Aiden narrowed his eyes and glanced at Julia.
Erin, who was momentarily taken aback, laughed.
Aiden’s behavior now seemed like jealousy.
“She’s just the center of attention at this banquet.”
Erin lightly pulled Aiden’s arm. Aiden’s gaze automatically returned to Erin.
Erin naturally linked her arm with Aiden’s, staying close by his side.
“The person who suits my taste perfectly is right here. Why would I want to look at anyone else?”
Aiden’s mouth curved into a smile. Erin reached out to touch Aiden’s face, turning his head to face her.
“You should only be by my side today,” Erin whispered, causing Aiden’s smile to widen.
“Of course.”
Before they realized it, Aiden had his arm around Erin’s waist. The two of them looked at each other with sweet smiles, oblivious to the gazes of others at the banquet.
Erin and Aiden remained inseparable throughout the event, drawing glances from everyone.
Despite not wanting to look, their conspicuous behavior inevitably attracted attention.
Yet, the two of them paid no heed. Julia was nowhere to be seen in Erin’s considerations.
Throughout the banquet, the two of them devoted themselves to each other, enjoying a delightful time.
***
It had been a few days since they had met Julia at Count Charte’s banquet.
During that time, Julia’s presence had faded into the background.
Instead, Erin and Aiden had been solely focused on enjoying each other’s company. But today was a rare outing.
“Erin, we have to go to the palace today,” Aiden said.
“The Emperor wants to talk to us about our divorce.”
Erin had anticipated this as well. The rumors surrounding their divorce had caused quite a stir, and it was something they needed to address formally.
Erin and Aiden hadn’t made any official announcements so far. Yet, numerous rumors followed every little move they made.
The rumor that their divorce had become a thing of the past had spread and turned into an established fact.
It was not just a commotion in a small provincial family; it was a matter involving the most prominent presence in the Empire – the Lienster couple.
They had to properly explain the situation to the Emperor.
As Erin finished getting ready for the outing, she linked her arm with Aiden’s and asked, “Should we stop by Angellana on our way back from the palace?”
“Perhaps,” Aiden said, his mouth curving up and the muscles in his face relaxing.
The two of them boarded the carriage with smiles, with a lighthearted mood, as if they were going on a casual outing even while heading to the palace.
***
Erin and Aiden headed to the Prince’s Palace before meeting the Emperor.
Prince Frederick and Aiden had been in contact for a long time, and naturally, Erin had grown close to the prince as well. On the contrary, the relationship between the Emperor and the prince was lukewarm, to say the least.
In other words, it was strained.
“Welcome. It’s been a while,” Frederick greeted the two.
Erin responded casually, “Yes, it has.”
The three of them always greeted each other naturally in informal settings. A simple tea time had been prepared in anticipation of Erin and Aiden’s visit.
“The Emperor doesn’t take kindly to this recent matter,” Frederick informed in advance.
“He does not appreciate noble scandals, as they tend to tarnish the reputation of the nobility and the royal family.”
The Emperor particularly disliked getting dragged into such matters, especially because people tended to treat noble and royal matters lightly.
The Emperor was a person filled with admiration and a sense of privilege that others dared not overlook. “It’s uncomfortable for him, especially with my aunt deciding to divorce,” Frederick added. The Emperor had a separate reason for being particularly sensitive about this matter.
“My aunt?” Erin inquired.
“She married the Duke of Quiness from Alzarshan about 15 years ago. She never returned, so you probably wouldn’t know about her,” Frederick explained.
“The Lady of Quiness,” Aiden added. “It hasn’t been publicly announced yet, but she recently sent a letter to His Majesty. Naturally, he opposes it, but it seems my aunt has made up her mind.”
“I had some inkling, but to actually go through with it…,” Aiden remarked.
“She was never satisfied with married life before. Still, I thought she would stay there and not stir up trouble for the Empire. It was a bit unexpected,” Frederick and Aiden exchanged opinions.
During their conversation, Erin remained silent as if unaware of the subject. In truth, she was already familiar with the Lady of Quiness through the original source.
It seems that she is still married now, but soon she will divorce.
And she will return to the empire. From the Lady of Quiness to Princess Arinasta.
She was the Emperor’s most beloved daughter.
When she was about to marry, the Emperor made a promise that if she didn’t feel like she had a family to come back to, even after living enough to do so, she could divorce at that time.
To live enough. That period was 20 years. Now, the Emperor has passed away, but that promise still held true.
However, as the empire would receive her as if nothing had happened when she returned, the divorce from Duke of Quiness was not smooth.
