Translator: Nox

I Married the Dragon I Killed

Chapter 119

Chapter 119

The news of the Imperial Princess’s visit sent Hestia Village into a whirlwind of excitement.

On the day of her arrival, the villagers ceased all work and flocked to the streets.

“Isn’t this a chance to see the Flower of the Empire with our own eyes?”

“Would she even show her face to people like us? I’ve lived right under her nose and never seen her once.”

“Still, when else would we get an opportunity like this?”

While most praised her beauty, very few had ever actually beheld her in person.

Since the majority of those living within the Empire had never seen Olivia’s face, they gathered with the mindset that this was their first and last chance.

While the streets were buzzing with anticipation, Ruri was more on edge than usual.

It was partly due to the meticulous preparations required for such a distinguished guest.

‘No, that’s not it.’

If she set her mind to it, she could breach the Empire’s defensive barriers; there was no reason for her to be this nervous.

Those sharp eyes were, as expected, directed at Ferda.

Ferda had a vague idea of the reason.

Thus, he said to her:

“The only one who has captured my heart is Her Highness Valdroba.”

“Did I say anything?”

With that, Ruri whipped her head around and walked away, leaving Ferda wondering what that was all about.

A moment later, a pair of lead guards on white horses emerged from the forest.

A long procession followed in their wake, and it was only after about four minutes that a massive carriage made its appearance.

Olivia Arken would be riding inside that magnificent carriage.

Just as Ferda was thinking he should get ready, an unexpected situation occurred.

The carriage came to a halt at the outer castle wall, which was not yet completed.

“Why on earth have they suddenly stopped?”

“I don’t know.”

It was a situation Ferda hadn’t anticipated.

At the same time, soldiers began to roll out a red carpet in a straight line starting from the outer gate.

Simultaneously, the guards stood at intervals on both sides of the red carpet to control the surging crowds.

Ferda felt a sense of familiarity at the sight.

‘Is she planning a parade?’

Ferda’s hunch was correct.

Olivia Arken was preparing to switch from the carriage that kept her hidden like a shell to an open carriage used for triumphal processions.

Ferda frowned at the sight.

“Doing something so troublesome….”

Ferda muttered under his breath and spoke to Ruri.

“Ruri. We need to change the plans slightly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Can you take me to the outer gate?”

“Are you planning to go rushing to the Imperial Princess’s side?”

“I don’t want any trouble breaking out in Hestia Village.”

Though she glared at him with a pouty expression, what choice did she have?

Ruri ultimately granted Ferda’s request.

From a certain height, Ferda descended directly using Heaven Stair and landed beside Olivia.

“I greet the Imperial Princess of the Empire.”

“I greet the Regent of the Archduchy. Did you come all this way just for me?”

“What is the meaning of this?”

Ferda asked bluntly, refusing to be swept up in Olivia’s atmosphere.

Olivia replied while checking her face in a mirror.

“What do you mean? I’m simply trying to help you, Regent.”

“How is this helping?”

“I’m just trying to stir up rumors about Hestia Village.”

“What rumors?”

“The Flower of the Empire entered Valdroba Castle showing off her beautiful figure…. Isn’t that enough to get tongues wagging?”

She cast a sly glance with her sapphire eyes and smiled.

“If you intend to destroy Hestia Village, this is a wonderful way to go about it. I thought you were well aware of why the royals don’t show themselves to the masses.”

“I know. If it’s reported that the Imperial Princess was hit by a stone or a tomato thrown by the crowd, that family is finished.”

In fact, such an incident had occurred during the 1st Prince’s visit, and that noble family had vanished without a trace.

It was certain to be even worse for Olivia, whom everyone adored for her beauty.

“Don’t worry. This is my own solo venture, and I’ll hold the Knight Order responsible for failing to stop me. Wouldn’t that be enough?”

“If everything in the world went that smoothly, there would be no problem.”

“You don’t seem to believe me.”

“I don’t.”

“As always, you are far too honest.”

Olivia laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Then I’ll propose a compromise. Will you ride with me?”

“……Pardon?”

“If someone throws a stone or a tomato, you can block it, Regent. Wouldn’t that solve everything?”

“…….”

Olivia touched her glossy lips with her folding fan.

“‘The Regent of Valdroba threw himself in harm’s way for the Imperial Princess. Chivalry for the Princess still remains.’ Wouldn’t such a reputation be wonderful?”

