At the sound of my shouting, the eyes of a mysterious color resembling the blue sea of Avinox blinked a few times.

  Then he clenched his fist and shouted.

  "I, I want to take responsibility!"

  "……Really?"

  "Yeah! Actually, I wanted to convey that today, so I brought this too!"

  Avinox pulled a small box out of his arms.

  Inside was a ring of pearls shimmering in white brilliance.

  It was as beautiful as any jewel, but not cold.

  It was a perfect ring for Avinox, a seaman, to propose to a warm person like Larane.

  When I stopped talking and stared at the ring, Avinox seemed to take it in a slightly different sense.

  "I’m in a hurry, so that’s all I’m going to do now, but I’m going to officially set up a set of proposal rings later……!"

  "A wedding ring set? What’s that?"

  "It’s a custom. The man in the east has 12 rings ready and proposes. If a woman accepts the proposal, she will wear a different ring every month for a year and then have a wedding……"

  Avinox said, looking down at one ring he had prepared with a sullen face.

  "I could have stopped by any jewelry store and prepared 12 rings, but I didn’t want to propose to Larane that way. That’s why I chose the most fitting of the Luman family’s treasures in the townhouse of Capital……"

  Avinox’s shoulders gradually drooped down.

  “After all, you’re not coming out today.”


  I’m so sorry that I hit him with a book of poems a while ago.

  I comforted Avinox’s shoulders and sat opposite him.

  "When did you hear the rumor about Larane’s marriage?"

  "My brother, Lignite, told me this morning. He said there are already rumors in the Capital. I didn’t even know he knew I was dating Larane……"

  Lignite would have known for a long time.

  He’s not as professional as Bate brings me information, but he’s doing something similar next to Perez.

  Avinox sighed again to the ground.

  "Is Larane all right?"

  It was a weak voice.

  "Sir Avinox, aren’t you angry?

  His loved one is having a marriage conversation with someone else while dating him.

  To be honest, I would be a little angry.

  But Avinox shook his head.

  "I know that Larane is grieving more than I am now. But how can I be angry?"

  Avinox’s weakly smiling face that said so was so similar to Larane’s.

  Now the two are more concerned about each other.

  Rather than my sadness and pain, wouldn’t it be difficult for the person itself?

  It’s a pity that they’re suffering from cold chest pain from far away.

  "I have something for Sir Avinox."

  I opened the book of poems I had in my hand.

  The bookshelf opened and a neat, beautiful letter envelope hidden in it appeared.

  "Ah, Lady Larane……"

  Avinox took the envelope from me and didn’t read it right away.

  He’s just patting the part with Larane’s neat handwriting on it, saying ’Dear Sir Avinox’ with a smile on his face.

  "Sigh……"

  This time a sigh come out of me.

  What are you going to do because you’re both so nice?

  Those are the people who will do whatever they want to benefit.

  I’m really worried.

  After looking only at the outside of the envelope for a long time, Avinox was now carefully opening the envelope and reading the letter.

  It was to be careful not to tear any part of it.

  "It’s a match made in heaven."

  I shook my head and gave Avinox time to read all of Larane’s letters in peace.

  * * *

  In front of the Empress’s Palace.

  "The Empress is waiting. Let’s get in."

  Seral said as the slowing carriageSeral said as the slowing train stopped, urging Larane. stopped, urging Larane.

  "Well, mother……"

  Larane, who had been hesitating all the time in the carriage, squeezed the last courage thinking that she should not delay any longer.

  "……What’s the matter, Larane?"

  Due to Larane’s unusual attitude, Seral closed the carriage door, which had been opened by the royal court’s servant.

  "I have something to tell you."

  Larane clasped the hem of her dress, unable to hide her anxious gaze.

  "That’ll leave a mark on the dress."

  Seral snapped Larane’s hand aside.

  "Tell me."

  "Well, I don’t want a political marriage. Please reconsider, Mother."

  Larane said in a trembling voice.

  She didn’t bring up Avinox because she was afraid he’d get caught up.

  The one who was talking about marriage was the First Prince.

  "Larane, don’t you know that? What you want to do and what you have to do are different things."

  "I’m well aware of that. But sometimes I think there’s something precious that I can’t give up for my duty."

  "A precious thing you can’t give up?"

  Seral tilted his head.

  "What is more important than marrying the First Prince and fulfilling your duties?"

  "……Happiness. If I marry the First Prince, I will never be happy, Mother. Please reconsider."

  Larane, who has a timid personality, poured out a lot of the energy she had been holding back.

  At a glance, her shoulders could be seen shaking.

  But Seral clicked her tongue small.

  "Larane."

  "……Yes, Mother."

  "The higher the nobility, the more he has and the more he has to enjoy, the more political marriage is a part of his life from the moment he was born."

