Chapter 58: Chapter 8. The Clash of Ice and Flame

Jeremy hurriedly closed the door behind him. The first thing that caught his eye was Selina's silhouette illuminated by the moonlight. The princess stood with her back to him and looked out the window. Her loose silver hair, falling to her waist, shone brightly and looked especially beautiful now.

The guy froze, unable to bring himself to take a step forward. The Duchess, in turn, although she heard the sound of the door opening, did not move an inch. Jeremy could only wonder what would happen next.

This pause dragged on for an incredibly long time.

Finally, a cold voice that seemed to come from far away reached his ears:

— Why are you standing there?

Jeremy inhaled sharply in shock. His eyes were full of uncertainty as he stupidly stared at her silhouette in the moonlight.

— Why?.. What should I do? — he asked nervously.

At that moment, Selina de Loon finally turned to him. Seeing the beautifully shaped features of her face, the baron's son became even more timid. Suddenly, the woman began to slowly step on him, and he was speechless.

— You're looking at me with such fear... You hate me that much, don't you? — she asked.

The ice witch came close to Jeremy and lifted his face, holding his chin. It was the first time she had touched him. And, as Jeremy had expected, that touch was extremely cold.

There was no hint of ordinary human warmth. The theory that this woman was really made of ice didn't seem so far-fetched to Jeremy now.

— Me, me...

Jeremy didn't know what to say, and just stammered impassively. Even though this question was asked directly, he couldn't tell the truth.

The Duchess looked at her husband, seeing the expression on his face as if he was about to faint. Her lips curled, and it was unclear what emotions she was experiencing at that moment.

— Our marriage is already considered valid, even if we don't spend our first night together, — she suddenly said, — You don't have to shake in front of me like that.

— ...

Jeremy's pupils widened at her words. Selina took her hand away and pulled away from him. She announced this with a face showing no emotion:

— According to the rules, after the wedding we have to move into the common rooms. However, that doesn't mean anything. You can live as before, except that sometimes you have to accompany me to social gatherings. The issue of the heir will also be resolved. When the time comes, I'll just put a spell on you and you won't feel anything.

Jeremy was puzzled.

"Won't I feel anything? How is that?"

But before he could clarify it, Selina had already disappeared from his field of vision. The princess sat down on the bed and, apparently, was about to go to bed. Jeremy watched in disbelief.

— There are traditions of my family that I can't do anything about, — she explained dispassionately. — We have to spend the first night together. I'll sleep on the bed, and you'll sleep on the floor.

Jeremy opened and closed his mouth. His face contorted with either relief or joy. Or maybe from all of the above. In any case, he liked this alternative much more than the one he had imagined at first.

— G-good.

Selina went to bed and, apparently, immediately fell asleep. Unlike her, Jeremy couldn't just immerse himself in the realm of Morpheus. The presence of the ice witch in the same room still made him nervous. Finding a blanket in the closet, he found a place next to the bed and lay down on the floor.

Jeremy folded his arms and stared at the night ceiling. Since he couldn't sleep, he kept thinking about the ceremony that had taken place today.

Perhaps it was only now that he realized the reality of what had happened to him. "I really am... got married."

***

Jeremy was in his own dreamland. He dreamed of his past life, which, compared to the current one, could be called carefree. Fun gatherings with friends, a lot of side jobs and quarrels that took place from time to time in his house. It was all covered in a pink haze of nostalgia.

The guy had a dream about one of the most ordinary days. He had breakfast in the kitchen before going to school and watched his mother cook. She was frying his favorite pancakes in the small kitchen. His younger sister tugs on his arm and asks him to help with his homework at school. And the pet Rex is gnawing on a trinket he found and wagging his tail.

It's a feeling of peace and absolute comfort that Jeremy couldn't find anywhere else. If he could, he would stay here forever. But...

At some point, the dream was interrupted. He was woken up by a bird that was chirping next to the window, only to fly away later. Jeremy opened his eyes and slowly began to focus on the room, not immediately realizing where he was. Finally remembering, he exhaled heavily.

"It was just a dream..." — pushing away this thought filled with disappointment, Jeremy rubbed his sleepy eyes.

