Chapter 36
“So, I take it you’re declining the partnership?”
“Yes. I apologize.”
“No need for apologies. How about marrying me instead?”
“Pfft!” Seikan, who had just raised his teacup to his lips to calm his nerves, sprayed fragrant tea everywhere.
Hestia, her chin resting on her hand, watched Seikan’s flustered reaction with an amused, swirling gaze.
“What, what are you…?”
“That girl means the world to me, but I fear she could live quite happily without me.”
“Excuse me?”
“As a woman, I can’t marry her or anything else. So, I’ve decided to help my brother with his… foolishness.” Hestia’s face, though smiling, held a tinge of bitterness.
“But there are a few obstacles in my way. And you, Young Count Seikan Perdian, …no, Young Duke Perdian, are the biggest one.”
“.…”
“Whether she come to hate me or not, I will make Adelina my sister-in-law.”
“That’s…!”
“And!” Hestia slammed her hand on the table. “This immoral proposition I’m making is that if you become my husband, I’ll give you the occasional opportunity to… visit Adelina.”
Seikan’s blue eyes flickered intensely.
“You didn’t really expect to monopolize her all to yourself, did you? If that’s the case…” Hestia slowly rose from her seat. She circled the opulent table and came up behind Seikan. Her slender hand rested lightly on his broad shoulder.
“Wouldn’t it be better to have a legitimate excuse to be near her?”
It was the lightest of touches, just a few fingers, like feathers. Yet, Seikan felt the weight of Hestia’s hand as if it were a boulder.
“You’re wary of them too, aren’t you? You trust your comrades, the ones you fought alongside, as friends… but not as men.”
A thousand thorns pricked at Seikan’s insides. Hestia’s words, as if she had read his thoughts, struck a painful chord.
“Do you really think you can completely ignore the Crown Prince and the Imperial Family, unless you overthrow the Empire and build a new one?”
“.…”
“Do you think you, with your strong sense of responsibility, could betray your family and your house, commit treason?”
“…Your Highness…”
“So, Seikan Perdian, consider my proposal carefully.” Her sweet voice, burrowing into his mind, spread through him like poison.
“My brother seems to have his eye on Sir Helion Ziek. You could be left in the dust. Oh, and don’t forget, there’s no need to share my bed. I have no such desire.”
Tap, tap. The hand that had lightly patted his shoulder withdrew.
Seikan stared at Hestia, his eyes brimming with turbulent emotions.
“Do you need me as a tool to easily dispose of the remaining monsters?”
“Oh dear, you caught me. I can’t deny that’s part of it.” Hestia’s smile was dazzling, enough to enchant anyone.
“The Three Paladins have elevated the status of the Grand Temple. Now, if one of them becomes a member of the Imperial Family, it will elevate the status of the Imperial Family as well. Wouldn’t that brighten the future of the Empire? I need a husband of your stature to make my voice heard in the council chambers.”
Her beauty was such that any man would be captivated, but Seikan shuddered, deeply aware of the truth. The Princess was undeniably the Crown Prince’s sibling.
A natural political genius, a master of strategy. The Crown Prince’s political acumen, his ability to gently suffocate his opponents with a soft smile, was well-known. But Seikan hadn’t realized just how much the Princess shared that trait.
He touched the ear where Hestia had whispered. It was a preposterous proposition, yet her absurd offer was quite… ‘No!’ He vehemently shook his head, rejecting the dark thoughts blooming within him.
Because of the investiture ceremony, both Reynard and Helion would be at the Imperial ball in a few days. How could he face his friends with these thoughts swirling in his mind?
And yet…
Seikan’s handsome face shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions.
Hestia, from across the table, watched his silent struggle with a crooked smile, enjoying the sight of such a handsome man in deep contemplation.
***
A marquisate? What’s not to like?
Reynard was fuming over a letter, and I assumed it was bad news. But to my surprise, it was a notice that Baron Mason was being elevated to marquis for his service in protecting the continent.
Even after receiving his noble title, Reynard had been subtly ostracized because of his background. He wasn’t the type to care, but no one enjoys being excluded.
Becoming a marquis would silence at least half of those whispers. So why the long face? I wondered…
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.