PLOM Part 2 Chapter 36

Part 2 Chapter 36

Raphael’s face turned cold.

He quietly gazed at Trevia’s face, which, like the daughters of noble families, exuded dignity in every small action. Despite being just over twenty years old, she possessed the boldness and composure that middle-aged noblewomen usually have.

But what bothered him more was the sharp, biting intent in her vivid green eyes, something that an ordinary woman would never have.

Marriage alliance.

The term was not just sudden but also absurd.

“Is that the position of the Republic of Contaninos or the position of the Mesita family?”

“Both.”

“It’s hard to accept. Is there a reason it has to be Andert Fager, who’s just returned?”

“You’re more like a hound than a guard dog. I’ll clarify the matter before Archduchess Halio. Ah, and here she comes.”

At those words, Rowayne’s head turned towards the corridor, looking at the two figures approaching. However, Raphael did not take his eyes off Trevia.

The two figures approached leisurely.

Raphael only took his eyes off Trevia when a familiar weight was placed on his shoulder.

He stared at the scarred back of the hand before meeting the warm light green eyes.

The first thing he noticed was that at least he’d not lost an arm in the past four years with no news. Then, the fact that he looked as dull as he did eight years ago.

Raphael calmly suppressed the anger that welled up inside him. It wasn’t a sense of relief but rather a lament that came over him at finally being at this moment.

He wanted to shake his old friend by the collar and ask, ‘How many times do you have to disappear from my sight to be satisfied?’ but he also suppressed that intense desire for the moment.

He couldn’t undermine Natasha’s authority in front of Trevia.

But that didn’t mean he had the patience to let it slide quietly.

Naturally, he put him in a headlock, and Andert, with a startled face, was soon under his arm.

“Ouch, wait.”

He was the same as eight years ago.

His boyish appearance remained unchanged, but especially his body, which seemed to neither rust nor grow with time, was the same. That was probably because this shell was fake.

Daisy of the Weatherwoods family.

Even though he knew that taciturn woman was her true form, in front of Andert, he ended up maintaining his old attitude. There was no helping it. He was his precious friend, family, and soulmate.

The comfort that Andert’s mere existence brought was too great to prioritize complicated circumstances and emotions.

Yes, he just needed to be alive.

As long as he didn’t die tragically somewhere and returned safely, that was enough.

But even while he was thinking that in his mind, looking at his shameless face made him angry again.

“As I expected, you still haven’t come to your senses, Andert.”

“I had my own pitiful circumstances during that time…”

“Yes, you must have. That’s why I’m barely holding back the urge to kick you out of this castle. For the welcome ceremony or whatever.”

When he glared fiercely, that guy averted his gaze.

At times like this, he wished that Emperor Ashernik’s wish would come true and that Natasha was appointed as the next emperor instead of the crown prince. If she, as his regent, kept Andert’s leash tied to the Imperial palace, he would feel at ease.

Natasha, who had been enjoying herself the whole time, evident due to her delighted face, immediately looked at Trevia as soon as Raphael released Andert’s neck.

“Lady Trevia of Mesita, it’s nice to meet you. You must have just arrived. I hope the cold blonde man standing next to you isn’t bothering you?”

Trevia bowed her head politely.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Archducess Halio. The Mesitas highly values the calmness of the strong.”

“Ahaha! I can’t say otherwise. Lady Trevia is the sister of Euphyte Mesita, who has been appointed as the next Consul of the Republic of Contaninos, so don’t be negligent of her, Raphael.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Andert, who had been brushing the back of his head, very seamlessly took a few steps back. It was obvious what he was trying to do. He was trying to slip away.

“Then we should…”

Of course, Natasha didn’t just stand by and watch that happen.

“This is Count Andert Fager Vladiev. The protagonist of today’s welcome ceremony. I wonder if you’ve heard of him, lady Mesita?”

“Is there anyone among the countries of the Magic Alliance that hasn’t heard his name? I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Count Vladiev. I’m glad I had the good fortune to do so.”

Raphael could clearly read some kind of intention and purpose in Trevia’s deep smile.

Perhaps that was why.

‘It’s unpleasant.’

He felt he had shown enough goodwill from his side by introducing them. He had intended to hand Trevia over to Natasha and catch up with Andert, but…

“Will you marry me?”

“Marriage? I don’t like it.”

Raphael sighed at the hurricane-like turn of the conversation.

Subsequently, Trevia had a serious look on her face, not understanding why she had been rejected.

“Why are you refusing? Ah, if you feel the need to know your marriage partner, we can have a conversation after the engagement ceremony.”

When she asked that, Andert replied,

“I prefer men over women.”

When he answered like that, a startled Natasha fortunately stepped in to mediate between the two.

“First of all!”

Raphael sighed again.

“I’ll escort you to the reception room, Lady Trevia. My throat is rather parched because I’ve been deeply engrossed in conversation with my old friend. Let’s move quickly.”

When will you ever live a peaceful life, Andert?

  ***

I, Daisy.

I was proposed to by a woman.

It was the first time in my life that I was proposed to by a woman… Actually, nevermind. It’s not the first time.

I am a woman, and I don’t get excited by other women.

Some people might get excited by the same sex, but at least in my case, that’s not true. Of course, I don’t think I’ve been excited by men much either. Except for Rue.

‘Is Andert’s appearance the type that attracts women?’

That can’t be right.

It seemed that the women around here hadn’t seen a truly handsome man in the past 18 years, neither back then nor now. One like Rue, for example.

“Well… Lady Trevia. Why did you come to request an audience with His Majesty all of a sudden?”

Natasha smoothly changed the subject as if nothing had happened, but the sharpness in her eyes, which flickered whenever she was displeased, remained the same as ever.

The reception room was extremely quiet and tense for a place occupied by four lively men and women.

Trevia, the perpetrator of this mood, replied with a light smile.

“I came to propose a marriage alliance between the Mesita family and Count Vladiev.”

“To someone who returned today? It’s so sudden that it raises suspicion.”

“I did mention Lord Andert’s name, but it wouldn’t make much difference if the partner were Duke Zenail. However, I would prefer Lord Andert Fager.”

That was a problem.

Noble marriages originally did seem cold, like a rotten fish that fell from a stall in the fish market.

No, that wasn’t entirely right. Didn’t Mrs. Werkhord, Rowayne’s mother, use me with a fiery passion to raise her son’s value in the marriage market?

“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible, Lady Trevia. According to the Military Law of Penrotta, Duke Zenail and Count Vladiev are not allowed to immigrate or marry foreigners.”

“I understand Sir Andert’s position in Penrotta. Then, how about if I just take his child back with me?”

That was even bigger of a problem.

“How rude, Lady Trevia of Mesita. Did you think I would find your joke amusing?”

The smile around Natasha’s lips disappeared.

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lmaoooo