“Episode 12”
“If there is someone who can withstand the curse of Albertus…”
At first, Aris couldn’t believe it. She didn’t think such a person existed. However, during her adventures, Aris found herself unharmed wherever she went.
“To think such a person existed…”
Ricard muttered quietly.
“The princess is perfectly fine.”
Although there was a hint of sadness on her face, it was clear that Ricard’s venom couldn’t harm her.
“If it’s for Your Highness, I’ll do whatever it takes…”
“No.”
Ricard cut in calmly.
“This is not a war; it’s a proposal.”
Despite the fact that his intended was the Empress presumptive, he didn’t forget his principles.
“I will win her heart.”
His resolve was firm, and his dark eyes gleamed stubbornly. Nothing could dissuade him now. To him, Aris’s existence was almost miraculous.
“But even if you win her heart, will the Emperor easily give her up?”
“I have separate thoughts about the Emperor. Very simple and straightforward.”
Long ago, Albertus and Bernhardt were staunch allies and friends.
“It’s obvious what the Emperor, a descendant of Bernhardt, would think.”
The men of the two families, who had united the continent over generations, turned against each other when everything was stable. The heroes who unified the continent became enemies, and a wall was erected between the North and the capital.
“Is the current Emperor as hypocritical and vile as his ancestors?”
Ricard didn’t hide his enmity.
“Indeed, the descendant of a traitor.”
The first to betray was Bernhardt. After swiftly driving Albertus out of the North, they proclaimed themselves emperors. It was a tale from ancient times, but the North and the imperial family were still at odds, with only the wall standing strong.
“Princess Aris is a special woman… She will choose a proper man, not a hypocrite like him.”
Ricard arrogantly lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Such a woman deserves to be happy.”
Beyond certainty, he had already drawn his conclusions. Despite not receiving a response, his passion had only just begun.
“Having such a perfect woman…”
Ricard always boasted of the pride and bravery of the North. However, whether those qualities would hold any value to Aris remained uncertain. He absentmindedly touched the scar on his cheek, which usually went unnoticed but felt particularly prominent today.
“I’m not worthy of her.”
Certainly, his cheeky and desperate demeanor didn’t seem like himself. Yet, for some reason, thinking of Aris made the corners of his mouth lift, and he felt it wise to admit defeat early on.
“I haven’t received a response, but since I’ve fully indulged Pel… I should consider it half-positive.”
Ricard quickly drew his own conclusions. His excellent mind was already searching for a solution.
“…Well.”
He quickly got up from his seat. An idea had come to him.
“It’s not entirely a lie, so it should be fine.”
Ricard wore a satisfied smile at his own scheme.
* * *
Before noon, a messenger from the Parrel duchy arrived at the Marquess’s mansion where Aris was staying. Of course, Aris welcomed him warmly.
“I greet Your Highness. I am a messenger sent by the Duchess of Albertus.”
“What does the Duchess want?”
“Well… It may be quite impolite to mention it on the same day, but the Duchess would like to spend a little more time with her long-lost friend if possible, even if just for a drink today.”
The messenger bowed politely. Requesting a meeting on the same day was uncommon even among family, but Aris understood that both she and Rosanne might never meet again given their distant locations.
“I wanted to talk more too.”
“May I have your permission then?”
Aris nodded. Finding someone whose heart matched hers was difficult, a lesson she had learned from experience.
“The Duchess is staying at a nearby mansion. I will convey your message to the duchess’s messenger.”
“Then, let’s meet for tea.”
“Yes, I will convey that.”
The messenger bowed courteously and withdrew. Perhaps meeting Rosanne today would shed some light on last night’s mystery. Aris couldn’t determine if she wanted to talk to Rosanne or if she was interested in her sister. ‘To welcome you as my wife, I can do anything and give up anything, except for the Empress’s crown.’ That one sentence lingered in Aris’s heart for a long time.
“If that’s true…”
There was no brave man daring enough to snatch the Empress presumptive. However, Ricard was the master of the North, fortified against the Empire. Perhaps it was the best way to break free from the Emperor.
“But why does he want me?”
Aris couldn’t believe in love at first sight. Even if it were true, she couldn’t entrust her life to a man with such fleeting emotions. Above all, Ricard seemed to have a reason for everything.
“As long as his reasons don’t clash with mine…”
Aris breathed calmly, trying to consider all possibilities. Though his face was masked, she found his sharp yet handsome eyes strangely appealing.
“If he resembles the Duchess of Rosanne, he must be a handsome man.”
She blurted out without thinking, and her face flushed for no reason. It wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters, but his sharp eyes lingered on her longer than necessary. Fortunately, no one heard her embarrassing soliloquy.
“A man wouldn’t intrude on women’s tea time, and we probably won’t even cross paths…
As expected, Aris couldn’t help but feel concerned. Pausing for a moment, she rang the bell made of silver to summon Veronica.
“Your Highness, did you call for me?”
“I’ve decided to have tea time with Lady Rosanne today. So, I was wondering, out of the dresses we have, which one would be the best?”
“Whatever Your Highness wears will be beautiful.”
Veronica replied with a smile before quickly starting to move around. Recently, Aris had seemed rather downcast, so Veronica was pleased to see her thinking about dressing up.
“Shall I bring out the new pink silk dress?”
“No, it’s not like it’s a ball or anything…”
“It’s a subtle, lovely shade of pink, very natural.”
“Well, then… sure, why not.”
Aris responded quietly, still looking out the window. The memory of Ricard crossing over that windowsill still felt like a dream. His silent movements with his large stature and the polite bird named Pel were all quite remarkable.
“I wonder if Pel made it back safely.”
When the clever bird didn’t receive a response to Aris’s letter, it politely requested the window be opened again to fly off into the rain without looking back.
“Indeed, peculiar.”
Both the bird and its owner were peculiar.
“Pardon? What did you say, Your Highness?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Aris dismissed it casually, feeling slightly embarrassed for no reason.
“Bring me the jewelry box. I want to give Lady Rosanne a gift.”
“Yes.”
Today was simply about meeting Lady Rosanne. Aris could ask her questions, but she shouldn’t get ahead of herself.
