Chapter 43: 43
“What? What are you talking about right now?”
“Being engaged means you’re set to marry, right? You two seem close, so a kiss wouldn’t be too much…”
“You little brat, you really say whatever you want!”
Hanette was startled and blushed deeply. Not even Robbenz or Yenid had been this blunt. Besides, she was secretly planning to escape, making such actions meaningless.
“Sis, I’m two years older than your fiancé. I don’t think I’m that small.”
“If you’re younger than me, you’re a little brat!”
“But… I’m an adult.”
“So what if you’re an adult? You still say strange things.”
“Why is it strange? Hugging and kissing someone you love…”
“Hey! Do you really want to say that in front of your sister?”
“Hmm… maybe you’re right.”
Dyn nodded slowly, feeling puzzled. Unless one of them wasn’t an adult, there was no reason not to talk about it. He understood enough, and Hanette should be preparing for it too.
“Why are you interested in my fiancé anyway?”
“Isn’t it natural to be interested? He’s going to marry you, so he’ll be my brother-in-law.”
“We’re not married yet!”
“But the marriage is planned, right? It’s not like you’ll break the engagement now.”
“Do you think I agreed to this because I wanted to? If I could…”
Hanette trailed off, thinking of Zion. If she wanted to break the engagement, she’d have to behave badly or make Zion unhappy. But regardless of the engagement, she didn’t want to do such things.
“You don’t want to break the engagement. Got it.”
“…What?”
“I can tell. You don’t plan to break the engagement.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“There are things you learn when you spend time with someone.”
“Are you trying to trick me?”
“Nope.”
“Don’t lie to me. Did the head send you here?”
“Why would I do that? If he did, I would have told you first.”
Hanette scrutinized Dyn but reluctantly let go of her suspicions. Dyn was family, and he understood her well.
“You want to talk to me, so you’re suggesting we go out?”
“Not really. It seems like there’s no place for me anymore.”
“You misunderstand. I’m only spending time with my fiancé because I have to.”
“To stay in the head’s good graces?”
“That’s part of it… And to get more allowance, I need to be with my fiancé.”
“Oh, you mentioned that before.”
Dyn didn’t fully believe Hanette’s words. She often showed annoyance on the surface, but it was usually a facade to hide her true feelings. A few years ago, he could still somewhat distinguish her real emotions, but now she had become quite adept at hiding them.
“Do you dislike your fiancé?”
“Not exactly dislike… He’s just a bit unfamiliar. It’s an unwanted marriage… and he brags a lot, talks too much, and does unnecessary things…”
Dyn listened quietly, enjoying the conversation. Hanette seemed to be digging for negatives about her fiancé. If she truly disliked him, she wouldn’t go on like this.
“Doesn’t he have any good qualities?”
“Good qualities? What good qualities? He’s just a young brat with a big mouth.”
“But he’s a bit handsome, right? He seems nice and treats the maids well.”
“Is a handsome face all that matters? How do you know his personality won’t change?”
“He doesn’t have a bad reputation. Actually, the Marquis Laird family receives a lot of marriage proposals because of him. It must be because of your fiancé that the nobles are interested.”
“…Really?”
Hanette answered calmly but listened closely. Hearing about Zion sparked her curiosity. It might not be directly related to her, but it was worth knowing.
“The youngest son is engaged to you, so there are two left. The eldest is said to be joining the Royal Knights, and the second son works as an administrator in the royal palace. They could even marry into the royal family.”
“Who will marry the royal family?”
“I don’t know. If it doesn’t work out, they’ll probably arrange other noble marriages.”
In truth, she wasn’t very interested in Zion’s siblings. She had met Kaltz Laird but found him rather ordinary compared to Zion. The only thought in her mind was what would happen if she broke off the engagement with Zion.
“So, what I’m saying is, don’t let go of your fiancé. How many nobles do you think have both a prestigious family and good looks? He also seems skilled with a sword.”
“…Shouldn’t there be love before marriage?”
“Haha… Sis, let me tell you something interesting.”
“It doesn’t sound interesting.”
“Arranged marriages are better than love marriages. Do you know why?”
“Have you secretly gotten married?”
“Your jokes are pretty dry. The reason arranged marriages are better is because you don’t have expectations. Since you don’t expect much, you discover unexpected charms in each other. As you spend time together, you fall in love and slowly build a family.”
“…?”
Hanette pondered this and slowly began to agree. The premise seemed wrong, but it didn’t sound entirely off. Why did it sound so convincing?
“Oh, and one more thing. After marriage, it’s harder to break up, so you try not to hurt each other. Since you don’t know each other well, you become more careful.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Umm… at a social gathering?”
