Chapter 48

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 48

Chapter Title: Winning His Heart

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“If you play your cards right, you might even become queen, Irena.”

“Pardon? Queen? What do you mean by that?”

Duke Vermonte’s face was beaming with joy.

“King Oberon has sent an invitation.”

“An invitation? What kind of invitation?”

“To the royal ball held after the autumn festival ends.”

Across Oberon, grand festivals took place in major territories, staggered by one or two weeks.

Among them, the most splendid was the one in the capital, home to Oberon’s royal castle. Many longed to visit the capital at least once to see its unique spectacles.

Most people attended the festivals centered around their own lord’s castle.

The dates weren’t fixed precisely because regions like Rowen, where autumn held little meaning, also held festivals, and staggering them allowed visits to neighboring territories for exchange and mingling.

The earliest and latest festivals could differ by nearly a month.

“So, His Majesty has invited me to the king’s birthday ball?”

For governing the realm, it was good to have major events spaced out occasionally.

But birthdays were one thing no amount of human power could control.

About a month after the capital’s autumn festival came King Oberon’s birthday, followed by another month and a half to the New Year’s ball.

After powering through these grand events from autumn onward, it was time to welcome the new year.

“House Vermonte doesn’t participate in the capital’s social scene, does it?”

That was Irena’s point of confusion.

It was tradition for daughters of House Vermonte to avoid the capital’s social circles entirely.

They didn’t debut in the capital’s season or attend balls.

Not even the New Year’s ball, where nobles greeted the king and pledged loyalty.

House Vermonte existed within Oberon’s framework but wasn’t a vassal sworn to the king.

They didn’t even pay territorial taxes to the crown, for instance.

Duke Vermonte was the true king of the north.

Thus, it stung his pride even more that, in his generation, a drought had left him threatened by a mere youth from House Temneth.

At Irena’s question, Duke Vermonte grinned widely, flashing his gold-capped molars.

“That’s exactly my point. Do you know how long it’s been since King Oberon invited House Vermonte to a ball?”

“How long?”

“A first.”

His face was alight with glee. As a historic first, its implications were clear.

“It specifically requests the duchess and the lady to attend without fail.”

“Really?”

Duke Vermonte held King Oberon in high regard.

Her father had often praised him as an exceptional monarch, and to Irena, the mere act of addressing her as “lady” in the invitation suggested a shrewd, formidable man, even if it was a small detail.

“Heh heh. I might just make the king my son-in-law. Ha ha ha!”

“It’s not certain yet.”

“Nonsense. When does the king single someone out like this? It’s rare.”

That was true. Nobles spoke in circles, hedging to avoid later repercussions or scandals.

Yet the telegram Irena had unwittingly received from Duke Vermonte was direct enough to suggest genuine interest, breaking tradition with this bold invitation.

Why would King Oberon take an interest in me?

Having lived her whole life in Valmond, her only venture north was this trip, using Clodel as an excuse. She had no prior connection to the king.

On the other hand, her heart had been in turmoil since seeing Kaiyan and Clodel, stirring other thoughts.

Political marriages aren’t always bad.

Irena had lived in a perfect world.

Her father, Duke Vermonte, had laid it all at her feet.

She was the bright, happy castle lady, untouched even by the tragedy of losing her husband.

Or so she had believed.

But seeing the way Kaiyan looked at Clodel, she felt lack for the first time in her life.

Something she had never possessed.

A husband’s heart. A husband’s love.

And whatever lay between the passion and fervor that came with it.

For the first time, she wished for someone to share her heart with, if the chance arose.

Even at her first marriage, welcoming her husband and holding the wedding, she had thought only of becoming a couple, never of how they would live together.

To only realize, long after he was gone, the emptiness by groping through the void.

Irena accepted her belated tears and heartache that way.

If Father approves, it could be a good opportunity.

In her hollow, empty heart, the sudden appearance of a potential match felt like a blessing.

We can’t keep the succession unstable forever.

