Chapter 10

Growing Feelings (2)

“…I apologize for the King’s failure to come out. Both of you are anxious about His Majesty and are praying for his recovery. He probably won’t be able to come to the engagement or the wedding.”

“Is that so?”

Paul should express his regret, but he was at odds with him and just blurted the end of his words. If he showed signs of regret, he would be suspected of having a relationship with the two queen’s families, and if he was happy, he could have thought the royal family was ridiculous.

Cecil looked at Rowena from head to toe.

There was no countess on the side of the Adelia either. The countess was said to have died of illness after giving birth to her youngest child, Louis.

Cecil felt sorry for Rowena, though he wasn’t in love with her. It made him angry to think that she would have been crushed by her brothers under her authoritative father without anyone taking sides.

What’s wrong with me?

He swore he wasn’t an easily emotional person. In addition, Rowena’s situation had no similarity to his.

In the meantime, Paul was speaking with flattery that was well wrapped up for Cecil. The first man, Matthias, quickly helped him. Rowena just looked down without saying a word.

Cecil glanced at Rowena’s beautiful lips. He’s supposed to hear her talk to him with those lips.

Rowena even had a nice voice.

How long do I have to wait to kiss her? Cecil was upset just looking.

“… The engagement is early next month.”

“You mean, that fast?”

“As soon as the engagement is held, the lady will have to come into the imperial family and live. It’s royal etiquette and there’s a lot to learn.”

Rowena’s face was heated by Cecil’s natural words, but Cecil was the only one who noticed it.

Funny how none of the Adelia family looked at Rowena. Even though she was the person involved in this marriage.

“The wedding will be held in two months too. I must tell the emperor that I have received the crown princess.”

The emperor was in such a critical condition that he could not attend the wedding. Rarely, he came back to his senses, but most of the time he was in a coma. Imperial doctors saw that the emperor would not be able to pass the year.

“Well, yes. That’s what you should do,” Paul quickly said, erasing his bewilderment.

The important thing was to be the crown prince’s in-laws, so there was no problem sending Rowena to the royal family. What worried him was the preparation.

“So the royal family will prepare everything about the engagement ceremony and the wedding. Count Adelia just has to follow suit.”

He thought that much was natural because he had to hurry due to the circumstances of the royal family. When Cecil said this, Paul’s face brightened explicitly.

“Well, if you will! We will also be less worried.”

“The palace director will explain the details, so send the count’s secretary to check the contents. Is there anything else we can discuss?”

Paul was silent at Cecil’s question. He glanced at his sons, but Matthias knew little and only pretended to know them, and Theo disapproved of the marriage. Louis, the prodigal, was younger than Rowena, so he would have been in trouble if he had opened his mouth.

“I have something to say with Lady Adelia, so I’ll send her back to the imperial carriage later.”

“It’s…!”

If it were a family other than Cecil, Paul would refuse it. Even if the engagement was decided, it was before the wedding. However, his opponent was the royal family and a known prince with a cruel disposition.

Paul looked across at Rowena. Matthias and Theo were sitting on both sides of him, of all places, far from Rowena.

He just placed his two sons in a position where the crown prince could be seen well, but it became difficult to tell Rowena separately.

“You have to behave properly!”

Although she glanced furtively, Rowena still looked obedient. Cecil didn’t even like her.

“Lady.”

Cecil, who had already risen from his seat, approached Rowena. Matthias, Paul, Theo, Rowena, and finally Louis were seated. Louis was nervous and rolling his eyes as the prince, whom he had only heard about, approached.

Cecil reached out to Rowena without paying attention to him.

“Do I have to bring you?”

Rowena glanced at Paul. Because she didn’t want to go but Paul was putting silent pressure on her.

“It’s an honor, Your Grace.”

It was different from her feelings, but Paul must have been satisfied with this statement. Rowena said so and stood up holding Cecil’s hand. Cecil gently pulled Rowena up.

“Then I’ll see you at the engagement.”

Cecil turned around without saying goodbye. Rowena glanced at the family, but could not convey a greeting.

Countess Adelia’s men watched Rowena follow the crown prince in the distance.

Formal or whatever, it was a complete disregard for them, but Paul couldn’t get angry. This is because the royal family decided to pay for the entire wedding.

How much dowry do I have to pay? It’s the royal family, so I’m going to have to save face…

Today’s face-to-face meeting was satisfactory for Paul, who was struggling with the huge cost of the wedding and where and how to extract it. But there was a dowry problem.