Timid and Shy - Chapter 73

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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73.

Sophia spoke, addressing Robert and Gareis. “I believe Oberon isn’t a gambit aimed at Ariel, but rather Saturn’s gambit aimed at Uranos.”
“That may be jumping to conclusions,” Gareis said in a measured tone. “Though I confess, the fact that that unlucky Philip Wiscom finds himself under suspicion with nothing concrete to show for it is strange indeed. If Saturn deliberately engineered Oberon’s failure, what they’d gain is suspicion, division, and chaos within Uranos.”
Gareis turned to Robert. “To sow confusion and internal strife before waging war—it speaks to how thoroughly Saturn has prepared.”
“The real problem is the lack of evidence,” Robert said. “There are many mechanisms to deceive us, yet the traces they’ve left behind are minimal. That suggests careful management. Not to protect Oberon, but to serve Saturn’s interests entirely.”
Sophia nodded slowly.
“Whether this was contingency planning for Oberon’s failure or the original design, I cannot say.”
Gareis studied Sophia with curious eyes. “Oberon will need to fortify itself, and both Ariel and Umbriel must prepare for Saturn’s invasion. The reason you explain the situation so diligently is that you wish me to go to Ariel, isn’t it?”
“I won’t lie to you. Your assistance in Ariel would be invaluable. What do you think?”
Gareis said, “I must first consult Parma. She’s the reason I came here, after all. I would be grateful if you would accompany me to see her.”
Sophia readily agreed to his request, though she suspected he was fabricating an excuse for a private conversation.
Robert released them without objection, watching as Gareis and Sophia left the office together.
Since arriving in Oberon, Robert and Sophia had scarcely spoken to one another. Today was the first time they had been alone together.
Yet neither had broached anything personal. They had only discussed the spy situation and future concerns.
Sophia seemed to have no intention of starting a private conversation with him. For the first time, it occurred to Robert that she might not care for him at all.
‘Is she ignoring our personal relationship because the contract has already ended, addressing me only in an official capacity?’
Robert found his thoughts lingering on the pair who had just left. He harbored no desire to obstruct Gareis’s departure to Ariel. If anything, he would have been prepared to persuade Gareis if he had refused to go.
With Saturn’s invasion looming, Ariel desperately needed Gareis. And if Gareis did go to Ariel, he would come to understand something.
He would witness Ariel’s family sacrificing everything to protect their Domain and Border. He would be moved by it, as Robert had been.
‘And he’ll come to know Sophia Ariel—her true self. Better perhaps than anyone else. As I do.’
Robert tried to suppress the anxiety and jealousy rising in his chest. For a long while, he stared out at the harbor and the sea.

***

Gareis led Sophia toward Parma’s room. Upon reaching the corridor where it lay, he stopped and turned to face her. “There’s something I wish to say to you, Miss Ariel.”
“Please, speak.”
Gareis hesitated briefly. “Parma mentioned that you take great interest in Oberon. Should you provide Divorce Papers to Robert before we depart for Ariel, I will hand over Oberon’s harbor to you. The way matters are unfolding, the question of Oberon’s territorial administration will surely drag on. However, if Duke Gareis applies his influence, Oberon’s territory can be integrated into Ariel.”

Sophia did not hesitate.

Gareis was momentarily lost for words. He had expected Sophia to impose conditions, voice her emotions and circumstances, perhaps extend the timeline.
Ever since his conflict with Philip, Gareis had come to believe that Robert’s remaining betrothed would do Parma no favors.
‘The longer Robert’s divorce is delayed, the worse it is for Parma.’
That was why he had broached the subject of Divorce Papers with Sophia. He had been prepared to refuse Ariel if she objected. Part of him also wished to avoid taking Parma to the Border Territory.
Gareis recovered and spoke. “Before we leave, there is a matter to settle. Are you intending to have word of the divorce sent to Philip Wiscom or to the Capital? If so, we should act swiftly.”
Sophia began to state her conditions rather than answer directly. “Should Oberon’s harbor fail to transfer to Ariel despite Gareis’s assurances, I demand that House Gareis provide military support in equivalent measure. Similarly, should Oberon’s harbor transfer to Ariel regardless of Gareis’s efforts, the same applies. Do you agree?”
Gareis nodded with evident interest.
“So it shall be.”
Sophia continued, “The deadline is one year from today. Oberon’s harbor must transfer to Ariel within that time. Otherwise, I will demand military force—specifically, no fewer than two brigades, with yourself included.”
Gareis nodded and said, “Agreed. You prove far more thorough than I anticipated. You entertain no idle hopes, no loose ends.”
“I am learning to prefer substance over hope. Especially in times like these.”
As they waited for Parma’s door to open, Gareis found himself gazing at Sophia Ariel as though under a spell. Sophia met his gaze and smiled. As she looked at Gareis, a thought crossed her mind.

‘A fortune that had slipped from my grasp, returning to my hands again…. This is splendid. There will be plenty to do in Ariel. If he’d been in the military, he’d have found good use in Ariel as well.’

