” Mrs.
Smith spoke in absolute ecstasy, bowing repeatedly as she led Killian and Evelyn into a massive, heavily secured inner room.
The private showroom was an absolute paradise of high fashion.
From one far corner of the grand room to the other, the walls were lined with rows upon rows of the most breathtaking, incredibly expensive, and unique royal dresses, each made of rare materials brought from the farthest corners of the continent.
Killian stopped in the center of the room, looking around calmly before turning his gaze back to Evelyn.
“Tell me, how do you find these?”
Evelyn scanned the incredible collection, a beautiful, helpless smile appearing on her lips despite her lingering anxiety about the cost.
“They are…
they are all absolutely beautiful, Killian.”
Killian caught the soft, genuine smile on her face.
Without a single moment of hesitation, he turned his head back toward the ecstatic boutique owner, his voice cold, calm, and entirely absolute.
“Pack every single dress inside this room.
And ensure the purple gown she examined earlier is packed as well.”
Mrs.
Smith froze, her brain completely short-circuiting at the sheer, staggering magnitude of the purchase.
She dropped to her knees, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the plush rug.
“Thank you!
Thank you so very much, My Lord!
Your generosity is boundless!”
Evelyn lunged forward, grabbing Killian’s sleeve, her voice fluttering with frantic worry.
“Killian, are you insane?!
This…
this is far too expensive!
You are spending an absolute fortune!”
Killian turned his stoic gaze down toward her, his voice dropping into a deep, quiet rumble.
“My fiancée shall never wear cheap garments, Evelyn.
Remember that.”
Evelyn lowered her head, her cheeks burning with a mixture of intense shyness and guilt as she muttered softly toward the floor.
“I…
I merely did not wish to cause you to spend so much of your wealth on my account.”
Killian stepped closer, reaching down to firmly grasp her small hand in his large palm.
His midnight-blue eyes locked onto hers with an unyielding intensity.
“Listen to me carefully.
You are my fiancée.
Therefore, you possess an absolute right over my entire wealth.
Never speak of expenses again.”
Mrs.
Smith, watching the intense, powerful dynamic between the two from her position on the floor, couldn’t help but speak out in sheer admiration.
“Lord Rosenberg…
the bond between the two of you is truly magnificent.
It genuinely feels as though you were both perfectly destined for one another.”
“My gratitude for your words,” Killian replied smoothly, before turning his head toward the door.
“Sebastian, ensure all the garments are packed securely and follow behind us.”
“Yes, My Lord,” Sebastian bowed, instantly stepping forward to coordinate with the boutique staff.
Killian did not stop there.
Keeping his firm grip on Evelyn’s hand, he guided her out of the clothing boutique and led her directly down the street, stopping before the grand crystals of the capital’s most prestigious jewelry establishment.
Evelyn blinked in total bewilderment, trying to pull back slightly.
“But Killian…
we merely set out to procure clothing today.
Why are we here?”
“It does not matter,” Killian responded smoothly, pushing the heavy glass doors open.
“Be quiet, step inside, and simply select whatever catches your eye.”
Evelyn let out a soft sigh, her voice laced with helpless amusement.
“Alright, Killian.”
The moment they entered the grand jewelry showroom, the shop owner looked up.
The sight of the silver-haired Monster Duke caused him to drop the velvet display case he was holding, his face turning pale with deep respect.
“My Lord!
To what do I owe the absolute honor of your presence today?!”
“Present your finest, most magnificent jewels for my fiancée,” Killian commanded, walking toward the central glass counter.
“Right away, My Lady!
Please, examine our most exclusive piece,” the owner spoke frantically, reaching into a velvet vault and pulling out a breathtaking diamond necklace.
The diamonds were flawless, catching the light in a spectacular display of brilliant white fire, shimmering with a divine elegance.
The moment Evelyn’s eyes landed on the necklace, her amethyst eyes lit up with an undeniable, profound joy.
She was completely captivated by its ethereal beauty, unable to look away.
Killian quietly observed the absolute happiness radiating from her face.
He turned his cold gaze toward the jeweler, his voice completely unbothered.
“Pack this necklace immediately.
Furthermore, clear out the entire upper shelf containing your finest ornaments and pack them all as well.”
The jeweler’s face lit up with pure, unadulterated ecstasy.
“With the absolute greatest of pleasure, My Lord!
Right away!”
Evelyn stood frozen, her mind spinning in absolute disbelief as she muttered in her thoughts, ‘All of this…
he is buying all of this incredible wealth just for me?’
Outside the grand shop, Sebastian was busy loading massive stacks of beautifully wrapped boxes into a secondary royal carriage.
