NOVEL WEB chapter 236
14. Thoughts
“Celicia, can you let me down now?”
After being carried for two blocks by Celicia, Mu En finally couldn’t hold back any longer, his face serious.
Although being held like this allowed him to feel the soft little hand on the back of his neck, which was quite pleasant, as the son of a duke, this position was still a great insult to his reputation.
Even if Celicia, you are a princess, you shouldn’t humiliate me like this…
“What’s wrong? Do you have an opinion?”
Celicia lowered her head, her cold gaze glancing at Mu En.
“No, none at all.”
Mu En showed a sincere and calm smile, “How could I have an opinion? My legs are a bit weak right now; having someone to help me walk is actually quite welcome.”
“Is that so? Then are your legs still weak now?”
Celicia glanced down, her expression somewhat meaningful.
“No, not weak anymore!”
Mu En instinctively jolted, immediately breaking free from Celicia’s small hand and bouncing a few steps in place.
“I feel strong all over, full of energy! I could run up ten flights of stairs without getting winded!”
“Is that so? That’s good.”
Celicia let go of him, “You can walk on your own now.”
After saying that, she continued to stroll leisurely ahead.
Celesia, dressed in a flowing white gown, moved gracefully along the deserted streets of the night, her light footsteps occasionally lifting the hem of her skirt, like a capricious cloud drifting away on a gentle breeze.
So beautiful.
Mu En let out a sigh, just like Anna.
The girl before him was merely walking normally, yet the effortless grace she displayed was enough to make the grand city in the night seem dim by comparison.
Mu En stared at her stunning silhouette for a moment, finally snapping back to reality and quickly catching up.
He adjusted his pace to walk alongside Celesia, stealing glances at the princess’s profile out of the corner of his eye.
Her expression remained unchanged, her exquisite face seemed to be encased in a layer of ice that had frozen for a thousand years.
“Um… are you angry?”
Noticing Celesia’s continued silence, Mu En cautiously asked.
“Angry?”
Celesia finally paused, “Why would I be angry?”
“Because…”
Mu En awkwardly scratched his cheek, “You saw what happened just now?”
“Just now?”
Celesia’s gaze flickered, “Was there anything worth being angry about just now?”
“Uh…”
Mu En was unsure how to respond when he suddenly saw Celesia turn to look at him, a hint of mockery appearing on her beautiful face.
“You don’t think I’m being jealous, do you, my fiancé?”
“How could that be…” Mu En chuckled awkwardly.
“Of course, it couldn’t be.”
Celesia slightly lifted her fair neck, like a proud white swan.
She was Celesia.
She was the princess of this country.
She had her own pride and reserve.
Stealing a man?
Being jealous?
That was absolutely impossible for someone with the name Celesia.
Even if one day she were no longer a princess, even if Mu En Campbell could truly excel enough to capture her attention completely, even if one day he were really swept away by some woman, she would never entertain such thoughts in the slightest.
Absolutely, definitely, impossible!
“I was just reminding you.”
“Hmm?”
“Mu En Campbell, the news of our impending engagement has spread throughout Belrand. I hope you won’t be so reckless as to be seen fooling around with other women in broad daylight, as it would bring shame to the palace.
There are many eyes on you now, watching you and the Campbell family. If those people go before Father and claim you’ve disgraced the royal family, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Oh… is that so?”
Mu En scratched his head awkwardly.
He really hadn’t thought about it that way.
It seemed that once the engagement news broke, the Campbell family had indeed become the focus among the nobility of Belrand.
At such a time, it was wise to be a bit more cautious.
But…
Broad daylight was out of the question; sneaking around should be fine, right?
Mu En stroked his chin… suddenly feeling excited.
It felt like this would be even more thrilling.
……
“By the way, Celicia, are you okay with this?”
“…What?”
“This engagement.”
After a brief moment of excitement, Mu En regained his seriousness, starting to think from Celicia’s perspective.
“I remember you didn’t like this engagement.”
Mu En stared into Celicia’s eyes, his expression grave as he said:
“If it’s just an engagement, there’s still room for you to back out. But once the engagement ceremony is completed, you’ll be tied to the name Campbell for life.”
The engagement ceremony is both a ritual and a contract.
In the Empire, this ceremony holds a sacred significance.
Once it’s done, people will no longer see her merely as Her Highness the Princess; they will also see her as the future Duchess.
“So, you’re… thinking of me?”
Seemingly taken aback by Mu En’s words, Celicia turned her head, a half-smile on her lips.
“Of course.”
Without shying away from Celicia’s gaze, Mu En replied earnestly.
“I want to hear your true thoughts.”
In the original story, Celicia was not the type to be bound by an engagement or a so-called identity; otherwise, she wouldn’t have captivated Mu En so deeply.
She had always projected an indifference towards this engagement… because she truly didn’t care.
—
If she didn’t like this fiancé, she would rather stab the original owner to death with a sword than marry him.
So when Celicia suddenly appeared in this manner and said such words, it left Mu En utterly astonished.
“Ha.”
Celicia suddenly let out a light laugh.
“To hear such words from you, who has done something so outrageous to me, should I find it amusing, or should I feel touched?”
“Pfft…”
Mu En never expected Celicia would suddenly bring up the past; he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, his face falling as he said:
“I said it was just an accident, do you believe me?”
Celicia remained noncommittal, but then changed the subject, saying: “Just as you think, if I didn’t like you, I would rather stab you to death than marry you.”
“But.”
“But?”
“But I am, after all, a princess of this country.”
Celicia suddenly turned her head, gazing at the city shrouded in deep night, yet still magnificent.
She was born here, grew up here, shouldering the expectations of many, and thus had to bear the corresponding responsibilities.
The title of princess brought her not only resources and status.
But also responsibility.
“I wouldn’t willingly become a mere tool, but if I could find a balance between my personal likes and dislikes and the interests of this country, I think I wouldn’t refuse.
After all…”
Celicia turned back, her silver hair dancing in the gentle breeze, her still-cold gaze deeply meeting Mu En’s eyes,
“Right now, you’re not so unbearable, are you?”