CH 6

Chapter - 6 || I'm Sorry To Bother You, But May I?

Thanks to Rudolf-sama, I was able to regain my composure and return to my house.

If it hadn't been for him, I would have rushed to the monastery with only the luggage I had on me, for fear of causing trouble for my father and mother.

I didn't show it on my face, but I was still in shock.

We took the carriage that father had prepared for us and headed for the villa.

"In the house, the king's messenger might be there."

It was Alexander who wanted to know where I was going.

It's possible that he would send a messenger to find out.

Not wanting to hear even a bit of Alexander, I just nodded to my father's words.

When we arrived at the villa, we first relaxed in the salon.

The aroma of the tea brewed by the maid of honor finally calmed me down.

As he gracefully tipped his cup, Rudolf-sama said,

"With that king and queen, this country is in danger."

Rudolf-sama stared at me and continued,

"A young king who doesn't understand the magnificence of Elvira, but a queen who doesn't know how to be polite. I'm worried, though I'm a stranger in this matter."

But my father said in a stern tone,

"I'm sure there are people who would be better off with an unwise king and queen."

Then he sighed.

"Elvira has been caught up in their schemes. It's annoying, but it's my fault for not seeing it before. I'm sorry, Elvira. I'm sorry I put you in this situation."

"Oh, no! It's not father's place to apologize! It's because I was inadequate..."

If only I had been better, that's all I would have regretted.

I overlooked many things, thinking that it was natural for a man to be more attracted to Natalia than to me.

I should have been more careful.

But I never thought that Alexander-sama would decide that my lily was a fake.

Almost remembering that painful feeling, I gently put the cup back.

Rudolf-sama asked my father,

"Duke Lustro, can you think of anyone who might have seduced the king?"

"I'm not sure, but I can think of a few people."

"Do you think these people will leave Lady Elvira alone like this? She's an intelligent, beautiful, queen-educated duchess who couldn't be taken in by the court.

For example, it may be possible to get her engaged to the second prince, and the current royal brother, Patrisch, and have Patrisch succeed to the throne."

[ E/N - Patrisch's og name was Patrick, so I changed it to Patrisch. I think it's more aesthetically pleasing. (¯▿¯) ]

"But Patrisch is only ten years old. And he is already engaged."

I couldn't help but interrupt him.

Me and Patrisch become engaged?

I didn't realize there was such a possibility.

However, both my father and Rudolf-sama had a difficult look on their faces.

I was horrified.

"I don't want to be... involved in court disputes."

I don't want to get caught up in the squabbles of the court.

My mother gently took my hand in hers.

"It is enough for me to live the rest of my life in the monastery. I have no desire for position or honor. Father, mother, please send me to a convent."

That's all I've been thinking about since the day my engagement was broken off.

But...

"No!"

"Elvira, no!"

My father and mother were against it.

But I couldn't help myself.

If I continue like this, it is obvious that I will cause trouble for my father and mother.

"It would be a disgrace for this family to have a daughter who was called a fake saint and had her engagement annulled. It will also affect my brother Richard who is studying abroad..."

My brother Richard is studying in the Duchy of Kien, my mother's home country.

My mother was a duchess there.

He is currently studying there and is engaged to be married to Elena, a distant relative of my mother.

[ E/N - Sorry for so many notes... but the distant relative's og name was 'Olga' but I googled it and found out she was the Saint of Kiev. She changed her name to Elena, so I changed her name to Elena too. Pretty names for everyone! (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ]

"I'm sure this will cause trouble for you. But I can't accept the idea of me getting engaged to Patrisch."

Patrisch's fiancée, Anna, was only 12 years old.

I had been watching over these angelic little fiancées with a smile on my face.

I don't want to play the role of tearing them apart, even if it kills me.

"But, Elvira, a convent?"

"Yes, I'm against locking you up in a place like that when you're still so young."

"But..."

Just when I was thinking about how to persuade my father, when Rudolph-sama said, "May I be so bold as to ask?"

"I, too, am opposed to the idea of young Elvira joining a monastery."

"Yes, Rudolf-sama."

"I'm sure you're right, Elvira. But I have a suggestion."

Rudolf-sama looked at me with soft eyes and said,

"How would you like to welcome Elvira to the Zomer Empire as my fiancée?"

Both my father and I were too astonished to say anything.

However,

"Rudolf-sama, can you tell us more about that offer?"

I was even more surprised when only my mother calmly asked Rudolf-sama a question.

Rudolf-sama explained,

"If you stay here, there is a good chance that Elvira-sama will be taken advantage of. In addition, Alexander himself seems to have a longing for Elvira-sama. You never know what he might do."

"I don't think he has any feelings for me."

I couldn't help but say that, but Prince Rudolf shook his head gently.

"It won't be long before he gets tired of the new queen. No, he's already regretting it."

I didn't think it was possible, but Prince Rudolf's story continued.

"And there is the possibility that I would least like to think about, but for those who want to use Prince Alexander as their puppet, Elvira is a threat who cannot be ignored."

"That's... true."

"They'll probably try to kill Elvira too. Even though he is only ten years old, Prince Patrisch, who will be engaged to Elvira, will be more suitable to be king. That's how high Elvira's value is."

I thought I was complimented too much, but both mother and father nodded enthusiastically.

"Indeed. Elvira's life is in danger if this continues. We must do something."

"So you are saying that Rudolf-sama offered the engagement with the intention of saving Elvira?"

"Of course, there is that."

Thereupon Rudolf-sama stood up abruptly, dropped to one knee on the floor, and said to me,

"Elvira Von Lustro, will you marry Rudolf Rüdiger Eberwein? I have long been in love with you."

I was so surprised by Rudolf-sama's sudden offer of marriage that I almost stopped breathing.