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Alberth sighed. “Grand Duchess, please refrain from uttering such remarks. Please consider that he’s first and foremost the one who saved Aeria.”

“Then, what are we supposed to do? It’s not like there’s something wrong with his eyes. How can he just refuse to marry our cute Imperial Princess?”

“Who knows? Perhaps the reason why he can’t accept her is because…”

“Because?”

“He already likes someone else,” Alberth commented.

After a moment of silence, Grand Duchess Kathryn stated confidently, “That’s also a possibility. But according to my own investigations, he is not seeing any woman at all.”

“You…did a background check on him?” Alberth questioned Kathryn in complete disbelief.

Kathryn said with a cheeky grin, “I just did a simple check. Just to confirm things.”

“First and foremost, you are the empire’s Grand Duchess. Please act accordingly, you have responsibilities…”

“The most important thing for us right now is to make him agree to the marriage.”

“If Father steps forward, then everything will be done quickly…”

In his youth, Emperor Deorte of the Lyndis Empire had made plenty of women cry for him. The problem was that the emperor, who could become their strong backing, was still on the fence regarding the marriage proposal.

Emperor Deorte was already fully aware that Aeria was infatuated with the Rowane Kingdom’s First Prince, Davey O’Rowane. However, the Lyndis Empire’s Imperial Family was very much crowded. There wasn’t any urgency to marry off their youngest princess in a political marriage.

Alberth and Kathryn really wanted to get Emperor Deorte’s help to make Aeria’s love come true. But unlike Alberth, who cared about his younger sister, and Grand Duchess Kathryn, who wanted her to meet a good man, Emperor Deorte wanted to keep his cute daughter in his arms forever. They all loved the young princess, but the emperor’s love was now a huge obstacle for the other two.

If Emperor Deorte continued to have this lukewarm reaction to their proposal, then nothing would happen even if Aeria truly wanted it. Well, if they were being honest, their target did not seem to be very interested in Aeria either.

“What are you so worried about?”

An unexpected voice suddenly rang out in the otherwise silent training hall, where Alberth and Grand Duchess Kathryn were currently brooding about what they should do next.

“Your… Your Majesty!” Alberth cried out in surprise while Kathryn just bowed her head silently.

“Speak. Tell me what you are so worried about.”

“Uhm… That,” Alberth hemmed and hawed as he tried to think about what to say. When he saw Emperor Deorte’s eyes narrowing slightly, he blurted out, “The Grand Duchess. The Grand Duchess will tell you about it.”

“Your Majesty, how long are you going to gatekeep and overprotect Her Imperial Highness Aeria?” Grand Duchess Kathryn asked in a straightforward manner.

A flash of interest appeared in Emperor Deorte’s eyes as he said, “Gatekeep and overprotect?”

“Yes. A bird has wings and should be set free from its cage to roam the skies.”

“In other words, you want me to hand over Aeria, the apple of my eye, to that monster of the Rowane Kingdom? Is that what you’re trying to get at?”

“Oh my, whatever do you mean by ‘monster’? I believe he’s a good man who is still fairly within the means of common sense,” said Kathryn with a grin.

Emperor Deorte suddenly grabbed a bow from the rack in front of Alberth, nocked an arrow, and shot the target in front of him. “Tch, tch… You’d better stop.”

“Your Majesty!” Alberth protested loudly. “Are you aware of Aeria’s situation right now? She has been thinking about him all day! According to the doctor, she even suffers from delusions! Do you know what this means?!”

Those were early symptoms of lovesickness. The beastfolk princess was too pure, innocent, and kind. Surprisingly enough, this pure princess had fallen in love with a stubborn prince who had his own territory and would not accept her at all. And the deeper she fell in love, the stronger her symptoms of lovesickness would be.

“Alberth.”

“She is still fine for right now. That’s right, there aren’t any problems for now. She’s a member of the Imperial Family who is just toiling around, knitting a woolen wrist guard with high-quality wool. But what if her symptoms continue to worsen?!”

When Emperor Deorte was rendered speechless by his unexpected exclamation, Alberth went on to say, “Are you aware of the pain of those who suffer from lovesickness?”

Emperor Deorte calmly nocked another arrow. As he pulled the strings of the bow, he said, “Time will be her medicine.”

