“Anyway, why did the benefactor marry His Highness?”
“I’ve thought about it all day.”
Enoch lowered his voice.
“It seems that the Saintess’ daughter refused the engagement.”
“She refused the engagement?”
“A few days ago, the wedding was postponed, and it was because of that. The Saintess’ daughter didn’t want to get married and caused a scene.”
“So, she finally gave in?”
“It’s said Josephina can’t win against her daughter. She refused to marry even if it meant lying down and dying. How could we force her when she already called all the nobles and refused the engagement?”
Enoch explained.
“And I guess they needed a substitute.”
Banessa nodded in thought.
“That makes sense.”
“Yeah.”
“This is amazing.”
“It’s amazing, right?”
Enoch raised his hand, and Banessa gave him a high-five. Both of them were filled with excitement.
That the benefactor who saved Enoch would become the bride instead of the Saintess’ daughter. It was a perfect ending that they couldn’t have imagined just when the engagement letter arrived.
“But now isn’t the time for this, brother. We need to wake everyone up and get ready!”
Enoch chuckled.
“Prepare to welcome Her Highness!”
And so, the Star Palace, where the kingdom’s envoy stayed, was turned upside down in a different sense than usual.
* * *
Banessa and Enoch immediately woke up all their sleeping colleagues and relayed the news.
At first, their colleagues thought it was unbelievable, but after hearing Enoch’s explanation, they began to believe it reluctantly.
“So, really, His Highness’s bride has changed?”
“That’s right!”
“You, this rascal. If you mistook someone, then all the boot-washing duties are yours.”
In the long-worn boots, there was a stench of rotten fish that seemed to come from hell. So, bootwashing was the most hated task for the knights.
“Ha! It won’t happen!”
“Wanna bet?”
“Sure!”
Enoch confidently raised his chin.
“If I made a mistake, then for the next year, I’ll take full responsibility for all the boot washing in the knight order.”
“Oh, really?”
“In return, if I win, I’ll be exempt from cleaning the training ground for life.”
“For life? Look at this guy. Did he sell his conscience somewhere?”
“I’ve brought such big news; I deserve this treatment!”
Enoch chuckled.
“If you’re scared, you can back out!”
Enoch’s confident attitude began to shake the envoys one by one.
“This guy is too self-assured. Is it for real?”
“Well, Enoch can distinguish people’s voices like a ghost.”
“And their appearances were identical. The bracelet was the same. His Highness recognized her too, right?”
“So, it means the real bride has changed?”
The faces of the envoy, who had been skeptical, started to flush. Hope that they had forcibly discarded long ago was rekindling. It was like a miracle.
“Has that angelic lady become Her Highness for real?”
“Is this a dream or reality?”
That Dietrian was marrying someone other than the Saintess’ daughter.
“It seems like Lady Benefactor sought to save Enoch to truly keep her promise with Lord Julios.”
A deep sense of excitement and emotion spread through everyone’s hearts like a wave. Loyalty toward the new queen ignited spontaneously.
If Lady benefactor had truly become Her Highness, then they would serve her with zeal and devotion.
They would make sure Her Highness felt welcomed in the kingdom.
United in spirit, they waited eagerly for Leticia throughout the night.
And finally.
“Imperial Knights!”
As the approaching knight order came closer, the excitement of the entire envoy reached its peak.
In order to make a good impression on Leticia, they checked their attire multiple times.
“You, you’ll tear your clothes at this rate. Smile appropriately.”
“What can I do if they’re good?”
“Still, be careful! If Her Highness the Queen gets startled, what will we do?”
“Hmph, don’t worry.”
Thump-thump. Their hearts raced.
When the graceful and kind-looking lady appeared behind Dietrian.
The envoy was certain.
Enoch was right. An angel had descended.
—
If there was one thing the envoy got wrong, it was their excessive and overly wide smiles.
Seeing the dazzling smiles of the rowdy men, Leticia panicked.
‘Why is everyone suddenly smiling at me? Why, why are they doing this?’
Not knowing a word of the language, and facing those bright smiles made it even scarier. Leticia was pale as she tightly clasped her hands, filled with tension.
She had never considered that the envoy would welcome her in this manner.
On the other hand, the envoy from the kingdom was bewildered.
“Why is Her Highness the Queen acting like this?”
