Chapter 3

Julius's friends were still laughing, blissfully ignorant. "I think she came from the palace. Come to think of it, isn't she supposed to choose her consort today?"

"Congratulations, Julius. You're going to become the prince consort of Stuyvania in a few days. Don't forget us after you get rich."

Triumphant, Julius looked at me and said, "By the way, since Wendy is my sister and is scared of living by herself, she needs to move into the princess's residence with me.

"She has a weak constitution, so summon the doctor to examine her every day. Her meals must also be meticulously prepared. Do you understand?"

He called Wendy his sister, but she was only a fellow cervitaur. With the excuse that he had to look after his kind, he accepted her into his family.

Wendy hid behind him and said timidly, "Your Highness, you must think that a lowborn like me has no right to enter a place like the princess's residence.

"Julius only wants me to stay with him because he's worried about my health. Please don't be angry with him."

Seeing how pitiful she looked, Julius's heart ached.

Glaring at me, he said to Wendy, "You don't have to explain yourself. If she can't accept my sister, then she's just an unreasonable, arrogant tyrant. I won't marry someone like that even if it means going against the royal decree."

It was ridiculous.

I said calmly, "Don't worry, Mr. Lockewood. You weren't chosen to be the prince consort, so you don't have to compromise by moving into my residence."

Hearing that, Julius snorted. "You're lying again. Who else could the prince consort be? I'm the only person on your mind. You probably haven't even met the other three candidates."

Talking to him was a waste of energy. The royal decree would be issued in three days anyway. I didn't feel like explaining, so I turned around and left.

Suddenly, Wendy swayed to the side and fell to the ground in front of me like I had pushed her. Before I could even process what had just happened, she started crying.

"Your Highness, just tell me if you hate me. I would've made sure to stay away from you. Why did you have to hurt me?"

She always used this tactic. Ever since she showed up a year ago, she had been framing me like this, making it seem as though I hated her. Julius believed her every time, so his attitude toward me kept getting worse.

As expected, Julius's face darkened at that moment.

He quickly helped her up and asked, "Are you hurt?"

Seeing a cut on Wendy's palm, he turned to me and yelled, "I was the one who wanted Wendy to stay with me! Come at me if you have a problem with that! Why did you have to take it out on her? Don't you know that she has a weak body?"

I slapped him without hesitation.

Julius was stunned. Even Wendy stopped crying. After all, I had always obeyed him. I had never raised my voice at him, much less raised my hand at him.

Adjusting my clothes, I asked, "Who are you to yell at me in public?"

Humiliated in front of so many people, Julius turned ashen. He gnashed his teeth.

"Fine. If you're going to treat me like this, then don't you dare look for me again."

He grabbed Wendy's hand and left, pale-faced. His friends who were left behind exchanged dubious glances.

They had always taken advantage of Julius's protection to yell at me. Now, they were also dumbfounded. I ignored them and returned to my residence.

I summoned my guards and attendants and said coldly, "These people disrespected me in public. Arrest them and punish them accordingly.

"I was the one who gifted Julius the house where he and Wendy live. I also gave him priceless jewels and supplied Wendy with the medicine she takes every day. Since he doesn't need them, take it all back."

…

Even though he was the one who told me not to look for him again, Julius stormed into my residence angrily that night.

In the past, he never needed an official notice to enter. This time, however, he was stopped at the door. He was furious.

"Do you know who I am? How dare you stop me! You're all dead once I move into the princess's residence!"

However, no matter how he scolded them, the attendants remained firm. He was stopped outside my residence for two days straight. He couldn't even see my silhouette.

On the third day, Father summoned me and the four beastmen to the royal palace to receive the royal decree. On the way to the royal palace, my carriage was stopped.