Killian merely smiled faintly upon hearing Emily’s statement declaring her acceptance of his request.
It’s hard to interpret the meaning of his smile, considering that the novel describes Cedric as a cold man who rarely shows emotion—and that’s what makes him dangerous.
We never know what he’s thinking or planning.
Even Cedric, who has been close to Killian since childhood, cannot predict what’s on Killian’s mind.
“Very well,” Killian replied briefly.
Then he turned his gaze toward Cedric.
“Cedric, I’m counting on you.
As you already know, the Kingdom of Sylvengate is our closest neighbor, and its military power has recently grown rapidly—to the point where it can now be said to almost rival Malakar’s.” “Their strength in terms of trade has long been superior to ours.
They are a threat for us right now,” Killian explained seriously.
Given the current strength of the Sylvengate Kingdom, it would be unwise to make them an enemy.
However, with the two nations located so close to one another, clashes are highly likely.
In the worst-case scenario of war breaking out between the two nations, Malakar would certainly be at a disadvantage.
It’s not that Killian doesn’t trust Cedric and his troops, but a war would certainly last not just a day or two but require a long time.
Moreover, it cannot be denied that war requires a great deal of funds; this is where Malakar would be at a disadvantage compared to Sylvengate, which is more advanced in terms of trade.
Wouldn’t it be better to turn their threat into an ally?
Therefore, after consulting with the royal officials he trusted, Killian decided to send a marriage proposal to Princess Asha, the eldest daughter of the Kingdom of Sylvengate.
For Killian, nothing is more important than his country.
Love… Comes a distant second.
If it is for the good and safety of all his people, he can love anyone.
That is also what underlies Killian’s decision to arrange a marriage between Cedric and Emily, with the aim of reconciling the two pillar families of the Kingdom who are often involved in a cold war.
The case was no different when Killian learned that Cedric had initially refused this arranged marriage, or when Emily even took the desperate step of attempting to end her own life because she did not want to be married to Cedric, who was, after all, a stranger to her.
Killian didn’t understand.
What was the problem?
Wasn’t this just a marriage?
Being a king meant sacrificing personal interests for the sake of his people.
He himself had witnessed the marriage between his father and mother.
His mother was a queen consort brought from a kingdom quite far from Malakar.
Alone in a foreign land, she struggled to adapt to the kingdom’s political conflicts and fulfill her duties in a foreign country.
His father was the same; making his mother the queen consort, or taking several concubines for the sake of the nation’s stability, was not a difficult matter.
Although, for the time being, Killian had no plans to take a concubine from anywhere, especially considering the rebellion his half-brother Aaron had launched against their father upon learning of his plan to make Killian the next king.
To him, love was a luxury.
“I understand, Your Majesty.
I will do whatever it takes to ensure this plan proceeds smoothly,” Cedric replied, bowing his head.
Killian looked at Cedric with a satisfied smile; there was no denying that Cedric was one of his trusted confidants whom he could rely on no matter the circumstances.
Then he turned his gaze toward Damian.
“Oh, I brought Damian here to introduce him as part of this mission,” Killian continued.
‘Exactly, what is this bastard doing here?’ Cedric thought, irritated.
“As we know, aside from external factors, there are factions within the Kingdom that oppose this plan.
To maintain peace among the Kingdom’s pillars, it would be unwise for us to use the Kingdom’s forces to launch a counterattack.
That is why I’d like to ask Damian for help in assembling a mercenary force, one ready to operate in the shadows,” Killian explained.
“But wouldn’t it look suspicious if Your Majesty suddenly started getting involved with a man like Sir Damian?” Cedric asked sarcastically, clearly showing his dislike for Damian.
“Hahaha, a man like me?” Damian chuckled.
Then he glared at Cedric.
“Hey, I run a legal business here; I’m even a good taxpayer.” The two of them locked eyes intensely; the situation became incredibly awkward and uncomfortable.
Killian, who was good at reading the room, understood why Cedric disliked Damian.
He quickly changed the subject.
“Damian and his mercenary organization, ‘The Black Wings,’ will be the vendors providing everything needed for this wedding.
So it won’t be strange if he and his people are often at the palace and interacting with all of us.” Killian replied, trying to explain to Cedric.
“Oh…” Finally, Emily understood why Damian was here.
Given Damian’s independent and impartial stance, no one would suspect him of siding with Killian.
Especially since he is the High Priest’s grandson, and the Church, as one of the pillars of the Kingdom, should remain neutral.
“But still, why does it have to be Damian?
Arrggghhh,” Emily muttered.
The five people in the room continued discussing the details of the wedding plans until midnight.
… “Well, we should take our leave; it’s very late,” Killian said, followed by the High Priest and Damian.
“Thank you for having us on this beautiful evening,” the High Priest added with a smile.
Suddenly, before leaving, Damian bowed slightly and extended his right hand toward Emily.
“May I?” he asked.
Emily was startled.
Wait.
Wouldn’t it be rude to refuse him in front of the King and the High Priest?
After all, this is basic etiquette when done politely.
Hesitantly, Emily took Damian’s hand.
Chuu.
Damian gently kissed the back of Emily’s hand.
Then he lifted his head and gave Emily a seductive smile.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” he said.
Emily’s face flushed at such a sweet gesture from a man as handsome as Damian.
BOOMMM It was as if lightning had struck Cedric’s heart when he saw Damian kiss Emily’s hand.
‘How dare this bastard touch Emily?’ Cedric growled, filled with emotion.
Cedric felt like breaking Damian’s hand—how dare he touch his fiancée—and gouging out his eyes, which were gazing at Emily with such seduction.
This man was too cunning.
Realizing the awkward situation, the High Priest quickly grabbed the back of Damian’s collar to pull his hand away from Lady Emily.
After all, he didn’t want any unnecessary bloodshed.
“Well then, we’ll take our leave now, Grand Duke Cedric.
We apologize for interrupting your time together, HAHAHA,” said the High Priest as he dragged Damian away.
Finally, King Killian, the High Priest, and Damian left the Archibald family villa.
… Cedric and Emily, left alone outside after seeing their guests off, were trapped in an awkward silence.
“It seems you and Damian are quite close,” Cedric said, breaking the silence.
“I-is that so?” Emily replied awkwardly.
“Is there nothing you want to tell me?” Cedric asked, still staring in the direction their guests had left.
“…” Emily was at a loss as to how to explain the whole situation to Cedric.
Should she be honest, risking Cedric getting even angrier?
But if the situation wasn’t explained, it seemed it would only get more complicated.
… Cedric glanced at Emily, who stood motionless, lost in her thoughts.
For some reason, a sense of disappointment welled up inside him.
“You should go to the room that’s been prepared for you; there’s something I need to take care of,” Cedric said as he walked away from Emily.
“…Huh?
Your Grace, wait!” Emily called out, but it was too late; with quick steps, Cedric had already walked away from her.
“What’s going on?” Emily muttered.
That night, for some reason, Emily felt that Cedric, who had just been so close to her, now seemed to be drifting further away.