I Married My Younger Sister’s Fiance

Time passed quickly and the day of the banquet arrived.

Though she had been busy since morning, she didn’t feel tired due to nervousness.

Selvia finished her preparations and looked in the mirror.

She wore a tiara decorated with rare jewels she had never worn before. Not only that, but she looked unprecedentedly elegant and radiant in a silver dress that contrasted with her black hair.

Today was her first appearance before them as Selvia of the Karina Empire.

Trying not to be nervous, Selvia looked for Mellin.

“Mellin, could I see today’s newspaper?”

“Of course. I’ll bring it. I think we have one.”

Mellin immediately brought the newspaper and handed it to Selvia.

Her quick action naturally brought a smile to Selvia’s lips.

“Thank you.”

“I’m glad I could help!”

The young maid’s beaming face looked pretty.

Selvia slowly read through the newspaper.

Since several days had passed since receiving the news, there should be news about Delpheron’s new queen.

Sure enough, Selvia quickly found an article about Leliana.

[House Flandre produces a second queen.

After first queen Selvia Flandre disappeared, the duke’s second daughter Leliana Flandre entered the royal family.]

Selvia folded the newspaper and placed it on the table.

“May I keep this?”

“Of course. I can get another copy.”

Mellin nodded readily.

“By the way, Lady Selvia, you look truly beautiful.”

Thanks to her updo, her delicate neckline was revealed and her clear, flawless skin was emphasized.

The low-cut dress drew attention to her deeply carved collarbones.

The silver embroidery on the silver dress sparkled with every movement she made, catching the light. It was dazzling, as if light was bursting out around her.

“Thank you. Hearing you say that helps ease my nerves a bit. And don’t worry about what happened then.”

“What? Which……”

“I heard about it while talking with His Majesty recently. I told him the truth about the blood, so you don’t need to feel uncomfortable.”

“Ah…… I’m glad you discussed it.”

Mellin let out a sigh of relief. She had been worried about how to bring it up, so this was fortunate.

“It’s time.”

Selvia left the room with Mellin’s assistance. Her steps were light and graceful.

Selvia soon spotted Ratius waiting for her not far away.

He escorted her to the magnificent imperial carriage trimmed with gold.

The imperial banquet hall was somewhat distant from the main palace where the Emperor resided.

The palace was so vast that they needed to travel by carriage.

Selvia got into the carriage, realizing the scale of the imperial palace.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

Her position was markedly different from when she came as Queen of the Delpheron Empire. To ease her tension, Selvia changed the subject.

“Did you see the newspaper with the story about Delpheron, Your Majesty?”

Ratius nodded.

Since Selvia had mentioned it to him several days ago, the news in the paper wasn’t very surprising.

“It seems my shadow has been helpful to you.”

“Thanks to you, I could get interesting news right away. This is all thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration.”

Recalling the article, Selvia carefully said to Ratius,

“Since the article came out on the day of the banquet, the looks I receive probably won’t be very good.”

“It’s alright.”

He maintained his usual attitude, having already accepted that much.

Selvia felt somewhat relieved at his attitude and glanced sideways at Ratius.

He wore a black uniform that contrasted with his blonde hair, with a red cape draped over his shoulders.

As she always felt, the uniform suited him especially well thanks to his broad shoulders and firm body.

He gave a light smile with his eyes.

“I believe in you. No one will be able to deny your existence.”

The teardrop mark under his eye seemed especially prominent today.

* * *

Selvia took Ratius’s offered hand as she got out of the carriage with his escort.

Carriages were already parked here and there at the palace as the banquet was in progress.

Just the number of carriages gave an idea of how many people were attending the banquet.

Selvia took a short deep breath and walked toward the banquet hall alongside Ratius.

The servant who noticed the Emperor’s arrival straightened his posture and called out with a tense expression.

“His Imperial Majesty and Lady Selvia!”

When the firmly closed doors opened, everyone’s attention focused on one spot.

“We greet His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”

Everyone bowed their heads in greeting. Selvia and Ratius slowly walked into the banquet hall.

