Two-Faced Princess

Apollonia sat on the sofa opposite Caelion. His eyes averted her gaze when he slightly turned his face and they looked like gold coins resembling her own. Perhaps because the water was falling from his wet hair, it reminded her of two flames burning in the rain.

“You must have come here to check if I’m fine.” He spoke in a pleading voice. “Sister’s private life——”

“You seem to know what I want to say, seeing that you keep avoiding the subject.” Apollonia’s tone was soft yet firm. Caelion’s eyes widened a little. “No matter who I kiss or hug, it is naturally my choice and I don’t have to tell you anything about it. This point has always been clear between us since five years ago,” said Apollonia. Compared to when she was with Uriel or Adrian a while ago, her face was rather cold. She didn’t blush once even though she said it was a kiss, rather than a hug. On the other hand, Caelion was still slightly avoiding eye contact.

“Look at me, Caelion.” Knowing that he couldn’t resist, Caelion forced himself to face her.

“Sister.”

“I’m rethinking my marriage with you.” There was a few seconds of silence after the confession. Caelion’s pupils shook as if the flames were swaying in the strong winds. In contrast, Apollonia’s attitude was calm. She hadn’t shown a single ecstatic expression in front of him since what had happened five years ago when she rescued Caelion from the fire.

“This isn’t like you, sister.” After a long silence, that was his response. “It was your idea that marriage isn’t anything personal. You only thought about who could put you on the throne.” He went on in a tone as if he found something unfair. “Many powerful aristocrats are supporting me. It wouldn’t be easy for you to absorb all that if you won’t marry me.”

“Cael.”

“Have you lost your thoughts about replacing the Emperor with just one kiss? Did you change your mind, thinking you would be happier by staying as a princess who chose her escort knight out of love? Is that the attitude of a future Empress who’s bare——-”

“I warn you, Cael.” Apollonia’s voice dropped low throughout the study, her expression cold. “Don’t ever try to teach me about the proper attitude of a ruler ever again.” A horrifying stare turned to Caelion. Her golden-colored pupils were as cold as ice as they mirrored his.

Facing this head-on, Caelion momentarily recalled what Apollonia said five years ago when she grabbed him by the shoulder.

“If you want to live, don’t forget about who saved you from this. Your life is mine now and you can’t take it back at any time.”

And another word———-

“Even if everyone thinks you want the throne, never try to covet what doesn’t belong to you.”

He bit his lips and dropped his head.

“I made a mistake.”

Confronting Apollonia was something Caelion couldn’t do. He had never forgotten the fact.

“And I’m not saying that I’m reconsidering our marriage because of my relationship,” Apollonia added in a slightly softer tone. Caelion’s eyes got a little bigger.

“Then——-”

“You can’t even distinguish your personal feelings and marriage.” Caelion shivered, his expression crumpling in agony. Apollonia continued. “I’m not trying to wield your emotions against you for my own benefit. It’s your freedom to do so but you certainly can’t hide it.”

“Sister.”

“Our union is an effective way to seize power but it’s a different story if you want to become my husband and live by my side not just formally. It’s a misfortune for you and anxiety for me. Think about what it means to the Emperor for a consort of imperial blood to reside in the capital.”

“Sister, that dare———”

Caelion tried to make an excuse for something with a puzzled expression, but Apollonia did not listen to him.

“I’ve been thinking about it since the last victory celebration.” There was another silence between the two. Caelion bit his lips and they bled. His clenched fist went white. “Have you ever really worried about me?”

After a long silence, he finally asked, “What do you mean?”

“For the last five years, have you ever, at least once, truly worried about me, while I was under the knife of an assassin, as I struggled after eating the poison I hadn’t escaped while you were wandering through the dead and being pushed to the battlefield, hunting for evil?”

He seemed to be weighing something, but her trembling voice was rather close to a plea.