97 – 97. The Second (2)
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The reason the Emperor began to show favor was because through his daughter Isabelle, he learned that I truly loved Ludmila.
The scandals related to the second daughter Ludmila are the truth.
The scandals with the third daughter Elizabeth are nothing but fake news.
Barbarossa, who judged it so, always accompanied me whenever I went hunting. He subtly hinted to the nobles that I would be the future son-in-law of the Valteria Empire.
“Liza treated you quite affectionately. Like long-time lovers.”
“T-That couldn’t possibly be true.”
After returning from the hunting grounds, he always had steak. Known as a carnivorous gourmet, Barbarossa especially enjoyed the meat of the animals he had caught.
Normally, we would have enjoyed dinner while chatting.
But today was different.
Having witnessed the scoundrel trying to seduce not only his second daughter but also his third, Barbarossa expressed his doubts with an agitated voice. The Emperor’s gaze, sharp as a beast’s, felt particularly fierce today.
“Isn’t it true that you’ve already promised marriage to Ludmila, so why would you cast your eyes on Elizabeth? Your Majesty, you are mistaken.”
“Ahem! A man like me wouldn’t do such a thing.”
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Had he truly never felt any affection towards Elizabeth until now?
If faced with such a question, he would surely have muddled his words.
He sincerely loved Rudmila.
And his heart was also swaying towards Elizaveta, his brother’s former fiancée.
There was no room for doubt.
I could never have imagined becoming a wretched person who mourned both my older and younger sisters.
Acknowledging himself as a troublemaker, he felt the weight of conscience. However, unable to simply accept it, he appealed, detached from the Emperor’s doubts that followed persistently like a refrain.
“Vizier, may I come in?”
“Come in quickly.”
Knock, knock.
Along with a crisp knock, a confident female voice was heard.
It was Rudmila.
The beautiful blonde princess, with her hair cascading down, greeted the banquet with elegance. Rudmila sat directly across. As soon as her seat was filled, the attendants promptly served steak and wine in front of her.
“When will that cunning rascal leave? I wish he’d leave the palace immediately…”
“I am scheduled to return to the Imperial Kingdom tomorrow afternoon.”
With the successful conclusion of the alliance conference, the kings from various countries who had gathered in the capital were now dispersing. Having briefly stayed in the capital, they were now preparing to return to their respective countries.
They had safely passed the crisis.
Even with the unprecedented variable of the Earth Mother’s trust.
Rudmila, sitting across as if celebrating him, sent a smiling glance. In response to the princess’s kindness, he nodded with a faint smile.
“How many did you catch on the hunt today?”
“I caught three deer, four foxes, and two wild boars.”
“Another remarkable harvest this time. Well done.”
“It was nothing.”
Barbarosa, witnessing the warm conversation between me and Rudmila, refrained from mentioning what had happened with Elizaveta any further.
Perhaps he feared discord among the princesses.
He must have been worried that Rudmila’s secret talk might go awry.
Despite his doubts, seeing the Emperor breathe a sigh of relief, I felt uneasy. The root cause of the recurring scandals was his fickle nature.
Next time, if Elizaveta approaches first, I must draw the line.
Because I sincerely love Rudmila, my older sister. It was an essential task to survive under the suspicious Emperor.
“Edanant, you hinted subtly. You said spring or summer next year would be good for the wedding.”
“Yes… Yes?! Cough, cough!”
It was true that I had brought it up first.
But I never expected to deliver the news to Rudmila so abruptly.
Perhaps it was because of Elizaveta’s presence today.
Barbarosa had been showing a slightly hurried demeanor since the start of the banquet.
As Rudmila, sipping wine, seemed to hear the whisper, she coughed continuously. Despite being a confident young lady, she blushed and looked awkward, showing signs of embarrassment in the face of love.
“Well, if that’s Edanant’s intention… I’m fine with it.”
“I think the same goes for me.”
The Emperor’s urging, repeatedly pushing for marriage with carrots and sticks, led to today’s outcome.
Is this what they call a marriage scam?
Incredible.
A marriage scam born from the collaboration of the Emperor and the Princess.
Seeing the proactive Emperor and Princess, as if they were about to write a marriage declaration immediately, I broke out in a cold sweat.
***
There were rumors that the First Saintess would return to the Imperial Kingdom along with the dignitaries, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
Jebline did not return.
It was because they had not yet found the whereabouts of the Saintess party.
“I will always be by Edan’s side, wherever I am.”
“Such words make me uncomfortable.”
The girl with sky-blue hair tied up in a loose bun smiled playfully, linking her arm with his.
