For a moment, Erdene didn’t understand what Sophia was saying. She practiced pinning her dress for three whole months!
Sophia looked at Erdene with eyes that seemed to say that she really didn’t understand why, and then answered.
“Let me ask you one more thing.”
Sophia blinked as if to say so. Erdene said.
“Is it because you are so passionately in love with that man named Belen Wiziard that you are so uninterested in being Queen?”
Sophia answered.
“No, it’s just that to me, he looks more handsome than His Majesty Arkan.”
At that moment, the chamberlain Plat, who was about to announce Arkan’s arrival, overheard Sophia’s words.
Arkan must have heard the same thing since he was standing right next to him... Plat’s face turned slightly pale.
“Your Majesty. Hey...”
But Arkan raised his hand to signal that he should stop talking.
Since he had been interrupting him so often lately, Plat frowned in a way that was not appropriate for his age.
Arkan said.
“Isn’t that voice Sophia Fiddler? The youngest daughter of the Marquis.”
“I-I think so, Your Majesty.”
“What on earth is she doing here? Open the door.”
When the servant opened the door, Erdene and Sophia turned their heads at the same time. Arkan strode inside.
Erdene teased Plat, who looked pale.
“What’s wrong with you? Do you have a stomachache?”
“No... Thank you for your attention, Your Highness. It’s not like that.”
Sophia quickly interjected.
“Then, Your Highness. I will select the maids I mentioned earlier and come. I’m sorry, but could you help me, Lord Plat?”
“What? I have to serve His Majesty...”
“Go, Plat.”
Plat couldn’t say anything in response. Sophia quickly left, dragging him along, who had been given the same order as the two ladies who had visited earlier.
Arkan couldn’t take his eyes off Erdene, who was perfectly dressed in wedding attire.
The first day he saw her getting off the carriage, his tongue stiffened for a moment, just like when he saw her, who was neither bulky nor huge as the rumors had said—of course, the rumor that she had three eyes was false.
Erdene, in her own way, was having a staring contest with Arkan, debating whether she should put her decision into action.
Although she liked having Sophia by her side, she was annoyed that Sophia didn’t even ask for her opinion when choosing the person who would serve her closest.
“Princess, I...”
“I expected that you were afraid of marrying me because you didn’t see me for so long, but this is disappointing.”
Arkan’s mouth, which was cut off, was firmly shut. That one sentence alone was enough to tell.
Erdene had no intention of resolving her grudge with Arkan.
Why on earth would she do something like that? Erdene thought.
“What does that mean? It doesn’t seem like the daughter of a Marquis is a hired hand and a seamstress.”
“Of course. I’m just telling you the truth, so please understand it as it is, Your Highness. As my mother said, I grew up hearing from the age of twelve that I ‘must marry His Majesty Arkan and become the Queen of Vetor.’ My mother believed that it would definitely happen, and even if it didn’t happen, she said she would make it happen.”
Then, Sophia suddenly burst into laughter as if it was ridiculous.
“Well, even so, was it really necessary to make you memorize the locations and meanings of the accessories on my dress? The maids would know how to do it anyway. Don’t you think so?”
Erdene’s eyes changed a little. Now, the hostility had almost disappeared, and only curiosity remained.
“You’re so calm after all that you’ve suffered. And having your lifelong dream stolen by a woman you don’t even know where she came from?”
Sophia stared at Erdene blankly.
“It doesn’t make sense to say that I don’t know where you came from. It would be hard to find anyone in Vetor who doesn’t know about Princess Erdene Badd, the heir to the Hirschsten throne. And there’s one important thing I have to tell you. It wasn’t my wish to become His Majesty Arkan’s companion. It was my mother’s wish. So I can’t help but be calm. In fact, I can’t tell you how relieved I am that Your Highness has shown up.”
Now, a distinct smile appeared on Erdene’s face.
She spoke quickly and smoothly, and without any hint of flattery, so she seemed a bit arrogant for a close associate of the Queen, but Erdene found it easier to deal with someone who spoke her mind without any frills.
“Since it was not your intention to become Queen, you will not act as a spy, is that it?”
“If you are worried because of what Mother whispered in my ear earlier, then you can rest assured. Of course, when Mother let me in as Your Highness’s associate, she expected me to report all the little things about Your Highness. However, that was just useless advice.”
“What useless advice?”
“My mother was advising me to immediately inform His Majesty if Your Highness ever verbally abuses me or tries to use violence against me.”
Erdene suddenly burst out laughing at Sophia’s words, which showed no emotion.
To think that she could convey such a solemn expression while saying such a trivial thing!
“What does that mean? It doesn’t seem like the daughter of a Marquis is a hired hand and a seamstress.”
“Of course. I’m just telling you the truth, so please understand it as it is, Your Highness. As my mother said, I grew up hearing from the age of twelve that I ‘must marry His Majesty Arkan and become the Queen of Vetor.’ My mother believed that it would definitely happen, and even if it didn’t happen, she said she would make it happen.”
Then, Sophia suddenly burst into laughter as if it was ridiculous.
