Chapter 98

Upon arriving at the estate of Duke Hatzbellua, Crown Prince Patzraelli immediately sought out Luman.

“Your Highness, what brings you here?”

“I came because of the matter with the Shantry family.”

“I will not apologize.”

“It was wrong for Meryl to resort to violence first.”

At the criticism of his beloved Meryl, Luman raised his reddened eyes and questioned Patzraelli sharply.

“More importantly, is the rumor that Lady Cesar is your mistress true, Your Highness?”

“It is not.”

“Then why didn’t you take care of our Meryl at that time?”

“Lady Cesar was unilaterally struck by Meryl and collapsed! I simply helped the one who had fallen without thinking.”

“That was a careless action. Even if Your Highness hadn’t intervened, Lady Cesar would have been attended to by her maids. Why did you step in? This incident has deeply hurt Meryl.”

“This would not have happened if Lady Meryl hadn’t struck Lady Cesar.”

“When I heard Meryl’s account, it seemed she had reason to act as she did. I have no intention of apologizing to the Shantry family! If you’ll excuse me, I have matters to attend to. Please make an appointment next time before coming.”

“Before I leave, let me ask you something. Does Lady Meryl wish to annul the engagement over this matter?”

At Patzraelli’s question, Luman glared at him sharply and replied.

“If she does, will you grant her wish?”

However, Patzraelli could not bring himself to say “yes.” What if Meia refused to accept him? The thought left his mind in turmoil.

He wanted Meia, but she had rejected him. Of course, he planned to keep trying to win her over, but what if she never relented?

If he lost both Meia and Meryl, his position as Crown Prince would be in jeopardy.

Thus, the proper sequence of events would be to win Meia back first, then annul his engagement.

‘At times like this, I need to think rationally.’ 

“Your Highness, whether Meryl wishes for an annulment or not is a matter to discuss with Her Majesty the Empress.”

“I feel sorry for disappointing Lady Meryl so much, Duke.”

Hearing Patzraelli’s apology, Luman’s mood softened. At least the Crown Prince acknowledged his wrongdoing.

“I’d like to meet Lady Meryl and apologize.”

After all, leaving his fiancée to care for another lady was undeniably wrong, and an apology was appropriate.

“Ahem, then I’ll call for Meryl.”

However, Meryl did not come.

“It seems Meryl is still quite upset. Perhaps another time, Your Highness.”

“Count Shantry has directly submitted a formal request for an apology between families to His Majesty. Lady Meryl must attend at least once.”

“There will be no apology.”

Luman remained firmly resolute, showing no intention of backing down.

Patzraelli sighed deeply and headed to the Shantry estate. He worked tirelessly to mediate between the two families. Finally, a date for a meeting was set.

As he walked into the conference room, his steps felt unbearably heavy.

When he opened the door, Count Shantry and Duke Hatzbellua were glaring at each other like mortal enemies. Patzraelli sat down with an uncomfortable expression.

A long and heated argument ensued between Robert and Luman.

Whenever voices were raised, Patzraelli slammed his hand on the table and tried to calm them down. While Luman seemed somewhat pacified, perhaps due to Patzraelli’s expressed regret toward Meryl, Robert was not.

Rumors were already rampant in social circles, claiming that Lady Cesar was the Crown Prince’s mistress.

The scandal had spread far and wide, with exaggerated tales that Meryl had slapped Lady Cesar because of it.

Patzraelli sighed. He hadn’t realized how his careless actions would escalate into such a major issue.

He deeply regretted it. If only he could find a dragon to turn back time using magic.

“So, what is it that you want, Count Shantry?”

“If I state my demands, will you fulfill them?”

Patzraelli remained silent. To promise anything would mean he would have to keep his word. Seeing his hesitation, Robert smirked triumphantly.

“What we want is simple.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Duke Hatzbellua will not apologize, nor will I. However, my beloved daughter, Lady Cesar, has been embroiled in scandal. The solution is to erase the scandal.”

“Erase it?”

“Your Highness, you must marry Lady Meryl.”

“Marriage?”

Hearing Robert echo the Emperor’s earlier words, Patzraelli stared at him blankly.

Luman coughed awkwardly. Although Meryl had expressed a desire to annul the engagement, the position of Crown Princess was undeniably desirable.

If Meryl became Empress, their ongoing business ventures would flourish even more.

Perhaps he could convince his daughter to reconsider. Luman thought about the benefits of Meryl becoming Crown Princess.

Robert stood up, bowed with a smile, and addressed Patzraelli.

“Once the royal wedding is held, anyone who speaks ill of it can be punished for defaming the Imperial Family’s honor. That will naturally put an end to the vile rumors about my Lady Cesar being part of a love triangle. That is what I desire.”

