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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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The Emperor began to show favor towards me after learning from his eldest daughter, Isabelle, that I truly loved Ludmilla.
Only the scandal involving his second daughter, Ludmilla, was true.
The scandal with his third daughter, Elizaveta, was nothing but fake news.
Having reached this conclusion, Barbarossa brought me along on every hunting trip.
It was his way of subtly informing the nobles that he intended to make me the Valtarian Imperial Family’s son-in-law.
“Liza was quite affectionate towards you. Like a long-time couple.”
“T-That’s impossible.”
We always had steak after returning from the hunting grounds.
Barbarossa, known for his love of meat and his large appetite, particularly enjoyed the meat of the beasts he had hunted himself.
Normally, we would have enjoyed the meal while chatting.
But today was different.
Barbarossa, having witnessed the scoundrel trying to woo his third daughter after already securing his second daughter, expressed his suspicion in an agitated voice.
The Emperor’s gaze, sharp as a predator’s, felt even more intimidating today.
“I’ve already promised to marry Lady Ludmilla, so why would I flirt with Lady Elizaveta? You’re mistaken, Your Majesty.”
“Ahem! No decent person would do such a thing.”
Had I truly never felt any romantic feelings towards Elizaveta?
If I were asked that question, I would surely hesitate to answer.
I truly loved Ludmilla.
And my heart was also wavering towards Elizaveta, my brother’s former fian.
It was undeniably two-timing.
To think I would become a scumbag who loved both the older and younger sister…
I felt a pang of guilt, acknowledging my status as a promiscuous womanizer.
However, I couldn’t simply accept it, so I quickly denied any involvement in response to the Emperor’s rapid-fire questioning.
“Father, may I enter?”
“Come in.”
Knock, knock.
A woman’s dignified voice followed a polite knock.
It was Ludmilla.
The princess with beautiful flowing golden hair curtsied and joined the dinner.
Her seat was directly across from me. As soon as the empty seat was filled, the servants immediately placed steak and wine in front of her.
“When is that cunning rye bread leaving? I want him out of my palace immediately…”
“He’s scheduled to return to the Holy Kingdom tomorrow afternoon.”
With the successful conclusion of the Alliance Council meeting, the kings of each nation who had gathered in the Imperial Capital began to disperse.
The Pope, who had been staying in the capital to encourage the Empire’s priests, was also about to return home.
We had overcome the crisis.
Despite the unprecedented variable of the Earth Mother’s oracle.
As if to celebrate, Ludmilla, seated across from me, smiled.
I nodded with a faint smile, responding to the princess’s gesture.
“How many did you catch today?”
“Three deer, four foxes, and two wild boars.”
“Another impressive haul. You’ve worked hard.”
“You flatter me.”
Barbarossa, witnessing the amicable conversation between Ludmilla and me, didn’t mention the incident with Elizaveta any further.
He must have been concerned about discord between the princesses.
He would have been worried that Ludmilla’s marriage might be jeopardized.
I felt uncomfortable seeing the Emperor sigh in relief, despite his suspicions.
It was because my indecisiveness was the root cause of the recurring scandals.
I had to draw a line with Elizaveta if she approached me again.
Because I truly loved her older sister, Ludmilla.
It was an absolute necessity to survive the suspicious Emperor.
“Edanant subtly hinted that spring or summer would be a good time for the wedding.”
“Y-Yes?! Cough, cough!”
It was true that I had brought it up first.
But I didn’t expect him to inform Ludmilla so abruptly.
Perhaps it was because of Elizaveta’s actions today.
Barbarossa had been acting rather hasty since the start of the dinner.
Ludmilla, who had been sipping her wine, choked and coughed repeatedly.
Even the valiant and dignified princess couldn’t remain composed in the face of romance, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“W-Well, if that’s Sir Edanant’s wish… I’m fine with it.”
“I agree.”
The Emperor’s constant pressure, alternating between carrots and sticks, had led to this outcome.
Was this marriage fraud?
This was unbelievable.
Marriage fraud orchestrated by the Emperor and the princess.
I broke out in a cold sweat, seeing the Emperor and the princess acting as if they were about to sign the marriage registration forms right away.
???????
There were rumors that the First Saintess would return to the Holy Kingdom with the Pope and the priests, but they were nothing more than baseless gossip.
Zebeline didn’t return.
She claimed that she hadn’t found the Saintess Party yet.
“My place is always by Edan’s side.”
“That’s embarrassing to hear.”
The girl with flowing silver hair smiled and linked her arm with mine.
Perhaps it was because we had acted like a couple at the banquet hosted by the Emperor and the Pope.
