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Chapter 11
“By the way, about the engagement… are you really okay with it?”
At Shiran’s words, I felt gloomy.
“It can’t be helped. I can’t go against my father’s greed.”
I had told him many times that we should not do business like this. But my father always said it was just a child’s complaint and never listened.
My father, born as a Duke, was never satisfied unless he was the best. He wanted the most beautiful noble wife in the empire, and the same was true for business. His greed seemed endless.
“Father even used loan sharks.”
I said it while shaking my head. Shiran looked shocked.
Once you fall into loan sharks, even the country cannot help you.
“But this family is treating me well.”
The engagement was the only way to survive.
“Shiran, thank you for coming.”
Shiran smiled beautifully.
“Celia always thanks everyone for everything.”
“Of course I should.”
I was always grateful that Shiran cared for me specially. I led her to a large tree—Raiden’s favorite place.
“Oh, there are men there.”
Majin and Raiden were already sitting there. As Shiran and I approached, Raiden quickly stood up.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, did you enjoy your visit?”
At my question, Majin shrugged.
“It was decent.”
“It’s a beautiful place, right?”
“Yes.”
Majin nodded and looked at the fountain. The magical fountain was a symbol of wealth. Then he checked his pocket watch. It was already almost 5 PM, even though they had come at noon.
“It seems we should return now.”
“Right.”
Shiran agreed after checking the time. I quickly stepped in before they left.
“Ah, Lord Artern said he would like to greet you.”
At my words, Majin tilted his head.
“Viscount Pellis?”
“It won’t take long.”
After thinking for a moment, Majin nodded.
“I will meet him before I go. I’m doing this specially because I saw your face.”
I smiled slightly.
“Why?”
“You speak very well.”
I said that, but I already knew his intention. The real reason he agreed to meet Artern was Raiden. Watching him say a lie that everyone could see through made me slightly speechless.
* * *
Artern deeply bowed as he welcomed the Crown Prince and Shiran into his office.
“Welcome. I should have visited you myself…”
Majin shook his head.
“You must be busy with business. I should come instead.”
Majin smiled at Artern.
“An honor.”
“I’ll enjoy my visit. When spring is in full bloom, the garden will be beautiful. Please invite me for tea.”
Artern’s mouth opened slightly. He seemed to realize that Raiden had fully gained the Crown Prince’s approval.
I was also happy. Now fewer nobles would look down on the Pellis family.
“It is an honor!”
Artern quickly rang a bell. Luten came in holding a glass container filled with coffee beans.
“That is beans from the Noksanne region, right?”
Shiran shouted in excitement after seeing them.
“It was hard to get them.”
Artern personally handed them over.
“These are gifts for both of you. I prepared them in advance because I heard you like coffee.”
It was a gift they could not refuse.
“I’ll accept them well.”
As expected, Majin immediately took the beans. The Emperor did not like coffee, so he did not understand the Crown Prince and Princess’s love for it.
Because of this, they could only drink top-quality coffee occasionally.
“Won’t you run out of your own portion?”
“We have our separate share.”
Majin smelled the beans.
“I want to try them quickly!”
Shiran happily held the beans. Both of them left for the palace looking satisfied.
I sighed in relief while seeing them off.
“Celia.”
As Majin and Shiran disappeared, Raiden came closer and whispered.
“I’m really glad Celia did not become the Crown Princess.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The Crown Prince is a good person. If you had been connected to him, Celia would have been happy. I know that—but I am still glad you did not become his partner.”
Then he turned and walked away slowly.
What… what is that supposed to mean? He should explain before leaving!
But Raiden did not answer my confusion, and I could not understand his words for a long time.
2. Hunting Ground
I looked at the calendar and rang a bell. It was not for the butler, but for Ellis.
Soon Ellis entered.
“What is it?”
“I will go to the academy today.”
Milton Academy would soon reopen. I needed to go and receive my scholarship before that. With a magic-enhanced carriage, it would take about a day, so it was not far.
“Today?”
“Today is perfect.”
Since becoming engaged to the Pellis family, I always dressed carefully whenever going outside. It was to show that the Pellis family did not mistreat me.
Ellis understood my thoughts well.
“Shall I dress you up?”
“Of course. Make me as pretty as possible.”
Ellis brought cosmetics and clothes.
“Shall I do your makeup too?”
I shook my head.
After preparing, I went to Artern’s office to inform him. I had already told him before, so it was not sudden.
I knocked.
“It’s Celia.”
“Come in.”
Inside, I saw Artern with Raiden early in the morning.
I greeted Raiden with a look and bowed to Artern.
“What is it?”
“I plan to go to the academy today.”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
Artern checked the calendar.
“The academy is opening soon. You should go before then. I will assign two knights.”
“Thank you.”
“It is only natural.”
After the cake party, Artern had become even more caring toward me.
There was no reason to refuse such treatment. I had helped Raiden in an important matter.
“Take Raiden with you as well.”
…What?
“He will postpone his classes.”
“May I go?”
Raiden’s voice trembled.
“Don’t you admire the academy? Go with Celia and greet the professors.”
“I’m happy to go with Celia.”
I smiled gently.
“Is that so? I am excited too.”
“It is like going with a friend.”
Then Artern frowned.
“That is not acceptable. That is a very bad thing to say to your fiancé.”
He complained sharply.
The trip to the academy would take a full day. We would arrive the next afternoon.
On the way, we would stay at an inn, but Raiden said there was a hotel owned by the Pellis family in the city.
I felt strange hearing that.
A hotel…
When I went to take the academy exam before, I stayed in a very poor inn.
My father had opposed my admission, so I went only with my mother.
My mother always supported me, but my father controlled the finances, so there was no support.
The carriage moved. Two knights sat outside as drivers.
Raiden and I sat inside.
“I am looking for a personal knight for Celia. It is difficult to find someone not too handsome.”
“Handsome?”
“You might fall for them, so my father and I are checking carefully.”
He then said:
“Please make them female.”
“Are you sure? There are more male applicants.”
“I prefer women. I also had a female knight in the duchy.”
Raiden smiled brightly.
“I will tell my father.”
His attitude confused me.
But that would not happen… right? The one he would love is Olize.
Still, if I wanted a woman, Artern would arrange it.
I looked out the window.
The clear sky faced me calmly.
