CPSMBD Chapter 53

​Chapter 53

The Winners

The Emperor finally announced the winner of the unity tournament, deliberately drawing out the moment to savor the audience's anticipation.

"The Third Knights Division!"

"Wooooaaaah!"

Thunderous cheers filled the hunting grounds.

There was no surprise—once again, the Knights Division had claimed victory.

Brahe's face fell at the announcement.

"There goes our chance at special paid leave."

"It can't be helped. We should be thankful His Highness wasn't more seriously injured," Secretary Derek remarked. Head Chamberlain Dominic and General Chief Aide Kuan nodded in agreement.

Did they really expect us to win with those skills? There should be limits to having unrealistic hopes.

Lord Brooke stepped onto the platform to receive the flower bouquet and trophy from the Emperor. When he raised them high, the trophy gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, drawing another wave of applause and cheers.

But instead of returning to the Third Knights Division, Lord Brooke made his way toward our group. He knelt before me on one knee.

'Oh no... surely not...'

Derek's earlier words about dedicating the victory to me flashed through my mind.

Just as I feared, Lord Brooke extended the victory flowers toward me. "I would like to dedicate this tournament victory to Miss Violetta."

I covered my mouth with both hands.

The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers, jealous jeers, and encouragement to accept the flowers. Caught in the moment, I accepted them.

Lord Brooke gazed into my eyes with intense sincerity. "Miss Violetta, might I now hear your answer to my previous marriage proposal?"

His bombshell announcement set off a fresh wave of excitement.

"Oh my! So the rumors about Lord Brooke proposing to Miss Violetta were true!"

"Do you think they'll really get married?"

"Looking at them now, they do make quite the striking pair."

Truthfully, I never imagined Lord Brooke would propose so soon after our arranged meeting. While it seemed somewhat hasty, perhaps it spoke to how strongly he felt about me—believing he'd found his destined partner at first sight.

I had initially planned to accept his proposal. At the time of asking, that is. But now...

'I'm not sure anymore. Do I really want to marry Lord Brooke?'

Honestly, until the moment he knelt before me, I'd completely forgotten he was expecting an answer to his proposal.

My thoughts had been entirely consumed by the Crown Prince—wondering when his injuries would heal and if he was truly alright.

Before me knelt Lord Brooke, the very image of a prince on a white horse. A knight proposing on bended knee before a crowd—it was incredibly romantic, the sort of scene every woman dreams of.

So why?, in this moment when I should be completely focused on Lord Brooke, did the Crown Prince's face keep appearing in my mind?

I couldn't help glancing at the Crown Prince.

There he stood, a short distance away, his left arm heavily bandaged from the injury he'd sustained while protecting me, watching the entire scene unfold.

Having him witness this proposal made me uncomfortable.

Though I felt nothing more than loyalty toward the Crown Prince, why did this feel like betraying him somehow?

'What should I do? I can't keep stalling...'

"Ah... well... you see..."

I struggled to find the words.

My heart was leaning toward declining Lord Brooke's proposal.

'No matter how handsome and wonderful Lord Brooke may be, I can't make such an important decision so hastily.'

But with so many eyes on us, I hesitated to outright reject him. I worried about hurting him with a public rejection.

'Right, I'll ask for more time. Then I can reject him privately later.'

"Lord Brooke, I think making a decision about marriage right now might be too hasty. We still barely know each other."

Lord Brooke's face hardened at my words.

"So... perhaps we could take some time to get to know each other better before deciding?"

"No! Marriage is all I want from you, Miss Violetta. Nothing else matters!"

The crowd whispered excitedly, but his intensity only made my position more awkward. Some even shouted for me to accept the proposal.

That's when the Crown Prince, who had been quietly observing, spoke in a stern voice.

"Lord Brooke. You're putting Miss Violetta in an uncomfortable position. Perhaps you should withdraw."

Despite the Crown Prince's suggestion, Lord Brooke remained firmly in place.

"Your Highness, I won the wager. Please honor the agreement."

"Agreement aside, this isn't the right time. You're forcing your feelings on her without any consideration for hers."

Lord Brooke remained stubborn, clearly determined not to leave without an answer. The Crown Prince's expression grew increasingly cold.

"Lord Brooke. This isn't a suggestion—it's an order."

The Crown Prince exercised his authority. At the word "order," Lord Brooke reluctantly stepped back.

The Crown Prince turned to me. "Miss Violetta, a word in private, if you please."

"Yes, Your Highness."

What could this be about?

Still, he had helped me out of an awkward situation, so I quietly followed him.

Once we reached a secluded spot, he asked, "Miss Violetta, do you truly intend to accept his proposal?"

"Well..."

Before I could explain my intention to decline, the Crown Prince cut me off.

"It was only days ago that we kissed. How could you consider accepting another man's proposal right before my eyes?"

Wait, what? Why bring that up now?

The kiss had been purely done for treatment. The Crown Prince himself had treated it as such.

Why was he suddenly connecting that incident with Lord Brooke's proposal?

Then I heard something drop behind me.

I turned to find Lord Brooke standing there, his face shocked.

"Miss Violetta, is this true?"

Apparently, he had followed us.

'Oh right, I forgot to mention to Lord Brooke that I'd had more intimate contact than just holding hands with another man.'

While the kiss with the Crown Prince was true, there were extenuating circumstances. I hurried to explain.

"No, that's not what—"

"Please, just answer yes or no. Is what His Highness just said true?"

"Well, yes, I did kiss Crown Prince Friedrich, but—"

Wait. Why am I trying to explain? I wasn't planning to accept Lord Brooke's proposal anyway.

Instead of adding messy explanations, I gave a clean, simple answer.

"Yes, it's true."

"This can't be."

Lord Brooke's expression suggested his world had just collapsed.

"Miss Violetta. I thought you shared my values about propriety. I see now I was mistaken."

His eyes swept over me with contempt, as if he'd spotted a siren trying to lure men to their doom.

Feeling somewhat indignant, I found myself trying to explain.

"There were circumstances... It wasn't because the Crown Prince and I had feelings for each other..."

"Good heavens! You mean you did it without any feelings involved? That's even more shocking!"

"No, wait... Lord Brooke, please let me explain..."0