Chapter 114

“Lep.”

 

As Evan gently took my left hand, which had been clutching the bouquet, I felt something cold touch my finger. I flinched as the chill of metal traveled through my skin.

 

A silver ring, accented with a tiny pink gemstone, was slipped onto my finger.

 

“Let’s stay together forever.”

 

Our fingers intertwined, locking firmly together without a single gap. That short confession was more than enough to pull at my heartstrings.

 

“……Yes, forever.”

 

At my reply, Evan beamed as if he had conquered the world. I gave a shy smile and opened my arms to fall into his embrace.

 

Evan gently lifted my chin and gave a playful grin. I wondered what he was thinking, but as his face drew closer, my eyes slid shut instinctively. Then, I felt the touch of his moist lips against mine.

 

For a moment, I could almost hear wedding bells ringing in my ears.

 

“I wish the day to show you off to everyone would come sooner.”

 

Yes, I was dreaming of such a happy future, but……

 

 

***

 

 

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

 

“Of course. I’m right here with you. Besides, I think I have a rough idea of why they’re calling for us.”

 

“Really?”

 

But Evan didn’t tell me exactly why we were being summoned to the Imperial Palace so suddenly.

 

Regarding the poisoning of the Empress orchestrated by Fedeshar and Bastien, the public had been told that one of the Empress’s maids had attempted the assassination due to a personal grudge. Even the nobles who knew the truth were keeping quiet.

 

Since neither the Emperor nor the Empress spoke a word about it, the internal power struggle seemed to be passing over silently. Because the people who should have made it an issue chose not to, the nobility followed suit.

 

Evan walked down the cloister with confidence. Though a sense of unease bubbled within me, his firm grip on my hand put my mind at ease.

 

When we reached the Emperor’s office, the doors swung open. Evan and I bowed politely and prepared to step inside—or we would have, if not for the documents and ceramic shards scattered messily across the floor.

 

“He is right, Father. And I have no intention of taking back what I said.”

 

“Fedeshar!”

 

I saw Fedeshar, and behind him, a man trembling like a leaf. He looked familiar; he was the man Evan used to drag around. Was he the mage who helped Fedeshar……?

 

The Emperor struck a nearby vase, knocking it over. The sound of shattering glass echoed sharply through the room.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

“The Young Lord is here! Tell him! Surely what Fedeshar is saying isn’t true?!”

 

The reason was actually quite trivial. I saw Fedeshar swallow a small sigh. It wasn’t as if the Emperor was talking to a wall; he had already decided on the ‘correct’ answer and was demanding everyone else just nod along.

 

“More importantly, this room is quite a mess. I’m worried my fiancée might get hurt.”

 

When Evan’s sharp gaze met the Emperor’s, the sovereign seemed to realize the state of the room and let out a small, embarrassed cough.

 

‘So he does feel a bit of shame……’

 

Anxious servants scrambled to clean the room. The dangerous ceramic shards were cleared away in an instant.

 

“Your Majesty, may we sit?”

 

“……Fine, sit.”

 

The weary Emperor slumped into the head seat, while Evan and I sat across from Fedeshar. After a long pause, the Emperor finally spoke.

 

“Young Lady, I’m sorry, but I would like the matter of Fedeshar kidnapping you to remain buried. I heard you didn’t suffer any particular harm.”

 

“Eh?”

 

What kind of nonsense is this?

 

“And Young Lord. I would like to request your testimony regarding Bastien’s attempt on my life.”

 

Evan, who had been suppressing his anger since the Emperor’s first comment, replied calmly.

 

“Are you saying you want to go to total war? Prince Fedeshar also targeted the Empress……”

 

Bang!

 

“That is impossible!”

 

‘Yikes, you scared me!’

 

The Emperor’s face turned a mottled red as he huffed with indignation.

 

“Your Majesty, you are frightening my fiancée. I ask that you refrain from such excessive behavior. Furthermore, Prince Fedeshar’s statement was heard by everyone. We cannot bury the fact that he kidnapped my fiancée. You heard my father say as much as well.”

 

The Emperor clenched his jaw.

 

“Are you saying you will go against my wishes as well, Young Lord?”

 

The Emperor seemed unable to accept the situation. He had spent so long trying to bypass Bastien to put Fedeshar on the throne.

 

“I don’t mind testifying. I can serve as a witness for both sides, after all.”

 

“Young Lord!”

 

“What about you, Your Highness? To be perfectly honest, if you wish to aim for the throne, I can offer my assistance.”

 

Fedeshar’s eyes widened at Evan’s unexpected proposal. However, he truly had no interest in the throne.

 

I waited internally for his answer. Honestly, weighing the two against each other, Fedeshar was the one with fewer risks.

 

This was a decision Evan had reached by thoroughly considering the noble society. Between the two, Fedeshar was the one who could actually gain the sympathy of the nobility.

