CH 28.2

Risel had his own battle to fight.

He agreed to the sudden decision to choose a potential fiancée at the meeting with the other vassals, judging that it was necessary to maintain peace.

Risel understood this. He knew that the succession issue should be settled as soon as possible.

However, considering that his fiancée might be used as a political tool, he felt that it would be better to wait until everything had settled down.

Because choosing a fiancée from any of the factions would only create a rift, someone suggested that he start by having a lady-in-waiting serve him and then make a choice…

The strong scent of perfume and makeup suddenly began to cling around Risel.

He wants to praise himself for not becoming a misogynist.

However, he then met one woman who was working under Alberto, whom he came to visit as an excuse to escape.

Her faithful adherence to her role as a lady-in-waiting was completely different from the women who had lived in the castle without working until now.

From their first meeting, he knew she was a clever woman.

She didn’t detest Risel, who was hiding his face so that it could not be recognized, even though he was lightly dressed, as a suspicious person, but greeted him with proper behavior.

From the moment she approached him with an attitude of not offending the person but still remaining vigilant, Marie seemed special to Risel.

And he fell easily.

He wished she would become his queen.

How reassuring it would be to have her by his side.

He was drawn to her personally, but as someone involved with the King, he was also attracted to her regal qualities as a queen.

Risel wasn’t the only one who couldn’t help but be attracted to Marie.

After a few days had passed since he had taken a liking to her and secretly went to see her, she began working in a place far away from Risel.

Duke Rose.

At that time, his first thought was the fear that she was being used by Reynaldo.

He also has his reasons for thinking so. He thought about the possibility of someone using Marie as a pawn to set against Risel himself.

Alberto then clearly told the worried Risel, “Don’t worry.”

“Lord Reynaldo would never do anything to harm Miss Marie.”

There was some concern that Reynaldo, known as the Duke of Ice, would really hurt her, but the words of Alberto, who was a close friend of Reynaldo’s, carried weight.

Risel couldn’t be sure what he really meant by his words, but at least he knew that if anything happened to Marie, Alberto would be there to make sure she was okay.

Because Alberto was also in love with Marie.

He knew from every conversation they had that Alberto was thinking of her in a way that was easy to see that he fell for her. He was even more clumsy than Risel, who was ignorant of love.

In order to meet Marie, who worked in the Knights’ Corps, he arranged a time to meet with Alberto in a letter, and it was obvious from the expression on his face when Risel met him.

He feels bad for Alberto, whose dissatisfaction is smoldering like a sizzle from the back of his eyes despite his seemingly expressionless face, but Risel has no intention of backing down no matter how much the esteemed Knight Commander has an interest in her.

Marie is necessary to the royal family, and she is necessary to Risel.

That’s why, when called by Alberto, who would never do anything to harm him, no matter how much they were rivals in love, Risel obediently heads to his office.

After placing his hand once on the pocket containing the letter hidden in his chest, he knocks on the door of the office.

“Come in.”

It was the voice of the person who summoned Risel. When he opened the door, he found Alberto preparing tea on the sofa.

It was unusual for him to prepare tea by himself. “Where’s the maid?” Risel asked.

“She was off duty today. Due to Marie’s departure, we are still understaffed.”

He urges Risel to sit down and offers him a cup of tea.

The aroma of the steaming tea was like a slightly strong and fragrant herbal tea. It was unusual for Alberto, who doesn’t usually enjoy herbs.

“I was given these tea leaves, but they are not to my taste. If you don’t mind, could you please try some?”

Risel chuckled and drank the brewed tea. It’s true that the tea has a strong aroma, but it’s not bad.

“So, what’s the reason for calling me here?”

“Right. I’m assuming you’ve already noticed.”

Alberto’s words made him a little wary.

Risel guessed he was referring to Reynaldo.

Alberto prepares tea for himself, using different tea leaves than Risel. The citrus tea he has been enjoying recently seems to be the one he has been drinking ever since Marie became his maid.

Until then, he had no interest in tea or any particular preferences. That’s right, Risel simply drank the tea as he was told.

A little discomfort comes to mind.

Risel wondered who would give Alberto tea leaves as a gift.

The tea that Risel is drinking right now.

Instantly, his consciousness became hazy.

Even though he’s not sleepy, a feeling of drowsiness hits him.

“What…?”

Thinking it was impossible, he struggled to open his closed eyelids and looked at Alberto.

Alberto looked at Risel apologetically.

Risel collapsed on the soft sofa, his cup of fragrant tea falling to the floor with a clink.

He always keeps Marie’s letter tucked away in his chest.

In order not to forget her thoughts, which always notes the same thing at the end of the sentences that he has memorized in his ruminations.

“I pray from the bottom of my heart that you will be a good king to your people.”

For your sake, as one of those people, as well.

Risel wanted to be a good king.