I Plan to Make the Mastermind My Husband

“The butler secretly contacted my mother. I could leave on the condition that I wouldn’t receive any support. Then I went to the Asnel territory.”

“So that’s why you reacted that way when you saw the roses?”

“Right. I’m sorry for throwing away that bouquet. You didn’t do anything wrong, yet you suffered because of it.”

Fazel sighed and squeezed the hand I was holding.

“I’m glad I can finally talk about it now. Back then, I thought there was nothing I could do even if I told you, so I stayed silent. But now I know. You’d understand my circumstances.”

Fazel lowered his head. Tears pooled in his eyes. How hard must it have been for him?

“So that’s why you were suffering so much.”

Nertian is truly vicious. To use Aserene, who’d approached Fazel as a friend, to orchestrate something like that. Maybe he’d planned it from the start.

“Now I’m here with you.”

Fazel nodded.

“Right. You’re a kind friend.”

His cheeks flushed slightly. I felt flustered by his reaction.

“Thank you.”

Fazel spoke sincerely and kissed the back of my hand.

“You’re the one who showed me a new world when I’d stopped trusting people. I realized not everyone is like Nertian. I’m glad I met you.”

He said this and cried a little. I pulled him into my embrace. I comforted him, telling him not to cry, and patted his back.

“Want to go to that delicious bakery?”

At Fazel’s words, I nodded. Since his face was slightly flushed, I pressed his cheeks firmly.

“Yes, let’s go together.”

Fazel and I held hands as we rode the carriage. After going to the bakery and eating lots of delicious things, I returned with Fazel, grinning broadly.

* * *

Esran headed to the reception room to meet Solestin and Garen, who’d come suddenly without an appointment. They waved when they saw Esran.

“Sorry for coming without notice. Is Louelle awake?”

“Louelle isn’t sleeping right now, is she?”

Esran directed his gaze toward the wall, telling them to look at the clock. The two godfathers who saw the clock cleared their throats and muttered regretfully.

“Too bad. I brought good news for Louelle.”

“I’ll pass it along.”

Esran invited the two men to sit. Then Solestin and Garen sat down. When tea arrived, the three men began talking diligently.

“A celebration party?”

Esran looked at them with slightly surprised eyes. He’d thought the two men would be the most obstructive if a man appeared for Louelle, but surprisingly they seemed to accept Fazel.

“There aren’t many kids that age who can handle my sword. I like Fazel.”

At Garen’s words, Solestin nodded too.

“I like that he studies hard.”

At the two men’s reaction, Esran smiled broadly.

“Louelle will be happy to hear that.”

“And well, Duke Zieten doesn’t seem to have any intention of opposing it either, right? Recognizing Fazel as a Count means he sees him as his child.”

“That’s true.”

Esran recalled the recent meal they’d had. Fazel didn’t regard Aegis as a father, but he still treated him respectfully. Aegis also conversed with Fazel reasonably well.

“They got along reasonably well. Should I say they’re strangers who joined hands because it benefits both?”

“You have to be able to do that to survive in noble society. I like that about him too. Esran, don’t you also value that quality in Fazel?”

At Garen’s words, Esran smiled.

“That’s right.”

“Then the discussion is over. We’ll invite Louelle and Fazel to Solestin’s house and throw a party.”

“Understood.”

When Esran readily agreed, the two men talked a bit more, looking satisfied, then returned home. Seeing them off, Esran shrugged his shoulders.

“This is making it increasingly impossible to break off the engagement.”

It hadn’t been long since Louelle pulled that cute stunt to claim Fazel, but things kept escalating. Could Fazel escape from Louelle? Probably impossible, right? Esran thought this as he returned to bed and fell asleep.

The next day, when he told Fazel and Louelle about this, they were extremely surprised. Since there was no justification to refuse, they decided to proceed with the party as planned.

* * *

The day of the party arrived. Fazel rode in the same carriage as Louelle and muttered to himself.

“Will we be okay?”

“About what?”

“The engagement. Won’t there be chaos later if we break it off?”

At his words, Louelle pondered briefly.

“Can’t we just say we developed different feelings?”

Breaking off the engagement is out of the question.

Louelle thought something different internally. She had absolutely no intention of letting Fazel go. He’d only just started opening his heart to her—where would she send him?

Unaware of Louelle’s feelings, Fazel nodded.

“Right, you’ll have to marry someone you love later too. Until then, we’re an engaged couple on good terms.”

Fazel nodded, seemingly convincing himself. Watching him, Louelle just smiled.

