Chapter 18

Rezette muttered, “For a plan devised by Van Yela’s king, it feels quite despicable.”

Noyer responded, “Perhaps for the princess. She should be accustomed to this kind of treatment and the consequences of her actions.”

“I don’t agree,” Rezette muttered.

“Why not? Have you fallen for her?” Noyer asked.

“I just don’t want to deceive God,” Rezette replied.

Noyer’s irritation grew as the conversation continued. “You’ve chosen to touch the princess who is on the verge of death. The savage brothers of Ugel demand her head on a platter. Just thinking about how to appease them makes me feel helpless. You’ve sent away all the drunken women and chosen the one woman who cannot be touched. Are you a fool?”

Rezette wearily squeezed his temples. “If we secretly keep the princess, what excuse can we make to Ugel? They will not hesitate to surround us. Rezette Kyrstan refuses to hand over the princess, claiming that he has fallen in love with her. We can even use this excuse if necessary.”

“Are you serious?” Noyer asked skeptically.

“Believe what you wish,” Rezette responded.

After a moment of hesitation, Noyer nodded in agreement. “You make a valid point. Let us take an oath before the Archbishop. Do not force her to live with you. If something goes wrong with the child, you may divorce her.”

Rezette remained silent.

“If the pregnancy reaches full term, the child will be born around late winter next year, correct? There are only eight or nine months left. After enduring that period, we can assess the condition of the princess and the child and send them to Ugel…it won’t be too late.”

Rezette continued to stare at Noyer without blinking. It was a gaze that could kill a man, one that even an emperor like Noyer found difficult to face. Although he had never doubted Rezette’s loyalty, he remained aware of the possibility that he might betray Van Yela. Noyer knew it was better to appease and pacify such individuals than to crush them underfoot.

Noyer’s eyes lingered on Rezette for a moment before he spoke again. “Of course, everything would be different if you harbored feelings for her. Don’t stare at me like that. You know me better than that. I would never wish ill will upon the princess.”

Rezette didn’t respond, but Noyer continued. “It’s the princess’s fault, really. Do you think that woman seduced you with pure intentions?”

Rezette remained silent, and Noyer pressed on. “She must have done it to survive. She’s a wicked woman.”

Noyer sighed heavily. “I hope the princess doesn’t die because of this.” He paused for a moment before adding, “But… I have a good feeling about it.”

Noyer had been feeling optimistic in recent days. He couldn’t help but feel excited that his lifelong ambition might finally come true this year. “Maybe, Rezette,” he said, his voice full of hope, “she’ll be able to withstand your seed. After all, she’s an Argan.”

Rezette nodded in agreement. The princess was a disciple of the Great Dragon Sameshita and a descendant of the hero Gallian, who had successfully handled dragons. She was surely different from ordinary women. “That’s true,” he reluctantly admitted. Despite his reservations about the situation, he couldn’t deny that the princess was physically stronger than most women.

Noyer’s laughter echoed through the room, and Rezette fought the urge to scowl. “Do you think so too? Haha, take good care of her, Rezette. It would be nice if she were a boy, but it doesn’t matter if she’s a girl. As long as she inherits your strength properly,” Noyer said with a greedy look on his face. 

Suppressing his disgust, Rezette replied calmly, “I don’t think we need to wait until late winter. Her Highness the Princess is likely to return here again in the autumn.” 

Noyer’s face twisted in confusion. “What?” 

Rezette continued, “It would be better not to dismantle the execution platform in the square.” Noyer tried to interrupt, but Rezette spoke over him. “You can do as you please in the autumn. I won’t interfere.” He lowered her head and coldly turned away from Noyer’s desperate calls.

***

Ruben couldn’t contain his surprise as they made their way out of the audience chamber. “I can hardly believe that Your Majesty is truly getting married,” he blurted out. His excitement was palpable, but his superior officer didn’t share his enthusiasm.

“The rumor has already spread among the knights,” Ruben continued. “Have you heard about it? I didn’t think you would accept it without objection. You always hated the idea of marriage.”

“I still find it repulsive,” Rezette replied icily.

Ruben flinched as his superior glared at him. He felt as if he could hear Rezette’s thoughts: “Isn’t it your fault that the Emperor has come to this decision because of your useless blabbering?”

