Side Story 10………………………………………..
With a faint smile on his face, Joseph tilted his head and stared intently at Anze.
“Are you jealous?”
“No.”
Anze denied it too quickly, her face flushing red. They said strong denial was strong affirmation. It felt as though her feelings had been completely exposed.
Meanwhile, the warmth blooming from the inside of her wrist—where Joseph was gently rubbing—traveled up her arm and spread through her entire body.
“Jealous? Absolutely not.”
You should’ve just kept your mouth shut!
The more she spoke, the worse the situation became.
“If it’s not jealousy, then why are you angry, my wife?”
Anze’s face grew even sulkier. She tried to shake off the hand holding hers, but though his grip seemed loose, it barely budged, only swaying slightly.
“That’s not what’s important right now.”
Wearing a dress with bare sleeves because it was spring had been her mistake. Joseph’s hand had moved beyond her wrist and was now softly caressing the tender skin along the inside of her arm. Unlike before, his relaxed expression now resembled a predator eyeing its prey.
“What could be more important than that? Tell me. Were you angry seeing me close to the princess?”
“I’m against buying land near the border.”
“So that’s why you were looking at me like that.”
Each of them said what they wanted to say. Strangely enough, they still understood each other perfectly.
“What was wrong with the way I looked at you?”
“You looked like a baby kitten whose food had been stolen.”
Especially with that prim, dissatisfied look in her eyes and those slightly puffed cheeks—she had been unbearably cute.
“I don’t know what kind of tragic story Elliot told you, but I intend to buy that land. It’s something I’ve been planning for a long time.”
“…Excuse me?”
“For a long time?”
“You must not remember. The dispute with the kingdom started because of the resources in the Ediya Mountain Range that runs across the border. There are dozens of kinds—gold, silver, diamonds. Because of the region’s unique terrain, development isn’t easy, so no one knows the exact reserves, but there’s probably quite a lot. I heard the ore veins found in the tributaries extending from the Ediya range are quite promising. Unfortunately, those are on the kingdom’s side.”
Hadn’t he said the land purchase was out of anger after being mocked by the princess?
A deep crease formed between Anze’s brows. Joseph, who had been rubbing that spot with his fingers, continued with a faint smile.
“You didn’t really think I’d buy that much land on a whim, did you?”
It was true—but Joseph had no intention of admitting it. Besides, the way Anze glared at him with all her might was rather adorable. If that had been his reason, she would oppose the purchase to the end.
Better to keep things pleasant when you can.
Joseph had no desire to argue with Anze over something trivial.
“Since a delegation has arrived, I’m planning to raise the issue of resuming the ceasefire negotiations that were halted. The kingdom started the war first, so they should bear responsibility. His Majesty is apparently willing to push the border back considerably. In that case, that land would no longer be a border area.”
Of course, if the King of Nayan refused the terms, Joseph intended to teach him a proper lesson this time.
Anze, frowning in thought, scratched her chin.
“This isn’t the outcome the King of Nayan was hoping for.”
“It was arrogant of him to assume we’d move according to his wishes. Why do you think I personally welcomed the princess? Did she really believe she could sway His Majesty with that paltry beauty? For a princess of a nation, she’s rather simple-minded. I’d like to know what exactly is inside her head.”
Exactly. Even I didn’t think that would work.
“Her Majesty the Empress summoned you, didn’t she?”
Joseph whispered the words into Anze’s ear. The low voice brushing against her ear sent a shiver down her spine.
Coming back to her senses, Anze frowned. Before she realized it, she was sitting on Joseph’s lap. He had his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder, as he continued speaking.
“It seems rumors about the princess have reached Her Majesty.”
So after carelessly speaking ill of the Empress, trouble had finally arrived.
“I heard she was quite furious upon learning the princess treated you rudely.”
“Me?”
Anze lifted one eyebrow at the unexpected remark. Joseph smiled faintly at the sight.
“It should be quite the spectacle. If only I didn’t have that meeting tomorrow… tsk.”
“I heard it’s just a small tea gathering among the noble ladies. It would be a bit much for you to attend, Your Excellency.”
“I almost forgot—why do you keep calling me ‘Your Excellency’? It’s been ages since you stopped being my aide.”
It just slips out. Realizing her mistake, Anze covered her mouth.
Joseph particularly disliked it when she called him “Your Excellency.” He said it created distance between them.
From misunderstanding that he might have been interested in the princess to the matter of titles—one mistake after another. Anze lowered her eyes, looking dejected.
Joseph sighed as he gazed at her long black lashes casting shadows over her pale cheeks. All of this was ultimately because their wedding had been delayed. If only he could have held her in his arms every night and quietly talked about the day’s events, none of this would have happened.
Not understanding why she had been giving him such chilly looks, Joseph had been in a foul mood himself these past few days.
Let’s see. How long until the wedding?
Counting the days in his head, Joseph sighed again. There were still two months left. It had been fine that they were staying in the same mansion for efficiency in preparing for the wedding, but…
“It brings bad luck if the bride and groom share a room before the wedding. Your father and I also…”
Recalling the dowager lady’s wistful expression as she spoke of the past, Joseph made a pained face. Who would have thought his otherwise wise mother believed in such superstition?
When Anze fidgeted restlessly, Joseph tightened his arms around her, as if to ensure she could never run away again.
If only time would pass quickly.
That was the only thing he wished for in this moment.
“Welcome.”
Mariana ran over and embraced Anze the moment she saw her, unchanged from before. Becoming the Empress of the Empire meant rising to the highest position a woman could attain on the continent.
So Anze had assumed Mariana would be somewhat different now—perhaps carrying an untouchable dignity about her.
But as if to prove her wrong, Mariana remained as warm as ever.
“Am I late?”
Several guests had already arrived and were seated in small groups around the table.
As Anze looked over them, she tilted her head in confusion. She had thought it would be a modest tea gathering of noble ladies—or perhaps a small banquet—but that didn’t seem to be the case.
The presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Military Affairs was puzzling enough. As for noble ladies, aside from herself, the princess, Jeira, Her Majesty the Empress, and a few of her attendants, there were none.
“You’ve arrived at just the right time.”
With a playful glance, the Empress took Anze’s hand and seated her right beside her.
“You’ve grown even more beautiful.”
“Ever since you started managing the merchant guild, you’ve only gotten better at flattery.”
“I mean it. Have you been well?”
At Anze’s question, the Empress suddenly looked rather pleased with herself.
“Well, something did happen.”
Her narrowed eyes hinted at some secret scheme.
“What happened?”
Though she didn’t visit often, Anze kept close track of imperial affairs through Joseph, the merchant guild, and even the Black Wolves. Had she missed something?
Just as concern clouded Anze’s eyes, a smile bloomed across the Empress’s face like a flower.
“First, sit here. You’ve already met the princess once, haven’t you?”
Anze glanced briefly at the stiff-faced princess and nodded.
Iliya, who had been fiddling with her teacup with her head bowed the entire time, finally acknowledged her.
“It’s a pleasure, Marchioness.”
“The honor is mine, Your Highness.”
The princess offered a reluctant greeting before turning to the Empress.
“What is it that you wished to say once everyone had gathered? I’m not feeling very well.”
At the fragile complaint in her delicate voice, the Empress narrowed her eyes. In the past, she might have hurriedly sent Iliya away at such a display—but not anymore.
During the past few months as Empress, Mariana had come to realize just how naïvely she had lived her life.
