Chapter 65
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65.
I certainly had things to tell him, and I'd planned to do so today.
"...Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?"
I wondered why his expression had grown so grave.
"How I might convince you to stay, perhaps?"
Cassian Artez escorted me toward the pavilion nearby, visibly struggling to suppress a smile.
At the sight of his face, I blinked quietly.
'Did that come across as a resignation gift?'
That wasn't my intention at all.
I simply thought that if I was going to gain something, I should gain it properly.
"I cannot imagine my life without Roselita anymore. If you insist on leaving, then I—"
"Wait, Your Majesty!"
I hastily cut off Cassian Artez's next words.
"I have no intention of submitting a resignation."
"...Truly?"
"Of course! I still need you, Your Majesty."
At my words, Cassian Artez's eyes widened before he seemed to deflate, sinking down as if his strength had abandoned him.
"However, well... Roselita no longer needs money."
"No longer needs money? But honestly earned wages are so precious."
Though the dragon lair had left me with enough to clear all my debts and more, I understood the value of honest labor.
And even if I were comfortable now, what guarantee did I have that this wretched original story wouldn't reduce my household to ruin once more?
I was not a reckless person by nature, so I wanted to preserve a stable option.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
"Rather, I wanted to discuss the engagement."
"The engagement?"
"...In truth, Your Majesty has already achieved all the objectives you initially set out to accomplish."
As I spoke, my voice grew smaller with an unexpected pang of reluctance.
"So you wish to end it?"
Cassian Artez pulled me close, drawing me into an embrace as he whispered.
At his question, I exhaled deeply and nodded quietly.
I was a person with a conscience, after all.
"Regardless of whether I wish to end it, there's no need to maintain it any longer."
Of course, the engagement stipend had been so sweet that I'd entertained the thought of simply turning a blind eye for about five seconds.
But it still felt wrong.
Having achieved the initial purpose, to continue drawing from Cassian Artez's personal wealth and fattening my own coffers felt like an unjust enrichment rather than fair compensation for labor.
"Roselita, that's not true."
"What?"
As I recalled the modest hobbies I'd indulged in with my betrothal allowance, a bittersweet pang struck me—then Cassian tightened his grip around my arm and spoke.
"As you well know, I occupy a rather precarious position."
"That much is true."
Though the First Empress's influence had waned after the consecutive blows of the expedition and the Hanella Marquis Family, she would undoubtedly resurface with fresh schemes soon enough.
And the Emperor himself was the least trustworthy person of all.
"But in circumstances like these, what do you think would become of me if I lost you—someone recognized by the Border Region's Count and the Temple's Saint?"
Not to mention you're the master of the Lair.
Cassian spoke with all emotion stripped away, as though issuing a work directive.
Of course, I hadn't entirely dismissed such considerations either—
"Above all, Roselita, why aren't you considering that you yourself could be in danger?"
"...."
"So you understood, yet spoke anyway."
At Cassian's words, I hesitated briefly before nodding in acknowledgment.
"Is it because you feel indebted to me?"
"It feels like I'm using Your Highness to gain something good for myself."
And while receiving an allowance on top of it all?
I lacked the audacity for such shamelessness.
The Emperor had granted me the title far more easily than expected precisely because I was Cassian's betrothed.
He understood that by investing in someone destined to become part of the Imperial Family, the returns would come in the distant future.
Moreover, though I had obtained the title, if my status as the Crown Prince's intended were stripped away in the current situation, I would become as isolated as someone on a remote island—and countless nobles would surely move to attack me.
Over the past two years and more, I was painfully aware of how many enemies I had made, both within and without.
'The Emperor wouldn't leave me unscathed either.'
But knowing this, I believed I had to bear responsibility for my own choices.
If this continued, Cassian could become entangled in my affairs.
If my opponent were anyone else, perhaps—but with Cassian, I especially didn't want to become a burden.
I knew all too well how grueling his life had been.
As I fell into contemplation, Cassian released a shallow sigh and gently pressed his lips to my chin.
"Roselita, let me protect you."
"But—"
"This isn't a contract where I only lose. Simply having you at my side brings gains far greater than you realize."
He turned my body to meet his gaze.
"You're not ignorant of this, Roselita."
"...."
I fell silent for a moment.
