NOVEL WEB Episode 37
Episode 37
“……”
“As a grand duke, I am well aware of my duties. That is why I too cast my vote against His Majesty’s marriage.”
His blue eyes gleamed sharply, causing Verona to hesitate and take a step back.
“But that was also the choice of a man named Osmund Portrey.”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
Verona replied, her face set firmly. She knew she couldn’t let herself be dragged into this. However, Osmund stepped closer once again.
“I mean that I opposed His Majesty’s marriage not with reason, but with emotion.”
“……”
“But if Her Highness were to say just one word, I would be willing to reverse that decision.”
He smiled a dangerous smile.
“I will be of aid to you, Your Highness—if only you would meet with me privately, just once.”
“You’re being rude.”
Verona answered immediately.
“I have no intention of meeting another man privately while I’m engaged.”
“What a pity.”
Osmund laughed with a face that didn’t look disappointed at all.
“To think I wanted to be Her Majesty’s most loyal subject.”
“If that was your intent, you could promise your loyalty right here and now.”
“That won’t do. My devotion and loyalty are not so easily given.”
“It’s quite amusing to hear that from someone who was just about to offer them in exchange for negotiation.”
At Verona’s words, Osmund’s laughter faded slightly. She took another step back and spoke coldly.
“I am not ashamed of my status as the Princess of Waterfall in the slightest, nor do I intend to listen to the words of any man other than my betrothed.”
“……”
“Leave at once.”
“I trust you will not regret this choice.”
Osmund bowed his head. His cape slipped down gracefully as he moved with precise dignity. Verona turned on her heel immediately, hearing the sound of the grand duke’s carriage pulling away behind her.
‘So, it was me they were talking about.’
That’s why Carlos had kept it a secret from her and tried to keep her from going outside today.
Verona ran a hand over her face, feeling a complex mix of emotions.
‘I didn’t expect him to turn all the nobles into his enemies because of me.’
Osmund had, of course, opposed the marriage, and with the grand duke and the Marquis of Milecour against it, there likely wasn’t a noble willing to defy them and cast a supporting vote.
Besides, Verona’s position as empress didn’t match her status, giving them a perfect excuse. Outwardly, their reasons seemed entirely reasonable.
“Your Highness!”
Mary and Letty came running, gasping for breath. Judging by their pale faces and the worried glances they cast in Verona’s direction, her suspicions seemed correct.
“So, you heard everything.”
Letty whispered something to Mary, picking up on the mood, whether it was Verona’s or her own. Mary’s face looked close to tears.
“Please don’t worry, Your Highness. His Majesty will take care of everything. All you need to do is wait, wear a beautiful crown and veil, and walk down the aisle…”
Mary’s attempt at comfort didn’t reach Verona’s ears at all.
‘Back when Carlos was the crown prince, everyone sided with the grand duke, afraid of the emperor’s watchful eye. Carlos must remember that, so he won’t care if he’s at odds with the nobles now.’
Of course, if the emperor were stubborn enough to insist on his decision, the issue might be smoothed over somehow.
But that doesn’t mean the conflict between the emperor and the nobles could be dismissed lightly. Carlos, with his personality, would likely choose to crush the nobles rather than try to win them over.
Verona let out a long sigh and sat down by the fountain.
“Your Highness?”
At that moment, someone called out to her. When Verona lifted her head, a woman with soft chocolate-brown hair tied back in a ponytail greeted her with a bright smile.
“Fancy meeting you here.”
“Lily. What brings you here…?”
“Oh, my father is attending a court meeting today. I came to the Imperial Library to borrow some books I need for my academy homework, so I thought I’d wait for him here.”
Lily cautiously observed Verona’s expression.
“May I sit with you?”
“…Yes, of course.”
Verona replied with a forced smile. Mary and Letty stood a short distance away, watching her intently. Avoiding their gazes, Verona struck up a conversation with Lily.
“Graduation is approaching. Are you here to look at books?”
“Yes, I have to write two theses for my major in astronomy. I’ve been practically locked up in the academy dormitory, so I’m out for the first time in a while. It’s also been a long time since I’ve seen my father.”
It seemed Lily hadn’t heard any news.
If she had known about the court meeting, she probably wouldn’t have approached Verona so casually.
After all, the Retinan and Milecour families were related. Since the Marquis of Milecour viewed Verona as a thorn in their side, it would be odd for the Retinan family to associate closely with her.
Especially in a situation where most nobles weren’t friendly toward Verona.
However, Lily seemed determined to cheer her up and spoke brightly with a friendly smile.
“I plan to help my father and brother with their work after graduation. Unlike Senior Olivia, I’m more interested in practical matters.”
“That’s not a bad choice. A thorough knowledge of astronomy would be useful in managing a trading business.”
“How did you know?”
“Pardon?”
Lily looked startled, and so did Verona, who had answered without thinking.
