The audience room of the Grand Central Palace. Jeremiah entered the palace accompanied by the Northern Knights.
"Your Majesty the Supreme Emperor of the Habelion Empire."
"Welcome, Your Highness."
The Emperor sat on the throne on a high platform and greeted them with an arrogant expression. Below the throne was the Marquis of Milliner. The audience room was not just occupied by the Emperor and the Marquis of Milliner. Imperial guards in shining armor lined up on both sides like a wall. The guards with swords on their waists looked threatening. Aside from their serious expressions, many of them even had their hands on their sword hilts. It seemed as if they were ready to draw their swords if they did anything even a little bit reckless.
Jeremiah was a guest that the Emperor had personally invited to congratulate him on his achievements. After all, he was a Grand Duke. Whether it was in terms of courtesy toward the Grand Duke or imperial etiquette, the knights' behavior was extremely rude. However, the Emperor did not stop the hostile attitude of the imperial guards. Instead, he even had a smile on his lips. Marquis of Milliner also rolled his cold eyes. It seemed as if he wanted them to at least oppose him.
'If you find even the smallest flaw, you'll find fault and get hung up on it.'
The Marquis's eyes, which were gleaming, clearly contained such hostility. The audience room was filled with tense tension. However, Jeremiah, who looked around, was expressionless. The Emperor looked down from the platform. Jeremiah looked at the Emperor with an indifferent expression. A subtle silence fell between them. On the other hand, the Northern Knights were on the verge of an explosion.
Before entering the audience room, the guards had treated them as if they were criminals since they were searched. They were already full of complaints, and even the audience room had such a threatening atmosphere. A dangerous atmosphere hovered precariously. Fortunately, however, no direct fight broke out. This was thanks to Jeremiah's strict instructions to the Northern Knights before entering the palace so as not to cause any trouble.
Did he expect a dispute? When there was no response beyond the tense war of nerves, the Emperor opened his mouth with a look of indifference.
"I heard that you easily defeated the Allied Forces that invaded this time, joining forces with many rebels. I heard that rumors about your bravery and that of the Northern Knights are spreading among the people of the Empire."
The Emperor did not like the praise the people of the Empire gave to Jeremiah. His slow voice clearly conveyed his feelings.
"Thanks to everyone risking their lives to fight for the empire, we were able to defeat the enemies without major casualties."
Jeremiah answered calmly.
"They say that the siege guns they brought were blown away with one blow. Is that true?"
"It was a crude weapon, so large that it was difficult to even call it a siege gun."
"... Is that so."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes as if he were assessing something. And then.
"I have decided to hold a grand celebratory banquet to commend your efforts in securing the northern border of the empire this time."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Jeremiah gave a formal answer with a blank expression. He wanted to end this uncomfortable and nerve-wracking audience as quickly as possible.
"I'm glad you like it. By the way, Your Highness. How old are you this year?"
"...?"
At the emperor's unexpected question, one of Jeremiah's eyebrows rose diagonally.
"Come to think of it, I feel like I've been too indifferent to you lately. Did you have a good coming-of-age ceremony?"
"..."
Jeremiah's face, which had always been expressionless, suddenly crumpled. A year ago, when he had just become an adult. Instead of celebrating his coming-of-age ceremony, the Emperor had driven him to his death. He had ordered him to subdue the monsters living in the Ventrum Canyon and bring back the blue magic stone called 'Bloominus'.
The Ventrum Canyon was a hellish place covered in poisonous fog all year round. In addition to the poisonous fog, there were also all sorts of poisonous plants and disgusting poisonous insects, making it an absolutely dangerous place where even a veteran knight could not guarantee survival. The Emperor had issued such a terrible order for a coming-of-age ceremony that should have been celebrated.
'Ventrum Canyon! And to tell Your Highness to go alone? How is that any different from telling you to go and die on your own?'
'Do you have to follow such ridiculous and crazy orders? This is just too much!'
'Everyone. Don't get excited and just focus on your assigned tasks. I will definitely come back!'
Jeremiah reassured the knights who were venting their anger and headed toward the canyon covered in ominous fog. That was all he had of his coming-of-age memory. Jeremiah found it disgusting that the Emperor, who remembered that time so clearly, was deliberately pretending not to know.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It went well and safely."
In conclusion, Jeremiah had already reached the level of a Sword Master who could manifest Aura. However, he did not report this fact to the Emperor. It was a wise decision. Thanks to this, he returned safely after carrying out the order without a single injury. It goes without saying that Jeremiah's reputation had risen even higher after subduing the monsters of the valley. However, even if the result was good, it was not possible to interpret the Emperor's Intentions positively.
'It's so weird that the topic of coming of age ceremonies suddenly came up during an audience.'
It is clear that he is dissatisfied with the North's growing reputation and trust among the people of the empire. He may also be trying to find some excuse to harass them.
"Why is my coming of age ceremony suddenly..."
Jeremiah, who had been hesitating, finally asked. However, Marquis Millainer, who was listening to the conversation from below the stage, cut him off.
"His Majesty the Emperor has been greatly regretting not being able to take care of the Grand Duke's coming-of-age ceremony. He is thinking of creating a good relationship to celebrate your coming of age."
"...!"
'Good fate?'
Jeremiah was momentarily speechless at the unexpected words.
"Yes. Marquis Millainer gave some pretty good advice."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
Marquis Millainer shrugged his shoulders at the Emperor's praise. Then he cleared his throat and turned to Jeremiah to continue speaking.
"Now that the Grand Duke has become an adult, shouldn't he meet a worthy young lady, get married, and start a family?"
"Marriage...?"
Jeremiah's green brow furrowed.
