Chapter 37 – Pride and Prejudice

“The delegation arrived earlier than I thought.”

After checking his clothes reflected in the mirror, Cabellenus immediately walked away.

“They said they used a newly developed carriage.”

Gazeff quickly followed his superior.

Even though it was late at night, the inside of the castle was bright due to the sudden arrival of guests.

“Carriage?”

“The magic of the Kingdom of Christie is outstanding.”

Gazeff spoke to that point and shut his mouth firmly.

The emperor did not send the princess of the Kingdom of Christie for nothing.

Schwarhan had spirit stones but lacked the skills to utilise them.

If they had a relationship with the Kingdom of Christie, they could see a farther future.

“I guess the key is how we can coax them.”

Cabellenus’s eyes shone.

Although Gerpenus’s intention was obvious, there was no need to follow his brother’s intention.

It was a perfect opportunity to establish a relationship with the Kingdom of Christie.

“For now, I’ve prepared the conditions that the Kingdom of Christie desired.”

“If that were going to work, the deal would have passed a long time ago.”

“It can’t be helped. Magic is of paramount importance to the Kingdom of Christie. Unless it’s a good deal, they won’t accept it easily.”

“Besides, considering this situation, it’s very likely that it’s still the case.”

The Kingdom of Christie had always rejected Schwarhan’s offer.

Therefore it was highly likely that they received a corresponding price to send an envoy to Schwarhan.

“As you may have thought, His Majesty recently revised the trade provisions of the Isla region. According to the revised clause, there will be considerable benefits to the Kingdom of Christie.”

“Since His Majesty is willing to give away the Isla region it seems like he is eager to make this marriage arrangement a success.”

Cabellenus briefly clicked his tongue.

“If it happens, there will be nothing bad on both sides. With the technology of the Kingdom of Christie and Schwarhan’s resources, the Blanche Empire will become a more powerful nation.”

“To become a strong nation. It’s a subject that His Majesty will like.”

“His Majesty has always wanted to make the perfect Blanche.”

“‘For me’ it seems.”

Cabellenus briefly scoffed.

In the distance, he could see that the door to the drawing room was firmly closed.

“From this moment on, we’ll have to pay more attention to Alicia’s safety.”

“I asked my aunt to keep the lady’s existence as hidden as possible. However, this is not a problem that’s solvable by concealing her.”

“But that doesn’t mean it’s something that should be revealed on purpose. As long as you can hide it, it’s better to hide it as much as possible.”

Cabellenus said firmly.

Even if they already knew about Alicia’s existence, it was enough if they could not find anything.

“I will try to eliminate the factors that may cause problems as much as possible.”

“Instead, we have to ensure that Alicia does not notice anything until the end.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if the lady knew?”

“No. Don’t let her know. Even if she knows, that wouldn’t solve the problem.”

Alicia still had nightmares from time to time.

Even if she seemed to sleep well, she would wake up once to see if Cabellenus was next to her, and then she would barely fall back to sleep.

He did not want to make her anxious by troubling her with unnecessary issues.

It was enough to sort it out as quickly as possible and return to her.

Cabellenus took a step without hesitation.

Gazeff quickly gestured to the guard in front of the drawing room so that Cabellenus could reach the room without needing to stop.

“Finally, I humbly meet the famous ruler of the north.”

As soon as he entered the room, he heard a clear voice.

Cabellenus reflexively turned his head in the direction of the sound.

“Nice to meet you. Your Grace, Grand Duke of Schwarhan. My name is Veloa Christie. I am the third princess of the Kingdom of Christie.”

As soon as their eyes met, she immediately greeted him.

“Cabellenus von Schwarhan Blanche. The Grand Duke of Schwarhan.”

Cabellenus skillfully responded to Veloa’s greetings and quickly greeted the envoy who accompanied her to show his courtesy.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Your Grace from this close.”

Veloa smiled and combed her flowing hair behind her ear.

Gazeff reflexively looked at Cabellenus’s expression.

