Chapter 316 (1/2)
“Well, let me put it aside. Anyway, this is my suggestion. I have no plans to accept my wife yet. However, when I think about those kingdoms that dispatched their princesses here, I can’t say I don’t want you all. So, I want you to announce first that you don’t want me.”
“I will, Your Majesty.”
“As you know, if your pregnancy is known to the outside world, there will be a war between the empire and your kingdom. So, to both of you, oh, actually three, I think saving your lives is more important than a war, right?”
She flinched at his penetrating look. At that moment, Gillian twisted his body to block her vision from the crown prince and said, “What do you want from us?”
“Hmm, I think you can understand my point better. I don’t want a lot. I just need something to dissuade those preferring to go to a war with the Lisa kingdom.”
“If we give you what you want, what can you give us in return?”
“Well? You think it’s not enough to have your lives saved, right?”
“Of course, it is, but in that case, what we can hand over to you will be a little different.”
“As a mere knight, are you now trying to negotiate with me?”
Sir Feden’s sparkling brown eyes clashed with the crown prince’s cold eyes. As the atmosphere between them became more tense, Beatrice closed her mouth in a nervous state. She felt as if the crown price would order his royal knights to drag him out.
How much time passed? She was watching them tensely for a while, when the crown prince relented a bit and said, folding his fingers with a more relaxed expression than before, “I hear you are head of the famous Feden family. As such, you are exceeding my expectations.”
“… Well, it’s the thing of the past.”
“I see. I heard that your family was ruined when your mother and first queen lost favor with the king. That’s too bad.”
“…”
“Originally I planned to wrap it up after obtaining some moderate concessions, but as you ask me, let me listen to what you want. Just go ahead.”
“What I want is…”
Beatrice was stunned by what he said, but as she was excluded from their talk, she could not do anything to block him from trying to make a deal with the crown prince. In the end, she could barely see him face to face, who stood next to her after seeing the prince off with a satisfied expression.
Stupid man. Didn’t she really know what he sacrificed for her?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Are you asking because you really don’t know what I sacrificed for you?”
“Well, I gave up almost everything. What’s so important?”
“This is different from what we have to live quietly here as if we are dead. You’ve become a turncoat! You earned dishonor that will follow you for the rest of your life!”
“I am fine. I don’t care about such a dishonor. I would be willing to suffer the disgrace if I could make you and our baby lead a comfortable life.”
“But…”
Gillian pulled her with a jerk when she was trying to say something, and kissed her. Although she resisted a bit, she eventually closed her eyes and put her arms around his neck as he kissed her passionately.
***
“I give the title of baron to Gillian lo Feden, an earl from the Lisa kingdom. Are you willing to give up your title awarded by the kingdom of Lisa and remain loyal to the empire as its noble?”
“Yes, I will.”
“Are you, Gillian lo Feden, as a new baron of the empire, vowing to devote allegiance to the glorious Castina Empire?”
“I swear.”
Even some of the participants at the title ceremony whispered among themselves that he was a turncoat, he stood up confidently, ignoring them looking daggers at his back. Then, he bowed to the crown prince and walked up to her.
Every step he came closer to her, her heart began to pound.
When he finally stopped in front of her, he smiled gently and said, “Vera.”
“…Gillian. ”
Gillian, looking at her silently for a long time, slowly knelt before her. Grabbing her hand and gently kissing it, he said, “Now I can speak my mind. I, Gillian Lo Feden, want to tell you my wish that I have hidden in my mind for a long time. ”