“Oh!”
Leo III took two steps forward and helped Julia Helena up. Originally, it was considered quite rude for an outside guest to arrive later than the host at an official royal event, but Leo III did not care at all.
“Thank you for coming such a long way, Princess Julia!”
Julia Helena answered with a cute smile.
“This is Julia Helena.”
“Yeah, yeah! Heh heh heh!”
Leo III couldn't hide his embarrassment and laughed out loud at the voice that had a strong hint of youthfulness.
“Hey, Alfonso! Come here.”
Prince Alfonso's expression became gloomy as soon as Princess Julia Helena entered. When Leo III called his name, instead of immediately following the order, he looked straight at the King.
Leo III looked down at Princess Julia Helena, who was walking along the pavement. He could barely suppress his irritation at the sight of his lovely guest.
“Yes, you. You have to greet the foreign guests.”
Alfonso was escorting Ariadne. The Countess's left hand, long-gloved, rested gently on the Prince's right arm, dressed in blue velvet. Ariadne, wrapped in a red-and-blue dress, looked like a rose in full bloom.
He tried to lead her in front of Julia Helena, but Ariadne pulled her hand away first. When Alfonso looked back, feeling empty next to him, Ariadne motioned for him to go alone.
“You go first.”
“Don’t do that.”
Ariadne finally shook her head.
He didn't like it. Alfonso frowned and approached Leo III and the new Princess.
“It is an honor to meet you, Princess Julia Helena.”
Julia Helena smiled brightly at the low, polite greeting. She was not a perfectly shaped beauty like Isabella. Julia Helena had round eyes, a round nose, and a round face. Instead, she had a unique liveliness that bounced like a rubber ball.
Although he greeted her according to etiquette, Alfonso had no intention of letting the situation pass him by.
“What an unexpectedly pleasant encounter.”
He spoke not to the foreign Princess he was seeing for the first time, but to his father.
“I didn’t hear that the distinguished guest was coming.”
Anyone who had even a little experience at court could tell that the Prince was not speaking in a gentle welcome. Leo III gritted his teeth and rebuked him.
“I told you to come without a partner.”
Upon hearing these words from Leo III, Alfonso realized 100% why this foreign Princess was there.
“Oh my God, Father.”
Alfonso looked at Leo III with an indescribable expression. This woman was the second Grand Duchess of Lariesa. Leo III had sold his son again for some reason, without his consent or even a word.
Princess Julia Helena herself responded cheerfully despite the Prince's remark.
“It’s okay. I’ve always wanted to try going to a ball without a partner.”
Julia Helena looked up at Prince Alfonso and said boldly.
“I guess we’ll be seeing each other a lot in the future, huh?”
Julia Helena, with her round cheeks that looked as if they would burst with moisture from within her skin, smiled confidently and bowed to Prince Alfonso.
“Your Highness Prince Alfonso, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Julia Helena Palaeologina Szenadena, your future fiancée.”
Ariadne blinked twice. Princess Julia Helena said her full name twice.
It was an awkward thing. Daughters of the royal family usually referred to themselves by the name of the place their family ruled, rather than their surname, such as 'Bianca of Taranto' or 'Anne of Chance'. It was a display of confidence that there was only one Bianca, Anne, or Auguste worth mentioning in that area.
It would be natural for Princess Julia Helena to call herself 'Julia Helena of Manchike'. There is no reason to give up the use of local names, which are symbols of authority. But one word caught my ear.
'Palaeologos.'
Ariadne's face flushed as she realized what that meant. She leaned forward with her blushing face. Julia Helena was the symbol of everything she was not!
As expected, Princess Julia Helena spoke bluntly.
“I am a descendant of the Palaeologos royal family.”
Palaeologos was the surname of the now-defunct royal family of the Ratan Empire. The Ratan Empire fell, but it did not meet its end with the burning palace like other empires.
After the death of the ruler, the Ratan Empire split into several kingdoms, each claiming to be the Emperor's descendants, and eventually fell apart. At some point, even the royal line's claim to the empire was cut off due to rebellion or failure to produce a legitimate successor.
Now, there was no royal family in the Central Continent that could declare the return of the Empire. Their ancestors, dating back to the days of the Ratan Empire, were plowing the fields or catching fish. They could not even come close to the descendants of the Emperor. However, if they married Princess Julia Helena, it was a different story.
“If you marry me, your husband will have the authority to summon the Emperor’s army.”
She had a solid lineage certificate that traced her maternal line back to the Palaeologic Dynasty. The imperial lineage, the direct line of the Emperor, had been extinct for over a thousand years. All that remained in the Central Continent were Julia Helena and her maternal relatives.
“Not only that, but I'm also the rightful heir to the throne of the Dodessa Kingdom, which is now suffering under the sway of pagans.”
