Translator: Wawaa

Editor: WilsonWilson

Isadora was flustered, she said with a sour face.

Do you know who the man the Emperor wants to introduce to me is? Hes ten years younger than me. Besides, hes never married before!

What does that matter? He just has to be a good and upright man.

I havent even said anything about accepting his introduction yet but the Emperor is already setting the wedding date. That idiot geezer is seriously

Just meet him once. No way the Emperor will choose someone strange for you. The Tarragon Empire needs to present itself well both to me and you.

But hes a Duke!

What?

This time, even Lara was surprised.

That man is a Duke, one of the only four Dukes in the Tarragon Empire. His duchy is bigger than that of the Hautean Kingdom, and hes also a distant relative of the Emperor, so he has the right to succession.

The Emperor risked his life to make Isadora part of his entourage. So he even chose the retainer he cherished the most as her partner for remarriage.

Still, how could the Emperor choose a Duke? A Duke in the Tarragon Empire had more power than the Eastern Union and the King of the Hautean Kingdom. Even the position of a Duke by itself was already burdensome, but on top of that, he was even a relative of the Emperor.

Lara said cautiously.

I guess he really wants to tie you to the Empire.

Lets stop talking about this. It will get hectic around the Emperor when the war breaks out, hell stop bothering me then.

Before that, it seems like something else is going to get hectic first

What do you mean?

Can I even talk about this?

Lara pondered for a moment. She thought that even the people involved had no intention to hide about it anyway, so she just casually confided in Isadora.

Eunice is dating Crown Prince Acerus.

What? Who is doing what with whom?

Eunice and the Crown Prince

How long has it been going on for?

A while. She said it was before Crown Prince Acerus left for the northern expedition.

Lara pondered again whether or not to tell Isadora that Eunice and Acerus were meeting solely for each others bodies. But she thought that even though Isadora was her mother, she could not tell too much of someone elses private story. So she decided to shut her mouth at that point.

But Isadora grabbed her forehead with one head and pointed out something Lara had not thought of.

Shes out of her mind. Does she think the Emperor does not know about that?

Pardon?

Hes the Emperor. Do you really think he doesnt know what kind of woman the only heir he has is meeting with? By now, Eunices appearance, personality, family, and of course everyone around her and her past actions must have been made into data and reported to the Emperor.

Oh.

I dont think your friend is an inadequate woman, I like Eunices personality, too. But Lara, Acerus is the Crown Prince. The Tarragon Imperial family is the most exclusive place on the continent and has been inherited by perfect bloodlines.

The criticism and condemnation towards Eunice from Hauteans noble society was nothing compared to that of the Empires. Tarragon was the best country on the continent, and Acerus was their future. So, of course, they wanted no less than the perfect Crown Princess.

A high status, beautiful appearance, a good and upright heart, a healthy body capable of producing the next heir, high knowledge, and strong charisma to lead the Empire in case of emergencythey would want it all. So that the Imperial family, whom they should respect, would not become a target of ridicule and gossip.

Eunice was a sweet and good friend, but she did not suit the position of the Crown Princess. Isadora got up from her seat with a stiff face and said to Lara.

Im against it.

Mother.

Those kids are my responsibility from the moment I agreed to Eunices request to follow you to the Empire. I have a duty to protect Eunice.

The Emperor wanted Isadora to settle down in the Empire so he encouraged her to remarry. He even said differences in nationality and status should not be a problem between a man and a woman. However, as long as he was the Emperor, he would not just let his one and only heir be with a country bumpkin from a small country on the outskirts.

Unless Eunice loves the Crown Prince to death I think it would be better to break up before things escalate.

Even Eunice knows about that.

Lara recalled Eunices reaction. She enjoyed her relationship with Acerus, but it did not seem like she loved him to death. Moreover, upon learning that the Emperors entourages were investigating her secretly, Eunice might end her relationship with Acerus, cursing that he and his father were clingy.

Dont worry.

Lara said.

It doesnt suit Eunice to play the role of a tragic female lead who gets thrown away after falling in love with someone in power.

Rather, it was Acerus that had to be concerned. In Laras view, his feelings were sincere to some extent.

Mother, think nothing of it. I will talk to her. Both Crown Prince Acerus and Euniceare grown-up. They will understand.

I hope so.

Isadora nodded her head reluctantly.

At night, Lara got a message from Acerus. It was a very coincidental timing. Originally, she was going to meet Eunice first, but Acerus said that he had something to say to her and that he had requested a meeting.

His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince wants to see the saintess. If you wish to choose a time and place convenient for you, we will bring him there.

Where is he now?

Pardon?

Ill just meet him now. Lead the way.

Absolutely.

The messenger sent by Acerus politely led Lara to the carriage. Then, he took her to the Crown Princes castle.

At the same time, Acerus was putting on an inspiring performance as a patient so that no one would know about his abnormally quick recuperated body.

Urgh!

Your Imperial Highness, you have to move slowly. Rehabilitation will take a long time, so dont be impatient.

Since returning from the north, Acerus daily life had become very monotonous. He was just lying on the bed all day pretending to be a patient. Of course, he was secretly meeting Eunice late at night and was monitoring the demon Valac. But most of the time, he would scream on the bed of the pain he was feeling or complain that the medicine was bitter.

Urgh, it hurts!

Thats it for today. The wound might get infected.

Acerus sat on a comfortable chair with a frown on his face, smelling of strong herbs. The knights who were supporting him left the room, feeling bad for their liege.

Have they left?

Yes.

After being in a bent position next to Acerus, the restless aide straightened and patted his back with one hand. Then, he grumbled.

What kind of tomfoolery is this? Just announce that the saintess healed you.

No! If I do that, all the injured and sick people will visit the saintess. Not only am I not helping her, Im even causing her trouble.

If you take even just a hundredth of your feelings for the saintess and think of His Imperial Majesty the same, you will hear that youre the most filial son in the world

What? Gross.

How can you say a sons feelings for his father are gross? His Imperial Majesty will be disappointed if he knows.

Its okay. Even if Im not worried about my dad, he still has the whole world worrying for him.

Thats true.

Stop nagging and contact a painter, find someone talented. It doesnt matter how much money it costs.

Why a painter?

The aide asked. Acerus was not only ignorant of painting and art, he was not even interested at all. His sudden order to bring a painter made the aide suspicious.

Acerus muttered with a serious and earnest face.

Shell hate it if I ask for her portrait, so I cant just ask for one, right? Im just going to keep it for myself But I cant just call a painter and keep a hold of someone busy. Is there anyone who draws well without a reference, just by listening to explanations?

What? Who are you going to draw?

Who else?

No way Your Imperial Highness.

Hey, listen to me. Lets say the saintess portrait was drawn. What if the painting shines all sacred-like? God wont punish me because its blasphemous, right? I cant believe I will get to keep a portrait of the saintess Just thinking about it makes me feel overwhelmed. Isnt this something that has never happened in history?

The aide groaned and nodded. It was already strange for him to follow the saintess like an idol, but for the Crown Prince to secretly draw and keep the saintess portrait There was indeed no one like him in history.

I can hand it over as a national treasure later, right?

Your Imperial Highness.

Whooo! my heart is pounding. Do demon worshippers worship demons with these feelings?

Yes, you will definitely hit it off with all the weirdos in the world.

The aide showed a faint smile.