Second Marriage with a Loving Enemy

Episode 15

The emperor, who used to scold his daughter for misusing her authority, was no longer around. Her father hoped she would finally have the freedom to fully develop her abilities as she wished.

“Alright, Father. Don’t worry—I’ll forget about it.”

Lentia’s voice softened, her tone carrying the composed authority befitting her position.

Even at such a moment, the Duke felt a pang of loneliness watching his daughter distinguish so thoroughly between public and private life. He couldn’t complain, however, as she was the child he had raised to be this way.

And so, the family meeting concluded as usual: after much discussion, the final decision was left to the one who had been proposed to.

Lentia’s thoughts turned inward.

What should I do?

Looking down at the warm cup of tea in her hands, she became lost in thought. Calmly, she weighed the potential benefits and

drawbacks of taking Kirta as her second husband.

Her head was busy, filled with calculations, but her heart… that was another matter entirely. She feared delving too deep into it, dreading the unfamiliar emotions buried there, hidden even from herself.

In the end, it was cold logic that guided her actions, as it always did.

—

Meanwhile, in the nomadic camp…

While the Empress pondered her future, the man who had proposed to her was busy enduring the scolding of his subordinate.

“Why on earth did you propose to the Empress?” Asaka demanded. “And why did you give such a flimsy excuse? What were you thinking?”

“Asaka, you’ve been a lot sassier lately. Have I been too easy on you?” Kirta teased, leaning lazily against a tree. “Should I schedule a sparring match and teach you some manners?”

“I’ll gladly take the beating if it means I get to speak my mind.

Lord Kirta, you have to reconsider!”

“I can’t.” Kirta’s tone was firm, his expression unreadable.

“How would it look if I retracted my proposal now? Do you want rumors to spread that the Nomad King is a scoundrel who treats marriage proposals like a joke?”

“That’s not what I meant! I just don’t understand why you’d propose to a foreign woman—a ruler of all people—knowing the risks. Why would you willingly settle in this strange land?”

Asaka’s frustration was palpable. Meanwhile, Kirta continued polishing his weapon with an almost annoyingly serene expression.

“Do you really think you can marry the Empress, live in the imperial court, and fit into a world so different from ours? Can you truly become the Emperor of this country?”

“Who said anything about becoming Emperor? If I marry her, she’ll retain her title as Empress, and I’ll simply receive a noble rank. I’ll just be another son-in-law.”

“Just another son-in-law?” Asaka spluttered, horrified. “Are you suggesting you’ll become… a Bangul Seobang?”

The term, used in their homeland, referred to a man who devoted himself solely to pleasing his wife, shirking the roles of warrior or provider. In their society, such men were often the subject of ridicule.

Kirta chuckled, amused by his reaction.

“Survival takes many forms, Asaka.”

“Survival? You’re telling me that this is a survival strategy?”

Kirta stopped polishing his weapon and finally looked at his subordinate, his tone softening. “It’s not just that.” He hesitated for a moment before adding, “I suppose you could say… it was love at first sight.”

Asaka stared at him, stunned.

“You can’t be serious.”

Kirta only laughed.

“I also believe that marrying the Empress could stabilize relations between our nations. Historically, political marriages have often served as a bridge between warring factions.”

“But our tribes, even before unification, shared common roots.

Lekeon is entirely different, Kirta. To them, we’re nothing but strangers.”

Kirta nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps. But as our gods teach, all men are strangers on this earth. That’s not so frightening.”

Asaka sighed, utterly defeated.

“If others find out about it, then there’ll be more chaos.”

“They’ll adjust,” Kirta replied nonchalantly.

—

The Third Meeting

Several days later, Lentia visited the nomadic camp herself, accompanied by her maid and knight.

When Kirta heard the Empress had arrived, he quickly made his way to greet her.

Lentia, wearing a modest cloak, lowered her hood as she approached. The sunlight caught her golden hair, making it shimmer like polished gold. Kirta couldn’t help but stare, momentarily captivated.

“It’s nice to see you again, Kirta,” Lentia said, bowing her head slightly.

“The honor is mine, Your Majesty,” Kirta replied, snapping out of his reverie.

“Shall we talk somewhere quieter?” Lentia asked, her tone calm and measured.

“Of course.”

Kirta led her to a nearby forest, away from the prying eyes of the camp sentries.

Once they were alone, Lentia wasted no time getting to the point. “I’ve made my decision.”

Kirta raised an eyebrow, his heart pounding.

“If the Emperor does not return within three months of mourning, or if his body is recovered in that time, I will remarry you.”

Kirta blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice warm and sincere.

For a man who had faced countless battles without fear, Kirta now looked almost vulnerable. His joy was so unguarded, so open, that Lentia didn’t quite know how to respond.

Where in all of Lekeon could you find someone so unreserved?

Having spent her life among nobles who concealed their emotions behind a facade of etiquette, Lentia found Kirta’s honesty both unsettling and strangely endearing.

And perhaps, just perhaps, that was what frightened her the most.

—