A Heart Even More Steadfast for Dana (1)
Adelia stood before the full-length mirror, switching between one dress after another, her entire being alive with excitement. “Tonight at the banquet, I intend to introduce Hyunwoo to Father.”
“I worry whether the Marquis will approve,” Sinclair said, her face etched with concern as though the matter were her own. “If he learns that Hyunwoo is of humble birth, he may grow furious…”
Adelia laughed brightly, as if there were nothing in the world to fret over. “I’ll simply tell him I’m carrying his child.”
It was utterly audacious. Sinclair was so stunned she nearly caused a scene. “L-Lady Adelia! Even as a falsehood, if you utter such words recklessly, the Marquis will collapse from high blood pressure!”
Sinclair herself nearly fainted at Adelia’s bold and impudent declaration. As had always been the case, once Adelia fixed her mind on something, her personality drove her to charge forward without regard for consequences. This moment was no exception.
“Besides, there is no other way to gain approval for our relationship, is there?”
“And if the truth is later revealed and Hyunwoo is sentenced to death? What then?”
“I can prevent that. Ever since I was a child, Father has always taken my side.”
“Does Hyunwoo know about this plan to lie about a pregnancy?”
“No. He is still unaware. But since he loves me, he will quietly follow my wishes. That is, if he desires a noble and beautiful woman like myself as his lover.”
Adelia smiled with open delight. Sinclair, by contrast, let out a deep sigh.
“I suppose I must pray that no misfortune occurs.”
“My daughter has sung your praises until her mouth ran dry.”
Marquis Espera circled me with his hands clasped behind his back, studying me with the sharp gaze of a man appraising a rare artifact.
“You have a rather peculiar appearance. Different from an elf. You possess not only beauty but emotion as well. Elves may be beautiful, yet they behave with a chilling detachment, as if devoid of feeling. In that sense, your kind seems far more human.”
“I am human.”
“Humans do not look like you.”
“It is merely a difference of race.”
“If you drop your trousers and I see two balls hanging there, I will acknowledge us as kin. There are races that resemble humans yet bear their reproductive organs in entirely different places, after all.”
It was a perplexing brand of humor. Marquis Espera allowed himself a faint smile before continuing.
“Olivia told me to grant you a fiefdom and accept you as a knight of our house. She even insisted I bestow the knighthood immediately, without any squire training. Does that sound reasonable to you?”
The suggestion caught me off guard. After a brief pause, I answered, “This is the first I am hearing of it. I have no idea why Lady Olivia would suggest such a thing.”
“That child has always been impossible to pin down. She flits off wherever her fancy takes her. For the past two years she vanished completely, claiming she was searching for something called Aranis. That much I could understand. But this latest matter is utterly beyond me. What is your current station?”
“I am a commoner.”
“Have you heard of the Penclau family?”
“The third-ranked house in the kingdom…”
Marquis Espera clicked his tongue, cutting me off. “Second. Simply becoming a knight of our house grants enormous privilege and honor. A man who appeared from nowhere suddenly enjoying glory others covet… Do you realize that every knight in our service is a son of a count’s house?”
“I was not aware of the details.”
“We select only sons from houses of count or higher. That is why each knight’s equipment is the finest and strongest in the kingdom. Their families pour vast sums into their arms and armor. Even the squires attending them are second sons of count houses.”
The Marquis stepped closer and draped his right arm around my shoulders. I remained perfectly still. He leaned in and whispered near my ear.
“Why does my daughter recommend you so strongly? Do you know the precise reason? Come now, confess honestly. What are you hiding? Hm?”
“As I said earlier, I truly do not understand Lady Olivia’s intentions. This sudden audience with Your Lordship has left me quite bewildered.”
“You are not… involved with my daughter, are you?”
A murderous undertone laced his low voice. The words carried the clear implication that any such relationship would result in my immediate death.
I asserted my innocence at once. “I would have to be mad to dare cast my eyes upon the heavenly Lady Olivia.”
“An excellent answer!”
Marquis Espera gave my shoulder a hearty slap and stepped back. “A happy marriage requires unions between houses of equal standing. Only then can husband and wife live in harmony for a lifetime. Never overlook that truth. It is wisdom for living.”
He moved behind his desk, sat down, and began sorting the mountain of documents piled upon it.