“Well, even so, was it really necessary to make you memorize the locations and meanings of the accessories on my dress? The maids would know how to do it anyway. Don’t you think so?”
Erdene’s eyes changed a little. Now, the hostility had almost disappeared, and only curiosity remained.
“You’re so calm after all that you’ve suffered. And having your lifelong dream stolen by a woman you don’t even know where she came from?”
Sophia stared at Erdene blankly.
“It doesn’t make sense to say that I don’t know where you came from. It would be hard to find anyone in Vetor who doesn’t know about Princess Erdene Badd, the heir to the Hirschsten throne. And there’s one important thing I have to tell you. It wasn’t my wish to become His Majesty Arkan’s companion. It was my mother’s wish. So I can’t help but be calm. In fact, I can’t tell you how relieved I am that Your Highness has shown up.”
Now, a distinct smile appeared on Erdene’s face.
She spoke quickly and smoothly, and without any hint of flattery, so she seemed a bit arrogant for a close associate of the Queen, but Erdene found it easier to deal with someone who spoke her mind without any frills.
“Since it was not your intention to become Queen, you will not act as a spy, is that it?”
“If you are worried because of what Mother whispered in my ear earlier, then you can rest assured. Of course, when Mother let me in as Your Highness’s associate, she expected me to report all the little things about Your Highness. However, that was just useless advice.”
“What useless advice?”
“My mother was advising me to immediately inform His Majesty if Your Highness ever verbally abuses me or tries to use violence against me.”
Erdene suddenly burst out laughing at Sophia’s words, which showed no emotion.
To think that she could convey such a solemn expression while saying such a trivial thing!
When Erdene thought of the Marchioness Fiddler’s glare at her, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“But I’m not my mother.”
Sophia said.
“I’m not an idiot.”
“Does that mean your mother is an idiot?”
“Don’t misunderstand, Your Highness. I love my mother. I was born late, and she almost died giving birth to me. I can’t despise or cut ties with someone who risked her life to bring me into the world just because she did something foolish, can I?”
Erdene now took a step toward Sophia, her expression clearly aroused.
“So what do you want to say? Are you asking me to trust you completely because you have no intention of playing the part of a swindler? Or is there something you want to ask of me?”
Sophia’s large eyes moved thoughtfully.
“If I want you to trust me completely, then yes. Of course, I would, but it would be difficult for Your Highness. In fact, no matter how much time passes... I know that it would be difficult to gain complete trust. And if it’s a wish, well,”
Sophia said, caressing her cheek as she paused for a moment.
“Do you know a man named Belen Wiziard?”
“No, I’ve never heard of him before. Did he run away because he owed you money? So would you be satisfied if I caught him and beat him until he vomited out all the money?”
Sophia frowned as if the mere thought of him vomiting was horrifying—even if he were to vomit up gold, it was a scene she didn’t want to see.
“No. In fact, he is a knight commander who is considered the best military officer in the Kingdom of Vetor, as well as in all the allied nations in the interior. There hasn’t been any full-scale conflict between Hirschsten and Vetor yet. So it’s understandable that Her Highness hasn’t heard of him...”
Erdene suddenly felt a tingle in her body at the mention of a skilled military officer.
Now that she thought about it, she suddenly remembered that she hadn’t really moved her body since she came to Vetor.
'I feel so tired every morning.'
Sophia said in her usual calm tone to Erdene, who was thinking that she should resume morning and evening training from tomorrow.
“I like a man like Belen Wiziard more than His Majesty King Arkan. A warrior with great brute force and great skill. However, I’m not sure if he really has that kind of skill. None of the knights or soldiers of Vetor can beat Sir Wiziard, but that’s only natural since Vetor doesn’t care much about military administration. So if it’s okay, I’d like Your Highness to spar with Belen Wiziard.”
Sophia said.
“I’m not an idiot.”
“Does that mean your mother is an idiot?”
“Don’t misunderstand, Your Highness. I love my mother. I was born late, and she almost died giving birth to me. I can’t despise or cut ties with someone who risked her life to bring me into the world just because she did something foolish, can I?”
Erdene now took a step toward Sophia, her expression clearly aroused.
“So what do you want to say? Are you asking me to trust you completely because you have no intention of playing the part of a swindler? Or is there something you want to ask of me?”
Sophia’s large eyes moved thoughtfully.
“If I want you to trust me completely, then yes. Of course, I would, but it would be difficult for Your Highness. In fact, no matter how much time passes... I know that it would be difficult to gain complete trust. And if it’s a wish, well,”
Sophia said, caressing her cheek as she paused for a moment.
“Do you know a man named Belen Wiziard?”
“No, I’ve never heard of him before. Did he run away because he owed you money? So would you be satisfied if I caught him and beat him until he vomited out all the money?”
Sophia frowned as if the mere thought of him vomiting was horrifying—even if he were to vomit up gold, it was a scene she didn’t want to see.
“No. In fact, he is a knight commander who is considered the best military officer in the Kingdom of Vetor, as well as in all the allied nations in the interior. There hasn’t been any full-scale conflict between Hirschsten and Vetor yet. So it’s understandable that Her Highness hasn’t heard of him...”
