Grand Duke Odes wanted their meeting to take place in a place where it would not be known to the outside world.
To achieve that goal, they could not meet at each other's lodgings.
This was especially true since the Gallico Kingdom party was staying in the Pope's residence, inside the castle of Trevero.
The place eventually chosen as the meeting point was an old castle located far outside Trevero, proposed by Prince Alfonso.
“Why did you choose here?”
“It sounds more neutral than calling it Palagio degli Sei, but in fact it is not a neutral place.”
This old castle was a candidate for Alfonso when he was considering a place to live—in effect, a garrison.
The facilities were too old and out of consideration for Ariadne, so it was put on the back burner, but there were plenty of places to station soldiers inside and outside the castle.
Alfonso had absolutely no intention of meeting Grand Duke Odes, who was outnumbered.
Alfonso, who was once again confronted by the Gallico Kingdom, was meticulous and not easygoing.
“Grand Duke Odes seems a bit... impatient.”
In proposing a meeting place, Alfonso made several unreasonable demands of the Grand Duke Odes.
However, the Grand Duke accepted it without much resistance. The schedule, time, and place were all entirely reflective of the Prince's preferences.
The Grand Duke seemed very eager to meet Prince Alfonso.
“Isn’t it true that Princess Lariesa’s condition is quite bad?”
Ariadne opened the floodgates of reasoning.
“She has health problems and there is no way to find another partner, so she has no other way out than to force me to marry her.”
There was really no reason for Grand Duke Odes to be so upset.
Of course, he really wants to throw away his daughter's wedding, but since it's already too late, he should just get it over with. It's not something he should delay and suffer losses.
In fact, most of the cases where people end up hanging on to a marriage proposal that they had already secured were when it was a scandal.
For example, she fell in love with a young servant and had an affair, or she had an illegitimate child before marriage, etc.
But Princess Lariesa didn't seem like the kind of person who would do that. For one thing, there was no denying that she was deeply in love with Prince Alfonso.
So the idea that came up was health, but Alfonso didn't seem to agree with this.
“If her health is so bad, there’s no point in marrying her, right?”
The significance of the marriage alliance was that it strengthened the righteousness between the nations while the spouses were alive and produced a successor between them to continue friendly relations.
If the bride was in such poor health that she died before giving birth to a child, it would be a great loss to marry her off unless the bride could be properly cared for while she was alive.
The gains are very short-lived, as the dowry ends up going to the husband's country.
It was true that Prince Alfonso was the continent's top groom, but the Kingdom of Gallico was also on the rise.
Alfonso would have been worth much more if he had been a Prince of Gallico rather than an Etruscan prince.
'Grand Duke Odes is praying for his daughter purely as a father?'
Ariadne shook her head.
Even if you say that Grand Duke Odes was the greatest fool in the Kingdom of Gallico, that was a ridiculous story. Politics was not that easy.
'It's not about health or scandal, but is there any other reason why it would be less marketable as a marriage partner...?'
Old? Princess Lariesa is now twenty-three years old, making her the oldest daughter of a monarch remaining in the Central Continent marriage market.
It's an age when other people would have had two or three children.
However, the Grand Duchess of Lariesa was valuable as a marriage partner because of her status—she had no right to inherit the Kingdom of Gallico, so to be precise, she was the daughter of the Grand Duke Odes, the real power in Gallico, not because she was young or pretty.
Since beauty was not her strong point to begin with, things like slightly damaged skin or a little weight gain wouldn't even be a problem.
Unless you're like someone whose nose is broken and sinks down or something.
Ariadne shook her head to break her train of thought. She would soon find out. And really, it didn't matter either way.
“There are two things we can use as cards against Grand Duke Odes from our side.”
Ariadne found the use of the word 'we' somewhat ticklish.
But the words struck Alfonso's fancy. He smiled and stroked her head.
“I’m talking about something serious!”
Ariadne, who had sorted out Alfonso's affairs, summarized the matter briefly.
Firstly, since it was not a priest-sanctioned marriage, even though Alfonso signed the marriage contract, it only had the effect of an engagement.
Secondly, since the marriage contract was created under duress in the first place, it may not even have the effect of an engagement.
Alfonso nodded after hearing Ariadne's theorem.
Second, if they reminded the Grand Duke of the fact that the marriage contract had been concluded under duress, the matter might have been resolved more easily than expected.
