It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 46

Episode 46

“You are a princess, Your Highness. For someone of your rank to suffer discomfort, how could I, as your subject, stand by and do nothing?”

Charlize wanted to tell him outright to leave, that Achilles had been caring for her just fine. But instead, she exploded with anger.

“So, you came all the way up this mountain without even asking if I wanted you here?”

“The matter was urgent. I had no choice.”

“Cut it out, Valter! What’s wrong with you? Have you completely lost your mind?”

The moment she dropped the mask of royalty, Valter lifted his head as if he’d been waiting for it.

“Of course I’m worried about you! The Tower Master is dangerous. Have you already forgotten the warning I gave you?”

As he stepped forward, Charlize stood and raised her hand to stop him. She found his behavior absolutely repulsive.

“I haven’t forgotten how you were accused at his investiture ceremony.”

“You seriously believe that nonsense? The Tower Master—he framed me!”

Valter pointed accusingly toward the door, where Achilles was likely waiting. Charlize crossed her arms and glared at him.

“Even if I didn’t believe it, I still don’t understand what you’re doing right now. Is this really all because I’m getting married? Are you suddenly overwhelmed by a friendship that never really meant that much to begin with?”

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—Charlize had never confessed to Valter, nor been rejected. He had always cleverly dodged her attempts, making it seem as if there was nothing to reject.

That’s why she could now speak as if she’d never had feelings for him.

“Friendship…”

Valter’s face twisted with something close to offense, and Charlize found herself disliking him even more. He had once so easily acknowledged his feelings for her in front of the Crown Prince—why couldn’t he say the same now?

It was likely pride. He had always resented the fact that Charlize seemed to have everything. And by the time he realized his feelings, it was already too late.

If only she had looked miserable now—if she had begged him to run away with her—then maybe he could’ve confessed his love without hesitation.

“You mean to tell me… in that short time, you actually started to fall for the Tower Master?”

“You’re unbelievable. You say it like I’m not allowed to. He’s my fiancé. We’re getting closer, step by step. And your bitter sarcasm? It’s so out of line.”

At the very least, Achilles didn’t try to control her. Even when he had intentions, he was honest. He apologized when necessary, and he always prioritized her feelings with genuine care.

“Charlize… I know you must’ve resented me. I was immature… selfish—”

“Stop.”

Charlize frowned and cut him off mid-sentence. Whatever he was about to say, she didn’t want to hear it. It made her skin crawl.

“Don’t. I’m not listening.”

“You have to. You need to hear this.”

As Valter insisted, Charlize was reminded of the time she had once tried to confess—only for him to avoid her every time, always finding some excuse to not be alone with her.

What happened after that? She clung to any kindness he showed her, mistaking it for something more. And so her one-sided feelings dragged on, unresolved.

“I want to go back in time and slap the old me. All that effort—for this guy?”

“No. Shut up.”

Her words came sharp and cold. Valter looked genuinely shocked. After all, Charlize had once tried so hard to be her best self in front of him.

“Did you just… tell me to shut up?”

“Yes. I don’t want to hear it. Whatever you were going to say, don’t bother.”

At her bluntness, Valter’s face flushed again with anger and disbelief.

“This is what you’ve been waiting for. If you don’t hear it now, you’ll regret it.”

“Oh, is that what you think? How arrogant, Duke of Bianchi. Did you seriously imagine I was still pining for you? That I was in love with you?”

Valter’s face went pale. He clearly hadn’t expected her to say it like that. It was the kind of response he could never have imagined from her.

“Charlize… you do love me.”

So, you knew.

It made no sense that Valter was the only one unaware of something that nearly everyone in the fortress—and even nobles in high society—openly gossiped about.

Charlize had always believed that Valter knew, and was simply pretending not to. That maybe he had his reasons for stringing her along.

“So there was a reason… a petty one.”

He liked being the object of a princess’s affections. He liked the idea of one day being treated as royalty through her. He just didn’t want his own life to be limited by it—yet he also didn’t want to give her to someone else.

