Twisted Engagement (5)
Cecil rose from his seat, saying, âIâm not kidding, Iâm just saying that I like you. Iâve had enough time to deal with you already.â
The room that Rowena brought them to was small. There was also a chair similar to the throne, but there was no place for other nobles.
When the emperor sat down, many of his subjects came into the room, had a meeting, and did a small briefing on it.
Since the royal court was formal, people even came to this room where he was briefed or received a secret report.
Rowena looked bewildered as Cecil approached. Her heart was pounding just because the crown prince came close.
It was perhaps because he was the first person she had ever received a proposal from.
Y-youâre wrong! Itâs⦠Itâs because Iâm scared of you! Itâs because I am afraid!
âI think Iâve given you a lot of time. Have you thought about it?â
It had been a week since the conversation that day. Rowena looked down without looking directly at Cecil.
âWell, I donât fit in as your partner!â
âAs long as I like it, why do I need something that suits me?â
âWhat about my feelings?â
Cecil grinned as Rowena, who got angry for a moment, raised her head and said. Rowena lowered her head in embarrassment.
Cecil said in a soft voice, âThatâs why Iâm seducing you over time like this, donât you think? You also said you liked my face, so I donât think itâs a bad combination.â
Rowena looked up impatiently and said, âI⦠may sound arrogant, but I want to marry someone I love, not because we seem compatible!â
The corners of Cecilâs mouth went up.
âOne year.â
âWhat?â
âIâll give you a year to fall in love with me. Is that enough?â
Rowena was dumbfounded. As she stared with her mouth open, Cecil continued.
âOh, Iâm going to get married and do everything in the meantime. If you donât want me after a year, Iâll divorce you. Iâm changing the fact that we are to marry.â
âIâm not an easy girlâ
âOf course, youâre not. Youâre not an easy woman, youâre an innocent woman.â
Rowena was angry, but she was so angry that she couldnât say anything. Cecil smiled mockingly at Rowena.
âYouâve never been in a relationship before, have you? Donât you think so?â
âOh, I donât think so, Iâve been in a relationship! We are inseparable too!â
âOh? Youâve never held hands before, right? You havenât kissed yet, have you?â
Far from believing it, Rowena shook her fists and shook. She had held a hand coming from a carriage or dancing at a party, but she hadnât kissed yet. She didnât have enough time to date because she wanted to be a librarian and had to study.
âWho said so? I-Iâve been living a very promiscuous life! Iâve had several lovers, and I did everything I could!â
Rowena shouted, but Cecil didnât believe a wink. It was because she had made him learn about Count Adelia after he decided to marry her.
According to investigations and reports from people, Rowena had been living quietly under her patriarchal father. Going to the temple was all about going out except for attending some balls and parties her father took her to.
Although they often met the Marquis of Wenson who lived next door, going out together was also limited to the temple.
Rowena was so devout that she went to the temple three or four times a week, sometimes five times. Cecil doubted this.
She must have snuck out because she knew someone in the temple.
After changing her clothes at the temple and doing business, she came back as a proper lady. Otherwise, she would not have taken the national librarian exam and obtained a certificate.
Count Adelia would never have allowed it.
âOh, did you? I guess I have a lot to learn from you. I havenât even kissed yet.â
âYesâ¦?â
Youâre lying. You look like youâve had so much fun!
Rowena seemed to be able to believe that Cecil had one or two lovers hidden from him.
âIf we send a wedding invitation and get engaged⦠I will bring you into the imperial family and you will learn the ways of the royal family, and then weâll have a bedroom education together. It is considered repulsive to learn it from a woman, but thatâs good.â
Cecil grinned wickedly.
âSince youâre my fiancée, you can be my bedroom teacher, right?â
âWhatâ¦?!â
She hadnât even agreed to an engagement yet, and sheâs already a bedroom teacher!
Cecil added with a grumpy look to the stunned Rowena.
âIâm telling you. If youâve deceived me, Iâll add contempt of the royal family and lock you in a room where only I can go in and out of the palace.â