Chapter 63
First Princess, Anais
Kasel and Riena greeted the Empress and the First Princess in turn. Once the greetings were over, the Emperor, sitting back down, clicked his tongue as he looked at Kasel.
“By the way, that’s unfortunate.”
“Excuse me?”
Riena, not understanding, inadvertently asked back. By etiquette standards, this could have been considered somewhat rude, but the Emperor didn’t care.
He stroked his chin as he explained.
“Actually, I had been thinking of Duke Winkler as a match for the Princess. What do you think, young lady? Don’t they make a fine pair?”
Riena couldn’t answer.
No matter who it was, for the Emperor to say in front of her that her fiancé was fitting well with another woman was excessive.
At the same time, it was a way of disregarding her. In a sense, it even felt like a declaration of war.
It was as if he was saying he wanted to separate her from Kasel and pair him with the Princess instead.
Should she just stay silent after hearing that?
Yet, despite feeling insulted, the speaker was the Emperor. She could not argue.
Riena hesitated for a moment before she could respond.
“Your Majesty.”
“Abamama.”
The First Princess, who had been quietly observing Kasel, was the first to admonish the Emperor. She gave Kasel a look that seemed to say, don’t intervene, and continued.
“That is quite an excessive joke. As your daughter, I understand that Your Majesty favors the young lady, but to her, it must have sounded like a serious statement.”
The Princess probably knew that the Emperor’s words were not a joke but a serious statement, yet she tried to let it slide.
The Emperor clicked his tongue again with a tsk before breaking into a hearty laugh.
“Ha ha. Yes, the Princess is right. My joke went too far. I only said it because I was fond of the young lady, so don’t take it too seriously.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I’ve held you two back too long. This must be your first time attending a royal banquet together. I hope you enjoy yourselves.”
“Thank you.”
Riena and Kasel bowed politely before leaving.
Riena felt a mix of emotions.
They really do look well matched.
The First Princess was the eldest of the Emperor’s three children. Until the youngest, the Prince, was born, she had been groomed as the heir. Now, years later, the Prince had taken precedence, but she didn’t seem to mind.
In any case, the Princess, raised as the heir, was a perfect person. Taller than average, with long limbs that commanded presence, and an expression that conveyed confidence rather than arrogance.
She had trained in swordsmanship since childhood, and her body was strong rather than soft. Her skill with the sword was impressive, giving her and Kasel plenty of common topics to discuss.
Hmph, why am I worrying about the Princess?
Riena had asked Kasel for more time, as their feelings toward each other had not yet been fully clarified.
She didn’t even want to imagine it, but perhaps in a few years, whether by choice or circumstance, she might have to divorce Kasel. Whether he married the Princess afterward or met another woman, it would no longer concern Riena.
Yet why did it still sting so much?
Seeing Riena looking downcast, Kasel spoke.
“You need not worry about His Majesty’s words.”
“…Pardon?”
“It is true that His Majesty considered me a match for the Princess, but that will never happen. I have only met her twice, and I have no intention of joining the royal family. And even if His Majesty tried to force me to marry her, it wouldn’t work.”
“….”
“So, I am telling you that my wife is only you, Riena.”
“But…”
Our marriage is temporary. Even if I think about it, our shared future is uncertain. Or is it that you intend to stay with me regardless of my answer?
Riena swallowed her thoughts.
“Thank you for saying that. Now, I suppose it’s time I act as your fiancée.”
“My duties?”
“As I said, we must meet new people and build connections with other families. I am more sociable than you, so I’ll attend to the young ladies and their wives here.”
“That’s unnecessary.”
“No, it will make me feel at ease. So in the meantime, you should also talk to others.”
Riena tapped Kasel lightly on the chest and moved away.
Approaching other attendees was not difficult. As soon as she moved away from Kasel, the women, who had been waiting, approached her.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Dyke. I’ve long wished to meet you.”
“I wondered who had captured Duke Winkler’s heart. So it was such a lovely lady. No wonder the Duke is so taken with you.”
“Miss Dyke, do you remember me? We met at a party at the Petria Count’s house two years ago.”
“Of course. It’s been a while, Miss Asna.”
“I’m honored that you remember. Though now I am the Countess Setin.”
“I must have been slow to hear the news. Congratulations, Countess Setin.”
Looking around, Riena saw not only Countess Setin but a few other familiar faces. Among strangers and acquaintances, she navigated the social scene skillfully.
She became especially close with the friendly Countess Helen Setin, who introduced her to many others.
“I heard that Duke Winkler visits his duchy every winter. When will he go this time? Will you accompany him?”
“I will probably go with him. We might leave soon.”
“In that case, may I invite you to my residence beforehand? It would be nicer to talk somewhere quieter. I could invite some close friends as well.”
“I’d be honored.”
After mingling for a while, Riena felt she had shown herself enough and moved away from the crowd to return to Kasel. As she scanned the large hall for a familiar face, a clear voice spoke behind her.
“How is the party? Are you enjoying it?”
Recognizing the speaker, Riena quickly turned and bowed.
“Your Highness, the First Princess.”
The Princess waved her hand.
“No need for such formality. We already greeted each other properly. Stand up.”
Riena straightened as the Princess smiled gently.
“So, how is your first royal banquet?”
“Very enjoyable.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Have you made many acquaintances?”
“Yes, fortunately, everyone treated me kindly, so I could fit in quickly.”
As Riena talked briefly with the Princess, she realized the source of the earlier discomfort and spoke cautiously.
“Please speak freely, Your Highness.”
“You’re soon to become a Duchess. Even I am the Princess, I cannot speak casually, can I?”
“But I still feel uneasy.”
The Princess shrugged.
“Is that so? I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Riena silently exhaled in relief.
“Then why did you come to me…”
“I just came to see you. Is that a problem?”
“Not at all. I only worry that I might waste Your Highness’s precious time.”
The Princess laughed, a crisp, unrestrained laugh.
“You seem stricter than I expected.”
“…Pardon?”
“Perhaps that’s why you met such a stone-like Duke?”
She tapped Riena lightly on the shoulder.
“I’m not criticizing, so no need to be tense. Honestly, I quite like you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Hmm, since you’re so discerning, come over here for a moment?”
The Princess, Anais, took Riena’s hand and led her to the terrace. She pulled the curtains and seated herself.
“Sit here. You must be tired from standing.”
“I….”
“Would it take an order for you to sit? How about I command it in my name?”
“…I will sit.”
Anais smiled in satisfaction.
“See? How much better it is to sit when invited nicely.”
“….”
“Just so you know, my name is Anais. You, being as stiff as a Duke, would never call me by my name otherwise.”
Riena remained silent, implying assent.
Anais shrugged, as if expected.
“I actually came to say something to you.”
“To me?”
“Yes. I couldn’t stop thinking about what His Majesty said earlier. To put it simply, you can ignore it.”
“…Pardon?”
“That he had been keeping an eye on Duke Winkler as a match for me.”
“Ah….”
“His Majesty… Well, it wasn’t something for you to hear. You probably felt upset, didn’t you?”
“No, I could never… with His Majesty…”
Though she denied it, Riena felt slightly guilty. It wasn’t that she was angry, but she had taken the Emperor’s words to heart.
“Of course. Feeling upset is natural. But don’t worry. I have no interest in Duke Winkler at all.”