“If we were to make public the story that the marriage contract was forced, it would inevitably involve the story that the Princess of Ladies set fire to the Palais de Montpellier.”
Ariadne also agreed with Alfonso's line of thinking.
“That is blatant disobedience to Philip IV. It even threatens the King’s life.”
“That’s right. It’s not a risk that Grand Duke Odes can take.”
“But... There is something you need to be careful of.”
Alfonso informed Ariadne of the results of the legal examination carried out by Leo III and the progress so far.
Ariadne's expression distorted.
“That document could be stored in the Holy See? Then wouldn’t that lead to the assumption that ‘Holy See documents are authentic’?”
The 'presumptive power of documents from the Holy See' was a principle in church law that once a document was in the Holy See's vault, it was considered to have been created truthfully.
“Yes. Even if the priest was absent or signed under duress, all those problems will be resolved, and it will be treated as a proper marriage contract.”
That means that the marriage certificate could be valid, and Alfonso could still be married.
Ariadne's pupils wavered for a moment, but she soon regained her composure.
"I don't care."
She had no intention of becoming a divorced woman who had an affair with a married man. Alfonso's marriage would not work out. She would make it so.
Ariadne took out a very well-kept piece of parchment from her bosom and placed it on the table.
“Original handwritten note from Princess Lariesa.”
There was a signature and handwriting of the Grand Duchess of Lariesa, asking for the life of Ariadne de Mare.
“If you reveal this, there’s not much the Duke of Odes can do.”
That was absolutely true.
At a time when the engagement had not even been confirmed, let alone being crowned the Crown Princess, a Grand Duchess came to the Etruscan kingdom and asked to kill someone for speculation...
Just looking at the late Queen Marguerite, it was clear that it was extremely difficult to marry abroad and establish one's place in society.
What's more, Lariesa will be completely unable to participate in social events. She will not be able to perform her basic duties as a Princess.
“Even if threats don’t work.”
Alfonso spoke cheerfully to cheer up Ariadne.
“The Pope will be nearby, so I can ask for a divorce.”
Divorce was granted with special permission from the Pope, who happened to be very close by. The reasons for the divorce were also clear.
According to their marriage vows, they had been married for over four years and were approaching their fifth anniversary, but they had never spent the night together.
This fact was objectively clear, as neither of them had ever lived in the same country since the ink was put on the paper of their marriage contract.
Ariadne answered with a smile.
“The Central Continent will be turned upside down.”
It will be a scandal that will shake the Central Continent. Divorce is already a subject of criticism, and the reason for it is infidelity.
Moreover, the divorce of the Grand Duchess, who only has her father's support, and the famously handsome knight Prince.
Lariesa's appearance will be very funny, and Alfonso will be blamed for that. It was not something he should have done to the lady.
But Alfonso was willing to take any insults.
“Will you accept me even if I come back as a divorced man?”
Whatever it was, it was better than making Ariadne the government or spending the rest of his life without her.
Ariadne, on the other hand, felt a bad thought creeping up the back of her neck.
If Alfonso were to get a divorce and come back, she would feel much less sorry about being a divorced woman.
Thinking this far, she shuddered and felt goosebumps on her skin.
Alfonso had never once given her a hint about Cesare's business. So she prayed that Alfonso would not do so so that she could feel better.
'Oh my god. What was I thinking?'
Alfonso, completely unaware of what Ariadne was thinking, continued to laugh.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, even if rumors spread throughout the Central Continent that you're not a good man.”
Ariadne shook her head again and came to her senses. She was disgusted with herself, but she couldn't show it to Alfonso.
She smiled cheerfully and teased him.
“I will certify throughout the Central Continent that you're not that kind of person.”
Alfonso hugged Ariadne tightly.
“Oh. I hate that.”
His scent hit her. The clean scent of balsam and a hint of sweat captivated her.
Alfonso murmured, kissing Ariadne's ear lightly.
“You won’t imagine the certification process. If anyone else imagines something like that with you, I won’t let them live.”
“Yeah, yeah. It tickles.”
“Stop it unless you want to turn me into a murderous steed that will annihilate an entire city.”
“Yes... Ah, stop...”
The offense and defense were reversed. Ariadne barely managed to push Alfonso away. Half of the reason was time constraints, half was guilt.
“I have to go see Grand Duke Odes.”
“Tell him to wait a moment.”
“Alfonso.”
He hugged her tighter.
