Side Story 7

Klaritas let out a deep sigh.  

Not long ago, he had entered the Imperial Palace and asked the Emperor and Nibert why there were no shadows secretly guarding Annibella.  

The Emperor summoned the shadows and questioned them. It turned out that they had acted under Nibert’s orders.  

〈Our top priority is to protect the Imperial Family, but obeying their commands is our absolute duty.〉  

From their perspective, they had done nothing wrong. However, Nibert’s actions left a bitter taste in Klaritas’s mouth.  

〈Your Highness, why did you withdraw the secret protection for my daughter?〉  

〈There were reasons for it, Marquis Zenovil.〉  

〈Your Highness, my daughter has been injured.〉  

〈Send her my regards and tell her to take care of herself.〉  

Nibert spoke coldly. Even though Klaritas had informed him of a serious incident involving his fiancée, Nibert neither sent a letter nor visited her. Instead, he seemed more concerned about the graduation banquet.  

What’s more…  

〈Your Highness! I missed you! You said you’d help me choose a dress for the banquet today!〉  

〈Of course, Bangara.〉  

Right in front of Klaritas, the father of his fiancée, Nibert caressed Bangara’s cheek and hair, openly displaying his affection. Though he had heard rumors, seeing it in person was shocking.  

Klaritas understood that, as the Emperor’s heir, Nibert could have concubines or lovers. However, his behavior was a blatant disregard for his fiancée’s family and people, as if the Marquis Zenovil’s family meant nothing to him. Rage boiled within Klaritas.  

He thought of Annibella. He couldn’t even imagine how hurt she must have been because of Nibert and Bangara. However, expressing his anger now would bring no benefit—only harm.  

“Marquis Zenovil.”  

Klaritas turned at the sound of someone calling him. It was the second prince, Avennos.  

“Prince Avennos, what brings you here?”  

“How is Lady Annibella? I heard she went through a dangerous ordeal. Is she badly hurt? I’ve been so worried…”  

Hearing the words he had wanted from Nibert come out of Avennos’s mouth, Klaritas felt a lump in his throat.  

“She’s struggling… as expected.”  

“I see… Please give this to Lady Annibella. It’s an ointment that works well on wounds. And this is a letter—I wanted to visit her myself, but I’m sending this instead.”  

Avennos took a small glass bottle and an envelope from his coat and handed them to Klaritas.  

“Yes, I’ll deliver them.”  

“Thank you, Marquis Zenovil.”  

“No, I should be the one thanking you, Your Highness, for always looking out for my daughter.”  

Now that he thought about it, Avennos had always cared for Annibella, even as a child. He had sent her gifts for her academy admission and congratulatory flowers every year as she advanced in her studies.  

“Let me escort you to your carriage.”  

“That’s not necessary…”  

“I insist. At least allow me to see you off.”  

“Alright.”  

“Thank you for allowing it.”  

As their eyes met, Klaritas noticed the sorrow in Avennos’s gaze and swallowed hard.  

Even on the way back to the estate in his carriage, Klaritas couldn’t shake the image of Avennos’s sad eyes. He realized just how deeply Avennos cared for Annibella—or rather, he had always known but had chosen to ignore it.  

“If only he were the Crown Prince…”  

He couldn’t help but think that Annibella wouldn’t be suffering now if Avennos had been the Crown Prince.  

***

“Bangara, why aren’t you smiling as much today?”  

“I’m happy to be Your Highness’s partner for the graduation banquet, but I can’t stop worrying about Lady Annibella.”  

“Don’t worry about her. I chose you.”  

“Your Highness…”  

Bangara leaned into Nibert’s arms, her expression sorrowful.  

“Bangara, approaching Annibella will only hurt you. Don’t get any closer to her.”  

“I’ll follow your words, Your Highness.”  

“I told you to call me Nir when we’re alone.”  

“That’s right, Nir.”  

“I’ll bring you into the palace as my concubine later, but my heart and love will always belong to you alone.”  

“Nir, I actually wanted to talk to you about becoming a concubine.”  

“Say whatever’s on your mind.”  

Bangara was taken aback by Nibert’s words. For most viscount families, having a concubine in the Imperial Palace would be a great honor, but Bangara thought differently.  

“Your Highness, I don’t want to become a concubine…”  

Bangara’s goal was to become the Crown Princess of the Gradi Kingdom and eventually ascend to the position of Empress. Hearing the word “concubine” from Nibert made her feel insulted. She began to formulate a plan to secure the Empress’s seat.  

“What do you mean? Are you saying you don’t want to be my concubine?”  

“I was bullied by Lady Annibella at the academy. If I become a concubine in the future… I’ll continue to be hated by her, who will become Empress. Even now, I apologized to her for being Your Highness’s partner for the graduation banquet, but she didn’t accept it. She’ll torment me endlessly. I’m scared…”  

Bangara covered her face with her hands and sobbed.  

“I’m not confident. Maybe it would be better to part ways with you now before things get even deeper.”  

“I have no intention of parting with you, Bangara!”  

“Your Highness…”  

“I was short-sighted, Bangara. If Lady Annibella becomes Empress, she’ll torment you, my future concubine…”  

“Yes, Nir.”  

