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Episode 35

"...Iodel?"

Flustered, Aegir rose from his seat and followed her.

With his long strides, he quickly stood before Iodel, bent one knee to meet her eyes.

"What do you mean by that? You won't receive the oath?"

"Exactly what I said."

"Is there some other reason?"

Aegir asked, worried. Iodel stared at him as if observing him.

"Because I know the customs of the Kinis Empire."

"...Iodel."

"I do not wish to marry Lord Belice, Your Majesty."

At her words, Aegir looked even more taken aback and fell silent.

Iodel continued to gaze at him with narrowed eyes.

"You didn't explain it to me. What the 'knight's oath' truly means to a member of the imperial family."

This was a gamble.

If Aegir was merely using her, he would surely be angered by her unreasonable behavior.

But if he truly considered her family, he might understand her actions.

'That's why I had to dress up so elaborately today.'

Because today might be her last day in the Imperial Palace.

If it was going to be her last, she wanted to end it looking splendid and beautiful.

Even as she felt her heart pounding anxiously, she kept her eyes locked on Aegir.

To catch even the subtlest change in his feelings.

"...I see."

After a moment of confusion, Aegir's expression darkened.

But that was all. No anger, no wrath.

'What is that reaction...?'

If it were Grand Duke Freya, he would have already grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and thrown her aside.

She knew Aegir was different from the Grand Duke, but she hadn't expected him to show no sign of negative emotion at all.

Finally, one last emotion remained on Aegir's face. It was regret.

'Regret?'

That reaction caught her off guard, and her brow twitched.

"I'm sorry, Iodel."

He even bowed his head slightly and sincerely apologized.

"I didn't anticipate how you might feel."

Their eyes, as alike as a reflection, met.

But Iodel's eyes trembled like leaves in the wind.

She had never expected this reaction.

The Emperor of a nation bowing his head to his brother's illegitimate child? It was unthinkable.

"Y-Your Majesty!"

The knights nearby stammered in surprise.

But rather, the other members of the imperial family seemed unfazed by Aegir's attitude.

"See, Father."

"We told you. It's too soon."

"Iodel might not like it."

Not only were they unfazed, they even threw a few reproachful words at Aegir.

"Apologize properly."

"Bow down to her waist, Father."

"Iodel, I'm sorry. We should have told you beforehand."

They all swarmed towards Iodel, then, with the same sympathetic expression, offered their apologies.

She had expected, at best, a dismissive attitude, but instead found herself flustered.

"...It's alright."

Her golden eyes slowly scanned the faces of those looking at her.

Their expressions, so sincere they couldn't possibly be feigned, held only regret and concern.

"Please raise your head, Your Majesty."

Feeling awkward, Iodel lifted Aegir's cheek.

'I feel like I'm the one who did something wrong.'

To be honest, ever since she decided to do this, she had been anxious and afraid.

She had always gone into things prepared to be hit by the Grand Duke, but preparation never made fear disappear.

And this time, her opponent wasn't a Grand Duke—it was the Emperor of the empire.

Of course, she was all the more frightened.

But these people didn't punish her. They didn't use others to lay a hand on her.

They simply apologized sincerely, feeling sorry.

"I should have asked you first."

Feeling sorry for them instead, she bowed her head.

She had no desire to marry Lord Belice, but she also hadn't intended to make the Emperor bow his head in front of so many people.

Meeting his eyes, Iodel gathered her courage and spoke.

"I'm sorry."

"The one who should be sorry is me. I should have explained properly."

Aegir gently stroked her hair.

Then, without a trace of anger, he spoke in his usual gentle voice.

"Will you give me a chance to explain?"

Even at the end, he was considerate of her.

Could an adult really be this kind to her?

And an Emperor of a nation, at that.

Feeling like her throat might close up, she barely managed to nod.

With Iodel's permission, Aegir immediately turned to Theodore.

"I apologize, Lord Belice. This is a matter that hasn't been fully discussed within the family."

"I am fine, Your Majesty."

"I will personally convey the matter to the Duke and Duchess Belice."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Having received the Emperor's sincere apology, he made eye contact with Iodel and then took his leave.

"Dismissed!"

At Aegir's commanding shout, the priests and knights who had been preparing for the ceremony swiftly disappeared.

"Let's go."

Aegir gently took Iodel's small hand.

Together, they entered the reception room of the Sun Palace.

Once everyone was seated on the sofas, he had the ladies-in-waiting prepare simple tea and refreshments.

Soon, sweet shortcake and soft milk tea were brought out.

Aegir, who had filled Iodel's teacup with plenty of honey, handed it to her first.

"Thank you."

Iodel held the teacup carefully in both hands.

'He might have acted kind there for the sake of the Emperor's dignity, but here he might scold me.'

She was prepared to use the pardon she had secured earlier if necessary, but the anxiety didn't completely disappear.

She took a sip of the milk tea, which might be her last.

As the warm, sweet milk tea entered her mouth, her uncomfortably pounding heart began to settle.

Once everyone had their teacups, Iodel cautiously spoke.

"...I know that nobles marry for mutual benefit. But I think there's a difference between being told and not being told."

"You're right. I did have Lord Belice in mind as a marriage candidate for you."

"Is it for the benefit of the imperial family?"

"...No."

Aegir paused briefly before adding.

"It was for your benefit."

"For me?"

"Yes. Since things have come to this, I'll be honest with you."

He continued bitterly.

"As you probably know, your position in high society is very narrow."

"...Yes. Because I'm a hidden bastard."

It was a fact she knew all too well.

In the Kinis Empire, bastards were not treated well. At least those acknowledged by their families had it a little better.

But Iodel was a bastard who had not been acknowledged or even revealed by the Freya family.

So she had expected her position to be virtually nonexistent.

"Yes. Though the rumors that you're staying at the Imperial Palace have helped somewhat... I judged that if you made your debut into society as you are now, you would be at a disadvantage."

"So..."

Her eyes wide, Iodel asked with genuine curiosity.

"You intended to betroth me to Lord Belice solely for my sake?"

"...Yes. Though I don't know if you'll believe me."

Aegir smiled sadly.

'Really, all of it was for me?'

She didn't know what to say. Iodel could only let out a small sigh.

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