𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟖
There is a saying in Kytha: what happens twice will happen thrice.
Amane came to Eugene’s castle for the third day in a row. Cero, the guide, seemed to be getting used to it as well, as he appeared more energetic than yesterday.
During the leisurely afternoon, Mabel sat on the sofa in the reception room, facing Amane.
“Yesterday, I didn’t consider your feelings, and I apologize.”
“No, as long as you understand.”
“That’s why today, I prepared some accessories!”
“. . .”
The slightly noble attitude he showed yesterday was nowhere to be found.
When Amane snapped his fingers, one of the attendants who had been on stand-by quickly crouched down and spread out a small wooden box with delicate decorations on the table.
On the fabric-covered pedestal, there were precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, ranging from simple rings to large gemstones like emeralds and rubies, shining brightly.
As Mabel was at a loss for words, another person opened a different box.
Inside were luxurious necklaces adorned with countless diamonds, tear-shaped aquamarine earrings, hair accessories carved with amber, and bracelets embedded with gemstones of five different colors. If noble ladies were to see them, they would surely let out a collective gasp of admiration.
Of course, Mabel didn’t dislike them. Seeing the numerous gemstones that were sent to Kathleen, she often felt envious.
However, Mabel tightly clenched the hand on her lap and shook her head vigorously.
“I’m sorry, I can’t accept them.”
“Why is that? If you don’t like flashy things, then how about this―”
“I am not your fiancé, nor do I have any intention of becoming one in the future.”
“Oh, is that so? Well, take your time to consider the engagement. Just accept it as a mere gift. If you don’t like it, you can sell it off.”
“This is the tax collected by the people of Kytha. It shouldn’t be used in such a manner.”
As members of the royal family, Mabel and the others mostly relied on the taxes paid by the citizens to sustain their livelihood.
Of course, there was a high standard to uphold as representatives of the country, but they were educated not to indulge in excessive decorations or luxuries. With the scrutiny of the parliament, even the royal family could become the target of criticism for extravagant and wasteful spending.
Of course, Mabel didn’t think that Kytha, where Amane lived, was in the same situation as the Eakes Kingdom. However, considering her own principles, she couldn’t accept his way of doing things.
Amane finally seemed to understand what Mabel was trying to convey. He slightly raised his right hand, and the attendants gently closed the lid of the jewelry box.
“So, this is also not acceptable, huh? Hey, Mabel, Can you tell me already?”
“What is it?”
“Why don’t you like me?”
This exchange felt familiar to Mabel as if she had experienced it somewhere before.
She searched her memory and finally recalled the day when Eugene took off his mask for the first time. Back then, Mabel had made a disgusted face and replied with a “Huh?” It was similar to her current state of mind.
“You don’t want new dresses. You don’t need flowers. And you are not interested in jewelry. All the women I have met until now, if I did just any one of these, would be throwing themselves at me. What else do I need to do?”
“I have a question as well. Why… why are you going this far? Amane-san, we only met the other day, and honestly, I don’t understand why you’re doing all this.”
“Of course, it’s for the engagement.”
“―But that’s not all, is it?”
Amane met Mabel’s gaze head-on for a while.
Eventually, as if giving up, he raised both hands and crossed his long legs.
“The engagement is just a facade. My Kytha wants to start trading on this continent, and this is the first step.”
Due to the continent being separated by the sea, Kytha’s supplies are still subject to high tariffs and inspections. Therefore, by starting with an alliance with Eakes they could initiate free trade between the two countries.
Once they gained a foothold in the market, it would be all about the commercial powerhouse, Kytha.
With their inherent technology, they could quickly expand their sales channels on this continent, or so the idea went.
“But it seems that this continent is quite conservative, and it’s not easy to get a marriage proposal accepted. That’s where your story came in. Well, if I had waited a little longer, I would have been easily snatched away by a vulture.”
“A vulture?”
“Ah, I guess they don’t say that here. Anyway, it means that an obstacle would have appeared.”
In front of Amane, who laughed, Mabel sighed in confusion.
“I understand your point. However, I still believe that I wouldn’t be of much help.”
“Why is that?”
“In this continent, Eakes is not a country with much authority or military strength. Moreover, as the youngest princess, I have little influence over the country’s politics and diplomacy.”
“…”
“Besides, even if I am a member of the royal family, I don’t intend to fall in love with someone I don’t even like just for the sake of the country.”
“And you find that okay?” Amane interrupted.
“Well…”
Mabel faltered as she faced Amane’s smirking face.
In a way, Amane’s argument was correct.
Royal marriages were conducted for the sake of the country, and Mabel herself understood that. However, Mabel had resisted and gone against it in the past.
But thanks to that, she had the opportunity to interact with Eugene honestly.
Even as a member of the royal family, one’s own will and feelings undoubtedly existed. Not just for oneself, but also for the other person.
If they simply accepted the predetermined engagement as purely a job from the beginning, their feelings for each other would never grow closer.
While observing Mabel in this state, Amane leaned back on the armrest of the sofa and let out a sigh.
Resting his chin on the back of his hand, he chuckled.
“I really don’t understand.”
“…”
“In our country, only the results matter. There is no room for personal feelings or pity. In fact, if I cannot go through with this marriage, there is a possibility that I will be stripped of my royal status.”
“W-What do you mean?”
“We have a large number of siblings. I am the eighth prince, but there are countless members in the royal lineage, both male and female, above and below. Each of them may have the opportunity to serve the country once in their lifetime, if at all.”
In Kytha, polygamy is common, and even among the royal family, there are numerous lovers.
Naturally, there are many children born, so there is no shortage of heirs. However, Mabel recalled the words of her tutor, who said that there is a constant battle and intrigue over who will be the successor.
“It’s fortunate if we’re not disposed of. Well, even if I fail, there will be another prince or something.”
“This is too cruel…”
“To the king, we are nothing more than pawns on a board. So, rather than being disposable, it’s human nature to try and survive, don’t you think?”
Saying that, Amane’s smile was not his usual challenging one, but rather a slightly melancholic one. Seeing his face, Mabel found herself unable to speak any further.
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