“Your Majesty! Aeria is not a human!!! Do you know what will happen to a member of the Nine Tail Tribe that suffers from lovesickness?! Your Majesty, this…”

“You are quite slow-witted. If you have eyes, then use them to see. Am I truly refusing to marry Aeria off because she is the apple of my eye? I just don’t want her to suffer from not being the monster’s main woman.”

“It doesn’t matter if she’s the main wife or not! That man would have a huge impact on the Eastern Continent… No, the huge impact would even reach the Central Continent. If he’s such an existence, then who would look down on Aeria just because she’s not the main wife?”

Hearing those words, Emperor Deorte clicked his tongue and put down his bow.

Ping! Clang!

“You can’t even see what is in front of you. How can I expect you to lead this empire?”

“Then… Are you telling me that you will just leave them alone?”

“How did you feel when you saw that punk named Davey?”

“That…”

“Okay, let’s say that we allow Aeria to devote herself to a man who already has someone in his heart. Then what?”

“Your Majesty!”

“If we push for marriage, do you think Aeria will truly be happy?”

“It is the duty and responsibility of all members of the Royal and Imperial Families. It is common for members of the Royal Family to have more than one woman by their side! Aeria is fully aware of this fact and she still wants it!”

“Foolish!” Emperor Deorte criticized harshly. When Alberth went silent, the emperor said, “Did you forget the things that I, your father, have taught you?!”

“…Alright. Then, I’ll at least let her give up on him all by herself.”

“By herself?”

“Please agree to that. I won’t ask you to let her marry him, but please do something to end her anxiety and suffering. If Your Majesty will not step forward and help them get engaged, then at least let them become complete strangers!”

Alberth’s words were cruel and cold-hearted, but he wanted Aeria to be able to do something of her own volition. Although, this was something rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

“Your Majesty, just like you said, time will be her medicine. Only after she lets go of what’s festering in her and hurting her would she be able to heal. Regarding this matter, I am of the same opinion as His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Alberth,” Kathryn said quietly.

Emperor Deorte remained silent before pulling the strings of the bow once again. Then, he let go.

***

“What are you doing? Take it,” Emperor Deorte urged in a calm and casual manner.

Davey silently held the brooch in his hands.

The emperor was not giving Davey the brooch in front of everyone. Perhaps it was because he was thinking of the final variable, a variable that he couldn’t predict, that Davey was capable of doing. He was also doing this so that his daughter would not become a laughing stock.

“A moment, please,” Davey murmured as he flicked his finger lightly.

Fwoosh!!!

Moments later, a translucent barrier appeared and surrounded both Davey and Emperor Deorte.

After casting the Silence Magic, Davey asked, “Did you bring Princess Aeria here so you could block my retreat?”

Understanding what Davey was trying to say, Emperor Deorte challenged, “What are you going to do?”

“You already know what I am going to do.”

“Then, make sure to do it firmly,” Emperor Deorte said as his eyes filled with anger. “This Emperor does not intend to criticize or belittle Aeria’s love for you. If you choose to accept Aeria as your companion, then… Of course, I will put my trust in you and leave Aeria in your care.”

Davey wondered why the emperor was suddenly acting in such a way.

“Earlier, when we were playing Olde, do you understand the reason why I asked you that question?”

“Wasn’t it a test?”

“Yes. And you have passed it with admirable marks. That’s why I have decided that I can leave Aeria in your care and ignore everything else. However…” Emperor Deorte’s voice then became a quiet murmur when he asked, “Can’t you afford to spare Aeria just the tiniest bit of affection?”

Before Davey could give an answer, Emperor Deorte interrupted him to say, “Make sure to properly reject her here. In this way, Aeria’s heart can finally be at ease. She can be free.”

“Why do you have to do it in this way?”

“Prince Davey, you seem clueless to the disease that Aeria is suffering from right now.”

Before Davey could express his thoughts, Perserque flew in front of him to stop him.

—Accept her. This is just your own selfishness.

‘Don’t push me to do something that I don’t want to do. I am fully aware of how bad it is to have several wives.’

—This isn’t Earth, Davey!

‘I don’t want to do something just because someone else is forcing me to!’

“A disease?”

