I had no idea what Kaduna had done.

“Pardon me, Your Highness, but I need to have a brief conversation with you.”

But the Bride looked stunning.

Even when I couldn’t see her face—even with Kaduna's creepy Souls surrounding us—it was impossible to miss or ignore the graceful air around her. Her wedding dress reflected the light as if it was made of mother-of-pearl, with faint shades of yellow and orange here and there.

Although I could not see her hair with precision, as the shadows and flames hid her entire features and details, it was possible to notice its arrangement. It was as if she was already wearing a crown as if she was already a queen.

[The Bride wishes to know what this matter concerns.]

I opened my mouth, my voice failing for a second. Kaduna’s gaze was so intense, it almost made me dizzy. From the moment I stepped into the Bride’s chambers, she wouldn’t stop smiling. Almost as if she knew what I was trying to do.

I averted my eyes, focusing on the faceless Bride.

“We apprehended a maid who was attempting to poison the wedding cake, and we also found an underground base which we believe belongs to the same group who kidnapped you. As we went through their plans, we concluded this group is targeting both you and our prince.”

[The Bride is nervous.]

[The Bride is trying to conceal her shaking hands.]

“Forgive me, Your Highness, however the situation has become far too dangerous to ignore. We must notify the prince and Our Majesties.”

The Bride stepped forward, grabbing my hands in a desperate gesture.

[The Bride pleads with you.]

[She asks you to share no word about this with the King and Queen.]

[The Bride is afraid.]

I raised my eyebrows. This was getting even more interesting.

“I apologize, Your Highness, yet our prince's safety and yours come first. If we do not know who is behind this, we must get all the support we can get.”

She took a few steps back, looking down.

[The Bride is conflicted.]

Then, Kaduna touched her shoulder lightly, the warmth pouring from her mouth like sunlight as the woman spoke.

“If you believe you possess knowledge that could be of use to us, we will gladly listen.”

The Bride averted her gaze and, for a brief moment, it was almost as if I could see the flames around her burning in shame. Guilt.

[The Bride knows nothing about this.]

[She cannot help you.]

Yet Kaduna did not let her go.

“Your Highness.” The Bride’s gaze met Kaduna’s golden eyes. “We are not only here to protect you and the prince. We are here to protect your happiness. Let us do so.”

[The Bride is shaken by Kaduna’s words.]

[The Bride states the words she will speak shall never leave this room.]

I bowed, placing a hand on top of my heart. “You have my word, Your Highness.”

[The Bride is anxious.]

[The Bride takes a deep breath.]

[She says the one responsible is her future brother-in-law.]

It was difficult to hide my shock.

“The Groom’s younger brother?! Are you sure?”

[The Bride nods.]

There were only a few lines talking about the Bride and Groom’s families, in the report Aida gave me.

The Bride was an only child, yet she had many cousins. The Groom had one brother, who was four years younger than him. Their parents had been friends for many years.

And that was all.

I had no idea where I could find this younger brother, since the schedules shared with the Design Squad only informed the day for the Bride and Groom. As if they were all we should care about.

Yet this was proving to be a lie.

“Do you know where we could find the Groom’s brother?”

Suddenly her stance changed, from something meek and passive to defiance.

Anger, almost.

[The Bride forbids you to place the young prince in any harm.]

[She states her future brother-in-law has no ill intentions toward her or her fiancé.]

That took me out of guard.

“But…he tried to poison you both. He even kidnapped you."

She shook her head.

[The Bride will not argue about this.]

[She states her future brother-in-law is not to be touched.]

[The Bride is showing unshakable will!]

The more I stared at the Bride, the more the flames and shadows burned and moved, concealing her face even more.

What I wouldn’t give to have a look at her eyes right now…

[The Bride says now you are all aware who is behind this, there should be no reason to contact Their Majesties.]

[The Bride has a prior arrangement she must attend to.]

[The Bride bids you farewell.]

Even Kaduna was kicked out, the door banging in our faces.

“Let’s move outside, so we can talk freely,” Kaduna said with not even an ounce of worry, guiding us to a secluded space outside the East Wing.

Bushes and walls surrounded us, and I could not help myself but glance toward the clock,

We had less than an hour.

As we confirmed we were indeed alone Kaduna turned to me and Hal, the smile curling her lips with amusement and curiosity.

“So. What do we think?”

To my surprise, Hal spoke first.

“She didn’t lie about the Groom’s brother. Or when she said he didn’t have any ill intentions.”

“She could still be connected to this, somehow. The prince could be blackmailing her, or forcing the Bride to play along.”

Kaduna’s gaze shifted to mine as I replied, her voice soft and challenging.

“Do you believe that, Park Eun-Woo?”

From the look in her eyes, it was almost as if she was testing me.

Does she know something I don’t?

“…I cannot rule out the possibility.”

She raised her brows. “And yet…?”

And yet…

「The Bride is showing unshakable will!」

Her reaction when we asked about the Groom’s brother…it went beyond that.

It was almost like a blind trust. An unbreakable faith.

Devotion.

“They could be lovers.” Both me and Kaduna turned to the boy who was playing with his pocket knife. As he saw our reaction, his fingers stopped. “What? Isn’t this common? Love triangles and political drama.”

He is not wrong…

Not only that; it fitted the puzzle.

If the Bride and the Groom’s brother were in love with each other, it would justify the Bride’s reaction until now.

And if the Groom was aware of their affair, it could also justify some of his reactions as well.

I turned to Kaduna.

“Did the Bride tell you anything? As you were helping her get dressed.”

“She shared little, yet you may find the little she shared interesting,” Kaduna leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. “She comes from another Court, yet she doesn’t miss her home. She expressed great respect for the Groom, some affection as well. When I asked about the guests who would be attending the ceremony, she was evasive. She was never enthusiastic about life after she married, nor did she look expectant about being part of this Court.”

At that point, it was clear she had problems with her family. If we followed the logic, she could be reluctant to see the Groom’s brother among the guests.

More than everything, nothing could be more obvious than the fact neither the Bride nor the Groom wished to marry each other.

The question was, how could we be sure about her and the younger prince?

And what could be done about it?

“There is one more thing I would like to share. Though she never stated openly, this is something I noticed.” As I waited for Kaduna’s next words, something shifted in her eyes. Something reminded me of compassion. Sadness. “The Bride, she is grieving. Yet what she grieves is not the dead.”

My heart almost skipped a beat before it froze completely,

Grief. One that was not connected to death, by any means. Was it possible? I knew the answer to that.

I knew too well.

[You have received a new message]

[You have received a new message]

[You have received a new message]

Rolling my eyes, I checked the messages. I was not surprised by the sender.

[What have you done, Park Eun-Woo?

I specifically told you to follow your orders.]

Yet the content made me lose my breath.

[The Groom's schedule deviated from its program. I cannot know whether this will delay the ceremony or not.]

[Are you with the Bride? Give me your current status.]

I replied immediately.

[His schedule changed how? Where is he going?]

[The Groom was supposed to start greeting the guests. But he is going to the West Wing right now.]

[Do you know what he’s planning to do there?]

It took almost two entire minutes for Kurosawa to reply.

[The Groom is going to meet his brother.]