Chapter 39
I don’t particularly enjoy using my natural charm as a weapon in any situation.
Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s dangerous. Those who have misplaced hopes can become enemies when things go wrong.
That’s why, in my past life when I was in business, I always tried to be as fair and straightforward as possible.
But that doesn’t mean I was unaware of my appearance.
I inherited my father, the most handsome man in the empire, and was known for having an exceptionally beautiful appearance, a rarity in the empire.
As a result, I received countless lustful glances from people since my previous life, and I had learned to distinguish between simple affection and desire.
“Iris?”
“……”
I met Balthazar’s gaze directly.
He wasn’t just after the title of Duke. He wanted me, the person, beyond just Aphellemion.
In his eyes, I saw a desire that hadn’t been there before.
“Come closer. I want to see your face closely. We should get used to it, don’t you think?”
Instinctively, I flinched and pulled my shoulders back, which made Balthazar’s smile widen.
He was enjoying my nervousness.
“Or perhaps a refusal? Because you like your brother?”
Balthazar tilted his head with a sly grin and asked again.
“Could it be that you want to go back to the Penton family?”
In the subtle threat and twisted smile, I could vaguely guess what had ignited him.
In my second life, there had been rumors that he seduced a noble lady, who was said to have a special relationship with Karsiel, and even gave her an engagement ring privately.
He had slept with the noblewoman, then discarded her afterward. For a time, he had been quite proud of it.
In short, he was a foolish boy who liked taking his brother’s things.
The problem was that I was now being misunderstood as “his brother’s thing.”
For a moment, the thought of marrying him flashed through my mind, and a chill ran down my spine.
In my first life, Balthazar had been briefly married to a distant relative of the Rudes family. He had constantly abused her until she died.
“The Crown Prince may have a point.”
The Queen, who had been silently listening, flashed a sly smile. She was holding the Aphellemion ledger and had already turned to a page that had nothing to do with Julius’s embezzlement.
In other words, the Queen was already reviewing the wealth of Aphellemion in detail.
The results were so satisfying that she seemed impressed with her son for wanting to seize the golden opportunity.
“Princess, answer the Crown Prince’s proposal…”
“Do we really have to discuss the engagement now?”
Just as the Queen was about to add something, the Emperor spoke.
He had an uncomfortable expression on his face, which had been building for some time.
“Has the royal engagement ever been arranged in such a manner?”
“Your Majesty, even Balthazar has come of age.”
“But that’s unrelated to Aphellemion… cough cough!”
The Emperor, who had rarely gestured toward the Queen, suddenly coughed violently.
“Cough! Cough! Ugh!”
“Your Majesty, it’s alright. I’m here.”
The Queen quickly changed her expression to one of warmth, gently taking the Emperor’s hand and holding a teacup to his mouth.
“Cough… Sigh.”
Once she took action, the coughing stopped quickly.
“Your Majesty, you need to rest. The engagement of the Crown Prince is something I, as his mother, will take care of. Surely, you wouldn’t ignore my request?”
“…I would never. It’s not right to disregard the Queen.”
After finally calming down, the Emperor weakly nodded.
“Princess.”
The Queen spoke.
“The Duke’s family is different from any other. A princess without a foundation, orphaned and unsupported, cannot manage this on her own. The royal family believes a proxy is necessary.”
“…Is that so?”
I asked.
“The actions of the Penton family have been revealed, and it’s clear the princess couldn’t protect herself from them.”
The Queen quickly interpreted the situation in her favor, giving a benevolent smile.
“Until the princess proves she can handle the family, the Crown Prince’s proposal is the best option.”
She paused for a moment, then looked at me with a sharp gaze.
At this point, it was clear she wanted me to stop being stubborn and just listen.
So, this is how it’s going to be.
I sighed deeply and took a step forward.
In that case, I had no choice but to match their terms.
“I understand the words of both Your Majesty and His Highness.”
I kneeled politely, and Balthazar’s face flushed with excitement.
“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.”
“What, what did you say?”
Both the Queen and Balthazar shouted in unison.
