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n“I’m alright now.”

n“Really? Glad to hear that. Let’s go back home as we left the palace anyway.”

n“Okay.”

nAs he egged on me, I finally took my eyes from the place where the crown prince disappeared.

nHolding the little silver cat in my arms, I walked with Carsein toward the house.

nThe next day after the National Founding Day festival was over, Princess Moira left the empire, and Princess Naima and Princess Beary left the day before. And today Princess Frincia was leaving for her kingdom.

nThere were lots of people in front of the gate to see her off, including the crown prince, some of the knights and some ranking government officials. I thought for a moment that it was too much for such a large group of VIPs of the empire to see her off, but at the same time, I felt that it was good to treat her well as she was the princess of the empire’s new ally Lua Kingdom, let alone showing such a spectacle to the outside world. After saying goodbye to the crown prince, she praised other ranking officials for their job during her stay and finally stopped before the wagon.

n“I wanted to see you before I left, but I’m glad to see you here, Lady Monique.”

n“Thank you, Princess Frincia.”

nDid she already feel affectionate towards me? I felt a bit sad when I saw her greeting me with a smile. The princess, who saw me smiling wistfully, said, holding my hands tightly, “Lady Monique, I don’t know if you think I’m weird, but the moment I first saw you, I liked you.”

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n“Oh, Princess.”

n“You were rational, but when it came to emotions, you were so clumsy in expressing them, so I was impressed with your contradictory attitude. It was amazing to me. I am not sure if I can see you ever again after I leave the empire. But I want to ask you one thing. Would you please be my friend? ”

n“… Of course. ”

nWhen I saw her sincere look, my heart was filled with a warm feeling. Like Nia or Entea, my relationship with her was not one of hierarchy, but we were on an equal footing as women.

nAlthough I didn’t share much with her, I was glad she had the same feeling as me. At the same time, I was sad that after she left, I might never see her again.

n“Even if we don’t meet, let’s write to each other often. Can you promise?”

n“Yes, I do.”

nSmiling brightly at me once, she tightened her hand holding mine and let go of it.

nShe then bowed to the knights and turned hesitantly. She turned towards Carsein who was standing close to me and asked, “Well, Sir Carsein, did you see Sir Lars here? I can’t find him.”

n“Oh, my brother? Well, he has been stuck at home for the past several days. It seems he is not sick, but he wouldn’t answer even if I asked him what’s going on.”

n“Really? I wish I could have said goodbye to him before I left. ”

nShe turned, saying she was sorry not to see him. After she bowed to everyone once again and placed one foot on the wagon’s foot step, she heard a loud voice, along with the sound of a horse hooving.

n“Wait a minute, Princess!”

nThe man who stopped the horse and jumped down. Waving his red hair and approaching the princess, he stood in front of her. Then, he fell on a knee after looking at the princess for a while.

nI stopped breathing momentarily at Sir Lars’s unexpected behavior. People began to whisper about him here and there. Opening her light pink eyes wide, she said with an embarrassed look,

n“Sir Lars?”

n“Princess Frincia!”

n“What are you…”

n“Please marry me.”

n“…Pardon?”

nThe whispering that began when Sir Lars knelt reached its peak now. Some of them held their breath, some began to gossip openly, and others even coughed or had the hiccups, as if something got caught in their throats. Now the princess’s delegation members were also confused and began to whisper among themselves. Stunned like everybody else, Princess Frincia was staring at Sir Lars with a blank expression.

nOnly Sir Lars continued to speak with a serious look, “I was amazed at your beauty when I saw you first, and I had good feelings toward you when you were kind and sweet to everyone. I fell in love with you when you confidently handled it with dignity and grace when you clashed with other princesses.”

n“… ”

n“At first I tried to give up when I thought I couldn’t marry you. But I couldn’t give up.

nDon’t say that even if we met only briefly, my thought about you was also fleeting. I love you from the bottom of my heart.”

n“… Sir Lars. ”

n“So, Frincia, would you accept my proposal?”

nEverybody became silent. People who stood aghast or surprised shut up one by one when they noticed his serious expression. As soon as he was done proposing, they turned their eyes at her all at once. I was no exception. I felt strange about the way he dealt with her, but never did I think he loved her and openly proposed to her in the presence of everyone. How would she react? My heart. What will she answer? My heart pounded with anticipation.

n“I can’t…”

n“… ”

n“I can’t accept your proposal.”

nAh! Groans were heard everywhere. It seemed that Sir Las and Princess Frincia were a good match. Sir Lars is the successor of Duke Lars. As the empire’s next duke, he didn’t have to feel inferior in status. Besides, if she accepted his proposal, there would be a stronger alliance between the two countries through their marriage. So, her refusal was more regrettable. Given her character, she would have managed very well as the wife of the empire’s most powerful noble family.

nThe princess, who silently looked at Sir Lars, said with a smile, “How can I get married to you without dating you? I can’t accept your proposal. I can think of getting engaged, of course.”

n“… Oh, Princess!”

n“You proposed, calling my name confidently a moment ago. Why are you calling me a princess? Just call me Lynn. Sir Lars, no, let me call you Kaisian.”

n“Are you accepting my proposal now?”

n“Yes, but on condition we start dating first.”

n“Lynn!”

nSir Lars stood up suddenly and hugged her, who was smiling bashfully.

nSurprised by his bold actions, she quickly closed her eyes and leaned her head on his chest.

nMy heart throbbed when I saw they were happy. I was so envious. At the same time, I was sad. I was sad when I thought of myself, who could not have such pure love like them.

nI knew I would not have that kind of pure love because I was so exhausted after having loved the crown prince so much and being abandoned by him, even though I desperately wanted his love. I know even though I’m loved by him now, I won’t return it because I will be confused by comparing him now with the old him constantly. And perhaps I will constantly feel anxious and nervous, always afraid of being abandoned by him again.

n“Well, it looks like I’ve done what’s good for you.”

n“I’m honored to see you, the Little Sun of the Empire. Please forgive me for my rudeness as I didn’t greet you first.”

n“That’s fine. Congratulations, Sir Lars, Princess Frincia! It seems like we still need to coordinate between the two countries about this matter, but I think we can expect some good news. Right?”

n“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

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nI heard the crown prince speaking to him with a faint smile. I saw him appreciating the greetings of Sir Lars and bowing to the princess slightly. After congratulating the two, he approached the delegation of the Lua kingdom and smiled at them. Just like I did, he must have concluded that Sir Lar’s marriage to the princess would bring more political gains than losses.

n“Soon, I think we have to send a delegation to the Kingdom of Lua, so please send my best regards to your king.”

n“Of course, Your Majesty!”

n“Then, I hope you return safely.”

n“Thank you.”

nAfter exchanging a friendly conversation with the delegation, he said to Sir Lars, “Let me give you vacation leave for the next week, so escort her to the midpoint of her journey.”

n“Oh my… Your Majesty.”

n“Even if you feel I’m not that generous, please be satisfied with it. I will surely include you in the delegation to the kingdom.”

n“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

n“Then have a good trip.”

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