Chapter 7
“What is it?”
“They offered to appoint me as the Supreme Commander of the Navy and to eradicate the pirate king, promising that three-tenths of the loot seized from the pirates would go to Ivannes.”
Ah, the pirate king.
Even Chloe, a former navy member, knew the name. It was said that the pirate king Bartholomew’s hoarded loot was equivalent to ten years’ budget of Ivannes.
So, if the two kings managed to shove Curtis into Soleria, it was a win-win. The king of Ivannes would be rid of the bothersome Curtis, and the king of Glintland would use Curtis to secure Soleria.
Curtis, however, got the short end of the stick. He would have to spend his own money and endure hardships without any reward. Hence, he decided to approach the situation differently.
“It’s all a cunning plan.”
Chloe could understand Curtis’s frustration.
But she couldnt help thinking that someone who lied about having a lover just to avoid marriage didnt have much room to talk.
‘Honestly, it’s none of my business.’
Indeed, if Curtis hadnt claimed her as his lover a few hours ago, all the things he had just said would be nothing more than high-level problems of the nobles, completely irrelevant to her.
“The king must find it tempting.”
Curtis laughed in disbelief as he saw Chloe tilt her head and speak nonchalantly. Seriously? Whos really in disbelief here? Chloe cautiously spoke up.
“But youre a war hero, Your Excellency. According to what you said, you dont need to worry about your personal wealth.”
Whether dealing with the pirate king or any international conflict, the entity that eradicated the threat typically kept half the loot. If Curtis was concerned about fighting on a tight budget, he could just earn money through his victories. Curtis narrowed his eyes at her words.
“You were in the navy, so you should understand. I have no intention of becoming a mediocre navy officer.”
Chloe tilted her head again.
“The Ivannes navy, sure. They just guard the Prado Coast. But I heard Glintlands navy is quite robust. Their discipline is strict too.”
“…Its more accurate to say I have no intention of spending my life soaking in seawater, hanging on the side of a rotten ship.”
Wait. Whats the problem with that? Youre going to be a commander, right? As the supreme commander, why would you… Chloes thoughts trailed off as she realized something, her mouth slightly agape.
“…You cant handle being on a ship?”
“Who says that!”
Curtis reacted too quickly, visibly agitated.
“To the one who negotiated truces with three kingdoms, what kind of nonsense is this?”
Chloe couldn’t help but chuckle internally at his defensive response. It was becoming clear why Curtis wanted to avoid a naval appointment so desperately. Despite his remarkable talents and achievements, he had a weakness he didn’t want to admit, even to himself.
Normally, Chloe would have stopped pushing at this point. However, she still held the brooch engraved with the Burke crest in her hand. So, she mustered a bit more courage.
“…Is it that you can’t swim, or do you get seasick?”
Curtis’s smooth forehead creased. Uh-oh, maybe she should have kept quiet, Chloe thought, but then he diverted the conversation.
“…This is completely irrelevant to the main topic. What I mean is—”
“Could it be both?”
Silence stretched between them. Chloe felt a bit more at ease, while Curtis’s mood worsened.
***
There was something that neither Chloe nor the king knew.
Curtis didnt particularly like Ivannes. From the age when he could think for himself, he had always wanted to leave Ivannes, perhaps more desperately than the king wanted him gone.
But, unfortunately, he couldn’t. He had reached this conclusion after being on a ship about twenty times.
Curtis had considered becoming the Marquess of Soleria. To test this, he had boarded ships. And each time, he had been violently seasick.
‘It’s just because it’s the first time,’ he thought.
The second time, he vomited again.
‘The third time will be better.’
But it was the same on the third try.
He vomited all twenty times. On the last attempt, he felt like he was going to die and, trying to get off the ship, slipped and fell into the water. Thats when he realized he wasnt meant to be around water.
Some might argue that as a commander, he could just stay on land and lead without boarding ships.
But that showed ignorance of how small Glintland was. There was a saying in Glintland: ‘When there are few hands, even the king must help in the kitchen.’ Why? Because it had always been a country with a shortage of people. It was poor, barren, and its lands were salty. If not for its salt farms, it would have collapsed long ago.
A competent commander cannot just stay in a safe place and bark orders. In battle, that would lead to not just defeat but complete ruin.
Moreover, Curtis wasnt in a comfortable situation in Glintland either. The current king of Glintland had no legitimate heirs.
