Chapter 98: The Crown Prince’s Bride
by rosalie“This isn’t just a letter, it’s a wedding invitation, isn’t it?”
“Right.”
Xavier’s response was brief. However, his pupils were dilated as he stroked his chin.
Sending the Crown Prince’s wedding invitation just a week in advance was an unprecedented break from tradition.
“Why so suddenly? Usually, there’s a marriage ban announcement, then a state marriage is arranged, or proposals are received from prestigious families… I wonder which family’s lady it is.”
Maya looked at me while covering her mouth with both hands. Even Maya knew these common royal marriage procedures.
‘But there was one exception. In the case of Rosetta, who was both the female lead and the Saintess.’
The image of Arthur and Rosetta I witnessed at the Founding Festival flickered before my eyes.
‘No way.’
Half in doubt, I searched for the bride’s name. Under the golden sun-shaped emblem, the black ink was clear.
“Crown Prince Arthur de Fabian and Lady Rosetta Cornwell.”
“Hmm.”
“Ah!”
Even Xavier opened his mouth wide this time and blinked several times.
Maya’s face turned pale as if she might faint, and she choked. Though she seemed to have many questions, being in front of the Duke, she only looked at my face before giving a slight bow and quietly leaving the terrace.
The invitation in my hand fell limply onto the table.
‘Is the Crown Prince really going to marry Rosetta?’
Xavier, who had been silently lost in thought beside me, slowly spoke.
“Rosetta Cornwell… surely it’s not that Rosetta who was your maid?”
“No… I think it is.”
Rosetta Cornwell.
To bring Rosetta in as a maid for the Duke’s household, I asked my mother to have her adopted into a branch of the Graham family.
The Cornwell family, established by my now-deceased uncle, in other words, the second son of the Graham family.
I heard that my aunt and her children were maintaining the family line.
“Hmm.”
With a sigh, Xavier fingered the invitation with his bandaged hand.
“This isn’t just breaking procedure, it’s destroying it. Though there will be less criticism from the ministers since Rosetta has noble status now…”
“His Highness must have somehow obtained His Majesty’s permission.”
“His Majesty is too soft on his only son. That’s His Majesty’s only flaw.”
“I see.”
Emperor Charles de Fabian had been so fond of Rosetta as a Saintess. But now Rosetta is no longer a Saintess. Therefore, she cannot obtain a status equivalent to that of an imperial princess.
Speaking coldly, even though she became a noble, she wasn’t someone beneficial to the imperial family.
How did the Crown Prince get permission for marriage? Did he really fall in love with Rosetta? Was this the reason for the uneasiness I felt when I saw them together?
Xavier frowned as he put the invitation in his inner pocket.
“I can’t believe this is happening without any word to the Duchess. Did the Crown Prince catch love sickness after seeing Rosetta at the camp?”
“I wish it were that simple.”
“But for that Crown Prince to marry for love, it’s completely implausible.”
I agree with that statement.
What does the Crown Prince want from Rosetta?
Unconsciously, I stared blankly in the direction of the imperial capital.
‘Come to think of it, Rosetta… has completely left me behind.’
Her heart had grown as distant as the space between the Duke’s residence and the imperial capital.
“Yuria, are you alright?”
Xavier stood behind me and gently placed both hands on my shoulders. I naturally turned my head from the window to look up at him.
“About what?”
“About your cherished maid suddenly becoming the Crown Princess…”
“Ah, that?”
She left saying she would go her own way, so I should let her go. It’s not like I was going to be responsible for her forever.
It’s just that I feel hurt because Rosetta said so many things to me.
If she’s happy with it, what can I do?
I smiled calmly and answered Xavier.
“I’m fine. We should congratulate her.”
I should just focus on my own duties.
This world is already overwhelming enough just living for myself, why should I worry about someone who left?
I’m already busy and overwhelmed enough just with Xavier’s matters.
‘Though I am curious how they got His Majesty’s approval.’
If Rosetta is happy, that’s enough.
*
Emperor Charles cherished his furniture made of dark reddish-brown mahogany inlaid with golden sandalwood. However, he didn’t even notice the sharp tip of his quill pen scratching the expensive wood as he glared at the Crown Prince’s golden eyes that resembled his own.
“So, are you satisfied now?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“She’s originally from the back alleys, and the ink on her adoption into the Cornwell family hasn’t even dried yet. You know I allowed this because you said you would never marry?”
“I am grateful for that.”
“Hmph.”
Charles Emperor’s face hardened as he looked up at the Crown Prince.
That cold face couldn’t possibly be one of gratitude.
Even the statues displayed in the gallery couldn’t be as cold. Arthur stood before the Emperor with his hands behind his back, like an emotionless wooden doll.
‘He used to smile so well when Rosia was alive…’
Fifteen years ago, after Empress Rosia died, his son had remained consistently cold toward him.
