* * *

‘How did he end up there?’ Hernan wondered.

He didn’t know what Berta had done to arrive at the palace with the king of Morgana in tow, but things weren’t going poorly for him.

At least, the uproar over the Emperor’s youngest daughter’s marriage fiasco was now a minor issue.

“Morgana seeks diplomatic relations with Pelton?” the Emperor asked, as if struggling to believe it. Berta nodded confidently.

“Yes. Morgana wishes to exchange its high-quality ceramics and gold for Pelton’s specialties. Additionally, cultural and scholarly exchanges between our nations would be mutually enriching.”

The Emperor practically leaped off his throne and approached the king of Morgana’s palanquin.

“You must be tired from your long journey. Please, let us move to the garden. I regret not being better prepared to receive such distinguished guests.”

Everyone in the room was stunned by the Emperor’s sudden deference.

What was going on?

Was the military campaign still important now?

Even the princess was too shocked to react.

Only Hernan remained calm, watching the flustered Emperor with unwavering eyes.

Then, Berta stepped forward with a sly smile, positioning herself between the Emperor and the king of Morgana.

“But before that, His Highness Elkalid has a request.”

Behind her, the handsome man nodded.

“A request?” The Emperor’s voice trembled.

“What might that be?”

The Emperor, visibly agitated and unbothered by decorum, asked urgently.

Berta, taking her time, smiled before replying.

“Morgana currently needs the durable timber, jewels, and herbs from Velon. Please allow Morgana to import these goods, which are presently being offered as tribute to the Imperial family from Velon.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened at the unexpected request.

So this was what they meant by offering assistance?

It was a well-thought-out proposal.

Morgana, a nation historically notorious for piracy and plunder, had once pushed the kingdom that became the foundation of the Empire to the brink of collapse.

While the Empire couldn’t be certain of Morgana’s current military strength, it wasn’t a power to be taken lightly.

Now, Morgana had initiated diplomacy and specified what it wanted.

Unless the request was outright unreasonable, the Emperor had little choice but to accept.

The prestige of forging ties with an entity no other nation had managed to ally with was too great to ignore.

The Emperor furrowed his brows in contemplation before asking:

“There are many regions within the Empire besides Velon that produce high-quality timber and herbs. Must it specifically be from Velon?”

Berta smiled brightly and answered, “If that’s not acceptable, Morgana might reconsider this alliance. Although geographically more distant, they’re also considering direct diplomatic ties with Velon.”

“…!”

Direct diplomacy with Velon—this would effectively lay the groundwork for Velon’s full independence.

Everyone understood the implications.

The Emperor immediately shouted as though rejecting the very idea.

“Absolutely not! Fine, we’ll discuss this further over a formal banquet. Leaving our guests standing here like this is poor manners.”

The Emperor now resembled nothing so much as an anxious puppy.

Sensing the moment to secure a definitive answer, I stepped forward.

“I’ll take this as your agreement to withdraw the command for deployment to Haftis, as time does not permit a thorough investigation of Velon’s internal disputes.”

The Emperor, as though realizing he had forgotten about that entirely, bellowed, “Yes, yes! Now, go on! What are you all doing? Prepare the banquet hall at once!”

At the Emperor’s command, the attendants and maids bustled into action.

The entire situation had been chaotic, but one thing was clear: both I and Hernan would keep our heads for now.

‘But this isn’t over yet.’

Once the matter of Morgana’s diplomacy was settled, the Emperor would undoubtedly turn his attention to punishing Hernan’s insolence.

As I waited for the Emperor to leave the audience chamber with King Elkalid, he suddenly stopped and turned to glare at me.

“But upon further thought, I still don’t understand why you’re defending the Duke of Velon. How and why are you guaranteeing Velon’s loyalty?”

There it was. He wouldn’t let me off so easily.

I calmly opened my mouth to reply.

“As you know, Nirvan has been a long-standing loyal province to the Imperial family, even hosting exclusive facilities for the royal house.”

“Yes, I’m aware. But what does that have to do with Yudenet and Everdeen? They’re entirely separate families.”

Here, I had something to say.

“They’re not separate.”

“Hm?”

If only they were separate… My heart would feel much lighter.

Exhaustion made my legs tremble as I stood, sustained only by sheer willpower.

But I had to endure.

There was someone now who would catch me when I finally collapsed, someone who would carefully carry me to rest, scold me for overexerting myself, and tenderly brush my hair from my face when I was unwell.

‘So I can hold on a little longer.’

Smiling faintly, I continued.

“According to northern traditions, engagement begins the moment two unmarried individuals take each other’s purity.”

Oh, hell.

Saying ‘Yes, we slept together!’

in front of all these people made my face burn with shame, but I forced myself to maintain a composed expression as I lifted my head.

“Therefore, I have entered into a binding agreement as the Duke of Yudenet’s intended spouse. Does this prove that we are not separate?”

“Ha…!”

The Emperor’s face twisted in disbelief.

Any chance of an arranged marriage with the Imperial Princess was now irrevocably destroyed, but the Emperor wasn’t ready to yield.

Instead, he seized on another point.

“But without the priest’s approval, it cannot be considered a legitimate union. How can we trust you’re not merely fabricating this story to evade punishment?”

It was a plausible argument, meant to undermine me.

I wanted nothing more than to faint on the spot, but I steeled myself and replied.

“It’s no fabrication. I—”

As I clenched my teeth to finish, Hernan tried to rush toward me, as if breaking free of the guards surrounding him.

I quickly shook my head to stop him and completed my sentence.

“I’m carrying his child.”

All eyes turned to me at once.

Some looked shocked, as though realizing for the first time that I was an omega.

It wasn’t true, but there was no time to explain.

I had to focus on my next words.

Turning to the Emperor, who now looked utterly stupefied, I spoke again.

“The Duchess Velesa has agreed to act as the child’s guardian, so I can prove this is no lie. Velon has no heirs other than the Duke, meaning this child is Velon’s sole successor. I cannot risk hiding the only heir to the Duchy of Velon in Nirvan.”

Having said all this, the Emperor had no rebuttal.

What could he do?

An illegitimate omega or commoner might have been discredited or coerced into abandoning the child, but I was the heir to the Everdeen.

Hernan, as the Duke of Velon, couldn’t be dismissed either.

“……”

In the heavy silence, I walked toward Hernan, who was still held by the guards.

Even the Emperor could only watch me, dazed.

Standing beside Hernan, I said calmly:

“Since Your Majesty can now recognize our union, why not take this opportunity to formally declare our marriage?”

Then, I pulled a small box from my pocket.

Opening it, I revealed its contents to Hernan, whose eyes widened in astonishment.

It was the first time in a long while that I smiled genuinely, holding the box out to him.

“To Hernan Velon Yudenet, heir of Velon, I ask: will you marry me?”

Ernan stared at me, his eyes trembling.

Not out of displeasure, but as though he were on the verge of tears, overwhelmed and unsure how to respond.

* * *