Stop talking nonsense and get back inside your shell immediately.

He wanted to say that, but she showed no sign of backing down.

Though he disliked her stubborn attitude, Ferda couldn’t afford to be obstinate either.

As he had told himself before, he was in a position where he had to swallow even the bitterest pills if they looked good on the outside.

“Understood.”

“Hehe. Then, please step up beside me.”

And so, Ferda boarded the Princess’s carriage.

The guards and knights seemed unable to hide their shock at the situation, but no one dared to say a word.

The carriage procession began.

They crossed the long clearing where only a road had been laid and entered the heart of Hestia Village.

“Gasp!”

“It’s the Princess!”

“The Flower of the Empire!”

The residents, who never imagined there would be a public parade, were stunned.

They let out gasps and exclamations of awe.

Not only the men, but even the women looked upon her with eyes full of admiration.

“Your hand.”

“Pardon?”

“Wave your hand. Even if you can’t smile, you should at least do that much, shouldn’t you?”

Olivia waved her hand skillfully toward the people.

She greeted the children with especially bright eyes with an even more radiant smile.

‘Impressive.’

Watching her from the side, Olivia truly seemed to glow.

With her golden hair and blue eyes, she wore a dress that accentuated her glamorous and sensual figure—a sight that could easily incite lust. However, the smile on her face created an aura that overwhelmed everything else.

She was a beautiful rose kept in a glass case, a goddess of beauty.

Everyone loved her, worshipped her, and showered her with unrestrained praise.

It was immediately apparent that she was beloved by all.

While lost in these thoughts, Ferda’s eyes met Olivia’s.

She smiled.

It might have been his imagination, but that artificial light somehow felt even more radiant.

For some reason, it almost felt like an illusion that she was in love with him.

‘So that’s the level of smiling one must do.’

It was a look Ferda could likely never replicate.

He turned his gaze away to scan for any ‘pests’ lingering about.

Naturally, no one showed any signs of hatred toward her, and the procession ended safely at the inner castle.

“Show your respect!”

Inside the inner castle, the knights from the County of Concilus, who had been dispatched for the ceremony, knelt and paid their respects to the Princess.

Ferda disembarked from the carriage first.

He reached out his hand toward Olivia to escort her.

“Allow me to escort you.”

“My apologies, Regent. Her Highness does not take the hands of strange men—”

The knight was cut off.

This was because Olivia had taken Ferda’s hand before the explanation could even be finished.

Since she was a woman who had always avoided the hands of men trying to escort her under the pretext of maintaining her chastity, everyone had assumed she would do the same this time.

She took his hand naturally and spoke in a friendly tone.

“Could you introduce me to the people in the castle?”

“Of course.”

Ferda introduced the knights as well as those in his inner circle.

Among them was Bernel.

Even Bernel, who usually stayed cooped up in his laboratory, had abandoned everything and rushed out.

Like a researcher who had never held a woman’s hand, his face turned beet-root red the moment he saw Olivia.

Olivia acknowledged him with a look of admiration.

“Bernel Marquis. I know of you. I heard you achieved great feats in Halim?”

“Ye-yes. Th-that is correct!”

“The Empire is keeping a close eye on you. I would like to request close cooperation regarding security, but… I suppose finding peace in the Far East comes first, doesn’t it?”

“Of course, but when the time comes, I will be of great help to the Empire as well!”

“Hehe, I shall look forward to it.”

This woman and her tricks.

Bernel was completely dazed by the Princess’s smile.

It wasn’t just Bernel.

Every man had dreamed of seeing the Golden Rose of the Empire in person at least once.

In the moment of meeting her, who wouldn’t feel their heart flutter?

Perhaps that was why Ferda suddenly thought of a certain ‘being’ obsessed with women and whispered to Zedd.

“Where is Penelope?”

“I’ve got her tied up and locked away.”

“Why?”

“The moment she saw the Princess, she started saying, ‘Just one bite.’ What else was I supposed to do?”

Paying a small tribute to Zedd’s lightning-fast judgment, Ferda stood by Olivia’s side.

Maintaining her public image, they made a smooth entrance into the castle.

Ruri’s gaze was pricklier than ever.

She expressed her hostility with a face that said, I dislike this even more than usual.

An ordinary person would have been crushed by that aura, but Olivia struck up a conversation without a hint of tension.

“Ruri…… You are Lord Silverwind, correct?”

“I am.”

