Unlike Karan, Elise remained calm.
"People sneaking glances."
"And?"
"They'll curse you, Your Highness."
"I'm used to that. What else?"
"Nothing else."
"Good. Then, I don't have to get used to seeing your face like this."
Elise tilted her head, watching Karan's relieved expression.
"What if I had said to get used to your injuries?"
Karan cringed as if he had envisioned something dreadful.
"I… No, never mind."
Karan shook his head and then gently stroked the area near Elise's injury with his thumb.
Despite his careful touch, Elise instinctively winced.
"Your Highness, really, you don't need to worry about…"
"Don't worry, I won't. And you shouldn't either."
"What?"
His words carried a significant meaning. It sounded like just setting boundaries, but Elise had a bad feeling. She asked again, but Karan just shrugged.
Whatever he was thinking, his expression had visibly lightened compared to before.
Then, Karan took Elise's hand, which was lightly resting on his arm.
"Since we're showing off, let's do it properly."
Karan led Elise away from the path. Whether it was his intention or not, they moved away from the view of those who were pointing fingers at them.
Karan intertwined his fingers with Elise's and began to walk with more energy.
Throughout the walk, Karan's words echoed in Elise's mind.
"Don't worry about whatever I do."
Two days later, a summons from the royal palace arrived for the Earl.
Fraser came to Elise's room.
"Because of you, I'm subjected to all sorts of ridicule! Causing trouble in the family, does food even pass down your throat?"
Fraser was furious, but unlike last time, he did not strike Elise. Perhaps he couldn't.
His right hand was tightly bandaged. Had he fallen on the street? Whatever the reason, it was a satisfying sight for Elise.
"Just stay locked up in your room. This is your last warning! If anything goes wrong, you'll regret it!"
After making his threat, Fraser left Elise's room.
He was like an old, blustering rooster.
Elise shook her head and closed the book she was reading.
"Regina, if you have something to say, say it."
Regina, who had been watchful these past few days, was on Elise's mind.
"It's nothing, Miss."
"I'll ask one more time. Do you have something to say?"
Regina hesitated, then began to speak.
"What are you going to do from now on?"
It seemed like she was asking about Elise's plans, but mostly, she was worried.
Fraser was against her, and she was entangled with the barbarian prince – how would she survive?
"Regina, I'll live very well."
"Barbarian, sorry. Are you planning to follow His Highness Karan to Titris?"
Anxiety filled Regina's eyes.
'I can tell Regina. I need to ask for her wishes too.'
Elise decided and nodded.
"I'm going to marry His Highness Karan. Naturally, I'll go to Titris. So, Regina, do you want to come with me?"
"Me? Of course! I must go!"
"Regina, take a few days to think about it. Titris is completely different from Bedrocca. I've never been there, but I hear it's very cold and desolate. You won't be able to get your favorite Alleycat Times on time. And you won't see your family."
"My only family is you, Miss."
Elise was taken aback. She had made a significant mistake.
Regina's family had perished two years ago in Ragnaros' land, Centris.
Centris, the region where Ragnaros lay dormant, was called such by continental people. Even in slumber, Ragnaros' influence was lethal, making it impossible for humans to live there.
Unpredictable weather, rotten land, air hard to breathe, and monsters occasionally emerging from gates connected to Ragnaros' nest.
Because of this, humans often suffered damage.
'In the future, it will increase. Ragnaros is nearing its awakening.'
According to Elise's experience, Ragnaros will awaken in ten years.
"I'm sorry, Regina."
"It's okay, Miss. If you're determined and your mind is made up, I won't worry anymore. I will follow you, Miss."
Regina had always been the same, both in the past and now.
Elise felt she had to live more diligently this life, to repay Regina's faith.
"Oh, the teacup is empty. I'll bring more tea, Miss. Should I prepare some snacks too?"
Elise wasn't in the mood for snacks, but needing some time alone, she nodded to Regina to leave the room.
Elise picked up a book. It was a travelogue about Titris written by a Bedroccan.
Although it was full of derogatory remarks about Titris, it seemed better to read and know something rather than going there blindly.
'In the barren fields, smoke rises. We called it the breath of the devil. In that place, hot and smelling like boiling eggs, not a single blade of grass grew. …The people of Titris are arrogant. Hence, they don't understand the concept of cooperation. When a log blocked the road, instead of working together to remove it, they would bet on who could move it. This often led to travel plans being disrupted…'
'The breath of the devil… that's how they see it. How foolish.'
