Translator: Nox

12 - The Bride of the Great Lord is a Warrior from Hell

The Grand Duke's Bride is a Warrior from Hell 12

Reikart spoke rapidly.

The Emperor listened to his words, moving his quill to scribble notes.

As he took notes, dissatisfaction frequently surfaced and disappeared from the corners of his mouth, which were strained with effort.

"How is Count Echeveria?"

The Emperor's pale sky-blue eyes glanced at the face sitting before him.

"Not a Count yet."

Platinum Blonde hair that scattered brilliant light as if it would shatter when touched by sunlight.

Pale sky-blue eyes.

A perfectly symmetrical jawline and a well-balanced nose.

Slightly downturned eyes gave a gentle impression.

The courtiers who served the Emperor closely would confidently answer those who asked about the Emperor's appearance that it was as if an angel had been reborn.

It had always been that way since childhood.

Not only the Emperor, but all of the Emperor's brothers were praised for their angelic appearances as if they had descended from heaven.

"As soon as the Count turns twenty, hold a formal marriage. Write the marriage vows."

The Emperor with an angelic appearance was a ruthless monarch.

"It's already been settled."

"Grand Duke."

"Your Majesty, shouldn't the Imperial Family have integrity? Is the Imperial Family going to go back on its word?"

The Emperor threw the paper he was holding to the side.

Reikart's gaze lingered for a moment on the densely written text.

"If you break the marriage after receiving the title of Count, there's nothing even I can do to stop it."

The Emperor threw even the quill he was holding in his other hand to the side.

"I know."

"You know, but you won't listen to your brother? Marquis Reine is an unpredictable man, even if Echeveria isn't. I've told you several times before."

The Emperor and Reikart had been arguing face to face over this issue for three days.

"I respectfully submit to Your Majesty that Tessen has told you for three days that I wouldn't regret giving Echeveria to Lady Alisha for free."

"Are you so smitten with a woman that you won't listen to your brother?!"

Reikart's words were not empty.

Alisha had already done her part.

"I'm not smitten with a woman."

"You gave her the entire Marguerite ruby set and you're saying you're not smitten with a woman? What do you lack! You may be a little older than the Count, but that doesn't mean you have to act so humble."

"Who's acting humble?"

"You are, you. Reikart, listen to me this time. Even if you give her your liver and gall and get backstabbed later, I won't be able to help you."

"You don't have to do anything. Please grant the military reinforcements I requested. And withdraw all the spies you've attached to me. And stop spreading stories in the marketplace."

The Emperor's beautiful eyes twitched every time Reikart spoke.

But his dignified and elegant expression remained unshaken.

"I'm doing all this for you. Marry her when the Count turns twenty. Would your brother ever say anything that would harm you?"

Reikart did not respond to the Emperor's words.

He simply stared intently at the Emperor's face.

Reikart, who had been gazing at the Emperor with his angelic appearance, opened his mouth.

"Reinforce me with twice the number I wrote in the request, brother."

"Since that is your wish, so shall it be."

The Emperor cleared his throat and reached for the quill and paper.

"I'll take my leave."

Reikart left the room disrespectfully, leaving the Emperor who was diligently taking notes.

After the sound of the door closing echoed, the hand that had been taking notes stopped.

"I won't help you if you get backstabbed later and come crying. ...He's not going to empty Tessen and invade the Reine family, is he? You can't annihilate the great nobles of the North, Reikart. ...He's not going to listen even if I tell him. Why won't he listen to me...! No war, war costs a lot of money, Reikart. I might have to delay the payment for the gold I bought, that brat."

The scratching of the quill on the paper echoed endlessly.

---

Henrik, the butler of the Grand Duke's Residence, greeted his master with a smiling face.

"You've arrived."

The master who had come from seeing the Emperor had a stiff expression as usual.

Those who did not know the Grand Duke were often intimidated by his cold attitude, but Henrik was not.

There were many absurd rumors spread by those who envied the Grand Duke, but they were all futile.

Henrik's master was the Emperor's most beloved younger brother.

The Grand Duke's appearance was slightly different from his brothers, but it was completely different from what those who were trying to slander the Grand Duke claimed.

"Any news?"

Henrik led Reikart to the dressing room, his face beaming with a happy smile.

"Count Rokaz has contacted us. The Lady will choose a reddish-purple dress for the investiture ceremony. She will not put her hair up, but will tie it back in a single braid. It seems she chose it because she is not yet married and it looks neat."

Reikart saw Henrik smiling excessively, but did not say anything.

"I will wear the Golden Knights' uniform at the Count's investiture ceremony."

"An excellent choice. The Rosa and Navycoat units will be disappointed, but harmony is more important. I am happy that I can serve the mistress in Tessen."

Reikart, who had been averting his gaze from Henrik's overflowing smile, changed his expression.

"She's only nineteen."

He cringed at the word "mistress" that Henrik used.

"The year will soon change, Your Highness. Time flies quickly. Summer will be here soon. She will be twenty then."

"And another year has to pass after that."

"Why wait until then to marry? Didn't His Majesty tell you to marry the Echeveria when she turns twenty?"