“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll break off my engagement with Annibella and make you, my beloved Bangara, my Crown Princess. I’ll elevate you to the highest position in the Gradi Kingdom. Will you stay with me forever?”  

“Your Highness.”  

“Nir.”  

“Nir…”  

“I love you, Bangara.”  

“I truly love you too. People may point fingers at me, but my love for you is greater than any ridicule—I don’t care about anything else.”  

“Why do you always say such beautiful things?”  

Nibert embraced Bangara tightly, swearing his love to her.  

As she leaned into his arms, Bangara wept softly, a sly smile tugging at her lips.  

“I’m so happy.”  

Having achieved her goal of becoming the Crown Princess of the Gradi Kingdom, her next target was Theodore Florence. The position of Grand Duchess of Florence in the Sirius Empire was far more appealing than that of Empress of the Gradi Kingdom. If Theodore fell for her completely, she could eliminate both Meia and Nibert and take the title of Grand Duchess for herself.

Bangara thought to herself that if Theodore didn’t fall for her even when they were alone, she would have to settle for being the Empress of the Gradi Kingdom. No matter how she looked at it, holding two cakes in both hands and deciding which one to eat seemed like a luxurious and happy dilemma.  

“Oh, right. Nir, did you know?”  

“Know what?”  

“The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Florence are staying at Marquis Zenovil’s estate.”  

“What? The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Florence? But there are still two weeks left until the academy graduation ceremony!”  

“You didn’t know?”  

“I only knew they were visiting… but I had no idea they were already in the Empire, let alone staying at Marquis Zenovil’s estate.”  

“Oh my, Lady Annibella knew but kept it a secret from you? The Grand Duke of Florence is an important figure for the Gradi Kingdom’s diplomatic relations, isn’t he?”  

“That’s true. Because of the tourists and adventurers who come through the ports of Florence, they’re very important.”  

“Why wouldn’t she inform you of such an important visit? Could it be that she’s petty enough to take revenge just because you won’t escort her to the graduation banquet?”  

“She’s definitely capable of doing that.”  

“What should we do?”  

“What’s wrong, Bangara?”  

“I don’t know what Lady Annibella might have said to the Grand Duchess… but the way the Grand Duchess looked at me was terrifying. She didn’t even properly acknowledge my greeting.”  

“Now that you mention it, the Grand Duke of Florence got married a year ago.”  

Nibert recalled sending a congratulatory delegation and gifts to the Grand Duke’s estate in Florence.  

“Why are the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess staying at Marquis Zenovil’s estate? They could have stayed comfortably at the Imperial Palace instead.”  

“I’m not sure either…”  

“Why Marquis Zenovil’s estate, of all places… This won’t do. I need to go to Marquis Zenovil’s estate. Bangara, I’ll leave now.”  

“Your Highness! I want to go with you.”  

“No. Who knows what Lady Annibella might do to you?”  

“I want to meet the Grand Duchess of Florence, not Lady Annibella. I want to clear up any misunderstandings caused by Lady Annibella. I believe that a wise person like the Grand Duchess wouldn’t judge based on one side’s story alone.”  

“Bangara…”  

Bangara clung desperately to Nibert, insisting on following him to Marquis Zenovil’s estate.  

“Florence is close to the Gradi Kingdom, isn’t it? As you said, Your Highness, if I become the Crown Princess… I need to build a good relationship with the Grand Duchess of Florence.”  

In truth, Bangara needed to get closer to Theodore. However, Nibert, unaware of this, was moved by her words.  

“You’re right. If the Grand Duchess of Florence supports you, it will surely be a great help when you become the Crown Princess.”  

***

Theodore smirked slightly as he watched Nibert arrive unannounced. He felt annoyed, as if his peaceful time with Meia had been interrupted.  

“Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to stay at the Imperial Palace? Isn’t Marquis Zenovil’s estate inconvenient?”  

Theodore glanced at Meia, who sat quietly beside him, smiling faintly. She seemed irritated as well.  

“Crown Prince.”  

“Yes, Grand Duchess of Florence.”  

“Is it a tradition in the Gradi Kingdom to visit without making an appointment?”  

Meia’s gaze shifted to Bangara, who had accompanied Nibert, as she spoke.  

“I heard that you, Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Florence, have arrived earlier than expected, so I came in a hurry. I apologize.”  

“But why did you bring Lady Bangara of the Benstein family with you to meet us, Your Highness? As far as I know, your fiancée is Lady Annibella. It almost feels like Lady Bangara is the fiancée instead.”  

Nibert had brought Bangara along because she said she wanted to get closer to Meia. However, Meia coldly drew a line, stating, ‘She’s not your fiancée.’

“Crown Prince of the Gradi Kingdom.”  

“Yes.”  

“Isn’t it proper etiquette to enter the parlor with your fiancée, Lady Annibella, in the first place? And if Lady Bangara of the Benstein family were to join you, she should have insisted that you enter with your fiancée. That’s the duty of someone who might become a future concubine.”  

“Grand Duchess, a concubine? I have no intention of becoming one.”  

Bangara sensed that Meia was provoking her.  

“If not a concubine, then what? Do you intend to become the Empress, Lady Bangara?”  

Meia’s cold gaze pierced Bangara. Everything about her—acting as if she were Nibert’s fiancée, constantly watching Theodore’s reactions as she spoke, and playing the victim—irritated Meia.