~Chapter 17~
. A Plausible Fairy Tale
2023.08.17.
That small bit of interest made Fraser’s confidence soar.
“I do not only have Ellis Wharton as a daughter, Your Majesty, but also Iris Wharton. As you know, she is a sorceress expected to become the next Great Sage, and her virtue, reputation, and beauty are such that people even call her the reincarnation of the Goddess.”
“So?”
“My second daughter is far too inadequate for Prince Chase. Since ancient times, they have said a noble person must be paired with one of equal nobility. Would not my first daughter suit Prince Chase far better? It would raise the name of Bedroca to greater heights.”
Langie stroked his chin. The proposal was tempting.
He had already heard much about this Iris.
In fact, when he had first brought up marriage talks with Baron Wharton’s family, it was Iris he had in mind.
But the Wharton family had put forth Ellis, and the Queen warned that the brilliant Iris would take Chase in hand and wield him as she pleased, so things had become tangled. Still, from what Langie had observed, Chase had shown himself to be rather clever.
He no longer seemed the kind to be stupidly toyed with by a woman.
So, compared to a half-blood daughter with no talent and a common-born mother, Iris was much more suitable.
“Yet it doesn’t look good.”
Though Langie was half convinced, something bothered him.
“What exactly concerns Your Majesty?”
“From your eldest daughter’s point of view, was it not her younger sister who had dealings in this betrothal? Do you think that is acceptable?”
“I will ensure there is no problem. Ellis and Prince Chase’s relationship was never officially announced, after all.”
“You’re saying you can make sure there is no noise whatsoever?”
Langie pressed him again.
A question of “Can you?” was as good as a command to do it. Fraser nodded.
“I do not like men of empty words. Finish it before the banquet. And—make it a splendid story.”
“I am unworthy and cannot fully grasp Your Majesty’s meaning. Would you explain?”
“A story that your daughter desired my son most ardently. Without at least that much, how could we patch even a little dignity back onto my son’s fractured honor?”
Fraser’s lips trembled at the command to weave a fairy tale of love between Iris and Chase.
Iris was the daughter he cherished above all. She was the one meant to raise the Wharton house to the very top.
He ought to escort her in a golden carriage down a carpet of blossoms—but instead, he was being forced to have her pull the carriage herself.
This is all because of that Ellis girl!
His grief over Iris, his resentment at Langie’s humiliation—everything twisted into rage toward Ellis.
Damn wretch!
Even as he cursed her inwardly, Fraser smiled and bowed.
“I will build the most beautiful story.”
Thus was the marriage between Iris and Chase decided.
“This is nonsense! Why me? Why do I have to marry the man who was supposed to wed Ellis?”
Iris screamed. Fraser tried to soothe her as he explained the situation.
“That man! He’s infamous for being hated by the Queen!”
Iris shouted without care for who might hear. Though the person in question was not present, her words were already excessive.
Chase isn’t even worthy of being called a man.
Ellis watched her sister’s tantrum with a blank face. A faint shimmer flashed and vanished in her vision.
A Silent Shield. Evidently Iris had cast it.
Of course. She wouldn’t recklessly run her mouth if there was any chance her words might leak and harm her.
Ellis admitted, at least, that Iris wielded magic deftly, bending it always to her own advantage.
“She should take responsibility! Why must I? Father, go back and tell them again! I don’t want to marry Prince Chase!”
Iris clutched Fraser’s arm and shook it.
Ellis had never once acted so spoiled, even as a child.
“I’m sorry, Iris. Your father’s ability only goes so far. Prince Chase is not such a bad match. He is still a prince. I thought him a fool, but lately he seems quite political and capable.”
Ellis scoffed inwardly. Chase only looked competent because of her.
No one knew it. To elevate him, she had hidden herself completely in his shadow.
“He’s still just a prince! What I want is—”
Iris snapped her mouth shut.
She wasn’t so childish as to proclaim here that she wanted the Queen’s throne.
“I know. The place that suits you is the very highest. Don’t worry. Father will find a way. But first we must secure a marriage with the royal family.”
“I still hate it, I hate it!”
Far from the graceful woman society imagined, Iris sobbed like a child, throwing a tantrum.
Ellis watched for a moment, then rose from her seat.
