Episode 3
I slightly opened the fingers that were covering my face and stared at Khalid in front of me. Before I knew it, he was sitting with his big back bent and looking at me.
The bright eyes that seemed to capture the clear sky were as transparent as glass.
My image, all black, was reflected like a mirror.
I sniffled and turned my head to the side. Khalid’s plump, red lips gently parted.
“… … Who wants to cry in front of me? Well, there is no one here who would feel sorry for me. I’d rather fight in front of Izar’s coffin… … .”
“… … What does that mean? Izar isn’t even in the coffin anyway… … .”
“Ha, I understand, so why don’t you calm down. “If anyone sees it, they’ll think I made you cry.”
Khalid washed his face dry and rummaged through his clothes. No matter where Cravat was thrown, the shirt he was wearing had already had a couple of buttons undone and was wide open.
The item he was looking for came from the pocket of a shirt that appeared to be worn rather loosely.
An impatient hand grabbed my finger. Before I knew it, I was holding Khalid’s handkerchief in my hand.
Although it was clean and had never been used, it was a handkerchief that had been crumpled arbitrarily.
How did this kid come to look so much like me, even in the things he carries?
It was so absurd that I burst out laughing. I pressed the handkerchief firmly against my damp cheek.
“Don’t be so rude… … Because it’s still hard for me. Even if you don’t show it.”
“You’re showing off a lot, what are you doing? And what? Cheap? “I don’t think these are words that would come out of the mouth of a noble lady.”
Apparently, Khalid had forgotten the source of the foul expressions that occasionally came out of my mouth.
Where does this person live who escapes the guards whenever he has time, leaves the imperial palace, and learns only strange things from the streets?
“… … Oh yeah. “It’s my fault.”
I gave him a silent look, and Khalid quickly understood what I meant.
He touched the mole under his lip and the chin near it and twitched his dark eyebrows.
It was a face so similar to Izar that I was amazed no matter how many times I looked at it.
I looked at Khalid’s face blankly, as if mesmerized.
“If you’re all done crying, just leave.”
“Where are you going?”
“Go somewhere. Why do you think of someone else when you look at me like that? … If you’re going to do it, that is. “It’s very unpleasant for the person on the receiving end.”
How on earth did you know? When my true feelings were revealed, I flinched, trembled my shoulders, and covered my eyes with a handkerchief.
Khalid seemed to have relaxed for a moment, but before I knew it, he was back to the Khalid I used to know.
A strangely sharp-edged look, eyes raised as if angry, and lips tightly closed.
Khalid crossed his arms and tapped his forearm with his fingertips. Then suddenly he got up from his seat.
“Don’t be mistaken, Renata Carnelluti. “I have no intention of replacing Izar.”
“… … What are you talking about? “Now that Izar is dead, you must inherit the throne.”
“Stop pretending you don’t know. “I am acting as Izar’s substitute to tell you that I will not marry you.”
“but.”
“But go to sleep.”
Khalid scolded coldly. He was standing with his back to the sun, so I could no longer read his expression.
but… … .
I had a lot of things I wanted to say to Khalid.
But I suddenly felt distant and tired, so I decided to just keep quiet.
Now I was just dazzled by the sunlight pouring down behind Khalid.
I stumbled to my feet and looked up at him. His handsome face was a little stiff as he lowered his eyes to look down at me, who was much smaller than me.
Khalid stood still like that for a while, looking at me.
Then, he just raised one corner of his mouth and asked mockingly.
“… … “Renata, do you want to become empress in any way, even if it’s your younger brother instead of your older brother?”
“… … what? “What do you mean by that now?”
I quickly opened my lips. But I hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say first.
Of course I want to become an empress.
However, it is more appropriate to say ‘I have to become’ rather than ‘I want to become’. Because it’s not me who wants to be empress, it’s my family.
And Khalid.
This problem is beyond what just you and I can do.
I really wish they would stop pretending like they don’t know. Isn’t marriage between nobles a transaction between families?
There is nothing in this world that I wouldn’t form a relationship with Khalid just because he doesn’t like it.
As soon as Izar died, Icalis II married our family in the name of Khalid before anyone else.
The economic situation of the imperial family was at a serious level.
The circumstances are like that, and even if I were to become the next emperor, how could Khalid reject me?
Although my status was low and my family’s history was short, there were many noble families, excluding the imperial family, who coveted me.
Of course, the perception of new nobles who bought their titles with money is still negative.
However, our Carnelluti family was a wealthy family that was considered one of the wealthiest families in and around the continent, beyond the empire.
And the number of noble families that fell sharply due to the ongoing war was, so to speak, heartbreaking.
As the overall trend of the times was like that, around the time of my coming-of-age ceremony, the Emperor even elevated my family, who had purchased the title of viscount during my grandfather’s generation, to the title of earldom.
They say that since this is a family that will stand shoulder to shoulder with the imperial family, it should be at least a count.
The external situation surrounding us had already progressed this far. So, I don’t even have time to get over the sadness of losing Izar.
But what, Khalid, what on earth did I say… … .
“… … Yes, I want to be empress.”
I reluctantly answered in a weak voice. Even if I didn’t like it, it was reality after all.
Then Khalid’s eyes slowly sank. He looked down at me as if he were looking at something very unpleasant.
The cold, frozen jaw twisted. Khalid was now glaring at me with open contempt.
“Life is no different from that of a puppet.”
“… … Do you know what’s different?”
I felt like I had been caught off guard and became very uncomfortable. Undeterred, I started shooting at Khalid.
In fact, no matter what he did, Khalid was not stupid. Rather, he was good at studying.
So there was no way he was completely unaware of the complex circumstances mentioned above.
But why on earth does it come out with this kind of attitude?
I don’t know. First of all, I’m not really curious about it right now and I don’t want to think about it.
It was just miserable to see a future that would not be very happy.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at Khalid before passing him by. I was so nervous that I even hit his shoulder hard.
The attempt was good, but the opponent was a knight who trained his swordsmanship to an addictive level without skipping a single day.
When I returned to the temple, I had to hold my shoulder, which was throbbing even more painfully.
By the way, what should I say to my father a nd the emperor?
I think they both expected me to do my best to please Khalid and persuade him.
* * *
On the carriage ride back, my father touched his forehead after hearing my story.
“… … “You said you wouldn’t get married?”
“It’s just a childish thing to say. “Even the prince doesn’t think that’s possible.”
“Of course it is. “More than that, did you really have to fight with the second prince like that?”
… … Shouldn’t he have said anything to his father?
It was meant to show the temper of the man your daughter was to marry, but the criticism was directed at me.
I was dumbfounded and had no excuse so I pursed my lips and remained silent.
“My older brother, who was like a body to me, died. “You’ll be on edge for a while.”
“That’s true, but… … And what about me, father?”
“… … hmm. I know your upset best. “But now is not the time for you to be depressed.”