“It’s lovesickness,” Emperor Deorte said with a sigh. “Right now, she’s just experiencing a crush, puppy love, infatuation. However, if we leave her like that, then her symptoms will worsen. Eventually, she will become bedridden.”

Davey finally realized why Emperor Deorte had to do something so drastic. The emperor was right. If Davey was going to say no, then he had to say it firmly. And if he wasn’t going to refuse the proposal, then he should just accept it.

At this point, Davey realized that he was partially at fault. He had been rather lukewarm with his reception and responses up until now.

After looking at Emperor Deorte in silence, Davey slowly turned around to face the turquoise-haired princess.

The Imperial Princess was looking at them anxiously. She looked like a small animal that was very worried about Davey’s refusal. In fact, this was the main reason why Davey had been avoiding this entire issue.

Actually, where did Aeria even find the opportunity to get so attached to Davey?

—This might be a trivial thing for you, but it might be someone else’s salvation. If you’re going to reject her, then make sure to do so firmly. Do not hem and haw, and give her an indecisive response. It’s alright if you accept her. It’s also alright for you to say no.

‘What are you…?’

—Do not forget. This is not Earth. This is the Tionis Continent.

The Tionis Continent had completely different ideas, culture, and other aspects from the world that Davey had originally come from. What might be known as common sense on Earth might be unnatural here, and the same was true the other way around.

“Imperial Princess Aeria,” Davey called out as he released the Silence Magic.

“Yes, Prince!”

When Princess Aeria looked up at him nervously, Davey said, “I’m sorry, but I cannot accept you right now. The world is filled with plenty of good men, I hope you can find someone better for you.”

Then, Davey walked by Aeria and said, “Your Majesty, let us be on our way. Didn’t you tell me that there’s someone who wants to meet with me?”

It was the woman warrior. She had lived such a sad and pitiful life that all she wanted was to leave this world in her own way.

At the same time, Aeria’s eyes grew wide with tears streaming down her face. “Ah…”

Perhaps Aeria did not realize that tears were already flowing down her cheeks. She was so shocked that she had stood still, allowing Davey to silently walk right by her.

Indeed, this was the better option. If he had some time to spare, Davey would make sure to let Aeria meet a finer man, a better man than himself.

“Prince… Prince Davey!”

“…”

When Davey halted his footsteps, Aeria rushed forward and stuffed a box in his arms. Her expression was all teary and sad.

“This…”

“I’m sorry… I… I must have troubled you, right? Sob…” Aeria said with a quavering voice and a helpless smile on her face. “This is a woolen wrist guard. The weather is very… It\'s very cold, Prince Davey. Please be careful not to catch a cold.”

With tears still falling from her eyes, Aeria went on to say, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… That’s why… Please accept this gift… This is a parting gift. I promise I won’t bother you again… But I worked so hard on it, so… Please… Sob…sob…”

Seeing Aeria try so hard to suppress her devastation, Davey silently accepted the woolen wrist guards that she had given him.

Then…

Fall!!!

Davey was not sure if it was because Aeria had grown dizzy from her tears. However, Aeria suddenly started to stagger until she eventually collapsed.

“Aeria!!!”

Hearing Emperor Deorte’s startled cry, Davey regained his senses and hugged Aeria’s falling body. Then, he quickly activated his mana to check on her.

“…”

Aeria was burning up like a ball of fire. She had lost consciousness and would probably not wake up for a while.

“Did you say that the woman warrior is waiting for me at the banquet hall? Please arrange another meeting with her later.”

“You can just leave Aeria be. I will call a doctor and move her to the palace. Although the warrior is an unknown commoner, this Emperor cannot break his promise,” Emperor Deorte said in an unexpectedly cold voice.

“Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t it your fault that Aeria has become like that? You’ve already done enough by letting her go like that. How much longer are you going to make her suffer?” Emperor Deorte said angrily.

Davey looked at the unconscious princess in his arms. Shockingly enough, he thought that Aeria looked more emaciated than before.

“That’s a separate matter. There’s nothing more important to a doctor than his patient.”

Only then did Emperor Deorte fall silent.

If only Davey had seen it then. If only Davey had seen the bloody smile that was gracing the damn Emperor Deorte’s lips…