Chapter 60
Just a few kind whispers would do, and a few stories about my late mother—whom Liana hated so much—would calm her down.
‘This time, she seems really upset, so I should at least move my mother’s grave to the royal tomb.’
The previous marriage proposal had also been influenced by the queen…
‘Tsk! I always told her to be calm and proper.’
Thinking of the queen, who carelessly pushed that ridiculous marriage proposal and upset the girl’s mood, a faint irritation arose.
But when I thought of Liana, who would become the empress of the empire, and my own future as the emperor’s father-in-law, that irritation quickly faded.
“Liana, you’ve made a good decision. I’ll have the royal tailor start making your clothes. The time is a bit tight, but that won’t be a problem.”
If he showed this much care, her heart would surely soften a little.
Ianhart’s red eyes, who was watching the king’s face that seemed ready to burst with anger, also shone strangely as they turned toward Liana.
Receiving their gazes, Liana smiled brightly.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Hm? What won’t be necessary? The clothes?”
“No, everything. Neither His Majesty nor I will attend. Neither my knights nor the Erkal envoy.”
Leaving behind the king, whose face was red with obvious anger, and Raindel, who wore a stiff expression, Liana stepped out of the main palace with a light step.
Her light walk quickly carried her away from the palace.
On the way to the palace where the two stayed, Ianhart slowed his pace.
Liana, who was linked arm-in-arm with Ianhart, naturally slowed down as well.
“Are you okay?”
She knew what his soft and brief question concerned.
It was probably about the disgrace she had shown in front of him the last time, when the envoy first came.
After feeling the king and Raindel’s emotions so clearly the day before, she had been mentally shaken.
‘…Thinking about that still embarrasses me.’
The situation where she had lost her composure in front of Ianhart was still vivid in her memory, though she didn’t want to recall it.
But now she truly knew how to recognize the precious people in her life. Or more precisely, she had let go of the string she had been holding alone, pretending not to notice.
“I’m okay.”
“…”
“That embarrassing behavior has been enough until now.”
And truly, she was okay now. Thanks to someone who comforted her well.
Adding those two words to the gaze still carrying a bit of worry, Ianhart’s face finally relaxed a little.
“Well, that’s a relief.”
Though he wouldn’t admit it himself, he surely had a kind side.
Seeing him worry about Liana, who was merely a contract partner, was obvious.
‘I hope we go to the empire soon.’
Since she liked her future husband, she also liked his country, the empire.
“Then I’ll come to see you again soon.”
“See you later.”
Liana parted ways with Ianhart, who had something to discuss with Marquis Jeffrey, and returned to the palace.
A piece of good news came to her then.
“Your Highness, Marquis Diago and Sir Berche Diago have arrived.”
Hearing the announcement of the welcome guests, Liana’s face brightened.
“When?”
“About ten minutes ago. They said they would wait until Your Highness arrived, so they were brought to the parlor.”
Nodding at the neat head maid’s answer, Liana turned back from heading to her room.
The sound of shoes gifted by Ianhart echoed sharply.
‘…Ah, come to think of it, I’m wearing a dress now.’
Looking down at her outfit, she saw a deep green dress, one of the dresses her fiancé had given her.
“…Yesterday, I thought blue suited you well, but green looks good on you too. I think I’ll enjoy picking your clothes often.”
Ianhart gave an honest impression to Liana, who was wearing the dress he gave her.
If the emperor had wanted, he would surely have been the continent’s greatest playboy.
Even just his cold and bored features softening would capture many women’s hearts.
Most of the women they had seen wandering around on their “date” yesterday had been stunned by Ianhart.
Even those who didn’t know his identity were captivated by his appearance.
Of course, the young, strong, and handsome emperor of Erkal was still a very attractive groom despite the harsh rumors.
‘…Why am I thinking about this now?’
Feeling somewhat uneasy, Liana shook her head to clear her mind and put her hand on the parlor door.
Bang—
When Liana opened the door and entered, two men turned around—one with bright orange hair and a large frame, the other with contrasting features.
“Master, Berche.”
“Your Highness!”
At Liana’s greeting, Marquis Diago stood up with a broad smile.
“Prepare some refreshments.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Giving instructions to the head maid, Liana closed the door and strode inside.
“I thought you’d come sooner.”
“Heh… I tried, but this guy wanted to come with me, so we were a bit late.”
“Berche?”
After a light hug greeting with Marquis Diago, Liana turned to Berche.
“…Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”
His stern and serious face softened slightly upon facing Liana.
“Long time no see, Berche.”
Liana lightly hugged her childhood friend who had grown tall.
His muscular body, built from years of working under his father, trembled slightly at the hug but not enough to catch Liana’s attention.
‘Oh, you silly bear!’
Only Marquis Diago noticed that his son’s sunburnt cheek was slightly redder than usual.
‘He should have proposed or confessed earlier.’
But it was too late for regrets now, so Marquis Diago sighed inside and spoke in a hearty and kind voice.
“By the way, Your Highness, it’s been a while since I saw you wearing a dress like this.”
Liana smiled softly at that.
“His Majesty gave it to me yesterday. He picked it himself. Does it suit me?”
At Liana’s straightforward and shy answer, Marquis Diago was internally startled.
It felt like stepping right on a landmine.
Moreover, his heavy muscles made his body even bulkier…
“Berche, Father apologizes…”
Instead of the flustered Marquis Diago, Berche calmly replied.
“It suits you well, Your Highness.”
“Really? I trust Berche’s honest answer.”
Berche’s calm attitude and Marquis Diago’s slightly clumsy nature made Liana miss the strange vibe.
“Your Highness, refreshments are ready.”
Just then, the head maid knocked.
“Come in.”
After setting tea and snacks on the table, she left the parlor.
A brief silence passed.
Remembering something to celebrate, Liana spoke up.
“I heard you became the captain of the Second Knights? It’s a bit late, but congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
At Liana’s congratulations, a faint smile appeared on Berche’s steady face.
‘…Oh dear.’
Marquis Diago, clicking his tongue in his heart at that sight, decided to leave his son to gather his feelings.
“But Master, why have you been so quiet? I thought you’d have a lot to say.”
“Ah… Being here like this reminded me of old times. After training, the three of us used to sit like this and have snacks often.”
Though an excuse, Marquis Diago really recalled those days and laughed quietly.
“I wasn’t a very good student, though.”
“Nonsense! You were the best student I ever had!”
Liana laughed out loud at the proud words of Marquis Diago, who was respected by many aspiring knights.
She was truly fortunate that Marquis Diago had become her master.
“You are the best master too.”
“Heh… You were an overqualified student for this old man.”
Getting emotional again, Marquis Diago secretly pulled out a cute daffodil-patterned handkerchief from his chest pocket.
Berche sighed softly beside him.
“Mother told you not to show tears outside, Father.”
“…Still, your stern personality must have come from someone. Hearing Your Highness call me the best master brings tears to my eyes.”
“Berche takes after the marquise.”
“Y-Your Highness!”
Marquis Diago glared at his ungrateful son, then turned gloomy at Liana’s words.
“Why do you deny that Berche takes after the marquise so much? Well, you might resemble the marquise in appearance, but his personality is a spitting image of her.”
“You don’t side with this old man either, Your Highness…”
It seemed only Marquis Diago hadn’t yet accepted that Berche’s serious and calm personality was exactly like his mother’s.
That scene reminded Liana of a few happy memories from her childhood, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips.