Fazel and Louelle, who arrived at Prime Minister Solestin’s mansion, walked hand in hand. Esran followed behind them. A brilliant chandelier welcomed them.

“Louelle Asnel and Fazel Asnel have arrived.”

At the appearance of the young couple who’d stirred up the capital, everyone’s attention focused on them. Receiving people’s gazes, Fazel unconsciously grabbed Louelle’s arm.

“Don’t worry, I’m here.”

Knowing Fazel’s fear, Louelle quickly comforted him. Only then did Fazel relax and smile.

Ah.

‘I’m glad Louelle is here.’

Like that, they made their first appearance in the capital through the party hosted by Prime Minister Solestin. Louelle and Fazel slowly came out to the ballroom and danced. Watching them, Solestin, Garen, and Esran smiled together.

Shortly after, Kaisiel appeared. At his sudden appearance, Louelle and Fazel were extremely surprised. Kaisiel slowly approached Louelle and Fazel.

“Louelle and Fazel, it hasn’t been that long.”

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

Louelle and Fazel simultaneously bowed and greeted the Emperor. People began murmuring, sending glances toward Kaisiel who’d appeared suddenly.

“Why would His Majesty the Emperor come?”

“I heard Lady Louelle and Lord Fazel met His Majesty the Emperor together.”

* * *

The whispers were too loud. I realized our visit to the imperial palace had become widespread gossip in the capital. Well, I’d thought rumors would spread.

But don’t talk so blatantly.

“Louelle Asnel, as a member of the imperial family, declared she would renounce her right to the throne to show loyalty to me. I, Kaisiel, accept this declaration.”

Then everyone fell silent. The gazes focused on the Emperor shifted to me. Everyone must have been surprised. But I didn’t particularly need succession rights. Having them would only create noise. Like my mother, I planned to live satisfied with what was mine.

What I want is Fazel—nothing else.

I smiled broadly. The Emperor nodded too.

“I’m grateful for your grace, Your Majesty.”

“I shall bestow a reward upon you. You shall always have my protection. Anyone who harms Louelle will be considered as challenging me.”

It was truly exceptional. In other words, the Emperor would personally protect me. His Majesty the Emperor, who’d accepted Fazel’s opinion, suddenly looked cool.

I looked at the Emperor with my lips slightly parted. Then the Emperor approached me and hugged me tightly.

“My lovely niece deserves it.”

The Emperor looked at me with doting eyes.

Well, moderate power is good.

As long as I kept my center properly, nothing would happen. In other words, it also meant I had to maintain my boundaries unconditionally.

“Thank you.”

I bowed as soon as I escaped the Emperor’s embrace.

Since I’ve lost succession rights, I’m now in the same position as Godfather Taras.

I smiled awkwardly. Godfather Taras also renounced succession rights and obtained the position of Grand Duke. I’d gained the Emperor’s protection.

After Kaisiel’s exceptional declaration, people gathered around Louelle and Fazel.

Especially around Louelle, who’d gained the Emperor’s protection, nobles her age swarmed, desperate to say even one more word. Louelle and Fazel dealt with them appropriately and came out to the terrace.

“This is exhausting!”

Louelle immediately leaned against the railing. Then Fazel handed her the drink he’d brought.

“Drink this.”

“Thanks, Fazel.”

“Anyway, a lot of people are gathering.”

“Well, I’ve solidified my position as the Emperor’s favored niece, so that’s probably why.”

Louelle drank the beverage. The sweet drink entered her mouth and moistened her dry throat. After finishing the drink, she looked at Fazel. Fazel stared at Louelle, then held out the drink he’d intended to drink himself.

“Drink this.”

“What about you, Fazel?”

“I’m fine.”

Fazel said this and chuckled.

“I didn’t talk as much as you.”

He was right. Louelle didn’t decline and took the glass, finishing the drink. Only after drinking two glasses did she feel alive. Louelle leaned against the railing and asked Fazel curiously.

“Are you okay with receiving so much attention?”

“Of course.”

“I think the territory will be piled with gifts.”

Anyone with even the slightest connection would probably send gifts.

“There’ll be gifts for me too.”

Fazel crossed his arms and spoke thoughtfully.

“There will be.”

“I’ll be receiving gifts even though I have no connections.”

Fazel spoke incredulously, then sat silently beside me.

“Well, it’s not bad.”

The moon rose beautifully in the sky. Beside him, I calmed my pounding heart. And I smiled.

We also held a party gathering Master Trean’s connections in the capital and met Fazel’s friends. Time in the capital flew by quickly.