Elise laughed at the author's ignorance as she continued reading.
"You seem too relaxed."
"What brings you here?"
Elise asked.
"I came to see if you're reflecting properly after causing such a huge mess. But instead of reflecting, it seems you're planning more trouble."
Iris sneered with her arms crossed.
"You must be disappointed. I'm not crying."
Elise chuckled.
"Disappointment is for those you have expectations from. I have none for you. Born low, without talent or looks."
Iris grabbed Elise's chin, shaking it left and right, then released it disdainfully.
"You look vulgar."
According to Bedroccan standards of beauty, Iris's words were somewhat true.
A cat-like appearance was not welcomed in Bedrocca.
One had to have innocent, puppy-like eyes and a deer-like aura to be praised as beautiful.
'Iris is a typical beauty.'
There was a time when Elise envied Iris, wanting to be like her, drawing her eyebrows in a rounded arch, trying not to open her eyes too wide.
But now, Elise neither envied Iris nor thought she was pretty.
'Knowing she has a snake inside, she can't look pretty. Creepy, maybe.'
Elise unwittingly sneered at Iris.
"Why such a look?"
Iris predictably picked a fight.
"Going to nitpick my expression now? If you have nothing to say, leave."
"It's not me who should be talking. I need to know what's in your little head. What are you going to do?"
Why did she keep coming to her, stirring things up?
Elise was getting annoyed.
"What do you think will happen?"
"What will happen? You'll just marry His Highness Chase as planned. And because of this incident, you'll spend your life never being able to stand up to him. What will society say? Poor His Highness Chase… Don't tell me, you orchestrated this to gain His Highness Chase's sympathy? If so, that's some great love."
Iris was pleased with her own fabricated drama.
Elise realized anew that she had an image of being willing to throw away her dignity for Chase.
Her mood plummeted immediately.
Every time she encountered her foolish past self, it left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Elise looked askance at Iris.
Their gazes clashed tensely.
Elise looked askance at Iris.
Their intense gazes clashed.
Elise was the first to look away and picked up her book. There was no better way to dismiss a guest.
She felt Iris's sharp gaze at the back of her head.
Soon after, the sound of the door closing was heard. Elise slowly put down the book.
"Chase and I getting married?"
Elise smirked.
"Let's see how things turn out."
"I'm very disappointed, Earl Worton."
"Your Majesty, I apologize. However, the content in the gossip magazine is not true. As you know, my second daughter deeply loves His Highness Chase."
Fraser, unable to sit, was sweating profusely in front of King Langy of Bedrocca.
"Whether it's true or not is not important. Your daughter has tarnished the honor of the Kingdom of Bedrocca!"
Fraser flinched at the king's angry voice.
King Langy was known for being calm, having grown up in a peaceful era, and was famous for being a generous king who overlooked minor mistakes of his subjects.
Not that he was a particularly good person as a father or husband.
However, there was one thing even Langy could not tolerate: tarnishing the honor of the Bedrocca royal family.
Perhaps it was because he ascended the throne solely by virtue of royal blood, without any special abilities. His obsession with the honor of the royal family was almost peculiar.
"I will find a way to rectify this."
"How? The whole world knows your second daughter has made a fool of Chase. This is the end of our connection with your family."
"Your Majesty, please don't say such disheartening words."
Fraser pleaded, but Langy did not budge an eyebrow.
Langy, emitting a cold aura, gestured to his royal guards.
The king's guards, puffing up their chests, stood beside Fraser.
"Do I have to be dragged out?"
At the king's icy voice, Fraser immediately knelt.
The investment received for being related to the royal family through marriage was enormous. If they withdrew their investment, the Earl Worton family would be ruined.
He had to maintain the connection with the royal family at all costs. It was the only way to protect his business and his family's honor.
Fraser's mind raced, weighing and discarding several options.
Each plan seemed to lack something crucial to change Langy's mind.
Finally, an idea struck Fraser, and his expression hardened.
'Is this the only way?'
He was reluctant, but there was no other viable option at the moment.
To win back Langy's favor, he had to propose something.
"Your Majesty, I have two daughters, do I not?"
"What do you mean?"
Langy's interest was piqued by Fraser's words.
------------------------------
This novel has been translated up to chapter 30.
To read ahead, join my Patreon: patreon.com/emmi99