“Sir, you’re afraid... What?”
Franz remained silent for a moment. The more this happened, the more confused Judith looked.
Suddenly, he remembered the day he first saw her. Although it had only been a few months, it felt distant, as if it were something from the past. Judith, standing alone in the luxurious and splendid castle of Tien, without friends or parents to say goodbye, was like a small bird that had fallen from the nest.
He would be of no help to Judith. It would only cause harm, but he didn't know what to do next. Even though Franz was more mature and thoughtful than others, he was still only nineteen. He was neither ready nor willing, and he could not welcome his wife, who was suddenly placed on his shoulders like a burden.
As a result, he became more and more scared. He was scared that Judith was suffering because of him, but he was equally scared of his own gaze that was slowly beginning to turn towards Judith.
It seemed that all the desires to hold hands, embrace, and kiss would hurt Judith and cause her pain. He was sick of himself thinking about Judith over and over again, even though he thought he shouldn't.
He couldn't explain all those feelings well in words. Franz sighed softly and carefully held Judith's hand as she hesitated and fidgeted. At first, he covered only the fingertips, then more boldly the back of the hand. Even with that much contact and that much warmth, his heart pounded and the ground beneath his feet felt like it was sinking.
“I told you... I don't know if I can be a good husband, so you don't get hurt... I’m scared because I don’t know if I can cover it.”
As Franz spoke slowly, intermittently, as if confessing a mistake, Judith unconsciously moved a little closer to him.
“Why are you worried about that?”
Unexpectedly, there was laughter in Judith's voice when she asked that question. When Franz raised his head, Judith reached out her opposite hand and lightly caressed the underside of his cheek.
“You are already enough for me.”
"Exactly? I am...”
“You did everything you could for me. I am satisfied with just that... Even if you say you can’t love me, if you care and think about me, that’s okay with me.”
At that moment, Franz seemed to understand a little bit what the word alluring meant. The Judith in front of him was just as youthful and calm as ever, but she captured his heart indescribably. Fearing that this would be discovered, Franz let go of her hand. Then this time Judith grabbed his shoulder.
“Don’t be afraid, just as I am not afraid.”
Making eye contact, Franz smiled faintly and nodded. Judith's smile was beautiful. It was like a flower bud holding its breath in ecstasy, waiting for the moment to fully bloom.
***
As Krald's marriage grew closer day by day, Queen Gilsis' nerves became as sensitive as the tip of a needle. She usually found fault and lost her temper, but it became more frequent.
A Prince's wedding is no small feat. She couldn't be satisfied with just a few preparations, especially since it was her own son.
If it was the wedding of a Prince or even a second Prince, it was rare for guests from abroad to come even if an invitation was sent. At best, they'll end up sending a gift just to say hello. But the Queen could not tolerate such a thing. Krald had to be presented as if he were welcome not only to domestic nobles but also to foreign envoys.
Unlike the first Prince, who could not even get married, the desire to show off in front of more people how noble she was treated and how good her son, who would become the next King of Rotair, was, rose up like a fire. There were more than one or two things to prepare for that, so it was natural to be nervous.
From the beginning, she had no interest in the future Princess Flavia's intentions. Queen Gilsis did not like her and was not satisfied with her as a royal wife. All she liked was that she was growing up and that she never had any illnesses.
There was no way Krald could fall in love with a Princess who was not worthy of his attention anyway. Love isn't necessary for a royal marriage anyway. All that was needed was to give birth to a healthy royal child without any blemishes. So, as long as the bloodline from Krald allowed her to rule Rotair forever, Flavia's role as Princess was over. Krald will take care of finding another woman to warm his bed.
“Why is the amount of coral donated this year so small? This is why the quality is decreasing day by day. I’m sure you’re not teasing me in the middle, right?”
The expression of the Minister of Finance, who brought a list of items from each territory, changed.
“I swear nothing like that will happen, Queen Mother.”
The Queen, who had been glaring at the bowing finance minister like a lurking snake, threw the list on the table and turned her head.
“We will continue to watch in the future. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And there is something to be said about Krald’s marriage. Since His Majesty is still in bed, it is my job and authority to preside over the state wedding.”
“Of course.”
“Prepare the wedding preparation standards in line with the Crown Prince’s state wedding. Adjust the amount of expenditure to suit the Crown Prince, and convey related information to palace aides and nobles in charge of each department.”
