LOGINClaudia stood stiffly, watching Bruce walk several steps ahead. Only then did he turn back. Under the eerie green light, his eyes looked especially cold, and his tone was flat as he spoke. "Why aren't you moving? Don't you know how to run?"Claudia could not respond. A mouthful of blood nearly caught in her throat.How could someone like Bruce be afraid of fake NPCs? He was clearly doing it on purpose, using it as an excuse to keep his distance.She ground her back teeth, anger rising quickly at the thought of being toyed with. 'Fine, Bruce. You win.'She steadied herself and stopped trying to create that kind of low-level contact. Her gaze swept over a carved wooden door ahead. According to the haunted house map she had received earlier, it led to a puzzle room with a "ghost wedding" theme.A plan formed quickly in her mind.She spoke quietly into her earpiece. "Listen carefully. When we enter the ghost wedding room, lock the door from the outside. Even if we solve the puzzle, i
Then Bruce lifted his wrist and checked the time, his expression indifferent. "Since we can't play and time's almost up, let's head back."With that, he turned and walked toward the amusement park's exit."Wait!" Claudia hurried forward and blocked his path. "What's the rush? The park is huge. It's not as if only the rides that need electricity are fun."Her gaze shifted and landed on an entrance not far away, its façade covered with horror posters. A calculating glint flashed in her eyes as her red lips curved upward."Let's go," she said, pointing. "We'll try the haunted house."Whoever was pulling the strings behind the scenes could, if they had the nerve, cut the power in the haunted house as well.The corridors would be pitch-dark and narrow, with a terrifying atmosphere. When the moment came, she could act frightened, lean into Bruce, tug at him, or even "accidentally" hug him, all of which would feel perfectly natural. This setting would be even more effective than rides a
Claudia bit down on her back teeth, irritation building, yet she kept her smile in place. "It's fine. Safety first. Check carefully and take your time fixing it."She maintained the composure expected of a crown princess, then turned to Bruce with a light tone. "Since we can't ride the Ferris wheel for now, let's try something else. The amusement park is huge. There are plenty of attractions."If she used the time well, she could still enjoy several couples' rides with him."Let's go, Bruce." She pointed toward the winding tracks not far away, where screams echoed through the air. "Let's ride the couples' roller coaster."Bruce withdrew his gaze from the frantic group of maintenance workers, a flicker of curiosity passing through his deep eyes.He said nothing. He stepped forward, shifted direction, and walked toward the roller coaster entrance.Claudia let out a quiet breath of relief and hurried after him.However, history repeated itself. Just as Claudia was about to step int
The Ferris wheel was enclosed, private, and cramped. As it rose, it felt cut off from the world, creating a sense of intimacy and emotional ambiguity, a romantic sanctuary cherished by countless couples.Bruce followed the direction of her finger and looked over. The steel structure, wrapped in colored lights, reflected a cold sheen under the sunlight.Irritation nearly spilled from his eyes, yet he remained rational. His thin lips pressed into a hard, cold line.He said nothing as he stepped forward with long strides and walked toward the Ferris wheel entrance without expression.Claudia watched his back as he moved forward despite his reluctance. A flicker of complicated emotions crossed her eyes, but a stronger desire to conquer quickly overtook it.She quickened her pace and caught up, walking beside him like the most perfectly matched couple.The crowd in line parted automatically to make way for them. Curious, envious, and admiring gazes followed closely behind.However, j
"That is… Her Highness Claudia?!""Oh my God! It really is Her Highness! Greetings, Your Highness!""Your Highness!"Exclamations rose one after another. Those who recognized her stopped in their tracks and bowed in her direction. Their demeanor was deeply respectful, their eyes filled with disbelief and delight.This was their future queen. Someone they had only admired from afar in news reports and official appearances now stood before them, casually present in an amusement park.Claudia had expected this. She removed her sunglasses with practiced elegance, revealing flawless makeup and a perfectly composed smile.She gave the surrounding crowd a light wave, her voice soft and measured. "There is no need for formalities. Today, I am not here as the Crown Princess, but as an ordinary woman, at the amusement park with the man I love, enjoying a simple date. I hope you will not treat me differently. Let us all enjoy ourselves together."She stated her purpose openly. As she spoke
She glanced first at Nestor, who focused on the instruments, then at Isolde's pale face.The assistant looked conflicted and hesitant, as if she wanted to speak but held back.Nestor frowned. "What is it? Don't you see she's in the middle of treatment?"The assistant bit her lip and steeled herself. "Dr. Mills, I'm sorry, but… there's a message. Her Highness instructed that it must be delivered to Ms. Vancrest immediately."Isolde's heart skipped a beat. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to endure the pain in her fingers, and turned her head weakly. "What… is it?"The assistant's gaze flickered with unease as she noticed the fine beads of sweat at Isolde's temple and the faint pallor of her lips.But she could not defy Her Highness' order.She lowered her head and avoided Isolde's gaze. "Her Highness instructed me to tell you that her meeting was temporarily canceled, and now… she is with the Prince, heading to the amusement park downtown."Isolde's pupils constricted shar
Bruce walked over and handed Isolde a cup of hot milk."Feeling sorry for him?" His voice betrayed neither anger nor pleasure, yet it made her teeth ache with tension. "Want me to call him up and offer him a glass of water?"The warmth seeped from her palms straight to her heart, easing the tightn
Was all this accommodation for Isolde worth it?…Back at the Princeton residence, Isolde's former bedroom reeked of stale alcohol. Empty bottles littered the floor, and the room lay in total disarray.Alan slumped on the sofa, gulping down liquor in heavy swallows, drinking as if the world had g
When Isolde's parents saw her return alone, confusion crossed their faces."Isolde, where's your new boyfriend?" Moira asked.A faint, almost imperceptible awkwardness flickered across her expression. She had not expected the carefully staged performance to unravel so abruptly, all because of Jane
"H-How could you… hit my wound?" Alan's voice trembled.Isolde stepped back several paces, widening the distance between them."You don't believe I'm marrying Bruce? Then ask him yourself," she spat coldly.Pain flared in Alan's arm, and blood trickled down the back of his hand. He stared at her,







