Chapter 14

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: The Emperor's Consent

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The emperor had just finished his morning audience and was still wearing his golden crown along with a purple mantle.

Agatha and Enoch rose from their seats at once and paid their respects.

"We greet the Sun of the Empire."

"Come in, Agatha. It's been a while, Marquis Aratus."

The emperor entered with a smile, looking in high spirits.

He lightly adjusted his attire before taking his seat at the head of the table and asked,

"So, the marquis has requested marriage to my great daughter?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Enoch, now seated, replied politely.

"A war hero and my great daughter. Ha ha, what a fine match."

This was his way of saying the prospective groom met with his approval.

The emperor's pleased gaze then turned to Agatha.

"Since the marquis was there during that previous affair, I'll spare the long lecture. Are you prepared?"

"I have done my utmost to show my gratitude for Your Majesty's consideration."

"Is that so?"

The proposal Agatha had prepared passed through the chamberlain and reached the emperor.

Regarding the Development of New Trade Routes to the Eastern Continent and the Increase in Tax Revenue

The emperor's lips curved into a soft smile upon glancing at the first page.

"As expected of my great daughter. You've brought a perfect groom straight from my good graces, along with a flawless solution."

"You're too kind. You must be busy, so why not review it over a meal? You have other engagements afterward, after all."

"Shall I? Though it's our first luncheon in ages, so I've set aside plenty of time. Don't take offense, marquis."

With that, the emperor rang a bell. As the chamberlain prepared the wine, he let slip a comment.

"His Majesty ordered that only the finest dishes be selected for the lady and the marquis today."

"Really? I'm looking forward to it. The head chef here always nails my tastes perfectly."

Agatha smiled and turned to Enoch. Meanwhile, the emperor was happily perusing the proposal.

He likely wouldn't find a single flaw. After all, she had tailored it precisely to his tastes.

The first appetizer was salmon.

Fresh fish topped with a medley of vegetables, seasoned just right with a hint of sweetness.

It was the handiwork of the emperor's personal chef, who knew Agatha's preferences inside out.

As the emperor picked at his food, Agatha swiftly finished her successive courses of hors d'oeuvres. Enoch asked,

"You seem to like seafood."

"Yes. I enjoy all kinds of boneless sashimi. Shall we go fishing together when we visit a coastal city? I'm not great at it, but cooking up freshly caught fish is always a delight."

Enoch fell silent for a moment before replying.

"I've fished in rivers before. I hope that experience proves useful."

"When you were young?"

"No. During the war, whenever supplies ran short, we'd procure locally on occasion. I managed to catch a few myself."

Wars bring all sorts of unexpected moments.

As Agatha received her hefty steak for the main course and suddenly worried about his nutritional state,

"Seeing how well the two of you who are soon to wed get along, I have no more worries left!"

The emperor laughed heartily and set the reviewed proposal aside. Agatha glanced briefly at Enoch before bowing her head.

"We are honored, Your Majesty. What did you think of the proposal I prepared?"

"Oh, no need for such formalities. You'd have to disappoint me at least once for that."

The emperor cheerfully downed his wine. Truth be told, the price Agatha offered for selecting her own husband was no small sum.

She planned to invest considerably in expanding ports and cities, and above all, she had made significant concessions on the customs duties payable to the imperial house.

"Marquis. My great daughter is not only clever but also dutiful to her stepmother. You must cherish her dearly. Understood? I'll be watching with both eyes wide open."

The emperor needled Enoch unnecessarily before subtly pressing him. Food had already taken a backseat to his interest.

"So, when do you plan to hold the wedding? The sooner, the better."

"Soon would be ideal, but preparations require time, so next month at the earliest, Your Majesty. We'll follow your decree within that timeframe."

"Quite right. Then early next month would be good..."

The emperor trailed off thoughtfully before adding,

"I'll send word to the envoy dispatched to the Mainucor Empire today. A month should suffice for a reply, but then you'll need to step in—and will you have the time?"

"......"

Wedding preparations could be rushed with enough gold and resources, even in a month. But for the bride herself to carve out time amid all that was impossible.

"Hmm, Agatha, you'd need to visit Palavi Island too. There's the city and port expansions, and we might even have to allocate a sector to the Mainucor Empire..."

The emperor's words stretched on endlessly. In short, there simply wasn't time.

