The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

After the private meeting with the Crown Prince, Laria seemed to have lost her senses for a moment.

It felt as if her soul had been completely shaken.

She stood there dazed, not knowing where to start, and then came out of it.

It was beyond her capacity to handle the situation alone. She felt the need to discuss it with Zenox.

As Laria left the palace, she ran into Zenox approaching from the opposite side.

“Lady Rohan.”

Zenox also looked displeased.

Laria quickly scanned her surroundings.

Several people were pretending not to notice, yet they were watching them.

“Let’s change our location first.”

“There’s a secluded garden over there.”

Zenox quickly led Laria.

The garden, quite far from the palace, was so quiet that not even a bird’s chirp could be heard.

Gardeners seemed to have forgotten about this place; it was filled with densely grown trees and flowers blooming in season.

Laria stopped once she confirmed they were alone.

Zenox, following suit, looked down at Laria.

“Your Excellency.”

“Young lady.”

Both spoke at once.

“You first.”

Laria didn’t refuse and recounted her meeting with the Crown Prince.

“His Highness the Crown Prince believes we are to be wed.”

With a desperate urge to pull her hair out, Laria hurriedly added:

“The Emperor himself has sent personal letters of congratulations on our marriage to each family.”

Despite the shocking news, Zenox didn’t seem surprised.

He spoke calmly:

“I was also informed by His Majesty about the congratulatory message for our marriage.”

“…”

“I told him that we are not in such a relationship, but he wouldn’t believe me.”

She could picture the situation.

Just as the Crown Prince had done earlier, he probably pressed the matter without giving room for explanations.

Beyond just matching them, forcing a marriage without the participants’ consent made her understand why there were rebellions against the Emperor.

“It seems they’ve misunderstood our relationship and jumped to the idea of marriage…”

His voice trailed off apologetically.

Even though the royals created this situation, Zenox acted as if it was entirely his fault.

She remembered the past.

Zenox used to blame himself even when Laria got hurt playing alone.

“Why are you apologizing? It’s the Crown Prince’s fault for pushing our marriage without asking us.”

“But…”

“We need to discuss how to solve this.”

Reluctantly nodding, Zenox spoke:

“The situation has escalated to a point where it might be hard to fix.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Even the Emperor was directly involved.

Announcing that this was all a misunderstanding by the palace could undermine the royal authority. They would want to avoid any conflicts with the imperial family.

“I don’t understand why they’re acting this way.”

Laria couldn’t grasp why the imperial family were so assertive.

Biting his lower lip, Zenox whispered:

“There might be political intentions behind this.”

Laria’s eyes widened at his words.

“His Majesty both cherishes and is wary of me, his nephew.”

The Krassium family was the only one in the Empire with the status of a Grand Duke.

They owned most of the northern lands and amassed great military power and wealth.

Moreover, Zenox’s mother was a princess, making Zenox a blood relative of the imperial family.

So, if Zenox became an enemy, he would be a formidable one.

‘Ah, so that’s why they chose me?’

Laria’s family, County Rohan, had virtually no power, and their wealth was average.

Becoming related through marriage would hardly benefit the imperial family.

“Also, the Crown Prince is very interested in uniting the beast tribes.”

“…”

“He might be speculating that our marriage could help resolve the longstanding conflicts between the fox and wolf tribes.”

If the Emperor’s aim was to check the Krassium family’s power and the Crown Prince aimed to unite the two tribes, then everything made sense.

‘No wonder he was so insistent on the marriage.’

Now knowing the truth, the once amiable Crown Prince seemed more treacherous.

If Zenox’s words were accurate, declaring that they were not in any relationship would be pointless.

The imperial family would close off all ears and eyes, making sure the marriage proceeds.

‘At this rate, we might actually get married?’

“Should we really incite Herdin to rebel…?”

“So, what do you think about getting engaged first?”

At Zenox’s sudden suggestion, Laria stopped daydreaming and lifted her head.

“Engaged?”

“Yes. We can’t get married without an engagement ceremony.”

Noble weddings had strict procedures.

Typically, engagement ceremonies took place before weddings.

“We can buy some time with the engagement. Looking at the situation, it would be okay to say that we broke off the marriage due to personality differences.”

Is he serious about this?

Of course engagement might be better than marriage, but…

Seeing Laria hesitate, Zenox frowned.

“I’ve dragged you into this mess, so I will compensate you accordingly.”

Even so, isn’t engagement a bit much?

“I’ll give you a gem of your choice every month.”

…Getting engaged might not be as bad as she thought.

Eyes sparkling, Laria asked eagerly:

“Any gem I want? Regardless of type or size?”

Zenox nodded.

Laria’s heart raced.

“And on the day we safely break off the engagement…”

With a regretful expression, Zenox continued:

“I’ll give you a diamond mine.”

“Can we get engaged twice?”

She blurted out her genuine feelings without thinking.

Realizing her slip, Laria coughed awkwardly, but her heart was pounding wildly.

‘I have no other options anyway.’

This might even be an opportunity.

Being engaged to Zenox would allow her to come and go from the Krassium mansion and gather information about the intruder firsthand.

‘They’d never imagine someone who could fully transform into a beast…’

She had no fear of her identity being exposed. Since she couldn’t transform into a fox anymore.

Laria imagined herself as the owner of a diamond mine.

It was a glorious vision.

She could use magic freely without financial concerns.

Holding back a giggle, Laria said:

“Given the circumstances, I guess we’ll have to proceed with the engagement and eventual breakup.”

Zenox gave a relieved smile.

“First, let me escort you home.”

Laria ended up riding in Zenox’s carriage to her house.

‘My brother must still be working, so there won’t be anyone at home.’

Resting her head against the window, Laria realized something.

‘How should I explain this to my parents?’

Her parents, who ran a medicinal herb business, were on a business trip and were unaware that she’d even had an arranged meeting session. Let alone wedding news…

They might have a heart attack when they find out.

As the carriage sped away from the palace, it headed for the Count Rohan’s estate. After a while, a familiar mansion came into view.

She suddenly felt all the fatigue she had been suppressing.

She wanted to get home and rest. Laria decided she wouldn’t leave the house for at least a week.

After a long ride, the carriage finally stopped.

While Zenox talked with the coachman, Laria opened the carriage door and got out.

She wanted to get to her bed quickly and couldn’t wait any longer.

“Laria!”

A familiar voice called out.

A middle-aged couple rushed towards her.

“You had an arranged meeting with the Grand Duke of Krassium of all people!”

It turned out her parents had returned early from their trip.

Even the secretary and other employees who had gone with them shouted as they ran toward Laria.

“Miss, are you hurt anywhere?”

“If there’s any problem, we’ll take legal action.”

“For the honor of the Rohan family!”

As her parents and employees surrounded Laria and raised an uproar, a man arrived, holding up a golden envelope.

“Is Count Rohan present?”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to him.

Only the imperial family could use golden envelopes.

Seeing him, Count Rohan raised his hand.

“I am Count Rohan.”

“This is a letter sent by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Knowing the contents of the letter, Laria held her forehead in disbelief.

After reading the letter, Count Rohan’s face turned pale.

“My daughter is marrying Zenox Krassium…?”