WMT | Chapter 10

“An engagement? With whom?”

Wiss first confirmed the other party.

“Who else! Duke Akazel!”

‘That can’t be right.’

Didn’t he show no signs of it when they just met?

“Did the duke agree?”

“It seems the King of Palatine thinks highly of you! Summer and Palatine share the same roots, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if this connection continued? He proposed it first!”

King Jeremiah said proudly, then lowered his voice to warn.

“They must not have heard about your reputation yet. That’s fortunate, isn’t it? But what on earth are you doing at a time when you should be careful?”

“Are you saying the King of Palatine proposed the engagement first?”

“Yes! Isn’t that fortunate?”

Wiss read relief on King Jeremiah’s face.

‘He knows nothing.’

It seemed King Jeremiah wasn’t even considered a discussion partner in the King of Palatine’s schemes.

Seeing his descendants being played with so easily made Wiss’s stomach churn.

“What about the consent of the parties involved?”

“We’ll get the consent now. We’ve passed the most important hurdle, so what’s the big deal about consent?”

“Now?”

“Ah, here they come!”

Before Wiss could feel the foreboding, the guest arrived. The king personally got up to greet them.

“Duke! Welcome. I heard you like new dishes. We’ve hired a chef from the north to showcase their skills, so you should be able to taste familiar flavors…”

“Thank you for the invitation.”

The duke replied curtly. His gaze met Wiss’s as he sat down. The duke’s eyebrow slightly raised.

“…”

“…”

“Ah! Please, have a seat. I heard my child visited you to express their gratitude. They’re quite shy, so I’m not sure if they conveyed it properly.”

At the mention of shyness, the duke’s eyebrow twitched.

“…I received the thanks sufficiently.”

“That’s a relief! But as a parent, I must express my gratitude as well. I’ve prepared something modestly, hoping it suits your taste and conveys our feelings.”

The king hurriedly signaled, and a servant pulled out a chair. It was the seat opposite Wiss.

The duke sat down silently. Servants from the kitchen began bringing out dishes.

The king poked Wiss’s thigh under the table and mouthed the words.

‘Smile!’

“…”

Wiss grabbed the king’s hand and put it back in place.

‘He’s making a fool of himself.’

Was he trying to set them up?

If the duke was someone who could be swayed by mere flattery, Wiss would have at least pretended to smile.

“Do you like it?”

King Jeremiah asked, watching for a reaction. The duke replied, “It’s excellent.”

‘Eat first, then talk.’

Wiss cut a large piece of the roasted pheasant and placed it on his plate. He took a bite.

It was bland.

‘…Did they forget the salt?’

“My child also has a taste for mild flavors. It seems their preferences match yours, Duke!”

“…Is that so?”

The duke replied, staring intently at Wiss. Wiss paused from sprinkling pepper like snow and put the seasoning down.

The clueless king chimed in.

“Haha. What could be more important for a couple than matching tastes?”

“A couple?”

The duke hesitated.

“Yes. As you may have heard, His Majesty Riendell is favorable toward the marriage between our kingdoms. There have been long-standing conflicts between the two realms, but if the duke and my child are united in marriage, wouldn’t it bridge the deep divide and lead both kingdoms to prosper together? I’ve always believed it should be that way. It’s a joy that His Majesty Riendell shares my thoughts.”

King Jeremiah said with a smile.

The duke did not smile.

“Are you saying His Majesty Riendell has accepted the marriage?”

“Yes. He even said he’d send a congratulatory envoy, as good things shouldn’t be delayed. I’m just grateful for His Majesty’s enthusiasm. Isn’t that right, my dear?”

King Jeremiah sought agreement.

‘I should have overturned the table.’

Wiss put down his fork. The king, oblivious to the atmosphere, continued to chatter.

“Oh, there’s no need for the duke to prepare anything! I think we should have a simple engagement and hasten the marriage. Honestly, what does an engagement ceremony mean these days? It’s the firm intention to marry that’s important.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

The duke looked between King Jeremiah and Wiss, paused, and spoke.

“I came here to decline the proposal.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

“I already expressed my refusal, but it seems it wasn’t conveyed properly, so I intended to state it again officially.”

The duke glanced at Wiss.

‘He’s saying he already refused, but I came anyway.’