“Is it because of us, by any chance?”
From the moment they first saw Leticia, the envoy fell in love.
It wasn’t just because of her beautiful appearance. They believed that a person’s life was reflected in their face. Her gentle features, kind facial expressions, and cautious demeanor—all matched their expectations.
She also complemented Dietrian remarkably well.
As they were about to start chanting cheers with their hands raised to their mouths, Leticia’s expression suddenly stiffened.
The members of the envoy stood like statues, barely regaining their composure, and fiercely scolded their comrades.
“It’s because you idiots laughed so widely! She thought we were bandits!”
“That’s why we should have controlled our expressions!”
Regardless, it was already a spilled drink.
The eyes that had sparkled just moments ago now tensely watched Leticia, trying to gauge her mood.
Meanwhile, Dietrian, who had been observing all these changes, couldn’t understand what was going on.
‘What are they all doing now?’
The most perplexing thing was the sudden change in attitude of his subordinates overnight. Just yesterday, they had sighed deeply and complained about his marriage. But when morning came, they were all as excited as children going on a picnic.
The sight of burly knights laughing and sparkling their eyes was not only strange but also unsettling.
‘I should first figure out what’s going on.’
He decided to ensure Leticia’s safety and then find out what had happened.
“Leticia, rest in my room until we depart.”
“…Yes.”
Dietrian took her hand and led her to his room. He seated her on his bed and calmly spoke.
“The Guardians of the Goddess will soon arrive as the chief escorts. Please wait here for a moment. I will come back shortly.”
“Yes…”
Leticia nodded vigorously, her face filled with tension. Dietrian couldn’t leave her alone like this, so he knelt down in front of her.
“Leticia, is there anything uncomfortable for you?”
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Is it because of what happened last night?”
Leticia raised her head slightly, looking somewhat frail.
“What happened last night?”
“Last night, you said that you hated me and wanted a divorce.”
Leticia, who had completely forgotten what happened last night, blinked in surprise.
“I said that?”
“When you were in bed with me. Don’t you remember?”
“I was in bed with you?”
Leticia, who had been frozen for a moment, was suddenly jolted awake. It was as if she had been splashed with cold water.
“Yes, that’s right. But it seems you don’t remember.”
Dietrian replied calmly. Leticia remained frozen, her mind racing.
‘What on earth did I do?’
With her memory blanking out, she couldn’t help but feel anxious about what she might have done.
While Leticia was trembling with fear over her lost memories, Dietrian gently took her hand.
“It’s okay. I can explain everything to you again.”
His dark eyes stared directly at her, and he spoke firmly.
“I don’t hate you, and I don’t want a divorce. These words aren’t just empty comfort. It’s my genuine feeling.”
Leticia, who had been mumbling to herself to recall what happened last night, fell silent.
“I’m not saying this out of affection. It’s not to console you; it’s my true sincerity.”
“…”
“So please, don’t misunderstand and think that I hate you.”
Leticia was frozen again, but this time, it was in a different sense. It was as if she was listening with her ears but still lost in a dream.
Perhaps she was choosing only the words she wanted to hear from him.
‘What on earth happened?’
Leticia stared at him as if she couldn’t believe it. After a moment, she realized the answer and stifled a sigh.
‘I must have done something incredibly strange last night.’
It seemed like she had caused a major incident beyond imagination last night.
Dietrian was probably trying to make amends for that incident, which was why he was being so considerate.
While she appreciated his consideration, it also hurt her heart.
‘You’re still the same.’
Despite everything that had changed since she returned from death, his tenderness remained unchanged.
She was grateful to be with him, but at the same time, she felt sorry for him, always putting herself in the background.
Leticia whispered softly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Dietrian, who was fervently looking at her, hesitated for a moment.
‘Is my message getting through to her or not?’
Leticia smiled faintly. “It’s been a great comfort. Thank you, as always.”
Dietrian managed to smooth out the creases that were about to form on his forehead. It seemed that all the words he had carefully chosen had bounced back, just like last night.
Dietrian was bewildered.
He had said it so clearly and repeatedly, yet she still seemed to misunderstand his sincerity.
Dietrian, who didn’t know the actions he had taken before his regression, felt like he was chewing and swallowing a sweet potato without water.
‘Why on earth does she think I’m affectionate? What did I do?’
Leave a Reply