The scrape of the chair drew everyone’s eyes.
“I don’t think I’m needed in this discussion. I’ll take my leave.”
Iris’s face twisted with rage. Fraser clenched his fist.
This whole mess was her fault! He was about to hurl the heavy paperweight at her when—
Regina opened the door at just the right moment.
She glanced between Iris’s ruined face and Fraser clutching the weight, breath heaving, and quickly spoke.
“His Highness Prince Chase has arrived.”
“Whew… Prince Chase?”
Barely restraining his fury, Fraser set down the paperweight.
Had Regina not appeared, it would surely have flown into Ellis’s back.
“Bring him to the second-floor drawing room. I’ll come shortly.”
“Ah… but His Highness asked to see Lady Ellis.”
All three faces in the room hardened at once.
The night before, Chase had been summoned by Langie and scolded harshly—then given a shocking command.
“You couldn’t even keep a single woman in line, and now you’re caught in scandal?”
“Ellis would never, Your Majesty! This must be a mistake. Someone else has been confused with her—”
“Mistake or not, I don’t care. You will marry Iris.”
It was as if lightning had struck him in his sleep. Chase had been reeling for days.
Not long after Ellis had broken up with him, a ridiculous article was published.
Even so, Chase had not wavered.
He knew Ellis. After all she had done for him, her love would not change so easily.
She had given up everything and supported him with all she had. If she had grown weary, then all he needed was to press for engagement and marriage—then she would relent and come back.
That was what he believed. But things had taken a strange turn.
He had waited for dawn. And as soon as it broke, he went straight to her.
He had to win Ellis back. Without her, he was like a bird without wings.
Chase fiddled with the sheet of paper on which he had written a poem.
Ellis had always delighted in even the smallest letters from him. If she learned he had written a poem, she would surely be touched.
The thought calmed his agitated heart somewhat.
“Wait here, Regina. Leave the door open.”
Ellis’s voice drifted out.
Not wanting to show his nervousness, Chase hurried to sit on the sofa, gazing out the window.
The rustle of a skirt brushed the air.
“Your Highness, I hear you asked for me.”
Her calm voice cut him to the bone.
Chase turned his head slowly to meet her greeting.
“Yes. Have you been well?”
He wished to be as aloof as she was, but his heart betrayed him. His tone came out gentle.
“You must have worried over the rumors. Don’t worry—I’ll settle everything. Please sit. No need to explain yourself about those slanders. I know full well you would never do such a thing.”
His facial muscles twitched faintly—sign of his unease.
What is he doing? Anyone would think he truly loved me.
When in truth, he would use her and discard her.
“Your Highness, I have something to say.”
“Speak freely.”
Chase forced a smile.
It was the same false smile he always wore when pretending to be benevolent despite his true feelings.
I’m the one whose plans are unraveling—yet he’s the one fuming.
Ellis’s gaze grew cold. Everything was falling neatly into her hands, yet Chase was floundering.
If things went as expected, the instant he heard he was to wed Iris, he should have rejoiced.
Instead of clinging to her, he ought to be throwing a party.
“Ellis, before you speak, would you accept my gift?”
He handed her an envelope. Ellis took it and set it aside.
“You may read it now.”
“I’ll read it later—”
“Now!”
Chase snapped, raising his voice.
Startled, Ellis looked up at him. He quickly plastered on another fake smile.
“Now, please.”
Chase did not have a good temper.
His kindly demeanor was nothing but a hollow mask.
When things didn’t go his way, he shouted, smashed objects, even beat people.
It was always Ellis who cleaned up the aftermath.
She read the poem—not from fear, but because she wanted to avoid a scene.
—O white flower blooming on autumn hill…
The first line gave her déjà vu.
—Neither the swaying wind,
Nor the blazing sun
Could shake my heart for you, bright as the stars above.
At once she remembered where she had seen it.
This is the same poem he gave me before.
On her twentieth birthday, when he had presented it instead of a gift. She had treasured it, memorized it.
And then learned it was written by his aide.
Though a few words had changed, it was obviously the same poem. Ellis laughed.
“Do you like it? It’s my heart.”
Yes, a borrowed heart from someone else. He didn’t even have a single true word of his own.
Ellis folded the letter and set it down.
