Chapter 1.13

Throughout the meal, their conversation mainly revolved around horses. For Ragaen, it was a comfortable topic. Compared to discussing the subtle taste differences of dozens of recently enjoyed teas or the profound classic novels like <Sunset on the Ulhanika Plains> that were trending again, it was even fun.

Perhaps because of this, until they parted with Greta riding Zara and Ragaen riding Devin, he was in a very comfortable state. If Jespa, who hurriedly followed, knew that Ragaen, who disliked interacting with new people due to shyness, was in such a relaxed state, he might have shed a tear.

On the other hand, Greta was quite anxious. If they reached the mansion and parted, there would be no natural opportunity to approach him again. She had already thanked him, given the forgotten gift, and received a meal in return for the gift. There was no reason to insist on meeting him again.

There’s the Lievo’s residence in sight. It can’t be postponed any longer. If she delays, she might lose the chance altogether. There’s a difference between not attempting at all and trying and failing. As always, Greta overcame her anxiety and fear, gathering courage at the last moment.

Zara stopped. Greta had pulled the reins. Consequently, Ragaen naturally stopped Devin. Neigh. Devin voiced his displeasure. No one paid attention.

“Miss?”

“Duke.”

“Yes?”

Greta turned to him with determined eyes and a resolute face.

Gulp. She swallowed. The oak scent of the high-proof wine she drank at Lottresto seemed to linger on her lips. Perhaps she was a bit intoxicated.

‘Yes, I’m drunk. I’m drunk. So I can say it.’

Greta swallowed again and opened her mouth.

“May I write to you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Will you reply?”

Oh, this was going too far. 

Greta wanted to sew her mouth shut.

“I couldn’t respond to the letter you sent today due to a mishap, but there won’t be such issues next time. I’ll be waiting for your letter.”

Greta bit her lower lip.

“Th-thank you.”

She stammered in gratitude. Greta thought if she stayed longer, she might show more embarrassing sides.

“I’ll definitely send a letter. Today was so enjoyable! I’ll head in first! Let’s go! Zara!”

So she quickly bid farewell and rode off. Excited Zara neighed loudly. As if envious, Devin also neighed.

Greta realized how strange her hasty departure might have looked when she lay in bed to sleep and had to kick the blanket for a while, but that’s a matter for a few hours later, so it’s best to ignore it for now.

Seeing Greta suddenly rush away, Jespa approached Ragaen and asked,

“Is something wrong? Why did Miss suddenly ride off…!”

“Not sure.”

“What did you do, Duke! What did you say! Quickly reveal everything!”

“She asked if she could write to me, so I said, of course.”

“…And then?”

“She asked if I would reply. I said I couldn’t today due to a mishap but would next time, and I’d be waiting for her letter.”

“Wow…”

“Did I make a mistake, Jespa?”

“No. You did well. Very well. Just wait for the letter.”

What is it, our Duke? He’s shy and awkward, yet why does he occasionally deliver such smooth lines? Is being a cool guy a skill that one is born with?

At that moment, Jespa heard Ragaen mutter.

“Am I going to receive fan letters from female fans?”

Ah, damn it. Are you still maintaining that setup?  

Upon reflection, it seemed there was still a long way to go.  

Jespa let out a deep sigh internally, feeling pity for Greta.  

***

This takes place a few days before Greta went to deliver a handkerchief to Ragaen.  

Terry was usually someone whose expression rarely changed and who remained calm at all times. The reason Crown Prince Hayel had kept him by his side for so long and treated him as his right-hand man was not only because of Terry’s competence but also because of his unwaveringly composed and resolute character.  

Thus, Hayel could not help but be utterly astonished when he saw Terry rushing toward him with wide eyes and hurried steps.  

“What on earth has happened for your face to look like that, Terry?”  

“Your Highness, this.”  

The hand that handed over the letter was trembling ever so slightly.  

What on earth could it be? What could be so dreadful and monumental that it would elicit such a reaction from Terry? 

As Hayel received the letter, his mind raced through the worst-case scenarios that could shake the empire’s very destiny—scenarios that would shock not just Terry but everyone.  

Hayel, suppressing his tension, unfolded the letter. As he turned each page, his hands began to shake uncontrollably, as if an earthquake had struck.  

“Gasp! Is this… is this true?”  

“Yes, Your Highness. Sir Jespa personally delivered it to me.”  

“Jespa did?”  

