Chapter 49

Braden and Shutal left the Empress’s reception room.

“You knew?”

Braden asked in a dry voice.

“Knew what?”

“That Her Majesty’s mental state was unstable.”

“No. Normally, Her Majesty only speaks when necessary. She never shows emotion.”

Shutal furrowed his brow.

“Call Anne and have her examine Her Majesty.”

If he hadn’t known, Diana couldn’t be left as she was.

She was the Empress. The safety of so many depended on her.

“Will she agree to an examination?”

“She must.”

Braden turned at the sound of footsteps following him.

“Oh!”

The blond-haired man who’d been following Braden hesitated when Braden turned. He was Diana’s Imperial Knight, Lenok. With a delicate, almost feminine face, he didn’t appear particularly skilled.

Did they choose guards for their looks?

Diana was beautiful, but also a skilled swordswoman. Judging by Lenok’s aura, it seemed Diana would have to protect him.

“What is it?”

“Your Highness, Prince.”

Lenok dropped to his knees and bowed, obedience ingrained in his body.

“Speak.”

Braden’s short, cold voice made Lenok flinch and stammer.

“I, I….”

How could an Imperial Knight be so timid?

“Speak.”

“Please accept Her Majesty’s request.”

“What request?”

“The proposal letter.”

“Why me?”

“She’s your sister. Killing the one who hurt her doesn’t heal the wound.”

“Forgiveness belongs to the one hurt.”

“Her Majesty has nightmares every night. The King of Listal was truly less than a beast. Because of him, Her Majesty can no longer bear children.”

Lenok gritted his teeth. What Diana suffered was unspeakable.

“What?”

Braden’s eyebrows twitched.

How could someone be hurt so badly they became infertile?

“Please, accept Her Majesty’s request. You’re her brother. Only you can save her from those nightmares.”

Lenok’s voice was desperate.

“Don’t you suspect it yourself? Her Majesty sent you to the magical beast hunting grounds to save you.”

The magical beast hunting grounds were dangerous. That’s why Braden avoided the succession struggle.

It was Diana who sent Grand Mage Liber to help him.

“Will accepting the proposal truly free her from those nightmares?”

“You can’t know until you try.”

Lenok was on the verge of tears. Such a beautiful man, about to cry, gave off a strange allure.

“Are you Her Majesty’s lover?”

“Ah, yes.”

Lenok quickly bowed his blushing face.

“Understood.”

Braden turned away.

At least his poor sister had someone who truly cared for her.

Oddly enough, that was a comfort.

“Will you really submit the proposal without revealing yourself?”

Once Lenok was gone, Shutal asked.

Originally, Braden hadn’t intended to accept Diana’s condition. But hearing she couldn’t even bear children, he realized how much pain Diana never spoke of.

“It’ll be the first and last favor I do for my sister.”

He could only hope for forgiveness for startling Adela.

With her caring nature, perhaps she’d understand after hearing about his sister.

***

Three days before the King’s royal wedding.

Edel Kingdom was lively in many ways. The grand event had people excited, while the nobles fiercely split into two camps over Adela’s scandal.

In the midst of all this, Adela leisurely drank tea in the greenhouse with Princess Elga, soon to be Queen.

“You must feel cold after coming from warm Lambro.”

“At first, I was surprised. The fabric was so thick, it felt odd. I’ll get used to it soon.”

Elga smiled brightly.

With blond hair and violet eyes, Elga was cute and cheerful. Though both Princesses, her bright, lively aura was quite different from Adela’s elegant, serious demeanor.

“Once the wedding is over, the Queen’s duties will be handed over. The administrative officer will help you, and once you’re comfortable, you can pick your own aide.”

“To be honest, I’m nervous. I helped Mother for a few months, but what I learned at the academy is so different from real work.”

“No one does well at first. You’ll get the hang of it soon. If you ever need help, just ask me.”

Adela smiled warmly.

She liked the bright, optimistic Elga very much. With her, her brother would surely be happy.

After parting with Elga, Adela was summoned by Holden.

“You called, Your Majesty?”

Adela greeted respectfully.

“Sister.”

Holden looked at Adela with a flushed face.

“Did something good happen?”

“A proposal letter arrived from Sovaro Empire.”

“A proposal letter?”

Impossible. A proposal letter? From an Imperial Prince, no less.

She’d never imagined such a thing.

“The Prince who left for the magical beast hunting grounds ten years ago has returned to the Empire. He’s the Empress’s only full-blooded younger brother.”

“Why would he propose to me?”

“He’s twenty-six, so it’s not too young. I suppose the Empress is finally looking out for her brother. It’s really good news.”

