Chapter 7

Melody, bracing against the pain, snapped her eyes open at the sound of Caisar’s baritone voice. She only then realized that she had been trembling with her eyes squeezed shut. Taking a shallow breath, she looked up to find his sky-blue eyes locked onto her.

If someone seemed to be in discomfort, the usual response would be to ask if they were okay or to suggest calling a doctor. But Caisar sat motionless, examining her as if trying to figure out exactly where and why she was in pain.

Melody gently smiled, feigning ignorance of his scrutiny. “I’ve been a bit under the weather lately,” she said.

“You’re still not feeling well?”

“It’s just a bit of a cold.”

“Have you visited the Northern Gate any time within the past few days?” He seemed convinced that she was the culprit.

She shook her head with a smile. “No, I haven’t.”

“Have you had any intruders here?”

“No... Is there something I ought to be aware of?”

Caisar fell silent, his gaze fixed steadily on Melody. Such scrutiny was undoubtedly improper behavior. Any typical noblewoman would have become flustered or burst into tears, but Melody was far from typical.

What are you going to do? Strip me down to check for marks? she thought in annoyance.

She dropped her smile and looked straight back at the captain. Her eyes seemed to contain every shade of blue in the world. Caisar was unable to glean anything from such a layered and intense color.

A cool, almost freezing tension hung in the air between them.

Eventually, the captain stood up and bowed politely. “I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused. Thank you for entertaining me despite your condition.”

“Take care. See you around,” she replied.

He left immediately. Once he had gone, Melody sat up straight and touched her back gently.

Ugh, even with my crazy resilience, it might take a few more days to heal... Robel Luci, you bastard. She ground her teeth.

Claire, who had been waiting outside the door, finally entered the room. She rushed over to Melody, surprised to see her in pain.

“I was going to tell you to rethink your decision, but you were already on your way to the reception gallery!”

“I thought I’d be fine.”

“You have no idea how severe your injury was,” Claire scolded. “A normal person would have died. Are you able to stand?”

She carefully helped Melody up. The princess took several cautious steps forward, one foot at a time.

“So, how was your private meeting with your future husband?” Claire teased.

“A disaster.”

“Huh?”

“He seems convinced that I was the intruder. It’s over, Claire. How am I supposed to marry him now? When I looked at him earlier, he was so frigid that I thought he had turned into a statue. I’m in big trouble.”

Claire looked at Melody with a troubled expression.

“I suppose I’ll have to seduce him, whatever it takes,” the princess declared with fire in her voice.

“You might try to look more flirtatious when you say that, Your Highness. You look like you want to fight him.”

Melody sighed. “Why is everything so quiet around here? I thought the entire palace would be in a state of panic. Has Caisar been keeping things hush-hush because he’s suspicious of me? That makes things even weirder.”

Rather than answering, Claire smiled and began to gently apply ointment to Melody’s wound. She continued to ramble. “It’s all very strange. Plus, the grand chamberlain keeps coming around. Yesterday, he even came to look at my face in person. He could have sent someone.”

Melody narrowed her eyes and murmured, “Father doesn’t know I’m an Oddity, nor does he know about my trips outside the palace... Or does he? He couldn’t possibly, right? Claire, say something.”

“I’m not sure,” Claire responded. She meticulously applied the ointment and then little by little transferred her Oddness to Melody’s wound. Healing the outer flesh was easy, but mending the torn muscle and blood vessels inside was no simple task. “It’s a miracle the bone wasn’t damaged. If it had been, recovery would have taken much longer.”

Claire rearranged Melody’s dress. The princess thanked her.

“It’s better for us if things remain quiet, Your Highness. Don’t fret too much and just lie low for a while,” the maid gently urged.

“I will,” Melody promised.

“We have no other choice. Here, the grand chamberlain left this decree for you earlier.” Claire passed her a folded letter.

“A decree?” The princess quickly unfolded the paper.

Claire grinned. “You’ve been ordered to stay in seclusion for a while. You are to rest up.”

As ordered by the emperor’s decree, Melody spent the next two weeks in seclusion.

Despite handing down such a heavy-handed order, the emperor generously sent her a variety of her favorite meals and desserts. She enjoyed the delicacies as she relaxed in her comfortable confinement.

During her seclusion, the emperor officially announced that a royal marriage had been arranged. As expected, Rose Corbella was to marry into the Izen Empire.

The envoy from Izen wanted to take Rose away as soon as possible. According to the traditions of both nations, the wedding was to be held in the groom’s country. This meant Rose would soon be leaving. Empress Matilda had decided to accompany her in the procession.

With the issue of the royal marriage settled, Rose’s departure date was quickly set as well. The emperor hastened to carry out the process.

* * *

Time passed by peacefully without any further incident. It was now just two days before Rose would leave for Izen.

Melody’s wound had fully healed, but as expected, she was left with a scar. The scar was not only raised and bumpy, but it was also numb to the touch.

“The more I think about it, the angrier I get. It’s all your fault, Robel Luci,” Melody muttered.

