Chapter 23
Chapter 23
After that, the maid returned with a few other attendants, and with their help, Idina changed into more suitable clothes before leaving the banquet hall room.
The place she headed to next was somewhere she had never set foot in before, despite having visited the imperial palace numerous times.
The Crown Prince’s Palace.
She had been to both the Emperor’s and the Empress’s palaces several times alongside Duke Bride. But this was her first time at the Crown Prince’s residence—because Killian Escass had never once allowed her to meet him.
As she stepped into the grand hall of the Crown Prince’s Palace for the first time in her life, Idina swallowed her awe.
The Imperial Palace was splendid and beautiful, but the Crown Prince’s Palace was no less magnificent. The grand hall, as vast as a banquet hall and filled with natural light in the traditional Escass style, seemed endless no matter how far she walked.
Behind the towering pillars were numerous corridors lined with rooms, as well as staircases and doors leading to the basement, upper floors, backyard, and annex.
The place was like a castle unto itself—it was easy to imagine that Killian Escass could have lived here without ever needing to step outside and still lack nothing.
While Idina was still captivated by the grandeur of the Crown Prince’s Palace, she followed a servant up to a room on the second floor.
The room, too, was far more spacious than anything found in an ordinary noble’s home.
Idina’s eyes widened as she looked at the dresses that filled it.
‘How can there be so many clothes?’
On one side of the room, there were necklaces, earrings, brooches, and other precious accessories, all carefully arranged so she could choose something that matched her dress.
Of course, it would have been impossible to prepare this many dresses and items in just one night. Perhaps they could have been assembled quickly under the royal family’s name, but still—there were clearly over a hundred dresses here.
Even for the most skilled artisans, it would have taken several months to create such a collection.
Could it be that the Crown Prince had another woman?
The thought crept into Idina’s mind before she could stop it, as she took in the scene before her.
Despite being known as a recluse, the Crown Prince was still an alpha—and an alpha inevitably had to face their cycles.
In particular, she had heard that dominant alphas could suffer severe mental damage if they didn’t periodically release their pheromones.
So it wouldn’t be surprising if he had a mistress to match his cycle.
Suddenly, Idina felt a cold chill run through her. The skill he’d shown last night didn’t feel like that of a first-timer.
Of course, Idina wasn’t naive—she understood the reality of such relationships. So she told herself there was no reason to feel disappointed. And yet, a creeping sense of unease began to take root. She couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that Killian Escass might not take what happened last night as seriously as she did.
She had barely escaped from Lilles, only to find herself entangled in yet another strange relationship.
With a bitter taste rising in her throat, Idina silently followed the maid’s guidance and stood in the center of the room.
On the red carpet, embroidered with large flowers, Idina stood in the center, surrounded by the beautiful, intricate design. The maid who had come to fetch her earlier spoke, explaining the situation.
“First of all, His Highness asked that you wear the dress you like the most.”
Idina glanced at the rows of hangers that surrounded her. There were so many dresses, each one more beautiful and different than the last. The colors ranged widely, and the shapes varied.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Idina hesitated. She thought about asking for clarity on the situation, but before she could focus on choosing a dress, a question slipped from her lips.
“Excuse me, did you contact the Bride Family?”
She was eager to know what response, if any, had been made regarding the situation.
That made sense, as Idina had been dragged in unexpectedly. The Duke Bride and her brother must also be unfamiliar with the situation.
They were probably anxious, given that they hadn’t received any news about her yet.
Worried about her family, Idina asked a quiet question. The maid stood straight, her expression stiff as she responded.
“The Bride family has been informed that you’re here. However, since His Highness the Crown Prince has blocked the transmission of any further information, I believe they are unaware of the situation.”
“I see. Then, may I ask you one more question?”
“Go ahead.”
As expected of a royal maid, she stood with perfect posture and spoke with the utmost politeness. That same composed demeanor seemed to extend to the other maids who remained silent.
Idina continued to ask questions, feeling somewhat nervous.
“Then, last night, His Highness the Crown Prince’s first dance partner was me, and I really…”
Idina couldn’t bring herself to say it, so she trailed off. The maid nodded.
“You will become the Crown Princess.”
Yesterday, when her engagement with the Duke of Lilles had been broken off, this development had been completely unexpected. Idina felt a bit embarrassed.
Having thought that no one would propose to her after the engagement ended, she had assumed her future would be void of such offers. For young ladies of noble families, being proposed to under such circumstances was often seen as “shameful.”
Therefore, this turn of events was something Idina couldn’t have imagined. Then, a realization hit her.
‘Ah.’
She looked down at her stomach, suddenly aware of the throbbing pain there. It wasn’t just because it was her first time yesterday.