A nation is created at the same time as marriage. Of course, only for a man who can conquer it. Julia Helena looked up at Prince Alfonso with bright eyes. She knew very well what she had.
'Descendant of the Emperor, rightful new owner of the Kingdom of Dodessa.'
She had all the causes in the world, but what she had was power, something she could never really grasp without an army.
Her maternal family, the Dodessa kingdom, was destroyed. Her maternal family was not very powerful even before their unfortunate end.
If the Dodessa royal family had declared themselves the successors to the Ratan Empire and called for the Emperor's army, the great powers of the Central Continent would have treated them as crazy. In fact, even when they were attacked by the pagans, they could only appeal to sympathy and seek foreign aid.
“I have heard of the Prince’s reputation.”
This man was the one who would best synergize with what she had: he had an unrivaled military force, a rich and fertile Etruscan kingdom to back it up, and the honor of being a victorious general of the Holy War.
You must not forget the holy sword, Khaledbuch, which only Prince Alfonso can wield. Khaledbuch also comes with a legend that its master will become the master of the continent.
Empire. It was a really good story. But when her cause and his power were combined, the birth of a new empire was not just a far-fetched story.
She needed a man of high status and great power, so she said she would go to the Etruscan kingdom, because she wanted to see how far she could go.
Fortunately, Prince Alfonso in front of her wasn't too bad. He was a bit too thick for her taste and was a lot taller, but objectively, he was pretty good-looking.
Julia Helena thought.
'Hmm, I think I can love you to this extent.'
So she confidently declared.
“I hope our union will be a blessing.”
But the reaction was different from what she expected.
“Princess.”
The Prince spoke with a frown. Julia Helena found the man's soft tone extremely irritating.
“Unfortunately, that seems difficult.”
“Why?”
Julia Helena tilted her head and asked with bright eyes.
“Your father has already signed the marriage contract?”
Before the Princess's departure, Leo III sent the Principality of Manchike a marriage treaty with his signature. It was a diplomatic document that stated, "The Etruscan kingdom will receive the Princess Julia Helena of the Principality of Manchike as a principessa within six months of her arrival in the Etruscan kingdom." This was placed in the archives of the branch of the Holy See of the Principality of Manchike as an official document.
"Oh."
It was the first time he had heard of it. Alfonso looked at Leo III. Leo III avoided his son's gaze.
“It doesn’t matter. No matter what diplomatic documents there are, they won’t work.”
Prince Alfonso spoke calmly and evenly.
“No King can allow a man who is already married to marry twice.”
Leo III took two steps forward and helped Julia Helena up. Originally, it was considered quite rude for an outside guest to arrive later than the host at an official royal event, but Leo III did not care at all.
“Thank you for coming such a long way, Princess Julia!”
Julia Helena answered with a cute smile.
“This is Julia Helena.”
“Yeah, yeah! Heh heh heh!”
Leo III couldn't hide his embarrassment and laughed out loud at the voice that had a strong hint of youthfulness.
“Hey, Alfonso! Come here.”
Prince Alfonso's expression became gloomy as soon as Princess Julia Helena entered. When Leo III called his name, instead of immediately following the order, he looked straight at the King.
Leo III looked down at Princess Julia Helena, who was walking along the pavement. He could barely suppress his irritation at the sight of his lovely guest.
“Yes, you. You have to greet the foreign guests.”
Alfonso was escorting Ariadne. The Countess's left hand, long-gloved, rested gently on the Prince's right arm, dressed in blue velvet. Ariadne, wrapped in a red-and-blue dress, looked like a rose in full bloom.
He tried to lead her in front of Julia Helena, but Ariadne pulled her hand away first. When Alfonso looked back, feeling empty next to him, Ariadne motioned for him to go alone.
“You go first.”
“Don’t do that.”
Ariadne finally shook her head.
He didn't like it. Alfonso frowned and approached Leo III and the new Princess.
“It is an honor to meet you, Princess Julia Helena.”
Julia Helena smiled brightly at the low, polite greeting. She was not a perfectly shaped beauty like Isabella. Julia Helena had round eyes, a round nose, and a round face. Instead, she had a unique liveliness that bounced like a rubber ball.
Although he greeted her according to etiquette, Alfonso had no intention of letting the situation pass him by.
“What an unexpectedly pleasant encounter.”
He spoke not to the foreign Princess he was seeing for the first time, but to his father.
“I didn’t hear that the distinguished guest was coming.”
Anyone who had even a little experience at court could tell that the Prince was not speaking in a gentle welcome. Leo III gritted his teeth and rebuked him.
“I told you to come without a partner.”
Upon hearing these words from Leo III, Alfonso realized 100% why this foreign Princess was there.
“Oh my God, Father.”
Alfonso looked at Leo III with an indescribable expression. This woman was the second Grand Duchess of Lariesa. Leo III had sold his son again for some reason, without his consent or even a word.
Princess Julia Helena herself responded cheerfully despite the Prince's remark.
