Episode 19. No Mistakes
When Lacrahan returned to the empire after the war, Gerard, who hadn't even held a welcome party or celebration, made an unexpected proposal: would he become engaged to his younger sister?
Lacrahan was 17 at the time, and Princess Kelita was 15.
It was a completely inappropriate proposal for Lacrahan, who had just lost his father and brother in the war and was about to face the corpse of his mother, who had committed suicide upon his return.
It was then that Lacrahan realized just how much the Emperor was keeping him in check.
He no longer wanted to see bloody battlefields. He truly wanted to end the war with foreign nations and avoid the power struggles that were raging at home.
Lacrahan was exhausted.
He accepted the formality of the engagement without marriage, but postponed the wedding.
The Emperor, who had been too proud to give Lacrahan, who had distinguished himself in the war, only the northern kingdom, must have felt a sense of utter indifference.
So, heading north, they settled down fairly quickly and found stability, but the problem was Kelita.
Before she knew it, her engagement and marriage to Lacrahan had become official, and Emperor Gerard began sending Kelita north periodically.
Lacrahan was courteous, but never offered a definitive answer about the engagement.
He assumed that eventually, she would reach her prime and meet a good man.
So this should have been just another regular event that went smoothly.
Instead of witnessing him kissing Bercheria, Kelita wasn't supposed to be there.
"Lacra... han."
Kelita called out to Lacrahan in a moan. The sudden voice pulled their lips apart.
Kelita blinked repeatedly.
Her heated vision blurred, then gradually cleared.
She hadn't been able to see them kissing, but the woman standing before Lacrahan was strikingly beautiful.
Wavy blond hair and golden eyes.
She'd heard of people with such looks, but this was her first time seeing them in person.
Even if she were a man, she would have fallen in love at first sight.
Kelita relaxed the hand she had been holding so tightly that it was painful.
Then, as naturally as possible, she walked towards the two.
Lacrahan watched Kelita approach, neither surprised nor flustered.
“Your Excellency.”
She smiled brightly as their eyes met.
Then she blinked gracefully at the blonde woman, offering a greeting.
“I guess I missed the timing.”
Lacrahan’s usually affectionate lips remained silent.
When Kelita reached out to him, he rose from his seat and lowered his sleeve.
Lacrahan shook his neck slightly, shaking off the tension.
He felt sorry for Kelita, but their relationship was destined to end anyway.
Both he and she were acting like puppets, following the Emperor’s orders.
It was a matter of who would end their relationship first, but the end was already in sight.
And now, it seemed, that moment had come.
For Lacrahan, this moment, which could have been a crucial turning point, was a stumbling block: the presence of a Princess from the royal family.
“Princess Kelita. Let me speak with you for a moment...”
It wasn’t his intention, but there was no better opportunity for Lacrahan.
“Your Excellency,”
Kelita interrupted.
Lacrahan looked at her with a puzzled expression, as this had never happened before.
Kelita looked up at him with bright brown eyes and said,
“I understand.”
Lacrahan raised an eyebrow.
“What... do you mean?”
“This is the life of Your Excellency, the Grand Duke.”
“What does that mean, Princess Kelita?”
Kelita met Bercheria’s gaze and smiled.
As if to tell her not to worry.
She was destined to be a kind mistress.
“Even after marriage, if you wish, you can find someone else.”
Kelita believed that he would eventually return to her bed. After all, Lacrahan was the perfect Prince from a fairytale.
"I will work until Your Excellency the Grand Duke is satisfied."
"Yes?"
"For our perfect marriage."
"..."
Kelita bowed prettily, then left the two behind and went outside.
Click.
Lacrahan watched the door quietly close, then let out a huff of laughter.
He turned his head to look at Bercheria, who flinched and took a step back.
“Did I make a mistake?”
Lacrahan brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen from his smooth forehead.
The gaze cast down from the flowing, silky hair was suffocatingly intense.
“Do you think I made a mistake?”
Bercheria considered for a moment and shook her head.
“No.”
Lacrahan chuckled and placed a hand on her head.
“That’s right. I didn’t make a mistake.”
The warmth of his large hand, which covered her head, touched her head and then vanished in an instant.
The man, who always seemed as hot as ever, walked out, leaving her behind.
“Let’s talk after we eat. I’ll also look into whether there have been any other instances like this.”
“Why?”
