Chapter 21: An Unexpected Proposal

This time, Icarus silently stared at Bain.

“But he’s three years older, nine years old. And to volunteer on behalf of such a princess? Perhaps he’s trying to use the peace agreement as an excuse to form alliances with other nations.”

“Bain, I have no idea what you’re trying to say right now.”

Unable to hold back, Duhan stepped closer to Bain. In response, Bain tapped Duhan’s chest with his palm and spoke.

“Yesterday’s enemies are today’s allies. All the invited guests’ countries were previously at odds with each other.”

Icarus, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.

“Bain, are you suggesting that the Viscount Belkain intends to propose a secret alliance to the Marchioness of Seiren?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty! That’s exactly what I wanted to say.”

Duhan looked at Bain with slightly clouded eyes.

But thinking about it carefully, Bain’s words weren’t entirely implausible.

“Oh! Your Majesty, look over there.”

Bain pointed toward the window. Icarus and Duhan followed his gaze.

The figures were too far to see clearly, but a silver-haired woman and a blond man were walking side by side.

“What is that?”

Icarus growled low, almost through his teeth, and Bain spoke even more confidently.

“Look, Your Majesty! There’s sufficient reason to suspect that some clandestine negotiations may have already begun.”

“Bain, you’re being a bit…”

Duhan tried to calm down the excited Bain, but at that moment, Icarus abruptly stood up and left the office.

Bain, left behind, turned to Duhan.

“Your Majesty wouldn’t cut down the guests immediately, would he?”

Duhan’s expression darkened at Bain’s well-founded statement.

“Knowing His Majesty, he might very well do so.”

And, as always, it was Duhan who would have to clean up the aftermath.

“Shall we follow?”

When Duhan gestured, Bain nodded in agreement.

“Yeah.”

“So, does this mean the Viscount volunteered as well?”

“Yes. It would be far too cruel for a princess so young to be separated from her parents and left alone in a distant place.”

A trace of compassion appeared in the transparent eyes of Viscount Belkain. He was likely thinking of the young princess.

“It must have been a difficult decision. It seems you care for the princess quite a lot.”

“Not exactly the right way to put it, but… she’s simply adorable.”

Viscount Belkain went on a little about his cousin’s charms. Reneb understood his sentiment and listened with a faint smile.

Moreover, Belkain’s slightly husky young voice was pleasant to hear.

“Oh dear, I seem to have talked too much. I hope I haven’t bored you.”

Embarrassed, he scratched the back of his neck and glanced at Reneb.

Reneb shook her head.

“Not at all. The more I listen, the more I feel I’d like to meet the princess someday.”

Encouraged by Reneb’s response, Belkain’s smile returned.

“Do you like children, Your Ladyship?”

Reneb couldn’t answer simply. Of course, in her previous life, she loved Kael, and that was still true.

Yet in this life, she had no confidence in having a child.

Even if she married someone other than Lucius and had a child, it would never be Kael.

And the guilt of not being able to protect that beloved child weighed heavily on her.

“Oh, please forget my question. I seem to have made you uncomfortable.”

Belkain quickly changed the subject when Reneb couldn’t respond immediately.

Afterward, Reneb strolled through the palace gardens, conversing with Viscount Belkain.

Despite having just met, Belkain had a way of making people feel at ease.

Even Reneb, who was usually wary after her reincarnation, found herself letting her guard down.

She reminded herself to stay alert. She had learned from Lucius that the faster someone approached, the more cautious she should be.

“By the way, it’s a fine day for a walk.”

Belkain said, gazing at the distant green mountains.

“Yes. The sky is so blue too.”

Reneb also turned her gaze outward.

She caught glimpses of the wide mountain ranges separating Vashker and Benistan, the clear sky, and the capital city.

“When I visited your chambers earlier, you were reading. Do you enjoy books?”

“Yes. Being stuck in the palace for three years, one has to find a hobby.”

Belkain nodded as if in agreement and continued asking questions.

His final question was:

“Would you do me the honor of being my partner at the upcoming palace ball?”

She had thought him innocent.

Now she realized he had a strategy.

First, he asked questions likely to get a positive response, then slipped in the real question he wanted to ask.

Reneb immediately sensed his intent.

But since it was an unexpected proposal, she was too flustered to answer.

