chapter 17
I folded my arms and stared drowsily at Duke Amir and Logrie.
I needed to observe them longer, but both of them didn’t seem bad on the surface.
Since they appeared to want to expand their territories by peaceful means, their character seemed decent. They seemed pretty sharp and sensible.
‘If I married well, maybe I could recover Duke Amir’s lands for Epiphanes?’ I thought.
But there would be a lot to do to take the Duke’s domain.
After he becomes king as he wishes, we’d have to win the power plays, the mind games, and the war of influence, and completely break him.
In the past I might have done worse to gain land, but not now. Above all, I had no intention of becoming king.
I was only going to put history right and pass on peacefully!
When a meek person suddenly shows ambition, all sorts of enemies gather.
Even before I died, once I showed my imperial side, assassination threats came pouring in.
That continued after I became emperor; I never once slept with my feet comfortably stretched out.
Do that again? No way.
I shook my head while looking at Logrie’s smiling face.
“Your Majesty.”
Luxor, who had been pleading with the Duke, brightened and turned his head.
“Yes, Ria. What is it?”
“I’m still too young to marry. Even if child marriage is customary, ten years old is a bit much.”
As soon as I showed my displeasure, Floretta, who had been fidgety, suddenly piped up.
“That’s right. I oppose this marriage. That guy is crazy… ugh!”
Ponent covered Floretta’s mouth and sat her down, then added, “Me too. Besides, when was child marriage ever the custom? It’s been at least a hundred years.”
To pin it at a hundred — Ponent, you’re sly.
I flinched but, drawing on my experience as an emperor, I sat there composed.
Luxor looked to Otilie with a troubled expression. When she nodded, Luxor seemed to come to his senses.
“Then it can’t be. Duke, let’s consider marriage when the children are older.”
I watched carefully to see how the Duke would react. I couldn’t sense anger.
“I will not withdraw the proposal. But please give it serious thought, Your Majesty.”
“Very well.”
The Duke rose and bowed. Logrie stood as well.
Even though the marriage was refused, he left without showing disappointment, merely waving his hand as he went out.
If he was going to give up so easily, why bring up marriage at all? Why bring him and persuade him to come?
As Logrie stared blankly at the doorway he’d left through, Ponent tapped my shoulder with his.
“Why, are you disappointed?”
Not disappointed — suspicious.
If he intended to swallow the country, he wouldn’t have left with nothing. Maybe that’s what he wanted.
A truly sly guy wouldn’t stomp around announcing he was suspicious. On the other hand, folks who give off an obvious creepy vibe are usually easy to read.
‘But this one looks like he has an agenda and I can’t tell what it is,’ I thought.
It was the first time I’d met someone like that, and it annoyed me.
I stood up and walked past the king and queen, who were whispering with serious faces.
The queen noticed my movement and lifted her head.
“Ria. Where are you going?”
“To Logrie.”
“Oh my.”
Floretta grabbed my hand, her face pale.
“No, Ria.”
Her reaction was odd. When I looked at her asking why, she pulled my hand, made me lean forward, and whispered in my ear.
“Prince Logrie is a dangerous person. You should be careful.”
She looked up at me with a worried face.
Heh, the kid noticed. If I polished him up, he might be useful.
I ruffled her head in approval.
She then crossed her hands over the top of her head and muttered sullenly, “I’m… I’m the older sister…”
I left that voice behind and went outside.
Walking briskly, I saw Logrie and Duke Amir talking in the corridor.
He turned his head without being called.
He sent his father off and then approached me.
“You followed me? Princess, were you upset I couldn’t marry you?”
“I never said I disliked you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I know.”
You know…? Huh?
Tilting his head cheekily, Logrie moved closer beside me.
“Why did you refuse? Didn’t you want Triste?”
“Who would you give the quarter to?”
“What if you give me everything and then kick me out, keep the land, or use some pretext for divorce, or if someone better appears, have me executed—things like that.”
“You’re pretty clever for your age.”
“Right? Aren’t I charming? Shall we marry?”
He hadn’t given up. Even if Duke Amir planned to swallow Epiphanes, why did this kid want to marry me? Just because his father ordered it?
