A Way to Confirm Your Husband’s True Feelings - Chapter 6
II.
One year ago, there was an incident that set the entire imperial capital ablaze—it was none other than the ‘Attempted Kidnapping and Assassination of the Imperial Crown Prince’.
The event that would later be dubbed the ‘Andraka Uprising’ was an act of treason, orchestrated by an old noble faction harboring resentment toward the Tyrenia Empire’s imperial family, who conspired with surrounding minor nations.
Before he was a member of the ruling household, imperial Crown Prince Edgar Tyrenion was the commander of the imperial knights. Upon hearing news that a skirmish with a neighboring country near Andraka, a border region of the Empire, was on the verge of escalating into full-blown war, he set out for the front without a moment’s hesitation.
However, it had all been a trap to lure the Crown Prince in. The traitorous rebels, who had staged the uprising to divert the attention of the imperial knights, seized the opportunity amidst the chaos to kidnap the Crown Prince.
At first, they had imprisoned Edgar Tyrenion as a mere bargaining chip for negotiations. But as the situation grew increasingly unfavorable for them, the rebels, in an act of desperation, attempted to kill the Crown Prince.
Had it not been for a man named Caesar, an unknown knight and the leader of a mercenary corps composed of commoners, the Empire might very well have received the devastating news that the Crown Prince had been slain by rebels.
Upon receiving the commission to rescue the Crown Prince, Caesar and his mercenary corps engaged in fierce combat with the rebel forces in Andraka. After a brutal battle, they successfully rescued Edgar Tyrenion unharmed.
In recognition of his service, the imperial family summoned Caesar to the capital, formally bestowed him with a title, and granted him an unprecedented reward.
“To save the Crown Prince’s life is to save the future of the imperial family and the Empire. In honor of this great deed, we hereby bestow upon you the fief of Valentin and the title of Margrave.”
The fief of Valentin, located near Andraka, had recently lost its previous lord and his entire family, who were revealed to have been complicit in the uprising and summarily executed. Thus, the Emperor awarded the now-lordless territory to the Crown Prince’s savior.
Though previously unknown, the name Caesar was already quietly spreading among knights and mercenaries. A commoner by birth, he had proven his prowess through countless battles since his teenage years on the battlefield. Upon reaching adulthood, he gathered loyal followers and became the leader of his own mercenary corps.
Though never formally knighted, Caesar had already gained recognition for his swordsmanship among knights, and with every successful commission, his reputation—and that of his corps—continued to rise day by day.
To grant land and title—especially a hereditary border title—to a mercenary of common birth and not noble lineage was indeed an unprecedented move.
However, for the imperial family, it was a profitable bargain. By appointing Caesar as the Margrave of Valentin, the Emperor stood to gain immensely.
First and foremost, they could solidify border defenses by placing a proven warrior in the now-vacant seat of power. And the fact that this man had mercilessly slaughtered the rebel faction served as a silent warning to others.
The imperial family had effectively fastened a sturdy golden leash around a wild master swordsman who had once wandered like a dog without a master. In return for his loyalty, the prestige of the imperial family would only grow stronger.
He was a low-born noble who had risen to status from such a dramatic incident, and also a man surrounded by endless rumors. It was only natural for him to become prime fodder for gossip among high society.
Moreover, Caesar Valentin’s young age and striking appearance, paired with his newly acquired title, created a ripple effect that sent noblewomen throughout the Empire—especially the esteemed ladies with daughters of marriageable age—into a frenzy.
Following the resolution of the rebellion, the imperial family prepared a more extravagant New Year’s banquet than usual in an attempt to lift the unsettled mood as the first social season began.
The new Margrave of Valentin’s first official appearance was also scheduled for this very banquet, and the nobles of the Empire were itching to attend just to catch a glimpse of him.
It was in such circumstances that Caesar and Beatrice met for the first time.
***
“Oh my, is that man the rumored Margrave?”
A middle-aged noblewoman whispered to another lady of similar age standing beside her.
The flutter of her fan, more a rhetorical gesture than a purposeful attempt to stir the air, carried their words from ear to ear, from mouth to mouth.
As the hum of murmuring voices buzzed like the flapping of well-mannered bees, Beatrice walked forward, trying her best not to reveal her excitement. But the rosy flush of her cheeks was something she simply couldn’t hide.
This was her second social season. Though imperial banquets were always lavish, this one had clearly been crafted with special care, meant to celebrate the Crown Prince’s return.
The nobles, having just emerged from a long winter’s rest, were dressed to impress, determined to show off as they welcomed the arrival of spring.