“Yes…!”  

“My goodness. So all of this is true.”  

Lowering the letter, Hayel tapped the armrest of his chair in thought. Terry gazed at him with a very serious expression.  

“So, it’s Lievo, is it?”  

The recipient of the letter Hayel had received was Jespa, and the sender was Eurika Lievo. The content of the letter was a request for cooperation in helping her youngest sibling’s unrequited love. Jespa’s intention in forwarding this letter to the Crown Prince was not only to request cooperation but also to report an important matter.  

“Lievo, Lievo… Lievo.”  

Greta Lievo was a woman whose name didn’t even make it into <Monsieur Tout’s Secret Book>. This was because, when collecting information about unmarried women, only those within four years of Ragaen’s age, either older or younger, were considered. However, even if she had been within the age range, Greta Lievo would not have been a candidate for Ragaen’s marriage. After all, she was a Lievo.  

“Should we cut this off now, or observe for a while? Terry, what do you think?”  

“…It’s difficult to say for certain, as the issue of Lievo’s succession has not yet been resolved.”  

“Exactly. Of all things, it’s Lievo. What do we know about Greta Lievo? Are there any noteworthy details, Terry?”  

“After graduating from the Academy last year, she has been staying with her family. She is simply the youngest daughter, who grew up loved and carefree. I will look into it further.”  

“Alright. If it’s Lievo, it’s probably as well-known as it gets.”  

The name of Eurika Lievo written in the letter.

Eurika Lievo is infertile. Early in her marriage, she lost two children, and her health deteriorated to the point that she could no longer bear children. While this was a sensitive topic that everyone avoided discussing, it was a well-known misfortune of the Lievo family in political circles.  

In most noble families, a daughter who could not bear children would not have been kept as the heir. Moreover, Lievo had two healthy sons. Hayel also agreed that they were not suitable to inherit the position, but the old-fashioned aristocratic society still held the belief that a family should be succeeded by a son. Lievo was unique in that it had been led by daughters for a very long time.  

In any case, Eurika Lievo could not bear children. This meant that, to continue the lineage, she would have to adopt at least one of her siblings’ children and raise them as her own. In Lievo’s long history, it was not uncommon to raise a sibling’s child as the heir.  

But what if Lievo’s heir were to become the child of the Empire’s hero, the Duke of Adantie? While the possibility was almost negligible, Hayel was a meticulous person who wanted to eliminate even the slightest chance.  

“I’d rather not get more involved with Lievo.”  

Terry, wearing a serious expression, spoke to Hayel.  

“Your Highness, the Duke of Adantie isn’t going to marry Lady Lievo immediately, is he? According to Sir Jespa, the Duke hasn’t even shown any romantic interest yet. In fact, this could be an opportunity.”  

“An opportunity, you say?”  

“Greta Lievo may not be an absolute beauty, but she is a young and attractive woman. This could be an opportunity to spark the Duke’s interest in women. Even a small spark of curiosity and interest might be enough to change his stance on marriage.”  

“That’s true as well.”  

“Of course, this is all predicated on Greta Lievo making sufficient efforts. After all, the Duke is notoriously stone-hearted.”  

“Yes! That’s the problem! I can’t force him into a marriage he doesn’t want, and on top of that, he’s like a block of stone! How can I not be frustrated? He should meet people, fall in love, have a sweet romance, and—what? Have three or four children! Fine, let’s give this adorable unrequited love a little push. As you said, they aren’t getting married right away.”  

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if Ragaen, who seemed determined never to marry, fell in love with Greta Lievo through this opportunity. If it were possible, that is.  

“And even if the worst-case scenario occurs, unless the Lievo family intends to stand against you, Your Highness, how could they dare to claim the Duke of Adantie’s bloodline as their heir?”  

As Terry said, the likelihood of Lievo taking such a stance was slim. Eurika Lievo, being a clever woman, would not allow it, especially if she cared for her younger sibling. Ultimately, all possibilities were under Hayel’s control.  

Hayel nodded.  

“In any case, what matters is Ragaen’s feelings. If Greta Lievo truly wins Ragaen’s heart, and Ragaen also desires Greta Lievo, I will gladly grant him the youngest daughter of Lievo.”  

Crown Prince Hayel, his right-hand man Terry, Ragaen’s aide Jespa, Eurika Lievo, and Richard Lievo—these were the players in their subtle and secretive collaboration to bring the two together.