Chapter 17
“A wise and beautiful woman gave it that name,” he had said.
Could she have been his first love?
“She was the one who wished for the country to change this way. And so, it became this. A land made of dreams—Intellia.”
Ironically, the moment she thought about his first love, a tightness formed in Fri’s chest.
It felt like someone was striking her heart with force. Whether she was his first love or his last shouldn’t have mattered to her, yet Fri couldn’t shake the suffocating feeling and took in a deep breath.
“Lady Fri?”
“Ah. I was just… just thinking.”
Ian, who was standing beside her, rushed over in concern, but Fri instinctively took a step back as if to keep her distance.
“Thank you for bringing me to such a beautiful place.”
“I may not be able to bring you the sea, but I want to give you something else you desire.”
“…Thank you.”
“Please tell me whenever you need anything.”
The sea always made Fri’s heart flutter. Whether from afar or up close, it always offered a different view.
Just gazing at it brought her a strange sense of peace.
So, she couldn’t take her eyes off it for a long time.
“Let’s come often.”
“If you wish, I will take you not only here, but anywhere.”
“…Thank you.”
That day, Fri spent a long time there. The heavy burden in her heart caused by Argent over the past few days seemed to lift, if only slightly, and her expression softened.
A few days later.
He came early in the morning.
At a time they would normally eat together, Fri had already finished her meal alone in her room when the guest arrived.
“May I speak with you for a moment?”
It was the first time she had seen him since that day.
Seeing him again brought not only relief, but a flutter in her chest she couldn’t explain.
But even that warmth—like spring sunshine—made Fri uncomfortable.
‘Because I’m afraid it’ll be cold like that day… That’s why my heart is racing.’
She had never been able to accept such unfamiliar feelings in a positive light. It had always been that way, even back in the Ezan Kingdom. When young Fri had laughed and played happily with her sisters, they would get angry. So would her parents.
For her, a fluttering heart was always tied to fear. It always came right before something bad happened.
“What is it you wish to say?”
Her blue eyes were still sharp as they stared straight through him.
“I’ve arranged a meeting with a few people—though not all.”
“…Who?”
“Chancellor Lloyd, General Pelsen who oversees the capital’s defenses, and a few other high officials.”
“I see.”
“It’s not a formal party, so you don’t need to worry.”
Oddly enough, it felt like he was more worried than she was.
Argent’s voice was soft and kind, as if that day had never happened. Now and then, he seemed to try to stifle that gentleness, but his natural tone was sweet.
“I see.”
“You don’t need to wear anything too uncomfortable.”
“…Alright.”
Was he ashamed of showing her to others?
That thought grew firmer in her mind.
He even seemed like a completely different person from the one she had known.
“We’re in a contract, aren’t we?”
“…Hm?”
“I’m not a fool. Since we made a contract, I’ll do my part to the best of my ability.”
“…Good. Understood. It’s tomorrow afternoon, so prepare accordingly.”
She only nodded instead of replying. To give him a chance to say something else, perhaps. But that was the end of the conversation.
Argent seemed to think he had said everything he needed to, and walked out. As always, Fri watched him go.
The next day, whether it was anticipation or pressure, Fri woke earlier than usual due to the strange sensation building in her chest. Perhaps noticing this, Seth began helping her prepare early as well.
It was natural to feel nervous—this would be the first time she met people outside of those in the palace who served her.
Seth gave her an especially careful massage, and Fri put extra thought into choosing her dress.
A dress that was neither too fancy nor too plain.
It was a high-necked red dress, adorned not with jewels but frilled flowers. Thanks to that, Fri looked quite graceful in it.
“What kind of accessories shall I prepare?”
“A necklace will do.”
“Understood.”
She had thought she’d be fine. But the moment she was about to leave, the pressure overwhelmed her.
Even so, Fri forced a smile and pretended everything was fine. Soon, the preparations were complete. Her platinum hair flowed like soft waves, and her lightly made-up face glowed with life.
“You’re ready quite early.”
“Am I?”
“Ah! Since we have a bit of time, would it be alright if I brought in the new maid I mentioned earlier?”
