7. Political Marriage

The small island nation, Dianta Principality, remained largely unchanged even after more than a month. Leisurely people, occasional sounds of waves, ship horns echoing from afar.

Nigel, who didn’t even have time to appreciate the relaxed island scenery, was holed up in his mansion’s office dealing with backlogged work. Only Count Owen watched him with a worried face.

Though Nigel was sensitive and irritable, he had a stronger sense of responsibility than anyone. Coming to the principality at a young age, he quickly learned his duties as a ruler and always gave his best. Of course, he would sometimes immerse himself in work for days like now. But this time was a bit different.

He had visited the kingdom he’d missed for years, met his family, and spent time with Miss Rosia Berthe. However, the problem was that for someone who had insisted it was just a passing encounter, Nigel had changed strangely.

“Your Highness, shouldn’t you rest a bit?”

“Go home, Count Owen.”

Nigel answered without even lifting his head. It was hardly even an answer, really. Responding to a suggestion about rest with an abrupt dismissal. Count Owen watched Nigel’s mood carefully with a troubled expression.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has sent an invitation.”

Nigel’s hand stopped. Count Owen had spent all day contemplating how to deliver this news. Having returned from the kingdom just two days ago, being summoned back for a banquet — it was impossible without treating Nigel as a joke. Nigel knew this better than anyone. He narrowed his brows and looked at Count Owen.

“What kind of invitation?”

“A delegation from the Southern Continent will visit in ten days.”

Count Owen answered calmly while being as concise as possible. A delegation’s visit, Queen Gragford’s orders. With these two events coinciding, the reason for the invitation was obvious. The Queen was truly trying to match Nigel with the desert princess.

＊＊＊

Count Hess’s mansion was as quiet as ever when Rosia visited after several days. She was reading a fairy tale to Rey. It was a scene where a prince and princess who fell in love at first sight finally met after various trials and promised marriage while dancing. Rey pointed at the picture, apparently finding it fascinating. Rosia paused her vivid narration to look at Rey.

“Is there something you’re curious about?”

Rey began writing something earnestly on the paper he always kept nearby. Then he handed it to Rosia.

‘I want to learn to dance.’

Wanting to learn to dance. It was both a cute and troublesome request. Rey was a boy, and Rosia had never learned men’s dance steps. But it felt wrong to ignore Rey’s eyes full of expectation. While she was pondering, Aiden knocked on the door.

“Rey, Lady Berthe. I’ve brought some snacks.”

Would there be another young master who personally brought snacks to his brother and his governess? Rosia felt somewhat uncomfortable about this. Though Aiden was kind and good-natured, from her position as an employee, she couldn’t help but feel awkward. There were many watching eyes, yet Aiden kept trying to treat Rosia specially. Even though she was from a viscount’s family, right now she was just Rey Hess’s governess. Though he probably acted that way simply because he was a good person, Rosia thought nothing good would come from such stories reaching the Count’s ears.

“What book were you reading?”

Aiden seemed completely unaware of Rosia’s inner thoughts. He smiled gently while placing cookies thickly spread with strawberry jam and fragrant tea on the table. Rosia gave an embarrassed smile and answered.

“Rey says he wants to learn to dance.”

“Dance?”

Aiden looked slightly surprised. Rey ducked his head low, seemingly embarrassed. Rosia patted Rey’s shoulder and continued.

“But I don’t know the men’s style well.”

Even with the same dance, men and women had slightly different movements. Aiden wore a thoughtful expression for a moment. Rey’s head dropped even lower. He must have been feeling quite shy. Rosia felt sorry for mentioning it to Aiden. That’s when Aiden extended his hand to Rosia and said.

“I can demonstrate, teacher.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

Aiden grabbed the startled Rosia’s hand and pulled her to her feet. Finding herself about to dance without any music, Rosia looked back at Rey. Rey’s eyes went wide, and he approached the piano. He sat on the slightly tall bench and began moving his fingers. The light and cheerful piano piece that Rosia had taught last week filled the air.

Aiden continued dancing while staring intently at Rosia. Rosia also moved with full concentration, not wanting to make mistakes in front of Rey.

When the performance reached its middle section, she came very close to Aiden. As if he had been waiting for this moment, Aiden whispered to her.

“I hear His Highness Grand Duke Gragford, who caused quite a stir in the kingdom for several weeks, has returned to Dianta. Did you know?”

