Chapter 26
Episode 26.
“Marie. Come here.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Agatha boarded the carriage with a close maid.
Fernand, who had frowned upon noticing the maid late, quickly corrected his expression. Agatha, seated opposite him, was staring at him with eyes clearly showing her displeasure.
“Address me properly, Your Highness.”
“Are you going to speak like that even though it’s just a maid, Agatha?”
“Do not call me by my name. I am the adopted daughter of His Majesty the Emperor of Roxbard, the heiress of the Nobilis ducal family, the lady of the Marquis Aratus family, and currently, an envoy unofficially representing the Roxbard Empire. Please show me the proper courtesy, Your Highness.”
“Ugh.”
Fernand had no choice but to concede. In truth, calling her 'wife' wouldn't have been bad, as long as the title 'Marquis' wasn't attached before it.
It felt more like calling her his own wife, more intimately than the stiff title of 'Madam'.
“……Have you been well?”
“As you can see. Very.”
“This marriage seems to have been rushed.”
“You seem to know the affairs of my empire quite well?”
“It’s your country.”
“Exactly. Aren’t you too interested in the country of your divorced ex-wife?”
“……”
Agatha slightly furrowed her brow as she looked at Fernand, who was speechless. In a way, her ex-husband seemed to be clinging to her.
He always had women by his side, and in the end, he even brought an illegitimate child.
She didn't know what he was thinking. What was certain was that the Mainyucore Empire and she were not a good match.
‘I need to finish this quickly and send him away.’
Agatha struck the carriage wall with her fan. Thwack.
Rattle, rattle-
The carriage, now moving faster, brought the Palavi Castle rapidly closer through the window.
Fernand contorted his handsome face.
“Agatha……”
“I am the Marchioness. And as you said, Your Highness, I got married a month ago. So.”
Agatha stared at Fernand with cold eyes.
“Please refrain from saying anything that might cause misunderstanding, Your Highness. I will see you at the banquet then.”
The moment the carriage stopped, Agatha lifted her chin and alighted with the maid’s assistance. The area around Palavi Castle was precisely divided in half by the Imperial Knights of the Mainyucore Empire and the Aratus Knights.
Agatha looked for her husband first. Enoch, who had led the procession at the front, was just dismounting.
“Enoch.”
“My lady.”
For a fleeting moment, he glanced behind her. Agatha turned around, puzzled.
“Enoch?”
“It’s nothing. Did you explain the next schedule to His Highness?”
“Yes. We agreed to meet at the banquet, so I think we should go in and prepare as well.”
Agatha called for the butler and assigned him to the Mainyucore side. Fernand still hadn't shown himself outside the carriage, but she didn't care.
Her only concern now was her husband.
“Shall we go?”
Agatha naturally placed her hand on the arm he offered and looked up at Enoch.
His neat and cool appearance was no different from usual.
Thinking about it, there was no reason to feel wronged. They were in a marriage of convenience, and Enoch already respected her enough, even escorting her.
“Were there any issues when you came to greet us?”
As the attention lessened, Agatha spoke casually. The expected answer came back.
“There were no particular issues. His Highness did not welcome me warmly, but it wasn't enough to disrupt the plan.”
As expected.
Yet, seeing that he showed no particular displeasure, he seemed truly unaffected by meeting his wife’s ex-husband.
Though it was bittersweet, Agatha decided to take it positively.
Wouldn't it be better than being interrogated about unavoidable matters?
Relief led to a faint smile. Agatha’s beautiful eyes curved into a gentle arc.
“Don’t worry about His Highness’s reaction. He’s probably just acting that way now because he regrets losing the heiress of the Nobilis family.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Perhaps he’s even thinking of using it as leverage to lead negotiations favorably. I’m glad you said you weren’t bothered. I never expected Fernand, whom I divorced ten years ago, to act like this.”
“……”
Agatha didn't notice the subtle shift in Enoch’s steps as he stopped abruptly. His first aide, Ethel Masro, was looking for her.
“Madam.”
“I’m coming. See you at the banquet.”
Agatha waved brightly and moved away. A fierce ripple passed through the man’s usually steady, ash-gray eyes, but no one noticed the momentary tremor.
Excluding the escort and security duties entrusted to her husband.
