WLYV 11

Chapter 11

How About Getting Engaged?

“You really do say whatever’s convenient for you, don’t you? You’re entrusting the Empire to Princess Charlotte?”

Luance’s voice was low, but his eyes burned with open hostility. Adrian met that hostility easily, as though he were used to it.

He didn’t mind Charlotte coming to the Ischter Empire, but not knowing what Adrian was scheming made him uneasy. Thankfully, Marquis Spencer—Teishar—had agreed to accompany her as both escort and guardian, leaving his father in charge of the family’s duties. That gave Luance some reassurance, but not enough to set his mind at ease.

Adrian rose from his seat slowly.
“Yes. She’s more talented in politics than I am.”

“If you’re saying you have no talent for politics, then give me the crown prince’s position, brother. You can just marry Princess Charlotte of the Polloid Empire, can’t you?”

“No, Luance.”
“Brother.”
“Do you know what kind of writing my aides and yours do most often? For reference, mine don’t have much to write at all.”

Adrian often worked outside the palace rather than performing traditional crown prince duties—because he personally led the subjugation of monsters in the outer provinces.

“You’re bragging about that, brother?”
“It’s something to brag about, at least compared to you.”

Luance’s lips twitched.

“Your aides spend most of their time writing apology letters to all the young ladies you’ve trifled with. A superior shouldn’t make his subordinates apologize on his behalf. That’s why you can’t be crown prince—or emperor. So wake up from that dream.”

“Adrian, that’s harsh!”

“Luance! When Princess Charlotte arrives, you’d better watch that womanizing of yours. I called you here to warn you.”

Adrian’s sharp gaze bore down on him. Luance’s face flushed red and blue with anger.

Recent reports from the Shadows said that Luance had been visiting Count Pol Heredian’s estate nearly every day. He seemed to be particularly interested in the count’s rumored illegitimate daughter.

“I don’t go out to social gatherings much, so I’m not familiar with the ladies’ names. Was it Lady Hilina?”

“Who is that?”

“The daughter of Count Pol Heredian that my dear brother has been meeting daily.”

Luance’s eyes flickered like a candle in the dark. He couldn’t tell how much Adrian actually knew.

“You’ve got the name wrong. It’s Lady Illina Pol Heredian.”

“So, you must visit the count’s house every day because you’ve taken a special liking to her, yes?”

Luance forced a smirk, thinking through Adrian’s intent. If Adrian knew about Lorencia—the truth about her—he would have to keep it hidden at all costs. If Adrian discovered that Lorencia was a “monster” with the power to see the future, he might try to kill her.

“That’s right.”

“Oh? So you really do go every day to see Lady Illina. I hope your love blossoms beautifully.”

As Luance lied without a flicker of guilt, Adrian’s expression faded into cold stillness. He sat back down in his chair.

Recently, Luance had cut ties with nearly every woman he had been seeing—except the courtesans—and started visiting the Pol Heredian estate daily. Reports even mentioned dates with Illina, but he visited even when she was absent, attending social events, which was strange.

The count’s house had recently legitimized one illegitimate daughter—an uncommon move for a noble house, unless for political marriage. But rumors spread that Luance had been involved in the process, and they were true.

If Luance had fallen in love with the bastard daughter at first sight, his involvement would be understandable. But given his history—courting debutantes, divorced noblewomen, courtesans alike—it was suspicious.

If he didn’t love the bastard daughter, then why had he helped have her recognized as a legitimate child?

“So you must be in love with Lady Illina, if you wish to see her every day.”
“Yes.” Luance’s voice was firm.

Adrian gave a dry chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Luance asked, not breaking eye contact.

“Luance. After Princess Charlotte and I are engaged, how about you get engaged to Lady Illina?”

“I’ll discuss that slowly with Count Pol Heredian.”

Luance’s face stiffened, his lower lip tightening. Adrian’s scheme was transparent—trying to push Illina onto him to remove her from his path, believing Luance was interested in Charlotte.

