In the room, Mu’en lay on his luxurious bed, so comfortable it could bring tears to your eyes, as he carefully went over tomorrow’s schedule in his mind.
“First, grooming.”
As the son of a Duke and the once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony in Mu’en’s life, his entrance naturally had to be dazzling, to the point where he could simply stand there and attract all eyes like the eye of a storm.
Therefore, before dawn tomorrow, more than ten experienced maids would be dedicated to grooming him from head to toe, making sure every strand of hair was in its rightful place.
To be honest, when Mu’en saw that opulent men’s suit adorned with precious metals in the afternoon—so dazzling it could blind him—he already felt a deep sense of suffocation.
Tomorrow, his biggest crisis might not be Celicia, but that 20-kilogram extravagant suit.
“Then, welcoming guests with Father.”
The so-called coming-of-age ceremony was to announce to the entire aristocratic class that Mu’en Campbell had officially stepped into the social circle and could participate in and host various events as the Duke’s heir. He could also express affection and devotion to a noble young lady of equal standing, forging a sacred marriage contract.
Of course, since Mu’en was already engaged to the Third Princess of the Empire, this last point was automatically ignored. However, tomorrow, all the nobles of the royal capital would put on their most splendid attire, bring their most impressive children, and attend this grand event.
This wasn’t just a banquet—it was a step upward.
All the nobles would use their fine clothes as shields and their smiles as swords, aiming to climb higher.
“Next, dealing with those nobles.”
This was the least of his worries. The instincts of the original owner still lingering in this body should help Mu’en get through it.
Tomorrow, he just needed to smile.
“Finally… that.”
Mu’en’s hand unconsciously touched the two bottles of medicine hidden under his pillow.
This was the main event tomorrow.
“First, I need to gain Celicia’s trust and get her alone.”
This wasn’t difficult because Celicia would never, in her wildest dreams, imagine that Mu’en Campbell had the guts to drug her.
Plus, with the identity of her fiancé, inviting her for a drink alone should be simple.
“Next, drugging her.”
This was the hardest part.
If discovered beforehand, all efforts would be in vain.
“But there shouldn’t be any issues.”
Because this was the natural progression of this world’s timeline. The heavens should help him achieve his goal.
He just needed to secretly slip the drug into her drink when she wasn’t looking.
“Finally, wait for the downfall?”
Mu’en chuckled self-deprecatingly:
“A transmigrator actively seeking a doomed ending—I’m probably the first, huh?”
“I just hope nothing goes wrong.”
The candlelight went out.
Outside the window, the bright moonlight filtered through the branches, casting mottled shadows on Mu’en’s handsome face, as elusive as fate.
A breeze stirred, and the shadows swayed, as if also praying for a smooth tomorrow.
…
The next day.
After enduring three hours of torture by the maids, Mu’en finally stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, wearing that 20-kilogram opulent suit, welcoming guests alongside the lion-like, imposing Duke.
His golden hair was perfectly groomed, his handsome face slightly adorned, looking less boyish and more mature. Paired with the ridiculously heavy but undeniably noble tailored suit, Mu’en shone like a rising sun, exuding a dazzling yet irresistibly magnetic aura.
Today, when Mu’en looked in the mirror, he was once again struck by his own handsomeness.
Unfortunately, even though he looked like a god, the noble young ladies still kept their heads down and avoided eye contact when greeting him, as if afraid of catching his attention.
“Sigh, the original owner’s reputation is just too terrible.”
Mu’en sighed inwardly.
To the noble young ladies, the name Mu’en Campbell was synonymous with “scoundrel” and “womanizer.”
The fact that his name overshadowed the golden brand of “Duke’s Son” showed just how abysmal his reputation was.
“Hey, kid, look there!”
While Mu’en was lost in his thoughts, Duke Campbell, his so-called father, suddenly slapped him on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of him.
“Look who’s here.”
Without needing to be told, Mu’en naturally followed his gaze.
The nobles around Mu’en who had come to greet and flatter him also turned their heads, as did the noble young ladies who had been avoiding his gaze.
All eyes turned, as if a dazzling spotlight had suddenly lit up in the dark.
Bathing in the light was a young girl.
She had silvery-white hair as flawless as moonlight, and her delicate features seemed carved from refined ice, perfect and unblemished. Her fine lashes looked frost-kissed, also silver-white, and the blue eyes beneath them were as clear as a lake yet as deep as if they could consume one’s soul.
The girl wore a white dress that wasn’t overly elaborate, simple yet elegant, and the moment she appeared, she became the new storm’s eye, drawing everyone’s attention.
“This is… Celicia.”
The Third Princess of the Leopold Empire, the pure child blessed by the Ice and Snow Goddess, the Ice Witch Celicia Leopold.
She was also the source of Mu’en Campbell’s doomed ending, and now—she had finally appeared!
“Indeed, words and memories can’t fully capture someone’s beauty.”
Even though he was mentally prepared, Mu’en couldn’t help but be stunned the moment he saw her.
In his past life, as a devoted fan of Celicia, Mu’en had frequented various forums and seen many fan art pieces of her, some of which were of such high quality that he would save them immediately and swoon over them for days.
But seeing the real person, he realized that even the best fan art couldn’t capture even a tenth of Celicia’s charm.
“Long time no see, Young Master Mu’en.”
While Mu’en was distracted, Celicia had already gracefully walked up to him.
“Long time no see, Princess Celicia.”
Mu’en quickly snapped back to reality and gave a very gentlemanly bow:
“You look especially radiant today.”
“Oh? I’m flattered.”
Celicia lifted the hem of her dress, returning the courtesy with impeccable grace.
Her manners were flawless, yet they carried an air of icy detachment.
“Though it’s rare to hear such words from Young Master Mu’en.”
“Haha, Princess Celicia, you jest. It almost sounds like I’m some kind of uncouth fool who can’t control his mouth.”
Aren’t you?
A flicker of doubt passed through Celicia’s cool eyes.
