Chapter 108

“…Pardon?”

Startled, I blinked rapidly.

For a moment, I wondered if I’d misheard her and even retraced my memory from a few seconds ago.

‘W-what did she just say? A forced imprint?’

There was something deeply ominous about those four syllables.

A forced imprint…? Something like that exists?

“As you know, a half-dragon’s imprint can only be completed when the other party calls their true name.”

“Yes… that’s what I’ve heard as well.”

The Crown Princess set down her teacup, a faintly cynical smile touching her lips.

“It’s the same now, but a hundred years ago, there were many who wished to become a member of the imperial family’s partner. So they would secretly speak the imperial’s name aloud. From daughters of ducal houses to errand girls running through the marketplace… everyone….”

“…….”

“But I wasn’t one of them.”

Her voice was cold. Somber.

Confused, I listened in silence.

“There was someone who had promised me eternity. He was my childhood friend—and my lover. But he was a poor knight. We could never be together.”

Her gaze drifted far away, as though she were staring into the past.

“…At least, that was how it was until I turned twenty-seven. I held out without marrying, even went on hunger strikes when necessary, and in the end my parents surrendered. The following spring, they gave us permission to wed.”

“…….”

“The problem arose that autumn. Aside from my debut at fourteen, I had never attended the capital’s social circles—I was too busy defying my parents. And during my debut… Glan—the Crown Prince—was absent, so we never crossed paths.”

Glan was the nickname for the Crown Prince’s true name, Gladiolus.

Gladiolus—its flower language meant passion and victory. But it also carried another meaning: warning, danger.

“As you likely know, I was the second daughter of the Ernel Marquisate in the East. Like most territories in the Grastea Empire, my hometown had its contaminated zones, but the northern forest—our pride—remained pristine and untouched.”

“…….”

“In October of that year, the Emperor and the Crown Prince visited our estate. They came to attend a hunting banquet held in the northern forest during the harvest festival.”

The Crown Princess met my eyes and smiled softly, her gaze narrowing just a little.

As if asking whether I could guess what had happened to her that autumn, a century ago.

“Glan was always considerate and courteous toward me. His manner was so restrained that I never once imagined he harbored feelings for me. Besides, we were seven years apart. I was seven years his senior.”

“…….”

“That’s why I let my guard down.”

A flicker of anger passed through her blue eyes before fading just as quickly.

Like the last ember buried in ash.

“On the final day of the hunting banquet, Glan came to see me. He cast a confusion spell on me, and in that clouded state, I spoke his true name. …You can more or less guess what happened after that, can’t you?”

I clenched the hem of my dress and swallowed hard.

The truth was suffocating. I hadn’t expected to hear something like this. And I couldn’t help wondering why she had sought me out just to tell me.

Delphinia took another sip of her cooling tea. Hibiscus.

Now that I thought about it… at the banquet as well, she hadn’t touched wine or champagne. Not even coffee or black tea.

“Half-dragons are self-centered. I don’t know how well you understand the Second Prince, but I want you to know that life as his partner won’t be smooth.”

“…….”

“You must be quite startled, hearing this so suddenly. But from the moment I saw you, I felt I had to tell you.”

When she let the gloom lift just a little and offered a gentle smile, a faint vitality returned to her face.

‘…I can’t be sure, but is she telling me this out of concern?’

If she believed I was in the same situation she had been, perhaps she pitied me out of shared sorrow.

Fortunately, I was not in the same position.

I opened my mouth and spoke quietly.

“I… wasn’t forcibly imprinted by Lycian against my will. At first, I was very confused. Frightened. But now, I’m trying to accept it. That I’ll have to live much longer than others. That such a life might be lonely. …Even so, it’s alright. I want to stay by Lycian’s side.”

When I finished, I drew in a deep breath.

Then I met the Crown Princess’s eyes and smiled brightly.

“…….”

She studied me in silence, then a faint smile curved her lips.

“I’m glad to hear it wasn’t a forced imprint.”

“Yes….”

“I had to ask. Just in case. There was no sign of unhappiness on your face—but perhaps you’re simply too kind to show it.”

Turning her head with the slow grace of flowing water, Delphinia gazed out the window into the deepening dark.

“Kind people accept injustice without protest. I wondered if you were one of them… but it seems I was mistaken.”

She rose elegantly to her feet, a small smile lingering.

“I would enjoy speaking longer, but it’s late. I should return. …If you ever find yourself in need of my help, you may come to me at any time.”

“I will. Thank you truly for your concern, Your Highness.”

She gave me a nod.

And just as she passed the sofa, heading for the door—

Bang!

Without warning, the door flew open and an uninvited guest rushed inside.

It was none other than the Crown Prince.

“Delphin….”

His voice was rough as he called for his wife.

Delphinia regarded him in silence, her expression indifferent.

“…You had me worried. You disappeared without a word.”

Come to think of it, the Crown Princess hadn’t brought her maids with her.

Realizing that belatedly, my eyes widened.

‘Don’t tell me she slipped away from them and came here alone?’

“Let’s go back, Delphin. …And Muriel, forgive us for disturbing you so late. Please convey my apologies to Lycian as well.”

The Crown Prince spoke as he carefully wrapped an arm around Delphinia’s shoulders.

I forced an awkward smile and answered politely.

“It’s quite alright. It’s late—you must be tired. Please, return safely.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Then, we’ll take our leave….”

I watched their retreating figures.

The Crown Prince handled Delphinia as though she were a fragile glass ornament.

‘One of them looks as if he truly loves the other… but the other….’

Hatred…? No, something more complicated.

When she called him “Glan,” the emotion in Delphinia’s voice hadn’t been hatred alone.

‘They’ve spent a hundred years together. There must be something between them that an outsider could never grasp.’

As the maids guided me toward my bedroom, my thoughts remained tangled.

‘The Emperor said that to the descendants of dragons, their partner is as precious as a bond from a previous life….’

But if the partner did not fully love the dragon’s descendant in return… wouldn’t that be a terrible tragedy?

For the dragon’s descendant, and for their companion alike.

‘Still….’

Before I knew it, we had arrived at my bedroom.

“…Marian, Chelsea. Isn’t this supposed to be my bedroom?”

“W-Well, it is, but….”

On the bed—strewn lavishly with rose petals—lay a platinum-colored fox, a red ribbon tied around its neck, posed in a seductive sprawl.

I stared at it, dumbfounded.

What kind of situation is this now?

“Whine—”

The fox gave a pitiful little sound, tail swishing as if urging me to come closer.

Shaking my head, I dismissed the two maids and approached the bed.

The fox’s eyes sparkled. As soon as I neared, it flipped onto its back, baring its belly.

“Why are you a fox again? Are you enjoying pretending to be cute?”

I sat beside it and asked. The fox abruptly sprang up and tapped at something with its paw.

It was a single card, made of cream-colored paper.

I picked it up and unfolded it.

[I’ve been cursed by a wicked witch!

Only true love’s kiss can break the spell🖤]

“…….”

As I lowered the card with an incredulous look, the fox poked its long snout forward.