“Why would you believe something from a social gathering?”
“Well, it makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Going to social gatherings is fine, but filter out such talk…”
There was a knock on the door, and someone entered the room. Dyn recognized the person and prepared to leave.
“Your fiancé is here. I should go, right?”
“Hey! Why are you calling him my fiancé? We’re not married yet!”
“Brother-in-law, see you later.”
“Uh…”
Zion looked confused as he watched Dyn leave. Hanette couldn’t meet Zion’s gaze and remained silent.
“Should I just stay still?”
“Ugh… Ignore him. He was probably joking.”
“Sure, he was. We’re not married yet.”
Hanette finally felt relieved and turned her head sharply. She hadn’t expected Dyn to say such things in front of Zion. It was so embarrassing that she couldn’t lift her head.
‘He’s really pushing my buttons. Ugh, that brat…’
* * *
The Royal Palace, Royal Bedchamber
Brandish only entered her bedroom late at night. While extended work hours weren’t uncommon, it was rare for her to finish this late. Although she could sleep now, her body, worn from administrative duties, craved wielding a sword.
‘Tomorrow, I need to loosen up.’
Brandish showed no sign of fatigue as she sat at her desk. Sitting there daily, she hardly needed to move. Before becoming queen, she would have constantly honed her swordsmanship or fought beasts on the battlefield.
‘The more time passes, the more I drink…’
Two maids entered the chamber, one carrying a bottle and glasses, the other with a plate of snacks. As soon as the bottle was placed, Brandish uncorked it and poured herself a drink.
‘Without a drinking companion, it’s a bit lonely.’
Brandish thought of Gloné as she emptied her glass. There weren’t many in the palace who could be her drinking companion. She needed someone with similar strength or an old comrade to truly enjoy her drink.
‘…There is someone.’
Brandish smiled as she raised her glass. She had equals like the Royal Guard Captain or the City Guard Commander. While they were technically her subordinates, they had their own duties and couldn’t be called upon casually.
‘The white one is with the Kinesien sect… and the golden one… Oh, that’s me.’
Brandish chuckled and looked at the bottle. Though it was still half full, she already felt like she was forgetting herself. One of the Setinos Quasar cooped up in the palace, she might be feeling despondent.
‘I should be out fighting on the frontier like the purple one…’
The purple archer, one of the Setinos Quasar, was roaming the frontier with their knight order, combating beasts. The blue sage had established a magic academy and was training skilled mages. Each was fulfilling their roles, except for one who seemed particularly idle.
‘Silver…’
Brandish lifted her glass but set it down again. Silver Rogue had been appointed to the Setinos Quasar through a special process. Originally not a knight, their strength wasn’t necessarily superior to the others. However, their speed was unmatched, and once they erased their tracks, they were nearly impossible to trace.
‘Should be about time.’
At that thought, the sound of the window rattling was heard. Brandish smiled, waiting for the window to open.
“…You’re here.”
As the window opened, a cool breeze brushed past her neck. Brandish sensed the faint presence and placed another glass on the opposite side.
“Lady Brandish, you are as radiant as ever.”
“Aren’t you tired of that? ‘Lady’ is a term for a young woman.”
“You always appear young to me.”
Brandish found it absurd but was now used to such responses. Since becoming queen, no one dared to utter her name. But he uniquely called her ‘lady’ while using her name.
“Sigh… Do you want a drink?”
“Oh… Are you offering me a drink? It seems my devotion has finally paid off.”
“Enough with the chatter. If you don’t want to drink…”
Even before she finished, something disappeared. Despite this, Brandish continued to pour herself a drink. As she turned her gaze, she saw someone with a mask seated across from her.
“Aren’t you going to remove your mask?”
“I can undress if you wish.”
“Enough with the silly jokes.”
“I must obey a royal command, but I will take your request seriously, Lady Brandish.”
Caden Asthlor, the Silver Rogue, removed his mask and tilted his glass. His youthful face with sharp eyes was revealed. Brandish sighed as she followed suit.
“You remind me of someone just like you.”
“Another handsome fellow like me?”
“…”
Brandish remained silent, giving him a cold stare. Though he was insufferable, his infiltration and intelligence-gathering skills were exceptional. Hence, he had been retained in the Setinos Quasar for his usefulness.
“There is a man who would give his life for his fiancée. So, he sought her permission… truly remarkable.”
“That fiancée must have also been willing to give her life.”
“You understand well. That’s why I say he’s just like you.”
“For Lady Brandish to speak of him, he must be truly extraordinary. A man of romance indeed. I’d love to meet him.”