Cheryl politely declined the Marquess' invitation to lunch after she had finished selecting a wedding gown and had handed over the selection of jewellery and so on to Edgar's side.
"Since we're already outside, why don't we enjoy a meal?" Edgar inquired.
Cheryl's face was glum, and she responded in a dismissive tone. "No, I promised the Crown Prince lunch, so I have to go back now."
Cheryl smirked quietly to herself. She reasoned that if Eugene was used as an excuse, Edgar would be unable to argue. Cheryl laughed quietly to herself, complimenting herself on her brilliant mind.
However, it turns out that the other party has a different viewpoint. When he heard Cheryl mention Eugene, Edgar's heart sank. He stated in a glum tone, "Why do you have such a big heart? I am your future husband, but you abandoned and tossed me aside before having lunch with the Crown Prince? I'm very depressed."
Cheryl sighed and rolled her eyes. Edgar's expression was solemn and devoid of sadness. Do you want to fool her? Go dream, hmph!
"Please don't say it like that, Marquess; it sounds like I'm cheating on you." Cheryl barged in with a vengeance.
"Of course, I would never accuse you of such a thing. But don't you want to learn more about me? And join me for lunch!"
Cheryl averted her gaze. "No."
"However, I'd like to get to know you better."
"There's nothing to know about me. "I'm just a poor, worthless princess."
"Do you want to stay and have lunch with the Crown Prince?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll follow you. We can all eat lunch together."
As a result, Edgar actually followed Cheryl back to the palace. It was lunch time when they arrived. The maid greeted Cheryl and Edgar at the front door.
"Regards, Your Highness Princess, Marquess."
Cheryl responded with a nod. She used to make small talk with the maids, but now that she was back with Edgar, she didn't want to say anything. She almost intervened directly, but she asked anyway. "Has the Prince yet returned?"
"Yes. The Prince is now waiting for you at the table." The maid cast a doubtful glance at Edgar.
He was obviously bothered by his presence here. She had always suspected that the Crown Prince disliked the Marquess of Northland. However, she was only a servant, and she had no right to interfere in the affairs of the masters.
The maid politely smiled.
Edgar was unconcerned about the maid's disapproving stare.
Despite being "uninvited," he followed Cheryl into the dining room with ease. The small palace dining room was quite small. There is a rectangular dining table, but there are only a few chairs.
Eugene sat elegantly in the captain's chair. Both hands holding a fork and knife, slicing the meat slowly and gracefully.
Cheryl approached Eugene at the dinner table.
"Your Highness, please accept my apologies; I just returned."
"Stop addressing me in this manner. From now on, just call me brother or my name."
Eugene smiled as he always did. His smile froze when he noticed someone behind Cheryl. A few moments later, he coughed, dispelling the impolite shock.
"There appears to be a visitor. So, Cheryl, please come and invite our guests to join us for dinner." Instead of greeting Edgar directly, Eugene said this.
Edgar frowned when he heard Eugene's words. Why did he believe Eugene thought the girl was one of the hosts while treating himself as an outsider? As if to give the impression that the couple here is them, not him.
By the way, what was Eugene's name earlier? Cheryl? Is that your favourite nickname?
Edgar's thoughts were far away.
Cheryl, who had been sitting in the chair for a long time, looked at Edgar several times. The young lady furrowed her brow.
"Let us eat together, Marquess." Cheryl has said it a second– uh, third time. And Edgar remained motionless, not knowing what he was thinking.
Actually, Edgar refused to come because of Eugene. The prospect of her future wife having lunch with another man who had a crush on her made Edgar uneasy. As a result, he ignores both his dislike for Eugene and his affectionate call. There would be plenty of time later for him to ask her directly.
Edgar immediately smiled politely and respectfully bowed to Eugene. Eugene finally let Edgar take a seat after etiquette formal etiquette among the nobles.
"Marquess, please take a seat."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, thank you."
Edgar chose the seat next to Cheryl on purpose. He began to put on a show of affection for Cheryl with a smile on his face. Taking food and drinks for her, taking the rice left in the corner of her lips, and so on. Edgar also made active physical contact, which was brief but intimate.
Eugene could see all of this.
Eugene, of course, notices Edgar's displays of affection on occasion. He didn't change his facial expression, but his mood became darker. He had not expected the Honorable Marquess to act so childishly in front of him, displaying affection on purpose.
Eugene, I must admit, is envious.
Cheryl, the person directly involved, had better be uneasy about Edgar's actions, which she thought were exaggerated. She just had the feeling that this was a deliberate action, but she didn't know why.
Edgar must be unexpected, she reasoned.
Cheryl shifted her hand repeatedly to avoid touching Edgar's hand. But what if the Marquess was the mastermind behind this? Edgar even boldly brushed his thumb across Cheryl's greasy lips.
Cheryl was taken aback by Edgar's actions. It wasn't that she'd never had contact with a man before, but Edgar's fingertips carried a different sensation. Refreshing and cool. She fixed her gaze on Edgar's face, which was only a few centimetres away.
She knew Edgar's face was attractive, but she was far more so up close. The skin is wheat-colored and appears smooth. The nose bridge is high and straight. His lips are delicate but sensual. His eyes are a little too long. Cheryl could see a reflection of her own face in his black pupils. Exceptionally clear vision.
Edgar had noticed Cheryl's face from the beginning. Nonetheless, it was the first time they had been so close. The girl's face wasn't particularly attractive, but if you looked closely, you'd notice she had lovely round eyes. Her lashes are curly and long. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose are reddish, as are the undersides of her eyelids. Then her lips are small and plump, making her look very cute. Edgar began to imagine those tiny lips ... Making the man become engrossed in a sudden fantasy.
