TSFA l Part 2 CH 56

Posted by Eleanor, Released on September 19, 2025

Part 2 Chapter 56

“Seems Krista told her where I was,” Richard said.

“I see. So what did you talk about? Did you tell her, as Krista wanted, not to come home?”

“I was going to…”

Richard narrowed his eyes as if recalling Bania, then let out a dry laugh.

“…But she cried and begged to come back instead.”

“What?”

“I thought she was living fine, but she suddenly burst into tears. I don’t know why. She wouldn’t tell me, no matter how much I asked.”

“……”

Richard didn’t know it, but Bania’s tears were likely because of the arranged royal marriage.
Since it had been decided by the Crown Prince and Ryan without her say, it made sense she’d feel that way.

But Edgar still couldn’t figure out why it had to go that far.

‘Is Bania herself the goal?’ he thought.

If that were the case, they would have kept her under strict watch.
She never would’ve been allowed to secretly visit her half-brother Richard.

So then, what was the marriage for…?

Ah.

Suddenly, Edgar realized his mistake.
He had been unconsciously taking Richard’s words as truth.

‘I’ve grown old… to make such a mistake.’

“Shall I go bring her over?” Richard asked casually, tilting his head.

“You had some reason for wanting the others back, right?”

True—though now, with the Crown Prince blocking things with this marriage, that plan was ruined.

“I already have a way to contact Bania. If you’d like, I can meet her and talk.”

Edgar silently studied his son’s face.

Maybe letting Richard approach Bania would reveal something he himself was missing.

But he couldn’t.

So far, he hadn’t caught even the smallest clue about what Richard was truly thinking.
He didn’t know if Richard was a safe piece to move—or a hidden traitor waiting to betray him.

If he sent him to Bania, would it be the right move—or just hand over a chance for treachery?

He was trapped.

A perfect checkmate.

“…Leave it for now,” Edgar said, standing up.

“I’ll think about it more.”

“As you wish.”

Click.

The door closed behind Edgar.

Richard pulled a cigar from his pocket, lit it, and leaned back against the sofa.

“Heh.”

He looked at the door his father had gone through and smirked.

No matter who it is, even my father can’t read me.

Am I Bassenberg or not? Even I’ve lived brainwashed, not knowing for sure myself.

***

Bania Valencia.

With a new surname, I had become both royalty and a wife. Day two.

Who would’ve thought that just a week after entering the palace, I’d already be signing marriage papers?

It was only because the Crown Prince, unexpectedly backed by the Emperor, seized the moment.

My romantic man even accepted a slap on the back from his father just to give me the title of Princess Consort.

Ah, but the ceremony itself couldn’t be held yet.

Right now, we only had the legal paperwork done.
The Crown Prince insisted it had to be done quietly, so gossip wouldn’t spread.

So for now, I was still free… packing my things.
Because I had to leave the guest room.

“Are you happy?” Ryan asked, annoyed at my cheerful humming.

“Of course.”

“Why not just stay here?”

“Excuse me! I’m the Princess Consort now. I can’t keep borrowing a guest room, Count!”

“Oh really?”

“It was His Majesty’s command to move. I’m only obeying.”

Nike, being high-ranking, had his own palace villa inside the Imperial Palace.
Which meant—there would be a room for me, a room for him… and a shared bedroom.

“Hey.”

Ryan swallowed nervously, grabbing my arm as I packed.

“Promise me—don’t… do anything improper before the wedding.”

“What improper things?”

“You should’ve seen your face just now—so sly! I didn’t even say anything, but your thoughts were written all over it.”

“……”

“Remember the chaos from just one bad case of morning sickness? Don’t you dare cause a scene again! The wedding must not have three people walking in.”

“What! What do you take me for? Your mind is filthier than mine!”

“No! I’m just being realistic!”

“Argh!”

I lunged at him, and he ran, shouting:

“Oh right! I’m going home tonight!”

“…What?”

“I’ll show His Majesty and the Crown Prince Reevan’s secret weapon storage at the Academy, then head straight to Belzer.”

That secret storage contained the anti-monster weapons—the same ones that had wiped out Bassenberg’s troops before the rewind.

“I’ll announce to our people that my daughter is married now. Then I’ll come back quickly. The western expedition is in the third week of June.”

He counted on his fingers, then swallowed nervously.

“…And after the northern expedition in July, it’s all over.”

Which meant—the blade was sharpened.
They’d be ready to strike his father’s neck.

“Of course, before that…”

Ryan grinned and pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket.

“Hahaha! Guess what this is?”

Of course—it was a townhouse listing in the capital.

Royal marriage contracts included countless benefits for the bride’s family.
One of them was a luxury residence in the capital.

Ryan, who’d been dreaming of a house there, now got it for free.

“Which should I pick? The priciest street? No, maybe a huge one on the outskirts? Or a brand-new one?”

His greedy eyes glittered.

“You’re just like your father. Blood doesn’t lie.”

“What?!”

Ryan exploded.

“Take that back immediately!”

***

Late May.

The gates of the Prince’s Palace opened on the east side of the Imperial Palace.

Only three days had passed since the Emperor stamped the marriage papers.

This palace had been built four years ago by the Crown Prince as a gift to Nike at his coming-of-age.

Normally, royals who marry receive a title, land, and leave the palace.
But here, a special palace had been prepared for Nike to always have a home in the capital.
An unprecedented gesture of trust.

Which meant—now the palace had opened, for the first time since it was built.

And inside… a woman had entered before the official wedding.

“Really?!”

“It’s true. Didn’t you pass it on the way? The gates were open and servants were everywhere.”

In the training grounds, knights gathered for the June western campaign were abuzz.

“Why so shocked? Haven’t you heard? The Crown Prince’s been busy meeting nobles about the marriage.”

“That’s not the point! Why open the palace before the ceremony?”

“Maybe the paperwork’s already done?”

“Does that make sense? No royal marriage is done like this.”

They all agreed.

“A royal wedding isn’t a joke. It takes months of announcements, audiences, balls, pilgrimages, the full ceremony…”

“But talking here won’t solve anything. If you’re curious, ask him directly. He’s coming.”