“As His Highness said, an engagement forced upon someone is not valid. Since the wise Crown Prince wouldn’t force me into an engagement, I’ll refuse with peace of mind.”
“…So what will you do?”
Balthazar’s expression hardened as he asked.
“Recognize me as the head of the Aphellemion family, the last living bloodline. If the royal family doesn’t recognize my title, I’ll appoint another proxy. One of the three vassals here.”
“What if we don’t allow it?”
This time, the Queen spoke.
“Then, as before, we’ll recognize Julius Penton as the acting head of the family.”
“What? What did you say?”
Everyone in the hall stared at me in shock.
Even the three members of the Penton family looked confused.
“The real reason I came to the royal palace today was to determine the validity of the royal decree given to the Penton family five years ago. I request only a judgment on that.”
I smiled slightly and continued.
“Even though you’ve already acknowledged the embezzlement of over 10 million gold by the Penton family, their abuse of me, and their attempt to steal the family by forcing me into an unwilling marriage with Bartol, if you still decide to allow the Penton family to keep their title, then as a mere subject, I’ll simply obey.”
“…!”
The faces of the Queen and Balthazar grew pale.
What I had said was a direct threat.
The evidence of the Penton family’s wrongdoings was already clear, and the Queen and Balthazar had already tacitly admitted that they were unqualified.
In this situation, if they once again recognized Julius Penton as the acting head because I had rejected Balthazar’s proposal, it would be seen as a petty act of revenge by the royal family.
There were dozens of people watching, so it couldn’t be hidden. If this news leaked, most of the nobles would side with me.
There had been a growing opinion among the nobility in the outskirts that the royal family’s opinion on noble succession wasn’t always legitimate, and this matter could seriously damage the royal family’s authority.
The Emperor’s eyes wavered. He hated the idea of the royal family’s disgrace more than anything.
“…Are you planning to turn the royal family into your enemy?”
“If you choose to make me your enemy just because I rejected the proposal, wouldn’t that be the same as forcing a marriage?”
I spoke with a smile still on my face.
“Let both of you decide, Your Majesty.”
“The princess is playing a dangerous game.”
Balthazar growled.
“Do you think I can’t do anything to you?”
“Why not? If you have justification, there’s nothing you can’t do. If you have justification, you can even include that action in the royal decree.”
But there is no justification.
As he said, I was gambling.
I was taking the risk of returning to the Penton family’s grip in order to reject Balthazar.
If I win, good. If I lose, it won’t be worse than before. Worst-case scenario, I could run away just like in my first life.
However, the greater disadvantage should fall on the royal family. So, this was actually a more dangerous gamble for Balthazar.
He could end up with nothing, turning the Aphellemion family into an enemy, and attempting to swallow the Duke’s family while gaining nothing—an embarrassment that would ignite all the nobles.
“Please decide, Your Majesty.”
I stared directly at the Emperor as I made my demand.
“I request your judgment here, right now.”
The Emperor’s brow twitched.
After a long silence, he finally spoke one short sentence.
“The princess… is like Bael.”
“Your Majesty, are you saying that such an insolent person should inherit the Duke’s title?”
The Queen asked, as if reproaching the Emperor.
“If the royal family can’t accept it, then we must appoint another proxy. I don’t trust the vassals who came with them.”
“Then will the royal family judge whether all noble succession is only for those who are courteous?”
I cut in without backing down.
“…!”
The Queen and I stared at each other fiercely.
I wasn’t afraid, nor did I regret it. From the moment I decided to save Karsiel, she had become my enemy.
There was no more smile or pretense of goodwill.
As the silence stretched, the door to the central hall suddenly opened, and someone walked in.
“Has the Emperor been here?”
Everyone turned their attention to the voice’s owner.
The Queen’s cold eyes widened instantly.
“The greeting should be for the Queen and my younger brother as well.”
A tall figure, dressed in uniform with bright blonde hair, and contrasting cold eyes.
It was Karsiel.
Thank God.
I had expected this from Deus, but the timing was truly incredible.
He brushed past me, knelt before the Emperor, and spoke.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire. Crown Prince Karsiel Parnass, returning after bringing Tar’s surrender at the Emperor’s command.”
