The Reason for Marriage

“I think… it is right to follow Your Majesty’s will,” said Iveca.

It was four years. For four years, Iveca never came home. No one was even looking for her, but she thought that it must be pretty for her to hold out there.

And about a month ago, Iveca was ‘delivered’ to the Count’s estate, with all her memories having been wiped out.

“My Queen.” Ewill started at Iveca with his sunken eyes. “Do you believe in Your Majesty?”

Iveca remained silent.

“It has only been two days. It’s impetuous to see someone for two days and decide to follow suit. In particular, Your Majesty seemed gentle and kind, but there are many secrets and it is difficult to guess what’s inside. I understood that you had a desire to keep the faith between the married couple…”

Iveca quietly listened to her father’s low voice, who was still speaking to her in honorifics. For the first time in her life, Ewill was having a proper conversation with her.

Ewill kept quiet for a while, and soon spoke carefully.

“I have seen Your Majesty at the conferences for a very long time. I am afraid because I don’t really know what he thinks. Not participating in politics also means separation from the Esselburn family. Think about it again.”

Iveca has finally noticed Ewill’s intention. But she could not answer that she would do it.

When she attends meetings, she must only side with Count Esselburn. But Daniel said that he wanted to ask her a favor as she was the only one who was able to do it. Did he go to the Bureau of Investigation for ‘the thing that she could do well’?

The person who never said that they were family in her entire life was now standing in front of her eyes. And now, she has someone who promised her what she didn’t have for her entire life. Suddenly, she thought that only one person’s opinion was enough for her to speak her thoughts. She, who had never thought she could refuse Ewill’s words, cautiously rebelled.

“Still… I want to follow Your Majesty’s will.”

Ewill cleared his throat disapprovingly for a long time. At first, he chose the position of Queen for her because he thought it somehow would help Ewill and gave him some reputations.

However, not long after coming to the palace, she found that the palace was more comfortable than Count Esselburn’s. She even clearly knew which of her father or husband’s requests she wanted to listen to. At least, her husband promised herself a ‘family.’

She could not even look into her father’s eyes and muttered, “Father, my last memory was the oath that I took in the Bureau of Investigation.”

Even if Ewill disapproved of this remark, Daniel would smile at her and say well done.

“Although now, I am not a member of the Bureau of Investigation anymore, I’ve vowed to protect it for the rest of my life, and even if I didn’t remember, it would still be my faith in life. I respected myself from the past.”

And even though she didn’t know why she erased her memories, life at the Bureau was her only option. Even now she was not a member of the Bureau of Investigation, she wanted to walk all the way to the end. It was not for the honor of Count Esselburn, not for the Queen also, but for Iveca herself.

“To be loyal to the King of Amethan and to protect him with all my life… It was one of the codes I once risked my life on. Following Your Majesty’s will is the path of my life that I decided a long time ago. If Your Majesty asked me to attend the meeting and give my opinion, I would surely help the Esselburn… But it seems Your Majesty wanted something different from me.”

This time, it was the count who was quiet.

“Your Majesty Daniel also told me that he was a partner, and he would always be there for me. He is a Lord who deserves loyalty.”

Iveca said calmly, but strangely, a corner of her heart was bitter. This was how political marriage worked. It was rather comfortable to think of him as ‘Lord’ rather than ‘husband’. She forced herself to erase her complicated thoughts. Although the people you have in mind did not think of you in return, you would still be able to trust and get along well.

“Your Highness Daniel took the throne by joining hands with the conservative sides, but after he ascended to the throne, he began to recognize all the liberal nobles. It’s dangerous to follow and believe in him. I’m sorry to say this, but if you devote your allegiance with those kind words and deeds, don’t even trust them.”

“But…”

At Ewill’s words, Iveca stopped for a moment. She only knew how much Daniel’s reference of ‘family’ meant to her. The decisive refusal of Ewill’s previous offer meant that her heart had already sided with Daniel, who had reached her out in two days, rather than her family who had not recognized her for eighteen years.