NTWBR 15

Chapter 15

“Get on your knees. You said you could do it.”

The words were filled with coldness.

Irene’s mysterious cyan hair and jewel-like violet eyes were truly filled with a chilling aura.

Ernst’s green eyes, looking at Irene and Crown Prince Franz like this, were wavering.

“So you can’t do it. You can’t even do that…!”

*Thud!*

The sound of knees hitting the carpet was heard.

Crown Prince Franz was kneeling on one knee before Irene.

He was bowing his head to Irene on one knee.

“I love you, Irene. I will beg you like this. Please, marry me.”

“……”

‘Kneeling? For the sake of the throne, this much is nothing! It means nothing!’

Franz’s thoughts were not important.

And whether that was sincere or not was also not important.

But one thing was certain.

The fact that a person named Franz Mestia would do anything for his own goals.

This one thing was being clearly shown.

One might wonder what meaning kneeling itself holds, but the person kneeling was Franz Mestia.

The heir to the throne of the Mestia Empire and the next Emperor.

Such a man was kneeling before Irene and proposing to her.

Witnessing this, along with Ernst, even the maids.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Irene.

The meaning contained in the eyes of the maids reflected in Irene’s eyes was just one.

‘I’ll watch to see what you do next.’

Reading this, Irene couldn’t help but laugh.

She clearly understood what the maids wanted.

Whether Irene would accept or reject Franz Mestia’s courtship.

That was their only interest.

Nothing else.

Their sole concern was whether Irene would accept Franz’s proposal.

That was all.

But it was not Irene’s concern.

This incident merely served as an opportunity to once again confirm the kind of person Franz Mestia was.

The proposal, the words of love, the words of apology.

She only confirmed that they were all things that threatened her, wrapped in sweetness.

Although she heard the words she had so desperately wanted in her past life from Franz’s lips, she was not elated.

Rather, her head and chest only grew colder.

Her fingertips grew cold, while her heart and mind became clearer.

‘Was it only… this much that I wanted to hear so badly, Irene?’

She asked herself.

How did it feel to hear it now.

She had heard the words she so desperately wanted to hear, seen what she so desperately wanted to see, and experienced what she so desperately wanted to experience. Are you satisfied now?

‘No, I’m not satisfied. It’s still not enough.’

“Irene.”

“…Rise.”

“Irene?”

“Rise.”

“Does that mean you’ll accept?”

“No.”

She had simply lost interest.

No, she had thought she would feel something different.

But that wasn’t it either.

This situation simply irritated her.

It wasn’t satisfying. It was just annoying.

“Rise.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve confirmed what I needed to.”

‘I’ve confirmed what kind of man you are once again. That’s enough.’

That was exactly it.

Because she had heard the words she wanted to hear from Franz Mestia.

She felt it was time to stop now.

However… deep in her heart, a voice craved something more.

‘An apology… Yes, an apology for my child. An apology for ruining my life.’

Even if she craved an apology from the depths of her heart, she couldn’t demand it.

There were too many eyes watching.

Everything happening in this moment, everything the women watching her now would be relayed and more.

By tomorrow, the story of Crown Prince Franz kneeling before Irene and proposing would spread throughout noble society.

Irene, realizing this, smiled.

“I said get up.”

“If you’re not going to accept, why tell me to get up?”

“Proposing… without a ring?”

“……”

“Without a ring.”

Irene walked slowly, very slowly, to in front of Crown Prince Franz.

The hem of Irene’s sky-blue dress touched Crown Prince Franz’s knee.

Then, Franz’s black eyes looked up at Irene.

“You’re proposing with just this one bouquet?”

Irene placed the rose bouquet she was holding in her white and delicate hands into Crown Prince Franz’s arms.

Upon seeing this, the eyes of the maids watching grew as wide as they could.

Of course, Ernst’s expression also grew cold and rigid.