“It’s okay. I’ve always wanted to try going to a ball without a partner.”
Julia Helena looked up at Prince Alfonso and said boldly.
“I guess we’ll be seeing each other a lot in the future, huh?”
Julia Helena, with her round cheeks that looked as if they would burst with moisture from within her skin, smiled confidently and bowed to Prince Alfonso.
“Your Highness Prince Alfonso, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Julia Helena Palaeologina Szenadena, your future fiancée.”
***
Ariadne blinked twice. Princess Julia Helena said her full name twice.
It was an awkward thing. Daughters of the royal family usually referred to themselves by the name of the place their family ruled, rather than their surname, such as 'Bianca of Taranto' or 'Anne of Chance'. It was a display of confidence that there was only one Bianca, Anne, or Auguste worth mentioning in that area.
It would be natural for Princess Julia Helena to call herself 'Julia Helena of Manchike'. There is no reason to give up the use of local names, which are symbols of authority. But one word caught my ear.
'Palaeologos.'
Ariadne's face flushed as she realized what that meant. She leaned forward with her blushing face. Julia Helena was the symbol of everything she was not!
As expected, Princess Julia Helena spoke bluntly.
“I am a descendant of the Palaeologos royal family.”
Palaeologos was the surname of the now-defunct royal family of the Ratan Empire. The Ratan Empire fell, but it did not meet its end with the burning palace like other empires.
After the death of the ruler, the Ratan Empire split into several kingdoms, each claiming to be the Emperor's descendants, and eventually fell apart. At some point, even the royal line's claim to the empire was cut off due to rebellion or failure to produce a legitimate successor.
Now, there was no royal family in the Central Continent that could declare the return of the Empire. Their ancestors, dating back to the days of the Ratan Empire, were plowing the fields or catching fish. They could not even come close to the descendants of the Emperor. However, if they married Princess Julia Helena, it was a different story.
“If you marry me, your husband will have the authority to summon the Emperor’s army.”
She had a solid lineage certificate that traced her maternal line back to the Palaeologic Dynasty. The imperial lineage, the direct line of the Emperor, had been extinct for over a thousand years. All that remained in the Central Continent were Julia Helena and her maternal relatives.
“Not only that, but I'm also the rightful heir to the throne of the Dodessa Kingdom, which is now suffering under the sway of pagans.”
A nation is created at the same time as marriage. Of course, only for a man who can conquer it. Julia Helena looked up at Prince Alfonso with bright eyes. She knew very well what she had.
'Descendant of the Emperor, rightful new owner of the Kingdom of Dodessa.'
She had all the causes in the world, but what she had was power, something she could never really grasp without an army.
Her maternal family, the Dodessa kingdom, was destroyed. Her maternal family was not very powerful even before their unfortunate end.
If the Dodessa royal family had declared themselves the successors to the Ratan Empire and called for the Emperor's army, the great powers of the Central Continent would have treated them as crazy. In fact, even when they were attacked by the pagans, they could only appeal to sympathy and seek foreign aid.
“I have heard of the Prince’s reputation.”
This man was the one who would best synergize with what she had: he had an unrivaled military force, a rich and fertile Etruscan kingdom to back it up, and the honor of being a victorious general of the Holy War.
You must not forget the holy sword, Khaledbuch, which only Prince Alfonso can wield. Khaledbuch also comes with a legend that its master will become the master of the continent.
Empire. It was a really good story. But when her cause and his power were combined, the birth of a new empire was not just a far-fetched story.
She needed a man of high status and great power, so she said she would go to the Etruscan kingdom, because she wanted to see how far she could go.
Fortunately, Prince Alfonso in front of her wasn't too bad. He was a bit too thick for her taste and was a lot taller, but objectively, he was pretty good-looking.
Julia Helena thought.
'Hmm, I think I can love you to this extent.'
So she confidently declared.
“I hope our union will be a blessing.”
But the reaction was different from what she expected.
“Princess.”
The Prince spoke with a frown. Julia Helena found the man's soft tone extremely irritating.
“Unfortunately, that seems difficult.”
“Why?”
Julia Helena tilted her head and asked with bright eyes.
“Your father has already signed the marriage contract?”
Before the Princess's departure, Leo III sent the Principality of Manchike a marriage treaty with his signature. It was a diplomatic document that stated, "The Etruscan kingdom will receive the Princess Julia Helena of the Principality of Manchike as a principessa within six months of her arrival in the Etruscan kingdom." This was placed in the archives of the branch of the Holy See of the Principality of Manchike as an official document.
"Oh."
It was the first time he had heard of it. Alfonso looked at Leo III. Leo III avoided his son's gaze.
“It doesn’t matter. No matter what diplomatic documents there are, they won’t work.”
Prince Alfonso spoke calmly and evenly.
“No King can allow a man who is already married to marry twice.”
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