“I have only just arrived, so the workload is staggering. I met you solely because Olivia asked me to spare a moment. I will reserve judgment on you for now. Return tomorrow when I have time. We will discuss the knighthood then. Since I must evaluate your skill, bring the weapon you favor most. I expect you to last at least ten seconds against one of our house knights.”
Who said anything about taking a knight’s examination?
Who said I wanted to join the Penclau family?
I swallowed the words lodged in my throat and left the room. A knight test for the Penclau family—an utterly unexpected development. Was this a crisis or an opportunity? What on earth was Olivia thinking? Receiving a knighthood would raise my station, so it was technically an opportunity… yet the suddenness left my mind reeling. I was already overwhelmed by Dana’s situation and in no way prepared for a new challenge.
When night fell, the banquet commenced. The spacious hall overflowed with the mingled aromas of grilled meat, fragrant fruits, and rich wine. A renowned city orchestra played beautiful melodies to welcome the arriving nobles. The true beginning of the evening came when every noble had gathered and the royal family along with both marquis houses made their entrance.
The king and queen’s arrival was met with thunderous applause and cheers. Next came one prince and three princesses, followed by members of the Hildegart and Penclau families, who took their seats. Olivia and Adelia were among them, both radiant in dresses that accentuated their feminine grace.
Leaving them behind, I scanned the bustling crowd, anxiously searching for Dana. No matter how hard I looked, however, she was nowhere to be seen.
“She hasn’t arrived yet…”
As I muttered to myself, a stir rippled through the guests. Everyone turned in the same direction, gasping in admiration. Thinking another royal had appeared, I glanced over casually—only for my eyes to fill with shock.
Dana, her hair styled with elegant poise befitting a princess and wearing a breathtaking dress, entered the hall on the arm of a man who could only be a prince. Every gaze in the room instantly fixed upon the pair.
They were the very picture of a perfect couple. Though they weren’t linking arms, the way they walked so closely together made them look like lovers who had already promised each other a future.
Jealousy and unease swelled inside my chest. The prince glued to Dana’s side irritated me beyond measure.
While my heart burned with anxiety, Dana—seemingly aware of my presence—turned her gaze directly toward me as she moved deeper into the hall. Her cold, indifferent eyes met mine, exerting silent pressure.
Don’t you dare regret this.
Her stare seemed to carry that exact message. It was as though she were reproaching me, complaining, and issuing one final threat that this was truly my last chance after all the times I had rejected her.
Soon Dana and the prince took their seats side by side. King Mikelan rose, golden wine cup in hand. He looked positively jubilant.
“Today is a most auspicious occasion!”
He spent a full twenty minutes extolling the deep friendship and mutual respect between the Franz and Piria royal houses, repeatedly invoking Dana’s name. The nobles waiting to toast grew weary; they shifted their cups from right hand to left and back again to ease their aching arms. One noble who accidentally yawned quickly glanced around, hoping no one had noticed.
At last, King Mikelan’s toast reached its climax.
The staggering declaration made my hair stand on end. The guests drained their cups in one swift motion and erupted into fervent applause and cheers. Then the hall fell into sudden silence as everyone waited for Dana and Borteng’s reply. The atmosphere was thick with the king’s clear intent to bind them as lovers by royal decree.
When I glanced at Prince Borteng, he wore a foolish, lovestruck grin. He had clearly fallen for Dana completely. His answer was obvious without needing to hear it.
It was time for me to act.
I closed my eyes, squared my shoulders, and drew a deep breath. Then I shouted with everything I had.
“I oppose this marriage! Princess Dana already has a man!”
My sudden outburst drew every eye in the hall. Murmurs swelled like a rising tide.
King Mikelan stared at me in confusion. “She already has a man? What is the meaning of this?”
“Dana is the woman who will become my wife! Her home is wherever I am!”
Having spoken, I looked at Dana and offered her a gentle smile.
“I was wrong, Dana. Please come back to me.”
I extended my hand toward her.
Shock flickered across Dana’s face, then her brows furrowed. A single tear slid down her cheek. It was a tear long held back. As her frozen heart melted, that one droplet carried every emotion she had endured—anger, resentment, hatred, jealousy, dissatisfaction, shame, and more. By releasing them all in that single tear, Dana forgave me without reservation and accepted me once more.
As she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, a radiant, happy smile bloomed on her lips.
“Yes.”