***
The National Foundation Day event concluded successfully.
In particular, its popularity far exceeded expectations, making it the most talked-about topic.
Instead of numerous couples forming, one powerful event took the spotlight—the fairy-tale-like love story between the Promian princess and the Ilnord prince.
Rumors about the spring banquet spread rapidly.
“This banquet was the most impressive I have ever seen.”
“I will never forget it.”
“There will probably be countless stories surrounding the two of you.”
“I’m worried that, because of us, others weren’t able to fully enjoy the spring banquet.”
“That’s not the case at all!”
“In fact, my daughter was deeply moved.”
“Rather, the announcement of the princess and prince’s wedding has made the entire spring banquet even more grand.”
As the name suggests, the spring banquet continues until the end of spring.
The various gatherings and tea parties held by different noble families are all part of this tradition.
“I’m really looking forward to the wedding.”
“It’s unfortunate that the ceremony will be held in Ilnord…”
Since the wedding is to take place in Ilnord, many foreign guests who attended the National Foundation Day event are likely to attend. However, most Promian nobles will be unable to join.
While some expressed excitement, others felt a sense of disappointment.
“By the way, has Ilnord fully agreed to the wedding? Just in case…”
Just because Promian had approved the marriage, it didn’t necessarily mean Ilnord shared the same stance.
If Ilnord found out that the marriage had already been arranged here, they might be displeased and even object to it.
However, those who had witnessed the heartfelt confession between Princess Violyana and Prince Serdin earnestly wished for their union.
Blueny, with a relaxed smile, spoke up.
“Next time, we’ll see each other at the wedding.”
“Oh my, does that mean…?”
One noblewoman lit up with excitement and anticipation.
“Ilnord has, of course, recognized the marriage as something to be celebrated.”
Blueny reassured everyone’s expectations.
“Is that true?”
“We’ve already exchanged letters.”
After the National Foundation Day banquet ended and everyone was preparing to leave, everything had progressed swiftly to reach this moment.
We had sent two letters to Ilnord.
One was an official letter from Delight addressed to the Ilnord Emperor.
Naturally, it conveyed how the two had met again after a long time, realized their feelings, and wished to get married, asking for approval. It also included a request to hold the wedding ceremony in Ilnord.
‘And then, there was another letter—one that was personal and secret from Serdin.’
It contained a deceptive narrative, crafted to mislead the Emperor of Ilnord.
– During my time as a hostage here, I deliberately approached the princess to win her over to my side.
I pretended to be kind out of pure goodwill and granted her every request. At the time, she was just a child, so she naturally depended on me, who was always by her side.
However, since ten years have passed, she may have forgotten that time, so I could not bring it up earlier, Your Majesty. But upon our reunion, the princess expressed how much she had missed me and was overjoyed to see me again.
The seeds I planted in her heart back then have now blossomed, and she has come to love me.
Thanks to this, I was able to fulfill the mission Your Majesty assigned to me.
Marriage is the surest way to bring the princess to our side.
I humbly request Your Majesty’s permission for this union.-
However, after reading the letter, Delight shot another sharp glare at Serdin.
“Hearing it written out like this makes it sound even more convincing, as if you truly approached our Ollia with sinister intentions.”
“………”
“Oh, come on, Dad! Serdin has only ever helped me. He never did anything bad behind my back, right? Haha!”
“Well, I suppose that wouldn’t make sense. If that were really the case, then Ollia would have used him instead, but she was too young for that.”
Ah. Serdin seemed to realize something belatedly, letting out a small, bewildered exclamation.
I pretended not to notice and looked away.
Well, in any case, the truth remained—Serdin never so much as laid a finger on me.
All he ever did was get swept up in my pace and help me as much as he could!
As I was lost in thought, foreign envoys who had heard about our wedding bid farewell with bright smiles, saying they would see us next at the wedding in Ilnord.
After sending them off, I returned to my room—only to find Hiel waiting for me.
“Master! I’ve gathered all the reactions from the banquet!”
“How did it go?”
Before the banquet, I had asked Hiel to keep track of how far the rumors spread beyond the palace and what the public reaction was like.
“The rumors have already reached Ilnord, and the response has been explosive.”
As expected.
“That’s more than enough.”
“But… isn’t there a bit too much focus on the spring banquet?”
Just as I expressed my satisfaction, Hiel cautiously spoke up, as if something was bothering him.
“Ten out of ten discussions are about your wedding with Serdin. There are some mentions of how people have formed new connections at the spring banquet, but… I’m concerned that the National Foundation Day itself might be overshadowed.”
