The entrance of Bohemia’s Lord’s Castle.
There, the servants of Count Andreas were gathered to welcome Santana.
Count Turun and his wife
The second child, Vicer Andreas, was occupied with troop arrangements, so instead, their youngest daughter, Dust, was standing in her place.
Feeling somewhat anxious, Dust prepared to greet the guest.
At that moment…
“They’re here… Is that them?”
Finally, the lavish procession began to appear before her eyes.
Given that it was the Princess of Dragona Empire they were hosting, the grandeur was so magnificent that even Dust couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
“Someone with that kind of authority… I wonder what kind of person they are?”
Unfortunately, Dust had heard absolutely nothing about who this person was.
For some unknown reason, most of the information was blocked, and all she knew was that they were a marriage partner recommended by the Emperor of Dragona Empire.
“Could they be extremely ugly or have a truly wicked personality?..”
Though she lacked precise information, it was, after all, a political marriage without even knowing the other person’s face. Dust couldn’t help but think that someone in such a position wasn’t likely to be normal, and with intense anxiety, she gazed at the slowly opening carriage door.
“Glup…”
A dry swallow in the midst of palpable tension.
After all, confronting the highest-ranking individual she had ever met made her feel like her insides were on fire.
Especially since the counterpart held the power to wipe Bohemia off the map with the backing of the Dragona Empire, the pressure felt all the heavier.
Amidst her racing heart, Dust watched as Santana stepped down from the carriage with a bright smile.
It was hard to tell whether that smile was genuine or fake, but it certainly looked like he was genuinely happy.
Seeing that, Dust began to entertain the thought that her spouse might not be such a terrible person after all.
Then, at last, she caught a glimpse of the person coming into view.
Dressed in a stunning white dress that exuded extravagance, a serene smile graced their lips.
Their overall figure suggested a slim elegance.
And their face was far more beautiful than she had ever imagined…
“…Huh?”
As that realization hit her, a dazed voice unexpectedly slipped from Dust’s lips.
And she wasn’t the only one caught off guard.
“Th-That’s not possible…”
“That person is definitely…”
Automatically, voices filled with surprise and confusion escaped the mouths of the two others, just like Dust.
In that moment, Dust couldn’t help but forcibly recognize that she wasn’t seeing things wrong.
The woman approaching her, holding Santana’s hand tightly, was undeniably the one and only.
A pristine white dress that suited her so well, emanating a beauty akin to that of a goddess.
However, overshadowing such beauty was the weighty shock that suddenly engulfed Dust’s mind, leaving her in a daze.
“What… what the heck is this?… What in the world is going on? Why… why is that woman here? That lowly woman… why is she doing that over there?”
She knew that face all too well.
It was the very person she had consistently looked down upon due to their status, the one she had treated poorly for daring to pursue her older brother like some unworthy peasant.
That person… began to bow politely toward the Count and Countess, who wore expressions of sheer astonishment.
“I am Cazerose Sophia Andreas, Princess of Dragona Empire and the one who will be marrying Santana Andreas. I look forward to your guidance. Father, Mother.”
Her voice was filled with profound joy.
Upon hearing this, the dazed expressions of Count and Countess Andreas flickered as if a switch had flipped, slightly flustering as they responded to her.
“Uh… yes… um… welcome… we… we look forward to it.”
“We… we hope you’ll take good care of our son.”
In that moment, Count and Countess Andreas were as anxious and filled with questions as Dust.
However, even so, this gathering was the first meeting with their new daughter-in-law, the Imperial Princess.
They could delve into specifics later, but for now, they had to maintain decorum and properly receive their guest.
“Uh… w-welcome… Cazerose…”
Following suit, Dust bowed her head along with her parents while feeling lightheaded.
Watching her, Cazerose flashed a radiant smile of triumph.
“Yes, let’s get along well from now on, little brother.”
*
The shocking first encounter wrapped up, they entered the Lord’s Castle.
There, Cazerose began to explain everything to her new parents-in-law.
“That’s how it happened.”
“Wow… this is quite a remarkable connection. I thought only our son would engage in such odd behavior.”
“Well, if you think about it, it’s all fate, isn’t it? They say marriage is destined by heaven, who would have thought they would connect in such a way?”
Given that her son Santana was in a similar situation, Count Turun nodded, seemingly understanding the circumstances.
Similarly, Lady Andreas wore a glimmering expression, looking genuinely moved.
She felt an overwhelming sense of joy, as if a tale out of a fairy tale had come to life through her son and daughter-in-law.
In contrast, while the parents expressed acceptance and emotion, Dust, seated in the same room at that moment, felt immense pressure as though she were sitting on a bed of nails.
“W-what am I going to do… How… how could this happen? C-Cazerose… could she really be the Princess of Dragona Empire…”
After continuous tormenting, seeing Cazerose leave made Dust feel like she had just shooed away a fly circling her brother’s face.
However, the joy from that moment had transformed into a horrific sense of looming crisis, exponentially amplifying the dread now weighing heavily upon her.
Dust had committed the heinous act of snubbing none other than the Princess of Dragona Empire.
Although she came into this position as a daughter-in-law, the one holding the highest rank and power among them was undoubtedly Cazerose.
Considering her relationship with Santana, things should be fine.
Yet, back by the power of the Dragona Empire, she possessed enough power to erase Bohemia from existence with just a word.
Having insulted and chased away such a person calling her lowly.
Though Cazerose appeared to be smiling brightly at her right now, if there was even a trace of resentment left in her heart, dark clouds would certainly loom over Dust’s life.
“Oh no… that’s definitely going to happen… They wouldn’t just let go of someone who has done that to them. She’s sure to retaliate, perhaps even many times over.”
Filled with despair about the future unfolding before her, Dust began to tremble.
Amid her panic, she eventually started to feel the necessity to make one crucial decision.
“All right… now that it’s come to this, I must choose quickly. I’d rather take direct action than get pummeled for being passive…”
It’s better to get hit first than to avoid it, and it’s lighter to confess to a crime than to get caught later.
After all, Dust and Cazerose would have to see each other regularly from now on, leading her to conclude that choosing a quick death would be the better option.