“You can’t always call her the blonde woman, can you? It doesn’t look like she’ll be leaving anytime soon.”
Lacrahan briefly felt the urge to tell Timothy everything.
If he had to trust just one person in this castle, it would be Timothy.
Besides, with his age, he probably knew a different way to handle this situation.
“Why are you staring so intently?”
“...No. So what?”
“...I just don’t think it would be polite to dine with that blonde woman. Let’s put that aside for now, Your Excellency.”
Lacrahan leaned back deeply in his chair.
One arm unconsciously tightened.
Bercheria had used her power several times last night.
No one knows what her condition is now or how long she can endure without the new power.
Whether or not the other half of Bercheria could exert its power was still unknown.
The safest course was for her and Lacrahan to remain together.
'Just stay by my side. Until I regain all my lost abilities.'
He didn't know then.
Did that mean she was asking for his life?
Lacrahan looked at Timothy and spoke in a low voice.
"It doesn't matter, so call that woman too. Respectfully."
Timothy sighed and bowed.
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Lunch was lavishly prepared for the Princess visiting the north.
The table, now spared by the drought, was abundant and delicious, thanks to Lady Morgan's skill.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Kelita was beaming with a perfect smile.
"You are most welcome."
When Lacrahan returned to the empire after the war, Gerard, who hadn't even held a welcome party or celebration, made an unexpected proposal: would he become engaged to his younger sister?
Lacrahan was 17 at the time, and Princess Kelita was 15.
It was a completely inappropriate proposal for Lacrahan, who had just lost his father and brother in the war and was about to face the corpse of his mother, who had committed suicide upon his return.
It was then that Lacrahan realized just how much the Emperor was keeping him in check.
He no longer wanted to see bloody battlefields. He truly wanted to end the war with foreign nations and avoid the power struggles that were raging at home.
Lacrahan was exhausted.
He accepted the formality of the engagement without marriage, but postponed the wedding.
The Emperor, who had been too proud to give Lacrahan, who had distinguished himself in the war, only the northern kingdom, must have felt a sense of utter indifference.
So, heading north, they settled down fairly quickly and found stability, but the problem was Kelita.
Before she knew it, her engagement and marriage to Lacrahan had become official, and Emperor Gerard began sending Kelita north periodically.
Lacrahan was courteous, but never offered a definitive answer about the engagement.
He assumed that eventually, she would reach her prime and meet a good man.
So this should have been just another regular event that went smoothly.
Instead of witnessing him kissing Bercheria, Kelita wasn't supposed to be there.
"Lacra... han."
Kelita called out to Lacrahan in a moan. The sudden voice pulled their lips apart.
Kelita blinked repeatedly.
Her heated vision blurred, then gradually cleared.
She hadn't been able to see them kissing, but the woman standing before Lacrahan was strikingly beautiful.
Wavy blond hair and golden eyes.
She'd heard of people with such looks, but this was her first time seeing them in person.
Even if she were a man, she would have fallen in love at first sight.
Kelita relaxed the hand she had been holding so tightly that it was painful.
Then, as naturally as possible, she walked towards the two.
Lacrahan watched Kelita approach, neither surprised nor flustered.
“Your Excellency.”
She smiled brightly as their eyes met.
Then she blinked gracefully at the blonde woman, offering a greeting.
“I guess I missed the timing.”
Lacrahan’s usually affectionate lips remained silent.
When Kelita reached out to him, he rose from his seat and lowered his sleeve.
Lacrahan shook his neck slightly, shaking off the tension.
He felt sorry for Kelita, but their relationship was destined to end anyway.
Both he and she were acting like puppets, following the Emperor’s orders.
It was a matter of who would end their relationship first, but the end was already in sight.
And now, it seemed, that moment had come.
For Lacrahan, this moment, which could have been a crucial turning point, was a stumbling block: the presence of a Princess from the royal family.
“Princess Kelita. Let me speak with you for a moment...”
It wasn’t his intention, but there was no better opportunity for Lacrahan.
“Your Excellency,”
Kelita interrupted.
Lacrahan looked at her with a puzzled expression, as this had never happened before.
Kelita looked up at him with bright brown eyes and said,
“I understand.”
Lacrahan raised an eyebrow.
“What... do you mean?”
“This is the life of Your Excellency, the Grand Duke.”
“What does that mean, Princess Kelita?”
Kelita met Bercheria’s gaze and smiled.
