Chapter 164…………………………………………
Late afternoon. In his office, Lefenon, looking tired, was going through documents when Rekanon stood in front of him.
“Brother, you truly are talented.”
Lefenon, who had been focusing on the curt voice, put down the papers he was holding and raised his head.
With a gaze that silently asked when he had arrived, Lefenon glanced briefly at Rekanon before returning his attention to the documents.
“You, who earned the title of the youngest Swordmaster, shouldn’t be saying that to me.”
His tone implied annoyance, but his expression remained indifferent. Rekanon looked at his older brother with a crooked gaze.
“I heard there’s a strange play trending in the capital these days. Do you happen to know about it?”
“…….”
The lack of response meant one of two things:
Either he genuinely didn’t know, or he already did.
Most people would find it hard to read Lefenon’s thoughts, but Rekanon was different.
Since wielding a sword meant having exceptionally sharp senses, after becoming a Swordmaster, Rekanon could easily read Lefenon’s thoughts.
“Since you obviously already know, I won’t ask further. After all, it’s a play you started spreading from the beginning.”
“Indeed. I wish the guardian would also recognize my efforts, like my clever little brother does.”
No matter how good Elrupe’s deeds in the palace were, people outside the palace would have no way of knowing her true character.
Normally, the lady of a noble house would take the lead in spreading good stories in social circles, but there was no one to do that for Elrupe.
If the Empress were alive, she might have asked for help, but with no proper matron in the royal household, there was no woman to turn to.
“The Elrupe I know isn’t that weak. She was more confident and strong than those fake stories suggest… strong enough to save Roelin and me from assassins.”
Clenching his fists, Rekanon approached, clearly displeased with the content of the play. Lefenon, watching him, tapped the desk lightly with his fingers.
“It’s enough to earn the favor of the people. No need to artificially elevate her as a hero. His Majesty would disapprove.”
“Then why did you involve Elrupe in such an absurd play?”
She was to marry one of the Empire’s top nobles, Duke Obern, and she happened to be the daughter of Count Inferna, a family known for dark magic.
Would gossip-loving people really miss such an opportunity?
Lefenon didn’t think so.
“This is my way of protecting her.”
“…Brother.”
Seeing Lefenon admit he had done this intentionally for Elrupe, Rekanon’s expression darkened.
It seemed the problem was that he had no room in his heart to care for anyone else because he was consumed by his own emotions.
“It’s a small kindness. You needn’t concern yourself.”
Lefenon’s firm voice seemed to say there was no need to worry about his hidden feelings either.
Yet someone who has sincerely cared for another can recognize someone similar to themselves at a glance.
“For the first time, I feel closer to you, Brother.”
“That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”
“I will leave, believing that what you did was to protect her.”
‘The engagement ceremony of Duke Obern and Count Inferna’s daughter, held at the royal palace.’
The cream-colored invitation was beautifully decorated with ribbons, granting only the nobles who received it the right to attend with a companion.
Moreover, soldiers were stationed at the palace gates in greater numbers than usual.
“The palace is bustling,” Zeroth muttered, staring out the window.
Even I felt uneasy in the palace today, despite it being my usual home.
Wearing an engagement dress made my heart flutter for no reason.
“It’s just an engagement, not a wedding, yet I feel tears already.”
Zeroth covered his teary eyes with a handkerchief, not wanting me to see.
I found his gesture cute and watched him for a long moment. Roelin, seeing Zeroth’s discomfort, puffed up his cheeks playfully.
“Why are you showing tears on such a good day?”
“I feel like I’m no longer needed by you…”
Zeroth choked on his words, stopping mid-sentence, and Roelin shook his head.
Then, with firm eyes, Roelin began persuading him.
“Lord is like family to our sister. She’s not leaving—think of it as gaining another family member.”
Roelin spoke so beautifully.
Hearing this, Zeroth looked as if he’d been struck on the head with a bat.
“Sister…”
“Hm?”
“As Your Highness said, is it really okay for me to think that way?”
I was speechless.
Strictly speaking, Kyle was not truly my fiancé, and even if he were, being a fiancé didn’t make him family.
Telling Zeroth to think of Kyle as family might have been too presumptuous…
“Surely it’s hard for you to accept me as real family, right? Do I still feel like a stranger to you?”
Bringing this up now was unfair.
Together, Zeroth and I had spent far more time than I had with the Count.
“No, no. Why say something so upsetting? You’re like my younger brother. I truly consider you family. Even more precious than Elforten, the rogue.”
I said it sincerely, hand over heart. Zeroth was far more precious to me than any reckless Elforten.
“But he is blood to you, and I…”
“Zeroth. Come to think of it, I don’t necessarily have to accept Kyle as family.”
“……”
“Think carefully. If I ever argue with Kyle later, what would you do? If you treat him as family, you couldn’t side with either of us. Are you okay with that?”
Roelin nodded, seeing the logic in my words.
“I’ll side with our sister!”
“…I’ll side with you too.”
I hugged both of them tightly, eyes closed. They were literally my source of energy, holding me firmly from both sides.
“I, Elrupe Inferna, will also be on your side, so if anything happens, you must tell me. Understood?”
Both nodded in unison.
‘I must protect them.’
Because of my past mistake of not realizing Kyle was a hidden character, I couldn’t be certain of their future.
But I would never let them be in danger.
Ordinary engagement ceremonies didn’t have processions like weddings.
After a brief exchange of vows, families would host an afternoon party for acquaintances.
Yet, somehow, our royal engagement ceremony didn’t look simple at all.
“Elrupe Inferna, please enter.”
Rublion’s solemn voice snapped me back to attention as I stepped onto the carpet holding a bouquet.
Seeing Kyle standing before the high priest, I tread carefully.
More people than expected had gathered, all eyes on me.
“The person before you is the Empire’s most skilled High Priest…”
Rublion calmly introduced the high priest while officiating, and he truly looked striking in white.
The smile I had once seen on a screen now faced me directly.
“The great god said that love is naturally like being trapped behind a wall. Love is not about breaking impossible barriers, but leaning together and coexisting. These words of High Priest Cliff come to mind today.”
The high priest continued at length, offering words for our engagement.
Kyle, standing next to me, looked less nervous than bored, maintaining a formal posture.
At that moment, I realized again that we were not the kind of couple people spoke of when talking about lovers in love.
If he truly loved me, wouldn’t he be nervous listening to such dull words?
“…Finally, there will be a kiss of love.”
After the long speech, the last step was a kiss.
Thinking of our brief kiss in the carriage made my cheeks burn.
Embarrassed to kiss in front of so many people, I closed my eyes tightly. Kyle placed his hand loosely on my waist.
“El.”
Hearing him call me gently, I opened my eyes, finding his crescent-shaped eyes fixed on me.
“……”
“May glory accompany your choice.”
With his low voice, we both instinctively pressed our lips together.
I forgot all embarrassment and bit his full lower lip.
It was love.
Even if he didn’t love me, I truly loved him.