If I nodded, we both knew it would be convenient for us both.
"And one more thing—it seems you've truly forgotten something, Roselita."
"What?"
"We haven't achieved our objective yet."
Cassian smiled wickedly as he cradled my cheek in his hand.
"First Prince Charlie's fiancée position has become vacant, and if mine becomes vacant as well, what do you think will happen to Wilhelmina Lopez's standing?"
"I..."
Clearly, that dark-hearted Duke Lopez would seize the opportunity to fill his coffers using his daughter.
As I furrowed my brow slightly, Cassian Artez leaned his head against my shoulder and gazed at me.
"I'm hurt that you only show affection to Wilhelmina Lopez."
"Pardon?"
Noticing that the scales within my heart had tilted, Cassian Artez touched my cheek playfully with a mischievous expression.
I leaned back slightly and met his gaze before shaking my head and responding to him.
"Don't you think I was worrying because I didn't want Your Highness to suffer?"
"I know that too."
His hand, which had been touching my cheek, brushed past my ear and gently caressed my hair.
"Still, Roselita, remember this—I find it far less difficult when you lean on me. Don't forget that."
That excessively sweet voice seeped into me like an enchantment.
For some reason, I sensed that beneath his teasing words lay a desperate earnestness.
*
We concluded our discussion by deciding to revise the betrothal contract with Cassian Artez.
Since it was mutually beneficial, we agreed to eliminate any stipends.
However, Cassian Artez remained firm on one point.
'Everything I prepare for Roselita as her fiancé will be hers.'
He refused to compromise on that matter.
Though I felt slightly exasperated by his stubbornness.
'Does he want to see me wearing the dress he prepared for me as I enter the Audience Chamber?'
He uttered something so terrifying that I had no choice but to accept it.
Thus, the minor issue between us was resolved amicably, but the surrounding situation was not.
There was considerable resistance from the nobility regarding my peerage conferment.
I naturally anticipated opposition and came to the Council Chamber fully prepared, but unexpectedly, the Emperor resolved the matter without even giving us a chance to speak.
"Why do you think Salice Advisor became the master of the Lair?"
"Well, she was simply fortunate...."
"Fortune? For-tu-u-une?"
The nobleman who misspoke had to bear the full weight of the Emperor's piercing gaze.
"I witnessed it myself! The resolve to throw oneself forward to prevent the sacrifice of the Knight Order! Even the demonic beast that had lost its reason was moved by such courage—and what have all of you done, standing here flapping your jaws?"
At the Emperor's words, the nobles who had been chattering moments before fell silent instantly.
"What, you claim I grant special favors because she will become the Crown Prince's betrothed? Have you not reviewed the records?! Do you think I have no standards?"
The Emperor even skillfully employed the very arguments I had discussed with him.
With a heavy thud, documents were laid before the assembled nobles.
"Look at this—how I have conferred peerages until now! I have acted according to principle! You speak of favoritism, but shall I review all of your peerages by the same standard?"
The nobles whose territories had been reduced in size shrank back with guilty expressions.
The Emperor clicked his tongue and shouted at the assembled nobility.
"You who were so busy shirking responsibility during the expedition where dragons appeared! Even when I myself declared I would go, what was it—old ailments flaring up? Catching a cold?"
The Emperor possessed an inconveniently excellent memory, and he proceeded to recite the shameful deeds of those who had fled in difficult times.
"Remarkable how healthy you've all become! Look at how readily your tongues wag now."
"Ahem, ahem...."
"Imperial nobles, no less! You cannot acknowledge the magnificence of a young lady who threw herself forward to prevent the deaths of hundreds of knights, and instead, consumed by jealousy, you resort to petty obstruction?!"
The nobles, now officially recognized as petty for failing to acknowledge someone so much younger than themselves, exchanged only glances with one another, having nothing more to say.
Seeing their expressions, the Emperor smiled wryly and spoke to them.
"If you have grievances, submit them in writing within a week with precise evidence and documentation! Do not prattle on with mere words!"
With those words, the Emperor concluded the meeting and winked at me.
As goosebumps rose across my skin and I shrank back, Cassian muttered, his complex feelings laid bare.
"You truly must understand this anxiety I feel—everyone loves Roselita so much."
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