The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 123

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 123】

To understand why the marriage proposal letter was sent to House Vincenheim, one needed to know what happened after the two returned home.

The day after Callen emerged from the sea of emotions and swamp of truth happened to be a holiday.

So Rianel did not go to work.

Then what does Rianel do on holidays?

“Hmm, she’s lying in bed again today.”

“Currently, I believe this is the most efficient form of rest.”

She generally rested by lying in bed.

It was different from just rolling around on the bed. She didn’t open books to alleviate boredom, nor did she sleep deeply.

She would simply lie still in proper posture with her eyes closed, or stare somewhere into empty space.

Occasionally changing positions to prevent bedsores.

After meals, she would sit for a while to aid digestion, but most other times she lay in a straight, perfectly composed posture.

‘I shouldn’t think this, but she looks like she’d fit perfectly in a coffin without any parts sticking out.’

Maid Amy thought she was frightening, separate from being respectable.

In some ways, it was also frustrating.

That said, Rianel didn’t avoid all conversation. During meal times or tea time, she would sit across from Asil and exchange words.

‘But she spends quite a bit of time alone too.’

When alone, Rianel never looked lonely, nor did she show any signs of thinking about Asil.

‘This is why everyone says it seems like Master is in a one-way relationship.’

At this rate, she worried whether she’d ever see a mistress enter before going to eternal rest.

‘L-let me try to start a conversation naturally.’

There were many conversation topics, but the safest would be the weather, wouldn’t it?

Amy drew back the curtains and opened the window as she spoke.

“Isn’t the weather nice today?”

She meant it was good weather for a date.

“Yes. The sunlight is not excessive, and the wind speed is stable. The air circulation is smooth, making it an appropriate time for ventilation. Opening windows at times like this can be called a rational choice.”

“Right? Thank y-“

No, that’s not it!

Amy, who had unconsciously started to thank her, came to her senses.

“On days like this, it would be nice to go out and get some fresh air.”

“Appreciating pleasant weather is perfectly possible indoors as well. Isn’t the outside air flowing in through the open window?”

“Many autumn flowers have bloomed in the garden too. Gardener Rolken worked so hard planting flower seeds, and as if rewarding his efforts, many beautiful flowers have bloomed.”

“Yes. I can see them well. They are truly beautiful.”

What, she can see them?

Amy hurriedly gripped the windowsill and looked down. Rianel’s room, befitting a space for honored guests, had a good view with the garden visible at a glance.

‘No, Mr. Rolken. Couldn’t you have planted them a bit further inside?’

Even knowing it was an unreasonable complaint, she found herself grumbling.

‘That way I could naturally transition from talking about flowers to talking about dates…’

Then she suddenly realized.

‘Does trying to lead natural conversation even have any meaning?’

The very idea of trying to outwit her with words was absurd to begin with.

“Um… how about having tea time in the garden today?”

In the end, Amy threw a direct pitch.

She thought that dating required two people to be in agreement, and their role was simply to create the opportunity.

And Rianel.

“That’s not a bad suggestion. I’ll accept it.”

She tended not to refuse others’ goodwill.

“Th-then I’ll prepare it right away!”

That day’s tea food was prepared at the highest grade.

The chairs were soft yet stable without wobbling. The location was carefully selected after changing positions several times to have a good view of the garden flowers while blocking insect invasions.

However, Rianel was unaware of all this effort.

The promised afternoon.

Rianel, who arrived early, wore an indoor dress. She was in her natural state with hardly any accessories.

Since Rianel regarded this occasion as merely an extension of tea time, the maid suggested she dress up more.

Moreover.

‘She’s beautiful enough as she is!’

Rather than overwhelming her surroundings with splendor, Rianel was more the type to capture attention with a neat and calm atmosphere.

While the maids made final arrangements to the setting and spread an awning to block the sunlight.

Step.

Footsteps stopped beside the tea table.

“Oh my, have you been waiting long?”

Rianel, who had been sitting, looked up.

“No. I only waited 18 minutes and 27 seconds.”

‘She was timing it?!’

Amy, who was bringing the tea tray, nearly stumbled.

Rianel gazed at Asil for exactly 3 seconds.

Unlike Rianel, he recognized this situation as a date. Accordingly, he had put effort into his attire.

Not only refined formal wear, but he had also groomed his hair and changed into new shoes.

“Quite… splendid.”

The evaluation was brief.

“It’s because I’m desperate.”

He was dressed well enough to enter a banquet hall without looking out of place.

“How is it? Is this satisfactory enough to catch your eye?”

Rianel thought for a moment before speaking.

“Do you know the fable of the crow that wore other birds’ feathers to show off its appearance? Your outfit brings that story to mind.”

She meant it was too excessive, but.

“In that fable, all the birds looked upon the splendidly adorned crow with admiration. Then I should interpret that to mean I’m that beautiful.”

Asil, like someone adapted to Rianel, interpreted her words in a way favorable to himself.

He hadn’t dressed so carefully just to match the atmosphere.

He had business to conclude today.

The maids who had been serving tea withdrew, and the surrounding air settled calmly.

“Ahem.”

Asil cleared his throat briefly, trying to calm his mind.

He worried whether bringing out this item might seem too sudden.

‘Rather than suddenly bringing up explicit topics, it would be better to share natural conversation first. But what topic would be appropriate?’

As his hesitation lengthened, doubt appeared in Rianel’s gaze.

“Is there some problem?”

Asil decided not to worry about timing.

He brought out what he had prepared as if declaring it.

“It’s an engagement ring.”

Asil had been having a ring made since the head maid and butler came asking if it was true that he had given Rianel a crude betrothal gift. But this was the first time he was showing it.

