Chapter 62: They’ll Have Children... Right?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: They’ll Have Children... Right?
“...!”
“What did you say?”
The Duke and Vincent asked in unison, their voices sharp with surprise. Without a word, the messenger held out a crisp, white document. It was a formal proposal of marriage, bearing the Emperor’s seal. The recipient, of course, was the Duke’s daughter, Veronica.
“Oh, dear...”
The Duke took the document with a troubled expression. His mind flashed back to Dantalion’s recent visit to the estate.
Currently, there were no elders in the Imperial Family besides the Empress Dowager. Naturally, the Duke had assumed the Empress Dowager would have a significant say in the selection of the next Empress. Unexpectedly, however, Dantalion had sent a proposal on his own—and he had done so the moment Veronica’s divorce was finalized, as if he had been waiting for that very second.
‘There’s no way the Empress Dowager gave her blessing.’
To clip the wings of the increasingly triumphant Dantalion, the Empress Dowager would undoubtedly want a lady from a family that supported her to become the Empress.
Yet, Dantalion had sent this proposal to Veronica without a single care for the Empress Dowager’s opinion. Had the Empire not been in such a state of upheaval, the Noble Council would have surely criticized such a move.
‘He certainly has a reckless streak.’
Shaking his head, the Duke examined the document. The sight of the elegant handwriting immediately brought Dantalion’s face to mind.
“May we provide an answer a bit later?”
“Yes. Please, take your time to discuss it.”
The messenger bowed and exited the office. The Duke let out a long sigh and turned his gaze toward Veronica.
“What do you think?”
“I...”
The moment the Duke saw Veronica’s blushing face and her inability to find words, he felt as though he already had his answer.
A headache began to throb at his temples as he realized that, once again, he wouldn't be able to change his daughter’s mind.
“But will the Empress Dowager just sit idly by?” Vincent asked.
“Hmm.”
There was another obstacle. Although she had lost some power after Dantalion’s ascension, the Empress Dowager was still not a woman to be trifled with.
No matter how hard Dantalion tried to seize full control of the government, the Temple’s authority remained substantial, and the faction of nobles following her would be formidable.
“Normally, a marriage or engagement would have taken place during his time as Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess would have become the Empress. But His Majesty was on the battlefield, so that wasn't possible.”
Even in chaotic times, it was unprecedented for the heir to the throne to lack a consort.
In truth, everyone had expected Dantalion to die on the battlefield, so no one had bothered to suggest he take a Crown Princess.
Thus, in this unprecedented situation where only the Emperor had ascended, Dantalion had bypassed both the Empress Dowager and the Council to send a proposal directly to the Ducal House.
“Berry, if you give your consent, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Council will have a strong enough justification to oppose it openly. However, if you accept, incidents like today’s will happen countless times.”
“...”
Veronica remained silent at the Duke’s bitter words.
She understood his concern perfectly. If their positions were reversed, she wouldn't want to watch her own child fly like a moth into the enemy’s flames either.
But even now, Dantalion’s face flickered before her eyes. Her heart, once set, was something even she could no longer turn back.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“Sigh.”
The Duke let out a heavy breath. It seemed he had expected this answer, as he didn't scold her further. Instead, he suddenly looked as if he had aged years in a single moment.
“How will you tell Dia?”
“I’ll tell her slowly. It’s something that will take time anyway.”
“I suppose so.”
The Duke nodded, his face etched with deep worry. Veronica watched him tentatively for a moment before changing the subject.
“Have you identified the assassins who attacked the courthouse?”
“We managed to capture a few alive, but most committed suicide,” Vincent replied.
“Is there anyone still breathing?”
“Yes. I intend to interrogate him.”
Vincent reported the findings from the knights. He stole a glance at Veronica.
“It seems His Majesty intends to interrogate the man himself.”
“Wouldn't that be for the best? Unlike us, His Majesty spent a long time on the battlefield.”
“True. Now that I think about it, he might be better at it,” the Duke agreed, nodding at Vincent’s words.
