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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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When would Edanant finally present the wedding ring with a romantic proposal?
Ludmilla eagerly awaited Edanant’s confession, her anticipation growing like a child waiting for candy.
Today?
Or tomorrow?
It had already been a night, so there should be some indication soon.
Edanant must be putting all his effort into preparing for the once-in-a-lifetime proposal.
Ludmilla chuckled, imagining the younger man’s adorable efforts to surprise his older sister.
“You’ve been beaming since yesterday. Do you like Edanant that much?”
“Ahem!”
The Red Dragon was in an exceptionally good mood.
She could even show mercy to all sins except treason.
I should designate the day he proposes as an anniversary.
Perhaps I should even ask Father to issue a large-scale pardon.
Edanant will definitely propose to me. Ludmilla affirmed confidently to herself.
‘What if the First Saintess steals the wedding ring…?
Elizaveta looked at her sister, who was overjoyed, almost to the point of arrogance, with a worried expression.
After all, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
If the wedding ring were to fall into the hands of the First Saintess… that would be Edanant’s death day.
“Are you still monitoring Edanant’s movements?”
“Yes, we’ve received reports that he’s been going out frequently lately.”
“As expected! It’s only natural!”
“We haven’t been able to pinpoint his destination, as he disappears every time our knights try to track him.”
Ludmilla, knowing it was a disrespectful act, was keeping a close eye on Edanant’s every move, confident in his impending proposal.
His outings had become more frequent.
He was intentionally concealing his destination every time.
Ludmilla’s shoulders shook even more violently at the maid’s report.
She seemed to believe that all of Edanant’s actions were leading up to a proposal.
“The weather has gotten quite cold lately. It’s also quite windy… The candles would be easily extinguished outdoors. It’s worrisome.”
“Indeed.”
She wants to be proposed to in a place filled with candles.
Elizaveta, adjusting her coat, discerned her sister’s true intentions from her muttering.
‘I’m a bit worried, but… They even kissed, so I should be relieved. To think they shared a romantic kiss on the terrace the night of the banquet after the Alliance Council meeting. I’m so envious of sister.’
She looked at her sister with envy and admiration in her eyes.
Her first kiss with the man she loved.
What did it feel like when their lips first touched?
It must have tasted like sweet cherries, right?
Romance novels always described the taste of a first kiss as sweet fruit.
What if I, instead of sister, was the one embraced by Edanant and kissed…?
Elizaveta swallowed nervously, indulging in the indecent fantasy of secretly kissing Edanant.
“Liza.”
“Y-Yes…! What’s wrong, sister?”
Ludmilla, puzzled by her younger sister’s sudden grin and pout, spoke up.
Elizaveta abruptly stood up.
“We used to make bets often when we were younger.”
“Should we make a bet this time? When do you think Edanant will propose?”
“I-I… say today.”
“Then I’ll say tomorrow! I need time to prepare.”
It was a bet with no stakes.
It didn’t matter if it was today or tomorrow.
It was simply a promise based on their convictions.
Ludmilla smiled faintly.
And Elizaveta also nodded with a bright smile.
“Lady Ludmilla!”
As the princesses of the Valtarian Empire were having a friendly conversation,
Ludmilla’s aide rushed over with a message from Edanant.
“What is it?”
“S-Sir Edanant… left a message for you and suddenly disappeared with the First Saintess. This is a report from the knights who were monitoring him.”
Cracks began to appear in Ludmilla’s confident facade.
She froze, stunned by Edanant’s actions, leaving the Imperial Capital without a word.
He had touched the dragon’s reverse scale.
No,
He had ripped out the dragon’s reverse scale.
As if to prove this, Ludmilla’s hair began to flutter violently, like a white witch’s.
The Red Dragon’s eyes blazed fiercely, like the sulfurous flames of hell.
It was a terrifying sight, as if she were a wrathful deity one would fear encountering in a nightmare.
“So he eloped with the Holy Kingdom’s White Dragon? As expected of Hero Maximilian’s younger brother.”
“It’s not elopement if it’s not at night.”
Her younger sister’s words didn’t reach her ears.
Because her mind was consumed by an uncontrollable rage.
He left the Imperial Capital?
And with the saintess she hated the most?
She wouldn’t have been this furious if he had left alone.
She could almost hear the saintess’ mocking laughter echoing in her ears.
Ludmilla gritted her teeth and cursed the cowardly man who had run away without a word.
???????
Before the Red Dragon’s roar erupted,
Edanant had visited the villa where Zebeline was staying without any prior notice.
It was a completely unexpected visit.
Zebeline, who was preparing for a prayer meeting at the cathedral, looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“W-What brings you here? To visit so suddenly without any notice… Wait a moment! I’m not ready to accept your confession yet!”
Zebeline, sensing that it was a proposal from Edanant’s serious demeanor, panicked and began to take deep breaths.
Inhale, exhale! Inhale, exhale!
She placed her hands on her small chest and repeatedly inhaled and exhaled deeply.
The time had come to receive the wedding ring.
But to think he would propose so abruptly…
Zebeline’s blue eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“I want you to come with me to the Hohenberc marquisate. A day trip would be enough.”
“What?!”
She exclaimed in shock.
The Hohenberc marquisate.
Was he planning to propose in his hometown?
It seemed he intended to confess his love and promise a lifetime together in his hometown, filled with countless memories.
Zebeline tried to calm her racing heart and listened to Edanant’s voice.
“The Disaster God’s apostles who responded to Ariel’s call have gathered at the Hohenberc marquisate. I need your help in case of an emergency.”
“……”
What?
It wasn’t a proposal?
Of course not.
The man before her was completely clueless.
Zebeline, her rising expectations dashed, glared at Edanant with a cold gaze.
Her sharp side-eye glance resembled that of a wife betrayed by her husband.
“W-Wait, what did you just say? You gathered the Disaster God’s apostles at the marquisate?! I know this is a rude question, but… Have you lost your mind?”
“I’m perfectly sane.”
“That’s not something a sane person would do.”
“Of course, I’ve set up multiple safety measures.”
She knew that he was using the vampire, who had barely survived the incident in the Imperial Capital, as his servant.
But,
To think he had used the vampire to gather the apostles scattered across the continent…
What was he thinking?
Could he be planning to gather the Disaster God’s apostles and then massacre them?
If that were his intention, she would have accepted it, but judging by Edanant’s cryptic response, he was clearly plotting something extraordinary.
Zebeline sighed, her expression filled with unease.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, Edan, but I’ll have to politely decline this time. So go ask the Red Dragon, whom you even proposed to, for help.”
Hmph.
He’s trying to give me another difficult task, isn’t he?
While planning to give the wedding ring and the proposal to the Empire’s old bachelorette.
He must be thinking of me as a mere supporting character.
I may not have breasts, but I have pride.
She pouted and replied, her heart filled with resentment towards the man who always turned away from her heartfelt confessions.
“I can only rely on you.”
“T-That excuse won’t work anymore!”
“I’m being sincere this time. I always need you. Help me, Zebeline.”
“……”
No matter what sweet words he used, she wouldn’t give in this time.
She swore to herself, her faith unwavering.
But even her resolute faith couldn’t completely extinguish her unwavering love.
As if to prove this, Zebeline’s white face was flushed redder than ever.
If she readily accepted, it would be like admitting she was an easy woman.
“You’re truly impossible! Edanant, you can’t live without me!”
Knowing this, Zebeline pouted and accepted his unreasonable demand.
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