  At first glance, Seral spoke in a friendly voice, exhorting Larane.

  "Everyone goes through this process. It was the same for me. So stop being so stubborn."

  Larane, who was still listening, looked at Seral with big eyes and asked.

  "Is that why you’re happy now?"

  "……What?"

  "You married my father to fulfill your duty. So is my mother happy?"

  Seral was silent for a moment.

  She was just staring at her daughter with a face that was hard to guess inside.

  With that heavy silence, Larane felt suffocated at any momentarily.

  Although it was spat out, she was half sincere.

  She has never seen her mother and father and thought they looked happy.

  After a long silence, Seral slowly reached for Larane.

  Larane, who instinctively shrugged, flinched at the touch of her head.

  "Larane, go after power, not love. That’s always the answer, my tender, innocent daughter."

  Seral said in a sweet voice as if singing a lullaby.

  "That’s the best advice your mother can offer."

  "But Mother. I don’t want power."

  Larane appealed.

  "I’m not greedy for that. The future I want is to share a peaceful daily life with someone I love."

  "Sounds immature."

  Seral cut off the words.

  "The peaceful routine you want is nothing without power, Larane. You may resent me now, but please know that I’m making the best choice for you."

  "The best choice?"

  "The opponent is a Prince. One day he will be the Crown Prince. Wouldn’t it be better to see your family here all the time than to marry into a suitable powerhouse far from the center?"1

  "But that’s sincerely…… I have no desire to marry the First Prince."

  "That’s strange, Larane."

  Seral’s eyes glared coldly at Larane.

  "Have you, by any chance, been seeing anyone behind our back?"

  "Oh, no! It’s not like that!"

  Larane jumped, waving her hands.

  But that couldn’t stop the blushing face.

  Seral’s eyes narrowed.

  "You’d better clean it up quickly if you have one. Keep in mind that the person you will marry in the future is Astana, who will soon become the Crown Prince. I want you to behave yourself."

  Eventually, Larane grabbed Seral’s hem.

  And said as if pleading.

  "Mother, I really don’t want to get married."

  But Seral’s reaction was cold.

  Rather, she stared at her for a while, as if trying to pierce her daughter’s heart, and said,

  "No, From today on, you must not leave the Lombardy mansion alone, Larane.”


  "Oh, no, Mother!"

  "Why?"

  "There’s a banquet where I’ve already replied that I’m going to attend, and there’s a book club……"

  "From now on, you’re busy preparing for the wedding, so you won’t have time to go to such a meeting. And if rumors spread about marriage, everyone will understand if you can’t attend the banquet. He’s the future Crown Prince."

  Seral smiled satisfactorily just by imagining it.

  But soon she returned with a stern face and told Larane.

  "When you go outside the mansion in the future, you’ll need my permission and I’ll accompany you in most things. Did you understand, Larane?"

  If this happens, she can’t meet Avinox.

  Larane lowered her head to hide her tearful face.

  "Come on, Larane!"

  Seral pushed hard.

  "……Yes, Mother."

  Larane had no choice but to answer like that.

  * * *

  Emperor’s office.

  After the conference, Lulak was waiting in the Emperor’s office at Jovannes’s request.

  "Whoa……"

  Lulak let out a low sigh as he rubbed his sore eyes in the aftermath of the long meeting.

  He was realizing this over time this year.

  Now, the work of the Lord itself is coming as a physical burden.

  "Is it time for me to step it down?"

  Lulak muttered with a bitter smile.

  Then Jovannes came into the office.

  "Oh, you’re here first."

  The Emperor strode up and took the liquor out of the cupboard.

  And he poured two drinks himself without calling the servant.

  "Would you like a drink?"

  Jovannes said, putting down a glass in front of Lulak.

  Lulak stared at the golden liquid in the crystal glass and asked.

  "It’s the first time in decades that I’ve been in and out of your office that you’ve offered me a drink like this, Your Majesty."

  "Well, I see. I was mean. I saved a drink for the Lord of Lombardy."

  "It’s no use doing this because of the iron mines. Think about the other side if you are just want to make some money. Lombardy will help you."

  "Well, you’re saying you can’t give up the mine at all."

  Jovannes asked, looking at Lulak with sharp eyes.

  "Sadly so, Your Majesty. There’s a high risk of a market crash."

  In Lulak’s response, Jovannes took a big sip and nodded.

  It was an attitude that seemed convincing at first glance.

  "By the way. I didn’t ask to see you because of the mine."

  Jovannes said as if he had taken a step back.

  At the moment Lulak narrowed the eyebrow.

  It wasn’t Emperor Jovannes to back down so easily.

  It was Jovannes who have a strong obsession with money more than anyone else.

  There must be something.

  And Lulak could see exactly why.

  “I called you here to tell you that I have decided to bring Viese’s daughter, Larane as Astana’s mate.”