As if to tell her not to worry.
She was destined to be a kind mistress.
“Even after marriage, if you wish, you can find someone else.”
Kelita believed that he would eventually return to her bed. After all, Lacrahan was the perfect Prince from a fairytale.
"I will work until Your Excellency the Grand Duke is satisfied."
"Yes?"
"For our perfect marriage."
"..."
Kelita bowed prettily, then left the two behind and went outside.
Click.
Lacrahan watched the door quietly close, then let out a huff of laughter.
He turned his head to look at Bercheria, who flinched and took a step back.
“Did I make a mistake?”
Lacrahan brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen from his smooth forehead.
The gaze cast down from the flowing, silky hair was suffocatingly intense.
“Do you think I made a mistake?”
Bercheria considered for a moment and shook her head.
“No.”
Lacrahan chuckled and placed a hand on her head.
“That’s right. I didn’t make a mistake.”
The warmth of his large hand, which covered her head, touched her head and then vanished in an instant.
The man, who always seemed as hot as ever, walked out, leaving her behind.
“Let’s talk after we eat. I’ll also look into whether there have been any other instances like this.”
As Lacrahan opened the door and left, Bercheria swallowed her words.
Left alone in the room, she looked at the spot where Lacrahan had just sat, then lifted her leg and examined the engraving there once more.
“Ha.”
She made the effort to return with the sacred water, but something completely unexpected happened.
“Why does it always have to be this way with that person?”
Bercheria sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed where Lacrahan had just been.
“He’s going to marry another woman. It’s making us both uncomfortable.”
The brown-eyed woman she had seen earlier still weighed heavily on her mind.
Bercheria lifted her dress and ran a hand down the leg engraved with the sacred tattoo.
“Are you going to give me a chance once I’ve regained all my strength?”
Bercheria gazed out the sunny window. She knew that every time she used her strength, her life diminished, but if she saw someone in trouble, she still wouldn’t hesitate.
Perhaps she lacked fear because she didn’t know how much time she had left.
Perhaps she felt unreal because she couldn’t predict when she would explode.
“Tomorrow could be my last day.”
The important thing was to return the sacred tattoo, which was disobedient like a tree frog, to its original form as soon as possible.
“Who is this?”
Lacrahan placed the letter Timothy had delivered on the desk in his study.
“He is the Prince of the Der'Ansis Empire.”
“Why would the Prince of Der'Ansis request a visit to the north?”
“I asked the imperial officials who accompanied Princess Kelita about various things, and it seems he is on good terms with Emperor Gerard.”
“Ah.”
Lacrahan pushed the letter aside as if it were obvious.
“I understand.”
Timothy picked it up and placed it in the box where Lacrahan’s letters were kept.
“He says he is curious about the hero who won the war, but ultimately, his visit to the Grand Duke is also a means to impress Emperor Gerard.”
“It must be in preparation for when he becomes Emperor. With the invading empire now looming over him, shouldn’t he do something to make up for it?”
“It’s obvious.”
“What should we do? Should we allow him entry?”
“I guess we can just treat him casually and send him on his way.”
“Yes, Grand Duke.”
Timothy turned to leave, then turned back to Lacrahan.
“What about lunch?”
“Ah. Make it for three.”
“For three?”
“Yes.”
Lacrahan looked up from the papers on his desk and looked at Timothy.
“What’s wrong?”
“By any chance, that blonde woman... What’s her name?”
Left alone in the room, she looked at the spot where Lacrahan had just sat, then lifted her leg and examined the engraving there once more.
“Ha.”
She made the effort to return with the sacred water, but something completely unexpected happened.
“Why does it always have to be this way with that person?”
Bercheria sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed where Lacrahan had just been.
“He’s going to marry another woman. It’s making us both uncomfortable.”
The brown-eyed woman she had seen earlier still weighed heavily on her mind.
Bercheria lifted her dress and ran a hand down the leg engraved with the sacred tattoo.
“Are you going to give me a chance once I’ve regained all my strength?”
Bercheria gazed out the sunny window. She knew that every time she used her strength, her life diminished, but if she saw someone in trouble, she still wouldn’t hesitate.
Perhaps she lacked fear because she didn’t know how much time she had left.
Perhaps she felt unreal because she couldn’t predict when she would explode.
“Tomorrow could be my last day.”
