CMFAR 12

Chapter 12

Contract Marriage for Atilenta’s Revenge

Thanks to the noisy and bustling surroundings, my expression was easily buried. Beside me, Henryk and Warsha were chatting quietly.

“How is it? Since it’s my brother’s banquet, I prepared it myself. I was reeeally curious when my brother would get married.”

“It’s splendid without lacking anything, Warsha.”

“Hehe, I did put some effort in, you know? I even got permission from Father to spend generously. Oh, Princess-Consort. Father is feeling unwell today, so he’s resting. You’ll have to understand.”

“Of course. It is already an honor that Your Highness the Princess welcomes me so warmly. When His Majesty recovers, I will offer my greetings.”

I replied politely and glanced at Henryk. Henryk nodded slightly.

“A good idea.”

And in that moment, a thought suddenly came to me.

Then, where was his mother?

I had never heard that she had passed away. I refrained from making the mistake of asking outright.

For now, it was wisest to carefully assess how this royal family operated.

I had read a little information about Henryk in the Kingdom of Francia, but what concerned his family was insufficient. It wasn’t a great loss. I could simply learn about it from now on.

“Would you like to try this stew first? It’s warm, so it should be good for warming you up.”

Once seated, Warsha attended to me with sincerity. The table was truly well arranged.

“Is it to your taste, Princess-Consort?”

“It’s so wonderful that I can only admire it, Your Highness the Princess.”

I answered sincerely. All the dishes Warsha recommended were delicious. The silver-shining glasses and cutlery seemed to whet the appetite as well. In truth, even if it hadn’t been tasty, it wouldn’t have mattered much.

Outwardly enjoying myself with ease, I was inwardly observing, one by one, how the dining culture here differed from that of the Kingdom of Francia.

It had been noticeable during meals at Henryk’s palace as well, but first, the salad with cucumber was intriguing. The delegation that would come from the Kingdom of Francia would likely think similarly.

And another thing.

“You. Have some more.”

Henryk urged me in a low voice to eat more. I was full, but I pretended to eat a little more.

The fact that he was seated right next to me was also quite unusual. In the Kingdom of Francia, there was no such thing as sitting side by side with one’s husband at such formal occasions.

Even at Henryk’s palace since I came here, there had been no time when I sat and ate with him like this. After all, I was the only one at the table.

But now it was different. I was just thinking about what other differences there might be between the banquets here and in the Kingdom of Francia.

“Henryk. Congratulations on your marriage.”

Someone wearing a very lavish golden belt approached and called out to Henryk. Henryk immediately stood and offered his respects.

“Brother. You have come.”

I too stood up at once and offered the same greeting as Henryk. The Prince Leszcza I faced was, honestly, fascinating.

The two brothers looked so different in appearance that one might wonder if they truly came from the same father. Their elegant dignity and smooth pronunciation were similar.

But if Henryk was like a sword made of black jewels, Prince Leszcza was like a noble candlestick.

His platinum-blond hair, which seemed as if it might melt at any moment, caught the eye. His amethyst eyes, sparkling behind his glasses, looked exceedingly intelligent.

“Pleased to meet you, Princess-Consort.”

“It is an honor to meet His Highness Prince Leszcza of the Bwendowska Kingdom.”

“Since this banquet is for you, I hope you enjoy it to the fullest. May Bwendia bless you.”

I swallowed hard. Prince Leszcza was Henryk’s rival for the succession. So I did not believe that Leszcza was sincerely offering his blessings.

Henryk would likely think the same. Of course, despite such underlying currents, the gathering of Henryk’s family maintained an elegant atmosphere.

The king was said to be unwell, and as for Henryk’s mother, I had no news. It seemed I had now met all the important people, so I just needed to get through the banquet safely.

Maintaining an appropriate level of tension, I was just thinking with relief that half of today’s work was done, when—

“My lady, that place is for Their Highnesses the Prince and Princess—”

A servant blocked someone who was approaching our table without hesitation. The woman called “my lady” raised her voice.

