Enoch silently observed the emperor’s behavior. The emperor seemed to possess all the traits a crown prince might have in middle age, yet he was quite different in character from the crown prince.
“It seemed like the crown prince took quite a liking to Agatha Nobilis.”
However, the emperor appeared more interested in information and advantage.
“Well, even if he did truly like her, I doubt he ever considered a strategic marriage… even now…”
Suddenly, the protagonist of this story seemed to come to mind.
With a face covered in blood, gripping a sword tightly in trembling hands.
Agatha Nobilis had a delicate face that captivated his eyes amidst the chaos of the battlefield.
But was she surprisingly bold in person?
While in the midst of heated emotions, the emperor, who was considering his next move, suddenly raised his head.
“Ah. The prince may step back. Lord Aratus, you have also done well. In recognition of your service, I will grant you 3,000 carats of gold.”
“Your Majesty, I am honored.”
Enoch exited the emperor’s office with the crown prince. As soon as the door closed, Antony roughly ruffled his hair.
“I thought it would be safe for a while. I knew it would be like this.”
“…”
“Oh, Lord. You may step back now. When Agatha recovers, we shall see her again. You have worked hard today.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Enoch turned on his heel and slowly left the imperial palace. Due to the widespread news of Agatha Nobilis’ attack, the surroundings were filled with various courtiers and nobles.
“Master!”
The knights of the Aratus family, who had been waiting far outside the imperial palace, raised their hands. Having just finished the battle and moved straight here, they were all covered in dust.
“Are you alright? Nothing else happened?”
Enoch accepted the reins from Leon Tackran, the commander of the first division, and nodded.
“Nothing unusual happened. Let’s go back immediately.”
“Yes!”
In the midst of many eyes, Enoch Aratus led the knights back to the mansion.
One day later.
The news that the Aratus family had become patrons of Agatha Nobilis spread throughout the empire.
Having paid a considerable price for the vast power and wealth, the Nobilis family was the patron of the attack.
It had more profound implications than the emperor’s decision to uncover the attacker’s mastermind.
Soon, letters began pouring in from the nobles to Lord Aratus, now a patron.
It was an event that unfolded within two days of the rumors spreading.
—
Agatha was bedridden for three days. It was fortunate that there were no broken bones despite the fall, but she was fully covered by the aftermath.
When the fever finally subsided and the wounds healed enough for her to move around properly.
Agatha was having tea time with the crown prince, Antony Roxiba, in the palace support.
It was not a planned event. Antony had suddenly appeared.
“Wait a little longer.”
“Why? Who’s coming?”
“I invited Lord Aratus. He sent a reply that he would come.”
The tea that was laid out before Agatha had the effect of clearing her blood, while golden fruit tea was placed before the crown prince. Antony grumbled discontentedly.
“You’ve only just recovered. Isn’t this too much to handle?”
“It’s already late. If I don’t want to marry a noble I don’t like, I have to move quickly.”
The first thing Agatha did when she regained her senses was to assess the situation. Given that the sole heiress of the Nobilis family almost died, the emperor couldn’t just sit idly by.
As expected, the emperor had summoned her to mention the marriage in light of this incident.
He might come to bring up the marriage within a few days.
“What about the candidates?”
“They’re being selected. Lady Abama seems to have a keen interest in trade with the eastern continent.”
Antony scoffed while tapping the edge of his teacup.
“Since we need a base for the eastern continent, we should keep an eye on nobles who have territory there.”
“Yes, indeed. So you should think of it as preparation for the marriage.”
Agatha smiled and raised her quill.
“You’ll help me again, won’t you? When the right candidate is found, you must inform me.”
“To use the crown prince as a spy is quite clever.”
“I already told you what I wanted. I couldn’t go hunting, so think of it as me doing that for you.”
“Damn it. These guys are making me do the work twice because of them?”
Agatha continued to fill out the official documents on the spot.
The content instructed the messengers to envisage a new sea route to the continent and at the same time, to investigate whether there was a port in the Novilis region where ships could anchor, and if so, what its scale was.
Antoni, who was sprawled out in a relaxed manner, openly staring at the official documents, opened his mouth.
“Who are you planning to marry this time?”
“Well, I didn’t expect to get married this quickly.”
“Do you have a man in mind?”
“…”
Agatha couldn’t dismiss this question so casually.
“A man in mind?”
It wasn’t just an indifferent word; there was already a man who had completely fallen out. It was different from when her judgment was clouded by a rise in temperature.
She suddenly remembered that man.
His hair, shining like gold under the sunlight, coupled with his wildness and elegance, made her cheeks flush when she thought of him.
Sometimes, she remembered his innocent voice.
In contrast to his indifferent and calm hands, he had a sweet demeanor.
Agatha, who was unwittingly reminded of Enok Aratus, blushed slightly and then snapped out of her thoughts. Her hand, which had been writing the letter, had stopped.
“What’s wrong? Isn’t there someone you fancy?”
“Please be quiet.”
“What? Who is it? When does it happen that I’m not included in finding a proper husband?”
Ignoring Antoni, Agatha continued to fill out the official documents.
Until the completed letter was sent by the aide, Antoni, who had persistently stared at her, relaxed.
“That’s it. Figure it out yourself. I won’t help you beyond providing accurate candidates.”
“That’s enough.”
It was up to her to define her relationship with Enok Aratus.
She wanted to see him again or properly define these feelings, so she invited him, but Agatha had to concentrate all her efforts on facing the emperor.
In fact, she wanted to confirm.
Was this feeling just a momentary flicker during the crisis of death?
While Antoni crossed the foyer, exchanging greetings with Enok, Agatha, who was captivated by him as if spellbound, rose from her seat. Her heart was pounding as if it would burst without even trying to listen.
“Can this be called a passing emotion?”
Antoni, who was passing through the sponsor’s table, looked familiarly and smiled charmingly. The man who had just sat down at the table was neat in his suit.
“… The suit suits you well.”
Suddenly, she thought so. His feet were solid as soon as she saw them, and his steps were large enough to reach here soon.
Even without looking, it could be seen that his whole body was sculpted with muscles. His skin was not knightly, but more animalistic due to the gentle scar that crossed his cheek.
When he lifted the sword, the smell of blood permeated, but now he had an inexplicable ashen-eyed, calm atmosphere.
“I should go now. Thank you, Agatha.”
“…Please take a look, Your Excellency.”
Agatha, who was staring at him as if spellbound, got up from her seat. Her heart was pounding as if it would burst without even trying to listen.
“Can this be called a passing emotion?”
Antoni, who was passing through the sponsor’s table, looked familiarly and smiled charmingly. The man who had just sat down at the table was neat in his suit.
“… The suit suits you well.”
Suddenly, she thought so. His feet were solid as soon as she saw them, and his steps were large enough to reach here soon.
Even without looking, it could be seen that his whole body was sculpted with muscles. His skin was not knightly, but more animalistic due to the gentle scar that crossed his cheek.
When he lifted the sword, the smell of blood permeated, but now he had an inexplicable ashen-eyed, calm atmosphere.
“I should go now. Thank you, Agatha.”
“…Please take a look, Your Excellency.”
Agatha, who was staring at him as if spellbound, got up from her seat. Her heart was pounding as if it would burst without even trying to listen.