“Really?”
“Why did you put so much emphasis on the spring banquet?”
Hiel asked, seemingly curious about my intentions.
“Since it’s National Foundation Day, its purpose should be to showcase Promian’s prosperity.”
“So, you mean it should have highlighted the nation’s strength?”
“…That’s what I think.”
There was no way Blueny or Delight didn’t understand that.
However, from the very beginning, Blueny never emphasized that aspect of the banquet, and Delight made no mention of it either.
There was a reason for that.
“Of course, since the war isn’t over yet, that kind of display is still necessary.”
In celebration of National Foundation Day, the empire had provided various benefits, including relief efforts, throughout its territory.
“But the moment when people truly feel that the nation is stable and flourishing…”
“………?”
“…is when their everyday lives feel bright and vibrant.”
And nothing could impressively convey that sentiment in a short moment like the spring banquet.
***
Ilnord Empire.
The emperor was taken aback by the news of Hayron’s death.
“And to think he was a fraud.”
It was obvious that Promian was using wordplay to shirk responsibility.
But there was no way to argue against it.
If they pushed too hard, it might give Promian a reason to question Hayron’s identity—so it was best to let the matter be.
“Tsk. He was useful for counterfeit magic stone research. What a waste.”
Hayron.
He had been involved in Ilnord’s counterfeit magic stone research since his early teenage years.
Using the results of his research, he had absorbed counterfeit magic stones, allowing him to cast magic as if he were an Archmage.
‘So there were flaws we failed to notice, after all.’
If he had lost control and died, there was no helping it. He was bound to die eventually, so there was no reason to mourn.
However, there was a more pressing matter at hand.
A letter from the Emperor of Promian.
Inside, there was an invitation.
“Serdin is marrying the princess of Promian? Now that’s surprising news.”
Something unexpected was happening in Promian. He had indeed ordered Serdin to win over the princess, but this was an unforeseen outcome.
As the emperor pondered, a chamberlain cautiously spoke.
“Your Majesty, there is also a separate letter from Prince Serdin.”
The emperor opened the envelope containing Serdin’s letter.
A spell had been placed on it so that only the emperor himself could read it.
Unlike the official letter from the Emperor of Promian, this one contained a secret message.
The emperor’s sharp gaze narrowed as he unfolded and read the letter.
“Hmm. Quite an interesting statement.”
After finishing the secret letter, the emperor decisively spoke.
“The wedding will be held in Ilnord. Make sure it is prepared in a way that upholds Ilnord’s dignity.”
Without hesitation, he burned the letter Serdin had sent and issued his command.
***
We exchanged multiple letters with Ilnord.
Through this process, the agreement regarding my marriage with Serdin progressed quickly.
To expedite the process, formalities were simplified, and the wedding was scheduled to take place as soon as possible.
“I will return to Ilnord with you.”
Initially, Serdin had arrived for the National Foundation Day event, but he had yet to leave.
Since the marriage was decided suddenly, he chose to stay longer and help with the wedding preparations.
“The wedding is in two weeks. I’m glad we were able to agree on that.”
Even if it were scheduled for a month later, it would still be a tight deadline—but two weeks?
That was barely enough time to prepare anything properly.
However, what mattered most to us was getting to Ilnord as soon as possible, where Luciel was being held.
“Luciel will be okay until then, right?”
Although we now had an excuse to travel to Ilnord for the wedding, it would still take two weeks to get there.
Delight was anxious the entire time, worried that something might happen in the meantime.
“I don’t know how exactly he got captured, but his safety shouldn’t be an issue. He is a dragon, after all.”
Hiel was confident about Luciel’s survival.
“Even Ilnord wouldn’t dare decide the fate of a dragon so easily.”
Hiel reinforced his stance more firmly.
“Alright. Then we must make all necessary preparations in the time we have left.”
Everyone steeled themselves for the task ahead.
At that moment, Blueny, who had been quietly listening, suddenly stood up with a determined look.
“Ollia. From now on, we have a lot to prepare for as well.”
“Huh?”
Was there something else I hadn’t considered?
“There are so many things needed for a wedding.”
“It’s a fake wedding anyway, so we can just do the bare minimum…”
“Ollia, what are you talking about? Did you already forget what you said?”
“……..?”
“You said it has to be done properly, so that it looks real to anyone watching.”
Blueny sternly rebuked my carelessness.
‘I was only thinking about acting as if Serdin and I were on good terms. I didn’t expect the wedding preparations to be taken so seriously…’
But realizing this too late was my fault.
There was no turning back or making excuses now.
