“Marie. Come here.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Agatha got into the carriage with one of her maids.
Fernand, who had been frowning upon discovering the maid belatedly, quickly straightened his expression. Agatha, sitting across from him, was looking at him with eyes that clearly showed her displeasure.
“Please, Your Highness.”
“You would say that even though there’s only a maid, Agatha?”
“Do not call me by my name. I am the goddaughter of His Majesty the Emperor of Darroxbad, the heiress of the House of the Duke of Nobilis, the mistress of the House of the Marquis of Aratus, and currently an unofficial ambassador representing the Empire of Roxbard. Please be respectful, Your Grace.”
“Ugh.”
Fernand had no choice but to agree. In fact, calling her madam wasn't bad as long as he didn't add 'Marquis' in front of her.
It also felt like he was calling his wife more privately than by the stiff title of 'Madam'.
"...How have you been doing?"
“As you can see. Very much.”
“I think this wedding was a bit rushed.”
“You know our empire’s circumstances very well, don’t you?”
“It’s your country.”
“So, aren’t you too interested in your ex-wife’s country?”
“...”
Agatha frowned slightly as she looked at Fernand, who was speechless. It seemed as if her ex-husband still had feelings for her.
He constantly kept women by his side, and in the end, he even brought home an illegitimate child.
Agatha don't know what he was thinking. One thing for sure was that the Mainukor Empire and her were not a good fit.
'I have to finish this work quickly and send him away.'
Agatha hit the carriage wall with her fan.
Rattling, rattling-
Through the carriage window, which was accelerating, the Palavi Fortress appeared rapidly approaching.
Fernand distorted his handsome face.
“Agatha...”
“I am the Marchioness. And as Your Highness said, I got married a month ago. So.”
Agatha looked straight at Fernand with cold eyes.
“Your Highness, I hope you will refrain from saying anything that could be misunderstood. Then I will see you at the banquet hall.”
As soon as the carriage stopped, Agatha straightened her chin and got out of the carriage with the help of her maid. The area around the Palavi Castle was guarded by the Imperial Knights of the Mainukor Empire and the Knights of Aratus, each in equal parts.
Agatha looked for her husband first. Enoch, who had been leading the procession, was just getting off his horse.
"Enoch."
"Ma'am."
For a moment, he glanced behind her. Agatha looked back curiously.
"Enoch?"
“It’s nothing. Have you explained your next plan to me?”
“Yes. Since we’ve decided to meet at the banquet hall, I think we can just go in and get ready.”
Agatha called the butler and had him come to Mainukor's side. Fernand had not yet appeared from the carriage, but she paid no attention.
Her only concern now was her husband.
“Shall we go?”
Agatha looked up at Enoch, naturally placing her hand on his outstretched arm.
A neat and cool appearance, no different from usual.
If she think about it, it wasn't really a bad thing. They were a political marriage, and Enoch already respected her enough and even supported her.
“Did anything happen when you went out to pick him up?”
As the attention began to diminish, Agatha opened her mouth strangely. The expected answer came back.
“Nothing special happened. His Highness didn’t welcome me very well, but it wasn’t enough to interfere with the operation.”
Also.
But judging by the fact that he didn't show any particular discomfort, it seemed like he really wasn't affected by meeting his wife's ex-husband.
Although it was bitter, Agatha decided to take it positively.
Wouldn't that be better than being questioned about something you can't help?
A relief was followed by a faint smile. Agatha's beautiful eyes rounded out.
“Don’t worry about my lowly reaction. I guess he's just being sarcastic now because he feels sorry for the heiress of the Nobilis family.”
"Is that so."
“Yes. Maybe he’s thinking of using that as an excuse to negotiate in his favor. I’m glad you said you didn’t misunderstand. I never would have thought that Fernand, who I broke up with 10 years ago, would act like that.”
“...”
Agatha did not notice the subtle change in Enoch's footsteps as they suddenly stopped. The first assistant, Ethel Maslow, was looking for her.
"Lady."
“I’ll go. See you at the dinner.”
Agatha waved her hand brightly and walked away. The man’s normally solid ashen eyes rippled violently, but no one noticed the momentary wavering.
