CHAPTER 172…………………………………….
Rumors spread throughout the capital that the Crown Princess, who had appeared in the south, personally held the emperor’s hand and entered the imperial palace.
In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that half of the people living in the capital had witnessed the scene, so it could hardly be called just a rumor.
“Let the Crown Princess in.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
However, the atmosphere inside the palace was not as cheerful as the rumors suggested.
Although the seat had been prepared for Adele, the very place she was to sit did not please her.
It was understandable that the emperor sat in the center, but placing Killian opposite her seemed intentional.
“Your Majesty, what is this…?”
“Killian, control yourself. If you behave recklessly before your marriage is formally recognized, your wife will be spoken of unnecessarily.”
“Your Majesty, Adele and I have been formally married.”
“That is not suitable for a state marriage.”
Killian, frowning, looked as if he might storm out of the hall, and the tension in the banquet room escalated.
“…….”
“Please, stop,” Adele signaled sharply with her eyes, and Killian restrained himself once more.
He didn’t know why they had to waste time like this, but from the moment he saw her, his heart had been racing, making it hard to speak.
How futile.
Killian pressed his temples to ease the headache swelling in his head.
“Ahem. Speaking of which, I was quite surprised to hear that the Crown Prince of the empire had married in such a manner.”
“You must have been. Had I known sooner, I would have invited Your Majesty.”
“…The south may be large, but from here it is still the outskirts. For the sake of appearances inside and outside the empire, a wedding should be conducted properly.”
Trying to make up for his earlier hesitation when Adele distracted him, the emperor maintained a firm stance.
For Adele, it could have been a matter of offense, but what she truly feared was not this sort of insult.
“It seems Your Majesty is quite concerned about the imperial palace and the succession.”
“Of course. If the Crown Princess is a noble of the empire, should she not work for the prosperity of Traness? After all, for prosperity, a solid heir is essential.”
The emperor reiterated that he would not bend his will.
“The only concern can be resolved by the gift the Crown Princess has brought.”
“…Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s gaze lingered on the red box placed before her. He did not know how such a precious item had reached the south, but he sensed at least that Adele was not lying.
“Dragon’s Heart, indeed worthy of a Crown Princess.”
In reality, he wanted to laugh aloud, but he forced himself to remain composed.
The exhilaration that had built since hearing Adele’s words now made him forget even the pain pressing on his body.
It had been a long time since he had sat up straight like this at a banquet.
“So, the Crown Princess need not worry. Nobles may gossip for a while, but once they see what you brought, they will hold their tongues.”
“It seems Your Majesty believes that the Princess is fit for the throne.”
“Of course. Killian is the firstborn, heir to the throne.”
“Then why would he have no idea himself?”
Adele’s innocent question darkened the emperor’s expression.
He could hardly tolerate her trying to match him after he had loosened a little.
“I don’t know what Killian has told you, but my son was destined to ascend the throne from the start.”
“Even if there had been no problem with the second prince?”
“…That is…”
It seems she already knew enough.
Noticing Adele’s composure, the emperor swallowed a bitter smile.
He felt no pity for Aaron, who hung his head beside Killian as if it were his fault, but his concern lay elsewhere.
“Of course. The throne requires someone more complete.”
“…I see.”
Adele fell silent, seemingly accepting the blunt statement.
Aaron, tense, let out a self-deprecating sigh, and the emperor glanced at him with disapproval.
“As you can see, Aaron has been weak since birth, unsuitable to be emperor.”
“Then the Princess is different?”
“Yes. Her childhood was not smooth, but perhaps that made her stronger.”
“….”
“You know what kind of man your husband is, Crown Princess. There is no one stronger than Killian in the empire.”
“….”
Even hearing such praise for the first time did not change Killian’s expression.
It was to be expected.
The exhilarated emperor waved for tea to be brought immediately.
“What are you waiting for? The Crown Princess has arrived, and yet no tea is served properly.”
“Ah, Your Majesty. If you don’t mind, would you like to try tea from my homeland?”
“…Tea from the south?”
“We cultivate the leaves in our family’s estate. I think Your Majesty will enjoy it.”
“Very well then.”