Was it because the Emperor and the Princess had shown affectionate gestures at the banquet hall? Jebline, displaying a bolder demeanor, found herself shaken.
“I heard an unpleasant rumor that I will marry the Red Dragon next year.”
“Oh, that…?”
“Let’s hope it’s just another baseless rumor. No, it should be a baseless rumor.”
“…”
Perhaps it was just her mood.
It seemed as if distant thunder rumbled outside.
People’s screams could also be heard.
It was only natural for a thunderbolt to strike suddenly.
The Saintess’s blue eyes felt particularly eerie today. The heavy pressure of the white lightning bolts falling as though in unison weighed down on the surroundings.
“Well, even if it turns out to be true, it doesn’t matter. If I can snatch Edan before next year’s wedding, that’s all I need. I can’t wait to witness the Red Dragon wail after having her beloved man taken away.”
“Usually, wouldn’t one side give up in a situation like this?”
“I will never give up. They say giving up is for old maids.”
“…Ugh.”
Stubborn.
And resolute.
I won’t be swayed.
I will never stay still.
In Javelinne’s blue eyes, a fierce determination could be felt.
It must be the same for Ludmila.
Every time I faced Javelinne, Ludmila would glare at me with a fierce determination in her red eyes. Though the red dragon and the white dragon had an extreme rivalry, they shared many similarities like sisters.
“Ethan.”
“Yes.”
The silver-haired saint called out, extending her neck.
Her full lips stood out distinctly.
She emitted a mesmerizing charm as if yearning for a passionate kiss.
I instinctively turned my head away from Javelinne’s piercing gaze. It was evidence of Javelinne’s unwavering love, despite hearing about Ludmila and my upcoming wedding. My heart began to waver.
“What will you do if I announce our separation?”
“I’ll hold on.”
“But you like the old maid.”
“Still, I will hold on.”
Was I this greedy wanderer?
The response came out reflexively.
It was unbelievably inconsistent with the words coming from the endlessly vacillating man.
The thought that Javelinne might leave again filled me with urgency. The desperation not to miss the barely reunited bond was palpable.
“You’re quite greedy. Even Princess Elizabeth is entangled in this mess.”
“…You knew?”
“When the princess acts so openly, how could anyone not know? The palace maids must all be aware. They must be gossiping about how Princess Elizabeth fell for her former fiancé’s brother.”
“It’s quite awkward. I thought no one would know.”
The First Saint of the Holy Kingdom.
The Second and Third Princesses of the Empire.
Caught in a tumultuous situation with beautiful women vying for attention.
No matter whom I chose, it wouldn’t change.
Choosing Ludmila, I became certain as I witnessed Javelinne’s unwavering stance.
* * *
That night, I conveyed my feelings to Ludmila along with a kiss.
I mourn Ludmila.
Despite seeing the saint’s resolute demeanor, my decision from that moment remained unchanged.
No matter what I said, Javelinne and Elizabeth would not give up. With a heavy heart, I pondered on a solution.
“Ethan, it seems you want to entrust this to me.”
“Father?”
While wrestling with a burdensome worry that could drive any man to death,
A guest arrived.
It was my father, who had just arrived from the Höhenberg Barony.
What could be the matter?
Guiding my father, who displayed a stiff expression, I led him to the reception room. As soon as he sat on the sofa, he took out something small from his pocket.
Surprisingly, it was a pair of rings shining brightly with dazzling jewels.
Surely my father wouldn’t suddenly propose to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a peculiar preference for shiny bald heads.
“This is the wedding ring I presented to your mother in the past.”
“Yes? Didn’t you give that damn wedding ring to my brother? Saying to propose to the saint someday…”
“Yes, I did… But now your brother returned it.”
“…Why.”
Why did Maximilian return the wedding ring to Father?
Because Beatrice rejected his heartfelt proposal?
No,
That couldn’t be it.
After defeating the demon king, Maximilian proposed to Beatrice by handing her the wedding ring. And Beatrice accepted the marriage proposal with a big smile as she accepted the wedding ring.
That was the epilogue of the ‘Lady of the White Blessing.’
“I want you to have this wedding ring. When you truly fall in love and find a partner, propose with the Höhenberg family’s wedding ring. It will be more than enough as a gift for Princess Ludmila.”
“But Father… Is there only one?”
“Hmm?”
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“There should have been two more.”
Why was there only one mother for Maximilian and Edanant?
If there were three instead of one, there would have been no shortage in passing on the ring.
If there are three fathers, then there should be three mothers for balance.
Hmm…
Where should I find the missing wedding ring?
Gazing down at the shimmering wedding ring, I swallowed a sigh for a moment.
He need a set of Harem rings.
What?