If I asked slyly, he would probably dodge the question like a little weasel.
So I asked directly.
“What do you gain by marrying me?”
His smile was more cunning than a fox’s.
“Iraneria. I would gain you.”
That fox.
If I were Logrie’s age, I’d have fallen for that charm in a heartbeat.
But sadly, it only looked like playacting to my eyes. Either he was fooling around or diverting to hide his true intentions.
“What would you do with me once you have me?”
“I’ll make you happy for a long time.”
I couldn’t read him. He acted immature at times and said things that sounded his age at others.
I’d been emperor and met all kinds of people, or so I thought, yet…
I laughed in disbelief, then hardened my expression.
One thing was clear: nothing could be learned from Logrie.
Deciding there was no point in continuing this empty conversation, I started to leave, but Logrie slowly took my hand and raised it.
“Don’t, think about it seriously. I’m someone you need.”
He lightly pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
“Stay by my side, Princess.”
“Did you hear? Duke Amir has submitted a marriage proposal to the royal family.”
“I heard it was for Princess Iraneria.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for the royal family to marry into the Kinesia princess, who’s more likely to inherit the throne?”
“That’s right. Princess Iraneria is naive and young.”
Nobles passed the news around for a long time: the union between Duke Amir’s house and the royal family.
Count Getelin, who looked more kingly than the king, clicked his tongue at the passing chatter.
“Tsk tsk. If those holding state offices are so dull.”
All eyes turned to Count Getelin. He basked in the attention for a moment and then spoke confidently.
“Isn’t it because the youngest princess is the most doted upon? Everyone is head over heels for Princess Iraneria.”
It was a stupid remark, but it brought applause and admiration from those around him.
“As expected of Count Getelin.”
“His insight cuts straight to the heart of Duke Amir’s intention!”
Unfortunately, it didn’t.
Getelin’s guess had nothing to do with Duke Amir’s actual intention.
But among the assembled nobles there wasn’t a single person clever enough to notice that.
They’d long secured offices by paying taxes and passing them down, so with money alone they could hold posts without effort or ability.
They’d amassed wealth and property without actually doing anything for the country.
So these nobles were nothing but greedy fools adept at petty scheming.
“Truly splendid, Count Getelin.”
“Reliable and worthy of our trust.”
Getelin enjoyed their flattery with a satisfied look.
Eventually, pretending to stop them from praising him too much, he allowed the conversation to die down. Then someone cautiously spoke.
“But if the Duke binds himself to the royal family, wouldn’t his power grow?”
That was the right question, but no one paid attention.
“What power? How much debt does the royal family have?”
“Exactly. If we pay off the debts, they’ll be penniless.”
Laughter broke out here and there. Yet the one who’d raised the question didn’t laugh.
“What if we pay that debt with the money we embezzled? The king might be a fool and not notice, but the Duke wouldn’t be.”
The laughter died away.
For now the Duke and the royal family pretended to be unconnected, but things would change if they became in-laws.
Everyone fretted at the thought of losing their positions. They looked at Getelin anxiously.
It explained why he was the biggest tax evader. Didn’t he shamefully use his own daughter’s name to delay tax payments at the last meeting?
If Duke Amir’s family became related to the royal family, he and his cronies would all be cleaned out and replaced by people who suited the new tastes in the cabinet.
“This is worse than we thought.”
The atmosphere turned heavy at once; fear clouded their faces.
“So what do we do now?”
“The king refused, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Do you think Duke Amir will back down because of one refusal?”
“He won’t.”
Getelin affirmed the last line and began to tremble. White flakes fell from his head as he shook.
When the golden epaulets on his shoulders turned pale with powder, Getelin rolled his rusted brain and offered an alternative.
“If Duke Amir persists, let’s make sure the marriage can’t happen.”
“As expected, Count Getelin!”
“Do you have some good trick?”
The oil-slick, cheerful-faced man grinned evilly.
“I do. Simply get rid of the other party.”
“What if we’re discovered?”
“No matter. Will the foolish king know who’s behind it? Ha ha ha!”
“That’s right. The king and queen and the princesses, the crown prince — they won’t even know how Princess Iraneria died.”