“……Ah.”

Rosia unknowingly stepped on Aiden’s foot and stopped. Nigel Gragford had gone back. Who would have thought this sentence would feel so unfamiliar. Even though she hadn’t expected a farewell, why did she feel disappointed? When Rosia’s expression darkened, Aiden let go of her hand. At the same time, Rey’s performance came to an end.

“How was it, Rey? Did you see the dance well?”

Aiden had already approached Rey and spoke to him familiarly. Rosia stood still, recalling her times with Nigel. Their relationship wasn’t good from their first meeting. Yet why did a corner of her heart ripple like stagnant water?

There were still many things she hadn’t returned. The expensive tiara she received as a gift, the borrowed coat and handkerchief. Things trapped in Rosia’s closet that couldn’t return to their owner… Perhaps they would have to stay there forever.

“Rosia?”

Aiden approached with a worried expression. Rosia hastily shook her head to erase the useless thoughts. Then she gave Aiden an awkward smile.

“Yes, did you call me?”

“I was wondering if you’d heard about the delegation from the Southern Continent visiting the kingdom. It seems like it might be important for you.”

Aiden answered in a careful tone. Rosia’s heart sank at the word Southern Continent. Come to think of it, it had been weeks since she’d received any letters from her brothers. Had the problems been resolved well? If so, there would have been a reply. No contact meant something might have gone wrong. Would Father know anything? But it was questionable whether he would give a proper answer even if Rosia asked. After all, her father wanted Rosia to remain a flower in a greenhouse, knowing nothing.

“Thank you for telling me.”

After a long silence, Rosia barely managed to reply when Rey started playing a new piece.

＊＊＊

When Nigel returned to the principality, the nobles of the principality all spoke in one voice about the matter with the Berthe family. Though they refrained from vulgar words, their meaning was clear. The Grand Duke needed to make a suitable marriage alliance as soon as possible and establish an heir to lead the principality. The main position was that this match couldn’t be with a humble viscount family.

Nigel was receiving the same demands in both the kingdom and the principality. It was the responsibility of someone leading a country. However, at times all of this felt meaningless.

Looking at it plainly, Dianta was a principality in name only, essentially just a small island belonging to the kingdom. The Queen had merely placed Nigel as a nominal ruler; he didn’t even have proper power within the principality. The few nobles were all Her Majesty the Queen’s people.

“Your Highness, what will you do?”

“What can I do? I’ll go.”

Nigel replied while loosening his tie. That ambiguous answer made Count Owen uneasy. To him, Nigel was someone in a precarious state that could explode at any moment. He had thought things were fine since Nigel had been enduring well, but that was just a month ago. The unexpected result of his interactions with Davion was Rosia Berthe.

Count Owen hadn’t thought Nigel would ever truly love someone. That’s why it was even stranger. Why had the Grand Duke, who never showed particular interest in others, approached that woman so easily? Though he couldn’t ask directly, he was curious.

Someone who had captured Nigel Gragford’s heart and boldly rejected his proposal. Count Owen recalled Rosia’s face. She was certainly lovely on the outside. The Grand Duke he served was also incomparable in appearance, though rather barren inside. Perhaps Rosia Berthe was much better than the Grand Duke in that aspect.

Nigel asked as if reading Count Owen’s thoughts.

“How is the Berthe family? Has the business been concluded?”

“Well…… I heard some unfavorable rumors.”

“Unfavorable rumors?”

Count Owen’s expression darkened.

“There are rumors they might be punished for fraud.”

“Fraud.”

Nigel frowned. Would Rosia Berthe know about this? Probably not. Though he had only met Viscount Berthe a couple of times, Nigel could guess how Rosia had been raised. No, could that even be called protection? As someone who had been neglected by his family, it was difficult for Nigel to understand.

“What do you think Her Majesty will do?”

“In the past, she would have requested their transfer to be dealt with under kingdom law, but now with improving relations with the Southern Continent being crucial, that seems difficult. At this rate, they’re likely to be punished in Egon.”

Count Owen calmly provided his expected answer. Nigel thought of Rosia. A woman who had nothing yet harbored not a speck of greed. She would surely be hurt. And she would suffer, unable to turn her back on family. Nigel felt an odd sense of triumph just imagining Rosia begging him for help.

“Find out how much the bail is.”

“What? You plan to resolve this, Your Highness?”