During her seclusion, she hadn’t once stepped outside her residence. Caisar hadn’t come to see her again either. Yet she still couldn’t shake off a lingering sense of unease.

“Will you wear a dress today, Your Highness?” a maid asked her.

“Yes, I ought to. Didn’t you see the letter from my father? He even sent a dress along with it. He must think I don’t own anything decent... He worries far too much about me.”

Melody had received a dress and accessories from the emperor that morning, just as she had said. Considering all the pains he’d taken, she had no choice but to wear them.

The dress was a long-sleeved gown, made of deep navy silk and without any ostentatious decoration. The luxurious fabric exuded elegance. It was simply gorgeous.

“It’s time to put it on,” another maid said enthusiastically.

The maids clustered around Melody and chattered away, excitement sparkling in their eyes.

“It’s been so long since you’ve worn a dress like this, Your Highness! You look breathtaking when you dress up nicely.”

“Since the dress has a fitted silhouette, how about we sweep your hair back elegantly? It would really bring out your features.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea. And the jewelry His Majesty sent is all made of pearls. Clean, classic, charismatic! I like the sound of that, Your Highness.”

The maids swarmed around Melody and sprang into action, fueled by their enthusiasm.

Melody couldn’t help but chuckle at their adorable efforts. “Do whatever you like.” I don’t have to act out today. I’ll behave myself so I can leave as soon as possible. Just like you told me to do, Father.

His letter to her that morning had read:
—Melody, come wearing the dress I have sent you.

Right. What a long, heartfelt message... He’s got a way with words. She snorted internally. He was probably up all night fretting that I’d make a scene at the banquet and embarrass him in front of all those foreign dignitaries. I better just lay low and play nice today.

Corbella Hall was opened up for the grand banquet and the delegation from the Izen Empire was given a tour of the famed “Golden Palace.” The empire’s royal chefs had all turned out to show off their skills, and the court officials of the royal residence were busily inspecting the banquet hall.

Melody aimed to arrive at the banquet hall neither too late nor too early. She would enter at a time when she wouldn’t draw too much attention, quietly enjoy the food, and then sneak out.

As she expected, the banquet hall wasn’t crowded when she showed up. At such events, the guest of honor could usually be expected to arrive late—and to prevent being the guest of honor at this occasion, Melody had put in a solid three years of effort. Rose is the center of attention today, of course.

As she entered the banquet hall, the servant at the door scrutinized her face. He hesitated, not recognizing her at first. Then his eyes widened and began darting around. He even tilted his head in confusion.

Melody fully understood his bewilderment. She generously introduced herself.

“It’s me, Melody Corbella.”

“Melody Cor... What!?”

“Shh! Keep it down. I won’t be here too long and I don’t want people to notice me.”

The servant stood with his mouth agape as he watched her slink away. His shock spread to the nobles enjoying the banquet as well.

“Who in the heavens is that?”

“Who is she?”

“Isn’t that Princess Melody...?”

Aside from a few whispers, the rest of the crowd was shocked into silence.

Confusion continued to spread as more eyes turned toward her. The sight was hard to believe, but she was unmistakable—Melody Corbella was only woman in the empire with such short hair.

The dress accentuated her slender figure and paired perfectly with her chic bobbed hair, which perfectly framed the exposed pale nape of her neck. With her delicate figure, she was as elegant as a small deer. She was the picture of beauty and grace: her radiant face, sparkling blue eyes, and softly flushed cheeks perfectly complemented her unadorned dress and neatly arranged hairstyle.

She held a commanding presence in the room that night. She seemed simultaneously cold yet warm, fragile yet strong. These contradictions naturally became one within Melody Corbella.

The nobles were spellbound.

“Is she really the crazy flower of the imperial palace?” a voice whispered.

Melody quietly moved to a corner of the room and picked up a glass of champagne. I can’t get too drunk. I’ll just have one glass of champagne and some desserts, then I’ll make my exit when the moment’s right.

“She even eats elegantly...” another voice murmured, completely losing their composure.

The servants flocked to get a glimpse of the princess. They idly moved objects around, rearranged already perfectly arranged platters, and dusted the seats of chairs, all the while stealing glances at her. Can a person really look so different? they wondered.

“Be careful. You never know what’s going on inside her head,” one servant warned.

Someone had come to their senses enough to speak a word of caution, but the shock of such a beautiful outward appearance was too overwhelming for the words to truly take hold among the whispers in the hall.

The servants and nobles began spreading news of Melody’s new appearance beyond the confines of the banquet hall.

Soon, something unusual occurred. Everyone entering the hall began to seek out Melody Corbella, who remained tucked away in a corner.

“Where’s Princess Melody?”

“That’s her?”

“Unbelievable!”

“Well, her mother was a legendary beauty.”

“That’s true. She can’t compare to her mother.”

“Really? Even looking like that?”

“Think about it. Why would His Majesty bring a mysterious woman into the palace and allow their daughter to be called a princess? Her mother must have been the epitome of beauty itself.”

Those who recalled seeing her mother couldn’t help but nod in agreement.