“Sometimes I get confused. When I hear that such a loyal servant to Lord Valdroba is of the Silverwind bloodline.”

Olivia smiled brightly while Ruri replied bluntly.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I already know what the Empire thinks of my master. I have ears to hear.”

“Yes, it is a difficult situation. On behalf of the Arken family, I promise to improve that point.”

A promise made with the status of an Imperial Princess.

Ruri snorted inwardly.

“I’ve wanted to give this to you for some time; it’s a small gift I brought along.”

When Olivia gestured toward the back, an accompanying knight took out a box and showed it.

It was wagashi.

Traditional sweets made by the Empire’s finest patissier.

They were sweet but not cheap-tasting, with a sophisticated appearance.

“Oh.”

The wariness Ruri had shown until a moment ago vanished as her eyes sparkled.

“I thought it would be rude to bring only one, so I prepared three boxes.”

“Hmm, I shall gratefully accept your kindness. Since I cannot possibly eat them all alone, I will bring them out when we serve guests.”

“That is a very considerate decision, fitting for Lord Valdroba’s loyal servant.”

Olivia was exceptionally skilled at handling Ruri and packaging her words.

Ferda, who knew Ruri well, had a different thought.

‘She’s dying to taste them right now.’

It wasn’t about eating them after her shift; she just wanted to eat them right there as she prepared them.

Since there were two more boxes, she could just eat more later.

‘She really is a terrifying woman.’

To think she could win over a child with food.

Ferda marveled inwardly as he escorted her to the drawing room.

---

“You said the name was Hestia Village?”

In the quiet atmosphere, after a piece of wagashi and a cup of tea, Olivia brought up a topic of conversation.

“Hestia Village. Was that the name of the woman who guarded the hearth?”

“Yes. It’s a name that would be hard to find; I’m surprised you know it.”

“I only know because I was told. I’m simply impressed by your vast knowledge, knowing such names.”

“I wouldn’t have known either if I hadn’t heard it by chance.”

“Most people don’t even remember things they hear by chance. Thanks to you, I’ve developed a taste for books on ancient mythology. What kind of books have you been reading lately, Regent?”

“I have been….”

Under Olivia’s lead, the conversation flowed incessantly.

Ferda felt a sense of oddity as he watched her.

‘She feels different than usual.’

Whenever he had talked with Olivia before, he felt strongly that she was speaking through a mask.

But now, he couldn’t quite feel that mask.

‘Did her acting improve that much in the meantime?’

After exchanging trivial stories, Olivia turned to a more constructive subject.

“I’d like to talk about Bernel Marquis.”

There it is.

Olivia was showing her true colors.

“Please, go ahead.”

“To be blunt, I want to recruit him as an engineer for the Empire. I will ensure you are handsomely compensated, so is there any way?”

Is this woman joking?

Ferda was about to get angry, but he caught a glimpse of the knights.

Since there were ears listening, Ferda declined politely.

“He is a precious asset of the Archduchy.”

“I see you’re going to be like that….”

Maintaining her smile, Olivia nodded and then turned her head.

“Chief of the Guard.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Could you step out for a moment? We need to have a private discussion.”

“……Understood.”

He signaled that a serious conversation was about to take place, and the Knight Captain left the room.

Even though he had left, Olivia only sipped her tea and did not begin any serious talk.

Ferda had no choice but to ask her.

“What is it you want to talk about?”

“What do you mean?”

Olivia blinked her eyebrows innocently.

“Ah, are you talking about the atmosphere? I just needed an excuse to get rid of the Knight Captain.”

“Why?”

“Because he keeps trying to monitor my every move. If I say I’m having a high-level discussion, he’ll understand and withdraw.”

“Then, what you said earlier was….”

“Acting. Of course.”

She spoke as she savored the aroma of the tea.

“The Imperial Capital is currently discussing how to suppress the growth of the Archduchy.”

“I’ve heard roughly how things are.”

“In such a situation, wouldn’t it be a good narrative if the Princess moved to recruit the lead engineer?”

It was certainly a good move, but Ferda did not trust Olivia absolutely.

“Are you sure you have no ulterior motives for the Empire?”

“Of course. Why would I do anything those people would like?”

Olivia’s eyes burned with ambition.

She was neither the Flower of the Empire, nor a jewel in an auction house, nor a free butterfly.

She wore the face of a politician.

“Hestia Village—we decided to make this place into a capital grand enough to replace the Empire, didn’t we?”