“I’ll handle the rest of the talk with the messenger. You two may go.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Understood.”
Vincent and Veronica bowed to the Duke and stepped out of the office. Veronica turned to Vincent.
“Are you going to have dinner?”
“Berry.”
“Yes?”
Vincent’s expression was quite grave. Veronica’s face stiffened, wondering if he was also worried about her accepting Dantalion’s proposal.
However, Vincent spoke words she hadn't expected at all.
“Did you... by any chance, make a contract with a demon?”
“Wh-what?”
Startled, Veronica stared at Vincent. His red eyes were calm, but they were scanning her with palpable tension.
‘He must have heard the report from the knights.’
When she thought she was surely going to be killed by the assassins, Veronica, who had contracted with a demon, had displayed superhuman strength to repel them.
The knights who witnessed this had reported it directly to Vincent, and Vincent had immediately thought of the Demon’s Gem he had given to Claudia not long ago.
“Actually... yes. Dia gave that gem back to me, and the demon sleeping inside it woke up today.”
“I see.”
Since Vincent had already figured it out, there was no point in lying. She didn't want to hide things from the family she trusted, so Veronica honestly confessed the truth.
Vincent’s face grew even more serious.
“No one must find out that you’ve contracted with a demon.”
“I know, of course.”
“I’ll make sure the knights keep their mouths shut.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
Outsiders only heard the stories of the Demon of Winston as rumors; they didn't know which specific gem the demon slept in.
So, while the knights were shocked by Veronica’s abnormal strength, they hadn't immediately linked it to a demon. Only Vincent, who knew Veronica possessed the gem where the demon resided, had been quick to catch on.
“Be especially careful in the Imperial Palace. It will be a disaster if the Empress Dowager or the priests find out.”
“I will.”
In a secluded spot, Vincent gave her his earnest warning. Even so, the worry didn't easily fade from his face.
“I’m prepared for this, so please don't worry too much.”
“Sigh. Those assassins were definitely sent by them. How can I not worry?”
“They will never be able to harm me or Dia. Or any of us,” Veronica said, her voice firm.
She knew now that hiding and running wasn't the only way. She realized that the more they threatened her and her family, the more she had to resist with strength to keep everyone safe.
“They aren't the type of people to leave me alone just because I give up and back down.”
“Berry...”
“You know what happened to the Imperial Family.”
“...”
Though everyone spoke of it in hushed tones, the Empress Dowager was likely the shadow behind the tragic deaths of the former-former Emperor and Empress—Dantalion’s grandparents—and his parents, the former Emperor and Empress.
She was a woman who had spent decades ruthlessly tearing the Imperial Family apart to seize power. This was a fight that wouldn't end until she killed Dantalion and took perfect control of the throne.
Ultimately, to truly escape from her and Cedric, there was no choice but to fight. Veronica had already made up her mind.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you all as well.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
Veronica gave a bright smile to Vincent, whose eyes had turned sharp with resolve.
She felt a pang of guilt, thinking her decision had put her family in danger. But in truth, the moment House Winston supported Dantalion, they had already stepped onto a path of no return.
A fierce fire began to kindle in Veronica’s eyes.
*
‘They’re really getting married.’
Having overheard the conversation in the office through Desmond, I froze with my fork halfway to my mouth.
Even though this was a scheme I had cooked up before Veronica even accepted Dantalion’s feelings, hearing her answer directly made my heart feel a bit restless.
‘Veronica and Dantalion... they’ll get along well after they marry, right?’
Unlike Cedric, Dantalion would be a good husband and father. He was a kind person. Especially toward those he loved and cherished, he poured out affection to the point of being blind to all else.
‘They’ll have children... right?’
If they have a good relationship, they’ll naturally have children. Since I was brought along by Veronica and am clearly another man’s child, they might treat me as an Imperial Princess, but they won't think of me as the heir.
But why does my chest feel so heavy? I tilted my head, unable to understand the reason.