When he heard that she was the most beautiful woman on the continent, he thought it was exaggerated rumours, but in reality, the princess was such a beauty that he thought the rumours had been reduced.

However, contrary to Gazeff’s concerns, Cabellenus did not seem impressed.

“You’ve had a lot of trouble travelling such a long way. Did you have any inconvenience in coming here?”

“We were not used to the snow, so the arrival was delayed more than we expected, but thanks to that, we were able to get a different experimental result, so it was also a good thing.”

‘And most of all, I got the opportunity to meet Your Grace.’

Veloa looked up at Cabellenus with interest.

The neat teeth gleamed white between the red lips, painted in a smooth line.

“Honestly, I was a little surprised. I thought there would be nothing because it was a snowy land, but this place is quite wonderful. As expected, it’s a land ruled by the Emperor of Blanche.”

“I am the only one who rules Schwarhan.”

“Noble blood ties are everywhere. Such as Your Grace.”

“…….”

“Did I speak too bluntly?”

Veloa slightly raised her chin.

She heard of Cabellenus’s notoriety, but if she were concerned about it, she would not have joined as a member of the envoy in the first place.

She knew her value well.

As long as Cabellenus needed her, she did not have to lower herself.

“No. I don’t like beating around the bush either.”

[T/N: To ‘beat around the bush’ means to talk about lots of unimportant things because you want to avoid talking about what is really important.]

“Well, then I will talk to you more comfortably.”

Veloa’s smile widened.

“I came here on the premise of my engagement with Your Grace.”

“I think it’s too early to talk about that.”

“Of course. No matter how good the conditions are, there is no reason to invest if the future is uncertain.”

If you said it in a good way, it would be bold, and if you said it in a bad way, it would be rude.

Gazeff studied Veloa’s words and actions from behind Cabellenus’s back and figured out what kind of person she was.

Veloa was the central figure of the envoy.

While considering the possibility of future negotiations, it was better to have a clear grasp of her.

“You’re saying something interesting.”

A light smile hung around Cabellenus’s mouth.

“To be honest, I’m here to test Your Grace.”

Veloa moved her lips without missing the pause.

 

“Test?”

“His Majesty, the Emperor of Blanche said that you would be the ruler of the continent.”

“…… I do not believe that story is appropriate to speak about here.”

Cabellenus’s gaze reached the envoys visible behind Veloa.

They all looked awkward – as if they had not expected Veloa’s unexpected behaviour.

“It’s not something I can speak of? The story that Your Grace will really be the ruler of the continent?”

Cabellenus’s eyes narrowed slightly, but Veloa did not notice it.

Gazeff clicked his tongue at Veloa, who was oblivious to the atmosphere around her and had a confident expression.

She was still too young.

She was not at the level to sit at the negotiating table.

It seemed that the emperor made a mistake because he was in a hurry to find a bride for Cabellenus.

“I won’t like it if it’s not the best. Unless Your Grace gives me the best, I don’t want this engagement.”

Gazeff stiffly looked at Veloa and adjusted the weights of his scale of boldness and rudeness to the latter.

[T/N: Gazeff had a mental image of a set of scales in his mind as he evaluated whether Veloa was acting boldly or rudely.]

If Veloa had been a skilled negotiator, she would not have thought of committing such discourtesy in the presence of Grand Duke of Schwarhan.

The reason Cabellenus did not touch the Kingdom of Christie was not that they lacked the power.

He just did not touch it.

Gazeff was not confident enough to claim that it would have ended with a victory, but rather, it would be a massive loss to touch a stable country.

But there was no need to remind Veloa of that fact.

The flimsy attitude of the opponent was only an advantage.

“How are you going to test me?”

Cabellenus responded calmly to Veloa’s rhythm.

“I’m going to stay in Schwarhan and think about it slowly.”

Taking Cabellenus’s response as a sign of favour, the corners of Veloa’s mouth turned further upwards.

Negotiations were only beginning.

 * * *

“I’m happy to be able to continue teaching you, my lady.”

“Right. I’m happy too.”

Alicia grinned shyly.

