Chapter 6
Chapter 6.
Enoch gazed intently at the Emperor's behavior. The Emperor had the exact appearance one might expect of a Crown Prince in his middle age, yet his personality was vastly different from the Crown Prince's.
'The Crown Prince seemed quite fond of Agatha Nobilis.'
However, the Emperor seemed more interested in profit than affection.
'Well, if he truly cared, he wouldn't have thought of a political marriage even now, while she's ill...'
Suddenly, the protagonist of this story seemed to come to mind.
With a blood-stained face, gripping a sword tightly in a trembling hand.
Agatha Nobilis had a delicate face that was enough to capture his eyes in the middle of the battlefield.
But when they actually met, wasn't she surprisingly confident?
She was a woman who, even while feverish and groaning, focused on tidying up the aftermath.
The Emperor, who had been pondering Agatha's next husband with a slightly excited expression, suddenly raised his head.
"Ah. The Crown Prince may withdraw. Marquis Aratus, you have also worked hard. I shall bestow 3,000 karats of gold to commend the Marquis's service."
"I am humbled, Your Majesty."
Enoch left the Emperor's study immediately with the Crown Prince. As soon as the door closed, Antony roughly ran his hands through his hair.
"I thought we'd be safe for a while. I knew this would happen."
"......"
"Ah, Marquis. You may also withdraw. We will see each other again once Agatha has recovered. You worked hard today."
"It is nothing, Your Highness."
Enoch turned his steps and slowly exited the Imperial Palace. The news of Agatha Nobilis's attack had already spread widely, so the surroundings were filled with all sorts of palace staff and nobles.
"My Lord!"
The Aratus knights, who had been waiting at a distance outside the Imperial Palace, raised their hands. Having moved directly after finishing the battle, they were all covered in dust.
"Are you alright? Was there anything else?"
Enoch shook his head as he took the reins from the First Deputy Commander, Leon Takran.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Let's return immediately."
"Yes!"
Under countless gazes, Enoch Aratus led the knights back to the mansion.
One day later.
News that the Aratus family had become Agatha Nobilis's benefactor swept across the entire empire.
It was the Nobilis family who had always paid more than enough with their immense power and wealth.
This had a greater ripple effect than the Emperor's decision to investigate the mastermind behind the attacker.
Soon, letters from nobles began to flood the Marquisate of Aratus.
This happened just two days after the rumors spread.
Agatha was ill for three full days before she got up. It was a miracle that she had no broken bones from falling off her horse, but the aftereffects had hit her fully.
Once the high fever finally subsided and her wounds had healed enough for her to move around.
Agatha was having tea with the Crown Prince, Antony Roxiva, in the palace gardens.
It wasn't a scheduled meeting. Antony had just barged in.
"Please stay a little longer."
"Why. Who's coming?"
"I invited Marquis Aratus. I received a reply that he would come."
In front of Agatha was a medicinal tea with blood-purifying effects, and in front of the Crown Prince was a golden fruit tea. Antony grumbled with displeasure.
"You just woke up. Aren't you overdoing it?"
"It's already too late. I have to move quickly if I don't want to marry a noble I dislike."
Once she regained her senses, the first thing Agatha did was assess the situation. The Emperor would not have stood by idly when the sole heiress of Nobilis had nearly died.
As expected, the Emperor declared he would not let this incident slide and had lectured extensively, but he used this incident as an excuse to mention Agatha's marriage.
He would likely come to discuss marriage himself within a few days.
"What about the candidates?"
"They are being selected. It seems my father is quite interested in trade with the Eastern Continent this time."
Antony rubbed the rim of his teacup and sneered. The Emperor, who had gained new ports and territories after the war, was now coveting tax revenue through trade.
It was natural, as that was the original purpose of starting the war.
"For the Eastern Continent, you'd need an island to use as a base."
"That's right. So you should keep an eye on nobles who own territory there. If you want to proceed with the marriage as you wish, you'll need to prepare a substitute, won't you?"
It was an act of defying the will of the absolute ruler. To proceed as desired, it was natural to offer a satisfactory alternative.
Agatha smiled and picked up her quill.
"You'll help me again this time, won't you? You must let me know as soon as a specific candidate emerges."