“You don’t have to decide right away. There are still two weeks until the ball, so you can take your time to think it over.”

It sounded as if he was already ensuring she would accept within two weeks.

“……”

Reneb blinked silently, and Belkain added, slightly embarrassed:

“I didn’t mean to burden you.”

“I have one question.”

Reneb decided she would make her decision based on his answer.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“May I ask what you meant by asking me to be your partner?”

“If I were to assign meaning, as you know, neither of us are truly local here.”

Reneb nodded, listening to Belkain’s calm explanation.

“It is customary for a ball to have male-female pairs.”

‘Ah, is it the same in Paradium?’ she thought, smiling faintly.

“Yes, the same in Paradium.”

“So, it seems that the principle of pairing men and women at balls is universal,” he said, smiling innocently, as pure as Kael had been when in her arms.

Reneb gazed at his face for a moment. His cheeks flushed slightly at her attention.

Seeing his large hand against his creamy-white cheek, Reneb returned to the present.

“Why are you staring? Is something on my face?”

Reneb shook her head.

“So, you mean you’re suggesting we become partners because neither of us has one, and neither of us can easily find one?”

“Well… not exactly. But, more or less, yes.”

Belkain seemed to make an excuse but quickly agreed with Reneb’s observation.

It was certainly not a bad proposal.

Although Icarus had first proposed a ball partner, he was the emperor, whereas Viscount Belkain was in a similar position to Reneb.

Moreover, there was no need to raise suspicion at the first meeting with Vashker nobles.

After all, many young unmarried ladies would be eager to sit next to the handsome emperor.

Logically, accepting Belkain’s proposal made sense.

However, if he had romantic interest in her, it would be better to refuse.

Reneb decided she would wait until she understood his true intentions before responding.

“….”

As Reneb opened her mouth to speak, a familiar deep voice spoke from above.

“Feeling lonely on your own?”

Reneb turned toward the voice.

Icarus was standing within reach, close enough to touch.

His lips were pressed tightly, and his red eyes gazed at her with an icy intensity.

“Your Majesty, I pay my respects.”

Startled by his appearance, Reneb quickly bowed.

“Your Majesty, I pay my respects.”

Belkain also bowed.

Icarus, glancing briefly at Belkain as if he were an impurity, gave a subtle nod.

“You seemed quite pleased.”

“I heard Viscount Belkain also volunteered for Vashker.”

Reneb briefly explained the conversation she had just had.

Icarus glanced toward Belkain.

“So, did you feel some camaraderie?”

“You can’t live alone. It’s nice if people in similar situations can rely on each other.”

Icarus narrowed his eyes.

“Relying on him, is it? Sounds like you depend on Viscount Belkain?”

“Yes, and likewise with the Marchioness of Seiren. Volunteering made conversation easy.”

Belkain spoke with his usual innocent expression, seeking Reneb’s agreement.

Reneb hesitated, choosing her words carefully, when suddenly:

“Viscount, I don’t recall giving you the right to speak.”

Icarus growled, his voice low and dangerous.

A palpable, intimidating aura radiated from him. Reneb swallowed nervously and glanced at Belkain.

Two possible reactions for Belkain: either submit under Icarus’s pressure or respond defiantly.

But Belkain simply sidestepped both expectations.

“My apologies. I did not mean to interrupt your conversation.”

With a perfectly polite, charming smile, he apologized quickly and gracefully.

If he had reacted defiantly, Icarus would have tested the hierarchy between the two men.

If he bowed too low, he would have humiliated himself in front of Reneb.

‘Huh…’ Reneb thought, impressed by Belkain’s composure, as Icarus’s eyes narrowed.

“I apologize again,” Belkain said with a bright smile, and Icarus’s displeasure deepened.

Reneb spoke up to shift the mood.

“The weather is lovely today. Did Your Majesty come out for a garden walk as well?”

“A walk?”

Icarus raised an eyebrow. Reneb, wary of any sparks flying, continued carefully.

“…Or were you on your way somewhere else?”

“Indeed. I came out for some fresh air and a brief rest. Would you like to accompany me, Your Ladyship?”

Icarus’s frown eased, which was a relief. However, having walked extensively in the garden with Belkain, her feet were sore in her new shoes.

Reneb very much wanted to return to the flower garden.

But refusing the emperor’s invitation was not an option.