DD 05

Chapter 5

The people he worked with at the Foreign Ministry knew about it. …What did they notice? He had softened recently, so perhaps sharp-eyed people dug into it. Even though the Crown Prince tried to block the rumors, the fact that people still knew meant they were people no one could easily touch. Isilia lowered her glass. The bitterness lingered on her tongue before fading. It must have been made to suit Jordan’s taste—he liked sweet drinks—but to her, it was only bitter.

“At this rate, it’ll end soon. Once you make the relationship public, I won’t be able to interfere anymore. Once a rumor becomes fact, it’s hard to take back.”

“……”

“When do you think it will be over?”

“In two days.”

“I see. Two days…”

Jordan still wore that ambiguous expression. His face gave nothing away, so Isilia lowered her eyes. He sat there silently for a while, as if deep in thought, before finally speaking.

“Setting aside Count Agnes… what about Sir Arwin?”

“He… knows?”

“Someone must’ve tipped him off. He has plenty of people around him.”

“…I see.”

Then there’s no way he’d stay quiet. Her brother had disliked Ruian ever since she started following him around. So why now…

“He must have just found out.”

“…What?”

Isilia looked at Jordan, startled by the implication. The Crown Prince smiled, his deep blue eyes folding in amusement. You—
A knock cut her off. The unfinished words stayed in her mouth. Firm, rhythmic footsteps echoed, making her stiffen.

“Deputy Commander of the Enemy Knights, Arwin von Agnes, reporting.”

“Welcome.”

At the curt reply, Arwin turned his head. Their eyes met—green against green—and Isilia swallowed hard. Arwin was usually cheerful and easygoing, yet he had no hesitation in cutting people off when necessary.

“……”

His green eyes were cold. Isilia quickly looked away. A sigh came from above her. She glanced at her brother. Before he could speak, she beat him to it.

“You are the unusual one, brother.”

Yes, Arwin was unusual. Like their father, he indulged in no entertainment or affairs—he stayed only with his wife. And he, like all titled men of the Partiban Empire, had only one chance in his life to swear an irreversible vow—a vow he had offered to his wife. Their arranged marriage had been a practical partnership, yet Arwin’s vow had shocked the entire empire and mocked noblemen who treated marriage as a business contract. Isilia remembered it clearly. After that incident, Arwin became known as a legendary romantic who loved only one woman. She gave a faint laugh. Truly, her family knew only how to love one person. Seeing her smile, her brother frowned.

“Even when a man already has a wife, it’s rare to hold another wedding.”

Despite his even tone, anger was buried underneath. Isilia said nothing. Arwin turned away. After greeting Jordan, he headed for the door, letting out a sigh.

“I’ll help.”

Help? With what? He didn’t explain and simply left. She shook her head. Jordan gave her a smile.

“I’ll help too.”

She didn’t respond. Just then, the young prince entered with El. The child’s cheeks were flushed from play, and she looked up at Isilia. Isilia lifted her into her arms. After greeting Jordan and his son, she left the room.

Even though their marriage had been arranged, her brother and sister-in-law were overflowing with affection. Not that she envied them. She too had once had a sweet married life. Whether Ruian felt the same was another matter.

“……”

She turned her head. El, holding her hand, met her gaze. When Isilia called her name, El’s golden eyes narrowed slightly. Isilia studied the child for a moment, then lifted her onto her knee. El nestled into her arms.

“El.”

“……”

“To hold only one person in your heart… is truly difficult.”

The child’s wide, curious eyes were cute. Here she was, venting to a child. She still loved Ruian deeply, but who knew how he felt? Maybe… Isilia looked at El. When you grow up—will you learn how hard it is to love only one person? Just as men might not love only one woman, women too may not be able to love only one man… She hoped El would never realize that. To be bound together, and to keep from breaking what you’ve built—it was terribly difficult.

How foolish she’d been to believe her love with Ruian would last forever.

El moved her hands, signing quickly. Watching her, Isilia smiled faintly, gently patting her head. El laughed silently.

Isilia looked outside the window. El might think she was saying nonsense. But the child’s signed words pierced her heart.

‘But Mama… you love Papa.’

It had been a long time since the family ate together. Marillian sat at the table, but Isilia no longer cared. With the children present, she quietly signaled her husband that preparations were finished. By tomorrow morning, everything would be ready—Endrianze’s retainers were that capable.

“I see.”

“……”

Even if they held the ceremony two days earlier than scheduled, it wouldn’t be a problem. A bitter laugh escaped her. The uncomfortable atmosphere made the children look between their parents. Ruian reached out and gently stroked El and Johan’s heads.

“……”

She put a forkful of perfectly roasted meat into her mouth. Her stomach felt heavy; she had no appetite. When she lifted her head, Marillian was staring at her.

“……”

She quickly looked away. She stabbed a piece of meat and chewed. Her indifferent husband and the cautious woman—how ridiculous. At least neither of them showed happiness outwardly; because of that, she was still allowed to sit here. Even if they had shown their joy, Isilia would’ve done nothing. Reason—carved into her through habit—bound her tightly. She hated herself for it. But pitying herself was useless.

She cut the meat into small pieces, swallowed, then reached for her glass.

“……”

The meat slid down her throat like rubber. After the meal, she left the mansion with the children. Someone with clear blue eyes smiled at her. She blinked—her eyes must be playing tricks on her. Why compare this child to him? Johan ran into her arms. If El resembled both parents, Johan was entirely his father. He looked exactly like Ruian as a small boy—same pale blue eyes, same hair fluttering in the wind. When she held him, he giggled. She smiled as the sound of his laughter lingered.

They went out together. With Ruian and Marillian busy, Isilia left with only a small escort. It was a short trip.

“El.”

Because Johan was in her arms, El held her hand as they walked. Lately, El had become clingy, surrendering her place to the younger brother—adorable. Isilia stroked her head. El smiled silently. Wearing simple clothes, she walked hand-in-hand with Isilia, then turned her head toward the bustling marketplace. She let go and scampered off toward a display of accessories. So like a little girl that Isilia laughed. When she approached, El was holding something.

“Do you like that?”

“……”

When Isilia asked to see it, El hesitated. Slowly, she opened her palm—a hairpin adorned with small gems. Of course, no real jewel would be sold at a street stall, but neither of them cared.

“Do you want it?”

“……”

El shyly avoided her gaze. Her small nod made Isilia smile. The child was still awkward about asking for things. Isilia paid and received the pin. She handed Johan to one of the knights and crouched down. Lifting El’s soft hair, she slid the pin in place. Under the sunlight, it sparkled—precious, regardless of price.

“Isn’t it cheap? Are you sure it’s okay?”

She remembered the birthday gift she had forced him to receive half a year ago. By then, he had grown used to her presence; he came along without complaint. She gave him the hairpin in the middle of a noisy street.

“It doesn’t matter. That’s not what’s important.”

Ruian’s face back then resurfaces—various emotions flickering across his expression. Isilia laughed like a child. If she was lucky, she could catch a rare glimpse of his smile. Of course, that smile was never for her—but always for his friend, the Duke of Brangio.

“Do you really like him that much?”

When the Duke of Brangio asked her that, Isilia had simply smiled. Rumors about the young woman who chased after Ruian despite his rejections were everywhere. Watching Ruian silently calculate the price of the pin she had given him, she answered: