The Empire’s Princess (2)

The hem of the white wedding dress brushed against the marble floor, making a sound. Beneath the massive golden chandelier symbolizing the Empire’s glory, Iris stood.

Her red hair cascaded over the pure white dress. Like red blood flowing over white snow.

“Iris, this is a joke, right?”

My voice trembled. Even knowing, I wanted to brush it off as a joke.

“When have I ever joked?”

A smile graced her lips. The cold smile unique to the Leonhardt family. The very smile she wore while eliminating countless adversaries.

“But this… it’s too sudden.”

“Sudden? I’ve been waiting for five years, you know?”

Iris took another step closer. The hem of her wedding dress swept across the marble floor.

“Do you know how much I’ve been watching you all this time?”

A dangerous glint flashed in her crimson eyes.

“From the moment you chose me… I’ve always needed you.”

A chill ran down my spine. Only now did I realize. The obsession hidden within her calculating demeanor.

“Still, this…”

“Don’t even think about objecting.”

Her voice rang out coldly.

“The Empire’s council, the nobles, they’ve all already agreed. The marriage of the Hero and the Princess… it’s the perfect political card.”

Iris tilted her head slightly and continued.

“Want to run away? Then go ahead and try.”

Iris took a step back, as if provoking me.

“But you know it well, don’t you? That they’ll find you.”

That was right. The reality was cold.

“The dragon and the cat, the elf and the Saintess… they’ll come looking for you. Then it’ll be war. An unavoidable war.”

Iris came closer and closer. Now she was close enough that I could feel her breath.

“But you don’t want that, do you?”

Iris’s fingers brushed my cheek. Her uniquely alluring gesture. Her red lips flashed dangerously.

“Now, if you understand, shall we start with the vow kiss, even though it’s not in the order of the ceremony?”

Iris smiled. But that smile contained a dangerous resolve that would not allow any refusal.

Behind me were the Imperial Guards, and in front of me was Iris. Nobles filled both sides.

Now I understand. It was an elegant prison prepared to confine me.

“Why are you doing this, Iris?”

“I said I’d help you, didn’t I? I prepared the most perfect solution for you.”

Iris grabbed my arm. Strength entered her grip, visible through the sleeves of her white wedding dress.

“Think about it. If you marry the Empire’s Princess… even the Elf Queen or the Saintess won’t dare covet you. Any crazy love will have to stop before the Empire’s authority.”

For a moment, her smile deepened.

“Even if that sparkly dragon reveals its ambition… the power of the Empire and the Hero will be enough to stop it.”

She paused for a moment, then chuckled.

“Ah, now that I think about it, there was also a cat, wasn’t there? You can keep it as a pet if you want. But you’ll have to put a collar on it.”

“Iris, just a moment.”

I spoke as calmly as possible.

“I appreciate the thought… but marriage is a bit…”

“Why? Don’t you like me?”

Instantly, her gaze sharpened. I quickly continued.

“It’s not that, it’s just that marriage isn’t something you can do so easily…”

“Easily? Heh…”

Iris burst into laughter. But that laughter didn’t sound pleasant at all.

“I’ve been waiting for five years. From the day you saved me… constantly.”

Her hand brushed my cheek.

“How could I not love someone who saved my life so many times?”

Iris’s voice trembled. It was the first time I’d seen her so emotional.

“If you hadn’t been there that day… I would have died on the front lines. Even if I had returned alive…”

Her eyes wavered.

“I would have been sold off in a political marriage to some old noble. That’s the fate of a weak Third Princess.”

‘That’s not true…’

I muttered inwardly. In the original story, Iris was more than capable on her own. Even without me, she would have survived and taken control of the Empire.

“Besides…”

Iris’s fingers brushed my chest.

“You’re also my type. I understand why everyone wants you.”

Iris whispered in my ear.

“If you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have made it this far. So… now it’s my turn to protect you. Forever, I’ll never let you go.”

The cold smile unique to the Leonhardt family flashed once more. The madness hidden within it was slowly revealing itself.

“Wait, Iris. Think rationally.”

Emotions wouldn’t persuade her. To deal with her calculating nature, I had to appeal to her self-interest.

“You’re about to become the Emperor. But I’m… just an otherworlder. With no family, no lineage…”

“What does that matter? I just need you, just you. If only you’re by my side…”

Her voice trembled. She seemed on the verge of tears.

“Anyone would think you’re a pure maiden. Is that really all there is to it? Family, status, none of that matters? Then, shall we run away together in a love elopement?”

I deliberately maintained a serious tone. For a moment, Iris’s expression subtly changed. A fleeting moment of displeasure. And then, a cold smile spread across her face.

“Heh… I can’t beat you.”

The Leonhardt family’s unique cynicism returned. The tears that had been flowing just moments ago disappeared as if they were an illusion.

“An otherworlder? With no family, no lineage? That’s what makes it even better.”