“Proposing with just a measly bouquet, isn’t that a bit too much?”

Irene, who had tossed the bouquet into Crown Prince Franz’s arms as if throwing it, smiled brightly.

Her bright smile was like a single lily in full bloom.

“Ah… Irene?”

“If you’re going to propose…”

*Gulp!*

In the silence that was created instantly, the sound of someone’s Adam’s apple moving was heard.

Irene glanced briefly, very briefly, in the direction of the sound, then fixed her gaze on Franz.

“You should at least bring a country. Not this measly bouquet.”

“……!”

“Even though I look like this, I am first in line for the imperial succession, so you must have thought this would be enough? How naive.”

‘And you should also apologize to my child. To the child you killed with your own hands.’

“Your Highness!”

“Irene?”

“I…”

Irene paused for a moment.

Then, Crown Prince Franz, the maids, and Ernst. Everyone’s gaze turned to Irene’s lips.

Feeling everyone’s gaze upon her entire body, Irene slightly twisted her red, red lips.

“Did I say something wrong?”

At Irene’s words, everyone’s eyes became busy.

It was to grasp the meaning of what Irene had said.

Because depending on the meaning of Irene’s words, everything about her current actions and words could be interpreted differently.

“Ah… Irene?”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“……”

“Didn’t I? Your Highness Crown Prince Franz Mestia? Even though I look like this, I am first in line for the succession.”

No one answered Irene’s words. No, they couldn’t.

Irene, standing with the pouring sunlight at her back, already looked like a young and beautiful monarch.

In contrast, Franz Mestia, kneeling, seemed like just a nobleman courting an Empress.

And Ernst, watching Irene and Franz, had an ambiguous smile on his face.

Seeing this, Irene too did not erase the smile from her lips.

“If you’re going to propose to the first in line for the succession, shouldn’t you have something fitting that status?”

“Ah… Irene.”

“Did I say something wrong, Nanny?”

“Y-Y-Your Highness…”

“Am I still… first in line for the succession? Am I wrong, Sir Clayton?”

Irene openly pointed out and asked Nanny Kate and Ernst.

Since both were well-versed in imperial law and the common etiquette of the continent, no other answer could come out.

Irene was curious to see what answers would come from their mouths.

‘I’m looking forward to it, very much.’

She twisted her beautiful red lips.

Although it was a twisted smile, as Irene was a beautiful and elegant woman, it seemed to make the surroundings shine even brighter.

Still wearing a twisted smile, Irene opened her mouth as she looked at her nanny Kate with her cold, lowered violet eyes.

“Sir Clayton, was I wrong?”

“N-No, Your Highness.”

The answer came from Ernst’s mouth.

It was the answer that Irene was still first in line for the imperial succession of Istana.

Since there was no legitimate male heir, legally, Irene was indeed first in line.

Crown Prince Franz and Nanny Kate, who understood Irene’s meaning, changed their expressions.

Franz’s face turned dark, while Nanny Kate’s turned pale.

“Is there a need to be that shocked? I’m just stating the facts.”

Irene’s expression and voice were cold.

At this, Crown Prince Franz rose from his spot, still with a dark expression.

“Irene.”

His voice was cold, almost matching Irene’s tone.

“What is it, Your Highness Franz?”

“What do you want?”

“If you’re proposing to me, I want to be proposed to in a manner befitting my status.”

“So if I come with proper formality, you’ll accept?”

“I’ll think about it then.”

“……”

Franz stared at Irene for a long time with eyes that looked like they could devour a person.

‘What are you going to do by glaring? Kick me with your feet like you did back then?’

‘This woman…! I’ve been watching you, and you keep getting more arrogant?’

Everyone was restless at the intense clash of wills between the two.

After a long standoff, Franz turned around and left.

Nanny Kate followed Franz out.

After the nanny left, Ernst approached Irene.

“What are you thinking, Your Highness?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking why you didn’t respond as you usually do, Your Highness.”

