Return of the Female Knight

Elena could not hide her bewilderment. Carlisle said Sullivan thought the ring was the Dragon’s Orb. Sullivan, on the other hand, said the ring would grant Carlisle’s wish. Although the two sides claimed something different, they were subtly the same. Of course, it was possible that the ring was the Dragon’s Orb, but it struck her that it was limited to only one wish.

She quickly concealed her thoughts and spoke again.

“How unusual. That means whoever I marry will not only be crowned emperor, but also bring about a great revival to the empire. It would have been a fortune if it could grant more than one wish.”

“You will find out more when you become a member of the Imperial Family. I was worried about finding a partner for Carlisle, but now I can be at ease.”

Sullivan was treating her as if she was already his daughter-in-law despite his initial disapproval, and Elena was more curious rather than flustered by his sudden change in attitude. Indeed, the advice Carlisle had given her was right.

‘Isn’t it strange?’

In fact, Sullivan was just as intelligent as Elena had surmised. He directed the conversation in the way he wanted while expertly concealing his inner thoughts, as expected of an emperor that had long fought political battles. He would not cling to a myth for no reason.

‘There’s something.’

Elena’s suspicions were growing. There must be a secret about the imperial family that Elena did not know.

“My dear, I want you to do something for me.”

The sudden change of title was completely awkward to her, but Elena replied calmly without a change in expression.

“Please say it, Your Majesty.”

“Do not tell anyone that you received the ring from Carlisle or what he said. At least until the wedding.”

“It’s a good story. Why shouldn’t anyone know?”

“Didn’t I say? The ring will grant Carlisle’s wish. You should keep it to yourself for now, as there should be no suspicions of corruption.”

“But…”

Elena stretched out her word and stared at Sullivan. After a short pause, she decided to ask him directly.

“I can’t help but be curious, Your Majesty. The ring is a valuable token of marriage given to me by the Prince, but could you please tell me more about it? That way, I’ll know how to be careful.”

This kind of opportunity did not come by easily. She wanted to know if there were any other secrets about this ring, and possible Carlisle. Sullivan, however, only granted her a peculiar smile.

“You must be curious, my daughter-in-law. But until you become part of the Imperial Family, you must endure your curiosity a little longer.”

“Ah…”

“Instead, I’ll tell you more once you are married to Carlisle and become crown princess.”

Elena’s expression lit up at Sullivan’s promise, and he smiled contentedly at her reaction.

“You look happy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please keep it a secret from the Prince as well. I’d like to surprise him later.”

“If you like. You’ll need to know soon anyway.”

Elena’s heart leapt at the fact that this mystery would be solved sooner or later. Not immediately, but if her marriage to Carlisle was successful, she would finally learn about the strange black scales that appeared on his arm.

“If you want to know, then you should hold the wedding as soon as possible.”

Just earlier Sullivan had said such an imperial wedding would not be decided so quickly. Elena continued with a startled look.

“That means…”

“I’ll have to discuss it with your father again, but how about next month?”

“…!”

It was sooner than she expected, and her eyes opened wide. She knew that Sullivan’s impression of her gradually changed, but she didn’t realize it would be this much.

“Why so fast, you ask?”

“O-oh no. If it’s about marriage to the Crown Prince, then the sooner the better.”

“Yes, I like your answer. Strike while the iron is hot. Let’s have the wedding as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Elena could not conceal her satisfied smile. Everything was going more smoothly than expected. It felt so long ago that she and Carlisle arranged their contract marriage, but now it felt like it was just around the corner.

From noble family to imperial family. She expected there were still a few mountains left to climb, but it had been solved quickly. Now all that remained was to prepare for the wedding in such a short amount of time.

Sullivan continued with a faint smile on his face.

“Listen well to me, my dear.”

She was still unused to his abrupt change in attitude, but it didn’t matter anymore. Elena answered with a smile.

“Yes, Father.”

*

*

*

After she parted with Sullivan, she quickly headed straight to the place where Carlisle said he would wait. Her steps were as light at her heart. Despite her long dress, she couldn’t help but walk faster.

Finally, Elena spotted him. She could recognize his figure leaning against the wall even when he was in shadow. Carlisle was staring into the distance, giving off a distinctive arrogant air. Elena called out to him.

“Caril!”

His blue eyes shifted towards the sound of her voice. Strangely, even in this simple scene Elena was elated. She quickly approached him and seized his hand.

“The Emperor gave us permission to marry. He wants us to have the wedding next month.”

Carlisle didn’t look surprised, as if he had been expecting it. He looked down at the hand she was grasping then looked back up again.

“You must be very happy.”

“Of course. Aren’t you happy too? We’re close to our wedding now.”

As he stared into Elena’s bright face, Carlisle smiled faintly.

“You’re not happy from seeing me?”

His blue eyes shone in the gloom with a peculiar heat. It was a sad color filled with longing.

“You’d be surprised if you knew what I was feeling.”

Elena stared curiously at Carlisle. Then, she realized that she had taken his hand without even realizing it.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Elena released her grip on him, and Carlisle’s broad hand slipped away from her slender fingers. The situation reversed in a flash. When Elena looked up at Carlisle with surprised eyes, she saw that his eyes were darker than before.

“It’s fine for you to feel a bit happier. But rather than my hand, I would prefer a hug instead.”

As if telling her to quickly leap into his arms, Carlisle furtively gestured at his own, broad arms by using his eyes.

His face was so brazen that Elena burst into laughter. If it was just a moment ago, she really might have jumped to him in joy. She would be a member of the Imperial Family, and could face Paveluc equally. It meant so much to her. From now on Elena could act even more influentially.

“If you become emperor, then I really might hug you.”

“Then I’m going to have to be emperor, one way or another.”

Even with his playful words, Elena nodded with a determined expression.

“Yes, just wait. I will make it for you.”

Elena would be the king-maker. Carlisle would ascend to the throne by her own hands, and no one else’s.