Chapter 30
“What’s wrong?”
Karpel could feel himself freezing up because Inaila’s expression clearly didn’t know what exactly was wrong with ‘positions’.
Did she really not know?
But when she was drunk last time, she kept acting provocatively. And in turn, Karpel kept thinking about that night, too.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking anymore. What were you planning to do with that book?”
There was no use studying that right now anyway.
Inaila still needed to grow up first. Before a wedding could take place, she would need to have a coming of age ceremony first, and that wasn’t until at least five more years.
“What?” Inaila asked curiously.
Those clear, unassuming blue eyes somehow seemed cruel to Karpel, who tried to endure the nagging feeling that he was being played with.
It wasn’t long before Karpel realized that she truly didn’t know.
“No, sorry. I misunderstood.”
Karpel sat on the sofa while avoiding Inaila’s eyes.
“What did you misunderstand?”
Inaila sat next to him, but he scooted away a little from her.
He was being unnecessarily on edge. Karpel changed the subject.
“I guess you have something to do here today?”
“Yeah. But Karpel, what did you misunderstand? The positions? What position do you want me to do?”
“No. It’s a misunderstanding.”
She had no problem saying such a thing with an innocent face, so she really seemed like she had no idea about marital relations.
That’s why he felt more like trash the moment he misunderstood her here.
“Have you read this book, Karpel?”
“……”
“What position did you think I was going to do with Karpel?”
‘…Are you sure you don’t know?’
He wanted to ask.
Karpel turned away from Inaila, flustered and embarrassed.
His face was burning. He was sure that he was bright red even without looking at his reflection—all he wanted to do was run away from this place.
Inaila looked at him and sighed.
“I’m glad the misunderstanding has been resolved. I don’t intend on doing that either.”
Startled, Karpel looked back at Inaila.
He couldn’t tell if she really meant it or if she was just saying it while pretending to know what it meant.
Finally letting go of the topic as Karpel was being thrown into turmoil, Inaila brought up something else.
“Would you rather go to the Rose Garden, Karpel?”
“…Why would I go there.”
Upon hearing his response, Inaila had a helpless smile as though she was expecting him to answer this way.
“I was thinking of going on a date, but if you don’t want to, I’ll go alone.”
Inaila rose from her seat as though all her business here had been dealt with.
Karpel was taken aback by how Inaila didn’t even give him a chance to answer, as if knowing that he would reject her right away.
And what did she mean by date? Not to escort her there, but a date?
It was always nice to go anywhere with Inaila, but he wanted to go even more because of what she said.
“…I didn’t say no.”
He answered reluctantly, and as he did, he thought that Inaila seemed to be getting better at dealing with him.
Karpel went to the Rose Garden with Inaila.
The moment he saw her wearing a dress with colors that matched what he was wearing, his heart swelled.
Unlike Karpel, who looked gloomy because of his dark hair, Inaila looked like the epitome of holiness and purity.
That’s why whenever they stood side by side, it was natural that his gloomy atmosphere would look worse because of the glaring comparison between him and Inaila.
However, something in him was fluttering just seeing how they were wearing matching clothes.
Inaila also had a good sense of style. His eyes were always following her, seeing how everything she wore suited her.
Karpel thought, ‘There’s really nothing Inaila can’t do.’
When it came to praising Inaila, Karpel was even more enthusiastic than the Duke of Krenberia.
Whatever she did, she was always dazzling to him.
As soon as they arrived at the Rose Garden, Karpel left Inaila’s side.
It had been a while since she hung out with her friends, so he didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere.
When he’s with Inaila, all the young ladies would…
Well, their guards were always up when he was around. That’s why as soon as they arrived, he avoided them.
After settling in a place where there weren’t many people, he looked at Inaila, who quickly engaged in talking with her peers.
Those who found him alone in that corner just turned their heads as though they hadn’t seen anything. But someone approached him soon enough.
It was strange.
Everyone was trying to save themselves from being associated with a traitor. They thought that even just talking with him would stigmatize them.
Karpel turned his gaze towards the approaching person and quickly understood why there was no hesitation. It was Radiev, his cousin and the Crown Prince.
This place was a gathering of young adults around the age of Inaila.
Karpel was already on the older side despite being just sixteen years old, but Radiev was already twenty.
“Brother.”
It wasn’t a good place to meet.
They were always on edge whenever they would face each other.
After Karpel called him ‘brother’, Radiev smiled.
“You’re here, too, Karpel.”
Karpel frowned.
It sounded unusual how he said ‘too’, as if he was just a mere tag-along.
And around Karpel, Radiev was acting awkward.
“Of course, it’s not like you would have come here alone. That child still holds you dear.”
“What business do you have with the young lady of Krenberia?”
“She’s already thirteen years old. How long will you keep her in a cage? You know that it shouldn’t be kept from her anymore.”
“Half of Your Highness’ blood may be from Krenberia, but it is the Duke who’s in charge of the family. The Duke will let her know when it’s time.”
Radiev turned his gaze and looked at Inaila, who was smiling as she was surrounded by girls her age.
It was a forced smile.
“Do you think the Duke will be able to raise that child as his successor after being so stubborn about getting engaged with you?”
Karpel couldn’t say anything because he had the same thoughts.
However, it wasn’t like Inaila was being raised by anyone to live up to expectations. She was growing on her own.
As soon as he saw the reference materials that Inaila was looking up, he realized it.
Elysium, the kingdom of the forest elves, with whom Karpel’s uncle deliberately broke the treaty and intentionally provoked.
Forest elves were a belligerent race. If the Empire remained silent like this, they would surely invade the borders.
And the first to be affected was the Krenberia territory.
Ever since the current Emperor ascended to the throne by force, he had limited the number of soldiers guarding the borders. In addition to that, Karpel’s engagement to Inaila strained the relationship with the vassals, that’s why even the fief itself was in danger.
No one told her about the current situation, but Inaila was taking an interest in Elysium.
Karpel stared back at the Crown Prince, who was looking down at him.
“It’s not a matter of Your Highness’ involvement.”
Inaila was not a mere bird to be protected in his arms.
He hoped that he could keep her all to himself, but that was wrong. And it was the same for the prince in front of him.
His cousin was also playing by the hands of his uncle.
Radiev was afraid of his father, that’s why he just did as he’s told.
He was merely a puppet being manipulated by the Emperor. Nevertheless, only a few nobles knew about this.
Most of the nobles supported the gentle Crown Prince Radiev.
They feared the Emperor’s tyranny, that’s why they were holding out until Radiev could ascend to the throne.
For that reason, Karpel was being rejected by the nobles. No one wanted the next ruler to be someone who would take the crown by force again.
However, Radiev’s movements were only within the scope of what the Emperor allowed.
Even his image was manufactured by the Emperor because a compassionate, fair countenance was useful to him.
“You need to leave her side. That’s all I came here to say.”
Radiev passed by Karpel.
And Karpel couldn’t say anything in return.
In the first place, the reason why Karpel couldn’t stay by Inaila’s side was because of him.
But if he was truly doing all this for Inaila, he shouldn’t stay ambiguous.
By being engaged to her, he managed to overturn the Duchy of Krenberia. He would leave her side so her friends wouldn’t be uncomfortable. But was that enough?
These were just shallow acts that made him feel complacent.
Karpel glanced at Inaila. He didn’t see it happen because he was preoccupied with Radiev, but it seemed as though the atmosphere over there had turned strange.
─────────────────────────────────────────────