Fri thought it would be better than sitting idly, so she quietly nodded. Seth left the room, and soon returned with a young woman.
“This is the girl I spoke of.”
“She’s the one from a branch family…”
Fri smiled softly at the innocent-looking girl. The new maid, whose demeanor resembled her former attendant Zell, beamed the moment she saw Fri.
“It’s an honor to meet you! I’m Cassie!”
“Cassie. It’s a pleasure.”
“It’s a great honor to serve the future Empress. I-I’m new to the imperial palace, so I might be clumsy, but… I’ll do my best!”
“I had her study intensively the past few days, but she still might not be up to your standards.”
Seth hovered protectively beside Cassie, clearly worried. Though Cassie was said to be of a collateral bloodline, she bore no resemblance to Seth. With soft, cotton-candy pink hair and equally pink eyes, Cassie looked as sweet and adorable as a doll.
By contrast, Seth was much taller, and her skin was a bit darker.
“But you two don’t look alike. Even your skin tones…”
“Cassie’s mother is from another country. She takes after her a lot.”
“Ah… I see.”
“That’s why I think she’ll be a good fit to serve Your Highness. Half of her blood isn’t from this country.”
Cassie stepped closer to Fri, her eyes full of hope.
“I’ll do my best! My mother told me many stories about foreign lands!”
“I see. I’ll be in your care.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
But somehow, Fri didn’t feel entirely at ease. The girl was her age, and her open affection was a little overwhelming. There was an inexplicable discomfort in the way Cassie looked at her with such sparkling eyes.
Maybe it was because Fri had never been able to receive such affection herself.
She forced herself to suppress the strange feelings and looked away.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Fri, who had been resting lightly on the sofa, quickly stood up.
“Yes?”
“Are you ready?”
She looked at him slowly, tense. She wondered if he might say something—anything—about how she looked. But Argent, gazing at her, didn’t react at all. He only clenched his fist.
She had tried her best to prepare, but his lack of response made Fri slowly bury her expectations.
“Let’s go.”
Only then did Argent, who had stood motionless like a statue, extend his hand to her. It was their first official appearance together.
The path they walked was incredibly quiet.
So quiet, it felt like even the sounds had been stolen from the space. No footsteps, no breathing could be heard. Though their hands were clasped, their hearts were out of sync.
Arriving at the main palace with him, Fri felt slightly awkward. She had been here several times, but the atmosphere was always different, making the place feel unfamiliar each time.
Their destination today was the meeting hall on the first floor. The presence of personal attendants waiting at the front, and the emperor’s guards posted nearby, indicated that some nobles had already arrived.
“You’ve arrived, Your Majesty.”
“Are all present?”
“Yes.”
“Open the doors.”
At his command, the attendants hurried to open the doors. Fri, who had kept her gaze down until then, slowly looked up. The attendants who briefly met her eyes smiled brightly at her—but she couldn’t return their smiles.
Even though she had told herself she’d be fine, an immense pressure washed over her.
The grand meeting hall, with its tall ceilings, welcomed them. Argent entered, firmly holding her hand. Five men, who had already arrived and were waiting for the emperor, all bowed their heads in unison.
“We greet His Majesty, the Radiant Sun of the Empire.”
Their voices were so synchronized it was hard to believe they weren’t rehearsed. Fri, slightly intimidated, raised her head.
These men were all far older than Argent. But their appearances and attire were so different, they hardly looked like citizens of the same nation.
Even their accents varied subtly despite speaking in unison.
“Raise your heads. Today’s meeting is to introduce the future Empress.”
“We’ve been very curious, Your Majesty. You’ve never once kept a woman by your side before.”
“No need to rush. Allow me to introduce her. This is Fri Ezan, the woman who will become the Empress of this land.”
Yet despite his words, he didn’t give her a royal surname. He introduced her simply as Fri Ezan, and the subtle omission made Fri flinch.
It was accurate—she wasn’t Empress yet—but it felt like a line had been drawn.
Even so, she couldn’t say a word.
