Don’t Tame the Tomboy

(T/N: The chapter title refers to the famous opera “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini, which tells the story of a princess named Turandot who poses riddles to her suitors. The trial refers to the challenges faced by those who attempt to win her hand in marriage.)

“Life? Of course! I can risk my life for you!”

Startled, Ivan stumbled over his words and made a bold declaration, pounding his chest.

In truth, Ivan’s first love was Katya.

His feelings for her were genuine, but after being humiliated by a nine-year-old Katya, his desire to conquer her was fueled by possessiveness.

Taming this untamable troublemaker, known as the ‘Wicked Woman of the South,’ and making her his woman was Ivan’s ultimate goal and dream in life.

When he learned that the Grand Duke had even proposed to her, the burden of gambling debts or anything else became unimportant.

Nikolai was the presence that instilled a profound sense of inferiority in Ivan.

With a dazzling appearance that seemed to be created by the gods and a presence that overwhelmed all the men in the northern region.

And most of all, a man whose power was unstoppable, whose strength was so great that no other man in Hersen could match. A man who embodied strength in its literal sense.

It has always been the strongest who win the wars of the males and claim the females they desire.

He had shown Katya the force that only men possessed, while she ran wild like a foal, displaying the difference in power. But when he encountered a stronger opponent, he was subdued without resistance and dragged away by the scruff of his neck.

Above all, it was humiliating to show such a pathetic and weak side to Katya.

While others might not know, he wanted to prevent Nikolai, who had instilled a sense of defeat in him, from taking her away.

“Is that so? Well, that’s fortunate. So, I’ve prepared a test that can prove the hearts of both of you. Before we begin the test, please sign here.”

Katya extended the pledge she had prepared in advance to both of them.

In summary, it stated that regardless of who became the final winner, they would accept the results and not raise any objections or issues in the future.

After the two suitors had signed, she remained in her seated position and reached out, pulling the trolley that the butler had brought a moment ago.

Then she began to move the two teapots and two teacups that were on top of it onto the table, one by one.

Nikolai and Ivan watched as she poured tea separately into the two teacups, without understanding a word of what she was saying.

“The rules are simple. The person who finishes drinking the tea inside this first will pass.”

“That’s simple!”

Ivan’s hand reached for the teacup, but Nikolai quickly grabbed it.

“It’s cheating to start before it even begins.”

His grip was so strong that it felt like his knuckles would break.

Nikolai released his hand at the thought that Katya was watching.

Even after releasing his hand, Ivan complained in pain.

Even though Nikolai didn’t apply much force, Ivan’s hand trembled as if his bones had shattered, irritating him.

“Alright, everyone calm down. This is not a race. It’s better to listen to the explanation and then drink.”

Ivan, who had been moaning and groaning, finally closed his mouth and listened to Katya’s words.

“One of these two teapots contains poison. It’s a medicinal herb that is used as a poison on the continent. It’s a poison that melts your esophagus as soon as you drink it.”

“What are you talking about! Does that mean one of us will die?”

“That’s what I said. If your love for me is real enough to risk your life, then you should be able to willingly drink the poison, shouldn’t you?”

“W-Well…!”

“Of course, you’re free to abstain and not drink. However, you have to give up on me and never propose to me again, as stated in the pledge.”

Ivan closed his mouth tightly and looked at the two teacups on the table.

He knew Katya had a venomous personality, but how could she go so far as to make her suitors drink poison?

As he recalled the description of the poison that melts the esophagus, his jaw trembled, and his upper and lower teeth clicked involuntarily.

But that didn’t mean he could give up on her just like that.

If he summoned the courage to face death, he might be able to win her over.

The odds were fifty-fifty.

Katya inwardly clicked her tongue as she watched Ivan racking his brain.

She had devised this test with the intention of rejecting both of their proposals.

In fact, it was something she had been curious about while reading romance novels.

Whether a love that risked one’s life, like a knight rushing alone to the demon to save a princess trapped in a tower, truly existed in the world.

‘I don’t think the Grand Duke loves me that much.’

At that moment, Nikolai confidently picked up one of the teacups.

As a result, Ivan was left with the remaining teacup that had been taken away from him.

Nikolai, holding the teacup in his hand, neither put it down nor swallowed the tea, but spent the time in a daze. Then, in one gulp, he quickly drank the tea.

Katya and Ivan’s eyes widened in surprise at the Grand Duke’s behavior.

Nikolai, who had quickly emptied the teacup, placed it back on the table with a loud thud.

“So, does that mean I win?”

“T-This is cheating! Katya, you planned this with the Grand Duke, right? Weren’t they both just plain water from the beginning? His Highness knew everything!”

In response to his words, Katya snatched the teacup from Ivan’s hand and spilled the tea onto the table.

Ssshh…

As soon as the tea touched it, the white tablecloth emitted a puff of steam and melted away.