“As a representative of the Białowieża House, I am merely paying my respects to Their Highnesses. I too must properly offer my blessings.”

Because Henryk’s frame was quite large and obstructed my view, I couldn’t see her at a glance. Henryk, blocking my front, spoke lowly.

“Lady Białowieża. You have come.”

“Surely this is a place to celebrate Your Highness’s marriage. Your Highness Leszcza. Your Highness Henryk. Your Highness Princess Warsha. Glory to Bwendia. I am Tatra, representing the Białowieża House.”

“Welcome, Lady Białowieża. Is the food to your liking?”

“Oh my. Since it’s a banquet prepared by Her Highness Princess Warsha, that goes without saying. I would almost want to share the recipe with our head chef at the Białowieża House.”

“Hehe, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.”

After exchanging words with Warsha, Tatra moved a few steps closer, toward Henryk. Thanks to that, I finally saw her face.

“Your Highness. It’s been a while. I had been praying for your safe return.”

Oh dear. The moment I saw her, my lips unconsciously tightened.

Tatra—she had strikingly beautiful green eyes. The exact same color as Antonio and Celena’s.

Her golden hair, curling like fine silk, her accessories harmonizing with her appearance, her dress shaped like a flower bud, and her elegant, gentle demeanor and voice—all of it.

She was asserting herself as the most beautiful woman in this place.

Tatra, after offering her polite greeting, turned her gaze and met my eyes.

In that moment, I immediately understood. This woman, who harbored feelings for Henryk, was showing jealousy toward me.

“I was very curious about what kind of person His Highness would take as his consort. Princess-Consort, I find myself thinking that you are indeed worthy of being His Highness’s choice.”

Tatra threw an elegant barb at me, and I knew I should give something in return. Even if it was a false smile.

“I too am pleased to meet you at this grand banquet.”

However, I reflected on reality.

My true enemy is not you, Tatra. I sincerely hoped she wouldn’t provoke me any further than this.

“Oh my, I’m relieved that the Princess-Consort is also enjoying this banquet. I’m not sure how different it might be from the banquets you have experienced, but after enjoying this meal, there will be time for everyone to dance freely.”

Although Tatra kindly explained the banquet to me, a foreigner, I did not believe in her kindness.

“In the past, I used to dance with His Highness. Your Highness, do you perhaps remember those days? Thanks to you guiding me so well when I had just debuted in society, I was able to learn a great deal.”

I barely suppressed the scoff that nearly escaped me.

She was appealing to everyone about what kind of relationship she had with Henryk, while naturally emphasizing her own innocence and kindness.

If this had been a banquet of the Białowieża House, her words and actions might have been easily tolerated. But this was a gathering to celebrate my marriage to Henryk.

“Ah, yes, that was it. Since Count Białowieża had requested it, I believe I did instruct you.”

Henryk answered in his characteristic cold voice. As if to declare that the dance back then was merely the result of her father’s interference.

To be honest, it was somewhat satisfying. Even though Henryk was not Antonio.

Even while knowing full well that he was a different person, I was projecting Antonio and Celena onto those two.

But I was in a fake marriage with Henryk for a clear purpose.

I had handled myself smoothly even at the last banquet where I saw Celena, so I would do the same this time—just as I was steeling my resolve—

“Oh my, yes, that was what you said. Your Highness, I remember. But could any woman easily forget that day? When Your Highness showed such kind consideration. Hehe.”

Even in the face of Henryk’s indifferent attitude, Tatra did not back down easily. Perhaps there was a reason she emphasized that day so much.

It seemed that Henryk had treated Tatra well in general. Ever since she debuted in society, continuously. They might have often appeared together at such banquets.

Even though Henryk didn’t show any particular response in tune with her, Tatra’s eyes were full of lingering attachment. It was obvious not just to me, but to the other royal family members seated at this table as well.

She doesn’t seem to care that her lingering feelings and jealousy are so apparent.

“Is that so? Matters of a woman’s heart are, after all, something I do not fully understand.”