"I'd rather be called an asshole than be called a good guy. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks."
To achieve that goal, they could not meet at each other's lodgings.
This was especially true since the Gallico Kingdom party was staying in the Pope's residence, inside the castle of Trevero.
The place eventually chosen as the meeting point was an old castle located far outside Trevero, proposed by Prince Alfonso.
“Why did you choose here?”
“It sounds more neutral than calling it Palagio degli Sei, but in fact it is not a neutral place.”
This old castle was a candidate for Alfonso when he was considering a place to live—in effect, a garrison.
The facilities were too old and out of consideration for Ariadne, so it was put on the back burner, but there were plenty of places to station soldiers inside and outside the castle.
Alfonso had absolutely no intention of meeting Grand Duke Odes, who was outnumbered.
Alfonso, who was once again confronted by the Gallico Kingdom, was meticulous and not easygoing.
“Grand Duke Odes seems a bit... impatient.”
In proposing a meeting place, Alfonso made several unreasonable demands of the Grand Duke Odes.
However, the Grand Duke accepted it without much resistance. The schedule, time, and place were all entirely reflective of the Prince's preferences.
The Grand Duke seemed very eager to meet Prince Alfonso.
“Isn’t it true that Princess Lariesa’s condition is quite bad?”
Ariadne opened the floodgates of reasoning.
“She has health problems and there is no way to find another partner, so she has no other way out than to force me to marry her.”
There was really no reason for Grand Duke Odes to be so upset.
Of course, he really wants to throw away his daughter's wedding, but since it's already too late, he should just get it over with. It's not something he should delay and suffer losses.
In fact, most of the cases where people end up hanging on to a marriage proposal that they had already secured were when it was a scandal.
For example, she fell in love with a young servant and had an affair, or she had an illegitimate child before marriage, etc.
But Princess Lariesa didn't seem like the kind of person who would do that. For one thing, there was no denying that she was deeply in love with Prince Alfonso.
So the idea that came up was health, but Alfonso didn't seem to agree with this.
“If her health is so bad, there’s no point in marrying her, right?”
The significance of the marriage alliance was that it strengthened the righteousness between the nations while the spouses were alive and produced a successor between them to continue friendly relations.
If the bride was in such poor health that she died before giving birth to a child, it would be a great loss to marry her off unless the bride could be properly cared for while she was alive.
The gains are very short-lived, as the dowry ends up going to the husband's country.
It was true that Prince Alfonso was the continent's top groom, but the Kingdom of Gallico was also on the rise.
Alfonso would have been worth much more if he had been a Prince of Gallico rather than an Etruscan prince.
'Grand Duke Odes is praying for his daughter purely as a father?'
Ariadne shook her head.
Even if you say that Grand Duke Odes was the greatest fool in the Kingdom of Gallico, that was a ridiculous story. Politics was not that easy.
'It's not about health or scandal, but is there any other reason why it would be less marketable as a marriage partner...?'
Old? Princess Lariesa is now twenty-three years old, making her the oldest daughter of a monarch remaining in the Central Continent marriage market.
It's an age when other people would have had two or three children.
However, the Grand Duchess of Lariesa was valuable as a marriage partner because of her status—she had no right to inherit the Kingdom of Gallico, so to be precise, she was the daughter of the Grand Duke Odes, the real power in Gallico, not because she was young or pretty.
Since beauty was not her strong point to begin with, things like slightly damaged skin or a little weight gain wouldn't even be a problem.
Unless you're like someone whose nose is broken and sinks down or something.
Ariadne shook her head to break her train of thought. She would soon find out. And really, it didn't matter either way.
“There are two things we can use as cards against Grand Duke Odes from our side.”
Ariadne found the use of the word 'we' somewhat ticklish.
But the words struck Alfonso's fancy. He smiled and stroked her head.
“I’m talking about something serious!”
Ariadne, who had sorted out Alfonso's affairs, summarized the matter briefly.
Firstly, since it was not a priest-sanctioned marriage, even though Alfonso signed the marriage contract, it only had the effect of an engagement.
Secondly, since the marriage contract was created under duress in the first place, it may not even have the effect of an engagement.
Alfonso nodded after hearing Ariadne's theorem.
Second, if they reminded the Grand Duke of the fact that the marriage contract had been concluded under duress, the matter might have been resolved more easily than expected.