'Marriage?'
It was something he never imagined.
However, as soon as he heard the word marriage, there was one person who came to mind. He quickly erased her image from his mind so that he wouldn't be caught by anyone.
"So, I've selected some young ladies who would be suitable as spouses. First, let's check out the list..."
"I know it's presumptuous of me to say this."
Jeremiah, who had been acting calmly, suddenly hardened his face.
"I have no intention of getting married."
It was a firm voice. As a coming-of-age ceremony gift, he was the Emperor who had driven him into the Valley of Death. Of course, the opponent whom such an Emperor had authority over could not be ordinary.
'He must be one of the henchmen who came out on the Emperor's orders to spy on me and the North and tie me up.'
Jeremiah was convinced.
"Oh, they say the North is in chaos, but we can't just keep going to war. For the sake of the people of the North, let's think about it again."
Marquis Millainer treated Jeremiah as a war-crazy idiot. It was absurd.
"His Majesty the Emperor himself wants to match you with a good young lady, so it would be impolite to continue to refuse."
"Your Highness. Is there a young lady you like? If so, don't be shy and tell me honestly."
"..."
Jeremiah suppressed his rising sigh. Not only was Caroline's engagement not enough, but the Emperor was now meddling in his marriage. His temples were throbbing. The Northern knights in the audience room also looked at Jeremiah with puzzled expressions. On the other hand, the imperial attendants and guards listened to Jeremiah's answer with an excited expression as if they had caught some interesting gossip. No matter how much of a northern hero he was, there was no way he could refuse the Emperor's offer when he was like that. However.
"No, there isn't."
Jeremiah broke everyone's expectations and firmly refused. He had no time to worry about marriage. Even if he had, he had no intention of marrying someone the Emperor recommended.
"I will take care of my own marriage. Right now, I am busy just managing the North. Please stop talking."
His marriage was not just his problem, but a problem for the entire North. If the future mistress of the North, the Grand Duchess was the Emperor's puppet, then it was a matter of grave importance directly related to the safety of the North. Whatever the Emperor and the Marquis' intentions, they had absolutely no intention of accepting it.
"Even if you don't have it now, it will gradually appear as you meet more and more people. If you've ever dated young ladies, wouldn't you know?"
"..."
Jeremiah did not respond.
"You. Are you sure you've never dated another young lady before?"
The Emperor pretended to be surprised and sneered.
"Oh. That's what it was. It's because he's never properly held a woman before."
The Marquis of Milliner clicked his tongue.
"There was a reason why he was so tight-lipped even though he was still young. When you have a woman with a pretty face, your pent-up desires are relieved and your fatigue is relieved..."
Jeremiah frowned at the Marquis Millainer's vulgar and crude language.
"No, I don't need it."
Despite all the persuasion and humiliation, he did not waver.
"It would be enough if you could just throw us a congratulatory banquet."
"I see."
The Emperor smiled broadly as if he was enjoying the situation, leaving room for opportunity.
"Yes. You must have been very flustered because it happened so suddenly. I'll give you some time, so don't just refuse like that. Think about it carefully."
It seemed like it wasn't easy for him to talk about marriage.
"..."
Jeremiah stubbornly kept his mouth shut.
"And speaking of the celebratory banquet. It's scheduled to begin tomorrow, so make sure the Northern Knights are fully prepared."
"...All right."
***
"Suddenly getting married? Isn't that ridiculous?"
"How much longer will they try to torment His Highness!"
"He forced Caroline's engagement, so now it's His Highness's turn. Damn it!"
The knights who returned from the audience room to their assigned rooms began to vent their suppressed complaints here and there.
"The woman the Emperor wants to pair off with will probably not be an ordinary woman."
"The opponent was Marquis Millainer. I'm already getting goosebumps thinking about who he'll bring."
"I got a chill down my spine when you brought up that damn coming-of-age story. He was going to say something like that."
"Everyone, be quiet."
Jeremiah cautioned.
"I must have told you to be careful what you say. If you have the time to worry about useless things, focus on preparing for tomorrow's banquet."
Then the knights pouted and grumbled quietly.
"It's the same with banquets. Every time I tell you to wait, it's tomorrow."
"Shouldn't you at least give them time to prepare?"
"He's doing this on purpose to make you eat shit."
"Phew."
Jeremiah sighed and wiped his face. He left the knights with Ron and returned to his assigned room. He was extremely tired, perhaps because he had been on edge the entire time he had been meeting the Emperor. He frowned and flopped down on the bed.
'I was the one who was told to get married, so why are those guys making a fuss?'
But that was actually the most upsetting thing.
Jeremiah recalled the face that came to mind as soon as he heard the word marriage. She had red hair like the setting sun and deep green eyes.
'Why did Karina's image suddenly come to mind?'
A small connection that had passed her by when she was young. She didn't even know about it, it was just a memory that only he remembered. The only time he had a conversation with her as a lady was when they met briefly on the terrace.
But why? Jeremiah laughed in disbelief.
'This is driving me crazy.'
Jeremiah raised his hand and covered his eyes. Originally, he had never thought of marriage. No. He had never even thought of having someone by his side. Because the person by his side would not be happy. A situation where he would be controlled and rejected by the Emperor. He did not want to drag other innocent people into it. He did not want to make them feel the same pain and suffering. But...
'Is it okay to imagine it for a moment?'
He pictured himself with Karina. She stood next to him, smiling beautifully. She smiled brightly and grabbed his hand. Just imagining it made his heart flutter.
What if? It was really, it was an absurd wish.
'If I could be with her...'
In a corner of his heart, a small expectation sprouted without him even noticing it.
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