If the royal wedding took place, Patzraelli would lose Meia forever.

“The reason Duke Hatzbellua and I are at odds is because of your actions at the tea party, Your Highness. You neglected your fiancée and cared for my daughter instead. You must take responsibility for that.”

Robert turned to Luman, who was sitting across from him.

“Do you agree, Duke Hatzbellua?”

“I agree.”

Patzraelli’s face turned pale. Seeing his expression, Robert smirked smugly. He had long suspected that the Crown Prince was not fond of Meryl.

The fact that Patzraelli, usually composed, showed such displeasure at the mention of a royal wedding only confirmed Robert’s suspicions. It was enough to make him feel a bit vindicated.

“Then please proceed with the royal wedding to quell the rumors.”

***

At that moment, at the Duke Hatzbellua’s estate.

“Young Lady Meryl, a guest has arrived.”

“A guest?”

“The Young Master of Earl Kurundal is waiting in the drawing room.”

“What?! You should have told me sooner! Quickly, make me look beautiful.”

Upon hearing that Thomas had arrived, Meryl couldn’t calm her pounding heart. She took extra care to enhance her appearance and hurriedly made her way to the drawing room where Thomas was waiting.

As soon as she opened the door and saw Thomas seated and waiting, a smile naturally spread across her face.

The maids efficiently served tea and refreshments before disappearing. Now, only Meryl and Thomas were left in the drawing room.

“Meryl.”

“Yes, Thomas.”

With a slightly flushed face, Thomas began to speak, seemingly embarrassed.

“My father seems to be canceling the marriage proposal with Count Shantry’s family.”

This was delightful news for Meryl.

“That’s truly wonderful.”

With a joyful expression, Meryl sat next to Thomas and leaned on his shoulder.

Thomas, as if cherishing her leaning on him, wrapped his arms around her lovingly.

“I told my father as well. That I want to break off my engagement.”

“Are you sure about this? I wouldn’t mind living as your lover, Meryl.”

At Thomas’s words, Meryl responded irritably.

“No! Thomas.”

With a sorrowful expression, Thomas continued.

“If I officially inherit the title of Earl Kurundal, I wouldn’t have to go through with this forced political marriage. But it’s miserable.”

Thomas spoke further, as if in agony.

“When I was young, my mother passed away. My father blames me entirely for it. That’s why he despises me.”

“Earl Kurundal does?”

Thomas explained to Meryl how cruelly Earl Kurundal had tormented him.

“I never thought of him that way, but that’s just too much!”

“Sometimes, I wish my father would disappear, but then I hate myself for having such thoughts.”

“Thomas.”

“My father knows I’m here. If I return home, I might be beaten, but I’m happy that I won’t have to marry Lady Cesar for a political alliance. I came here because I wanted to share this joy with you, Meryl.”

A couple of large tears rolled down Thomas’s cheeks. His heartfelt plea, made despite knowing he might face a beating from Earl Kurundal, deeply moved Meryl.

“Thomas, I love you.”

“Oh, Meryl…! My one and only goddess.”

“Thomas.”

The two shared a passionate kiss.

Meryl imagined a happy future where she married Thomas. Meanwhile, Thomas dreamed of becoming Duke Hatzbellua. Of course, if Meryl went through with the royal marriage to Crown Prince Patzraelli, that would be beneficial too. After all, it was simply a matter of whether he became an earl or a duke.

“I want to spend the whole day with you, Meryl.”

“Me too, Thomas.”

In a dreamy state, Meryl resolved to break off her engagement soon. However, her dream was shattered by Luman, who had just returned from the royal palace.

“Father! What did you say? The engagement can’t be broken off? What do you mean?!”

“Well, Meryl…”

Luman explained the conversation he had with Robert and Crown Prince Patzraelli.

“If you wanted to break off the engagement, you should have been a little more patient, Meryl.”

Meryl spoke indignantly.

“Because of that incident, I came to realize how insufferable His Highness the Crown Prince is, so I don’t regret hitting Lady Cesar. His Highness despises me! And I dislike him too! I want to break off this engagement!”

To Meryl, who was dreaming of a happy marriage with Thomas, the royal marriage was nothing but misery.

His warm embrace, gentle gaze, sweet words, and kisses.

And the dream of living happily as Countess Kurundal, raising adorable children together.

However, to achieve that dream, she first needed to break off her engagement with Crown Prince Patzraelli.

But what’s this? She had assumed the engagement would naturally be called off, yet now they were telling her to proceed with the royal marriage instead!

It felt like being struck by lightning on a clear day.