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Chapter : 26
“Marie, come here.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Agatha boarded the carriage with one of her close maids.
Fernand, who had noticed the maid late and frowned, quickly corrected his expression. Across from him, Agatha looked at him with unmistakable displeasure.
“Bow, Your Highness.”
“Even with only a maid, you would speak like that, Agatha?”
“Please do not address me by name. I am the eldest daughter of His Majesty, the Emperor of Loxbard, heir to the House of Nobilis, the mistress of the Aratus marquisate, and currently an unofficial envoy representing the Loxbard Empire. I expect proper decorum, Your Highness.”
“Ugh.”
Fernand reluctantly acquiesced. In truth, calling her “my wife” wasn’t so bad as long as he didn’t attach “Marquis” in front.
It felt less formal than the stiff title “Viscountess,” and almost personal, like calling his own wife privately.
“…Have you been well?”
“As you can see. Very well.”
“This marriage seemed a bit rushed, though.”
“You seem to know our empire’s affairs very well?”
“It’s your country.”
“Exactly. But isn’t it a bit much to be so interested in the country of your divorced ex-wife?”
“…”
Agatha frowned slightly at Fernand, who was momentarily speechless. Somehow, he seemed to still hold lingering feelings for her.
Always keeping a woman close, even bringing along a child in the end.
Who knows what he’s thinking? One thing was clear: she and the Mainucor Empire were incompatible.
I need to finish this quickly and get him out of here.
Agatha tapped the carriage wall with her fan.
Clatter, clatter—
Through the carriage window, Palavi Castle quickly approached as the carriage picked up speed.
Fernand twisted his handsome face in displeasure.
“Agatha…”
“I am the Marchioness. And as you said, we were married a month ago. So…”
Agatha fixed him with a cold, sharp gaze.
“I would appreciate it if you refrained from any remarks that could be misunderstood, Your Highness. I will see you at the banquet.”
The moment the carriage stopped, Agatha lifted her chin and, with her maid’s assistance, stepped out. Around Palavi Castle, the royal knights of the Mainucor Empire and the Aratus knights were standing guard, split evenly.
Agatha looked for her husband first. Enoch, who had led the procession at the front, was just dismounting from his horse.
“Enoch.”
“Madam.”
For a moment, he glanced behind her. Agatha, puzzled, turned to look.
“Enoch?”
“It’s nothing. Have you been briefed on the next schedule?”
“Yes. Since we will meet at the banquet, we just need to go in and prepare.”
Agatha called for a steward to guide her to the Mainucor side. Fernand had yet to appear outside the carriage, but she did not care.
Her attention was solely on her husband.
“Shall we?”
She naturally placed her hand on his extended arm and looked up at Enoch.
His usual composed, cool appearance remained unchanged.
It wasn’t disappointing, upon reflection. Their marriage was a political one, and Enoch had already shown her respect and even provided support.
“Was there any trouble while you went to greet them?”
With fewer people around, Agatha spoke gently. The reply was as expected.
“Nothing significant. You didn’t seem too pleased to see me, but it wasn’t enough to interfere with operations.”
As expected.
Yet, seeing no visible displeasure, it seemed he was unaffected by meeting his wife’s ex-husband.
It was bittersweet, but Agatha chose to see it positively.
Better than being interrogated over an unavoidable matter, wasn’t it?
A faint smile followed. Agatha’s fine eyes curved gently.
“Do not worry about his reaction. He’s probably just showing off because he feels the heir of the House of Nobilis slipping away.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Perhaps he’s thinking of using that as leverage in negotiations. I’m glad you don’t misunderstand. I didn’t expect Fernand, from ten years ago, to act like that.”
“…”
Agatha did not notice the subtle shift the moment Enoch’s steps paused. Her first counselor, Eshel Marsor, was searching for her.
“My lady.”
“Let’s go. See you at the banquet.”