Wiss clicked his tongue inwardly.

But what was this guy thinking? The king was openly commanding, yet he outright rejected it?

‘Does he think he can handle it?’

“Whatever conversation took place with His Majesty Riendell, my opinion was not included in that discussion. I haven’t heard anything from His Majesty, and even if I had, I would have refused. It seems I’ve caused unnecessary misunderstandings for both of you.”

“Then, what…?”

“I will not marry Prince Wissmia. I have no intention of doing so, now or in the future. I hope there will be no further meetings on this matter.”

The duke stood up, leaving the untouched meal behind.

“I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the invitation.”

“Duke? Duke!”

The duke ignored King Jeremiah’s desperate call and walked out.

‘I knew this would happen.’

Wiss opened his eyes and followed the duke out.

“Duke.”

“Do you have more to say?”

The duke turned around.

“Yes.”

“Go ahead. As long as it’s not about marriage, I’ll listen.”

Wiss thought for a moment.

‘Why is this guy being so evasive?’

Of course, it was about marriage, but Wiss quickly wrapped it up with some quick thinking.

“First, I’d like to say that I didn’t create that situation of my own accord.”

“Is that so?”

The duke gave a wry smile.

“I didn’t know such a conversation would take place with His Majesty Riendell.”

“I see.”

“…”

“Is that all you have to say?”

The duke asked with a smile.

Wiss realized he had clearly drawn a line.

‘He doesn’t believe me.’

Or rather, it was closer to not caring whether Wiss’s words were true or not.

It was an attitude of not considering his words anymore.

Wiss frowned.

The King of Palatine made an unnecessary proposal, King Jeremiah eagerly accepted it, and the duke built a wall.

Knights tend to be stubborn and push forward once they make up their minds.

“It’s true. Didn’t I say I’d tell you everything honestly, Duke? Ask my father. He’ll tell you I attended without knowing anything.”

“Yes. I believe you.”

‘Believe what?’

“I want to be of help to you, Duke.”

Wiss insisted.

“Your Highness.”

The duke still wore a wry smile.

“That’s enough. There won’t be any disadvantage to you.”

“…”

“I hope Your Highness finds happiness with someone you love.”

Who was he to worry about whom?

Wiss felt pathetic. The characteristics of this body were so firmly established that he was receiving advice from a foreign duke.

“When I resolve the remaining matters and return, His Majesty Jeremiah will be lenient with you. You can be with the person you love.”

“The person I want to be with is you, Duke.”

“Please return. The food will get cold.”

The duke turned away, ignoring him.

That advice was his last gesture of goodwill.

Wiss wondered how to persuade the duke, who was so annoyingly impenetrable.

But Wiss had never persuaded anyone with words before.

‘Is this even something that requires persuasion?’

Wiss acknowledged that this body had disqualifying traits in terms of character and reputation.

But he had land and was cooperative in attitude. He didn’t have any major flaws in appearance, so he was a decent marriage prospect.

Wiss was starting to get annoyed. How much trust did a political marriage need that he was being so evasive?

‘An attack, huh.’

Wiss pondered as he returned to the dining room. The king, sitting alone, jumped up to greet him.

“How did it go? The duke wasn’t serious, was he? Surely, since the King of Palatine proposed it directly…”

“He was serious.”

“What!”

The king turned pale.

“No, that can’t be. What should we do? We’ve already invited all the nobles…”

“Where?”

“The victory celebration!”

“…?”

“We sent out invitations to announce your engagement!”

Did the victory celebration have a different meaning than he knew?

Wiss realized that couldn’t be the case. The victory celebration was meant for Duke Akazel.

‘Does this guy have no pride?’

What were they celebrating? Thanking him for making the kingdom a defeated nation?

More importantly…

‘Sent out invitations?’

If they had gathered the nobles, it meant it was a large event. When people gather, problems arise, and even with strict vigilance, there are always gaps.

‘It seems I’ve figured out when the attack will happen.’

Wiss hesitated. Even if he warned the duke, would he prepare?

Recalling the duke’s infuriatingly impenetrable demeanor, the scales tipped towards another option.

Let the attack happen.

‘And then save him.’

No matter how shameless someone is, they tend to be swayed in the moment of rescue.

If trust is so important, then he could show it through actions.