Inside the showroom, Evelyn took a deep breath, stepping closer to Killian as she looked up at him nervously.
“Killian…
would you please escort me to a men’s clothing establishment next?
Please.”
Killian raised an eyebrow, his stoic expression showing a rare trace of curiosity.
“Why?
For what purpose, Evelyn?”
Evelyn’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, her eyes darting away in extreme shyness as she mumbled, “Just…
please guide me there first.”
“Very well,” Killian replied.
He led her out of the jewelry shop and walked a short distance down the avenue, stopping before a prestigious royal tailors’ guild for men.
He turned to her, crossing his arms.
“We have arrived.
What exactly do you intend to procure from this place?”
Evelyn looked up at him, her amethyst eyes flashing with an incredibly deep warmth and intense shyness as she offered a beautiful blush.
“Today…
you have done so much for me.
You spent an absolute fortune to ensure my comfort.
Therefore…
I want to select a garment for you, entirely based on my own personal preference.”
Killian’s stoic posture stiffened slightly.
Deep within his mind, a profound sense of absolute astonishment washed over him.
He remained entirely silent, his midnight-blue eyes widening a fraction of an inch as he processed her words.
Evelyn did not wait for his response.
She turned and walked into the shop, approaching the head tailor with a confident smile.
“Please present your finest, most majestic royal tailored attire for the Grand Duke.”
The tailor bowed deeply, rushing to the rear vault and pulling out an exceptionally beautiful, deep black royal prince suit, adorned with gold lining and tailored with absolute perfection.
Evelyn examined the fabric, her face lighting up.
“Pack this one immediately, please.”
Outside the shop counter, Killian stood perfectly still, watching her move around the room, laughing and conversing with the tailor as she carefully selected the finest fabrics for him.
For the first time in his long, dark life, a sudden, strange warmth erupted deep within his chest.
His hand slowly rose, pressing flat against his heart as a completely unfamiliar, fluttering sensation took over his soul.
‘This…
what on earth is this bizarre sensation?’ Killian thought fiercely to himself, his mind entering a state of absolute, silent bewilderment.
‘Is it possible…
that I have truly fallen in love with this girl?’
Before he could process the profound thought any further, Evelyn suddenly ran out of the shop, standing directly in front of him with a bright smile.
“Alright, let us depart now!”
“Yes,” Killian murmured, his voice slightly softer than usual.
They stepped back into the grand royal carriage, the horses sprinting forward as they began their journey back toward the Rosenberg mansion.
Upon arriving at the grand fortress, Evelyn hurried back to the safety of her private chambers.
A long procession of junior maids walked back and forth, carrying the massive amounts of beautifully wrapped boutique boxes and velvet jewelry cases, stacking them neatly against the walls of her room.
Evelyn sat on the edge of the plush bed, watching the staff leave.
Suddenly, the terrifying memory of the marketplace gossip flashed brightly through her mind.
Her eyes widened in panic as she recalled the noble ladies screaming about her condition.
‘Oh no!
I completely forgot to address that!’ she thought frantically.
Evelyn scrambled off the bed, hurried out of her room, and marched down the long corridor toward the grand library.
She stood before the heavy double doors, taking a deep breath before knocking firmly.
Knock.
Knock.
“Come in,” Killian’s deep voice responded.
Evelyn pushed the doors open, stepping into the dim, candlelit library.
Killian was sitting elegantly at his mahogany desk, casually reading through a heavy leather-bound book.
He did not look up immediately.
“What is the matter, Evelyn?”
Evelyn stepped closer to the desk, her face burning a deep, intense crimson as her shyness took over completely.
Her voice trembled violently as she spoke.
“Killian…
inside the marketplace today, every single noble lady and citizen was whispering a horrific rumor!
They are all spreading the absolute misunderstanding that…
that I am currently carrying your child!
Everyone is under a massive delusion!
Please…
you must release an official statement to clear up this grand misunderstanding immediately!”
Killian slowly closed his book halfway.
He leaned back into his leather chair, his midnight-blue eyes locking onto her flustered, blushing face with an absolute, chilling calmness.
“There is no need.
Let the rumors remain exactly as they are.
It will only cause the high society to believe our bond is entirely unbreakable and strong.”
A profound silence descended over the room for a few seconds.
Evelyn stared at him in wide-eyed shock, completely speechless.
Suddenly, Killian moved his gaze away from the book entirely, leaning forward across the dark wood as a faint, incredibly dangerous, and seductive smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
His voice dropped into a low, resonant rumble.
“Besides…
the idea of you being pregnant is not entirely terrible.
