EOSL CH 25

Chapter 25

Without realizing it, I frowned deeply.

Was I the one being slow? Since earlier, what His Majesty was saying sounded strange.

The way he put it… it almost sounded like he wasn’t sorry for calling me his fiancée at all. As if he had called me that because he wanted to.

“Your Majesty, when you say the content…”

Isn’t there some misunderstanding here? Shouldn’t we correct the whole “fiancée” claim first?

Just as I was about to speak, he quickly raised his right hand, signaling me not to interrupt.

Right. He said he would speak first.

I closed my mouth obediently, but my brain felt like it was swelling. My heart felt ready to burst.

Your Majesty, do you even realize what you’re saying right now?

He looked at me seriously and continued.

“Yes. The content. The part where I called you my fiancée.”

“That content…”

“It wasn’t a lie.”

What?

My mouth fell open.

He spoke again quickly.

“I want you to become my fiancée. I want to make you my fiancée. And I want everyone to know it.”

“Y-yes?”

I startled myself. I had meant to say “yes?” but my voice cracked and came out as some strange noise.

He didn’t seem to care how ridiculous I sounded.

Slowly, he knelt on one knee in front of me.

“Aira Wildenbiston, second daughter of the Duke of Wildenbiston.”

“…”

“I wish for you to become my one and only wife.”

“Ah…”

“I want to promise marriage to you. I do not wish to give you to any other man. I simply failed to express it before. I can explain everything you went through…”

He continued speaking, but I couldn’t hear anything.

The ceiling was spinning.

“Lady Wildenbiston.”

“…”

“Aira?”

I tried to steady myself, but I wavered.

He was calling my name—but I didn’t even have the strength to sit upright anymore.

All the strength drained from my body.

If I fall, I’ll hit the floor.

I squeezed my eyes shut—

“Aira, Aira?! Guards! The royal physician!”

Strange.

I didn’t hit the floor.

I was in his arms.

He was holding me tightly, shouting for help.

His heart was beating incredibly fast.

Just like mine had been earlier.

Slowly, I closed my eyes.

This happened last time too…

I’ve never fainted before, and now I’ve fainted twice. How fragile am I, Aira Wildenbiston?

Or is this some kind of illness?

***

In a small conference room behind the audience chamber—accessible only to a select few—there were four people.

Duke and Duchess Wildenbiston. Count Shiram, one of the royal physicians. And Rubellus.

“How is she?”

At Rubellus’s question, Count Shiram—who had rushed to the palace despite it being past eight in the evening—wiped sweat from his forehead and bowed.

“Externally, there are no injuries. Upon examination, there appears to be no particular issue. A more thorough check would require equipment, but as far as I can tell, the Lady Wildenbiston is in very good health…”

“Then why did she collapse?”

Rubellus cut him off sharply.

The physician wiped more sweat.

It wasn’t because the room was warm. It was because of the young emperor glaring at him.

His tone when asking about her condition was sharp and urgent. Each time the physician finished speaking, Rubellus’s eyes flared as if ready to grab him by the collar.

He had thought the Emperor was someone who never changed expression—even when being examined himself.

“Th-that is… it appears she was temporarily overwhelmed by shock and fainted. Even healthy individuals can collapse if suddenly startled. In my opinion, once she regains consciousness and is given proper nourishment, she should return to normal health.”

Rubellus listened with a grave expression.

The physician wondered if his words had not reassured him at all.

He had clearly said the young lady was healthy, but the Emperor’s face showed no relief.

“Does she need any medication?”

“I will prescribe a restorative tonic to replenish her energy.”

“…Very well.”

At that, the Duchess finally released the sigh she had been holding in.

Rubellus nodded once, then spoke firmly.

“Treat Lady Wildenbiston as you would a member of the imperial family.”

Count Shiram’s eyes widened.

That meant not only the best possible medical care but also absolute secrecy.

What on earth had happened?

Still, he bowed and withdrew. Unlike other capital nobles, he had no need to involve himself in political currents. Forgetting today’s events was safest for him.

The door closed softly behind him.

After a moment, the Duke spoke, holding his wife’s hand tightly beneath the table.

“Your Majesty, may I ask what happened to Aira?”

The Duke’s face was as expressionless as ever, but Rubellus detected a slight tremor in his voice.

He understood exactly why.

Even Rubellus himself had not expected Aira to collapse like that.

The Duke likely wondered whether Rubellus had spoken harshly or harmed her.

A terrifying misunderstanding.

Rubellus pressed his lips together, then shook his head carefully.

“If I told you nothing happened, would you believe me?”

“Ah—!”

The Duchess let out a small sob.

The Duke quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Rubellus looked startled.

“Your Grace.”

The duchess pressed a handkerchief to her eyes and spoke.

“Your Majesty, I know my daughter made a grave mistake during the morning council. If you would inform us what punishment she has received, we will take responsibility as loyal subjects of the Crown.”

Nothing happened, I’m telling you…

Rubellus swallowed a sigh.

The Duke and Duchess clearly did not trust him at all.

“Your Grace, please set aside your misunderstanding. How could I punish Aira—”

He stopped when he met the Duke’s gaze.

The Duke’s eyes were steady and sharp.

In that moment, Rubellus understood what he was thinking.

Surely you have not done something unspeakable and confined her in the palace?

What?

Surely not…

Did they think by “punishment” she meant something beyond harsh words?

Stunned, Rubellus hurried to speak.

“Duke, Duchess. I swear upon the name of this empire—nothing happened. I did not touch a single hair on her head. I treated her with proper respect due to a lady.”

Well… I did hold her hand.

As he swore earnestly, relief flickered across the duchess’s face.

Good heavens.

So that’s what they had thought.

Rubellus rubbed his forehead briefly.

If it were a minister, he would have rebuked them for insulting the imperial family with such thoughts.

But these were Aira’s parents.

He absolutely did not want to appear ill-intentioned before them.

Thankfully, the duchess seemed reassured and wiped away her tears.

The Duke, however, still looked rigid.

“Then why did Aira faint there? Your Majesty, please speak honestly.”

“…”