Chapter 25
After dropping a bombshell, Ian showed no interest in Ed’s shocked reaction. Instead, he simply picked up the quill pen he had set aside and returned his eyes to the papers.
“W- wait—do you mean that Lady Hésenne de Séviche? The blood relative of Lady Claire and the niece of Count Merdis?”
“Yes.”
Ian answered absentmindedly, his eyes still on the papers.
“But why? That young lady is only a baron’s daughter. For Your Excellency, who would not be lacking even if you were matched with a princess of the kingdom, why choose the daughter of a baron? And more than that, even among barons’ daughters she cannot compare with Lady Isabel, the treasure of the kingdom—”
“If I tell you to prepare the marriage, just do it. Why do you have so much to say?”
Finally, irritation slipped out from Ian’s lips.
“Could it be… because she is Lady Claire’s blood relative… is that why you decided on this marriage, Your Excellency?”
Suddenly, Dustin, who had remained silent until now, spoke in a heavy tone.
At that, Ed gasped aloud, clapped his hand over his mouth, and froze.
“…You two have been at my side too long, so sometimes you forget your place. At times, I overlook it as mere impudence—don’t expect I will always do so.”
Dangerous, pitch-black light flickered in Ian’s eyes. Ed, realizing he had slipped, quickly jabbed Dustin in the ribs.
“……”
Dustin clamped his mouth shut and lowered his head. “My apologies.”
“The wedding must be as soon as possible—notify the royal family at once. Everything must proceed swiftly, without the slightest noise of dissent.”
“……Yes.”
Ed replied reluctantly, his face clouded.
“That’s enough. You may go.”
Ian gave his dismissal swiftly, showing no interest in the gloom that had fallen across Ed’s and Dustin’s faces.
* *
Baron Patrick was fidgeting in barely contained excitement, repeatedly adjusting his cravat.
“Father, please calm yourself.”
Isabel cast him a side glance and cautioned him. At that, Baron Patrick gave a short “Ah” and lowered his hands.
“Yes, yes. I try to, but my nerves keep rising. How can one not be excited on such a glorious day? Yet you seem so composed.”
Watching her father go on about how this only proved she had the qualities of a future empress, Isabel let out a small sigh.
That day she had felt only resentment—but afterward, with lingering hesitation, she had not been able to immediately tell her father to accept the crown prince’s proposal.
After all, it was no ordinary proposal—it was the crown prince’s.
Once spoken aloud, it would be nearly impossible to take back.
Only when there was no longer any room to delay did Isabel finally resolve herself a few days ago, and went to her father’s study to tell him to send a letter of acceptance.
Hearing this, Baron Patrick had jumped from his chair, seized both of Isabel’s hands, and exclaimed how well she had chosen. With tears of joy, he declared that she was far superior even to the fine sons of other great houses who had accomplished much.
Afraid she might change her mind, Baron Patrick hurriedly dispatched a letter of acceptance to the palace. The crown prince’s reply came at once.
In the letter, delivered personally by the steward of the royal palace, every line was infused with the crown prince’s delight at Isabel’s acceptance.
And so, summoned by that letter, Isabel and Baron Patrick came to the royal palace today, their faces betraying quite different emotions.
Riding comfortably in the royal carriage the crown prince had sent, father and daughter arrived and were guided by the steward to the audience chamber, where they waited for the crown prince and the empress.
How long had they waited?
“Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince will soon arrive.”
The steward returned and informed them.
Baron Patrick swallowed hard and rose to his feet. Isabel too stood, quietly adjusting the folds of her gown.
“Her Majesty the Empress!”
The herald’s voice announced the arrival of the royal family. The two bowed deeply.
“Welcome, Baron Patrick. Lady Isabel.”
It was Katrina, the empress, who entered, greeting them warmly.
Isabel and her father bent even lower in greeting.
“Come, come, stand. Let me see how much more beautiful Lady Isabel—called the treasure of Byron—has become since last we met.”
At the empress’s words, Isabel raised her head slightly.
“To call me the kingdom’s treasure, Your Majesty—you honor me too highly.”
Her brows trembled slightly, betraying her fluster, but the empress smiled gently at her fine features.
“Our crown prince speaks of you every day. And no wonder—each year you grow more radiant. The title of ‘treasure of the kingdom’ is no exaggeration.”
“Your Majesty, this unworthy daughter of mine is humbled by the grace you continually show her.”
Baron Patrick bowed again, expressing gratitude.
“Come, let us not remain here. I have prepared a fine tea from the Kingdom of Tatiana, famous for its leaves.”
A kindly smile spread across Katrina’s face.
They moved to a garden dome, an arched pavilion in the empress’s favorite rose garden.
The white structure was delicately built and often used for welcoming guests.
“Do you not find the fragrance exquisite? They say Tatiana produces only a thousand barrels a year of this tea.”
A thousand barrels meant no more than filling a large bucket with water. If that was all a year’s harvest could yield, its price must truly be astronomical.
Hearing this, Baron Patrick thought the tea he had just sipped seemed all the more fragrant.
“To serve us such a precious tea—thank you, Your Majesty. I often take pleasure in reflection over a cup, but never before have I savored such depth.”
Watching Isabel speak with angelic grace and a gentle smile, the empress burst out laughing.
“And why has the crown prince been silent all this while? He so eagerly awaited today. Is he shy before Lady Isabel?”
Seeing the crown prince Herzen sitting quietly beside them with only a smile, the empress looked at him in puzzlement.
At her words, the crown prince blushed slightly, looking embarrassed.
“It is not that… Only, thinking that Isabel will soon be my wife…”
His bashful expression made the empress laugh heartily.
“I was jesting, but you truly are shy!”
For the usually composed crown prince to act so bashful was unusual, and the empress looked at him with affection.
Then she turned her eyes to Isabel, sitting demurely with lowered gaze, her posture modest. The empress’s smile deepened.
She herself, before being named crown princess of Byron, had suffered from differences of status.
Because the late empress had never approved of her, she endured much hardship—but thanks to the kindness of the late emperor, she had risen to her present station.
Thus, when her son Herzen declared he wished to propose to Isabel, she readily gave her consent.
With the emperor’s agreement as well, the marriage had been arranged smoothly, without a hint of discord.
Looking now at this beautiful pair, Katrina the empress felt even more satisfied, her face brightening as she spoke.
“This year, it seems the Kingdom of Byron is blessed indeed. To have such great double joys come to pass within a single year.”