The surrounding nobles didn’t even make a sound, all eavesdropping on our conversation as if they were spectators.

“Don’t you know that the single title of ‘Hero’ can overwhelm all the families and titles in the world? A hero chosen by God.”

Those proud nobles are being so docile, Iris must be scary. Well, it’s not like there aren’t one or two nobles who’ve disappeared as dew at the execution ground.

“Besides, there’s nothing better politically. The hero who saved humanity from the Demon King’s threat stands by the Emperor’s side? What could be a more perfect legitimacy than that. Isn’t it perfect?”

The cold smile unique to the Leonhardt family deepened even further.

“The fact that you don’t have a family… is actually a better condition.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It means there’s no force to oppose my power. As the Empire’s history proves, in-laws have always been a troublesome existence.”

Well, if you take away power from Iris, then she’s no longer Iris.

“The lineage problem is simple. I’ll bestow an imperial territory and grant you a title. I can make all the nobles bow before you.”

Her crimson eyes shone sharply.

“More than anything… I can keep the Goddess Order in check.”

“The Order? Why?”

“You should know best, shouldn’t you? The influence the Order showed in the war against the Demon King. Now they’re demanding more and more. They’re even trying to interfere in the Empire’s internal affairs. In the name of the Pope, in the name of the Saintess… in the name of the Goddess.”

A chill settled in her voice.

“But if the Hero chosen by the Goddess is by my side? I’ll have a legitimate reason to reject their unfair demands.”

I was momentarily speechless. Her cold calculation was too perfect. Her logic was ruthless, and her calculations were flawless.

“So… do you understand now?”

Iris walked towards me again. I could feel the dangerous aura hidden within her elegant gait.

“This is an ideal choice for both of us. You can escape from your party members’ obsessions, and I…”

A smile of victory appeared on her lips.

“Can complete the Empire’s future.”

This is… a battle I can’t win with words. Her logic was too perfect. Each and every point became a sharp blade, tearing my rebuttals to shreds.

It was always like this in battles and in politics. Her calculations never allowed for even a single error.

“You might feel disappointed, but even after we’re married, I don’t intend to involve you in state affairs.”

Iris said with a soft smile. It was a smile as if her victory was already confirmed.

“Because the background of ‘Hero’… is too dangerous.”

She continued in a voice as affectionate as if she were talking to a lover.

“Everyone praises you now, but after you defeat the Demon King… your fame will soar even higher. Enough to replace the Emperor at any time. Of course, I know you wouldn’t do that. But as a ruler… that’s too great a risk.”

An alluring smile graced her lips.

“Instead, as compensation… I’ll definitely yield to you at night.”

Iris took another step closer. Her voice whispered sweetly.

“You can freely… roughly trample on me, Iris, the noble daughter of the Leonhardt family, soon to ascend to the position above all people.”

In the silence, my mind raced.

Let’s check the inventory. The Holy Sword ‘Dawn’ and… I also have a few legendary artifacts… hidden away. I was preparing for the final battle with the Demon King, so of course I brought all the best equipment.

‘With this much… wouldn’t I be able to break free with force?’

But for a moment, I looked around and despaired.

The Imperial Guards’ armor gleamed faintly throughout the hall. Magic power flickered at the tips of the court mages’ staffs. The maid knights, the Princess’s personal guard, concealed deadly killing intent beneath their elegant maid uniforms.

“Now, you don’t have anything else to say, do you?”

Iris’s smile shone coldly.

Without giving me a chance to answer, the Archbishop of the Imperial Capital Diocese walked forward to the altar.

His shiny bald head reflected the chandelier’s light. The pure white vestments, the symbol of the Goddess Order, swept the floor.

“In the name of the Goddess, I bless this sacred union…”

Suddenly, a question arose. According to what Iris said earlier, the Order should be opposing this marriage. If the Hero becomes the Emperor’s consort, the Order’s influence will plummet.

‘Just how much did they get paid off…’

“If there is anyone who opposes this union, speak now. Or else…”

The Archbishop’s voice echoed through the hall.

“Accept the Goddess’s will in silence, forever.”

A moment of silence flowed. It was as if everyone’s breathing had stopped.

Kwaang─!

Suddenly, the front door burst open as if exploding. Sacred light poured in like a waterfall. White feathers fluttered, embroidering the air.

“I object.”

A familiar voice rang out. Seraphin’s violet eyes shone more clearly than the lights.

“This is definitely not the Goddess’s will.”

“An uninvited guest, I see.”

Iris’s smile grew colder. Her crimson eyes flashed dangerously.

The two women’s gazes met in the air. It was a moment when sacred light and imperial dignity collided.

Hidden within that cold killing intent was… a burning obsession towards me.

In Seraphin’s violet eyes, there was pure faith and mad love, and in Iris’s crimson eyes, there was cold calculation and tenacious obsession.

Between their intersecting gazes, I could only remain silent.