TCCIO 64

Chapter 64: Don’t Worry

Aaron felt the gazes flowing toward him like emeralds and spoke arrogantly.

“Consider this a small token of my appreciation for inviting me to the banquet.”

It was small, indeed. Not a gift of great volume.
But its value could never be considered small.

Even just the act of presenting a gift to the queen made it clear to everyone how much the Regent Duke valued Princess Iorenti.

Yet the queen’s emerald eyes merely sank into quiet stillness as she regarded the gift.

“Regent Duke,”
the queen called Aaron in a low voice and continued,
“The garden was damaged by the Imperial army, so I requested repairs. Anything beyond that is excessive—please, take it back.”

A clear rejection.

Aaron slightly twitched his eyebrows and looked at the queen with an air of arrogance.

“How much is ‘excessive’ is determined by the person giving the gift. Compared to my heart, this is modest, so please accept it, Queen Elenor.”

“The recipient feels it’s excessive when they are burdened by it.”

Caught in the subtle power struggle between Aaron and the queen, the king and Delia exchanged glances.
Dyke, standing between Aaron and the queen holding the jewelry box, shifted nervously.

“This gift was crafted solely for Queen Elenor.”

A masterfully designed piece, elegant in style, with an emerald that mirrored the queen’s pale green eyes. It was the finest jewel, tailored entirely for her.

Thinking of the effort to gather the finest stones from every corner and press the Loieni craftsmen to their limits, a simple “thank you” would hardly be enough.
For the noble Queen of Iorenti, even presenting a gift was no easy task.

“Does it not please you? Shall I instruct them to craft a new necklace, then?”

“That’s not what I mean. One necklace for the divine is sufficient for me.”

“Surely the divine won’t mind another necklace.”

“I would feel burdened wearing it.”

The queen’s tactful refusal made Aaron narrow his eyes sharply.

He realized now was exactly the moment to follow Colin’s advice.
Aaron spoke decisively.

“Yes. It is a burdensome gift.”

Dyke almost dropped the jewelry box at Aaron’s strange statement.
Aaron, misapplying Colin’s advice, seemed oblivious. Dyke desperately tried to convey a message using only his eyes, nose, and mouth:

‘If you follow Counselor Colin’s advice like this, you’ll ruin everything. Don’t agree blindly with the queen in that situation.’

But Aaron didn’t even glance at Dyke. He continued:

“I give it so that you may feel burdened. So please accept it—and feel very burdened.”

Even the queen, who had been calmly refusing, opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Despite the astonished gazes of everyone present, Aaron looked around nonchalantly.

He glanced at Delia’s slender fingers resting on his coat hem and spoke again:

“That way, you’ll grant permission more quickly, won’t you?”

Having already waited long enough, he had no desire to leave.
He wanted that slender hand adorned with a ring as soon as possible.
If the time of waiting could be shortened, a mere necklace was nothing.

“Just say the word. I’ll fill the palace with even more burdensome things.”

The arrogant regent seemed to have no intention of hiding that the necklace was a bribe.
Rather, he boldly declared that he would give an even greater bribe.

The queen, flustered, could find no words.
A heavy silence fell over the table.

Watching quietly, Delia slowly spoke:

“Commander, it seems you do not yet fully understand the Iorenti royal family. May I offer some advice?”

Her clear, resonant voice softened the tense atmosphere in the hall.
Aaron, calming his frustration, nodded.

“Please do.”

Delia glanced at the exquisite necklace in its luxurious wooden box.

“Mother will not give her heart just because she receives expensive jewels.”

The queen exhaled softly, noting that her daughter understood her heart.
Even when agreeing to a marriage, she didn’t want to be swayed by jewels and feel as if she were selling her daughter.

“Indeed, Del,” the queen thought.
One must not sacrifice the pride of Iorenti royalty for mere jewels.

She nodded slightly, or at least tried to—until hearing the continuation of her daughter’s advice:

“Mother prefers art pieces or sculptures over jewelry.”

Aaron emitted a quiet exclamation at Delia’s counsel.

“Ah, really? No wonder when repairing the garden, you focused more on sculptures than trees.”

“She has profound knowledge of art. Even the members of the Pizern Workshop are personally selected by Mother.”

“Ah… that explains it.”

Aaron recalled the court’s chief painter, Perugino, and stroked his chin.
Now he could immediately understand that stubborn painter in light of the queen.

“I will take the time to prepare a new gift list, focusing on art pieces Mother has long desired. Next time, you may choose from that selection.”

