Chapter 131 - That Was How It Began (2) (1/2)

Elena recovered to full strength. In truth, the drain on her energy was not so much the drug, but the fatigue accumulated from the wedding preparations. After a sound sleep, she woke up lighter and more refreshed than before. Then, Carlisle brought up something unexpected to her.

“What? What did you say?”

Elena’s eyes widened, but Carlisle continued on idly.

“I said you don’t need to pay the dowry.”

“Is…is that possible?”

Marriages among nobles rarely came without dowry. When they were, people gossiped, saying it was a marriage of true love. It wasn’t necessarily wrong. However, no bride has ever not paid a dowry for an imperial marriage.

“I already talked to my father. I’m telling you now so you won’t be surprised.”

“The Emperor approved it?”

Although Elena didn’t know Sullivan very well, she observed him to be a shrewd politician when they last met. It was hard to believe that he would approve a wedding without a dowry, even if it was with the Blaise family. Carlisle gave her a smile.

“My father believes that the Imperial Family would be ruined otherwise.”

“Ruined? You mean…”

Elena’s gaze turned to the blue bead ring on her finger. Although Carlisle and Sullivan claimed different things about the ring, it was clear that Sullivan valued it extremely. If he really believed that the man who married Elena would become emperor and revivor of the Ruford Empire, he would never let that wedding go. Carlisle had deftly exploited that part of his father’s psychology.

“Did you threaten him with what you said about this ring?”

“‘Compromise’ is probably a more appropriate word than ‘threat’, but he wouldn’t waive the dowry otherwise.”

“But the Blaise family is not poor. We can fairly pay the dowry and wedding ceremony requested by the Imperial Household”

“You would be surprised the dowry my father sought for.”

Elena looked at him, puzzled. Although Elena managed the finances, her father had not clarified it to her.

‘Is the amount more than I anticipate?’

The Blaises held considerable wealth, and it seemed impossible that even a princess dowry would drain their finances entirely. Noblewomen typically wouldn’t worry greatly about it, but Elena’s finance-minded approach wouldn’t let her set it aside. Her forehead creased, while Carlisle offered his reassurances.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

“How can I not worry? It’s a serious matter if the Emperor requested a high dowry.”

“That’s why I’m saying you don’t need it anymore.”

Carlisle’s proposal was tempting, but she was unsure of the approach. Perhaps House Blaise would appear cheap to other nobles, and she didn’t know how the Imperial Family would tolerate that. Carlisle had his elbows on his knees as he languidly studied Elena.

“Sometimes you don’t listen when I speak.”

“I…No, of course I’m grateful, but the reputation of my family is at stake. I’m only being cautious.”

“Don’t overthink it. At home and abroad, it will be rumored that my love for you is so great that I turned down the dowry. There will be no harm to your family’s reputation.”

“…!”

It seemed too good to be true that he would turn it down. What he offered so casually was unusual in the Imperial Court of the Ruford Empire.

“…This is too good for me.”

“Yes, so I think you owe me another one.”

Elena felt like she was already deeply indebted to Carlisle. On top of that, she felt uneasy about not paying dowry, but Carlisle simply smiled.

“Just remember to pay me back later.”