Weeping Men: The Innocent Princess's Secret Delight - Chapter 2.25
“Lord Kaizen. You’re here? Let’s go in together.”
It was because he couldn’t bear to leave the side of this woman smiling before him.
The Imperial Princess tries to look after even someone like him, without backing and on the verge of being cast out, calling him her confidant. Kaizen lowered his head, feeling a tightness in his nose.
What should he do? It was almost certain that he would become the governor, which meant the Imperial Princess would be left alone.
Everyone around her was aiming for her beauty and status, trying to possess or harm her. He should protect her, but He’s being pushed out because he lacks power…
The sense of helplessness from his childhood, which he thought he had escaped, was vividly reviving. Caught by emotion, he just stood there blankly.
“Come here.”
And his hand was grasped. Kaizen, a head taller, was led without resistance by the woman.
The corridor in front of the meeting room was empty except for the two of them. Judith, standing close, whispered to Kaizen.
“You don’t want to go?”
Her breath tickled his ear. Kaizen hunched his shoulders, afraid he might become too conscious of it. Judith pressed her lips even closer, exhaling hot breath.
“I asked if you don’t want to go.”
“Ye, yes?”
Unlike usual, she was full of charisma. Kaizen nodded reflexively, unable to even ask what she meant.
“Yes…”
“I see.”
He felt her smile in her breath. And then, chomp.
“…!”
“Leave it to me.”
Kaizen covered his bitten ear with his hand, his chin trembling. Judith faced him with a bright smile before entering the meeting room first.
Kaizen hurriedly followed. Hoping no one had seen his flushed earlobe.
As soon as the person in question entered, the meeting agenda changed.
“The next topic is regarding the appointment of Lord Kaizen Pentmian as governor of the Atlan region. Those in favor, please raise your hands.”
As soon as the moderator finished speaking, many raised their hands. At a glance, more than half were in favor. The moderator began counting as a formality.
An excited voice rang out in the solemn room.
“Lord Kaizen, Lord Kaizen.”
It was the Imperial Princess. Though she tried to whisper, her voice was low, but due to the silence around, everyone could hear her words.
She tugged on Kaizen’s clothes behind her and smiled brightly.
“Congratulations on your appointment!”
She’s so innocently happy, knowing nothing.
The meeting attendees were inwardly mocking the Imperial Princess’s naivety, but they jumped to their feet at her next words.
“Next time we meet, you’ll be a Margrave!”
“Wh-what did you say, Imperial Princess?”
The Emperor was equally surprised. He frowned and looked at the seat next to him, interrupting his observation of the meeting. Judith tilted her head in confusion.
“Am I mistaken?”
“Of course! Conferring titles isn’t a decision to be made so lightly. Mind your words!”
“But one can’t govern Imperial territory without a title, can they?”
The Imperial Princess pointed out what everyone had overlooked.
The room fell silent. It was a different atmosphere from before. Only the socially unaware Imperial Princess chattered excitedly.
“I’m not completely ignorant, you know. For a direct descendant branching off from a ducal family, shouldn’t they start at least as a Count? Moreover, since the territory will be at the forefront adjacent to the north, Margrave is perfect!”
“……”
“Lord Kaizen will surely do well! He’s perfect for managing private armies and importing new culture, right, Father?”
The nobles took a new interest in the governor’s position due to the Imperial Princess’s remarks.
They had underestimated the governor position due to the pressure of being pushed out of central politics and a subtle contempt for the north, but if the title of Margrave was added, it was a different story.
A Margrave can maintain more private soldiers than other territories to prepare for foreign invasions. They also adopt foreign cultures faster.
Hasn’t it recently been revealed that northern culture isn’t entirely barbaric and inferior? The ice cream that Froyzen showcased at the victory banquet is a prime example.
‘We almost did something good for someone else?’
The nobles, belatedly feeling greedy, lowered their hands one after another. Some raised objections with a cough.
“While we agree that Lord Pentmian is suitable as the Imperial Princess says, I think it’s hasty to appoint him without looking around at other talented individuals.”
“Indeed. I believe we shouldn’t decide who will guard the Empire’s borders after just two meetings. By the way, my nephew has studied military science…”
“My son…”
Nobles began nominating their children for the governor position from all directions.
“Ah…”
Judith bit her lip and lowered her gaze as she read the room.
She realized she had caused Kaizen harm by hastily congratulating him and was now in a predicament.
That’s how it appeared to others, but.
“Leave it to me.”
To Kaizen, whose ear still felt tingly, it didn’t seem so straightforward.
‘When she said to leave it to her, did she mean this…?’
Somehow, her appearance seemed a little different to him.
***
In the end, a heated debate broke out over the governor’s appointment proposal. The meeting was adjourned again without even finalizing the list of candidates.
The Imperial Princess, who had ruined her confidant’s path to success with her slip of the tongue, returned with slumped shoulders. Some felt sorry for her.
Not knowing that she would change completely the moment the door closed.
As soon as Kaizen entered the Imperial Princess’s room, he was pushed against the wall. He blinked rapidly, looking down at Judith who had trapped him with her arms. His heartbeat gradually quickened.
The almond-shaped eyes gazing at him gently creased.
“You’re not particularly disappointed, are you?”
Her pretty voice held mischievous words. The sound of his pounding heart echoed in his ears. He became honest without thinking.
“Not at all.”
Even words that needed a bit of courage came out smoothly.
“I prefer staying by Your Highness’s side.”
“Is that so?”
Judith lightly embraced him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Kaizen naturally accepted her weight.
“So you’re saying you prefer playing with me over any future prospects?”
She smiled seductively.
Kaizen had just realized that she had a hidden side to her. So he also understood that she wasn’t stimulating him without knowing anything.
Yet, even knowing that she might have ulterior motives, why did he want to willingly fall for it?
Just touching made him swallow dry saliva. Kaizen awkwardly hugged her back, placing his hands on her waist as he answered.
“Yes…”
“Me too.”
Soft lips touched his. As he hastily embraced her approach, he finally admitted.
That he was doomed to never escape this lovable Imperial Princess.
