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Chapter 11
“Your Majesty, there has been an invasion by the Kingdom of Citra in the western borderlands.”
The messenger’s face showed not the slightest hint of tension.
The one hearing the news was the same—his expression was indifferent, as if he had just heard some trivial gossip from the market.
“I think I told you before to call me ‘Matapju’ at the Matap Tower.”
The current Matapju and Emperor of the Persent Empire slammed his finger on the desk as he pointed this out.
It seemed that correcting the form of address was more important to him than the fact that the territory was under attack.
“I apologize, Your… no, Matapju.”
He looked relatively young for someone who had three grown children.
His blonde hair and blue eyes—the symbol of the royal family—reminded one even more of his son, Second Prince Cier Persent.
“…What should we do?”
“What do you mean what we should do? Just continue as usual.”
“Then, as you commanded, I will notify Lady Tien Elópez, Deputy Matapju.”
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction at his advisor’s answer. Just as the advisor bowed and turned to leave,
“Wait.”
“Pardon?”
“What is the Second Prince doing?”
“The Second Prince is currently finishing the trade negotiations with the Yuren Kingdom, as you previously commanded.”
“And the situation?”
The advisor placed the prepared documents on the desk. The Emperor glanced at them sideways, and a corner of his mouth lifted.
“It should be finished by today.”
The Emperor said with a meaningful smile. The advisor, unable to grasp its meaning, stared blankly.
‘What does that even mean?’
Since becoming his aide, the most important skill was to understand the Emperor’s true intentions.
The Emperor always spoke indirectly, so one had to interpret the hidden meaning.
‘I wish he would just speak plainly.’
The aide grumbled silently, glaring slightly at the Emperor’s convoluted way of speaking.
“To annul an engagement at the age of marriage…”
The Emperor added this as if the aide hadn’t understood a thing.
Ever since Lady Elópez volunteered to go to the battlefield long ago, the Emperor had this habitual saying.
The aide, who had been bowing with blank eyes, belatedly understood his intention.
“I will convey to the Second Prince that he should also participate in the battle.”
He spoke tentatively, uncertain, testing the Emperor. There was no correction or objection—it was the right answer.
‘No way…?’
The Emperor had three children.
The youngest, the princess, was still too young and had little ambition for the throne, leaving two.
First Prince Euclid Persent and Second Prince Cier Persent.
Giving the soon-to-be-unengaged Second Prince orders to join Lady Elópez in battle…
The aide, realizing the Emperor’s unspoken intention, stared at him with wide, shaken eyes.
Instead of answering, the Emperor placed his index finger to his lips.
The aide nodded stiffly, maintaining a composed face.
‘Second Prince and Lady Elópez…’
First Prince Euclid was the son of the Empress and backed by powerful maternal relatives.
Second Prince only had his own accomplishments to rely on.
Even though the Second Prince had increased his influence, it was still negligible compared to the Empress’s power.
But if he had his achievements and Lady Elópez supporting him, the situation would be very different.
‘…If this gets out, it’ll be chaos.’
“I’ll need to go to the western border.”
I examined the letter stamped with the royal seal and stood up.
“Is this another order to participate in the battle…?”
I nodded at her cautious question. Seeing Anna’s pale expression, I smiled slightly.
“Why so serious? This isn’t the first time it’s happened.”
“I have no choice but to be serious. Why does His Majesty always order you to fight? You’re not the only magician in the Empire.”
Though I had volunteered for it, I just shrugged without explanation.
Even my family, including Anna, didn’t know about the arrangement between the Emperor and me.
If they knew, it would be chaos, so I said nothing.
“Be careful. What if someone overhears?”
“Let them hear! I didn’t say anything I couldn’t say.”
“Are you worried about me? You seemed so happy going on leave after receiving your reprimand.”
“Is that the same thing?!”
Her worried exclamation strangely made me feel good.
I hadn’t expected Anna to care about me this much—
“You even rejected all the men confessing to you, and now there’s not a single suitor left! And now rumors are spreading that you single-handedly wiped out an army on the battlefield! That’s it, finished, over!”
…Huh?
Mm?
Her misplaced worry left me dumbfounded, as if I’d been hit.
“What… finished?”
“Finished? What else! Marriage! Are you planning to stay single your whole life?”
“…….”
“Then why did you reject all the suitors confessing to you? If you were going to reject them anyway, why even challenge them to a duel!”
“…….”
“You said you’d accept if you won! Are you serious? Who in this Empire could defeat you in magic or swordsmanship!”
“Um… Anna….”
“If you were going to do that, you should have only dueled them! Why throw them into the sky too?! Meira was found in the Hesson Mountains!”
I had no response to Anna’s rapid-fire complaints.
“Everyone says the kind Lady Arvid has been spoiled by you!”
…Well, that’s kind of flattering.
“Do you know Lady Arvid’s nickname? The Devil’s Contractor! The Devil’s Contractor!”
…Oh no, that’s supposed to be a secret. How did everyone find out?
The excitement I felt thinking Anna cared about me had long vanished.
I smiled awkwardly, listening to her words with one ear and letting them pass through the other.
“Who in the Persent Empire would even like you?!”
That one stung a little.
“Don’t worry about that. Just a few days ago, I was confessed to.”
“……What?”
“What?!”
Anna’s voice was drowned out by a panicked shout.
What is that clumsy voice?
I turned toward the source and saw Kalian standing there, looking as if he had been shocked, mouth agape.
“W-What. You… you got confessed to? Eh… Mother!”
Before I could answer, Kalian ran down to the first floor, calling for Mother.
“Why call Mother?!”
“Mother! Father! Brother! Everyone come out here!”
“Ah, you crazy older brother! Don’t stand there?!”
I chased him frantically, but Kalian sprinted through the mansion regardless.
The wild cries of my insane brother made Mother cover her ears and leave the room.
“Can’t you be quiet, Kalian? Such behavior from morning!”
“Mother! Good news! Tien got confessed to!”
“What?! R-Really?”
Mother, who had scolded Kalian for being impolite, raised her voice.
Father and older brother Luenté appeared later, confused.
“What is it, madam?”
“Mother, why are you like this?”
“H-Honey, T-Tien got confessed to…!”
“Is it true?”
“Really, Mother?!”
Why is everyone so shocked?
Their reactions left me dumbfounded, blinking.
“I’ve received confessions before. Why are you all so surprised?”
Father hugged me, eyes glistening as if moved.
“To think someone still has feelings for you! And after hearing all those rumors!”
Eh……?
“How wonderful! Who, Tien? A Marquess’s suitor? Or a Count’s? No, status doesn’t matter. Even a Baron’s suit is fine for me!”
…But I’m a prince.
Well, forget that, but I’m a princess; isn’t that a bit much?
I had a lot to say, but my words got stuck. I could only open my mouth slightly.
At that moment, the mansion door flung open.
Soft pink hair drifted in.
A timely ally appeared, and I quickly called Leila.
“Leila, come here.”
“Listen, Leila! Tien got confessed to by some suitor—”
“No, Tien!”
Leila grabbed me tightly, shouting. Tears were mixed in her voice.
“Leila…?”
“Absolutely not, Tien! No! It can’t happen!”
Wait, what exactly can’t happen?
Confessions are not allowed…?
