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n“The crown prince’s wife.”

n“… ”

n“It would be safe to give you a title lower than that, but given the devotion and loyalty of your family, I can’t. Are you satisfied?”

n“…. ”

n“Why do you look displeased? I’m going to give you the formal title as my wife. Are you afraid that your family’s honor will be disgraced by that?”

nMaintaining my status as his wife? He seemed to think I was afraid of being his concubine, but regardless of my title as his wife or concubine, what I really feared was going through the recurring memory of my past.

nEven if I become his wife, the fact that Jiun would come later to take my title wouldn’t disappear. There was no guarantee that I would not follow my past fate just because I didn’t become his concubine.

nI held my hands to hide trembling. It was today, the last day that I promised to the emperor to give him my answer. As for my throne succession right that the imperial family could not give up, I have been struggling to find a way to get rid of my entanglement with the imperial family and free me from the fetters of the past for the past few years, but time was running out.

n‘Am I done here?’

nI was freaking out. After I attended his coming-of-age ceremony, I thought I wouldn’t care whatever happened to me. But when I was faced with the situation now, I was so scared. No matter how hard I tried to escape, I felt like I was devoured by the deep swamp that I could never escape.

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nAt that moment, there was fanfare, which made me come to my senses. After the foreign messengers were done offering gifts, it was time for the nobles in the empire to offer congratulations to the emperor and the crown prince.

n“Next is the sword of the empire, Duke Lars,” announced the chief protocol official.

n“I’m honored to see Your Excellency, the Sun of the empire. Congratulations on your coming of age, Crown Prince.”

n“Thank you, Duke.”

nWhen the chief protocol official announced, Duke and Duchess Lars and their son Carsein Lars walked out. On the left and right sides of them showing due manners, there were other nobles standing in line according to their ranks.

nThere are three duke families in the whole empire, but there was hierarchy even among them. The first in the hierarchy of the duke families was Duke Lars, followed by Duke Verita, and the third was …

n“The family of Duke Verita is here to greet His Excellency.”

n“Greetings to the Sun of the empire, His Majesty and the Little Sun, the Crown Prince. I would like to congratulate the crown prince on his coming of age.”

n“Thank you.”

nI fixed my trembling eyes on the floor. I couldn’t see the boy standing behind Duke Verita. ‘Allendis, you know how much I was agonized after you asked me to trust you? Do you know I was devastated by someone that I believed in when I saw a look of incredulity on your face?’ When I was struggling to hold back my tears, someone held my hand strongly.

n“What are you doing now? Pull yourself together!”

nI came to my senses at his sharp voice. The protocol official already called the third most powerful family.

n“The family of Marquis Monique, the spear of the empire is here to greet.”

nI slowly stood up. As I went down the platform, my eyes met Duke Jenna’s, who was the fourth in rank. The old man who looked very stubborn was staring at me sharply.

nAs I turned away from his sharp gaze, I suddenly heard some noise. I couldn’t look back, but I could feel that the person responsible for the fuss was walking toward me.

nMy heart was beating fast when I heard his footsteps coming closer at regular intervals.

nMy blood that became cold in despair because of the crown prince standing next to me began to circulate quickly.

n“I’m honored to see Your Majesty, the Sun of the empire, and the Little Sun, the Crown Prince. I sincerely congratulate the crown prince on his coming of age. Please punish me for being late.”

nHis blue uniform, his gray hair scattered under the light, and his voice that I missed so much!

n“Marquis, you’re finally back. Do you know how worried I was when I was told they lost track of you? ”

n“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I couldn’t keep in touch with them timely since I was in a hurry to arrive here in time for the crown prince’s coming-of-age ceremony. Please punish me. ”

n“Oh, don’t say that. How can I punish you unless I go crazy? Thanks for coming all the way. Let me hear more later.”

n“Yes, Your Majesty. Then let me leave now. I’d like to congratulate you, Crown Prince.”

nThen he wrapped my hands warmly.

n“How are you doing, Tia? I think you grew up a little more while I was away.”

n“Dad…! ”

nWhile other families were greeting the emperor and the crown prince, my father took me to a place far from the platform and spoke, caressing my head. I broke into tears suddenly at his warm and familiar touch.

n“You’re a grown-up lady, so don’t cry. Others might blame you for that. ”

nMy father, kneeling, reached out and wiped my cheeks wet with tears. Tears kept coming out when I saw his affection for me reflected in his blue eyes. The tension that had been seizing me until now melted.

n“I don’t feel good since you are crying. It’s been a long time I have seen you, honey. Can you stop crying and smile at me?” My father, who wiped my tears for a while, whispered.

nI trito smile brightly as he looked sad, but I couldn’t because of the tears that kept flowing.

n“Gee, Marquis, your daughter is still young.”

nI looked back when somebody spoke with a small laugh. I saw the emperor laughing pleasantly and the crown prince frowning a bit.

nMy father, who put his hand lightly on my shoulder, answered in a calm tone.

n“As you said, my daughter is still young, Your Majesty.”

n“Really?”

n“Too young for her to serve the crown prince who has come of age.”

n“So, what would you do?” Tilting his head, the emperor asked.

n“Well, I’m going to decide on the successor of my family sooner or later.”

n“Really? Are you going to marry again?”

n“Oh, no, Your Majesty. You probably haven’t forgotten my oath. ”

n“Of course not. Huh, are you serious? Are you sure you’re going to do it?”

n“Well, I don’t know.”

nThere was a faint smile on my father’s mouth, while the emperor showed surprise.

nThe blue-haired young man, who was listening to their conversation with a frowning expression, muttered.

n“Swordsmanship, succession, oath. Oh, that’s what he wants?”

n“… ”

n“I see. That’s why you showed such a reaction.”

nMy heart beat fast. He paused for a moment as if thinking about something then said, “Don’t do that, Marquis. I admit that I have neglected your daughter. but it doesn’t mean I denied her.

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nNo matter what others say, she is my fiancee as given by God, isn’t she? But you are talking about the successor of your family all of a sudden. I am a bit embarrassed.”

n“I have nothing to say about that. But… ”

n“Let’s talk about this later. I don’t think it’s appropriate to mention it today. Your Majesty, there are many people around us watching us. Shall we move?”

n“Sure. Marquis, see you again next time. ”

nHis Majesty slowly nodded then turned. The crown prince who stared at me for a while also slowly disappeared into the crowd. Those who were paying attention to us with interest also left one by one.

n“Whew!”

nI let out a sigh of relief unconsciously. Only now did I feel better. I felt I could get out of the tense moment when I was caught among the emperor, the crown prince and my father, whose aura was too heavy for me to breathe.

nI wiped cold sweat on my forehead and looked down the hallway where he disappeared.

n‘What will happen to me from now on?’

nI overcame the crisis this time, but my fate will be decided some day. When I saw his blue eyes staring at me coldly, I felt the blood circulating through my body become cold. I began to feel a spring of anxiety growing deep down.

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