“My father and brother also want me to do that—to forecast the weather. They’re considering expanding trade with other continents.”
Well, that made sense, given that the Retinan family had built their fortune on commerce.
Thinking along these lines, Verona suddenly remembered that this was something mentioned in the novel.
If Carlos hadn’t become so obsessed with war, the Retinan family would have held the largest trading network on the continent, reaching beyond the Empire.
‘So, Lily played a key role in that.’
With her ability to predict the weather and her brother’s fluency in foreign languages, the Retinans would have had a formidable advantage.
‘In the end, it was Carlos who destroyed the Retinan family.’
Compared to the Milecour family, the Retinan family’s influence was relatively weak. Despite holding the same marquisate title, the Retinans had only recently risen from a countship, whereas the Milecours had long held their status as marquises.
Although the Retinan and Milecour families were somewhat close compared to other noble families, there was an underlying sense of rivalry.
Usually, Milecour held the upper hand, and even if the Retinans felt slighted at times, they tended to let it slide.
“My father seems to favor maritime routes over land routes. So as soon as I graduate, I’ll have to start working without any break. I just hope I can find a safe, close route by sea.”
A sea route, hmm.
Verona focused her mind, almost recalling something.
What was it? The Retinan family’s primary goods…
“They’re thinking of passing through the southern seas and heading north…”
“Ah! Salt!”
“Excuse me?”
Verona’s sudden exclamation startled Lily.
“Yes, it’s salt. As you go further north, the sea becomes less saline. I’ve heard that’s why northern territories lack pickled foods and rely mostly on smoked dishes.”
Although the Marquis Retinan’s house dealt in various goods, they mainly traded spices when dealing with other countries or continents. The marquis had a penchant for rare items and knew that pioneering new markets offered the most profit.
“Transporting southern salt to the northern regions… Finding favorable weather and a clear route without reefs will likely be my first task. That’s why my father is eagerly waiting for me to graduate.”
“Are you sure it’s alright to share that with me, Lily?”
Verona asked cautiously, hiding the spark of a plan in her eyes. Lily shrugged nonchalantly.
“Of course. You’ll soon be Her Majesty the Empress. It’s not classified information, anyway. Since my father serves the Clarence Empire, taxes will have to be paid.”
It truly seemed that Lily hadn’t been informed of anything by her father. Well, the Retinan heir was her brother, and she had spent most of her life at the academy, away from politics.
In that case, Verona needed to act quickly. Even if Lily was friendly to her now, that might change once she heard her father’s opinion.
“Lily.”
Verona grasped her hand firmly.
“Would you allow me to help you with that?”
“With what?”
“The sea route. Finding a safe passage.”
Verona smiled, confident in her ability for this task above all others.
“I’ll guide you to routes with no reefs and swift currents. All you’d need to do is choose a good day for sailing. That way, the Marquis Retinan wouldn’t even have to wait until you graduate.”
As a princess of a race deeply attuned to water, she was more than confident about this.
“He did mention that securing trade with the northern continent as soon as possible would be ideal…”
Though delighted, Lily seemed a bit taken aback.
“How would Your Highness know the sea routes? I mean no disrespect, but…”
“You must have forgotten that I am a daughter of the royal family blessed by the gods.”
Verona replied gently. Lily gasped in admiration.
“Oh, because you’re the Princess of Waterfall…”
“And soon to be the Empress of Clarence.”
Verona hadn’t told Carlos yet, but she knew she couldn’t rely on him for everything. He was already enduring enough for her.
It was best to act before Lily, who bore the Retinan name, decided to heed her father’s words.
If Carlos were to win the Retinan family’s support…
‘Perhaps it would even sway the will of the Milecour family.’
If the Retinans—a once-derided relative family—were to amass such wealth, even with a shorter history, they would become undeniable. After all, money was essential to preserving noble dignity.
And if the Retinan family grew closer to the imperial family, it would likely incite a sense of urgency in others. If they truly wished to avoid alienating the imperial family, they’d likely submit.
Of course, there was no way she would ever allow the young lady of Milecour to become the emperor’s woman.
Verona held Lily’s hand tightly and spoke.
“Lady Lily Retinan, would you trust me?”
Surprise flickered in Lily’s hazel eyes before warming into an expression of trust. Verona felt certain that her plan was on the right track.
* * *
Osmund walked briskly to his bedchamber, tossing his cloak back over his shoulder. The butler trailing behind him bent to pick it up and spoke urgently.
“S-Sir, I have something to report…”
“Not now.”
Osmund replied in a level, icy tone.
“I’m tired. Speak later.”
“But… Yes, sir.”
Reluctantly, the butler fell silent and opened the door to the bedchamber before vanishing quietly.
Entering the dark room, Osmund took a few steps before halting.
He sensed another presence.
“You’re late, Your Grace.”
“Oliv—Olivia?”
A pale figure became visible. A woman with shimmering silver hair braided over one shoulder rose slowly from her seat.