Eugene, on the other hand, had had enough. He put down his fork and knife loudly, making a distinct sound in the room. The two people who were looking at each other from a close distance were taken aback and turned to face him.
Eugene stood up and walked away without saying anything.
With a triumphant expression, Edgar escorted Eugene away. He was pleased with the defeat of the opposing party.
Only, Cheryl unexpectedly put down her spoon and rose from her chair.
"Please enjoy your meal, Marquess. I'm finished; please excuse me."
Cheryl was aware that she was being impolite. But she couldn't stop herself from being alone in the same room as Edgar. Edgar's flirtatious behaviour irritated her brain cells.
Cheryl quickly left without waiting for Edgar's response. Edgar, who had been left alone at the lunch table, had lost his appetite as well. The man got up and left his seat as well.
---
There are only a few days until the wedding.
Edgar's team had gotten right to work. Starting with creating an invitation list, redecorating the Baldwin Mansion, preparing the reception venue, managing party consumption, and other tasks. They are all very busy, from the highest servant to the lowest.
Edgar was also preoccupied. He arrived at the palace for the morning court with ministers and other high-ranking nobles. His position as Marquess in the frontier lands required him to attend every meeting, even if it was unimportant.
Following the conclusion of the morning meeting, the king casually mentioned the wedding preparations.
"I heard the Marques have already begun planning the engagement ceremony. Is that correct?"
As a sign of respect, Edgar bowed slightly. "That is correct, Your Majesty. However, the upcoming event will not only be an engagement, but it will also be a wedding."
The king's face was surprised. Only then did he recall Edgar having come to see him two days prior to discuss this matter. Edgar had mentioned it at the time, but he had forgotten about it. He asked today in front of other high nobles. Edgar would have been embarrassed if he had mentioned the previous meeting.
The king coughed awkwardly. He could pretend he didn't know because he forgot.
"Oh, the Marquess' plan is also good. Make two events into one." The king paused for a moment. "Nonetheless, the Marquess married a Princess Royal. In such a hurry... but the reception must be at the palace. Does the Marquess wholeheartedly agree?"
If he did not agree, the king would undoubtedly label him a rebel. So Edgar simply nodded. "I agree, Your Majesty."
The brief discussion had come to an end. Even if the king disliked Claudia, it would have been more shameful for a Princess to marry somewhere other than the palace. That's why the king ordered a wedding reception in the palace. Just for the sake of preserving the royal family's dignity.
Edgar didn't think the king would be that good for no reason. He then requested permission to send his servants to assist with palace preparations. The king gladly agrees.
--
The news of the Marquess of Northland's impending marriage to the Fifth Princess spread quickly throughout the capital. Even ordinary people are aware of the news.
Cheryl was terrified to the point of being stupid for half a day after hearing the news.
Her mind was racing so fast that it hurt to think about the what and why.
How can a wedding take place in just a few days? Wasn't it only an engagement party? Why transform into a marriage?
Cheryl paced back and forth in her room, terrified. When she felt suffocated and her room became too small, she went outside and resumed pacing the courtyard.
Cheryl's trampling of the soft lawn grass was no longer visible to the maids. One of them approached the Princess and reminded her to stop.
"Why are you so upset, Your Highness the Fifth Princess? Is there anything that bothers you?"
Cheryl paused. She noticed a young maid speaking to her. "Yes, my heart is uncomfortable," Cheryl responded. While indicating the location of her heart organ.
Cheryl's evil feet were no longer treading the garden grass, which relieved the young maid. But the Princess was pointing at her chest, mistaking Cheryl for pain, so her worried expression was all the more concerning.
"Then you should lie down, Your Highness. Allow me to invite a doctor to examine you."
He was carried in by the maid and several others and placed on the bed.
Cheryl was wrapped up to her neck by the maid.
"Please wait a moment, Princess. The doctor has been summoned and will undoubtedly arrive shortly."
Another servant approached with a cup of hot water in her hand "Please drink some warm water first, Princess. Perhaps it will provide some relief while you wait for the doctor."
Another maid arrived and began massaging her feet.
Cheryl, who knows nothing: "... "
The doctor arrived and examined the princess right away. Following the examination, the doctor concluded that the princess was fine, but was experiencing excessive nervousness.
Cheryl sighed and rolled her eyes. I really wanted to beat up the doctor who assured her that she was fine. No, she is not fine; she is suffering psychologically as a result of this marriage!
Cheryl was sobbing quietly in her heart.
--
Only Elena was temporarily unaware of Edgar's marriage news. Because she was a long way from the capital.
Specifically, in a small town in the middle of the desert.
Elena arrived in her rented horse carriage. She wore clothing that was completely covered from head to toe, as well as a face covering. Even though it is stuffy, it is preferable to being exposed to direct sunlight. The air in this desert city is much hotter than in the capital.
The small town was extremely congested. There are also many visitors who want to travel, such as Elena.
Elena was getting out of the carriage when a thin young man noticed her. Knowing that the woman had descended alone, he approached her right away.
"Please excuse me, lady. Do you require assistance?" He negotiated.
Elena gave the young man a quick glance before dismissing him. "Not required."
Elena then proceeded down a small, winding alley to an old house.
Elena knocked on the tightly shut door. But after a while, she knocked, and there was still no movement from inside the house. No one opened the door. Elena was irritated.
She returned to her horse-drawn carriage because no one appeared to be in the house. The lady addressed the coachman.
"We're looking for a hotel in the area. I'll be staying for a few days."
The coachman nodded and led Elena to a suitable inn.
***