Chapter 1 Part 2

After ensuring the Emperor was completely out of sight, Anais and her maid raised their heads. The wedding had already started, and it wasn’t proper to enter midway. They would attend the reception; for now, they’d watch the ceremony and celebrate from here.

 

 

 

“I’m sorry, miss. I felt sick, and…”

 

 

 

Her maid Mary apologized with her head bowed. Anais shook her head.

 

 

 

“It’s not your fault. I wasn’t properly prepared in my heart.”

 

 

 

Truly, it wasn’t the mindset befitting a noblewoman. Anais caressed Mary’s head, her gaze drifting to the scene inside the wedding hall.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

‘Anais Ruol.’

 

 

 

That blatant disdain in her eyes was directed at him. Of course, declaring love to another’s bride-to-be was indeed an unsightly act. It might have been a romantic moment for him, but to others, especially Angelica, it might’ve been burdensome and ugly. Anais realized this, her gaze was icy.

 

 

 

What kind of family was the Ruol? The eldest son, the young marquis, was remembered as a stalwart man, and the Marquis of Ruol was also such a man. A family that never dabbled in the capital’s politics, only loyal to the Emperor, often entrusted with the dirty work.

 

 

 

Hence, the Ruol noble family had stepped back from the capital’s nobility and settled as provincial nobility.

 

 

 

Though they weren’t influential in the capital’s political fights, once he became Emperor, they were a trustworthy support.

 

 

 

‘The Marquis of Ruol might see my actions as base.’

 

 

 

The cold eyes and mocking expression were momentary, but they were etched into Rahil’s mind, making his face burn.

 

 

 

It wasn’t that he was ashamed of his feelings. When he started loving Angelica, she wasn’t married. Moreover, he had sworn to bless their love.

 

 

 

He hadn’t claimed he’d steal Angelica upon becoming Emperor, and he’d blessed their love—what was wrong with that?

 

 

 

Still, Rahil felt a burning sensation on his face and discomfort in his chest. The passionate feelings and overflowing love he felt seemed to have been sold off at the price of dirt.

 

 

 

It was also vexing that his mind was filled not with the beautiful Angelica in her wedding dress but with the disdainful expression of Anais Ruol.

 

 

 

‘Is there a way to return the favor to the Ruol family without harming them?’

 

 

 

The Marquis of Ruol came from a long-established family that had been of service to the empire for generations. The current Marquis of Ruol was also to the Emperor’s liking, so there was no intent to harm the Ruol family.

 

 

 

However, despite knowing he was being petty, Rahil wanted to retaliate against Anais. Disturbing the Emperor’s mood was a crime, if it could be termed so.

 

 

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

 

 

With the carriage ready, Rahil moved to enter. His secretary was already seated inside. Spotting the documents beside him, Rahil frowned. These weren’t official documents. They were part of a vast collection of matrimonial candidates.

 

 

 

“Haven’t you postponed this until today?”

 

 

 

“I did.”

 

 

 

Rahil didn’t expect the secretary to bring the documents all the way to the wedding. Considering the carriage ride from the Duke’s residence to the palace, it seemed the secretary deemed it a waste of time.

 

 

 

Upon entering the carriage, Rahil obediently accepted the files. With every file he opened, the secretary explained about the candidate.

 

 

 

The current royal family didn’t need a strategic marriage to increase power. His uncles had no daughters, and there were no unmarried ladies in the family to force a political marriage. Their alliances weren’t that weak, either.

 

 

 

Perhaps the next generation might need a strategic marriage with the Calix Duchy, but it was unnecessary for the current royal family and Rahil.

 

 

 

He needed a suitable family, balanced in power, to choose an Empress.

 

 

 

“She needs to be without ambition. Everyone in high society knows I haven’t given up my love for Angelica. I’d rather have no Empress than one who torments Angelica.”

 

 

 

Can someone be without ambition and become an Empress? The secretary thought it unreasonable but conceded. Sitting opposite him was the Emperor with the power and authority to demand anything.

 

 

 

“And she should be cold enough not to fall in love with me. Even without political ambitions, if she falls for me, she’d be jealous of Angelica.”

 

 

 

Though the secretary felt like reprimanding him, considering his appearance, it made sense. Excluding the Duke of Calix, Rahil was the most handsome man in the empire.

 

 

 

And he wasn’t just handsome; he possessed ability, wealth, and power. There were countless ladies who admired him. If he proposed now, hundreds of women would sprint to the palace barefoot.

 

 

 

“… A lady cold enough not to fall for Your Majesty, yet wise enough not to antagonize the Duchess of Calix. It’s a difficult order.”

 

 

 

“Even if it’s difficult, you must find her. You are the one who said we can’t let the royal lineage die out.”

 

 

 

Rahil joked as he closed one file and received another. The secretary sighed as he shuffled through the pile.

 

 

 

“How about these three candidates?”

 

 

 

Returning the files he was looking at, Rahil dismissed the first lady as she had confessed to him in the past. The second was also rejected; because they may think they were hiding well but it was clear that her father was notoriously ambitious.

 

 

 

And the third?

 

 

 

“… Doesn’t the Lady of Ruol’s family already have a fiancée?”

 

 

 

“Recently, it was revealed that her fiancée had an illegitimate child, and they’re in the process of breaking off the engagement. While the mistress might not be an issue, an illegitimate child is another story.”

 

 

 

Nobles were sensitive about illegitimacy. They arranged political marriages to preserve pure bloodlines, so if a man wanted to bequeath his title to an illegitimate child, it posed a problem. 

 

 

 

In the past, without magical contraceptives, it was a concern, but with today’s widespread use of contraceptive rings, having an illegitimate child was frowned upon in noble society.

 

 

 

Only the Emperor or a Duke could produce an illegitimate child without facing heavy criticism.

 

 

 

‘So that was it?’