Seeing that spectacle, Ivan jumped up, screaming in fear that even a droplet might touch him.

“This is insane! To really try to make us drink this! Katarina, you’re a witch! A villainess!”

The enraged fool continued to rant and then swiftly ran out of the drawing-room without even looking back.

Left behind, Katya and Nikolai locked eyes.

“Aren’t you scared, Grand Duke? I’m such a wicked person.”

“I think you’re a very fitting grand duchess for a bloody grand duke.”

With her usual attitude, Katya smirked and replied.

In the end, she had made up her mind to give up everything for him.

“Actually, Ivan is right, there was no poisoned tea in the first place, I just thought that if I told you that, you’d both give up.”

“What about the tablecloth, then?”

Katya grabbed the tablecloth and tore it apart.

It wasn’t made of fabric, but had a different texture.

“It’s a custom-made paper tablecloth. That’s why it melted in the tea. The steam you saw was just because the tea was hot.”

In response to the unexpected answer, Nikolai burst into laughter and clapped his hands.

Truly, she was a woman who exceeded all expectations.

He was right.

No matter where you search in the world, there would be no other woman like her.

Katya was the only one of her kind in the world.

“What did you plan to achieve if there was actually poison in it?”

“I told you. I’m willing to die for you if it’s for your sake.”

“I must be crazy.”

“As long as you don’t get tired of me. It would be even better if you could love me.”

Katya shook her head in disbelief at another one of his unannounced confession.

“Didn’t you think that was ridiculous?”

“What?”

“The test for selecting the Grand Duke’s bride. I dared to conduct a test to determine whether I could be suitable for the Grand Duke.”

“It was entertaining. Although I didn’t like having a partner for the test.”

“That’s right. He’s no match for you in every way.”

As Katya naturally praised him, Nikolai’s lips curled up as if they were tickling his ears.

“Is there any particular aspect where the gap is significant?”

As if laying out a carpet for her to give him a blatant compliment, Katya felt the pressure but eventually spoke up.

“Especially in terms of appearance, it’s a complete landslide. Your face is absolutely my type, Grand Duke.”

“Oh, really? Then I should make myself even more beautiful. So beautiful that you can’t escape from me.”

“How can you get more handsome than that? It seems that the person who already has it wants more.”

“I’ve heard compliments about my looks so many times in my life, but hearing it from you feels even more thrilling.”

Nikolai smiled widely, his face beaming with joy.

Even though she had deceived him into drinking poisoned tea, his gaze towards her remained affectionate and unchanged.

Seeing him willingly drink it, even if it may contain poison, just to have her, Katya made up her mind.

“I’ve made my decision. Let’s get married.”

“What?”

“The proposal that said we could live together for a year and return each other if we’re not satisfied, is it still valid?”

“Of course. You can return me anytime.”

Upon accepting the marriage proposal, Nikolai couldn’t be happier, but at the same time, there was still something bothering him.

He cautiously held Katya’s hand and asked.

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll regret it? Let me warn you in advance, that one year could be a challenging journey. It might be a much scarier place than you expect from the Grand Duke’s residence.”

It wasn’t something a groom would say to his beloved bride.

He wanted to tell her only optimistic and romantic stories about their future, with endless blooming flower gardens and rainbows, bathed in warm sunlight.

But he couldn’t deceive her.

Nikolai felt that even if Katya were to change her decision, it might be better, or rather, he thought it might be.

When the woman, who’s much like an impenetrable wall, accepted him, he became both happy and fearful at the same time.

He worried that everything surrounding him would now endanger her as well.

“But if someone makes things difficult for you, no matter who they are, I will never stand by and do nothing.”

“Even if it’s a member of the Grand Duke’s family?”

“Do as you always do. The Grand Duchess has the authority to do so. You have the highest status in the Grand Duchy because you are with me.”

“Me?”

Only now did Katya truly realize the position she had accepted.

The position of Grand Duchess was known as the mother of the country.

Even if it’s just for a year, can I really handle it?

“A married couple is one entity. Since you are my bride, naturally, your position is equal to mine. To disrespect you is to disrespect me, so they have nothing to say even if they’re decapitated.”

“Are you saying you would sacrifice a life?”

“I’m not called the Grand Duke of Blood for nothing.”

“You’re not just going to use me as an excuse to kill someone the Grand Duke already hates, right?”

In response to Katya’s words, Nikolai laughed again.

“Trust me and do as you please.”

“If I don’t like something, can I act recklessly?”

“Whether it’s recklessness or misbehavior, I’ll be your fence, so you can be completely rude within me.”

It was a vow to be her unwavering protector in any situation.

Just hearing those words, Katya felt a slight alleviation of her fears about the future.

“I will fulfill your instructions. With the Grand Duke’s expectations, I will become a very naughty Grand Duchess.”

“Indeed, I chose one excellent bride.”

It was truly a match made in heaven.