Unlike before, she smiled gently, and the emperor responded with a measure of generosity.
Though she was formidable, compared to Killian she was easier to converse with, so he was willing to accommodate her.
With the emperor’s permission, the attendants stepped back, and Jacqueline hurriedly prepared the teacups. The emperor, unable to wait, asserted his will again, though his tone had softened slightly.
“Had I only had one more child, I might not have acted so, but it cannot be helped. As father and emperor, there is no other way.”
“Do not think too hastily.”
“Not at all. If circumstances were reversed, the Crown Princess would also have no leisure.”
“I… Ah, Jacqueline, you must serve His Majesty first.”
Adele gave Jacqueline a caution as she was about to place a blue cup in front of Aaron.
Ah!
Startled, Jacqueline hurriedly withdrew the cup and presented it to the emperor with trembling hands.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. My maid is not yet accustomed to the palace etiquette. It was not intentional, please forgive us.”
“That is fine. You will learn gradually while serving the empress. By the way… the aroma of southern tea is quite distinctive.”
“I hope it pleases Your Majesty.”
As the emperor raised his cup, Adele followed suit.
Killian remained silent, watching only Adele, while Aaron fidgeted with his own cup, recalling the tea served at the count’s residence.
‘…She won’t be as easy to sway as I am.’
No matter how capable his sister-in-law was, speaking of the emperor’s happiness would accomplish nothing. Only the imperial family and authority mattered to him. A little flexibility would have prevented such conflict with her.
“Indeed, the aroma is excellent.”
Hoping the meeting would end peacefully, Aaron subtly sided with her in praising the tea. Its scent was truly delightful.
“The flavor lives up to its name, sister-in-law.”
“Does this tea even have a name?”
“Ah… it’s just a playful nickname. It’s not something Your Majesty needs to concern himself with.”
When the emperor showed interest, Adele blushed and shook her head. Aaron nodded approvingly, though his brother glared at her. It was better than seeing her embarrassed.
“Anyway, the aroma is good. I’ve heard the south is famous for tea.”
“I’m glad it pleases Your Majesty.”
“…Excellent. It feels quite calming as well.”
“It works wonders in that regard.”
Adele sipped her tea slowly, feeling the warmth of the southern sun and breeze.
Her mind finally settled enough to face Killian directly.
To be honest… she had always hoped for more from this man.
“Thanks to the Crown Princess, I’ve had excellent tea. Now that conversation is done… I’d like to see what you brought.”
“Your Majesty.”
“You said you prepared something precious. I cannot know what will happen in the future, so I must break Killian’s curse and fully recognize him as heir to the throne!”
Having emptied his cup, the emperor greedily gestured toward the box beside Adele.
Being family now, there was no need to waste time or maintain appearances.
“You must have gone to great lengths to obtain this.”
“Well… compared to the one who brought the Sun Shard, it is modest.”
Adele carried the box forward. While approaching both the emperor and Killian, her smiling gaze remained fixed on the small box.
“…I did not expect to deliver it like this.”
“Ahh…”
The box slowly opened, revealing a red radiance. Its brilliance and vivid color were as striking as ever, even in the imperial palace.
The emperor, who had leaned forward in awe, now went from joy to shock.
“Th-this is!”
“This is the item I should have given you long ago, Princess.”
“…Adele.”
Even Killian, who had no choice but to look inside, could hardly express his reaction.
Yet his reaction was different in tone from the emperor’s. His stiff cheeks trembled, and he eventually wiped his face as if unable to contain his emotions.
“This is the ring I prepared since our marriage was decided. I thought Your Majesty liked the color of my eyes, so I searched for a diamond of the same hue.”
Adele held her left hand out, back of her hand facing outward, showing the red diamond ring.
Though she rarely wore the Sun Shard due to its sacred nature, she had never removed this ring since Killian gave it to her.
The red diamond on her left ring finger, the ring of Yuden Sangdanju on her right index finger.
These marked her as Killian Setian Sergio’s wife, heir of the Sergio family, and head of the Yuden Sangdan.
“…Th-This… how can a non-Dragon’s Heart ring come out of the box!?”