But that engagement talk with Charlotte had already fallen through. She no longer mattered. What mattered now was planting love in Lorencia’s heart—making her love only him, depend on him, and become the obedient doll he wanted.

“Congratulations on your engagement and marriage to Princess Charlotte, brother. I’ve already decided to cut off all my other relationships and see only Lady Illina from now on. So you needn’t worry about that particular warning.”

Now that Lorencia had awakened her power, Charlotte was useless to him. All he needed was Lorencia.

“Really? Is that so.”

Luance knew it was time to retreat. Adrian, seemingly satisfied, smiled. Luance forced a matching smile before leaving.

After Luance was gone, Adrian burst out laughing.
“Luance really is adorable.”
“Adorable, Your Highness?”
“Don’t you think so, Sir Ranslon?”

Caught off guard, Ranslon narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Before I answer that, Your Highness, I think you should read the Shadows’ report.”

Adrian took the report from Ranslon and began reading. His lips pursed as confusion crossed his face.

“So the illegitimate daughter’s name is Lorencia. Born on February 21st.”

He read on.
Height: around 155 cm, very thin from malnourishment and abuse.
Has never once left the count’s estate since birth.

“To think she’s lived her whole life abused just for being illegitimate… how pitiful.”

After finishing, Adrian’s expression hardened. He rubbed his temples as if in pain. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand Luance’s intentions. It wasn’t love, nor was it pity.

“Such is the fate of a bastard, Your Highness.”
“I don’t think being born illegitimate should mean a life of abuse, Sir Ranslon.”

Ranslon’s face turned grim.
“It’s difficult to change that perception. Even if legitimized, no true lady will ever accept such a girl. She remains proof of adultery—an outlet for hatred.”
“They should be angry at the cheating spouse, not the child.”
“Even knowing the child’s blameless, many can’t help but see them as living evidence of betrayal. It stirs emotion beyond reason.”

“Controlling emotion is what makes us human… I don’t understand. What could Luance possibly want from Lady Lorencia? Read the report yourself and tell me what you think.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ranslon read it through.
“It is strange. The timing of his cutting off other women, too…”
“Exactly. Why did he suddenly stop seeing them all? He kept the courtesans, yes, but still…”
“It’s certain Lady Lorencia holds some secret.”
“Then what on earth is that secret? We need to find out. Tell the Shadows to investigate everything about her.”
“As you command.”

“This is getting complicated. If only Charlotte were here already, I could ask her advice.”
“She’ll be arriving soon, Your Highness. Please be patient.”
“Maybe I should go meet her halfway. What if monsters appear on the trade route?”
“Marquis Spencer is escorting her. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“No, I can’t focus on work with this worry.”
“Your Highness, please—your duties for today—”
“I can’t. Tell my aides how I feel.”
“…Your Highness… sigh.”

Ranslon sighed deeply as Adrian hurried out.

Charlotte was giddy with excitement at the thought of seeing her beloved Adrian.

Normally, she would have preferred to ride on horseback, but since she was traveling to the Ischter Empire for her engagement, her attendant, Susanna, insisted she remain elegant and composed.

Susanna was both her childhood nurse and her most loyal maid.

Wearing a beautiful gown for the first time in a while, Charlotte received waves of admiration from onlookers congratulating her engagement to Adrian.

To the people of the Polloid Empire, Adrian was a good man—brave, unpretentious, kind to commoners, and a hero who saved many from monsters without arrogance.

Charlotte had fallen for that side of him.

Everyone expected their union—Adrian, skilled in battle, and Charlotte, talented in politics and diplomacy—to bring great prosperity to both empires.

As the carriage door closed and the curtains fell, there came a knock on the window. It was Marquis Teishar Spencer.

“Princess Charlotte, are you comfortable?”
Charlotte smiled brightly.
“I’m only uncomfortable because we’re not getting to the Ischter Empire faster.”
“Just one more day, Your Highness.”
“Adrian must be waiting impatiently for me.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. His neck is quite thick—so even if it’s stretched from waiting, he won’t die.”

Teishar matched her teasing tone with a wry grin, and as they departed, he recalled the queen’s earnest request before their journey.