He stumbled over his words in an attempt to recover, saying, “Well, I suppose even Rotiara needs a hostess. Old Lady Pettison will be more than welcoming. And perhaps the baby will be born safely…”

“That is not going to happen,” Rezette interrupted, cutting off Ruben’s words sharply.

Ruben was taken aback. Had the emperor taken his heart or something? Rezette had previously agreed to the marriage, willingly at that. But what does that cold gaze mean?  Ruben was one of those who believed firmly that there must have been something between the two.

In the eyes of the knights who had spent years on the battlefield with the duke, Rezette Kyrstan exhibited a particular tenderness towards the princess, Argan. Though it could be interpreted as a gesture of respect towards their liege, some found it excessive. Was giving the princess a bath truly an expression of worship?

Moreover, Argan’s princess possessed an awe-inspiring radiance. Would Kyrstan have extended the same kindness towards a prince, rather than a princess? Ruben pondered this question silently. Ah, that. He might, um, really do the same. 

The emperor dispatched celebrated beauties to Rotiara each month. Yet, he never involved himself with these women until whispers of their beauty permeated the land. In fact, he appeared to be repulsed by the mere idea of being with women.

It was only natural. Dragons were known to be more akin to beasts than humans and their sexual urges often went unchecked, leading them to mate indiscriminately. The lord, however, was resolute in his efforts to distance himself from such base behavior. 

Ruben spoke up, trying to offer some comfort to Rezette. “It’s alright, Your Highness. You are fundamentally different from other dragons,” he said.

Rezette tilted his head. “How so?” he asked.

Ruben explained, “You cannot be compared to other dragons. People who are ignorant may call you a monster or a savage, but even in appearance, you are different. You have never lost control or gone on a rampage like other dragons.”

Rezette remained silent as he listened to Ruben’s words.

“Your Highness,” Ruben continued, “you have the ability to love, marry, and have children like ordinary men. Isn’t that a blessing from God?”

Rezette looked at Ruben with a mixture of pity and annoyance. He had fought alongside Ruben for years, yet the man spoke such nonsense.

“Don’t talk foolishness,” Rezette said firmly.

Ruben persisted, “But it’s not foolishness. Your child will be exceptional, even more remarkable than the Van Yela or the Argan royal family. It’s natural for the child of someone as remarkable as you to possess extraordinary abilities…”

Rezette cut him off, “Do not get carried away. It is unnecessary excitement. Autumn is fast approaching.”

Autumn?

Ruben’s face paled as realization dawned on him. Could it be that the lord had no intention of letting the child come into the world? Or was he perhaps anticipating the princess’s death before the year’s end?

Ruben fell silent.

“Your Highness, surely you are not considering taking your own life?” he asked cautiously.

“In the worst-case scenario, I may have to. Before I witness even greater bloodshed,” replied Rezette.

Rezette’s demeanor remained unchanging, but Ruben no longer saw the troubled man he had known for years, caught off guard by the sudden upheaval in his life and the unexpected marriage. Now he saw a killer, scanning the battlefield for sacrificial lambs.

Oh, merciful gods. Our Highness is someone who will do whatever it takes, he thought. As Ruben traced a sacred symbol in his mind, a frigid order fell upon his ears.

“Dispatch a messenger to Rotiara. Inform them to make arrangements for the arrival of the Princess. Let the preparations be thorough and meticulous,” Rezette commanded.

“It seems she is still reluctant to part with her life. Let her revel in the joy of the few remaining months.”

It was only then that Ruben comprehended the gravity of the situation. The princess of Argan was not immune to the looming danger of death. Perhaps she was oblivious that each step she took brought her closer to the darkest fate of all.

***

Before their departure to Rotiara, the couple participated in an informal wedding ceremony at the chapel located within the Van Yela Imperial Castle. It was held not in the grand hall, but in a small annex used only by priests.

Although it was a hastily put-together ceremony, it lacked the grandeur and opulence that was typical of a royal wedding. There were no gifts, no rings, and no bridal veil. It was as if the wedding between the princess of Argan and the grand duke of Van Yela had been arranged in a moment of impulse, like a bolt of lightning.

Elise stood before the officiant in a daze, lost in thought.

If only Andrei were here to witness this, he would have been furious…”