“Engagement…?”

“Didn’t you declare it yesterday in front of your father?”

[There is something I must convey regarding that matter. I wish to marry Bureau Director Novantium and form a household.]

Asil had been delaying the timing because he didn’t want to burden Rianel.

But just yesterday, she had brought it up first, so he judged now was the right time.

Though Rianel sometimes made sophistic arguments, she wasn’t someone who lied.

She must have said such things because she too had the heart to share life with him.

“I interpreted those words as a marriage proposal. Was my interpretation excessive?”

“No. You interpreted correctly.”

However, his initiative was simply remarkable.

“I understand that the marriage proposal letter hasn’t been sent yet, but you prepared the engagement gift first?”

“I’ll be sending it soon. The order got mixed up, but if the result is the same, wouldn’t that be fine?”

It was obvious what kind of reaction the Duke would show upon receiving the marriage proposal letter.

But thinking that this too was one of the things he had to endure for what he wanted, it actually felt welcome.

“Then I’ll put it on for you.”

Asil carefully took Rianel’s hand in his.

The ring sliding up along her finger joints.

The jewel that held the not-yet-fully-set sunlight reflected and sparkled gently.

Rianel gazed at the ring, lost in thought.

“….”

Asil also stared at Rianel wearing the ring.

The only thing that had changed from a minute ago was that they now wore matching symbols.

Yet the sensation of truly becoming a special relationship made his breath come short.

The Tax Bureau people knew about their relationship, but wearing a mark that revealed this to everyone was another story entirely.

‘Now if Master gives her heart to someone else, that would be cheating.’

Asil smiled faintly while asking.

“If you don’t like it, shall I replace it with something else?”

Because Rianel was just staring at the ring without any reaction.

“Master?”

Only then did Rianel slowly lift her head.

“Was this made in an identical form?”

Her gaze had moved to Asil’s hand.

“Yes.”

He could have made a separate men’s ring, but since it was an engagement ring, he had them made in identical shapes with only different sizes.

“I wanted to confirm that I’m connected to you, Master, even in this way.”

Rianel was silent for a moment before speaking.

“I’d like to observe it more closely.”

“Would you like to?”

Asil, who would do anything his master wanted, moved closer.

Even as the distance narrowed, Rianel remained silent.

“Now you can see it clearly-“

The very moment Asil turned his head.

Touch.

A soft sensation touched his cheek and fell away.

Asil’s hand slowly rose to touch his own cheek.

Rianel was drinking tea as if nothing had happened, but Asil wasn’t dull enough not to know what had just touched his cheek.

Rianel had rarely initiated physical contact first. Especially not in such an open outdoor space.

She was someone who was conservative about romance to an almost excessive degree.

“…!”

In that moment, all the real-world objects like the marriage proposal letter and ring lost their meaning.

His heart beat so fast it seemed to reach his ears, and his face flushed hot.

Rianel was still feigning ignorance. Unlike her usually composed and neat upper body, her legs were trembling slightly. She was nervous after what she’d done.

That crack must have been shown for my sake.

Unable to restrain himself, Asil pulled Rianel close and kissed her. If Rianel’s kiss had been a light, falling contact, his was deeper and more intense.

As if he couldn’t swallow her, so he would swallow her breath instead.

“….”

After such a long time that it was impossible to gauge how much had passed.

When Asil lifted his head, his face was even redder than before.

He kissed Rianel’s forehead, chin, nose bridge, and cheeks in quick succession, short and frequent. With each touch of his lips, his thirst deepened and his breathing grew more rapid.

And then, finally.

“This won’t do at all.”

Pulling loose his cravat, Asil slipped his hand under Rianel’s knees and lifted her up.

“Wh-what!”

As the flustered Rianel struggled when her eye level changed, Asil placed her hands on his shoulders.

“Let’s go inside.”

“?!”

Rianel wasn’t someone who wouldn’t understand that meaning.

“It hasn’t reached sunset yet.”

Of course Asil knew that too.

“It’s because I’m lacking you.”

At his blatant desire, Rianel’s face also reddened.

“You, you…!”

Asil moved with quick steps while holding her.

The perceptive servants opened the mansion doors and cleared obstacles for the two.

Soon the bedroom door also opened.

The head maid tactfully led the other maids away.

Even until the moment the door closed.

Asil continued kissing Rianel while holding her, as if even the time to reach the bed was precious.

* * *

And on a weekday.

Duke Vincenheim, who had come to find Rianel at work, opened his mouth.

“Would you explain what this is?”

He tried to maintain his rationality as much as possible, but emotion was already seeping into his voice.

“It’s a marriage proposal letter.”

Rianel showed more coldness than necessary.

“A marriage proposal letter is an official correspondence exchanged to conclude a marriage contract between families-“

“I’m not asking because I don’t know what it is!”

Rianel just raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

“Why did you choose that man among so many people?”

“I judged that sufficient deep emotional exchange had been accumulated.”

“You decided such a major life matter based on such subjective factors?”

“Even excluding subjective factors, Bureau Director Novantium is judged to be a person with superior conditions in the marriage market.”

The Duke’s lips trembled slightly.

The fact that he couldn’t refute this was heartbreaking.

“I subjectively don’t like that guy.”

“I’ll classify that opinion as a minority opinion.”

The Duke, who didn’t want to remain as a partial view, said.

“Not just me, but Lisa and Rupert think so too. What’s so good about such a sly guy in the first place….”

However.

“I have never signed an agreement to decide my future by majority vote.”

Rianel firmly rejected emotional persuasion.

“Gah!”

The Duke showed the exact same behavior that the speechless Tax Bureau people had displayed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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