Erdene suddenly felt a tingle in her body at the mention of a skilled military officer.
Now that she thought about it, she suddenly remembered that she hadn’t really moved her body since she came to Vetor.
'I feel so tired every morning.'
Sophia said in her usual calm tone to Erdene, who was thinking that she should resume morning and evening training from tomorrow.
“I like a man like Belen Wiziard more than His Majesty King Arkan. A warrior with great brute force and great skill. However, I’m not sure if he really has that kind of skill. None of the knights or soldiers of Vetor can beat Sir Wiziard, but that’s only natural since Vetor doesn’t care much about military administration. So if it’s okay, I’d like Your Highness to spar with Belen Wiziard.”
It was an absurd request.
As the Princess of the Empire and the head of the military, Erdene heard all sorts of ridiculous requests and beggars, but it was the first time she'd heard someone say, “I want to know if my spouse is trustworthy, so spar with him.” Erdene, who was crossing her arms, said.
“I’ll win, of course. So you’re going to live alone for the rest of your life?”
Sophia looked away for a moment and then twitched the corners of her mouth.
“If he’s defeated by Your Highness without a fight, I’d rather live alone. But if it’s just a narrow defeat, I think I should think about it.”
“Then what if he defeats me?”
Sophia said as if there was no need to explain it.
“I should propose to him right away and take him away.”
While Erdene burst into laughter again, Sophia reflected Erdene's image in the large vertical mirror. She checked Erdene's dress again to make sure there was no damage and that she hadn’t hung her jewelry in the wrong place.
Erdene said.
“You’re really funny. If you liked the man so much that you proposed to him so quickly that he beat me, why didn’t you tell your mother?”
As the Princess of the Empire and the head of the military, Erdene heard all sorts of ridiculous requests and beggars, but it was the first time she'd heard someone say, “I want to know if my spouse is trustworthy, so spar with him.” Erdene, who was crossing her arms, said.
“I’ll win, of course. So you’re going to live alone for the rest of your life?”
Sophia looked away for a moment and then twitched the corners of her mouth.
“If he’s defeated by Your Highness without a fight, I’d rather live alone. But if it’s just a narrow defeat, I think I should think about it.”
“Then what if he defeats me?”
Sophia said as if there was no need to explain it.
“I should propose to him right away and take him away.”
While Erdene burst into laughter again, Sophia reflected Erdene's image in the large vertical mirror. She checked Erdene's dress again to make sure there was no damage and that she hadn’t hung her jewelry in the wrong place.
Erdene said.
“You’re really funny. If you liked the man so much that you proposed to him so quickly that he beat me, why didn’t you tell your mother?”
Sophia looked at Erdene with eyes that seemed to say that she really didn’t understand why, and then answered.
“If I said something like that, my mother would grab her neck, pretend to collapse, and try to keep her seat for a month or two. But now, Your Highness, isn’t it time for me to give up on my pointless hopes?”
“Let me ask you one more thing.”
Sophia blinked as if to say so. Erdene said.
“Is it because you are so passionately in love with that man named Belen Wiziard that you are so uninterested in being Queen?”
Sophia answered.
“No, it’s just that to me, he looks more handsome than His Majesty Arkan.”
At that moment, the chamberlain Plat, who was about to announce Arkan’s arrival, overheard Sophia’s words.
Arkan must have heard the same thing since he was standing right next to him... Plat’s face turned slightly pale.
“Your Majesty. Hey...”
But Arkan raised his hand to signal that he should stop talking.
Since he had been interrupting him so often lately, Plat frowned in a way that was not appropriate for his age.
Arkan said.
“Isn’t that voice Sophia Fiddler? The youngest daughter of the Marquis.”
“I-I think so, Your Majesty.”
“What on earth is she doing here? Open the door.”
When the servant opened the door, Erdene and Sophia turned their heads at the same time. Arkan strode inside.
Erdene teased Plat, who looked pale.
“What’s wrong with you? Do you have a stomachache?”
“No... Thank you for your attention, Your Highness. It’s not like that.”
Sophia quickly interjected.
“Then, Your Highness. I will select the maids I mentioned earlier and come. I’m sorry, but could you help me, Lord Plat?”
“What? I have to serve His Majesty...”
“Go, Plat.”
Plat couldn’t say anything in response. Sophia quickly left, dragging him along, who had been given the same order as the two ladies who had visited earlier.
Arkan couldn’t take his eyes off Erdene, who was perfectly dressed in wedding attire.
The first day he saw her getting off the carriage, his tongue stiffened for a moment, just like when he saw her, who was neither bulky nor huge as the rumors had said—of course, the rumor that she had three eyes was false.
Erdene, in her own way, was having a staring contest with Arkan, debating whether she should put her decision into action.
Although she liked having Sophia by her side, she was annoyed that Sophia didn’t even ask for her opinion when choosing the person who would serve her closest.
“Princess, I...”
“I expected that you were afraid of marrying me because you didn’t see me for so long, but this is disappointing.”
Arkan’s mouth, which was cut off, was firmly shut. That one sentence alone was enough to tell.
Erdene had no intention of resolving her grudge with Arkan.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment