“Welcome, Agatha.”
Don't look indifferent.
Even so, the handsome man even wore flowers beautifully. The neat yet somewhat affectionate tone and the sudden sound of the name made Agatha's earlobes heat up.
'This is a foul.'
Agatha definitely received countless flowers.
Her voice trembled because it was her first time feeling so happy and her heart was pounding.
“...Enoch?"
"Yes. I don't know if you like the flowers I prepared. I ended up choosing everything that suited you, so the bouquet turned out to be much bigger than I expected.”
The bouquet he walked over to and handed to her was definitely so heavy and large that it was difficult for Agatha to hold it in her arms.
“...It’s just right.”
The rich flower scent that filled her nasal passages was as heavy and pleasant as this man's. The man, whose mouth was curved in a very friendly manner, knelt down on one knee in front of Agatha.
The maids who were standing behind, the courtiers of the imperial palace, and the knights of the imperial family who followed.
Everyone was staring at the two people with their eyes wide open.
“Agatha.”
He kissed the back of Agatha's hand deeply and whispered.
“Even though we only met for a short time, I promise that I am ready to cherish, love, and protect you under any circumstances. So..."
“...”
“Will you accept my marriage proposal?”
She thought the reason he outwardly mentioned marriage was to investigate her relatives who might be working behind the scenes.
So she thought it might be just a verbal proposal.
'It's such a serious marriage proposal.'
Agatha thought it didn't matter what he considered more important. She held the hand he was still holding and pulled him towards her.
“I said it would be enough.”
Agatha slightly stepped up and kissed the cheek of the man who was getting closer. A sweet sound rang out from the lips that gently touched and separated.
“I will accept that marriage proposal.”
Agatha smiled brightly as she looked at the man who was staring down at her without moving a single inch.
It seemed like it would be a happy marriage this time.
Agatha chose the biggest and prettiest vase and beautifully decorated the bouquet.
She also didn't forget to select one flower per type and classify it.
“I’m going to make this into a picture frame later, so let it dry nicely. Got it?"
“Yes, Miss.”
Enoch had been silent since the marriage proposal was accepted. Still, as his gaze lingered, Agatha placed her hand on his arm and led him out of the palace.
The weather was nice, she was in a good mood, and her physical condition wasn't bad, so she thought about going out to the palace's flower garden.
“Are you okay with taking a walk?”
When they came out to the garden, she saw more people than usual. They were watching the two people so much that even Agatha, who was used to other people's gazes, noticed them.
It seemed like the rumor that Enoch had formally proposed marriage had already spread a little while ago.
Agatha had been through these moments many times, so she knew how to deal with them.
It's best to ignore them.
As she moved around, treating the bystanders as if they were not present, Enoch also noticed Agatha's intention and followed suit.
The flower garden was not far from Agatha's palace. The flower garden, with its warm sunlight and late spring and early summer flowers, was showing off its colorful beauty.
Cool water gushes from fountains here and there.
Enoch, who had been quietly escorting her, thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“Are you feeling okay?”
"Sure. I'm fine enough to walk around like this.”
Agatha's eyes widened at Enoch's worried words and then she smiled slightly.
“Still, I don’t feel bad that you’re so worried about me.”
Agatha wanted to spend more time enjoying this feeling, but there was something she had to say.
Agatha waved the attendants away with a wave of her hand and handed Enoch the documents she had packed in advance.
“Would you like to see it? It is an alternative solution to present to His Majesty.”
“Is this the Eastern Continent trade you mentioned earlier?”
"Yes."
The moment when long, straight fingers were slowly turning over the paper.
Enoch's gaze stopped at a certain point.
“Are you personally participating in negotiations with the Mainukor Empire?”
“Only when ending a relationship in the beginning. I didn’t want to offer only the island if possible, but the conditions His Majesty wants include me providing the island.”
“Is there any other reason why you should come forward?”
“...”
She wondered for a moment whether she should say it so clearly, but since they were getting married, it would be better not to hide it.
Plus, it was something that could be figured out with just a little bit of research.
“The reason why the relationship between the Mainukor Empire and our empire is now delicate is because of the divorce between me and Prince Fernand.”
“...”
