Chapter 37
Isilis couldn’t wake up when she heard Usman’s words. As she never thought there would be anyone else who would say that to her so directly and openly, she was embarrassed by the words of a man who showed his feelings, like Berthas.
“The promise of ancestors is the promise of ancestors. Circumstances change, so promises change.”
“Since the documents have been exchanged, our wedding only needs the empress to approve.”
“Is that likely to happen?”
“What can’t it.”
He stared defiantly as he answered her question.
“Why can’t it happen? There was also a relationship from childhood, and it is also a relationship between two nations in marriage.”
Isilis’s mouth fell shut.
“…Don’t tell me, could it be because of him?”
“Him?”
“The child’s father? Could it be that you gave your heart to him?”
She was taken aback by the look in his eyes that seemed to be about to attack her.
“You mean he wasn’t the man you met just because you needed a child?”
“Impolite. That thing…”
Isilis’s mouth was closed as she continued to speak. It was because it seemed meaningless to say such a thing to Usman. She sighed and opened her mouth to him again.
“That thing needs no mention. The child’s father. My child is royalty, and that’s enough.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Then, we must discuss the wedding even more.”
“You see… I secretly gave birth to a child in order not to get married.”
“I know. Still, now the Empress needs a shield.”
“A shield?”
“Don’t you want to put that child on the throne?”
“….”
She couldn’t say anything at Usman’s words, who accurately pinpointed her thoughts.
“Then, of course, you should welcome a consort. If a child isn’t born with magical powers, shouldn’t we buy some time?”
“Buy time…?”
“That’s right. If you look at the history of Larchen, there are some members of the imperial family whose magical powers manifested late, so we need to give time to manifest her magical powers. If not, how are you going to overcome the nobles’ offense without a consort?”
“I don’t need a consort.”
“You will need it soon.”
She was somewhat in agreement with his assertion.
She knew, but she didn’t like it. Her political actions had been predetermined. Buying time by welcoming a consort and working with him politically was her first priority though she couldn’t make up her mind quickly.
Politically judging, the Usman Khalifa in front of her was a good consort candidate.
He said that he could give up his position as crown prince, and it was clear that they would not be happy that a foreigner was able to establish a foundation in the empire. In addition, he had a hostile relationship with Larchen.
Because Larchen and Khalife had had border fights a few times, their gaze would not be good, and it was difficult for nobles to approach them easily. Nonetheless, Berthas was also under the same conditions.
Rather, Berthas was better.
It was a condition she set with Berthas in mind though it was difficult to open her mouth to him. How could she say that she wanted him to be her husband because he was half of the Imperial Family?
“That is for me to decide.”
“I know, but Isilis…”
“Didn’t I say it was rude?”
“When we were young, you and I used to call each other names like this. Just because you became the Empress doesn’t mean I can’t call you that. It’s not even your true name anyway, is it?”
“….”
“I just wanted to let you know that if you have Berthas Hillenton in mind, you’d better close your mind.”
“What?”
“He may be more attractive than me, but he will be leaving the country soon.”
“What have you done?”
Isilis couldn’t hide her chilling voice.
Though soon, she corrected her expression when Usman’s gesture seemed to be examining her face since she couldn’t give an excuse to that person. Usman sighed as he confirmed Isilis’ complexion had quickly changed.
“Do you think he is better than me?”
“At least, we won’t be swung around.”
“Who? You?”
“Whether it was me or my husband.”
“Berthas cannot abandon his country. So, wouldn’t he still be sticking to that country even after that?”
Isilis raised her eyebrows at Usman’s words, which seemed to address her. It was an unexpected part.
‘He chooses his country over me and my child?’
It could have been so. Even if he was from the Imperial Family only in name, the Imperial Family was the Imperial Family. That was why Berthas must be enduring unfair treatment while protecting the country’s borders.
It would have been impossible without love for the country. Isilis’ misunderstanding with Berthas deepened.
Seeing her increasingly serious expression, Usman hid a smile inside.
‘This way, one competitor will disappear.’
Berthas will probably regret this moment, the moment he kicked away the chance to meet alone with the Empress… And, he would regret it again that Usman had talked with Isilis.
“Is this all you have to say?”
“Not yet.”
“Then?”
“Please give me some time today.”
“Time?”
“Shouldn’t we take the time to get to know each other?”
“You sound strange. I haven’t said anything to you yet.”
“You will soon.”
“You are fooling around. I understand, so get out.”
“I will come again tomorrow.”
“We won’t be meeting tomorrow.”
“I do not know. Maybe that’s something we’ll have to wait and see.”
Isilis was lost in thought as she watched Usman’s back as he retreated after he smiled and kissed Isilis’ hand.
“How was it?”
