Chapter 19
Elion’s mother, the former Empress, passed away the year he turned fifteen.
In the fifteen years since his birth, he could count on one hand the number of times he had seen her face.
They had not even exchanged letters often.
But every time—those fewer than ten times they had met—his mother had always emphasized the same thing.
“You must always keep your distance from the nobles. Especially the nobles of the capital. If you keep them close, the Imperial family’s wariness toward you will become severe. You must always stay humble and cautious. That is the only way you can live unscathed.”
Those words, spoken from the lips of the mother he longed for each and every day, engraved themselves into Elion’s mind, his bones, his flesh, and even his very blood, like a spell.
And because of that—
He never once attended noble social gatherings or parties.
Of course, after reaching adulthood he hardly had the time anyway, being mostly occupied with the battlefield.
Even hearing about such things made his skin crawl.
Any invitations delivered to his residence were never opened—he simply tossed them straight into the fireplace as kindling.
“But if I were to attend a dinner at Count Payson’s estate… surely rumors would spread in some form.”
At the dreadful thought, Elion’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Forgive me, but I must respectfully decline the dinner invitation.”
—…
No reply came immediately.
Elion waited patiently a moment longer.
—But we’re going to meet tomorrow anyway.
“That’s true.”
—My parents will become suspicious. If Your Highness meets me privately but refuses their dinner invitation…
“Ah… I see.”
At her reasonable point, Elion pressed his fingers against his forehead.
After all, he would have to meet her tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that as well.
Rubiana’s voice continued, carrying a note of earnest pleading.
—I’ve kept my parents in the dark about my health. And about the fact that I’m receiving mana from Your Highness.
“Of course you should.”
That secret belonged to both of them.
Currently, the only ones who knew were the two of them, along with Omar, Hailey, and Fred.
And it had to remain their secret forever.
—So I don’t want my parents to harbor unnecessary suspicions. Could you visit our estate just once, Your Highness?
“…”
Elion clenched his teeth, staring at the glowing violet communication stone on his wrist as though glaring at shackles.
That first impression had been correct—the bracelet truly felt like a set of chains.
He was being forced into actions he normally never would have done.
Suppressing a sigh, Elion finally spoke.
“…Very well. I’ll do it.”
—Really?
“…Yes.”
For a moment, Rubiana’s tone lifted with joy.
—When would be best for you?
“The sooner the better. How about tomorrow?”
—Yes, that’s perfect. I’ll tell them so. Thank you, Your Highness.
“…Mm.”
—Goodnight, Your Hig—
Click. Thinking the conversation finished, Elion cut the connection, inadvertently cutting her words short.
“…Tch.”
He considered calling her back, but shook his head almost immediately.
He despised unnecessary hassle.
And everything involving her was already troublesome enough.
“A dinner invitation… huh.”
His head began to ache.
The headache that had vanished after meeting Rubiana had returned.
Perhaps he needed another glass of whiskey.
Though the hour was late, Emperor Christopher’s office was still lit.
Christopher was sitting with his chief chamberlain, poring over possible candidates for his younger brother Elion’s marriage.
Until now, he had done little for his brother.
From childhood, the two had lived apart, and Elion—gifted in swordsmanship and intelligence—handled everything on his own with little need for support.
All the more reason why Christopher wanted to personally ensure his brother’s marriage was properly arranged.
He thought of it as an obligation to the late Empress.
And, in a sense, repayment to the stepmother who had cast away her husband’s children from his first wife—sending them to the distant provinces so she could raise only her own son.
“I recall the Spacy ducal house has an unmarried young lady?”
At Christopher’s question, the chamberlain nodded politely.
“Yes, Your Majesty is correct. Lady Sera Spacy, twenty-two years old, is skilled in piano performance and composition.”
“Oh-ho. A musical young lady… Elion is surprisingly sensitive at heart, so perhaps they might suit.”
The chamberlain privately thought Elion could hardly be called sensitive, but he merely kept silent and nodded.
“And what of the Marquess of Ohara’s daughter? If she resembles her father, she must be quite beautiful.”
“Your Majesty is correct. Lady Sophia Ohara has been known for her beauty since childhood, and now she is considered one of the most beautiful women in the capital.”
“As expected. Good. Elion is the most handsome man in the Empire, so his partner’s looks must at least balance things out.”
“…Yes, sire.”
The chamberlain quietly nodded, though he personally thought Elion wasn’t quite the most handsome in the Empire.
“Hm… and what of the daughters of Count Melard? I vaguely recall hearing one of them was clever.”
“Ah… Count Melard has three daughters. The eldest is already married, leaving the second and third. Of the two, the clever one is the youngest, Lady Mikella Melard.”
“Is that so? Elion is a knight, but his hobby is reading. He was praised for his intelligence from childhood. Had he attended the Capital’s noble academy, he would always have taken first place. That has always been my regret.”
The chamberlain had heard rumors of Elion’s brilliance, though he’d never experienced it directly.
Still, given Elion’s unbroken record of victories on the battlefield, the chamberlain had to admit his tactical skill must match his swordsmanship.
“Good. Prepare portraits of those three young ladies. Also, gather information about foreign princesses.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
As the chamberlain withdrew, the Empress Miranda entered, followed by a maid carrying a teapot and cups.
“Empress, welcome. Still awake?”
“How could I retire before Your Majesty has?”
Seating herself, Miranda poured tea into a cup and offered it to him.
“It is quite late. I fear such exertion will harm Your Majesty’s health.”
“This concerns Elion’s marriage. I cannot be careless.”
Blowing lightly on the hot tea, Christopher smiled faintly.
Suppressing the sigh that threatened to escape, Miranda thought bitterly:
Always the same. He dotes on his younger brother more than his own son, the Crown Prince…!
Hiding her resentment, Miranda spoke gently.
“With the Grand Duke’s looks and talent, surely good news will come soon enough without Your Majesty troubling yourself. Shouldn’t we focus instead on the Crown Prince’s marriage—”
“The Crown Prince is still young. Though he is eighteen, he knows far too little of the world.”
“…”
The Crown Prince was her beloved son.
Hearing him dismissed as an ignorant child made one of Miranda’s eyebrows twitch ever so slightly.
Oblivious, Christopher continued.
“The Crown Prince must learn and experience much more. Marriage can wait. But Elion is different. He’s already twenty-four. If we delay further, I will feel uneasy.”
“…I see.” Miranda nodded reluctantly.
“He manages everything else on his own, but strangely enough, when it comes to marriage, he does not. I have waited patiently all this time, but no good news has come. That is why I must take action.”
“…”
“Well, perhaps it is only natural. He has spent the past five years constantly at war. This is our last chance. Before he flees back to the northern province, we must secure his marriage while he is still in the capital. This much I must personally ensure.”
Christopher’s azure eyes gleamed with firm resolve.
Hiding her dissatisfaction, Miranda replied smoothly:
“Then perhaps it would be best to call the Grand Duke himself and ask his opinion. If the man has no desire to marry, we cannot simply force him.”
At that, Christopher’s expression darkened.
“Elion would… absolutely refuse.”