From Agatha's perspective, she had intended to negotiate at a leisurely pace.

But the ambitious emperor, who had nearly finalized the Eastern Continent trade deal, would never tolerate delays.

After a moment's thought, Agatha sighed.

"Shall we postpone the wedding, then? The Mainucor Empire will likely want to inspect Palavi Island anyway, so I could meet them there while I'm at it—"

"Agatha."

"Yes?"

Agatha's eyes widened. Enoch, who had been courteously silent except when questioned, had firmly interrupted her and was now gazing at her.

"The journey to Palavi Island is arduous. Wouldn't it be safer for you to have a husband by your side before meeting the Mainucor Empire's envoys?"

"R-Right. They might demand another marriage from the Mainucor Empire..."

The emperor chimed in, caught off guard.

Agatha felt somewhat dazed herself.

This man, who had barely spoken unless addressed since entering the banquet hall, had taken the initiative.

"And didn't you say you wanted to visit the island or a coastal city?"

He neatly set down his utensils, lifted his red wine glass, and whispered softly.

"Hold the wedding first, and include Palavi Island in your honeymoon itinerary. I have no intention of letting you go alone, so it would be best if we went together."

In the Second Prince's palace at the heart of the Mainucor Empire.

Luxurious red drapes and rooms overflowing with golden threads housed not only Second Prince Fernando Mainumconti but also a sprawl of other flesh tones.

Agatha's second ex-husband was slowly waking to the tapping sound of something against the window.

"Ugh, what is it?"

Flawless silver hair without a strand out of place, seductive red eyes brimming with allure, a smooth face, and a perfectly muscled physique.

The Mainucor Empire's notorious playboy, second to none, sprang into action like lightning upon checking the messenger pigeon.

"Mmm, Your Highness...?"

Normally, he'd coo for her to sleep more, but he was too absorbed in the message.

A few long lines scrawled on rolled parchment.

"...Getting married again?"

Fernando gritted his teeth upon reading the contents. It had been ten years since Agatha divorced him.

She hadn't set foot anywhere near the Mainucor Empire since.

Fernando, who had regretted the divorce ever since, could only track her movements while pining for her.

Ten years had passed.

Agatha had always been a topic of interest among the nobility, and with so many relatives keeping tabs on her, following her whereabouts was no challenge.

The last marriage had been just a couple of months ago, hadn't it?

And now another one. This time with some war hero sporting a facial scar, by the sound of it—a brute.

"Isn't that enough already? After all those marriages and divorces, shouldn't she pick from her familiar ex-husbands by now?!"

As they say, an old crane is better than a young crow.

Honestly, in Fernando's view, he outshone every man in the world.

Handsome! Great in bed! And this time, he was confident he could make it work if they remarried!

"When there's a candidate this perfect waiting!"

"......"

The women knew better than to provoke Fernando in this state and held their breath.

After venting his frustration for a while, he bellowed,

"Is anyone outside?!"

"Yes, Second Prince! The chamberlain is here!"

"I'm heading to the office. Prepare at once!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

First, he needed details on this latest suitor. Fernando strode out of the bedroom, loosely draped in a robe.

Returning to her first mansion in the capital Noblesse, Agatha ventured out into high society for the first time in ages. It had been about a week since the wedding was set for a month later.

The venue for her grand salon was Nerta Hill on the outskirts of the capital—a stunning spot where visitor numbers were controlled via reservations for various reasons.

Agatha solved the issue by renting the entire hill for the day.

Numerous noblewomen and ladies accepted the invitations, and for added security, the security forces and imperial knights had been dispatched.

The weather was clear, as if blessing her long-awaited outing.

With a valley below, the hillside bloomed profusely with late spring and early summer flowers, dotted with noble gazebos everywhere.

Agatha wore a cocktail hat adorned with ribbons and veils, paired with a dress dyed in bright blue.

Her gazebo sat at the hill's center, surrounded by influential noblewomen and ladies who had claimed spots nearby.

The moment she appeared, they flocked to her side.

"Lady Agatha! It's been far too long!"

"Congratulations on your marriage. I heard you received a romantic proposal."

"Your outfit today is stunning. Everyone's been buzzing about how gorgeous your wedding dress will be."

"Are you feeling better now? We've all been so worried about you."