When Usman comes out, his lieutenant Haliman is waiting for him.
“It was very good.”
“Is that so?”
“At least Berthas Hillenton will regret today.”
“Why?”
“You’ll know when you see it.”
Haliman replied while looking at Usman, who smiled dubiously.
“What have you done? Crown Prince.”
“I did something you didn’t need to know about.”
“Please, let me just take care of it.”
“You don’t even have to take care of it. I only cast the slightest doubt.”
“Doubt?”
“Yes, doubt. Doubts that will later become a sure bond.”
Haliman shut his mouth when Usman said it with a cold smile.
The Crown Prince he served was an easy master to serve though also a difficult one. His unfussy tastes and good attitude made him easy. But how many people lost their lives because they treated him recklessly, being deceived by his easy-going behavior that they didn’t pay attention to?
He took people’s lives too lightly for things that didn’t matter. It was over when they went out of his sight.
‘Should I say it’s fortunate…’
Having the position of his aide. In a sense, he was an easy-going master. As long as he didn’t do anything against Usman’s heart, there was no problem. Going against him meant only one thing… it was to look down on him.
Born as a ruler, he hated being looked down upon by others. All those who had disappeared so far have either ignored him or failed to do their bidding properly.
Haliman walked cautiously, not to disturb him as he struggled with his thoughts.
“Haliman.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think of the Empress?”
“It seems that I am not the one to judge.”
“Right. You are not the one to judge.”
Satisfied with Haliman’s answer, Usman opened his mouth.
‘But Berthas was different…’
Seeing his way of speaking as if he knew the Empress well and his presumptuous behavior, Usman felt it… Clearly, there was something. There was something he didn’t know.
“My order last time?”
“Here it is.”
Haliman handed over the documents at Usman’s words.
“There was no sign of anything. But…”
“But?”
“I followed the trail, and Berthas Hillenton came out.”
“Berthas?”
Why did he come out here? Usman looked away from the papers in puzzlement and looked at Haliman.
Facing his sharp gaze, he flinched in embarrassment.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Why is Berthas Hillenton mentioned here?”
“That… I mean.”
Haliman, who was looking around, noticed the video orb and shook his head.
”Let’s go.”
Usman, who left Larchen’s imperial palace, urged him.
”What?”
“The Empress went on vacation, and no one knew. It was strange, so I followed her whereabouts and searched Etort port, where the Grand Duke, a relative of the Empress, was staying.”
“Why did she go there?”
“Because it’s a place a wizard would never go.”
Listening to Haliman’s words, Usman nodded his head.
”Right. If it were the empress, she would have gone there… to a place where the servants will not find her.”
“Yes. So I searched there, and around the same time, Hillenton’s soldiers stayed.”
“What?”
“I heard that the soldiers led by Berthas Hillenton were staying at Etort Port.”
“….”
“Isn’t something strange?”
“Right. By the way… The Princess’s hair is black. Coincidentally.”
“It doesn’t seem like a coincidence at all.”
“Do you think so, too?”
“If it was the Empress, there is no way she wouldn’t have recognized Berthas Hillenton as a sword master.”
“I guess so.”
It was Usman who could not hide his eyes burning with anger. Facing his gaze directly, only Haliman quietly lowered his eyes.
“As expected, isn’t it? That the half-imperial family was lucky enough to catch and take away the woman I was holding dear.”
“Crown Prince.”
“Was that it?”
“Your Highness, calm down…”
“Do I look like I can calm down now!”
With a ‘pop’ sound, the aura exploded from Usman’s body. If it hadn’t been because they moved to an empty lot where no one was there and talked, they would have been the first members of the Khalifa Empire’s Imperial Family to be imprisoned in another Empire’s prison.
“Your Highness…”
“That bastard dares… I couldn’t even hold her by the wrist!”
“Your Highness, there are eyes on you.”
As Usman turned his gaze to Haliman’s lowered words, the guards of the Larchen Empire approached him.
“What are you doing?”
“No, nothing.”
Haliman spoke urgently with Usman’s sharpening momentum.
“It is illegal to raise an aura in the capital of Larchen.”
“I know. It’s because there is something we have to do…”
There was no way a Sword Master couldn’t contain his energy. The guards hesitated when he said that there was something wrong. It was fitting to correct them according to the standard, but the other person was a distinguished foreign guest and a sword master.
There was no magician, so they couldn’t force it now.
“All right.”
The guards backed away after watching Usman, who didn’t say anything. Only Halimman opened his mouth to the man who was still trembling with anger.
“Your Highness…”
“….”
“A person’s mind is not at will, but isn’t it possible to create situations?”
“Is there a way?”
Appalled at his words, Usman raised his face.
—
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