How I Ended Up Becoming the Imperial Princess While Trying to Pay Off an Illegal Loan - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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025.
“It’s a Jellyfish Monster Core that glows on its own. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Tamia answered with unmistakable pride.
“A Jellyfish Monster? How many of them would you have to hunt to gather this much?”
“One core per jellyfish, so naturally I caught as many as there are jewels on this dress.”
By the look of it alone, there had to be well over a thousand gems. Leon found his jaw hanging open and couldn’t seem to close it.
Tamia pressed on with her explanation, eyes alight.
“I was out hunting monsters with Father when we stumbled upon a colony of Jellyfish Monsters. We stayed there for a week and just went to town on them.”
“Heavens, they’re gemstones money couldn’t buy, truly!”
Hearing the lady’s-maid’s exclamation, Leon realized he’d been worrying needlessly all this time.
With quality like this, he had no concerns whatsoever about the dress Tamia would wear for the procession and the Wedding Reception.
“Come on, we’ll be late. Let’s go!”
Tamia linked her white-gloved arm through Leon’s.
* * *
Empress Malisia lost her composure entirely as the ceremony proceeded.
‘What on earth is this flower?’
The white flowers adorning every side of the Wedding Venue were something Malisia—well-versed as she was in floristry—had never laid eyes on before.
She’d heard the Crown Princess had selected the flowers herself, and had fully intended to find fault with them. Yet no matter how hard she searched for flaws, the flowers were utterly faultless.
‘Just the budget allocated for those flowers alone must exceed three thousand Der…!’
The thought that those funds had passed into Tamia’s hands made her blood boil.
But that wasn’t even the half of it.
‘My recommended vendor’s entire catalogue was rejected, and where in the world did she procure such a magnificent dress?’
The Wedding Dress Tamia wore was so breathtaking that even Malisia, accustomed to the finest luxuries, could scarcely fathom its value.
‘I’ve never worn anything like that in my entire life—but more than that, everyone’s eyes are fixed on Tamia!’
From all corners came voices praising Tamia’s dress.
“Where on earth can one acquire jewels like those? They’re absolutely exquisite!”
“Once the ceremony ends, I must ask the Crown Princess herself. I’d love to dress my own daughter in something so stunning. She’s getting married soon, you know.”
Malisia carefully composed her face and turned her head away, as though she’d heard nothing at all.
Her gaze fell upon the First Prince, Simon, seated nearby. But something about his expression was decidedly peculiar.
Even his own mother, Malisia, had never seen him look this way. Simon was staring at Tamia with an intensity unmatched by anything she’d witnessed before, his eyes clearer and more focused than ever.
His face bore the look of someone utterly entranced.
‘What on earth is he doing like that?!’
If they weren’t in the middle of the ceremony, she would have seized him by the collar and shaken him until his senses returned.
Yet the ceremony pressed forward regardless.
“Will you take Leon Ignatias Valentis as your husband, to honor and love him all your days?”
“Yes!!!”
Tamia’s voice boomed through the venue with such volume that the guests laughed lightly—and Simon’s jaw clenched as he watched her.
‘Has my son finally lost his mind?’
Malisia, who had meant to introduce Simon to Duke Glaceia’s daughter during the Wedding Reception, felt as though her sanity might unravel.
At last the marriage ceremony concluded, and the couple walked down the virgin road enveloped in the blessings and cheers of all present.
It was a scene as beautiful as a painting. And that beauty only worsened Malisia’s mood.
* * *
“…Leon!”
Leon finally came to his senses at the sound of Tamia calling his name.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
Leon had been replaying the wedding procession that had just taken place.
The outfit Tamia wore during the procession was a formal, dignified ceremonial dress—a far cry from the voluminous Wedding Dress, with its refined, understated elegance.
It resembled the training clothes she wore most days, yet elevated with unmistakable grace and sophistication.
Rather than shyly waving her hand, Tamia had boldly raised a Ceremonial Sword and displayed it to the crowd. The spectators responded with roaring cheers.
