Chapter 39 (1/2)

Chapter 39: Chapter 39

“The crown prince’s wife.”

“… ”

“It would be safe to give you a title lower than that, but given the devotion and loyalty of your family, I can’t. Are you satisfied?”

“…. ”

“Why do you look displeased? I’m going to give you the formal title as my wife. Are you afraid that your family’s honor will be disgraced by that?”

Maintaining my status as his wife? He seemed to think I was afraid of being his concubine, but regardless of my title as his wife or concubine, what I really feared was going through the recurring memory of my past.

Even if I become his wife, the fact that Jiun would come later to take my title wouldn’t disappear. There was no guarantee that I would not follow my past fate just because I didn’t become his concubine.

I held my hands to hide trembling. It was today, the last day that I promised to the emperor to give him my answer. As for my throne succession right that the imperial family could not give up, I have been struggling to find a way to get rid of my entanglement with the imperial family and free me from the fetters of the past for the past few years, but time was running out.

‘Am I done here?’

I was freaking out. After I attended his coming-of-age ceremony, I thought I wouldn’t care whatever happened to me. But when I was faced with the situation now, I was so scared. No matter how hard I tried to escape, I felt like I was devoured by the deep swamp that I could never escape.

At that moment, there was fanfare, which made me come to my senses. After the foreign messengers were done offering gifts, it was time for the nobles in the empire to offer congratulations to the emperor and the crown prince.

“Next is the sword of the empire, Duke Lars,” announced the chief protocol official.

“I’m honored to see Your Excellency, the Sun of the empire. Congratulations on your coming of age, Crown Prince.”

“Thank you, Duke.”

When the chief protocol official announced, Duke and Duchess Lars and their son Carsein Lars walked out. On the left and right sides of them showing due manners, there were other nobles standing in line according to their ranks.

There are three duke families in the whole empire, but there was hierarchy even among them. The first in the hierarchy of the duke families was Duke Lars, followed by Duke Verita, and the third was …

“The family of Duke Verita is here to greet His Excellency.”

“Greetings to the Sun of the empire, His Majesty and the Little Sun, the Crown Prince. I would like to congratulate the crown prince on his coming of age.”

“Thank you.”

I fixed my trembling eyes on the floor. I couldn’t see the boy standing behind Duke Verita. ‘Allendis, you know how much I was agonized after you asked me to trust you? Do you know I was devastated by someone that I believed in when I saw a look of incredulity on your face?’ When I was struggling to hold back my tears, someone held my hand strongly.

“What are you doing now? Pull yourself together!”

I came to my senses at his sharp voice. The protocol official already called the third most powerful family.

“The family of Marquis Monique, the spear of the empire is here to greet.”

I slowly stood up. As I went down the platform, my eyes met Duke Jenna’s, who was the fourth in rank. The old man who looked very stubborn was staring at me sharply.

As I turned away from his sharp gaze, I suddenly heard some noise. I couldn’t look back, but I could feel that the person responsible for the fuss was walking toward me.

My heart was beating fast when I heard his footsteps coming closer at regular intervals.

My blood that became cold in despair because of the crown prince standing next to me began to circulate quickly.

“I’m honored to see Your Majesty, the Sun of the empire, and the Little Sun, the Crown Prince. I sincerely congratulate the crown prince on his coming of age. Please punish me for being late.”

His blue uniform, his gray hair scattered under the light, and his voice that I missed so much!

“Marquis, you’re finally back. Do you know how worried I was when I was told they lost track of you? ”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I couldn’t keep in touch with them timely since I was in a hurry to arrive here in time for the crown prince’s coming-of-age ceremony. Please punish me. ”

“Oh, don’t say that. How can I punish you unless I go crazy? Thanks for coming all the way. Let me hear more later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then let me leave now. I’d like to congratulate you, Crown Prince.”

Then he wrapped my hands warmly.