CPDW CH 09

Chapter 9: The Faint First Love That Should Have Faded――

“Your Highness, if you please.”

Demetrio ignored the Prime Minister’s subtle pressure. Then, the king—his father—strode over lightly, snatched the will from Demetrio’s hand, and opened it without hesitation.

“Pff—‘Marry Emma-chan!’ Ha-ha-ha-ha! No matter how many times I read this, it’s still hilarious!”

Excuse me—Your Majesty, why are you laughing so hard!?
And Grandpa, what on earth did you write!? I wanted to shout it to the heavens.

“Look, he even prepared the royal ring. Go on, put it on her finger already.”

Your Majesty, aren’t you being way too casual about this!?
Actually—wow, he’s exactly like Grandpa. Definitely the troublesome type.
He was leaning his chin on Demetrio’s shoulder, grinning like a mischievous child while Demetrio trembled with anger. What a father–son duo.

“…Father, you’re in the way.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

The king raised both hands in mock surrender and stepped back three paces.
That left just me and Demetrio, face to face—his expression hovering somewhere between furious and resigned.

Around us, everyone had stepped back a little, but most of them were watching eagerly, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

—What is this situation!?

“Emma. Do you have a fiancé?”
“N-No… I don’t…”
“Then give up.”
“Eh?”

Before I could process what he meant, he grabbed my right hand and slid the ring firmly onto my finger.
The right ring finger—the traditional symbol of being engaged.

“E-Eeeeh!?”
“Be quiet.”

I mean, just wearing a ring doesn’t technically make it official… right?
While I stared in confusion at the glittering band, Demetrio suddenly leaned closer—so close that our faces were mere inches apart, like he was about to give me a cheek-kiss.

A faint, sweet-and-tart scent of oranges brushed past my nose.

—Perfume?

The moment my mind focused on the smell, I felt his breath at my ear as he whispered:

“It annoys me that I’m dancing to that old man’s tune… but don’t think I’ll let you get away.”

A soft exhale tickled my ear as he pulled back.
I glared at him on reflex, but he only gave a brief, sly smirk before putting on his usual calm, noble mask.

And despite everything… a small part of me thought he looked really cool.
Maybe I really was dancing to Grandpa’s whims after all.

—My face felt hot.

■■■■■

Because of his illness, my grandfather—the king—had spoken to my father about stepping down.
Lately, his appetite had fallen sharply, and he’d grown thin.
He wanted to spend his remaining time peacefully, and Father had agreed.

However, the succession was usually done after death, so abdication required rewriting laws.
Father didn’t want Grandfather wasting his final days on politics,
so instead, Grandfather kept his title while Father took on most royal duties,
letting Grandfather live however he pleased.

He often visited the royal garden, where he had once shared memories with my late grandmother.
He’d bring a chessboard to the gazebo—
and when I heard that, I remembered scenes from my childhood.

Grandmother would always beat him soundly, laughing so brightly.
Watching them together had made me so happy.

So when I heard Grandfather now spent his time playing chess there,
I assumed he was reminiscing about those days with her.

But then one of my subordinates reported that Grandfather had been
enjoying himself with a young woman in the gazebo.

To be honest, I was shocked—disappointed, even.
It felt like he was tainting those precious memories I had held dear.

And as for that young woman… I could already guess her motives.
Grandfather often went out in disguise,
but surely she had figured out who he was.

Determined to expose her and make Grandfather see reason,
I decided to confront her myself――.