“Of course, it happened almost 10 years ago and it was their fault that led to this, but in many ways, it’s good to see me coming forward. It will also be advantageous for negotiations...”
The man suddenly took his eyes off the report and stared at her.
Even though she had already been married and divorced six times, it was awkward to bring up her ex-husband on the day she received a marriage proposal.
Even though it was just something she had to do, it was difficult to finish her sentence.
“Hmm, so I guess I should go to that island sometime. My guess is that there is a high probability that His Majesty will ask me to go there as soon as possible.”
“...Yes."
Are you surprised?
It was time for Agatha to quietly look at his motionless face.
“Young lady.”
The imperial knight approached with a show of affection and pointed to the attendant standing at a distance. He was a servant belonging to the central city department.
“Marquis Aratus. Lady Nobilis.”
One by one, the polite servants spoke.
“His Majesty wants to have lunch with you in two days. Marquis Aratus, who is next to you, has also been invited.”
"Yes?"
The Emperor must have heard that Enoch had proposed to her.
Once an audience was granted, it could be said that part 9 of the plan had been crossed. Agatha, biting the attendant, looked up at Enoch with a bright smile.
"Good for you. Then shall we meet at His Majesty’s palace in two days?”
"No."
Agatha's eyes widened at the quick denial. After looking down for a moment, he spoke politely.
“I will go get you. Please prepare on that day and wait at the palace.”
“...!”
The man looked into the trembling purple eyes as if checking for a reaction and kissed her cheek.
The soft lips touched and fell on the soft skin.
“See you in two days, Agatha.”
Agatha hid her trembling eyes beneath her long eyelashes. Although she had done this without any hesitation just moments ago, her heart was pounding helplessly.
The marriage proposal was made in a palace where there was little attention, but the kiss was received in an open flower garden.
The news instantly became a huge tsunami and hit the entire capital.
It was news of Agatha Nobilis' seventh marriage.
***
Tap, tap, tap-
On the way back to the capital Aratus Mansion.
While driving the horse as usual, Enoch was lost in other thoughts.
It was a thought about what he had just done.
He impulsively kissed Agatha's cheek.
Unlike the time when he kissed her ring finger instead of a ring, it was an unrefined contact.
As he kissed her cheek, he felt the subtle discomfort giving way to a strange sense of satisfaction, and although he didn't show it on the outside, he felt embarrassed.
If he thinks about it, she was a woman who strangely bothered him from the first time they met.
With a tired and frail face.
He was a person who was worried about cleaning things up before he even put down his sword.
Enoch, who was awkwardly wiping his face, slowly blinked at the scene that suddenly occurred to him as soon as he relaxed.
When he proposed. The moment when she smiled slightly and took a step forward.
The knight's outstanding visual acuity captured the folded eyes, pretty lips, and everything that was shining brightly like a painting.
The trembling eyes, the flushed cheeks, and finally the movement of the long eyelashes that hid the expression.
'Was she that pretty?'
He definitely knew that Agatha Nobilis was beautiful.
It was a moment that touched his heart, not his head.
“...It’s bothering me.”
"Yes?"
At that moment, the knights of Aratus who were following him pricked up their ears, but Enoch said nothing.
Meanwhile, some people were outraged by the news of Agatha's seventh marriage that had spread throughout the capital.
They were the Old Duchess of Neuta, the previous Duchess of Neuta, and the Lady of Neuta, who had been the reason for Agatha's sixth divorce just three months ago.
The previous Duchess, also known as Grand Duchess Neuta, mother of the current Duke Theodore Neuta, hit the table hard.
Bang!
“Getting married again less than three months after divorce!”
This happened while he was caught up in a sudden divorce commotion and had been living in seclusion at the residence of Duke Neuta for three months.
The grand dame, who was the most excited among the dogs, shouted.
"Mother. Maybe this is a good thing? If this continues, Theodore’s name will become a laughing stock!”
“Is that possible, baby?”
The person who gently scolded him was the current Duke's grandmother, also known as Old Lady Neuta.
“Agatha, if she were sane, would she be able to do that? It won’t happen as long as I live.”
“Of course, I trust my mother, but Agatha, that girl’s power is formidable!”
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