“If we were to make public the story that the marriage contract was forced, it would inevitably involve the story that the Princess of Ladies set fire to the Palais de Montpellier.”
Ariadne also agreed with Alfonso's line of thinking.
“That is blatant disobedience to Philip IV. It even threatens the King’s life.”
“That’s right. It’s not a risk that Grand Duke Odes can take.”
“But... There is something you need to be careful of.”
Alfonso informed Ariadne of the results of the legal examination carried out by Leo III and the progress so far.
Ariadne's expression distorted.
“That document could be stored in the Holy See? Then wouldn’t that lead to the assumption that ‘Holy See documents are authentic’?”
The 'presumptive power of documents from the Holy See' was a principle in church law that once a document was in the Holy See's vault, it was considered to have been created truthfully.
“Yes. Even if the priest was absent or signed under duress, all those problems will be resolved, and it will be treated as a proper marriage contract.”
That means that the marriage certificate could be valid, and Alfonso could still be married.
Ariadne's pupils wavered for a moment, but she soon regained her composure.
"I don't care."
She had no intention of becoming a divorced woman who had an affair with a married man. Alfonso's marriage would not work out. She would make it so.
Ariadne took out a very well-kept piece of parchment from her bosom and placed it on the table.
“Original handwritten note from Princess Lariesa.”
There was a signature and handwriting of the Grand Duchess of Lariesa, asking for the life of Ariadne de Mare.
“If you reveal this, there’s not much the Duke of Odes can do.”
That was absolutely true.
At a time when the engagement had not even been confirmed, let alone being crowned the Crown Princess, a Grand Duchess came to the Etruscan kingdom and asked to kill someone for speculation...
Just looking at the late Queen Marguerite, it was clear that it was extremely difficult to marry abroad and establish one's place in society.
What's more, Lariesa will be completely unable to participate in social events. She will not be able to perform her basic duties as a Princess.
“Even if threats don’t work.”
Alfonso spoke cheerfully to cheer up Ariadne.
“The Pope will be nearby, so I can ask for a divorce.”
Divorce was granted with special permission from the Pope, who happened to be very close by. The reasons for the divorce were also clear.
According to their marriage vows, they had been married for over four years and were approaching their fifth anniversary, but they had never spent the night together.
This fact was objectively clear, as neither of them had ever lived in the same country since the ink was put on the paper of their marriage contract.
Ariadne answered with a smile.
“The Central Continent will be turned upside down.”
It will be a scandal that will shake the Central Continent. Divorce is already a subject of criticism, and the reason for it is infidelity.
Moreover, the divorce of the Grand Duchess, who only has her father's support, and the famously handsome knight Prince.
Lariesa's appearance will be very funny, and Alfonso will be blamed for that. It was not something he should have done to the lady.
But Alfonso was willing to take any insults.
“Will you accept me even if I come back as a divorced man?”
Whatever it was, it was better than making Ariadne the government or spending the rest of his life without her.
Ariadne, on the other hand, felt a bad thought creeping up the back of her neck.
If Alfonso were to get a divorce and come back, she would feel much less sorry about being a divorced woman.
Thinking this far, she shuddered and felt goosebumps on her skin.
Alfonso had never once given her a hint about Cesare's business. So she prayed that Alfonso would not do so so that she could feel better.
'Oh my god. What was I thinking?'
Alfonso, completely unaware of what Ariadne was thinking, continued to laugh.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, even if rumors spread throughout the Central Continent that you're not a good man.”
Ariadne shook her head again and came to her senses. She was disgusted with herself, but she couldn't show it to Alfonso.
She smiled cheerfully and teased him.
“I will certify throughout the Central Continent that you're not that kind of person.”
Alfonso hugged Ariadne tightly.
“Oh. I hate that.”
His scent hit her. The clean scent of balsam and a hint of sweat captivated her.
Alfonso murmured, kissing Ariadne's ear lightly.
“You won’t imagine the certification process. If anyone else imagines something like that with you, I won’t let them live.”
“Yeah, yeah. It tickles.”
“Stop it unless you want to turn me into a murderous steed that will annihilate an entire city.”
“Yes... Ah, stop...”
The offense and defense were reversed. Ariadne barely managed to push Alfonso away. Half of the reason was time constraints, half was guilt.
“I have to go see Grand Duke Odes.”
“Tell him to wait a moment.”
“Alfonso.”
He hugged her tighter.