Eventually, she divorced and returned to her hometown and the empire.
Upon her return, she was still as beautiful and graceful as ever, as if she had not felt the passage of time.
It was as if she had planned for a long time and started her own business once she returned to the capital.
That business was a dessert shop called “Angela.”
“Right now, Her Majesty has no reason to stop her aunt’s divorce. Moreover, if her aunt divorces, it could cause problems as it would break the symbolic relationship between the two countries.”
“It seems like it could have an impact on that relationship, so his highness is trying to prevent his aunt’s divorce.”
“Yes. Furthermore, marriage is considered sacred and decisions shouldn’t be made impulsively.”
“They are probably cautious because it could affect other nobles.”
Frederick nodded at Aiden’s remark.
“What do you think will happen?”
Aiden asked for Frederick’s opinion as a prince and a family member about the future direction.
“Since his aunt has no children, I think she won’t ultimately go through with the divorce. She is not someone who speaks with a vague heart.”
Frederick speculated about her thoughts as a family member.
Upon hearing this, Erin silently agreed in her heart.
“Moreover, there was a promise from the former emperor to his aunt. Even if it’s because of that promise, they cannot break his aunt’s will.”
Frederick believed that the possibility of a divorce was high.
“If Lady of Quiness returns, it will create a new balance of power in the capital.”
Frederick firmly warned Erin and Aiden.
“It doesn’t matter to us.”
Aiden responded nonchalantly.
Erin also offered a hint of not worrying to Frederick and smiled broadly.
“Well, I thought they wouldn’t care much about it.”
Frederick raised the corners of his mouth as if confirming Aiden’s prediction.
For Frederick, it was merely a formality to let them know.
“She has the ability to oppose His Majesty.”
Aiden also shared the same sentiment.
For Aiden and Frederick, who held a different position from the conservative and change-averse Emperor, the return of Princess Arinasta was not a bad thing.
In the original work, after becoming Princess Arinasta, she had helped Claire and Julia on several occasions.
Moreover, personally, she had a significant influence on the relationship between Claire and Julia, and there would be changes in line with the altered relationship between Julia and Aiden now.
In the future, Erin planned to become closer to her upon her return to the empire.
And “Angella” would be a good intermediary to become close to her.
While Aiden and Frederick moved on to other topics, Erin quietly pondered her future plans.
***
Erin and Aiden went to meet the Emperor after finishing the conversation with Frederick.
“Lienster Duchess is here to see Your Majesty.”
The Emperor gazed alternately at Erin and Aiden, his face lost in thought.
“They’ve decided not to divorce.”
The Emperor pointed out indifferently.
“We never intended to divorce from the beginning.”
Aiden replied firmly without any hesitation.
“But all the nobles in the capital know about the divorce turmoil between the two. It’s worrisome that such a case could set a precedent and influence others.”
The Emperor turned his attention to them, warning them about their actions.
“We are not divorcing. We will be together for the rest of our lives.”
Aiden looked straight at the Emperor and spoke.
“But why have you caused such a commotion?”
The Emperor’s voice became sharp, and his discomfort was evident.
But Aiden remained composed as ever.
Watching his attitude, Erin slowly spoke up.
“Your Majesty, this time, everything is because of me.” Aiden looked back at Erin.
Erin took Aiden’s hand and spoke, “This occasion has strengthened the bond between my husband and me. We have confirmed each other’s hearts to the extent that we will not waver in any situation.”
“I see,” the Emperor said, looking at Erin and Aiden intently.
“I don’t believe this incident is a matter of losing face. It simply shows the human side of living, regardless of one’s status,” Erin said, as Aiden, who had been silently listening, flashed a satisfied smile.
“The strong bond between my husband and me will be evident to everyone from now on,” Erin said, beaming at the Emperor.
The corners of the Emperor’s mouth twitched uncertainly, his expression conveying a sense of “What is she talking about? Let’s hear it out.”
“So, in light of this, the Lienster estate is planning to host a gathering, wishing for harmony among all the families,” Erin said, smiling broadly at the Emperor.
Watching her confident expression, the Emperor chuckled softly.
“As the lady says,” Aiden said, firmly holding Erin’s hand.
Erin’s expression revealed a sense of pride and satisfaction, familiar to her but foreign to the Emperor, who was seeing Aiden’s unfamiliar face for the first time.
The Emperor, looking somewhat perplexed, turned his head to the side.
“Well, that’s not bad at all,” the Emperor nodded slightly.
Erin added confidently that she would do well.