Leon quickly abandoned his reverie and met Tamia’s eyes before answering.
“No, it was nothing much.”
“We should head out for the dance now.”
Tamia, dressed in a Mermaid Dress of black with hints of violet, extended her hand toward Leon.
Leon gazed at her seductive beauty for a moment, mesmerized, before quickly collecting himself and taking her hand.
“Leon, you seem odd today. Your mind keeps wandering elsewhere.”
“There were so many ceremony procedures. I needed a moment to rest.”
“Ah, is that so.”
Tamia smiled brightly and accepted his explanation, then her expression suddenly clouded.
“Will it be alright if I do as you taught me?”
“You don’t want to?”
“Well, I don’t mind, but…….”
“Don’t worry. This is our wedding, and if the bride wants to do something at her own wedding, what’s the problem?”
“That’s a fair point.”
The moment Tamia’s clouded expression brightened again, the master of ceremonies overseeing the wedding reception hurried the couple along.
“Our bride and groom, please do come to the stage now.”
Tamia turned to Leon and nodded with determined resolve written across her face.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Go show them what you’ve got.”
As Tamia stepped slowly toward the center of the stage, the master of ceremonies and the guests exchanged bewildered glances.
“Your Highness the Prince doesn’t wish to appear?”
“I’ll come out in a moment.”
Leon gave the master of ceremonies a casual shrug, then hurled the Ceremonial Sword at his belt—scabbard and all—toward Tamia.
He then issued an order to the orchestra.
“Play the Tarantella. Make the tempo slightly faster than the original.”
The music began at once, and Tamia, drawing the blade and gripping it in her hand, commenced a quiet, controlled dance.
“What on earth……?”
“This is supposed to be the moment when bride and groom dance together……?”
The murmuring of the crowd was soon drowned out by the brilliance of Tamia’s movements.
The sword carved through the air in elaborate arcs, while her footwork remained so restrained and subdued it was almost imperceptible.
The guests found themselves captivated by her dance. With each acceleration of the music, Tamia’s movements quickened in turn.
Just as her blade seemed to ascend to the heights of pure artistry, the music reached its end.
“……Wow!!”
“Your Highness the Princess, that was absolutely magnificent!”
Applause erupted from all corners of the hall.
Tamia bowed lightly to them, then spoke.
“I prepared this song because I thought Her Majesty the Empress would enjoy it. Isn’t it true that Her Majesty danced to this very song when she met His Majesty the Emperor?”
Malisia’s expression darkened in an instant. Yet Tamia pressed on undeterred.
“This time I’ll dance with Leon—I mean, His Highness the Prince. After all, it is our wedding day.”
Leon stepped onto the stage, and now a gentle Waltz began to flow.
With Tamia and Leon dancing at the center, the other guests rose and joined them on stage, surrendering themselves to the rhythm of the Waltz.
The atmosphere had become impossibly tender. Even the Emperor himself watched with a chuckling laugh.
Only Malisia, the Empress, trembled with barely contained fury, her eyes boring holes into Tamia.
‘Has she truly dared to make a fool of me even here, in this public place?’
She longed to leap onto the stage and strike Tamia across the face, but all Malisia could do was clench her teeth and endure.
* * *
The dancing had ended.
As applause thundered from every side, Leon rose and clasped Tamia’s hand firmly.
The noble ladies gazed at them with envy, their faces flushed.
“What a perfectly matched pair they are.”
“I wish our sons had found wives like that. They could stretch their legs without worry every night.”
Among those whose faces had flushed was one more—the First Prince, Simon.
He squirmed in his seat, unable to sit still, then abruptly leapt up and approached Tamia.
“……Who are you?”
Tamia, seeing Simon for the first time, asked the question. His gaunt face brightened as he extended his hand toward her.
“I’m S-Simon, the First Prince, Valentine. I’m Leon’s b-brother. Family, so to sp-speak.”
He was a reclusive sort who rarely ventured beyond the palace, so Tamia had not known his face until now.
“W-would you d-dance one dance with m-me?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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