It was natural for everyone to be surprised that she who had disappeared from the Kingdom of Delpheron had appeared in the Karina Empire.

Moreover, her attendance as the Emperor’s partner came as a great shock to the young ladies.

“Selvia Flandre?”

“Surely it can’t be that Selvia Flandre we know.”

Everyone started whispering about Selvia’s appearance.

Whether aware or unaware of the hearts of those attending the banquet, the paused music started again.

The curious eyes of the people wouldn’t leave Selvia, who occupied the Emperor’s side.

The banquet continued. The nobles couldn’t approach the Emperor carelessly and only watched from afar.

Young ladies hidden behind fans whispered among themselves.

“What’s going on? From what I know, she was expelled from House Flandre when she divorced from the Kingdom of Delpheron.”

“Really? Looking at today’s newspaper, it’s quite a scandal.”

Selvia was using her shadow to hear everything they were saying.

“His Imperial Majesty will speak.”

At the servant’s words, Ratius stood up from his seat.

“Thank you for attending this banquet. The reason I called you here is to announce that a new member will be joining the Noble Council.”

At his words, the nobles couldn’t hide their surprised expressions.

Only those belonging to the Noble Council looked indifferently at Ratius.

“I will bestow the title of Marquis on Selvia. This decision has been approved by the Noble Council, considering she is the child of prophecy and will achieve great merit for the Karina Empire.”

At Ratius’s words, Selvia stood up and came down from the platform.

She knelt and bowed slightly.

Ratius held up the imperial sword solemnly and spoke.

“Swear loyalty and devotion to the Emperor of the Karina Empire. I give you the authority to rule the northern Marquisate of Borche.”

The Borche territory contained the regions of Decan and Reikana. Among them, the Decan region was one that needed help even within the Karina Empire.

It was to give her a chance to prove her qualities herself.

She seemed to understand Ratius’s intention as she maintained a calm expression.

Ratius tapped both of Selvia’s shoulders alternately with the sword.

“Rise, Marquis Borche.”

Selvia slowly rose and gently bowed her head toward Ratius.

He also nodded slightly and slowly closed and opened his eyes.

When the Emperor handed the sword to the servant, applause filled the banquet hall.

After receiving her title, Selvia came down from the platform.

The nobles who had been watching carefully began approaching Selvia one by one.

Selvia started engaging in light conversation with them.

“Marquis Borche, I am Everett Solen Noblesse of House Noblesse.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Noblesse.”

Selvia acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod. Curiosity was deeply evident in her eyes.

“Are you really the child of prophecy, Marquis? It’s such an honor to meet you like this.”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

At Selvia’s words, Lady Solen who had spoken first showed a surprised expression.

Though House Noblesse was a humble house, they had great influence in spreading rumors.

Especially Lady Noblesse, the distinguished daughter of the house, was very interested in others’ affairs.

“Oh my, do you have something prepared?”

Lady Noblesse stared at Selvia with an expression full of expectation.

Except for the high nobles who attended the Noble Council, no one knew much about Selvia.

Why had the woman who was Queen of Delpheron appeared with the Emperor? Why had the second daughter of House Flandre, her younger sister, married the King of Delpheron who could be considered her brother-in-law?

Instead of satisfying their curiosity, Selvia said this:

“I know well what you all are curious about. I am indeed the child of prophecy.”

“Is that really true?”

“Having received a title, I have no reason to lie. I intend to prove it here.”

Lady Solen and the nobles gathered around Selvia showed surprised expressions.

People who had been eavesdropping started gathering around Selvia.

“Marquis Borche, I am Ophelia Liechtenstein of House Liechtenstein.”

A noble lady with impressive waist-length red hair and vivid green eyes stared sharply at Selvia.

Ophelia was the heir of House Liechtenstein.

If there had been a son, the succession would have been different, but Ophelia was the only one in House Liechtenstein.

“I’m curious how you plan to prove here that you are the child of prophecy.”

Ophelia spoke with an expressionless face, waiting for Selvia’s answer.