“It still seems excessive to me. I think just the interest-free loan and the support from the upper echelon would be sufficient.”
“Indeed. Would my life not be worth at least 100,000 carvias?”
At the mention of such a vast sum of money, his aide let out an audible gasp. However, Enok and Agasa, the parties involved, remained impassive, staring at each other coolly.
‘Of course, they’re not really cool-headed.’
Agatha hid her slightly trembling eyes by lowering them.
“…This amount was set as the compensation for the cancellation reasons that prevent me from hiring Marquis Aratus and his knights as escorts.”
After a brief pause, the man placed the documents on the table.
“So, you no longer require escorts?”
“Yes. I am about to get married soon.”
Although she felt a little bitter about it.
Agatha quickly acknowledged the current situation. It wouldn’t be a problem to resist getting married, and it wouldn’t be bad to find a husband while she was at it.
On the other hand, there was also a chance this man would be her seventh marriage prospect.
He was already the head of a family with only one younger sister.
He commanded a strong corps of knights, and despite recently entering adulthood, there were no rumors about him having bad habits.
‘Surely he’ll be included in the list prepared by those who have passed away.’
Would she end up proposing to him this time?
‘I heard he’s only twenty.’
Having always been the one making choices, Agasa found herself in an unfamiliar situation, contemplating while being chosen for once.
“The Sun of the Roxbad Empire, Emperor Womilay the Second has arrived!”
Momentarily, Agatha, who was frowning, reflexively smiled upon making eye contact with Enok.
It was a somewhat early appearance, but who else could tell the Emperor’s movements but the Emperor himself?
“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”
As he entered, the Emperor paused upon noticing Enok and quickly approached to sit.
“Get up. I came to see you, Agatha. Marquis Aratus was also here?”
“Yes. We were in the middle of having tea at your gracious invitation.”
“Good tea, I hope. Can I stay for a while, Agasa?”
“Of course. It’s an honor for me, Your Majesty.”
As refreshments were being prepared, the Emperor asked about Agatha’s condition.
It wasn’t that he lacked affection; his greed was the problem.
Whether it was for the noblewoman or the only heiress of the nobility, Agatha wasn’t sure.
“But why did you come all the way here while busy?”
“Well… I’ve been diligently investigating the masterminds behind those who dared to touch the lady of my house, and I’m here to discuss the aftermath.”
“I see.”
Although it was an unexpected early visit, Agatha interpreted the Emperor’s actions as a signal that things were progressing smoothly.
Word had it that the nobles who had targeted her were disappearing, their lineages traced through evidence found at their base.
Now that the Emperor had firmly established his authority, there was only one thing left to focus on: Agatha.
The Emperor leaned toward Agatha with a candid gesture.
“Agatha, have you heard the news? I’ve executed all the criminals and captured the nobles who orchestrated the attacks, every last one of them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I sincerely thank you.”
“So, I was thinking, Agatha…”
“Already? Wouldn’t it be too soon?”
“Too soon? It’s been two months since your divorce. Given your circumstances, I’d say you’ve prepared yourself well enough.”
Agatha didn’t look at the Emperor directly but briefly glanced at Enok beside her.
Nobles could host a memorial feast the day after a spouse’s death due to circumstances.
But she didn’t want to blatantly display herself like this.
Yet, she also wanted to show her situation unreservedly. Agatha smiled.
“Do you happen to have someone in mind?”
“Of course! I’ve already prepared several candidates! If you like, I can make arrangements right away.”
He had prepared them while coveting the lucrative trade.
Agatha lowered her gaze slightly.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“After I became an adult, you promised to give me freedom in marriage.”
“Right, but considering the situation, don’t you think you should get married? With a corps of knights under your command, you’d be safe from attacks, and you could use your husband to threaten your relatives…”
The Emperor’s words were all reasonable. That’s why Agatha had been married up until now.
But from now on, all her prospective marriage partners had to be chosen by her. If she were to yield to the Emperor’s will even once, it would likely continue thereafter.
Above all, the partners the Emperor chose were always individuals who did not meet Agatha’s criteria for a husband.
Agatha consciously tilted her head without looking to her side. Somehow, her cheeks felt hot.
“I understand that, but is there really a need to rush?”
“…”
“I will get married. I won’t forget the consideration you’ve shown. But I hope you’ll wait a little longer, as I may find a better match and propose to you.”
‘I will get married, and if given the choice, I might bring even greater benefits.’
As always, the Emperor had undoubtedly been waiting for these words.
The Emperor, pretending to ponder for a moment, lowered his voice subtly.
“Agatha. You mean it, right?”
“Yes. I’ve always meant it.”
“Very well then. If that’s your true intention, there’s nothing more to be done. Do as you wish until I’ve executed the ones behind these affairs. However, if I don’t approve of your choice, you will marry the person I choose. Understood?”
“I will do my best, Your Majesty.”
Agatha did not give a firm answer this time either. If her prepared proposal or the man did not please the Emperor, she was prepared to explore other options.
After confirming the time, the Emperor stood up from his seat.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Take care of yourself.”
“I will, Your Majesty. I’ll see you again soon.”
“Of course. Oh, Lord Anthoni. Nice to see you. Let’s have a meal together next time.”
With a slight bow from Enok, the Emperor quickly disappeared with his aides. Considering the scheduled time, it could be said that he had stayed longer than expected.
Agatha sighed and retrieved the proposal she had set aside.
“Shall we continue our discussion?”
“…”
As she attempted to sit down again, there was no response from the man. Agatha looked at him quizzically.
“My Lord?”
Enok blinked slowly. At first, she had appeared delicate, but thereafter she seemed confident, and today, she displayed a remarkable behavior, swaying the Emperor back and forth.
However, she was still insistent.
Enok picked up the proposal from the table after the conflict with the Emperor, observing her pale complexion.
“Let me take this to review it again.”
“Are you leaving already?”
It was very rare for Agatha to hold onto someone.
The man who had been staring blankly slowly raised his hand and lightly touched her cheek.
“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Go inside and rest, my lady.”
…!
Agatha stood there blankly until he turned away, only then did she respond belatedly.
“Thank you for your consideration. I’ll send another invitation in a few days.”
The man, lightly nodding, disappeared outside with his aides.
Agatha then placed her hand on her reddened cheek.
Feeling indifferent.
It was strangely comforting that the care that had fallen away like a cloak was now tinged with sweetness.
“…It feels good.”
Surely, she had fallen deeply.
Seeing that she was already looking forward to the next meeting.
—
Returning to the Aratus mansion in the capital, Enok Aratus immediately summoned his attendants.
Entering his study and sinking into a chair, he appeared thoughtful.
The steward who followed quietly prepared tea.
His aide, John, hesitated to lay the proposal on the desk.
Until morning, the desk had been completely empty, but now it was piled high with an enormous number of letters.
Enok’s eyes furrowed at the fragrant smell of tea that filled the air.
“I hope my expectations are wrong.”
“You are correct in your assumptions. These are new introductions received today.”
Agatha Nobilis was nothing special. She had also been troubled by the flood of marriage proposals pouring in over the past few days.
“Do not worry, sir. There are introductions for the young ones as well. This one is for Miss Isabelle.”
Enok silently reached for the cup that Ben, the steward, had placed on the table.
While warfare was never easy, he sometimes thought it might be refreshing to wield a sword these days, considering the current situation.
He was barely getting his family back on track, but how busy would Agatha Nobilis be at the center of power?
