“Your Majesty, I am very sorry to have to say this.”

“That is fine. It is my fault that Her Majesties were unwell on this happy day,” Lu Harve said, “I just feel sorry for them. Greton, prepare, and serve their favorite food. It should be as good regale as this banquet. And prepare the bouquet of Monte, of course. Also, decorate the palace with flowers suitable for them. This will be not enough, but there should be no shortage of preparations for Her Majesties.”

“As you wish,” Greton said.

Without any hesitation, Greton bowed. Lu Harve suddenly laughed strangely. It was a very instant moment. Then, he erased the smile as if he never did. Even Ashtie, who was standing closest to him, didn’t see that smile.

Lu Harve thought, “there will be no such deception.” It would be the best courtesy to a mother who got sick and did not show up at her son’s wedding, but it was virtually ridiculed considering this relationship. It was just like a fine package for an empty box as the two women who did not come to the ceremony packed the inside with an excuse.

But Lu Harve didn’t try to hide that meaning. Everybody who heard him would think the same thing, but it didn’t matter. It meant that there was no need to hide. Moreover, there would be one more queen beside them. Also, there were more important people here. Such as —

“Nice to meet you. Your Majesty. I, the fifth Prince of Skara, Allo Lizdeika Rabri L’avenant Cosenza Proan Pescara Van Squirina greet you, the descendant of the Dragon, Nantes of the Red Eyes, the owner of the Grey-White Castle, the ruler of Ottoi Nante, the winner of the continent, Black Sword, Del Monte III.”

—the Royal Prince of Skara. He greeted him as if he never saw him before. And he bowed again.

“Your Majesty. I, the fifth Prince of Skara, Allo Lizdeika Rabri L’avenant Cosenza Proan Pescara Van Squirina, greet you, the noble queen of Monterobis.”

Queen. It was a word that made her heart pound. Ashtie smiled sweetly. She knew the meaning. It was blessing her wedding, encouraging the position that could be difficult, supporting the future, and finally fully acknowledging the two.

“It is good to see you. Crown Prince.”

As soon as Lu Havre spoke, Ashtie gestured quickly. It was a blessing that she could not express with just a few thanks. She wanted to talk to him quickly.

“Lante. Thank you. I am so pleased.”

“I am happy, too, as you are pleased, Your Majesty.”

Even though she knew she had to pay attention more to talk on this formal occasion, Ashtie talked comfortably, and she was willing to do so.

“The gift was well received.”

“I am grateful, Your Majesty.”

Lu Harve looked down at Ashtie for a moment. It was not a glance. He looked at her carefully.

“You will quite like it, my queen.”

Then, he smiled gently. It was very faint laughter. But L’avenant saw it.

Some time ago, he once mentioned about the king that he had unexpectedly humane eyes. L’avenant corrected the assessment at this moment, while he was seeing the king with his sister. He was human enough. But that only happened when the king was with his sister. So, that would be his only weakness or the most humane side.

“Is that so? I would like to see it quickly as you say that,” Ashtie said.

L’avenant replied with laughter to his sister. She was such a pure, child-like sister, but since she was a thoughtful person, he thought it would be okay. “She will not only remain as his weak point,” L’avenant thought in certainty.

“It is not enough of a gift for you, but I hope you like it.”

With a smile, Ashtie reached her hand to her brother.

“I appreciate it, Lante. I will see you later.”

L’avenant held her hand.

“Your Majesty. I congratulate you two.”

“Thank you. See you at the banquet,” Lu Harve said.

The prince was willing to smile in front of the king.

“I will see you later,” L’avenant bowed and continued to say. He never said it before, but he didn’t hesitate. He knew the meaning well.

“Ou Otoi Monvixo Le-Hoshuchoihre.”

Lu Harve laughed willingly. He had no choice but to smile. After he greeted, Lu Harve lowered his head more. He filled his red eyes with one woman.

“The Royal Prince really cares much about you.”

Ashtie didn’t say anything, but she raised her hand and patted his cheek. It was a short moment, but the warmth had a long shadow and left lingering imagery.

Ashtie smiled again like a child and stepped back. The head of the diplomatic department of Skara was walking from the back. He was the second-highest status of guests from the queen’s country. When Lu Harve gazed at him, Delg Alchevs’k immediately greeted him.

“Your Majesty. I, the head of the diplomatic department of Skara, Lizdeika Lebra Hanavah-Ivene Lahore Van Alchevs’k greet you, the descendant of the Dragon, Nantes of the Red Eyes, the owner of the Grey-White Castle, the ruler of Ottoi Nante, the winner of the continent, Black Sword, Del Monte III.”

His brown eyes seemed to tremble a little even though his expression was neat.

“It’s been a long time since I saw you last. The head of Alchevs’k family, Lizdeika Lebra Hanavah-Ivene Lahore Van Alchevs’k greet you, the precious Rord Queen of Monterobis.”