Charlize had long noticed how Valter would push away every young nobleman who showed interest in her. That had only deepened her hope.

“Your Grace. I’ve never liked you. Did I ever confess my feelings without knowing it myself?”

“You didn’t confess… because I always avoided it!”

Valter’s voice rose in frustration, and Charlize’s blue eyes darkened, filled with cold anger. Valter immediately regretted his words—but it was too late.

“So you avoided my confession because you didn’t want to hear it—because you disliked me that much—and yet, here you are, barging in to ruin the time I’m spending with my fiancé?”

“I… I admit I made a mistake. But Charlize, if you go through with this marriage, I swear you’ll regret it.”

“Valter, you just admitted you’re a selfish bastard. So tell me—do you think I’ll regret marrying someone else? Or do you think I’ll be grateful I dodged the bullet that is you?”

“Charlize!!”

“Duke Bianchi, I believe this is where our friendship ends. And from this moment on, I no longer give you permission to call me by name.”

Valter stepped toward her. He was close now—almost within reach of the sofa set—when the automaton guards near the wall stirred to life.

“You can’t mean that.”

“Oh, but I do. From now on, the law will handle everything. The only reason I ever allowed this informality was because I thought we were friends.”

She had loved Valter, yes. But she had also considered him a friend. They had known each other for many years, shared many moments.

And now she realized just how long her feelings had been insulted and dismissed—how long she’d been mocked without knowing it. While she tried to treat him sincerely, he only ever wanted to use her.

“Duke Bianchi, surely you know I’m not someone who has to beg for your respect.”

It was clear now—he had thought her love meant he could treat her however he liked. That he could demean her, because she’d still stay.

That possibility was now gone. She had no intention of being gracious with him anymore.

“Leave. And when you go, tell my fiancé to come in.”

Valter felt as if he couldn’t breathe. Charlize now looked at him as though he were nothing—less than nothing. Her eyes were colder than any stranger’s.

“You’re not supposed to treat me like this, Charlize!”

“You’ll regret this.”

“Me? Or you? For your own family’s sake, I hope you come to your senses, Your Grace.”

Her voice was sharp, mocking, utterly unforgiving.

“Now go. I’m annoyed enough that I had to ask twice.”

Valter couldn’t believe how arrogant she sounded. At that moment, she reminded him frighteningly of Empress Roxana.

He glared at her, then turned on his heel. The chill radiating from his back as he walked away could have frozen the air—but Charlize merely scoffed.

There was no fear left in her. No worry that he might hate her. All that remained now was contempt. The way he had treated her—just because her love had once been unrequited—was infuriating.

“Yes, I’m a princess. The kind you didn’t want to swallow, but couldn’t quite spit out either.”

If he had avoided confessing because he feared the wrath of the imperial family, she might have understood.

“But now? Now, after making sure I could never speak, after flirting with every other lady right in front of me… now you want to confess?”

Trash. The kind that couldn’t even be recycled or sorted—just thrown away.

She wanted nothing more than to grab the teapot from the table and pour it straight over his head. But Achilles was right outside the door, so she restrained herself.

The moment Valter roughly opened the door, he was met with the sight of Achilles standing right there. Valter scowled in disbelief.

Among nobles, even when waiting outside, it was customary not to stand directly in front of the door—out of respect for privacy and to avoid eavesdropping.

“How dare you—!”

“Hold your tongue. You’re in no position to speak of manners, Duke Bianchi.”

Valter had been on the verge of exploding, but Charlize cut him off coldly before he could even begin.

He turned back, his face red with fury but her icy glare made his brows knit in frustration. Without another word, he stormed out. Achilles didn’t so much as glance at him as he stepped into the room.

“Your Highness… Are you alright?”

There had been shouting. Loud voices. And if he had heard any of it, he’d know that she hadn’t simply stood there and taken it.

“I’m fine.”

Charlize stepped out from in front of the sofa and reached her hand toward Achilles.

The only people she would ever yield to were those she loved.

Anyone else, anyone who used her or tried to control her, she would never allow to win.

Support