He sat down on the floor and looked around. As soon as Jeremy remembered that he hadn't actually fallen asleep alone that night, he instinctively tensed and turned his gaze to the bed. It turned out that it had already been made up. And the princess herself was nowhere to be found.

"She's probably already gone..." he thought with relief.

Taking a deep breath, Jeremy stood up, deciding that now was not the time to lie back. Especially on the floor. Looking at his reflection in the large mirror hanging on the wall, he noticed how shabby his appearance was. Red hair lay chaotically on his head. Well, the first thing to do was clean up.

Fortunately, there was a large bathroom right next to this room.

About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door of the room.

— My Lord, it's time for breakfast, — the servant announced from the doorway.

— Oh, yeah... I'm coming.

Jeremy was a little surprised, but he didn't show it. The servants had never asked him for this before, as he and Selina did not eat together and they were served separately. Jeremy was just letting them know when he wanted to eat. Now that they were married, would they really have to have lunch together?

The guy went down to the dining room and saw a sight that somewhat confused him. Three people were seated at a long white marble table in the spacious hall. Jeremy was quite puzzled to see Camille and... her companion here.

He came closer and hesitated before taking his seat.

— I'm sorry, but what's going on here...? — he muttered awkwardly.

— Her Highness the Crown Princess has graced us with her presence, — the Duchess stated dispassionately, — As an expression of our family's appreciation, Her Highness has been invited to breakfast.

Jeremy finally realized what was going on. It seems that this is the reason he was called to the table today. After all, as the consort of a princess, it was his duty to welcome important guests.

— Oh, I see, — he stammered, — I, Jeremy de Loon, greet the Rising sun of this empire.

Jeremy hurried to greet the important guest in accordance with the customs. Kaena, in her arrogant way, did not deign to pay attention to him. But at least there wasn't that sinister look this time. Jeremy was relieved and finally sat down.

The servants began to bring in the dishes, and the meal began leisurely.

Jeremy and Camille exchanged glances at the table, but they didn't dare to start a conversation in the presence of such overwhelming people. In the end, they really had to focus on eating. However, at the same time, a small talk began between the other two present here.

At first, it's pretty neutral.

— I am grateful that you were able to honor this event with your presence, Your Highness.

— It's only natural to be present at such a joyful event, — Kaena replied with a grin, — In turn, I invite you to pay us a return visit when the time is right.

— What is the appropriate time you are talking about?

— You see, Lady de Walt and I are planning to get married in the near future. However, I have some business to settle before that...

As soon as this phrase was heard in the dining room, Camilla choked on the salad she was eating. The shrimp was stuck right in her throat, and the girl's face rapidly turned pale as her spirit threatened to escape from her body.

This feeling intensified when the princess's palm squeezed her under the table.

— I can't wait for it either, — looking at Camilla's reaction, she smiled, — But, unfortunately, I will have to be patient a little. I want everything to be done at the highest level, as you deserve. I need to make some preparations for that.

"What... What kind of preparations?"

When the damn shrimp cut off her oxygen supply, the lady's face began to turn from pale to blue.

— Oh, yes, the Duchess. It would be useful for me to know what political point of view you hold, — the princess said, — Maybe you don't know yet, but I only share the totalitarian monarchy. In turn, your position is not entirely clear to me.

— Your Highness, you probably know that the North has always maintained neutrality in such matters, — Selina replied dryly.

— Mm-hmm... Yes, perhaps, up to a certain point, your isolation was in your favor. But not now, — a sly, unkind light flashed in Kaena's eyes, — In the current realities, staying in the same position is like walking on a tightrope. You know what I mean, right?

An eerie silence reigned in the dining room. The northern Duchess' eyes turned cold at her words.

— Your Highness, do I understand correctly?.. What are you threatening me with now? — The remark came out of her mouth in an eerily calm tone.

The Crown Princess burst into a sinister laugh that froze the blood in almost everyone's veins. Jeremy and Camilla simultaneously hiccupped and looked at each other with pale faces.

When ice and flame collided, this place was about to become a battlefield.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read