Chapter 11: Second Engagement – (4)

The reason my brother suggested the engagement between me and Ilia was simple.

‘Because I had to prove my loyalty.’

The current emperor is suspected of assassinating the previous emperor.

There’s no way the emperor would trust my brother, who had served the previous emperor.

Moreover, since my brother had never sworn the knight’s oath to the previous emperor, the emperor’s trust in him was bound to be even lower.

Thus, to gain the emperor’s trust, my brother made a proposal to him.

Noticing the emperor’s wariness toward Ilia, my brother came up with a way to monitor and control her.

Historically, marriage has often been used as a means to control women, and this case was no different.

My role was to monitor Ilia and kill her if she showed any signs of breaking free from control.

My brother turned his head and looked at me.

In his gaze, I could sense guilt.

But I understood my brother’s choice.

The emperor had killed the previous emperor and the couple, Rigmund.

My brother, who knew the emperor’s cruel nature better than anyone, must have realized that any misstep could harm not only himself but also our family.

Having regressed, I felt the same way.

How could I blame my brother?

‘My brother is a deeply sentimental person, even if he doesn’t show it.’

Perhaps the emperor had threatened my brother using his family as leverage.

In fact, before the regression, the emperor had even taken Melanie as a hostage.

‘At this point, Melanie is six years old. It’s still a long time before she manifests her aura.’

I don’t know exactly when, but the oath must have been made at least after Melanie manifested her aura.

That’s what the knight’s oath was.

It could only be sworn under the condition of having an aura.

So, I must kill the emperor before Melanie takes the oath.

Facing my brother as an enemy would be nothing short of hell.

‘But that’s still a long way off.’

For now, I needed to focus on the engagement.

I smiled at my brother, who was looking at me with concern.

It was a signal that I was okay, and my brother sighed and turned back to face the emperor.

“When do you plan to hold the engagement?”

At my brother’s question, the emperor smiled unpleasantly and replied,

“I have no time to spare. I must stabilize the chaotic situation and root out those who have rebelled against me.”

“Are you saying…”

“Coincidentally, I have visited the Rigmund household, haven’t I?”

The emperor’s words were simple.

He intended to hold the engagement ceremony immediately, even before the funeral arrangements were complete.

There was no prepared dress, no priest to officiate, and no guests to attend.

At this, my brother seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly straightened his posture and said,

“I… will obey your command.”

My brother had no choice but to comply.

There was no option to further diminish the already scarce trust.

“Then, Aren Serigard, deliver this news to my niece.”

The emperor, with a wider grin, commanded me.

‘That insane emperor.’

This was something I had experienced in the past, and it was also the reason Ilia came to dislike me.

It seemed the emperor couldn’t bear to see Ilia and me getting along, so he deliberately tried to drive a wedge between us.

‘Looking back at the past, it worked to some extent.’

For three years after the engagement, Ilia never once met me, so the emperor’s intention had clearly succeeded.

And it would likely be the same this time.

I slowly lowered my posture.

One knee touched the ground, and my head bowed.

It was a gesture of submission.

“I will obey your command.”

I could kneel before the emperor as many times as needed.

If it meant keeping Ilia alive, I could discard my petty pride countless times.

“Then go at once.”

Following the emperor’s words, I retraced my steps.

Passing through the garden and walking along the path, I finally arrived where Ilia was.

The burial must have been completed, as Ilia stood still.

Following her gaze, I saw the tombstones.

The tombstones of the past heads of the Rigmond family and their spouses.

At the end were two newly erected tombstones.

“Are you alright?”

Before I knew it, I had spoken to Ilia.

It was something I hadn’t been able to say in the past.

Ilia turned her head and looked at me.

Just as I remembered, Ilia was crying.

But the words she spoke were something I hadn’t expected at all.

“…No, I’m not alright.”

Ilia sobbed as she spoke to me.

Unlike in the past, the emotions in her eyes weren’t directed at me.

I didn’t know what had caused her emotions and gaze to change, or why her words and actions were different.

But I knew what I had to do right now.

I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and began to wipe the tears from Ilia’s face.

Handing her the handkerchief would have been one way, but for some reason, I felt I had to do it this way.

“What can I do to stop your tears?”

“…I don’t know.”

“…What do you want to do?”

At my question, Ilia poured out her emotions.

“I want to kill the emperor… the one who killed my mother and father.”

Anger was etched into Ilia’s blue eyes.

It was undoubtedly her true feelings.

And I was prepared to sacrifice myself for Ilia.

“I will… help you.”

“…Who are you?”

It was a question I had heard before.

But it didn’t end there.

“I just met you today. I don’t know who you are, nor why you care about me. How can I trust you?”

Ilia poured out her emotions as she spoke.

Her words grew faster and more intense.

“All I know is that you’re a member of the Serigard family. The same Serigard family that might have killed my parents. How can you help me? How do I know what the emperor has ordered you to do? Are you pitying me? Do I look that pathetic—”

I didn’t know how to calm Ilia down.

I had never seen her like this—so emotional, pouring out all her thoughts.

She had always maintained at least a minimum level of composure and calmness.

But now, Ilia seemed so unstable.

If left like this, she might collapse.

I didn’t know how to calm her, but I had to do something.

In a moment of desperation, I hugged her.

And it was an awkward embrace, even to me.

Afraid that Ilia might dislike it, I minimized the contact, wrapping only my arms around her in a ridiculous manner.

Perhaps stunned by the absurdity of it, Ilia fell silent.

“I-I’m sorry. I felt like I had to do something…”

Flustered, I quickly let go of her.

I could feel my face burning.

Ilia’s face must have been as red as a beet.

Perhaps because of my awkwardness, Ilia had stopped crying.

“You’re really strange, you know that?”

At Ilia’s question, I slowly nodded.

I was aware that I had become somewhat ridiculous after the regression.

Whether it was due to the disconnect between my mind and body or simply how I was at this age, I would think about it later.

“A man like you, with me…”

Ilia’s words were muttered as if to herself, so I couldn’t quite catch them.

‘That’s a relief.’

It seemed Ilia had calmed down.

Though it stung a little that it was because of my awkwardness.

Then Ilia spoke up.

“Your name is Aren… right?”

“Yes, it is, but…”

I wondered if I had ever told Ilia my name, but her next words made me forget that thought.

“Aren, you like me, don’t you?”

“…Huh?”

Caught off guard by Ilia’s unexpected question, I bit my tongue.

As a result, my words came out slurred.

“Really… you’re so easy to read.”

Ilia looked at me as she spoke.

Her gaze seemed somewhat hollow.

“So… why did you come to see me?”

At Ilia’s question, I finally regained my senses.

But faced with her, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

I’m sure I had no trouble speaking in the past.

“W-well…”

As I hesitated, Ilia stepped closer, looking frustrated.

“Speak so I can hear you.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Apologies aren’t necessary. Just say it already…. I’m prepared.”

Prepared for what?

The question crossed my mind, but it felt awkward to ask.

I took a deep breath.

It was that nerve-wracking.

And finally, I blurted it out.

“You and I… are to be engaged today.”

I braced myself for Ilia’s anger, but surprisingly, she didn’t get mad.

Instead, she seemed indifferent.

“I thought so…”

She simply murmured.

‘What’s going on…?’

I couldn’t help but be puzzled.