If you truly desire it, we could always ensure the rumor becomes—”
“WHAT?!
Ah—No!
Absolutely not!” Evelyn shrieked in pure, unadulterated panic.
Her entire face erupted into a blazing fire of absolute, extreme embarrassment.
She didn’t let him finish the sentence; she turned on her heel and practically sprinted out of the library, fleeing back to her room like a madwoman.
Inside the corner of the library, Sebastian, who had been standing silently in the shadows the entire time, suddenly let out a soft, uncontrolled chuckle, his shoulders shaking with absolute amusement.
Killian snapped his head toward the butler, his midnight-blue eyes narrowing into a sharp glare.
“What is so amusing, Sebastian?
Why are you laughing?
This entire chaotic misunderstanding occurred strictly because of your words in the marketplace, understood?”
Sebastian instantly straightened his vest, clearing his throat frantically as he bowed deeply to hide his grin.
“Please accept my humblest apologies, My Lord.”
Killian let out a controlled breath, leaning back.
“Furthermore…
did you ensure the formal invitation to our engagement gala was delivered directly to Evelyn’s family at the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes, My Lord,” Sebastian responded with absolute gravity.
“The missive was hand-delivered directly to the Empress’s inner court.”
”Excellent,” Killian murmured, his eyes turning dangerous.
Meanwhile, across the capital, a royal scout sprinted frantically through the grand marble corridors of the Eldoria Imperial Palace.
He reached the heavy, gold-leaf double doors of the Empress’s private sanctuary, pushing them open violently as he fell to his knees, gasping for air.
”My Lady!
Her Majesty!” the scout cried out, trembling violently as he held up a dark velvet scroll adorned with the silver crest of the Rosenberg house.
“An official missive has just arrived directly from Grand Duke Killian Von Rosenberg!”
The Empress stood rigidly near the center of the room, her elegant silk robes rustling as her beautiful face contorted into a harsh scowl.
“What has that monster sent?!
Speak!”
The scout swallowed hard, his voice cracking under the sheer terror of the text.
“M-My Lady…
the scroll states that on the day after tomorrow, a grand imperial celebration shall be hosted at the Rosenberg estate to celebrate the official engagement of Lord Killian and our Princess Evelyn!”
”WHAT?!” the Empress roared, her elegant composure completely shattering as her face twisted into a mask of pure, venomous fury.
She slammed her hand against a marble pillar.
“That useless, magic-less piece of absolute garbage…
she is truly going to become the Grand Duchess of Rosenberg?!
How dare she?!”
The scout buried his face against the plush rug, his body shaking.
“Y-Yes, Her Majesty…
and they have formally commanded the entire Imperial family to attend the grand gala.
Furthermore…
there is one more grave report from the market district.”
”Speak instantly!
What is it?!” the Empress hissed, her eyes flashing with lethal magic.
The scout broke into a cold sweat, his voice trembling.
“M-My Lady…
the entire capital city is buzzing with the news today!
The citizens are screaming that Princess Evelyn was seen fainting and vomiting in the streets, and the rumors state she is already carrying the Grand Duke’s child!
They say she will become the mother of his heir after just a single night!”
CRASH!
The crystal wine glass the Empress was holding slipped from her numb fingers, shattering violently against the hard marble floor, the rich red liquid exploding across the ground like blood.
The world seemed to spin violently for her.
“What?!
A child in a single day?!
Is that the scandalous reason they rushed this engagement?!”
She staggered back, her breath caught in her throat as she was completely about to faint from the pure, unadulterated scandal and humiliation of the news.
Her biological son, the young prince, rushed forward instantly, grabbing her arm to support her weight.
“Mother!
Stay conscious!
Hold on!”
The Empress gripped her son’s arm with iron strength, her fingernails digging deep into his skin as she forced herself to stand tall.
The initial shock passed, completely replaced by a dark, suffocating, and murderous malice.
Her face contorted into an expression of pure, demonic hatred as she stared out the grand window toward the distant Rosenberg horizon.
”A grand celebration…?” the Empress whispered, her voice dropping into a chilling, dangerous hiss that made the guards shiver.
“A rushed betrothal for that useless girl…”
She let out a harsh, bitter laugh that carried absolutely no warmth, only a promise of absolute death.
”Fine.
We shall accept their grand invitation,” the Empress snarled, her dark eyes flashing with an terrifying, lethal intent as she clenched her fists tightly.
“We will go to their grand engagement gala…
but we are not going there to celebrate their union.
We are going there to take their lives.
I will personally ensure that celebration becomes their grand funeral!”
Thank you for reading!
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