Zebeline was acting even bolder, making my heart waver.
“I heard an unpleasant rumor that you’re getting married to the Red Dragon next year.”
“W-Well…”
“I hope it’s just a rumor, like always. No, it has to be a rumor.”
“……”
Was it my imagination?
I could almost hear thunder roaring outside.
I could even hear people screaming.
It was only natural for them to panic if lightning suddenly struck from the sky.
The saintess’s blue eyes seemed particularly chilling today.
A heavy pressure, as if white lightning bolts were striking down, weighed down on the surroundings.
“Well, it doesn’t matter even if it’s true. I just have to steal you away before the wedding next year. I can’t wait to see the Red Dragon cry her eyes out after losing her beloved.”
“Don’t people usually give up in this kind of situation?”
“I’ll never give up. Tell that to the old bachelorette.”
“…Wow.”
She was stubborn.
And persistent.
I won’t let you take him away.
I won’t stand idly by.
I could sense a resolute determination in Zebeline’s blue eyes.
It must be the same for Ludmilla.
Whenever I faced Zebeline, Ludmilla would glare at me with a resolute determination in her crimson eyes.
The Red Dragon and the White Dragon were bitter rivals, but they shared many similarities, almost like sisters.
“Edan.”
“Yeah.”
The silver-haired saintess called out, leaning towards me.
Her plump lips were particularly prominent.
She seemed to be exuding a seductive charm, as if longing for a passionate kiss.
I unconsciously averted my gaze from Zebeline’s intense stare.
My heart was beginning to waver, seeing Zebeline’s unwavering love, even after hearing about my supposed wedding with Ludmilla next year.
“What would you do if I broke up with you?”
“I would. still hold onto you.”
“But you like old bachelorettes.”
“I don’t give a damn, I would still hold onto you.”
Was I this greedy of a philanderer?
The answer came out reflexively.
It was unbelievable, coming from someone as indecisive as me.
A sense of desperation surged within me at the thought that Zebeline might return.
I didn’t want to lose the connection we had finally reestablished after all this time.
“You’re such a greedy person. You even seduced Princess Elizaveta.”
“…You knew?”
“How could I not know, with the princess acting so blatantly? All the maids in the Imperial Palace probably know. They must be gossiping about how Princess Elizaveta has fallen for her former fiance’s younger brother.”
“That’s embarrassing. I thought no one knew.”
The Holy Kingdom’s First Saintess.
The Empire’s Second and Third Princesses.
I was caught in a blissful predicament, torn between such beautiful women.
No matter who I chose, it wouldn’t change.
Seeing Zebeline’s unwavering devotion, even after choosing Ludmilla, I realized this.
???????
That night, I confessed my feelings to Ludmilla with a kiss.
I loved Ludmilla.
Even after witnessing Zebeline’s persistence, my decision remained unchanged.
No matter what I said, Zebeline and Elizaveta wouldn’t give up. I sighed heavily, my heart burdened, and pondered possible solutions.
“Edan, I want to entrust this to you.”
“Father?”
As I was grappling with my blissful dilemma, which could get me beaten to death by all the men in the world,
A guest arrived.
It was my father, who had just returned from the Hohenberc marquisate.
What brought him here?
I escorted my father, his expression stiff, to the reception room.
As soon as he sat down on the sofa, he took out something small from his pocket.
Surprisingly, it was a pair of rings with dazzling gemstones.
Surely my father wasn’t going to propose to me?
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a peculiar fetish for shiny bald heads.
“This is the wedding ring I gave your mother.”
“Yes? But you gave the wedding ring to that damn brother of mine. You said he should propose to the saintess he serves…”
“Yes, I did… But your brother returned it.”
“……”
Why did Maximilian return the wedding ring to our father?
Because Beatrice had rejected his heartfelt proposal?
No,
That couldn’t be it.
Maximilian had proposed to Beatrice with the wedding ring as soon as they defeated the Demon King.
And Beatrice had accepted the ring with a bright smile.
That was the epilogue of “The Lady of White Blessings.”
“I’m entrusting this wedding ring to you. When you find someone you truly love, propose to her with the Hohenberc family’s wedding ring. It would be a worthy gift for Princess Ludmilla.”
“But Father… There’s only one?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m going to need two more.”
Why was there only one mother for Maximilian and Edanant?
If there were three mothers instead of one, there would have been enough rings to go around.
If there’s someone with three fathers, there should also be someone with three mothers to maintain balance.
Hmm…
Where could I find more wedding rings?
I pondered for a moment, gazing at the dazzling wedding ring.
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