The finance minister's eyes widened. He had already guessed that the Queen would prepare her son's marriage in a luxurious way, but he never thought that she would mention the Crown Prince so openly.
“Why are you looking at me with such a blank face? Did you not understand what I said?”
"Ah... No. Queen Mother, but according to Rotair's laws... It is difficult. His Highness Krald has not yet officially received the title of Crown Prince...”
The Queen threw down the glass on the table. The glass narrowly missed the finance minister's torso and shattered on the rim of the stone fireplace.
“Queen Mother!”
“It is only a matter of time before my son becomes Crown Prince. You’re not going to say you don’t know that, are you?”
The finance minister's face turned red. He hadn't endured the Queen's evil for more than a day or two, but this was too much. There were many nobles who believed that Krald would one day overthrow Franz and become Crown Prince, but even though the King had not passed away, they thought that the Queen's overreach of authority had gone too far.
However, if he insists that he cannot follow orders, he cannot guarantee the safety of not only himself but his family. Queen Gilsis was a woman as fierce as the power she held in her hands. She had no hesitation in getting rid of the eyesore.
“Can’t you?”
“... No. I will do as you say.”
Only then did Gilsys' mouth, which had been trembling, lift slightly. In the end, if he persisted without knowing the subject, she was going to threaten his son, who had just obtained an administrative position in the royal palace, but he wisely backed out first.
“I heard a rumor that your son is good at work and intelligent.”
The finance minister's eyes wavered. The Queen's fingers twitched slowly as she tilted her body in a haughty manner. Every time that happened, the luxurious rings on her knuckles flashed loudly.
“Your son’s future will also change depending on how you behave in the future.”
“I don’t know what you’re saying... Well, Your Majesty."
“Let’s go out and have a look.”
As if he was waiting for the words to fall, he quickly left the Queen's palace. And then Margit came running in as if crossing him.
“Queen. Well... I think you should go outside and see.”
“What are you making a fuss about?”
“Well, that, that... I also just heard the story and I don't know what the circumstances are... Well, I heard that envoys from the empire on the next continent are coming... They say they want to collect, or rather take, His Highness Franz.”
The Queen's body rose upward. Her piercing voice soaring.
"What are you talking about!"
***
The stairs leading up to the central hall of the royal castle were already crowded with people.
The nobles stopped in confusion as soon as the imperial carriage with its flag and colorful insignia appeared. And he was astonished to see the Duke of Vergy and Franz appear together and exchange greetings with the envoy of the Delaka Empire.
“I greet you. Upon hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince of Rotair was deeply interested in a field of learning that would become a new wing of the empire, His Majesty Emperor was very pleased. Therefore, he sent us to attend the Crown Prince, and we hope that your journey will be peaceful for us.”
“I am grateful for the warmth shown by His Majesty, and I hope you will convey greetings on my behalf.”
The whispering grew louder. Among the nobles gathered there, not a single one had this situation in mind. A foreign delegation, even a delegation from the Delaka Empire, came, so how could no one know about it? What happened to this large joint?
The Duke of Vergy took a step forward and handed the head of the delegation a small envelope wrapped in silk.
“It would be fitting to treat those of you who have come a long way the way Rotair would, but I know the schedule is tight. I ask you to treat me well, and I look forward to the day when you come to see Rotair again.”
“This is not my first meeting with the Duke. I know that you are a man who will keep your promises, so I will look forward to the day when we meet again.”
The imperial envoy who accepted the envelope smiled softly. Franz shared a light hug with the Duke of Vergy and, for the first time, showed a dignified smile like a Prince to the nobles who had gathered around this unexpected incident. When he turned around, the messenger politely opened the carriage door. It was that moment.
"Stop!"
A cry like a tearing scream was heard. The faces of the gathered nobles were stained with fear.
Queen Gilsis, who came running after hearing the news, looked disfigured. The Crown on her head was askew, and her hair was disheveled in various places. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were glaring with venom.
“This is Queen Mother of Rotair.”
The Queen glared at the Duke of Vergy, who bowed naturally, with an expression that made her want to stab him to death right away. Delaka's envoy seemed a little surprised, but he soon calmly changed his expression and bowed before her.
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