 

Bastien had crossed a dangerous line. He was involved in the Empress’s poisoning, tried to kill the Emperor, and even tried to frame the Duke. Fedeshar was strictly involved only in the poisoning of the Empress and nothing else.

 

“Isn’t this a decision based on a rational choice? The threat of assassination is one thing, but perhaps you stepped back because Prince Bastien seemed like better Emperor material. However, I believe Prince Fedeshar is the one truly fit for the throne.”

 

“……”

 

“He has a good reputation, much like His Highness, and is highly capable. Moreover, he has the power to make people follow him. Isn’t that mage the proof? If it were you, Your Highness, you would become a true sage-king.”

 

Evan brought up the mage who hadn’t changed his story even under the Emperor’s threats.

 

“You truly have a discerning eye. Young Lord, you are correct.”

 

The Emperor, who had been glaring as if he wanted to kill us just moments ago, was now nodding in agreement. The way his attitude flipped so drastically was almost funny.

 

“Of course, this isn’t free.”

 

“Yes, that is the beauty of a deal. What do you want?”

 

Beaming now that the Duke’s son was taking his side, the Emperor let out a boisterous laugh.

 

“Would you be willing to lend me Esther Hall?”

 

‘Where is that?’

 

It was a name I had never heard before. If it’s a hall, is it a banquet venue?

 

The Emperor’s face clouded over slightly.

 

“Young Lord, that place is……”

 

“I know it’s a place of great historical value. But compared to the price of making His Highness the Emperor, isn’t it a bargain?”

 

I didn’t know where it was, but if the Emperor was hesitating, it had to be somewhere extraordinary.

 

I cut in between the two.

 

“W-wait a minute. Are you going to decide without even listening to the Prince? Evan, aren’t you being a bit too pushy?”

 

“……Oh, sorry.”

 

The man who had been firing off cold remarks just a second ago vanished, replaced by a man who looked instantly deflated and apologetic.

 

“Your Majesty, do you remember? The reward I asked for last time.”

 

“……Reward? You mean the request for a tea time together?”

 

“Yes!”

 

The Emperor looked flustered by my sudden demand. You’re wondering what tea time has to do with this, right?

 

“From what I can see, there’s a severe lack of communication here. Everyone is just pushing their own agenda. Try speaking from the heart. Didn’t you feel a lot during this incident? The fundamental cause is often closer than you think.”

 

“Are you saying, Young Lady, that Fedeshar and I should have a conversation?”

 

“Yes. And that includes the others as well.”

 

If we’re going to put this to rest, we need to bring everything to the surface and resolve it properly. No more turning a blind eye.

 

“What are you thinking?”

 

I whispered softly into Evan’s ear.

 

“I think a four-way meeting is necessary. The Empress told me she wanted to reward me. Tell them to have a talk.”

 

“Hmm……. I just hope it doesn’t end in a disaster.”

 

Evan, knowing the cat-and-dog relationship between the Emperor and Empress, expressed his concern, but it was better than doing nothing.

 

“Nobody knows how it will turn out until we try.”

 

As Evan and I whispered to each other, the Emperor watched us with an uneasy face. Worried that Evan might take back his offer, he bit the hook.

 

“Fine! I will attend the tea time as the Young Lady says. However, I will choose the location. And I will accept the Young Lord’s request. I shall lend you Esther Hall.”

 

At that, Evan smiled brightly and took my hand.

 

“Isn’t that great? Right?”

 

“Huh?”

 

What on earth does that hall have to do with me?

 

From the moment the Emperor approved the use of the hall, Evan’s mood seemed to be floating on cloud nine.

 

“Now, let’s go see the Empress.”

 

“The Empress……? But Bastien will be there too.”

 

He looked displeased, but I squeezed Evan’s hand and said: “What does Bastien matter? We’ve promised to marry, and we’re wearing each other’s rings. Besides, I’ve only ever had eyes for you, Evan. It’s not like he can take me by force. Or are you worried you’ll lose me?”

 

“No, absolutely not.”

 

I let out a little laugh at his cold, blunt tone.

 

“I’m just going to finish my business and leave. I’m going to tell the Empress to have tea with the Emperor.”

 

“I wonder when your attention will be focused solely on me.”

 

As if he truly hated going to see the Empress after the Emperor, Evan stopped walking and buried his face in my shoulder. I gently stroked his hair.

 

“Once we’re married, all my attention will belong to you for the rest of our lives.”

 

“……I hope so.”

 

“It’s true……”

 

His tone was skeptical, and even though I protested, his lips were still pouted. I wasn’t sure if he didn’t believe me or if he just hated seeing the Empress that much.

 

However, I had a secret weapon.

 

I pulled on Evan’s arm. Then, I lightly pressed my lips against his. It was only for a split second, but I was satisfied.