“Sir Hanavah. Long-time, no see. How are you?” Lu Harve asked.

“I was truly at peace thanks to your grace,” he answered.

“It’s been a while, Delg Alchevs’k,” Ashtie also said.

“Your Majesty.”

Hanavah had a light smile on his mouth.

“I congratulate you on your marriage.”

“Thank you, Sir Hanavah. I got a nice present.”

“Your Majesty. It is an insufficient gift.”

“No, it is not. It looked like a statue. I will put it in the palace.”

“I appreciate it, Your Majesty.”

“There are many things I want to talk with you. Also, there is something I have to return. See you at the banquet.”

“I am so honored.”

Lu Havre gestured lightly. Delg Alchevs’k took one step closer.

“Your Majesty. I have a word for you,” he said to Ashtie.

“What is it? Please, do,” she said.

“It is a message from His Majesty of Skara.”

Ashtie narrowed her eyes slightly. Nevertheless, it was still a dazzling lace dress. The foreign minister slowly took off his lips with his neat look and still trembling eyes.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

Ashtie burst laughter and opened her mouth right away, without any hesitation.

“Could you send my message to him, as well? Please, Delg Alchevs’k”

She knew he would not come.

And the emotions that made him not come here. This “rudeness” was so clear, she could see through him again. It was too easy. She didn’t intend it, but laughter came out first.

“Father, I am very happy that you celebrated my wedding.”

She smiled brightly and purely. Nobody would doubt her laugh since there was no single spite. Everybody would not know unless they know the truth. But to her, it was ridicule, of course.

“Your Majesty, my father, please don’t worry at all. I will be happy for the rest of my life.”

Ashtie thought, “he is still thinking as the husband of my mother. That is such foolishness.”

She could not stop laughing and thought, “You were never the husband of my mother. You were never my father, not even for a moment. I know, and my mother knew how you didn’t know that. You are so foolish. You are obviously showing that you still have affection for her. Other people never know about this since you are the famous king of Skara. They might have a slight doubt. But—

“Father?”

“—I still remember that word, that expression, that feeling. So, to you who are still in a misconception—”

“So, I won’t fail like that,” she said.

“—To you,” and she continued thinking, “Who can’t even face us. I will never fail in life, in love, or in all its conclusions like you.”

The word, she had wanted to say but couldn’t, the word she finally could say now…She said this and smiled, without a lie. “Remember me, and live remembering my mother. Thus, you will be locked at the bottom for a long time. You will only linger in the darkness that you will never escape. That is what my mother wanted and what I want. There will be nothing at your end.”

“Please tell him like that,” she ended her sentence.

“I won’t fail like you.”

Fail! The afterglow of the word rang all over.

She thought she could not raise resentment, but that was not true. She was afraid of even his footsteps, but not anymore, really not at all.

Ashtie’s body trembled lightly and with a joy that couldn’t be controlled.

Lu Harve took a step closer to Ashtie and lowered his head slightly. The whisper was very slow.

“Ashtie.”

Ashtie smiled brightly as if she answered. The laughter didn’t lose its light. She didn’t need anything anymore. It was enough for her.

She was shaking. But her face was shiny and clear, under her long hair that dropped pink fragrance covered with the white veil. He paid close attention to her hair, face, and tender shoulders. Lu Harve grabbed his fists tightly and opened again, then hugged Ashtie lightly. He smiled gently like her.

Delg Alchevs’k closed his eyes. He thought, “This is not to be told to the king.”

But he would say it to him. He decided like that. With this, he would completely and really shake off the guilt of the treaty. He had to abandon his strange sense of homogeneity and unnecessary sympathy. “How can I sit in this position with such a soft heart?” he thought, “It is rather good. And clearly, the princess knew it, that is why she asked him to do so.”

Only after he had chosen his mind, the head of the diplomatic department opened his eyes. He bowed elegantly and stepped back.

The next people were Duke Moncheta and Duke Morhus. Ashtie dealt with both without a hair out of place. The high-rank nobles of Khan, Hongwha, Limne also came and greeted Lu Harve. Each of them resigned after conveying the owner’s congratulations. After Lu Harve finished his conversation with the people he pre-designated before the wedding, the music that filled in the hall changed already. It was a little bit soft, so it was suitable for lovers to dance along to.

The bride is supposed to ask for the second dance. Lu Harve slightly stepped back and let the lady go. Two maids came quickly and adjusted her dress and raced neatly, and then quietly stepped back.

Only Ashtie remained on the red carpet. She breathed lightly, then turned her face to look at Lu Harve. She had steady eyes and elegant conduct. She gently reached out her hand.

“Your Majesty.”

She smiled sweetly.

“Would you like to dance with me?”

Lu Harve smiled brightly and held Ashtie’s hand tight as if he would not miss it.