Episode 65

Sione looked into Aiden’s eyes and suddenly burst into laughter.

Just moments ago, everything had seemed so overwhelming, but now, facing Aiden’s unwavering trust, she felt a sense of relief. How fortunate it was that they had uncovered the true culprit behind the Emperor’s assassination.

She shuddered to think how close she had come to being deceived by the liar, dancing to the tune of the Serpent’s manipulative words.

The thought of leaving a deeper scar on her beloved stepdaughter’s heart was terrifying.

But now, there was hope that, even if it took some time, they could clear up the misunderstandings.

Sione realized that, although her own heart would bear a small scar, having someone so trustworthy by her side was a significant victory.

“Yes, this is where we’ve ended up.”

Sione repeated Aiden’s words with a wide smile, and the dog who had first seemed so insolent now returned her smile with a gentle expression.

She walked side by side with Aiden toward the Crown Princess’s palace.

Just as Lothania was leaving her morning lessons, unaware of the events at the council, she saw Sione and came running with a bright smile.

“Mother!”

Sione smiled and embraced Lothania, who had come all the way out of the palace to greet her.

“Lottie, are your lessons over?”

“Yes, Mother! I was praised for doing well today, too!”

“Really? That’s wonderful!”

“Hehe!”

Lothania beamed at Sione, then quickly shot a sharp glance at Aiden when she thought her mother wasn’t looking.

With the weather turning chilly, Lothania frowned at Aiden’s all-black attire, which she didn’t particularly like.

It seemed as if he had moved into the palace recently, but Lothania couldn’t tell whether there was any progress between him and her mother.

She was anxious, wondering if Sione had changed her mind about marrying Lian, whom she had previously suggested as a possible husband.

Lothania had been planning to call Melbrid today to ask what Lian was up to, but now Sione had come to her.

When Sione sat across from her in the drawing room and shared the news of her engagement to Lian, Lothania froze, her eyes and mouth wide open in shock.

“L-Lottie?”

Sione was surprised by her daughter’s reaction, which seemed more intense than she had expected.

When she gently stroked Lothania’s shoulder, the girl snapped out of it and began jumping up and down in agitation.

“Why, Mother? You said you didn’t love the Serpent!”

“I’m not marrying him because I love him, Lottie.”

“Then why are you marrying him if you don’t love him? I don’t like that!”

“Well… let’s just say there are reasons, and it won’t take long.”

Sione explained calmly with an apologetic look, and Lothania’s excitement slowly faded.

With a sorrowful expression, the girl let out a big sigh and asked.

“Is it something you can’t tell me, Mother?”

“I’ll tell you everything soon, I promise.”

Lothania sighed deeply again, then threw her arms around Sione’s waist, burying herself in her skirt.

“I really, really hate the idea of you being forced into a marriage you don’t want, Mother.”

“It’s not exactly that. And it’s only for a little while.”

“Not exactly? I bet the Serpent’s up to something. You’re not being threatened, are you?”

Lothania’s fierce crimson eyes were filled with suspicion as she pressed her mother for answers.

Whether it was her sharp intuition, keen sense, or just the widespread knowledge of Lian’s lack of character, Sione almost nodded in agreement but managed to keep her composure and smiled instead.

“No, Lottie, nothing like that.”

“Really?”

Seeing the worry in her daughter’s eyes, Sione couldn’t bring herself to lie, so she held Lothania tightly.

As she gently stroked Lothania’s golden hair, she whispered a quiet “Yes,” into the empty air, where no one could see.

Not pressing the matter further, Lothania instead grabbed Anna as soon as Sione left and asked her.

“What’s this ‘adult reason’ that makes Mother marry someone she doesn’t love, even if it’s just for a short time?”

Anna, rubbing her chin and narrowing her eyes in thought, finally offered an answer that was filtered down to be appropriate for a twelve-year-old.

“Could it be a contract marriage?”

“A contract marriage? Are you saying Mother made a deal with the Serpent?”

Lothania, with her background in political matters due to her status, quickly switched genres.

As she pondered what kind of deal the Empress and the Chancellor might have struck, Melbrid, the Chancellor’s younger brother, arrived at the Crown Princess’s palace.

The young man, who had come eagerly at the summons of his childhood friend and first love, found himself grabbed by the collar the moment he stepped inside.