Agatha waved brightly as she walked away. Even though a strong ripple passed through the normally steady gray eyes of the man, no one noticed the momentary tremor.
Excluding the escort and guard duty she had entrusted to her husband, Agatha inspected the banquet hall and received reports on the cooking. She changed into her dress, adorned herself, and observed the Mainucor delegation.
It was then that Fernand made an unnecessary request for an escort.
“Tell him I have prior engagements.”
“Yes, Marchioness.”
She clicked her tongue as the steward conveyed her refusal.
Whether it was a special order from the Emperor or lingering feelings, Fernand hadn’t given up yet.
I hope there won’t be any bothersome matters.
Soaking her slightly swollen feet in rosewater from a morning of errands, Agatha looked up at her maid.
“And him?”
“The Marquis has finished his training with the knights and is preparing to attend the banquet.”
He wasn’t one to spend much time adorning himself.
Sure enough.
Knock, knock—
“My lady, the Marquis has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
The maid quickly lifted her feet from the rosewater.
Soft towels wrapped them.
Finally, the man entered the room. She was slightly more disheveled than usual.
“Please wait a moment. Preparing the banquet took a little longer than expected.”
The maids’ movements quickened.
Enoch paused briefly, dismissed his aide, and moved beyond the drapery prepared by the maids.
A diamond woven with gold thread under the drape shimmered as it swung.
“Take your time. There’s no need to rush.”
“Thank you.”
Since this was an informal setting, makeup was kept light.
Her loose hair fell over the sparkling jewelry and the elegant satin dress.
Being a political gathering, flashy colors were avoided, focusing instead on the fabric and jewels.
She even wore her wedding ring—the only ring—to subtly warn Fernand.
Once prepared, Agatha stepped outside the drapery, smiling.
He wore the formal attire she had chosen for today.
A sleek classic suit, a cravat matching her dress, and the wedding ring on his left ring finger stood out.
When we return to the capital, maybe we should go get matching outfits.
She had liked his shirt color matching her dress even at their wedding reception.
Though Fernand’s sudden appearance left her no time to think beforehand.
“Shall we go?”
“…Your hand.”
The man, who had been staring at her face, slowly extended his hand.
Agatha took Enoch’s escort and stepped out of the main hall cheerfully. The waiting retainers and knights naturally followed.
She asked,
“The Second Prince?”
“He just left the room. The Mainucor delegation is moving with him.”
“Hmm…”
The counselor’s reply left her with a hint of concern.
He’s going to meet him, isn’t he?
Her ominous intuition proved correct. In the corridor leading to the first-floor banquet hall, Agatha spotted Fernand, leading the Mainucor delegates from the opposite side.
Of course, it could have been to ensure political representatives and people of similar rank entered together without conflict.
But the likelihood was low. Fernand, eyes sharp, slowly spoke as he stared at Agatha’s hand touching Enoch.
“…Wife.”
His voice was filled with gloom. She gripped the arm beneath her hand tightly.
Instantly, she glanced at Enoch’s expression and widened her eyes.
For a fleeting moment, displeasure was clear.
Even the usually unaffected man’s face carried a cold chill.
Agatha composed herself properly. Her heart pounded rapidly.
“Your Highness.”
“So you refused my escort request to come with the Marquis, huh?”
“One cannot inconvenience Your Highness when my legitimate husband is present. Let us enter. We have prepared special dishes for tonight’s banquet.”
“I see. Well, I look forward to it.”
Every word Fernand spoke was emphasized, and he shot Enoch a sharp glance as he entered the banquet hall.
Agatha followed slowly, looking up at Enoch.
At a glance, it seemed nothing was amiss.
But she silently fixed her gaze on the back of the Second Prince walking ahead.
From head to toe, a thrilling sensation coursed through her.
So he wasn’t entirely indifferent.
Whether it was displeasure at his ex-husband’s presence or jealousy, it was good news.
Emotions would advance relations far more than words like indifference or duty ever could.
