~Chapter 10~
Two days later, during a meeting with the nobles, the Emperor kept his word and officially announced both our divorce and my remarriage.
As expected, the nobles strongly opposed it.
Their outrage was especially fierce over the Emperor granting Noah Everdane, who had no title, the rank of Marquis.
But, true to his ill-tempered nature, the Emperor ignored their protests and pushed through with his decision.
I wasn’t surprised — I had already expected this.
Not long after everything was settled, the Emperor summoned Noah to the palace.
More precisely, Noah came to take me away so that we could get married.
“Your Majesty, the Marquis of Everdane has arrived.”
“Oh? Ah, please bring him to the reception room.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the maid left, I checked myself in the mirror.
I didn’t look much different from usual — but knowing I was about to see Noah, my eyes seemed brighter and my expression a little more flushed.
“I’d better go quickly.”
I reached for the door handle to head to the reception room, but then suddenly froze.
A thought hit me — What kind of face will Noah be making right now?
He must resent me, right?
After all, without knowing anything, he was being forced into marriage with me.
If I saw that resentment in his eyes… I might start crying on the spot.
Still, I couldn’t just stay frozen here.
He was waiting, and I couldn’t keep him waiting too long.
Besides, I could make things better later. This was all for his sake.
Giving myself that pep talk, I gripped the handle firmly, steadied my heart, and walked quickly toward the reception room.
When I entered, the first thing I saw was Noah’s broad back by the window.
I didn’t know what kind of expression he had, so I cautiously called out:
“Marquis Everdane…”
Noah slowly turned around, and I held my breath until our eyes finally met.
“Ah…”
All the tension inside me — and even the strength in my legs — vanished at once.
Before I could collapse, Noah hurried over to support me.
“Your Majesty, are you unwell?”
“Huh? No, no, I’m fine.”
“Please, have a seat.”
He guided me to a chair by the table, and I smiled faintly to reassure him.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing… but are you truly all right?”
“Yes, I really am.”
I asked him to sit too, and watched him until he settled across from me.
In my mind, I replayed his expression just now — how could he look at me with such gentleness?
I had been sure he would be angry, but there was no trace of it. He seemed completely calm.
As expected, Noah really is amazing.
“Marquis, you must have a lot of questions,” I began.
Of course, I couldn’t tell him the full truth, but I needed to give him some kind of explanation.
“Yes… I do,” he admitted. “I don’t know how much His Majesty told you—”
“Not much. He simply gave me the title of Marquis and told me to accept marriage to Your Majesty.”
Of course. That man never explained anything properly.
“Then I’ll explain,” I said, quickly organizing my thoughts.
I looked straight into his dark eyes.
“Do you remember meeting me at the banquet some time ago?”
“Yes, I do.”
“That day… I fell in love with you at first sight.”
Noah’s expression wavered — clearly, he hadn’t expected that.
“It’s true. I was so taken with you that I insisted on remarrying.”
He stared at me in silence, clearly shocked. I met his gaze steadily — at least in this, my feelings were genuine.
“Is that… really true?”
“Yes. It’s the truth.”
He seemed flustered, unlike his usual self.
“Of course, that’s not the only reason,” I continued. “As you know, the Empress is pregnant. When she gives birth, her child will likely be the next Emperor. In that case, I would spend the rest of my life unable to even lift my head in court.”
I explained that when I had been wanting to leave the palace, I happened to meet him — it felt like fate.
I smiled softly, hoping he would see me in a better light.
But instead of smiling back, Noah’s expression turned serious.
He stayed silent, brow furrowed, as if choosing his words carefully.
The quiet made me nervous.
Finally, he spoke:
“So… can I take it that Your Majesty’s feelings for me are genuine?”
“Yes, of course.”
The moment I answered, Noah suddenly stood up, came toward me, and — to my shock — knelt down in front of me.
“Lady Veronica Glensis,” he said, calling me by my name from before I became Empress.
“I wish to formally propose. Lady Veronica Glensis, will you marry me?”
He smiled warmly as he said it.
I could only stare down at him, completely stunned by this unexpected turn of events.