“What is your brother up to this time?”

“What did my brother do now?”

Melbrid, accustomed to both his brother’s antics and being grabbed by the collar, asked without even flinching.

“What kind of deal did he make with my mother that she’s planning to marry Duke Zernia?”

“Marriage? Between Her Majesty the Empress and my brother?”

Melbrid, who had been unaware of the situation, was so shocked that he shouted out loud. His already large eyes grew even wider.

Lothania’s face was reflected in his round, violet eyes.

Always weak to Melbrid’s expressions, Lothania reluctantly released her childhood friend and first love from her grasp.

She snorted loudly and turned away, but Melbrid, trailing behind her, recalled the recent days spent observing Lian.

All he had done was either sit on the sofa or lie in bed.

Aside from visiting the Imperial Palace on days with State Council meetings, Lian’s daily routine had mostly involved lounging around.

Though he had always been a bit lazy at home, his recent behavior had been worrisome. What on earth was going on?

Melbrid tried to defend Lian, insisting that his brother had done nothing recently.

But Lothania, who trusted Melbrid but distrusted the Serpent, remained suspicious. Fortunately, Sione had said it would only be for a short time.

After thinking deeply, Lothania let out a sigh.

No matter how much she thought about it, there was nothing she could do.

Tugging at her hair with both hands, she warned Melbrid, who was now nervously watching her, with a sharp tone.

“Tell your brother that if he makes my mother sad, I won’t forgive him, even if he’s your brother. Got it?”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“And I won’t forgive you either!”

“Me too?”

“Yes, you too!”

“Ah, understood!”

The twelve-year-old boy, blinded by love, vowed that from today on, he wouldn’t take his eyes off his brother.

* * *

After the announcement of the marriage to Lian, Brincia became quite lively.

The nobles gossiped among themselves, and the Imperial family was abuzz with talk about the unprecedented situation.

Would the Empress, serving as the Emperor’s proxy, have her new spouse added to the Imperial register?

If so, what title would be given?

Lawyers and officials debated the matter daily, while the attendants and the Ministry of the Interior fretted over the scale of the wedding.

Even though I had no intention of actually marrying Lian, for now, the whole world had to believe that I would, so I let the rumors spread.

Fortunately, Lothania seemed to understand, but many palace staff viewed me, the Empress from a foreign land, as blinded by love.

Tito, who tried not to show his concern in front of me, casually mentioned that public opinion among the Empire’s citizens was not favorable.

I spent the next few days laying low, trying to avoid attention, but then a formal proposal from House Zernia arrived.

Early in the morning, a procession of at least ten carriages, accompanied by loud music, made its way to the Imperial Palace.

“What is wrong with Lian Zernia?”

I muttered through gritted teeth, and Aiden, standing beside me, lowered his head apologetically, though he had done nothing wrong.

The procession, guarded closely by the Royal Guard and scrutinized by the palace staff, finally reached the main palace.

A man stepped out of the lead carriage, introduced himself as the butler of House Zernia, and bowed to me.

“Duke Zernia has sent a dowry, Your Majesty.”

“A… dowry?”

“Yes, the Duke’s dowry.”

Why would he send a dowry himself?

And isn’t the dowry something brought on the day of the wedding? Why send it with the proposal?

I was so taken aback that I couldn’t find the words to respond.

The butler of House Zernia unrolled a scroll as tall as himself and began reading out the list of what was loaded in the ten carriages.

Lian, you damn liar.

You said you didn’t embezzle any funds. You claimed you didn’t have any secret stash.

There’s no way you could throw around this kind of money as a dowry without having skimmed and hoarded for over 300 years.

I interrupted the seemingly endless recitation of the dowry list and asked the butler.

“Do you know your master is mad?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

He answered without hesitation.

It seems it takes someone of his caliber to serve a madman like a Duke.

Impressed, I took another look at the butler of House Zernia.

Even this capable man seemed to hesitate slightly as he glanced at the last carriage in the procession before speaking.

“As the final item in the dowry, the Duke himself has arrived.”

I shuddered as I looked at the last carriage and then spoke firmly to the butler.

“I’ll accept everything except what’s in the last carriage. Take that back with you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The butler responded without hesitation, then, leaving behind the nine carriages, returned the way he came, accompanied by music once again.