Except for the escort and guard duties assigned to her husband.
Agatha checked the state of the banquet hall and received daily reports on the cooking situation. At the same time, she changed into a dress, got ready, and kept an eye on the movements of Mainukor.
It was then that she received an unexpected request for an escort from Fernand.
“Tell them I have a prior engagement.”
“Yes, Marchioness.”
Agatha clicked her tongue as she gave the servant a refusal.
Whether it was because of the Emperor's special order or because he truly had feelings for her, it seemed as though Fernand had not given up yet.
'I hope nothing bothers you.'
Agatha looked up at the maid as she soaked her slightly swollen feet in rose water from walking around since morning.
“Ha?”
“I understand that His Excellency has completed military training with his knights and is preparing to attend the banquet.”
He wasn't the type of person to spend a lot of time on makeup.
Just as expected.
Knock knock.
“Madam, the Marquis has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
The maid quickly retrieved her feet from the rose water.
A round towel wraps around Agatha's feet.
Soon the man entered the room. He was dressed more disheveled than usual.
“Could you please wait a moment? It will take a little longer since we are preparing dinner together.”
The maids' hand movements became even faster.
Enoch paused for a moment, pushed aside his aide, and moved beyond the curtain prepared by the maids.
The diamonds woven with gold thread under the curtain swayed together.
“Take your time. There’s no need to rush.”
"Thank you."
First of all, since it is an informal setting, the makeup should be light.
Her hair, let down, flowed over her beautiful satin dress, covering her sparkling jewelry.
As it was a political venue, they excluded flashy colors and focused on fabrics and jewels.
She even took the wedding ring, the only thing on her hand, to warn Fernand, who was trying to talk her out of it.
Agatha, who had finished preparing and stepped out of the tent, smiled happily.
Enoch was wearing the formal attire that Agatha had chosen for him today.
The sleek classic suit, the cravat matching the color of the dress, and the wedding ring on the ring finger of his left hand stood out.
'When we return to the capital, let's go get clothes tailored together.'
Even at the wedding reception, she liked the color of his shirt that matched her dress.
She didn't even have time to think about it because she suddenly heard the news of her ex-husband's appearance.
“Shall we go now?”
"...Hand."
The man, who had been staring blankly at her face, slowly reached out his hand.
Agatha happily left the main building, escorted by Enoch. The vassals and knights waiting in the hall naturally followed her.
Agatha asked.
“What about the second Prince?”
“He just left the room. The Mainukor delegation is also moving along.”
"Hmm..."
The aide's answer was enough to cause some concern.
Shall we meet?
The ominous prediction came true. In the hallway leading to the banquet hall on the first floor, Agatha was able to spot Fernand, who had just appeared from the opposite side, leading the Mainukor faction.
Of course, it could have been something that happened because the representatives of each delegation, or those of similar status, wanted to take a common stance to avoid political conflict.
The probability of that happening was low. Fernand, who had been staring at Agatha’s hand that had touched Enoch with sharp eyes, slowly opened his mouth.
"...Ma'am."
It was a voice full of gloom. The man's arm under her hand tightened.
Agatha, who noticed Enoch's expression without realizing it, opened her eyes wide.
What appeared momentarily but clearly was a feeling of discomfort.
A cold chill was lingering on the man's face, which seemed to have no change at all.
Agatha had it from the beginning. Suddenly, she felt her heart pounding in her head.
"Your Highness."
“I was wondering why you declined my request to be your escort, and it seems you were planning to come with the Marquis.”
“I can’t possibly cause trouble to Your Highness without your husband. Please go now. I have prepared some special dishes for dinner today.”
“Yes. I look forward to it.”
Fernand, who spoke with emphasis at every word, glared at Enoch and entered the banquet hall. Agatha followed him and slowly looked up at Enoch.
At first glance, it seemed like nothing was wrong.
He kept his mouth shut and kept his gaze fixed on the back of the second Prince who was walking ahead.
Agatha felt a thrilling sensation sweeping from head to toe.
'It's not that he wasn't interested.'
Whether it was his discomfort with her ex-husband's presence or his jealousy, it was definitely good news.
Emotions will help your relationship progress much more than words like indifference or obligation.
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