***

Parma accepted the trip to Ariel without hesitation. Gareis, taken aback at how readily she agreed, ventured to suggest Umbriel instead, hoping to stall her departure.
“I think it’s important to see how Crown Prince Robert endures this difficult time. That’s what I believe, anyway.”
Parma replied.
“You’re right, it is important. You know as well as I do that Robert will be swamped with affairs—he’ll be bored out of his mind. I’d rather go to Ariel! It’ll be chaotic there too, but with Sophia and Helen around, it’s far better than staying with Robert.”
Gareis felt genuinely cheated that everything had unfolded so smoothly in Sophia’s favor.
‘Why do I feel like I’ve lost out?’
Sophia made sure to keep her distance from the visibly irritated Gareis until their departure from Oberon.
Other inspectors came to Oberon to handle the remaining affairs and continue the investigation. Gunter decided to travel to Ariel with Sophia and Helen’s party.

***

Sophia drew Gunter aside and spoke carefully.
“Will everything be all right with Umbriel?”
“Matters in Umbriel are proceeding well.”
Sophia studied his expression for a moment, then nodded.
“I see. There’s something more, isn’t there? Something that isn’t the Emperor’s burden but rather something Gunter has no authority to discuss. Crown Prince Robert has hatched some sort of plan, then?”
Gunter answered only with a smile. That was answer enough.
Sophia now faced her greatest challenge. She had been preparing herself mentally for months and had drawn up the documents long ago. She had even brought the Divorce Papers with her to Oberon.
It was in case she ended up betrothed to the Lord of Oberon as well. Though the path had changed considerably, the likelihood of obtaining Oberon through the Divorce Papers had only grown.
Sophia’s grip tightened around the Divorce Papers in her hand.
‘It was already decided. I just didn’t expect to deliver them face-to-face.’

***

Crown Prince Robert greeted Sophia warmly when she sought him out again. Sophia offered an awkward smile in response to his welcome, then silently extended the Divorce Papers toward him.
Robert, unable to fully erase the pleasure from his expression, opened the document and spoke in a subdued voice.
“Asher. Would you step out for a moment?”
Asher meant to remark that this was hardly the time for such requests given how busy they were, and that if Robert needed privacy, he ought to spend it with Parma instead of the Young Noblewoman of Ariel—but one glimpse of Robert’s eyes sent such a chill through him that he quietly left the office without another word.
Asher closed the door behind him, placed a hand over his chest, and murmured.
“Terrifying…. What on earth is happening? What has Sophia done? Does she suspect me of something?”
In the office, alone together, silence reigned. Robert stared at the document for a long while before speaking.
“You prepared this in advance.”
Sophia turned away from him, pacing before the window as she spoke.
“I had the Divorce Papers drawn up before coming to Oberon. I resolved on the dissolution of our betrothal when leaving the Capital. But now seems like the most appropriate moment.”
Sophia gazed out at the sea, her eyes narrowing slightly as if dazzled by its blue light.
Robert studied her back, hoping she would turn to face him. He spoke carefully.
“I was aware of the Emperor’s gift. I know I cannot blame you. From the beginning, it was a betrothal premised on dissolution. I trust your judgment that now is the right time—just as I have trusted your other decisions.”
“You have treated me far better than any contract would demand. It’s only natural that I should be the one to propose the dissolution. By dissolving our betrothal now, even if you don’t betroth yourself to Parma, the Gareis Family’s hurt will be minimized. Regardless of what Lord Gareis or Parma herself may say, you must still concern yourself with public opinion. I’m sure you understand that well enough.”
Robert hurried to interrupt her.
“I have no intention of betrothing myself to Parma. As I’ve already stated, House Gareis has promised their support regardless of whether we are bound by marriage. Parma is not a concern you need bear.”
“No. I must concern myself with it. Ariel needs Gareis. Now more than ever, we need a name we can rely upon. There is no military force in Uranos stronger than Gareis. I wish to protect Parma personally as well. If you truly trust my judgment, please accept the Divorce Papers.”
“Aren’t you curious what I meant to say at the banquet? Parma already knows. I intend to make the betrothal real. I tell you again—Parma herself does not desire me. There will be no other betrothal. Leave the matter of persuading Lord Gareis to me. Just let things remain as they—”
Sophia cut him off.
“Does declining to betroth Parma mean you can simply remain betrothed to me instead? No. You cannot honor a betrothal to me. No one approves of this union. Not even I approve of it.”
“Why not? Isn’t this a stroke of fortune for Ariel? As the betrothed of a Crown Prince, you already enjoy much—but imagine what you could claim as a Crown Princess, as a future Empress.”
“Ariel becoming your affinal relation will not smooth your path forward. The positions of Crown Princess and Empress are not freely given prizes. If not Gareis, then you will need to use your position to draw other Marquises or Counts into your orbit—not to preserve some false betrothal.”
“Sophia of Ariel…! Tell me honestly! Has your heart never wavered? Have you truly never wished to make the false real? If you possessed the will, you could find a way through anything that lay ahead. If you only possessed the will.”
“Ariel is….”
“No! I want to hear your heart, Sophia. Not Ariel’s circumstances. I want to know your true heart!”

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