The important thing was to return the sacred tattoo, which was disobedient like a tree frog, to its original form as soon as possible.
***
“Who is this?”
Lacrahan placed the letter Timothy had delivered on the desk in his study.
“He is the Prince of the Der'Ansis Empire.”
“Why would the Prince of Der'Ansis request a visit to the north?”
“I asked the imperial officials who accompanied Princess Kelita about various things, and it seems he is on good terms with Emperor Gerard.”
“Ah.”
Lacrahan pushed the letter aside as if it were obvious.
“I understand.”
Timothy picked it up and placed it in the box where Lacrahan’s letters were kept.
“He says he is curious about the hero who won the war, but ultimately, his visit to the Grand Duke is also a means to impress Emperor Gerard.”
“It must be in preparation for when he becomes Emperor. With the invading empire now looming over him, shouldn’t he do something to make up for it?”
“It’s obvious.”
“What should we do? Should we allow him entry?”
“I guess we can just treat him casually and send him on his way.”
“Yes, Grand Duke.”
Timothy turned to leave, then turned back to Lacrahan.
“What about lunch?”
“Ah. Make it for three.”
“For three?”
“Yes.”
Lacrahan looked up from the papers on his desk and looked at Timothy.
“What’s wrong?”
“By any chance, that blonde woman... What’s her name?”
“Why?”
“You can’t always call her the blonde woman, can you? It doesn’t look like she’ll be leaving anytime soon.”
Lacrahan briefly felt the urge to tell Timothy everything.
If he had to trust just one person in this castle, it would be Timothy.
Besides, with his age, he probably knew a different way to handle this situation.
“Why are you staring so intently?”
“...No. So what?”
“...I just don’t think it would be polite to dine with that blonde woman. Let’s put that aside for now, Your Excellency.”
Lacrahan leaned back deeply in his chair.
One arm unconsciously tightened.
Bercheria had used her power several times last night.
No one knows what her condition is now or how long she can endure without the new power.
Whether or not the other half of Bercheria could exert its power was still unknown.
The safest course was for her and Lacrahan to remain together.
'Just stay by my side. Until I regain all my lost abilities.'
He didn't know then.
Did that mean she was asking for his life?
Lacrahan looked at Timothy and spoke in a low voice.
"It doesn't matter, so call that woman too. Respectfully."
Timothy sighed and bowed.
"Yes, Your Excellency."
***
Lunch was lavishly prepared for the Princess visiting the north.
The table, now spared by the drought, was abundant and delicious, thanks to Lady Morgan's skill.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Kelita was beaming with a perfect smile.
"You are most welcome."
Lacrahan continued, glancing at the empty seat across from Kelita.
"The Princess deserves the treatment she deserves."
Kelita continued her elegant meal, befitting a royal Princess.
When Lady Morgan came out to check if anything was missing, Lacrahan spoke softly.
“The venison is particularly good today.”
“That’s fortunate. Hohoho. Thank you, Your Excellency.”
Lacrahan thought for a moment and then called Lady Morgan closer.
“Would you like this dish delivered to the guest room?”
Lady Morgan looked momentarily surprised, then smiled kindly.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
As Lady Morgan entered the kitchen and Kelita set down her fork and knife, Lacrahan also wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“Your Excellency, Grand Duke Lacrahan.”
Kelita pressed her flushed face with the back of her hand and met his gaze with a determined look.
"The Princess deserves the treatment she deserves."
Kelita continued her elegant meal, befitting a royal Princess.
When Lady Morgan came out to check if anything was missing, Lacrahan spoke softly.
“The venison is particularly good today.”
“That’s fortunate. Hohoho. Thank you, Your Excellency.”
Lacrahan thought for a moment and then called Lady Morgan closer.
“Would you like this dish delivered to the guest room?”
Lady Morgan looked momentarily surprised, then smiled kindly.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
As Lady Morgan entered the kitchen and Kelita set down her fork and knife, Lacrahan also wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“Your Excellency, Grand Duke Lacrahan.”
Kelita pressed her flushed face with the back of her hand and met his gaze with a determined look.
“This time, the Emperor will.”
A thin crease formed between Lacrahan’s brows.
As if unable to see his face, Kelita smiled faintly.
“He has ordered that you set a wedding date.”
A thin crease formed between Lacrahan’s brows.
As if unable to see his face, Kelita smiled faintly.
“He has ordered that you set a wedding date.”
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