If she married King Oberon, Valmond—which had only dipped a toe into Oberon’s framework—might truly become part of the kingdom.

“His Majesty has finally recognized true worth. Who else in the realm could match you as a bride?”

“Did you come all this way just to deliver the news?”

“They’re sending the actual invitation. Delivered by the king himself!”

Royal telegrams bore ornate golden seals, but receiving the physical invitation carried special weight.

“I’ll arrange a residence in the capital, so stay here until the royal ball.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Duke Vermonte couldn’t hide his satisfaction.

“We’ll need new jewels and dresses to ensure you look flawless in the king’s eyes. Stay with your father in the capital until he summons you to the palace soon.”

“I will.”

Irena nodded.

But somehow, unlike before leaving Valmond Castle for Rowen, words like “Wow, sounds great” or “I’m so excited” didn’t come.

Hanna stretched with hands on her hips.

“See? I told you I was right!”

“Fine, you win.”

As Clodel conceded, Hanna laughed heartily.

The story went back well before Irena’s visit.

What if Kaiyan…

The lord? Why him?

What if he sees Irena and falls for her?

After agonizing alone and confiding in Hanna, she had dismissed it as absurd worry.

Hmm. Want to bet on it?

What kind of bet?

Whether the lord falls for Lady Irena or not. You think he will. I don’t.

The loser would grant the winner’s wish.

Truth be told, since losing would be better for Clodel’s happiness, Hanna had prayed nightly for victory.

But even in defeat, she wasn’t entirely thrilled.

“Ayy, what wish should I make?”

“Spit it out quick. Better to take the scolding fast, they say.”

“No way. I’ll savor it, teasing you until you beg me to name my wish. Ha ha ha!”

Fine. At least you’re enjoying it, Hanna.

Clodel smiled along, swallowing bitterness inside.

Before Irena arrived, Clodel had fretted, recalling how invisible she’d felt next to her radiant sister in Valmond.

After the visit, Kaiyan hadn’t shown special interest in Irena or grown cold to Clodel, as Hanna predicted.

But that wasn’t enough.

His lack of attraction to Irena didn’t mean he loved her.

She wanted his true heart.

I wish Kaiyan liked me.

She couldn’t ask.

Something told her he wouldn’t say it lightly.

A woman’s intuition, she’d have to say if pressed.

Kaiyan was straightforward.

He never hesitated to voice his desires.

A noble-born, young, powerful lord who’d never known挫折.

Even in marriage, she couldn’t truly refuse him or push him away.

When he wanted her, she yielded—naked save for the gifted necklace.

He could control her as he wished, and defying that dominance felt impossible.

He’d never once expressed liking her.

Yet despite no need for restraint, a man who spent lavishly to uphold her dignity must have a reason for withholding his heart.

Clodel believed whatever he gave her, he’d give to any wife.

None of that makes me happy.

Just one night without him, off hunting, and his “think of me” had her clinging fervently—because it felt like hope.

Progress toward winning his heart.

Amid that, another anxiety shook her, prompting telegrams to Duke Vermonte.

Her sister’s long journey south was touching, but not if driven by their uncle’s hidden agenda.

Please. Let me stay here like this.

Kaiyan had healed her, but if it cost money, why hadn’t the duke?

Her late father had trusted his brother, leaving a will entrusting his daughter’s care.

Hiding her sinking mood, Clodel told Hanna,

“If you don’t name your wish soon, I’ll pretend it never happened.”

“Tch. No fair. Oh, what wish? What should I say to boast about it for generations?”

“Something I can actually grant.”

The young women’s lighthearted laughter rang clearly beyond the bedroom door.

Standing outside, Kaiyan listened with a cold expression, mulling the report he’d just received.

Clodel had steadily sent telegrams to Valmond via her maid.

He’d learned every one through his plant in the telegraph office.

[Irena departs. I’m working to win my husband’s heart. Tell me if you need anything. I can handle it.]

All her messages pointed to one truth.

“So she came not as the duchess, but to play the role of a spy.”