"Using the Crown Prince as an informant, you're quite something."
"I gave you the words you wanted in advance, but you couldn't even go hunting. Think of this as compensation for that."
"Damn it. Because of those guys, I have to do this twice?"
Agatha began filling out the letter on the spot.
It was a request for her retainers to consider potential shipping routes for the new trade with the Eastern Continent, and to investigate whether there were any ports in Nobilis territory where ships could dock, and if so, what their scale was.
Antony, who had been openly staring at the letter with a relaxed posture, his soft platinum hair cascading down, opened his mouth.
"Who are you planning to marry this time?"
"Well. I didn't expect to get married this quickly."
"Is there a man you like?"
"......"
Agatha could not dismiss this question so casually.
'A man I like?'
It wasn't a vague word like that; there was already a man who had captivated her. It was different from when her judgment was clouded by fever.
She suddenly thought of that man.
When she recalled his hair scattering like blue gold under the sunlight and his face, a blend of wildness and refinement, her ears would involuntarily turn red.
She also remembered his sometimes low voice.
- Are you worried about such things even at a time like this?
He was a man who, despite his indifferent and cold methods, also possessed a sweet disposition.
Agatha, who had unconsciously recalled Enoch Aratus as if entranced, broke off her thoughts only after her cheeks had faintly flushed. Her hand, which had been writing the letter, had also stopped.
"What, you mean you don't have no one*?"
"Be quiet."
"What is it? Who is it? Didn't you say before that there was no decent husband material, including me?"
Agatha ignored him and finished writing the letter.
Antony, who had been staring at her persistently until the completed letter was taken away by her trusted maid, looked deflated.
"Done. You handle it from here. I won't help you beyond telling you the exact candidates."
"That's enough."
How to define her relationship with Enoch Aratus was her own responsibility.
Although she had invited him because she wanted to see him again, or to properly define this feeling, Agatha now had to pour all her energy into dealing with the Emperor.
She also wanted to confirm the facts.
Was this feeling merely a fleeting tremor experienced during a brush with death?
"My Lady. Your guest has arrived."
"Bring him this way."
Agatha adjusted her attire and looked at the man who followed the head steward.
Unlike when he wore a hood pulled low and his knight's uniform, the man was now in neat formal wear.
'…He looks good in formal wear too.'
She suddenly thought that. His feet, planted firmly on the ground, were long, and his strides were so large they seemed about to reach her.
Even without seeing it, she could tell his entire body was built with muscle. His skin was pale, unlike a knight's, but the scar across his cheek made him appear more wild than anyone.
He was a man of ascetic demeanor, whose gray, indifferent eyes strangely evoked heat, unlike the scent of blood that wafted when he wielded a sword.
"I should be going now. Take care, Agatha."
"...Farewell, Your Majesty."
Agatha, who had been staring at him as if entranced, rose from her seat. Her heart was pounding so violently it felt like it would leap out, even without listening.
'Can this be called a fleeting emotion?'
As Antony crossed the garden and briefly exchanged greetings with Enoch.
Agatha, calmly composing her expression, put on a familiar smile. The man who soon approached the table kissed the back of Agatha's hand.
"Thank you for the invitation, my Lady."
"Welcome, Marquis. Did I send the invitation too late?"
"On the contrary, I think it was earlier than expected. Are you feeling better?"
"I've recovered a lot. Please sit here."
The seat where the Crown Prince had just sat was tidied, and new refreshments were prepared. The cloak he had draped around her before had long since been passed to Enoch's aide, John Whitney, along with her thanks.
Agatha first placed the payment for her life on the table.
"I invited you today to repay you for your help back then. Please read it first."
"......"
After a moment of observation, the man's gaze shifted downwards. With a rustle, his neat fingers turned the first page of the document.
Inside were the rewards Agatha had prepared, tailored to Aratus's current situation.
100,000 karats of gold.
In addition, it included an offer of interest-free loans, and through the Nobilis trading company, a proposal to supply Aratus's various territories with grain at fair prices until the year's wheat harvest, and even to purchase their specialty products.
"This is what I've prepared for now, but if there's any other information or goods you need, please request them. I will do my best to fulfill them."