"I'd rather be called an asshole than be called a good guy. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks."
It was one hundred percent pure sincerity.
Even as a gentle boy, Prince Alfonso never internalized the desires of others, but rather endured them for his own sake.
There was nothing that seemed good to him that others thought was good. It had to really please him.
“Only you matter.”
And Ariadne de Mare was the one he chose.
Ariadne raised her head and met Alfonso's eyes. His blue-gray eyes were clear, without the slightest wavering.
Ariadne felt a cold guilt creeping up her spine even more. No, guilt may be cold, but the sin was hot.
Her left hand, which had calmed down with the help of the old lady shaman, felt hot again for the first time in a long time.
Ariadne's true feelings were revealed in the way she timidly froze and did not respond to Alfonso's expressions of affection.
Alfonso was a man who went straight ahead in such cases. If she didn't return the favor, he would double down, believing that one day her heart would open.
“Shall we go and see?”
Alfonso stroked Ariadne's hair.
It was time to sort out the best marriage on the continent that had been forcibly given to him as a child to fulfill the desires of others.
“Ari, you’ll be okay there, right?”
“...Do I really have to go that far?”
There was a secret space in the place Alfonso had recruited.
It was said to be something between a closet and a dressing room, where the castle's original owner, who suffered from a nervous breakdown, stationed a knight to guard him 24 hours a day.
The master of the castle, despite all the effort put into it, died of a stroke while the knight was looking away for a moment. Well, it couldn't have been helped.
“If I say anything weird, run out and stop me.”
“I can’t appear in front of Grand Duke Odes!”
Alfonso asked Ariadne to sit behind him and listen to him while he negotiated with the Grand Duke Odes.
Although he verbally asked her to give him strength so that he would not make a mistake, his true intention was not to keep a secret from Ariadne.
He didn't want her to worry, and he didn't want her to be suspicious.
“With Princess Lariesa.”
Alfonso held Ariadne's hand tightly.
“This time it’s really over.”
“I believe you.”
“I told you not to believe so easily and to be a little suspicious.”
"What?"
“Please stand behind me and listen.”
Alfonso smiled and pressed his cheek against Ariadne's again.
“Isn’t this something you can never get caught on?”
“Yeah. My men went and checked it several times.”
Alfonso repeatedly urged her to come, even to the point where he said he would not meet the Grand Duke Odes unless Ariadne came.
She had no choice but to agree to sit in the dressing room.
***
The room where the Grand Duke Odes and Alfonso were to meet was larger and neater than expected.
It was inevitable that the very old, hundred-year-old tapestries and carpets would give off a musty smell, but the old wooden tables and carved wooden candlesticks gave off an old-fashioned air that could not be felt in San Carlo, where the latest trends change quickly.
Prince Alfonso sat across from the Grand Duke Odes at a large wooden table—it must have been freshly cut oak when it was made, but it was now solid wood—and nodded slightly.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”
“You look so good, Your Royal Highness.”
Alfonso had no intention of engaging in a provocative expedition with the Grand Duke Odes.
Today, they met with clarity about what they both wanted, and their goals conflicted.
A satisfactory third conclusion is impossible in the first place. If that is the case, then the only thing that works is the logic of power. He went straight to the main point.
“I have come to sign the marriage contract.”
Grand Duke Odes looked straight at Prince Alfonso without saying anything.
“...”
The silence was longer than expected. Ariadne held her breath in tension inside the dressing room, the entrance to which was blocked by a curtain.
She was really curious about the expression on Grand Duke Odes's face right now.
Only after a long time did Grand Duke Odes slowly open his mouth.
“Is it because of that Countess? With her black hair, and for the people?”
Alfonso looked at Grand Duke Odes expressionlessly. The very mention of Ariadne's name here offended the Prince.
Alfonso's expressionless face was a sign that whatever the reason was, it had nothing to do with him.
But Ariadne in the closet sensed something strange in the words of the Grand Duke of Odes.
His son-in-law is kicking his daughter out for another woman, so the natural course of action here is to disparage that other woman.
It was natural to be criticized as being of low status and having the manners to seduce a married man.
However, Grand Duke Odes respectfully mentioned Ariadne's title and praised her achievements.
'Something about this doesn't add up..?'
Indeed, the next sentence from Grand Duke Odes was a break from any prediction Ariadne had made.
“Take it. I think it would be nice to have children with that woman.”
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