Henrik said, stubbornly following him.

"Do you have a spy on me too?"

"Your Highness."

"If not, have you planted a spy in the Imperial Palace?"

Reikart, who had changed from his outerwear to light indoor clothing, headed to the study.

"I would never do that."

Henrik, who was not tall, easily followed the tall Reikart.

"If not both, are you yourself a spy for the Emperor?"

"It is always right to be vigilant."

Henrik opened the door to the study with a friendly smile.

"Josefina is only two years older."

The Emperor's eldest niece, Josefina, was also Reikart's eldest niece.

Niece, the child of his eldest sister.

He showed his discomfort at his betrothed, who was only two years older than his niece.

"Your Highness is only ten years older than Princess Josefina. Even though she is your niece and you are her uncle. The age difference between Princess Louise and Your Highness is great. Moreover, Her Highness the Princess married early. There is no reason to worry about being the same age as the Princess."

"Leave."

Reikart headed for the long sofa.

Next to the mint-colored sofa was a stool of the same color.

Both the sofa and the stool were prepared by Henrik for his master.

"Jamie has contacted us."

Reikart, who had buried himself in the soft sofa and put his feet up on the stool, looked at Henrik with dissatisfaction.

"Speak."

Henrik did not say anything about the Grand Duke's unruly attitude.

"The Alchemist Clan have requested a negotiation on the toll for crossing the border. They will discuss it with the Grand Duke's Residence through members of the clan in the Imperial Capital."

Henrik filled a teacup with tea while reporting.

He did not forget to offer shortbread to go with the tea.

"Set a suitable date and have them submit it."

Reikart's face, who received the teacup, was much calmer.

"Yes. The Imperial Observatory, the Observatory, and the Clock Tower have sent their replies regarding the contents you requested. All three places say that the coming winter will be similar to last winter. The first snow will fall in December. The Astronomical Clan have not yet replied."

Reikart's face subtly distorted as he listened to the answer.

"Withdraw the advance payment offered to the Astronomical Clan and cancel the request."

"I will do so."

"Make an appointment with the clockmaker."

"Yes. Ah, Your Highness. Count Rokaz asked if it would be a good idea to hold a rehearsal for the investiture ceremony. Shall I schedule it?"

Henrik said with a bright smile on his face.

"You may leave now."

Reikart, who swallowed the shortbread in one bite, brought the teacup to his lips and pretended not to notice.

Discomfort leaked from his slightly furrowed eyebrows.

"I will take my leave."

Henrik bowed politely and left the study.

He was a man who knew when to leave.

---

For Alisha, the Head of the family's room was remembered as a frightening place.

The Marquis's Residence in the Imperial Capital was especially so.

In the past, this was where the Marquis first recommended the first engagement to Alisha, and where he ordered her to search for a new fiancé, leaving behind the crippled and unfaithful fiancé.

What shocked Alisha the most was when she was relieved that the complicated situation was over, and then received the Head of the family's order to marry Grand Duke Tessen.

But in terms of fear, the moment she had a private meeting with the Head of the family because of the first engagement was the scariest memory.

Alisha, standing in front of a place filled with past fear and dread, was calm.

The empty corridor, without a single servant, felt desolate.

Knock knock knock.

The Marquis thoroughly cleared the surroundings when he had a private meeting.

When she was young, it was unbearably scary to be left alone with her father in a place where no one else was around.

Now, she was a little puzzled.

"Come in."

The response that rang out after knocking on the door was neither too late nor too early.

Alisha also opened the door at an appropriate interval.

"You summoned me?"

The Head of the family's office was as luxurious as she remembered.

A vast space with a huge window.

Beautiful curtains made by weaving artisans.

A desk, tea table, and chairs that matched the tables, all conveying a sense of weight.

The Marquis, who had been sitting at his desk, rose and sent a smile.

"Count Echeveria has arrived!"

It was a bright smile that was completely different from his usual expressionless face.

Alisha did not try to reciprocate the smile.

The Marquis would rise and invite her to the tea table by the window.

As she expected, the Marquis gestured towards the tea table.

"Not yet."

Alisha replied with a puzzled feeling, following the Marquis's gesture.

The engagement with Grand Duke Tessen was progressing smoothly.

The unexpected Echeveria had intervened, creating a strange atmosphere within the family, but it was not enough to be an obstacle.

The Imperial Family's attitude towards the Reine family was unbelievably friendly.

There was nothing to worry about, but the Marquis had requested a private meeting with her.

It was not an authoritarian situation like in the past.

But it didn't feel good.

"You're being humble. Should we have some tea? Your father hasn't even been able to properly serve his daughter a cup of tea yet. How have you been?"

"I've been well."

Alisha had no memory of ever enjoying drinking tea with her father.

It seemed like it would be the same today.

It didn't feel right.

"Was it difficult coming all the way to the Imperial Capital? I've been a little busy lately talking with the Imperial Family. The Grand Duke visited the annex, I heard."

"Yes."

The Marquis knew everything that happened within the family.

He was not someone who tried to hide what he knew.