“I cannot accept.”

“Why not? He’s an Imperial Prince.”

“I have no purity left to offer him.”

Adela spoke calmly and matter-of-factly.

Talking openly about such a sensitive subject left Holden flustered and speechless.

“The Empire must know about your scandal, Sister.”

“And they still sent a proposal?”

“I think so. It means they won’t hold the scandal against you. Ah! I looked into it, and he’s strong and handsome. It’s his first marriage, too.”

Holden had checked quickly. He wondered if they were marrying a scandal-ridden Adela off to get rid of a problematic Prince.

He’d just returned to the Empire, so not much was known, but he was apparently whole and healthy. The Empress was famed for her beauty, and the Prince was said to match her.

“It’s truly a good match.”

“Are you planning to marry me off for political gain?”

Adela looked Holden straight in the eye.

“No, never. I just want my sister, who suffered for me, to marry a good man.”

Holden waved his hands in panic.

“If I don’t want it, you won’t accept the proposal?”

“Of course.”

“Then please refuse.”

“Is the scandal bothering you that much?”

Holden’s voice was gloomy. He was clearly blaming himself.

“I don’t even have feelings left to give.”

“What do you mean…”

“I love that man. How could I marry the Prince with these feelings? Wouldn’t it be terribly disrespectful?”

“You mean you love that gladiator slave?”

Holden took a deep breath.

Adela was his idol. The idea of his noble sister loving someone so lowly was heartbreaking.

He wanted to find her a good marriage after her reputation was ruined because of him.

“He’s a commoner now. I destroyed his slave papers.”

Adela corrected him. She didn’t like Braden being called a mere slave.

“Still, he’s not suited for you.”

He’d seen the illustrations in the gossip papers. Tall, muscular, and attractive.

‘So even Sister is weak to looks.’

“I don’t know how long these feelings will last. But as long as I have them, I don’t want to marry. Can you protect me as I am, Your Majesty?”

Adela smiled bitterly. Sadness lingered in her eyes.

“Understood. I’ll refuse the proposal.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Adela bowed her head and looked at the fourth finger of her right hand. The pink diamond on her ring sparkled brilliantly.

Adela wrapped her finger with her left hand.

‘I can’t forget him.’

‘I love him. So much.’

‘Stay strong. Finish everything and go meet him to travel together.’

But first, she had to resolve things with Adamante.

***

“What? A proposal letter from Sovaro Empire?”

Adamante shouted in shock at the report from the King’s aide, Dan.

“His Majesty sent a reply refusing the proposal.”

Adamante relaxed a little at those words.

He hadn’t expected it. A proposal from a foreign country?

Adela must become the Monarch of Edel Kingdom. Marrying a foreign royal was out of the question.

If Holden were clever, he’d have sent Adela away, but his political sense was lacking. Thankfully.

“I didn’t overhear their conversation, but His Majesty said it was Adela’s decision.”

“Understood.”

Dan bowed and left.

“Whew.”

Adamante’s mouth was dry, so he drank a glass of water.

So a proposal could come from abroad.

A completely unexpected variable.

He needed to hurry.

***

Diana tilted her head and read the letter in her hand again and again. The letter was from Edel Kingdom. Diana’s expression was peculiar.

“Summon Prince Braden.”

Soon, Braden entered.

“You called.”

“A reply to the proposal has arrived.”

“…….”

Braden was a bit nervous about what the reply would be, but hid his expression.

“They say the Princess is gravely ill and cannot accept the proposal.”

“Does that comfort you, Your Majesty?”

Braden relaxed a little, his lips loosening.

“Much more than I expected. The King of Edel Kingdom is quite something.”

Braden had said the Princess wouldn’t want it, but Diana hadn’t believed him.

She herself had been sold for a scrap of borderland. In contrast, what Diana offered for marriage was enormous.

Even if the Princess didn’t want it, Diana thought it would be hard for the King to refuse.

Refusing the proposal meant the Princess didn’t want it and the King respected her wishes, giving up a great benefit.

This meant a lot to Diana.

How different was he from her own father.

Was it because he was a brother, not a father?

Either way, she felt goodwill toward Edel Kingdom.

“But what if the Princess really is gravely ill? So sick she can’t marry?”

Diana’s lips twisted playfully.

Braden frowned, displeased.

“I’ll have to leave immediately and check for myself.”

“You’re like a calf with its tail on fire. Even if you’re in a hurry, remember the Princess’s dignity and prepare properly.”

“I’m all set. I’ll leave tomorrow, so please send a letter immediately saying you’re sending a congratulatory delegation for the royal wedding.”

“I already sent it.”

Diana smiled sweetly.