Tan remembered an expression he’d vaguely heard during the day and asked half-jokingly. However, Elizabeth shook her head slightly and corrected.

“Like sweet chocolate.”

Tan didn’t know what chocolate was, but the modifier ‘sweet’ somehow seemed to tickle inside his chest.

“Everyone will have skin like yours, Sir Su, so if the bride with white skin like me goes there, um…… won’t they say she’s like flour dough?”

“No. They’ll think she’s like sweet goat’s milk.”

“I’ve never had goat’s milk.”

“In Kartran, we only give goat’s milk with honey to young children. It’s the sweetest and most precious food I’ve eaten in my life. Both goat’s milk and honey are difficult to obtain in the desert. And I actually don’t know what chocolate is either. Is it…… sweet like honey?”

“Ah! Chocolate is…… sweet and bitter. You can taste bitterness between the very sweet taste, and your skin color really reminds me of chocolate.”

The two didn’t realize at all they were looking at each other sweetly and were only talking about sweet foods that came to mind from each other’s skin color.

“……Anyway, what I want to say is that in Kartran, an imperial bride will be welcomed. The bride will probably become the person who determines the start of Kartran’s development, and will be loved by everyone in Kartran. We’re…… not very different from people of the Empire. We’re the same people too. Just as imperial people’s way of life differs slightly by region, our way of life is just a little bit different.”

“Yes…… I understand now too. That Sir Su isn’t much different from me either.”

“Moreover, even our way of kissing is the same.”

At Tan’s words, the two’s gazes became entangled. The faces of the two sitting close together gradually drew closer. Tan knew today was the last night he’d meet this mysterious woman. The next day was the delegation’s last day of stay, so he’d have to be at the banquet hall all night.

He was more curious about this woman beside him than any woman of the Empire, but the period he could stay in the Empire was too short, and he wasn’t in a position to freely marry the woman he wanted. For Kartran’s development, to which his father had devoted his life, even his own marriage was a card that couldn’t be wasted carelessly.

So he too had to suppress his desires. However, within this magical time right now, just a little…… he wanted to be just a little more greedy.

The two, who’d drawn close enough for their breaths to touch, quietly closed their eyes while aching at the regret, sadness, and excitement in each other’s eyes, then soon shared the warmth of their pressed lips.

It was truly the body temperature of humans no different from each other. However, as expected, those lips were terribly sweet. He was certain he’d never forget them forever.

“Haah……”

“Haah, haah……”

Tan looked at Elizabeth with longing eyes. If he had his way, he wanted to immediately cling to her again and roughly ravage that small mouth. He wanted to mock himself for thinking of mere goat’s milk when seeing her skin. Her lips were sweeter and more dizzying than anything in the world.

Elizabeth sensed Tan’s thirst but gently pushed his shoulder. Though it was very weak, Tan obediently stepped back.

“Let’s bury our story only in this cornflower bed. Thanks to you, Sir Su…… I was able to dream a sweet dream for the first time in my life. Thank you.”

“Lasha……”

“But I think it’s time to wake from the dream now. Even if we meet again someday…… let’s regard each other as good memories. You can do that, right?”

Tan nodded while looking at Elizabeth, who seemed sad. He didn’t know when they’d meet again, or no, if they could even meet in the future—it was such a connection. He too had to wake from this dream.

“I’ll never forget.”

“……Me too.”

Elizabeth quietly rose and returned to where she should be. Tomorrow she must definitely express her intention to marry. Only then would His Majesty the Emperor, His Highness the Crown Prince, and many who viewed the future with Kartran positively be comfortable.

“This is enough. I’m fine now.”

She would never forget that she’d had a heart-pounding night.

⁕⁕⁕

On the morning of the last day Kartran’s delegation stayed, Elizabeth met the Emperor and Crown Prince and declared she would go to Kartran.

The Emperor, who’d already heard rumors that the Raine household intended to accept the marriage proposal, patted her saying her beloved daughter didn’t need to go by force, but Elizabeth rather persuaded the Emperor by listing point by point the reasons why she should proceed with the marriage proposal with Kartran.

