Chapter 66 – A Difficult Proposal
“…Are you saying you’ve fallen for this child?”
The Emperor asked, carefully watching my expression, which must have turned completely dark. Then he gave a small, almost invisible nod.
“I meant that I hope we can get to know each other better,” Winter said calmly.
Since he already said it, denying it now would only make the Emperor explode in anger. So, this really was the best choice.
Yes, this was definitely the best way to handle it, but…
“H-ha… Hahaha…”
The Emperor’s face was turning red—but definitely not because he was shy or embarrassed. And no, it wasn’t because he ate something spicy either.
His lips twitched for a long while like he was being electrocuted, and finally, he opened his mouth again.
“…Duke, in our Western Empire, we have a traditional custom law.”
Custom law?
That’s when I suddenly remembered an old and ridiculous tradition used to block unwanted marriage proposals.
“A rejected suitor must bring three items before they are allowed to propose again.”
I covered my face with both hands and closed my eyes.
The Emperor’s voice was leaking with barely hidden anger—like gas from a broken pipe.
Peeking through my fingers, I saw Winter was listening very seriously to the Emperor.
Why is he listening so carefully?!
Now that the Emperor brought up this silly old tradition, we were stuck in a terrible situation.
“The three items are: something old, something hot, and something precious. On top of that, if the suitor tries to propose again, the other family has the right to kill him without any consequences. Even if the three items are brought, without the family’s permission, the proposal is still invalid.”
Basically, even if you bring amazing gifts, you can still be rejected for no real reason. It was just an excuse to say no.
“Oh right, I remember now.”
But there was no need to listen seriously to this! So why was Winter nodding as if thinking deeply?
Rather than being surprised, the Emperor seemed impressed by Winter’s serious attitude and saw some strange determination in him.
“This is your first rejection, Duke Winter Orsheus of the Northern Empire. If you dare show even a strand of your hair in the palace before bringing those three things…”
A vein popped out on the Emperor’s forehead as he pointed toward the door.
“…Then, as our proud tradition dictates, we’ll tie your legs to a horse and drag you around the Imperial City.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the large oval doors swung open dramatically, as if saying: “Get out now.”
“…I see.”
Winter didn’t look angry at all. Instead, he seemed intrigued and nodded again.
“I understand clearly.”
The situation had suddenly grown so big that I could only stand around the Emperor, helplessly shaking my head.
“Your Majesty! The Duke is the one who saved my life! Can’t you please reconsider?”
“There’s no need to panic, Izana.”
Winter smiled gently, trying to comfort me.
And then—right in front of the Emperor—he suddenly picked me up like it was the most natural thing in the world!
“[Igrio], put her down this instant!”
“D-Duke?! This is serious! You can’t do this!”
I started kicking my legs, thinking he might just fly away with me straight to the Northern Empire. But he didn’t open his wings or anything.
He just lifted me slightly off the ground like a plane ride and gently caught me again.
“Izana. Do you remember what I said? That once you gain about 2 kilos, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go?”
“Y-yes, I remember… but…”
“I clearly remember your weight. Keep eating well, and I’ll be back to get you soon.”
I covered my face in embarrassment and whispered in his ear.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try to clean up the mess I made before.”
“There’s no need to think of it as a mess. Just imagine you were watering a potato on the ground. Nothing is ruined.”
No… Your brother’s fiancée died because of stalkers…
And you… You look exactly like your brother…
I couldn’t bring myself to say these things out loud, and tears welled up in my eyes.
At this point, all I could do was hope that Glass Orsheus, Winter’s older brother, was a hundred times more handsome than this dazzling main character.
“Well then, rest well.”
Right when the Emperor reached for the hilt of his sword, Winter gently set me down.
And before the Emperor could draw his weapon—poof—Winter vanished into thin air.
All that remained was a cool breeze brushing against my cheek.
“Wow…”
Behind me, Roti clapped her hands in amazement.
The Emperor turned my frozen body around by the shoulders and looked at me with a pale face. He spoke each word with heavy emphasis.
“My daughter… never trust a man who says he’ll come back for you.”
…Sigh. I want to go back in time.
For the first time, I truly meant it.
***
Winter had left behind his official recall letter from the Northern Empire on the table.
“What a classy trick, just like a true messenger of the gods!”
The letter went right back into the Emperor’s hands.
And he continued to give me a long lecture about men.
Just when I thought my ears might start bleeding, the Emperor finally stood up.
“This evening, I will announce that you are officially my goddaughter.”
I hadn’t expected that at all.
But when I thought it through, I realized that as long as I could get permission to visit the Northern Empire, it wasn’t a bad thing. Actually, it might even be helpful.
I decided not to think too deeply about it.
It’s not like I had any real power to say no anyway, so thinking about it wouldn’t change anything.
While walking through a long hallway, the Emperor asked,
“Do you want to return to Rohiya?”
After some thought, I shook my head.
“No. If I go back, I’ll probably be stuck in my room again. My mother still thinks I’m sick… and I really was sick until not long ago.”
The Emperor already knew how unfairly I’d been treated in Rohiya.
That fact could help me—or backfire.
If he were to wrongly provoke Yudis, everything might fall apart.
So I had to be careful and try not to blame her too much.
“But the world is big, and I want to travel to many places. So, right now… I don’t think I want to go back to Rohiya.”
I emphasized “many places,” and the Emperor’s eyebrow twitched.
“Is the Northern Empire included in those ‘many places’?”
“I want to visit the Southern and Eastern Empires too. Of course… the Northern Empire as well.”
Hearing my vague answer, the Emperor let out a deep sigh.
“If it’s just traveling, I can allow that. I didn’t bring you here to lock you up.”
Emperor Silis is a kind person.
He’s warm enough to rescue an illegitimate troublemaker like me, who only brings problems.
“And while traveling the continent, you’ll surely meet someone else like Glass or Winter Orsheus. Don’t trust that ‘Most Handsome Men of the Continent’ book too much—it’s biased toward nobles.”
“…Wait, Your Majesty… Have you read that book too?”
I was tired of asking this question by now.
But instead of answering, the Emperor changed the subject.
“You’re still too young to marry, even if you can get engaged. Take your time. Winter is dangerous, and the Northern Empire is harsh. I don’t know about others yet, but under my protection, I’m sure you’ll meet many soft-hearted men who’ll make you happy.”
Grinding my teeth, I silently hoped my firm determination would reach him.
“Yes. I’ll definitely think long and hard about it, so don’t worry. I know first loves never work out, so I won’t expect too much.”
“You’re smart. Yes, you’re always smart every time I see you.”
The Emperor and I stopped in front of a large iron door.
From beyond the door, we could hear intense arguments and loud voices.
Something big was waiting on the other side.
