Chapter 121
Of course, Riana was well aware of the rumors surrounding Ianheart.
The grim tales about him had even spread to Roan.
Though, they were certainly exaggerated.
Hmm…
Sitting beside Ianheart and watching the envoys, Riana glanced sideways at him.
His face showed no particular emotion.
It was expressionless—almost indifferent.
He’s bored.
Riana could easily tell that Ianheart found this whole affair terribly dull.
Well, it wasn’t in his nature to enjoy such things anyway.
Truthfully, Riana felt just as bored as he did.
And then it happened.
“Th-this is also a gift for the one who will soon become our Empress.”
The man who introduced himself as the Marquis of Cynthia took another box from the attendant behind him and raised his trembling voice.
The one who would soon be Empress.
That meant Riana.
When she glanced at Ianheart, the boredom had already vanished from his face, replaced with a satisfied smile.
So you want me to handle this, huh?
Suppressing a sigh, Riana turned her gaze back.
“…You mean this gift is for me?”
“Yes, indeed!”
The Marquis of Cynthia nodded eagerly.
The rumor that the Emperor of the Empire loved the princess of Roan dearly had already spread beyond the Empire and Roan—across the entire continent.
Since the Erkal Empire was the heart of the continent, that wasn’t so strange.
We must win favor with the one who will be Empress.
That was the very advice Cynthia’s king had given, sending them with lavish gifts.
The jewels they had presented earlier in honor of the Empire’s Founding were equal in value to the gift now being offered to Riana.
And this one was chosen with her identity as a magic swordsman in mind.
Swallowing nervously, the marquis spoke.
“It is the finest magic stone found in Cynthia. Its size is equal to a grown man’s fist.”
Even after leaving the audience chamber and exiting the central palace, the Marquis of Cynthia could not ease his tension.
“…My lord!”
“Let’s talk later.”
When the marquis stepped out of the central palace, the rest of Cynthia’s envoys rushed toward him.
But before they could speak further, an imperial attendant appeared before them.
“Honored guests of Cynthia, please follow me. I will guide you to your quarters.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
The fifteen or so delegates from Cynthia quietly followed behind.
Just as the overwhelming majesty of the imperial palace began to weigh on them, they arrived at their assigned lodgings.
“Inside, you’ll find attendants to serve you. Other than restricted areas, you may freely move about within the palace.”
“Much obliged.”
“Then please enjoy your stay.”
With a polite bow, the attendant departed.
Soon after, other palace servants arrived to guide the Cynthia nobles, their knights, and attendants to their rooms.
About ten minutes later, three nobles from the envoy gathered in the marquis’s chamber.
“What was her reaction? I worry we may have acted rashly…”
The anxious question carried clear unease.
But the marquis’s face brightened.
“No, we did well.”
“Sir?”
“The one who will be Empress seemed more gentle-natured than we expected. And His Majesty appeared pleased by the gift offered to her.”
“Then…”
“Just my impression, but it may be wiser to win her favor than even the Emperor’s.”
The two nobles exchanged hopeful glances.
“Well then… this is good news, I’d say.”
“Of course! Anyone would find it easier to approach her than the Emperor himself.”
“Ha ha, perhaps diplomacy with the Empire will finally be less daunting.”
The marquis quietly agreed.
The young Emperor had shown little interest in the costly treasures given for the Founding, but the gift presented to the Roan princess—treated as the future Empress—had clearly pleased him.
Watching that, the marquis had to steady his own pounding heart.
He had assumed the rumors were exaggerated.
For years, he had led delegations to the Empire.
And the Emperor he had seen was a predator—strong, sharp, and dangerous.
Always expressionless, yet never leaving an opening.
A languid absolute ruler who seemed untouchable.
He had never believed such a man capable of truly loving someone—or yearning for love in return.
But what he had witnessed earlier shattered that notion.
The look in the Emperor’s eyes as he gazed at the Roan princess had been genuinely warm.
“…Sixty years of life, and I still see things like this.”
The marquis muttered to himself without realizing it.
After welcoming the envoys from Cynthia and two other nations, Ianheart and Riana finished their evening meal and strolled through the Ruby Palace’s rear gardens.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes.”
Ianheart never ignored Riana when she called. He always answered.
And that alone made her heart flutter.
Now that she was aware of her feelings, every little thing Ianheart did sent her emotions spiraling.
Riana brushed at the grass underfoot and finally spoke.
“About earlier… Do I really get to keep that?”
“Earlier?”
“The gift from Cynthia.”
“Ah, the magic stone.”
Ianheart nodded as if remembering the fist-sized jewel.
“It was given to you, so it’s yours. You don’t need my permission.”
He spoke so matter-of-factly, as if reminding her of her own rights.
Riana, still staring at the grass like she was counting blades, thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.
“…Alright. I understand.”
Though such extravagant gifts only weighed on her, she knew she would need to grow used to them if she was to be Empress of the Empire.
“The Founding Festival preparations seem to be going well.”
As only the soft crunch of grass filled the air, Ianheart brought it up casually.
“Yes, I think so too. Everyone seems really skilled at this sort of thing.”
Riana nodded with confidence.
If she had been the one organizing the whole festival, she would never have been so sure. But her role had been only to oversee as the nominal head.
All she had done was gather the ideas of capable people and set the overall framework.
“I can’t say I have much talent for these things, but from what I see, it all looks fine.”
She went on happily, chattering about how talented her helpers were—especially Lady Laura Gisel.
Ianheart, listening, smiled faintly to himself.
Because the reports he had received had said something entirely different.
“Thanks to Her Highness’s steady leadership, preparations have gone smoothly.”
“She may claim otherwise, but she’s been praised by Countess Kettler herself.”
“Her judgment and mediation skills even surpass His Majesty’s.”
“…Truly, she’ll excel at anything.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Just keep me updated from time to time.”
“…Y-yes.”
Unlike the reports, Riana’s words contained not a single mention of her own efforts.
She credited everything to those beneath her.
And the astonishing part was—she meant it.
So kind…
Ianheart squeezed her hand more firmly.
From the moment they started walking, insisting he escort her, their hands had been joined without the slightest awkwardness.
The gentle pressure made Riana laugh softly.
The warmth of his hand—larger, stronger—had become so familiar, so welcome.
…Tonight, no matter what, I’ll finish it.
She thought of the nearly completed dagger she was crafting.
The gift she meant for Ianheart.
Only the final stage of inscribing four spells remained. By tomorrow, it would be ready.
And that meant she could finally give her answer.
Perhaps Ianheart would prefer she simply confessed without such trappings. But this was her wish.
She wanted to return a gift to him, just as he had given one to her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Sensing her gaze, Ianheart tilted his head.
Riana couldn’t answer. She would tell him tomorrow.
“Mm, it’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing…”
When she shook her head, Ianheart chuckled softly.
“I won’t press.”
“I really wasn’t thinking anything.”
“Mm, alright.”
“…You don’t believe me, do you?”
“How could I not? Don’t accuse me so—I’ll be hurt.”
Hurt? As if…
But his voice was light with laughter.
Rolling her eyes, Riana gave his shoulder a playful shove.
Of course, it didn’t budge him in the slightest.