“……Empress Eldris may think she’s casting me out, but I’ll definitely make this marriage an opportunity. Brother Pamir needs support from a solid foreign ally since his support base in domestic noble society is weak. If I become Kartran’s crown princess, I’ll be a great strength to my brother.”

At those final words, neither of them could actively stop Elizabeth like before. And Elizabeth didn’t feel hurt either, knowing well their circumstances of not being able to consider only family affection.

Vivian tried to stop Elizabeth, but couldn’t break her pride and dignity. She could only promise to write letters faithfully every month.

Ultimately, at that day’s talks, Kartran achieved what they’d wanted. They would have been happy even receiving a high noble’s daughter, but the Emperor’s most beloved youngest daughter was coming—they couldn’t wish for more. With this, the blood of goddess Naren would flow in Kartran’s royal family too.

At results exceeding expectations, Kartran also promised the Empire various interests. Thanks to that, the last day’s conference room had a harmonious atmosphere. While warm words like ‘We misunderstood until now, let’s get along well from now on’ were warmly exchanged at that place, only Tan, the actual party to the marriage, wore a fake smile.

He was preoccupied thinking whether Lasha would also appear at tonight’s banquet, and whether he could request a dance from her.

As his worries deepened, the sun set and Cavalonia Palace’s main hall was brightly lit.

Tan dressed with all his heart for the banquet. He wore Kartran-style ceremonial robes made of white Asafia fabric, then swept back his long black hair and braided it into one.

Actually, compared to imperial nobles, it couldn’t even be called dressing up, but he did his best with the sole thought of wanting to be remembered in his most splendid appearance to Lasha.

And soon, the bell announcing the banquet’s start rang. Tan and Elizabeth each headed toward the banquet hall following the attendant and maid who’d come to fetch them.

“His Majesty the Emperor, the Empire’s Sun, is entering!”

As soon as the attendant’s resounding voice ended, the imperial orchestra began playing a bright tune, and the banquet hall entrance opened as the Emperor appeared. Though supported by the Empress and Crown Prince, her face held the dignity of a lion who’d ruled the Empire for long years.

And behind the Emperor, the Crown Princess Consort and two princes and two princesses revealed their dazzling figures. Of course, since everyone gathered in the banquet hall bowed their heads to greet the imperial family, no one could see that appearance.

“Everyone raise your heads.”

The Emperor commanded everyone while smiling despite being out of breath. And as usual, after listing blessings and praise for everyone, she drank a glass of water and brought up the main point.

“For long years, misunderstandings accumulated between Caliburn and Kartran, and we’ve lived in mutual hostility until now. However, welcoming a new era, Kartran extended their hand first, and Caliburn too decided to gladly answer Kartran’s goodwill. For the trust of that pledge, Kartran’s Heir Su Mai Tan and Caliburn Empire’s Princess Elizabeth Buffon Jeremiah have promised marriage, so now Caliburn and Kartran have become brother nations. Since this is a place commemorating that joyful pledge, I hope the first dance today will be opened by the two betrothed man and woman.”

At those words, everyone in the hall cheered and clapped. Because the problem that had troubled the imperial palace and noble society for months had been resolved.

The Emperor’s proposal was of course something both Elizabeth and Tan had been informed of in advance, so Tan naturally proceeded to the hall’s center and waited for the princess who’d approach him, and Elizabeth rose from her seat and walked toward the man wearing white desert ceremonial robes.

And Vivian clenched her fists at Elizabeth’s appearance of not losing her pride with her back straight despite being immersed in sadness.

But then, a scene no one had expected unfolded. The two who should dance stopped at a certain point as they drew closer to each other. The two just stared blankly at each other and didn’t draw any closer.

“Oh my……! Her Highness Elizabeth must really hate it. What should we do!”

“Well, no matter how good the conditions are and his looks are decent enough, she still has to leave far away.”

“Oh my…… how pitiful……”