James returned her smile and brought out the briefcase that he had prepared.

However, his mind was complicated.

Alicia, who was under the protection of the Grand Duke, seemed far from ordinary. But that was not what bothered him.

He knew better than anyone that there was nothing good about being caught up in the problems of the nobility.

But even though he knew that, the fact that Alicia was Cabellenus’s lover was quite shocking to him.

Schwarhan’s Grand Duke had always been at the centre of rumours, but regarding women’s matters, there had been none.

Due to this, some even speculated that the taste of the young Grand Duke was unusual.

‘…… As expected, are you his lover?’

James’s eyebrow narrowed slightly.

Due to the nature of his profession, he had a good eye.

At first, he thought he was just unfamiliar with Schwarhan’s culture, but the longer James spent with Alicia, the more he felt convinced.

She was not a noble.

‘Of course, it’s not a matter for me to worry about.’

James tried to erase the clutter in his head, but he could not help but feel sorry for her.

If a man of power secretly locked up in a woman in a separate palace, it was clear what the ending would be.

The nobles did not treat commoners as the same people.

Right now, the man gave her good things, but it was clear that this was the life that Alicia could only enjoy in moderation and until the man lost interest in her.

The unloved lover would then be thoroughly thrown away.

In the first place, lovers existed but were not recognised.

It was easy to call someone a lover. However, the imperial law only recognised only one husband and wife as a couple and did not recognise the existence of a lover.

“Did you do your homework and try to draw some of the pictures?”

James kept a smile on his lips, trying to conceal his innermost thoughts.

Even if Alicia was Cabellenus’s real lover, it was James’s position to interfere.

He was only here to teach Alicia to paint.

“I did try to draw something, but I’m a little embarrassed…….”

“It’s just a picture. You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

At James’s gentle smile, Alicia hesitated for a while, then carefully handed him the sketchbook.

It was the sketchbook that James had previously given her.

“It’s the Grand Duke.”

James breathed out after checking the drawings in the sketchbook.

“That’s right. His Grace.”

Alicia looked at the sketchbook with a smile on her mouth.

James stared at Alicia.

Looking at her face, he could not help but notice her feelings.

The sparkling eyes. The reddish blush. And the natural smile.

It seemed that at the mere mention of Cabellenus, a face filled with excitement that belonged to a person who was in love would emerge.

He could not erase the thought that the fact bothered him and was pitiful.

But Alicia, who did not know about James’s thoughts, only fluttered her fingers and laughed shyly.

“You said it before. To draw what I want to draw.”

“…….”

“As expected, it’s lacking too much?”

Alicia, who misunderstood the silence, asked cautiously.

In the eyes of the innocent women, James’s hand reflexively tensed.

That woman did not know anything.

How many commoners the aristocrats had played with like toys.

The good clothes she wore, the expensive accessories, the great hospitality – nothing was hers.

“Are my skills too poor?”

“……No. You drew it well. The characteristics feel alive.”

“Really?”

It felt there a heavy stone was in his heart.

James flipped through the sketchbook, trying not to infer about Alicia’s situation any further.

But that was a mistake.

Despite the short period, the stacks of sketches that had accumulated contained Alicia’s feelings – which only made him feel uncomfortable.

Eventually, James could not bear it and closed the sketchbook.

“I think it would be a good idea to move it onto a canvas and draw it properly.”

“No. I won’t.”

Alicia hurriedly shook her head from side to side.

“Do you feel burdened to draw properly?”

“No. No, it’s because I want to practice more.”

Alicia strengthened her gaze.

“What kind of practice?”

“I want to draw it properly and give it as a present. This time, I do not want to borrow someone else’s hand. Instead, I want to do it myself. Completely.”

“…….”

“Of course, it will take a while to do that. But wouldn’t it be okay if I practice hard?”

Even though she received so much from Cabellenus, she did not give him anything in return.

There was nothing much she could do for him, but she could paint his portrait with her own hands.

Even if she could not reveal her thoughts, it would be okay to present a painting as a gift.

Alicia smiled, her heart pounding.