The Emperor had been trying to please his son as much as possible, wanting to see his son’s bright smile just once.
‘Even though I readily approved this difficult marriage… this boy…’
Suppressing the rage rising within him, the Emperor gently asked his son.
“Arthur, you are the future of this empire. Why not just make her your concubine, since your feelings will cool in a few years?”
Those words carried many implications.
For years, there had been invisible groundwork laid to place their daughters beside the young Crown Prince.
With this incident, wedding invitations would have been sent to all noble houses in the empire, and it was obvious that ministers would come rushing in causing an uproar.
“That position isn’t enough. Rosetta must be the Crown Princess. She’s the one who will fulfill my dream.”
“Do you like that child that much?”
“Yes.”
“Hah, you’ve fallen hard.”
“……”
Though the Emperor’s voice seemed scolding, it contained expectation.
The illusion that their father-son relationship would become more flexible after the marriage.
Moreover, the Emperor’s face was flushed with inner pleasure at the lengthening conversation with his son.
However, Arthur’s eyes looking down at his father remained as cold as ground frost on an early morning.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
As Arthur turned around and tried to stride out of the office, the Emperor’s trembling voice stopped him.
“Arthur.”
His quick steps stopped, but he didn’t turn around.
“…Do you still resent me?”
“You ask the obvious.”
“My son.”
Arthur turned his head slightly to look at the Emperor. His golden eyes blazed terrifyingly, filled with contempt. It shone even more brilliantly in contrast to his emotionless face.
The resentment in his heart flowed like a blade between his beautiful lips.
“What did Your Majesty do when Mother went wandering and was killed by the beastmen?”
The Emperor answered with a devastated expression.
“The bandits were executed immediately upon capture, and the nation has already received compensation, haven’t they?”
“Yes. You received the magic stone mines.”
“……”
“I will resent you as long as you leave that cursed Beast Kingdom unpunished. Even after death.”
“Arthur!”
Despite the Emperor’s desperate call, Arthur violently kicked open the door and left the office.
“Your Highness.”
As Arthur exited the office, Count Willem, who had been waiting in the corridor, approached with small steps and bowed. Seeing the cold golden eyes, Willem dropped his head with a start.
Walking slowly down the corridor, Arthur asked in his characteristically gentle voice.
“Count Willem, have all the wedding invitations been distributed?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Though there are many shortcomings due to the sudden marriage announcement, I will do my best.”
“Is that so?”
“Pardon? Yes.”
Looking over at Count Willem who answered reluctantly, Arthur continued speaking while walking.
“You probably don’t understand why I’m marrying that woman either? Since you value family lineage.”
“…Honestly, that’s true.”
“Family lineage… it’s very important, but do you know what?”
Arthur’s steps stopped in front of the portrait of the late Empress Rosia.
Seeing Willem only blinking without answering, Arthur curled up both corners of his mouth.
“Remember that it is I, Arthur de Fabian, the future of Brillante who will rule the empire, who can both trample a family into the ground and raise it up.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Count Willem nodded with a pale expression, lowering his eyes. Arthur deliberately put his hand on his shoulder and whispered in a low voice near his ear.
“You have a daughter, don’t you, Count?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I thought there might be an opportunity for the Willem family if this matter is handled well?”
“Your Highness, by opportunity you mean…?”
“It’s not only the Crown Princess who can bear my heir.”
“!”
Count Willem’s white mustache trembled along with his quivering lips.
“Who knows? Maybe my successor will come from the Willem family? Of course, that’s only if Count Willem is interested in this matter.”
“Ah…”
Arthur smiled gently, folding his eyes as he watched the Count’s eyes becoming tainted with greed.
“I heard you helped with sending out the invitations too. Let’s continue like this, Count Willem.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Make sure Lady Rosetta gets everything she wants. She must be treated with utmost respect.”
“I will do so.”
Arthur gripped Willem’s shoulder once more as he bowed his head, then turned away. He walked forward with long strides.
A woman in a purple dress, fully adorned, was walking toward him from the opposite direction, with a group of maids trailing behind her like a tail.
“Lord Arthur!”
Rosetta ran down the corridor making thumping sounds while holding up her skirt. Count Willem’s expression soured despite having just heard Arthur’s advice about how the future Crown Princess should be so unrefined.
Arthur, with a bright smile as his mask, received Rosetta very smoothly as she threw herself into his arms.
“Rosetta.”
“Were you perhaps coming to see me?”
“Yes, my bride.”
“Oh my.”
Rosetta blushed and lowered her eyelids briefly, then whispered quietly after seeing Count Willem standing behind Arthur.
“I have something to ask regarding the wedding preparations.”
“Yes, tell me.”
As Arthur met Rosetta’s eyes with a loving gaze, she responded in an excited voice.
“Please invite my parents.”