Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 21
3. I’m Courting You
The Crown Prince of the Latropole Empire was practically handling all the duties of the Emperor. Even the matters brought by noble delegations seeking an audience with the Emperor were attended to by him.
Some of them, of course, the Emperor met with in person, but all of them came to pay tribute and praise the Emperor. Unless it was for that purpose, the Emperor did not show his face.
Today, it was once again the Crown Prince who dealt with the gathered nobles.
‘With the upcoming tournament hosted by His Majesty….’
The Flag Quest Tournament was a grand event where nobles poured forth their pride, family wealth, and the discretion of mages. The price for mercenaries also soared during this time of the year. This year, in particular, the nobility’s interest in the event was heightened by the fact that the tournament would determine the new owner of a missing lord’s territory.
While the Emperor was said to be hosting the tournament, in reality, the one preparing for the event was the Crown Prince, Carnelian. Everyone was clinging to him to gather information. They were already scheming behind the scenes to secure any advantage for their families.
‘I hope this ends well….’
The tournament, with as much to gain as the number of flags found, always resulted in fierce competition, and incidents occurred every year without fail. Carnelian was already getting a headache at the mere thought of the tournament.
‘I can’t do this alone.’
As such thoughts crossed his mind, one person came to mind as a source of strength. The image in his head was of someone who could hardly be called human.—a figure with reptilian features dominating most of the face and limbs.
‘Belienne.’
If there was any moment for him to catch his breath, it was only when he met Lady Belienne of House Staedt. Carnelian, struggling with the nobles today, heard about Belienne attending Princess Cetiletty’s tea time and immediately went to see her.
He was well aware that Cetiletty wouldn’t like it. Nevertheless, Carnelian wanted to talk to Belienne. Conversations with her brightened his mood. The way she held back her annoyance at her pranks and jokes was quite cute.
‘She probably thinks I’m a fool.’
Belienne was not well-liked by her peers, and the Crown Prince, even if he had to use his status, wanted to give her a chance to catch her breath. He often sought Belienne’s help, so he was doing his best to reciprocate.
‘How did Belienne manage all these difficult things since she was fourteen?’
It had been just one year since Carnelian took over the responsibilities of governing the country. Despite not truly being the Crown Prince in terms of official duties, Carnelian had to shoulder many responsibilities. However, he didn’t want to blame his father. His father witnessed the monsters tearing his parents apart right in front of him. So, the former Emperor and Empress, Carnelian’s paternal grandparents, were murdered by monsters.
At that time, the Emperor was only nineteen years old. He suddenly found himself in a situation where he had to take on everything, not because he was appointed as the Crown Prince, but merely as the first prince.
Nevertheless, the Emperor managed reasonably well during that time. Just the fact that the empire remained intact without falling apart during the over 20 years of war spoke volumes.
However, as soon as the war ended, the Emperor indulged in pleasure, as if trying to compensate for the painful times.
Carnelian didn’t resent his father. At least until he came of age, he had the ability to handle state affairs well under the Emperor’s protection.
Still, he had Lady Belienne of House Staedt to thank for his rise to prominence.
In an environment even more challenging than his own, Lady Belienne Staedt took on the responsibilities of her house at an age younger than the Emperor when he was nineteen. Like steel, she resiliently held firm, enduring and protecting her territory no matter the difficulties that came her way.
Not only that, but she also cared for her parents, friends, and war refugees fleeing from conflict. Thanks to the efforts of House Staedt, the Empire could breathe, and Carnelian, upon taking over governance, could smoothly adapt and handle the affairs of the state.
It was admirable.
‘If only I could, I’d want to welcome such a woman as the Empress.’
Born into the imperial family, Carnelian knew he had to enter into a strategic marriage. If he were to prioritize the conditions for the woman he’d want as Empress, ability would be at the top of the list.
There were many beautiful and charming women, but there was only one who was kind and capable.
‘Belienne.’
No matter how much he thought about it, it seemed that Belienne was the only one who fit the criteria for the perfect Empress that Carnelian desired. Despite her cursed face, today he noticed that her body was undoubtedly that of a woman.
Carnelian looked down at Belienne’s hand, the one that had touched his arm, and noticed her large, yellow eyes that seemed to pierce through his soul, an intensity he hadn’t fully grasped before.
Her hand was slender. About the same size as Princess Cetiletty’s.
‘Even the shoulders… judging by the shape of the ceremonial attire, it’s probably the volume of the decorations.’
Considering the thickness of the decorations on Carnelian’s usual clothes, her shoulders were quite slender. However, her chest was rather ample.
‘Quite ample…’
Unstoppably, an image naturally formed in his mind. The figure of a very charming woman’s body.
‘That means she’s a lady.’
Carnelian’s gaze deepened. His throat felt dry.
‘Belienne, who received a curse that can only be lifted through love, has an ‘intact’ body…’
Could it be that the curse is lifted through intimacy? Such a suspicion crossed his mind.
‘Belienne is an adult now…’
Could he subtly test the waters, perhaps by creating a romantic atmosphere?
Marriage would be easy, but Staedt, who considers the imperial family an enemy, would never send his only daughter to the imperial court. No, the imperial family is not the problem. Duke Staedt was so fixated on his daughter that he had gone as far as placing a curse on her.
But if Carnelian were to break the curse, Duke Staedt would naturally approve of the marriage.
‘The idea that love is the only way to lift the curse is quite vague.’
Carnelian believed he had developed feelings for Belienne. He admired her abilities, thought it would be fine to spend a lifetime together, and even felt desire for her.
‘But the curse remains.’
Indeed, it seemed that a direct relationship, rather than ambiguous emotions like ‘love,’ was needed for the curse to be lifted. However, he couldn’t be certain if Belienne would allow a deep connection with someone she didn’t love.
‘What should I do?’
While contemplating this, a visitor arrived. It was Mir from the City of Sages.
