âWhat?! Why would I care about that?! What do I have to do with him?!â
Mastas immediately refuted Rose, but she was very upset. Her shouts startled me as I tried to clear my troubled mind. I noticed that Mastasâ face was flushed.
âMiss Mastas? Are you all right?â
âI, I really didnât think about that.â
Mastasâ answer to my concern was strange.
âIâm only interested in strong people. Sir Koshar is weak and innocent., I donât care if Sir Koshar marries!â
I remembered that Mastas once asked me to take food beneficial for the bodyâs recovery to Koshar. Besides, it was suspicious that she was so nervous. Could it be that Mastas is in love with my brother?
Mastas usually expressed her opinion firmly. I expected that in a case like this she would say,
âI only like him because heâs the Empressâs brother!â, or âI only like him because heâs a strong man!â, or âNo, I donât like him!â
But before I could inquire, Mastas had already walked away. As I looked at her, Rose, who had started all this, muttered with her arms crossed,
âThis is suspicious.â
âEmpress, what will you do if Mastas is in love with Sir Koshar?â
Countess Jubel asked. Unlike Roseâs serious attitude, Countess Jubel seemed to find the situation amusing. She knew that my brother had a bad reputation in the Eastern Empire.
For that same reason, Laura said with a smile,
âIn terms of personality, I think they would make a good match.â
But Rose disagreed, so she spoke realistically and worriedly.
âMastas is a good girl, but sheâs a little clumsy. Besides, I donât think Mastas is from a family worthy of marrying Sir Koshar...â
My ladies-in-waiting stopped talking and looked at me.
âMy brotherâs opinion is what matters.â
Truth be told, both matches had strengths and weaknesses.
Princess Charlotte was smart and determined, so she would be able to control my temperamental brother, and due to her status as a princess, it would be an honor for Koshar to marry her.
However, my brother became easily angered, so it could be a problem if he became the son-in-law of the King of Whitemond.
In contrast, Mastas would get along well with my brother because she liked weapons, but as they were both easily angered, no one would be able to stop them if they caused trouble...
In any case, my parents were here. There was no need for me to intervene. Still, that night I asked my brother directly.
âDid you hear that Princess Charlotte wants to marry you?â
âYes...â
âWhat do you want to do? Do you want to marry the princess, or do you want to marry another young lady?â
My brother was so embarrassed that he didnât even look me in the eye, and he took a while to answer.
âIâm not interested in marriage, but Iâll have to do it if I want to help the family. In that case... I think Princess Charlotte is the best choice.â
âDo you know Princess Charlotte?â
âNo, but it will help the family.â
Thatâs true.
âBut it could be very stifling for you.â
I was worried because my brother lived a lifestyle with much more freedom than most young gentlemen. I feared that he could not endure the traditional life of the nobles.
âI only caused trouble by living my way. I never helped our parents or our family. Now, I want to be useful.â
â...â
âOnce I marry the princess, Iâll have to live in Whitemond. But it will be a shame not to be able to see my nephew often. I have no doubt that your baby will be lovely.â
I felt inexplicably moved, and the feeling didnât go away, even after my brother left. I sat in a daze at the dressing table for a while until I heard a knock at the door.
âCome in.â
I waited a moment, but no one came in, although I was sure that someone had knocked on the door.
It was strange. Normally, my ladies-in-waiting and guards would announce their names before knocking on the door.
Could it be Heinley? Puzzled, I got up and personally opened the door.
I knew it. Heinley was standing there, carrying my favorite dish.
âHeinley?â
When I said his name in confusion because I didnât expect to see him here, Heinley held out the plate of food,
âHere you go.â
âWhy are you suddenly bringing me this?â
âI got the signal to bring this.â
âI didnât send any signal.â
â... Our child sent it.â
Liar!
When I narrowed my eyes, Heinley quickly kissed me on my right cheek.
âGive that kiss to our child from his dad.â
âStop joking.â
I felt so embarrassed that I spoke firmly, but this time Heinley kissed me on the lips.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âMy Queen, that kiss is for you.â
Seeing me blush, Heinley laughed.
âIt looks like you liked it.â
Heinley spoke slyly and wrapped me in his arms. I was worried that our relationship would become awkward after my confession. But on the contrary, I felt more comfortable.
I was resting my head against his chest when I impulsively asked him,
âWould you like to take a walk with me?â