Agatha checked the banquet hall's status and received detailed reports on the cooking progress. At the same time, she changed her dress, got ready, and monitored the Mainyucore side's movements.
It was then that an unnecessary escort request came from Fernand.
“Tell him I have a prior engagement.”
“Yes, Marchioness.”
Agatha clicked her tongue as she sent the refusal back through the attendant.
Whether it was a special order from the Emperor or if he truly still had feelings for her, Fernand didn't seem to have given up.
‘I hope there won’t be any troublesome incidents.’
Agatha looked up at her maid while soaking her slightly swollen feet from walking around since morning in rose water.
“And him?”
“I believe the Marquis has finished his military training with the knights and is preparing for the banquet.”
He wasn't someone who spent much time on his appearance.
As if on cue.
Knock-knock-
“Madam. The Marquis has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The maid quickly retrieved her feet from the rose water.
A soft towel wrapped around her feet.
Soon, the man entered the inner chamber. She was dressed more casually than usual.
“Could you wait a moment? It’s taking a little longer as I was preparing for the banquet together.”
The maids’ movements became even faster.
Enoch, who had paused for a moment, dismissed his aide and moved behind the screen prepared by the maids.
Clink, a diamond-woven gold thread beneath the screen swayed.
“Take your time. There’s no need to rush.”
“Thank you.”
Since it was an informal gathering for now, her makeup was lightly applied.
Her hair, let down, cascaded softly over the shimmering accessories and onto the beautiful satin dress.
As it was a political event, the use of vibrant colors was avoided, with emphasis placed on the fabric and jewels.
And the wedding ring she wore on her hand, the only piece of jewelry, was to warn Fernand against making any advances.
Having finished her preparations, Agatha stepped out from behind the screen, her eyes curving pleasantly.
He was wearing the formal attire Agatha had chosen for him today.
His sleek classic suit, a cravat matching her dress color, and the wedding ring on his left ring finger were noticeable.
‘When we return to the capital, perhaps we can go shopping for clothes together.’
She had liked his shirt, which matched her dress color, even at the wedding reception.
She hadn't had time to think about it, especially with the sudden news of her ex-husband's arrival.
“Shall we go?”
“……Your hand.”
The man, who had been gazing intently at her face, slowly extended his hand.
Agatha happily left the main building, accepting Enoch’s escort. The retainers and knights waiting in the hall naturally followed.
Agatha asked.
“Where is the Second Prince?”
“He has just departed his room. The Mainyucore delegation is also moving together.”
“Hmm……”
The aide’s answer was enough to cause her some thought.
She was going to meet him.
Her ominous premonition proved correct. In the corridor leading to the banquet hall on the first floor, Agatha spotted Fernand, who had just appeared with the Mainyucore delegation from the opposite direction.
Of course, it might have been an arrangement for the representatives of each delegation, or those of similar status, to enter together to avoid political disputes, but
the probability was low. Fernand, his eyes sharp as he gazed at Agatha’s hand linked with Enoch’s, slowly opened his mouth.
“……My lady.”
His voice was steeped in gloom. The man’s arm beneath her hand tensed.
For a moment, Agatha involuntarily checked Enoch’s expression and her eyes widened.
What appeared clearly, though only for a fleeting moment, was displeasure. A cold chill emanated from the man’s face, which seemed to show no change.
Agatha first offered the proper greeting. Her heart suddenly felt like it was pounding.
“Your Highness.”
“I wondered why you refused my escort request, but you were planning to come with the Marquis.”
“I cannot possibly impose upon Your Highness when I have my husband by my side. Please proceed. Special dishes have been prepared for today’s banquet.”
“Indeed. I look forward to it.”
Fernand, emphasizing each word, shot a glare at Enoch and entered the banquet hall. Following behind, Agatha slowly looked up at Enoch.
Though he appeared unfazed at first glance.
He was staring fixedly at the back of the Second Prince, who was walking ahead with his lips tightly pressed.
Agatha felt a thrilling sensation surge through her from head to toe.
‘He wasn’t indifferent after all.’
Whether it was displeasure at her ex-husband’s presence or jealousy, it was undoubtedly good news.
Emotional responses would be far more beneficial for the progression of their relationship than indifference or obligation.