The moment Curtis married the adopted duke, he would become too close to the throne in Glintland.
Of course, the king of Glintland would never let him stay on land. If Curtis went to Soleria, he would be pushed out to sea, no matter what.
Some might worry about pushing a war hero to his death, but they didnt understand how wealthy Curtis Sean Burke was. It was said that his spoils from the wars with the three kingdoms amounted to five yearsworth of Ivanness national budget.
If Curtis died, Glintland would absorb his remaining wealth. Whether he lived or died, it was a win-win situation for Glintland.
The Duchess of Glintland has set out with a proposal, Curtis.
About two weeks ago in the afternoon, Lieutenant Noel, a long-time friend, brought the news to the office. Curtis had anticipated it. The speed at which the news reached him was also due to the spies he had strategically placed.
They waited for Prince Fredericks marriage, but as soon as it concluded, they all swooped in.
Curtis had left his side vacant to let the king think he could always use Curtis for political marriage. If he had preemptively proposed to a lady from a moderately influential family, the king would have undoubtedly interfered.
So he planned to keep potential matches ready and rush into marriage right after the princes wedding.
But the wars interrupted his plans. As soon as the truce with the three kingdoms was established, the king confined Curtis to the Royal Guard, keeping him under his watchful eye. There was no opportunity for him to act.
Now, with the Glintland proposal looming and the king eager to rid himself of Curtis, he had to devise a new plan swiftly. His solution was to claim Chloe as his fiancée, hoping to buy some time and find a way out of the political quagmire.
Curtiss predicament made Chloe realize just how complex his life was. While it seemed he wielded significant power and influence, his moves were tightly constrained by the whims of those around him, especially the king.
Chloes thoughts returned to the present, where Curtiss gaze was fixed on her, waiting for her reaction to his earlier explanation about the intricate political chess game.
You must understand now, Ambroise, why I cannot simply flee to Glintland,Curtis said, his voice low but firm. The risks there are just as great, if not greater. Staying here in Ivannes, despite the challenges, is the lesser evil.
Chloe nodded slowly, her respect for Curtis growing despite his earlier antics. I understand, Your Excellency. Ill support you in whatever way I can.
Curtis gave her a rare, genuine smile. Thank you, Chloe. Your loyalty means more than you know.
As they prepared to face the next steps in their precarious charade, Chloe felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was no longer just an aide caught in a web of deceit; she was an essential part of Curtiss strategy to navigate the dangerous waters of Ivanness political landscape.
And as soon as the royal wedding ended, Glintland made their move.
‘It would be best to say I have a lover.’
‘But who?’
Both men fell silent.
‘What have you been doing all this time? Why haven’t you had a relationship?’
Curtis squinted at his friend. He had spent six years on the battlefield, pushed there by the king. That meant he had been at war since he was twenty.
Moreover, his personality was fastidious, and he didnt like the scent of others. Considering that, Noel, who had once thought it remarkable that Curtis had fought for six years, didnt press the matter further.
…Does your sister perhaps…
Despite Curtis’s cautious inquiry, Noel squinted as if he had heard something unspeakable, making it clear there was no chance.
‘She is absolutely out of the question.’
‘Sorry. I misspoke. Forget it.’
Curtis sighed.
Finding a fiancée within a fortnight was nearly impossible.
So, how about finding someone to pretend to be a lover strategically? The kings blatant interference wouldnt stop, so it was crucial to find a woman who could withstand that.
With that in mind, high-ranking noblewomen were out. There weren’t many unmarried ladies of suitable age among them anyway.
‘What about looking among those who have had a crush on you? Like Miss Aria from the navy. The conditions would roughly match since she’s in the navy.’
Curtis shook his head irritably at Noel’s suggestion.
‘You know how badly personal feelings can mess things up, Noel.’
Love could sometimes drive someone to the brink of madness. Curtis had seen too many lives ruined by such emotions. The former king was a prime example.
‘Besides, a woman from a lesser house would give the king plenty of excuses to interfere.’
Both men simultaneously held their heads in their hands. At that moment, a crisp knock interrupted their thoughts.
Loyalty, excuse me, Your Excellency. Here are the requested records of the guards artillery training and mana stone usage.
It was Chloe Ambroise, the aide who had joined him three months ago.