The refined, dignified conversation left the queen speechless.
She was taken aback at Aaron, brazenly giving bribes while boldly requesting her daughter.
And now, her daughter advised giving even more bribes!

The king, observing quietly, let out a small sigh.
Ignoring the royal couple’s astonishment, the elegant conversation continued.

“Thank you for your kind advice, Princess Iorenti. I wish I had known beforehand. I find myself uncertain how to handle today’s gift.”

“Do not worry. Leave it to me. You went to the trouble to prepare it, and it would be wasteful to do otherwise.”

“Ah… would you? I was worried how to present it, as the queen refused.”

“Do not worry. I will ensure it is placed in the Iorenti royal jewel vault when the opportunity arises.”

The queen observed the conversation calmly, pressing her hand to her forehead.
All her prior anxiety seemed almost pointless.
Recalling her earlier worries and the questions she posed to her daughter, she now clearly saw Delia’s answer:

Pale peach-colored cheeks, eyes bluer than the sky, lips rising in an uncontainable smile.
Delia’s whole being spoke the answer.

The queen let out a helpless sigh.
She need not worry about Del. After seeing how efficiently even bribes were handled, she felt assured.

Before long, the meal had reached its midpoint.
Four diners sat quietly at the candlelit table.
The most notable change during the otherwise calm meal was the queen’s eyes.

Before the meal, they were filled with gentle emotion.
At the start, Aaron’s brazen remarks left her flustered.
Now, she simply stared at Delia and Aaron in a daze.

Aaron and Delia, representing both nations in this arranged marriage, sat upright, speaking with dignity.
Yet the atmosphere between them was intimate, almost palpable.
No one could dare intrude.

“Commander.”

“Yes, Princess?”

“Was it difficult to pass the peace treaty between our nations?”

“There was no difficulty.”

Aaron answered casually, cutting his meat into small pieces.

“Were there not opposing opinions in the Empire?”

Shrugging, Aaron spoke with arrogance:

“The role of a commander carries far more authority than the princess imagines.”

“Is that so?”

“I signed the treaty in the topmost slot. As the commander, my intent was clear; there was no room for opposition.”

“It is fortunate the peace treaty passed smoothly without major conflict.”

“Then do not worry and enjoy your meal. The food isn’t diminishing at all.”

Even as they discussed serious matters regarding both nations, their conversation flowed like the subtle fragrance of blooming flowers.
Aaron skillfully offered a plate of finely cut meat, and Delia accepted it naturally.

“You worked hard to coordinate both sides’ interests, Commander.”

“And you also put great care into drafting the treaty with both sides’ conditions in mind, Princess.”

“Thanks to Father’s help, it was not too difficult.”

“I also had my brother’s support, so it was manageable.”

Aaron could not discern his brother’s intentions, but he stifled growing suspicion and changed the topic:

“Since the peace treaty concluded peacefully, shouldn’t we now prepare for what comes next?”

“What comes next?”

“How shall we conduct the wedding? I will follow your wishes, Princess.”

Delia’s face stiffened slightly at mention of the wedding.
After a pause, she whispered in a softer voice:

“Perhaps it’s not the time to discuss that yet.”

“Preparing in advance allows us to proceed quickly. Have you thought of a dress you wish to wear or gifts you hope to receive?”

“Not yet…”

Seeing her hesitation, Aaron’s gaze followed hers.

“Say whatever you wish. The House of Bergen is not so impoverished as to cut wedding expenses.”

“Well…”

Before Delia could respond, the queen interjected:

“I have not yet given my permission, Regent Duke.”

Aaron and Delia froze, returning to reality.
Both turned to the queen, their expressions filled with desperate longing and slight resentment.
Aaron removed his gaze from Delia and straightened his posture.

“Queen Elenor.”

The tone differed sharply from when he addressed Delia.
The hall froze at the low, cool voice of the Regent Duke.
Calling her name alone, Aaron commanded the room’s attention:

“As the Supreme Commander of the Stilreitz Empire, I led the conquest of the three southern nations. I attacked Iorenti and achieved victory.”

Aaron’s steely silver-gray eyes remained unwavering, fixed on the queen.

“I do not intend to apologize or make excuses. As the Empire’s Supreme Commander, it was my duty.”

He had no regrets about the past. It had been his best effort.

“I fully understand Queen Elenor’s worries and anxiety regarding the events.”

Though not without complaint, he did not hold resentment. As queen, she had acted with her best intentions.
Now, it was time to reach a conclusion.