Chapter 93
The Emperor’s order forbidding him from setting foot in the Imperial Palace had just been lifted. Ian immediately entered the palace and, skipping meals, began clearing the mountain of pending work.
For hours, Ian did not move from his seat. It was only after the sun had passed its zenith that he finally stood. His face was clouded with shadow as he walked toward the palace gardens, which were open to officials, to get some air.
As he crossed the colonnade connected to the garden, a young nobleman—about his age—appeared from the opposite side and called out cheerfully.
“Ian!”
They had not been academy classmates, but they spoke casually with each other. Ian stopped and gave him a silent nod.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. I was shocked to hear you were banned from the palace.”
“……”
“I’m sure you had your reasons, but at least give me a hint. Hearing that out of the blue was quite a surprise.”
The man was rather talkative, but his soft, calm tone kept it from being unpleasant.
“While you were away…”
Ian naturally steered the overly excited man toward the garden. The man happily recounted every detail of what had happened in Ian’s absence. Some of it was actually useful, so Ian listened in silence.
“Oh, right—have you heard the news about the Astana Kingdom delegation?”
“No.”
“You haven’t? Well, it only came in today, so I suppose you wouldn’t have. You’ve been here all day, after all.”
The man, who had been talking about events from a few weeks ago and then a few days ago, now moved on to something from this morning. It happened to be a subject Ian was interested in, so he gestured for him to continue. The man sighed heavily and spoke in a frustrated tone.
“The Astana delegation… I think they’ve completely gone over to the other side.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know the reason, but out of nowhere, they went to Count Parden’s estate.”
“…Count Parden’s estate?”
“Yes. And they’re planning to stay there until they’re granted an audience with His Majesty.”
Not only was the situation no longer favorable to the Old Nobles faction as Ian had thought, but it had taken a completely unexpected turn. The idea of the Astana delegation staying at Count Parden’s was something he had never anticipated.
“But more than that… there’s a strange rumor going around.”
The man, watching Ian closely, suddenly hesitated in his chatter. Ian, who had been mulling over the unexpected turn of events, noticed the man’s voice grow cautious and turned his head.
“I’m not sure if I should tell you this, but…”
The man fidgeted under Ian’s gaze. When he still didn’t speak, Ian’s frown deepened, prompting the man to finally continue.
“They say the Crown Prince went to Count Parden’s because he’s interested in the Count’s daughter—your fiancée, Lady Aisha. Of course, it’s just idle gossip, but…”
Aisha’s name appearing so suddenly made Ian’s eyes widen for a moment. His voice dropped as he asked, unable to hide his displeasure.
“Where?”
“Hm?”
“Do you know where that nonsense started?”
“…They say that as soon as the Crown Prince arrived in the capital, he stopped by a jeweler. There, he insisted they bring out something suitable for a beautiful lady with light brown hair and blue eyes.”
“……”
“Of course, it might not have been about Lady Aisha. As you know, the Astana Crown Prince has many wives. He was probably describing one of his favorites. And really, how would he even know your fiancée? But right after saying that, he chose to stay at Count Parden’s, so the busybodies couldn’t resist spinning stories.”
Though the man tried to explain the circumstances while gauging Ian’s mood, the lines between Ian’s brows only deepened.
Damn it. Why?
Ian knew the man’s theory was likely correct. How would the Crown Prince of Astana even know Aisha? Yet unease crept up his spine. If the Crown Prince stayed at the Parden estate, wouldn’t he be seeing her daily—the woman Ian couldn’t even glimpse?
[There have been opinions in the Astana Kingdom that the Crown Prince should take an imperial woman as one of his wives. This reflects the growing importance of the Empire to Astana as trade between the two nations increases…]
Ian suddenly remembered a document he had read a few days earlier, along with Astana’s polygamous customs. He ground his teeth audibly. The man beside him flinched at the sound, but Ian didn’t notice.
“Ian! Hey—where are you going?”
Ian, his patience snapping, turned away without answering and strode toward the palace gates.
Chapter 9 — A Wrong Realization
Aisha was startled when she recognized the man who had suddenly appeared at her house. Why was the stranger she’d seen in Lafran Village here? But that thought lasted only a moment—she was even more shocked when she learned his true identity.
Aisha Parden. It’s a pleasure to see you again. My name is Iskan al-Hammar.
The man took her hand and, without permission, kissed the back of it. He was the Crown Prince of Astana. Realizing this from his name and title, Aisha was too flustered to respond, and it was Edward who stepped in.
With a smooth motion, Edward freed his younger sister’s hand from the Crown Prince’s grasp and led her away. As she was pulled along, Aisha glanced back and saw Iskan waving at her, which made her flinch.
“Brother… why is that man—no, that person—here?”
“That’s what I should be asking you, Aisha. Do you know the Crown Prince?”
“What?”
“When he arrived, he came straight to see us. And the first thing he said was your name. Do you have any idea how shocked Father and I were?”
Blinking at her equally baffled brother, Aisha recounted what had happened when she met Iskan in Lafran Village a few days ago.
“It was nothing. I didn’t even know he was the Crown Prince. He just looked like he was in trouble, so I helped him, that’s all…”
After hearing the full story, Edward rubbed his forehead and sighed, muttering under his breath.
“…I’m not sure if this is good or bad.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“The Crown Prince is a very important guest for us. You know about the arguments over the western port, right?”
“Yes, more or less…”
“He said he’d consider supporting the port project. But—he had a request.”
Aisha knew well that the Old Nobles and the New Nobles were fiercely competing over which port would be used for trade with Astana. Her father and brother had lost countless nights over it. For the man holding the deciding vote to make a “request”… it was hardly a request at all.
If he’s telling me this…
From her brother’s expression and words, Aisha realized she was involved in the matter. She signaled for Edward to continue. He hesitated, then spoke.
“…He wants you to show him around the capital.”
Aisha’s eyes widened. Why? And how did he even know she was from the Parden family before approaching her father and brother? She had thought their meeting in Lafran Village was a coincidence, but this was beyond belief.
“It seems he’s interested in you,” Edward said bluntly, his face full of wariness—he didn’t even bother using the title “Crown Prince.”
Aisha studied her brother for a moment, then replied in a calm voice, “Do as he asks, Brother.”
“What?”
Edward, who had been thinking about how to refuse, released his folded arms in surprise. Aisha shrugged lightly.
“It’s not that difficult. I was planning to go out anyway, so I don’t need to prepare anything.”
“But—”
“You’ve put so much effort into this. Are you really going to throw away the chance?”
She was right. If a member of their family could gain the Crown Prince’s favor by showing him around, it would be a huge advantage.
You asked why I came to the Parden estate?
Yes. I was surprised you reached out first, and…
It’s because of your sister. I’m very interested in Lady Aisha Parden.
But the Crown Prince’s interest in Aisha was clearly personal. Edward remembered that conversation in the carriage and shook his head.
No. Even if his intentions were pure, it’s too risky…
It was improper for a noblewoman to privately host a foreign Crown Prince—especially in a matter tied to powerful political factions. One wrong move could tarnish his sister’s reputation.
…We’ll just have to find another way, even if it’s harder.
Edward thought of Iskan’s smiling warning—that refusing might lead to unpredictable consequences—but he shook the thought away. Even if the port project failed, he would not put his sister in danger.
“Aisha, this isn’t something you need to get involved in. Just—”
“This is because of my reputation, isn’t it?”
Aisha cut him off. She knew exactly what he was worried about—and that it was a legitimate concern. But she wasn’t willing to let the family’s opportunity slip away.
“Then you come with me. That way, you grant the Crown Prince’s request, and you solve the problem you’re worried about.”
Edward gave a strained smile. If only things could be that simple. But a man openly interested in a woman would hardly welcome the presence of a chaperone.
“Of course. That’s only proper—after all, a lady’s honor is important.”
To his surprise, Iskan readily accepted the arrangement. Then, crossing the room in a single stride, he took Aisha’s hand again and brushed his lips over the back of it.
“Shall we depart, Lady Aisha?”