‘As you usually do’… huh.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

‘As usual’ that Ernst mentioned was nothing special.

It was just smiling until Franz got tired and left on his own.

“Because there’s something I have to do today.”

“I see… Your Highness?”

“Yes. Anyway, since the nanny is gone, we should get to work.”

“Ah, ‘that matter’ His Majesty mentioned a week ago.”

“Yes, Sir Ernst. I’d like to hear what you would suggest, Sir.”

That was it.

What Irene needed now was a reason to refuse the state marriage to present to Fern V by today.

A reason suitable for rejecting or delaying the state marriage with Crown Prince Franz. And yet, very political.

A reason that Mestia couldn’t find fault with. She needed such a reason.

“…Your Highness.”

“I’m listening, Sir.”

“In my humble opinion, there is nothing other than Crown Prince Franz’s reputation.”

“Is that so?”

Irene’s counter-question followed.

Hearing this, Ernst looked at Irene with eyes full of doubt.

This meant that Ernst had not factored that in.

“Our Istana’s succession hasn’t been confirmed yet, has it?”

“Ah!”

“Along with Crown Prince Franz’s reputation, I’d like to challenge the issue of succession. What do you think, Sir?”

“I was short-sighted, Your Highness.”

Ernst suddenly rose from his seat, bowed his head, and apologized.

Irene looked at the back of Ernst’s head and smiled slyly.

“Don’t lower yourself so much, Sir.”

“No, Your Highness. My calculations were lacking.”

“I intend to present this to His Majesty as a reason for refusing the state marriage.”

“I believe it’s appropriate.”

Crown Prince Franz Mestia’s already ruined reputation and Istana’s still-undecided succession issue.

By intertwining these two issues, even if it causes a stir immediately, it’s thought that no major backlash will occur.

Irene and Ernst, having thought this far, looked at each other and smiled.

“Then are you planning to go to His Majesty now?”

“No.”

“Isn’t the deadline today?”

“Yes, it’s today.”

“Then when will you…?”

“I plan to enter during the State Council meeting.”

The State Council.

A meeting where major state affairs are discussed, attended by Fern V and Istana’s key officials and nobles.

Irene intended to enter and present the reasons for refusing the state marriage with Franz.

Ernst’s eyes, looking at Irene who mentioned this as if it were nothing, began to shine again with a peculiar light.

“Indeed. It’s a matter that can be raised as an agenda item in the State Council, Your Highness.”

“Right. So I intend to bring it up at the State Council.”

“I will pave the way for you, Your Highness.”

Seeing Ernst showing firm resolve, she smiled faintly.

She couldn’t help but smile.

‘What a reliable person.’

“Do you need to do that, Sir?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Since it’s the State Council, won’t the Duke of Wellbrun be attending?”

“Ah!”

No matter how little the Duke of Wellbrun participated in politics, he did attend the State Council, so entering with him was Irene’s calculation.

Then Ernst wouldn’t have to resort to force.

But if she didn’t bring the Duke of Wellbrun? As a civil official, Ernst would have to use force.

Irene, having thought this far, looked at Ernst.

“I was short-sighted, Your Highness.”

“It’s fine. Even if the Duke of Wellbrun doesn’t come, I plan to use my position as Crown Princess.”

“Your Highness.”

“I have no intention of being led along as they intend.”

“I will clear the path before you, Your Highness.”

“So please continue to help me a lot, Sir Ernst Clayton.”

“Your Highness!”

After finishing her conversation with Ernst, Irene looked at the clock hanging on the wall.

The small, beautiful clock was gradually approaching noon.

“Shall we go now, Sir?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Allow me to escort you.”

As if answering Irene’s words, Ernst took the lead and began to clear the way.

Thus, Irene and Ernst, arriving in front of the State Council meeting room without the Duke of Wellbrun, had to stop their steps due to the guards.

“Step aside.”