And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 27

“Alright, that’s finished. Lord Julius, thank you.”

Marcel aligned the stacked documents with practiced care. The crisp sound of the paper coming together caused a slight tremor in the air of the silent room.

“At last, we can see the end of this task,” I remarked.

Marcel let out a long sigh of relief. “But the real work starts from here. Once Lady Luciana officially becomes ‘King,’ the true challenge begins.”

I leaned one hand on the edge of the desk and gave a light laugh. He was right. The moment she sits upon the throne marks the true birth of this nation.

“You are the Prime Minister, after all, Lord Julius. You’re going to be very busy.”

At his teasing tone, I couldn’t help but shrug. “No, surely the Prime Minister will be Lord Rutherford. His experience is on a different level.”

“Haha, that’s where you’re wrong. When we were drinking together the other day, he said it himself: ‘Don’t make an old man do the impossible.’ He seemed genuinely annoyed by the idea.”

Marcel chuckled, and I found myself smiling along. The image was so vivid that the tension finally left my shoulders.

“Then you should do it, Marcel. A newcomer like me would find the burden too heavy.”

“Hardly. I lack the necessary resolve.”

“Resolve?”

“Yes. I never dreamed… that Lady Luciana would actually ‘create a country.’ To be honest, I’m still a little frightened by it.”

His voice held a mixture of deep respect and awe. But I felt the same. I didn’t take her hand because I wanted to be a Prime Minister. I did it because—

“Lady Luciana undoubtedly brought you here intending to make you her Prime Minister. You might as well give up and brace yourself, Lord Julius.”

Marcel flashed me a playful grin.

Prime Minister, eh…

“By the way, Lord Julius… did you never have a fiancée?”

The sudden question made my pen stop dead. After a brief silence, I offered a noncommittal smile.

“I did.”

“Did you leave her behind?” Marcel asked cautiously.

“No. To be precise, we annulled the engagement years ago, around the time I graduated from the Academy.”

I spoke quietly, as if turning the pages of the past. Though the memories should have faded by now, a faint ache stirred in my chest.

“May I ask why?” It was a question born of both hesitation and curiosity.

“Of course. It’s an old story now.” I steadied my breath and began. “I spent my youth doing nothing but studying. I had no interest in social circles or dancing. I suspect I was a very dull man. Not much has changed, really.”

I laughed self-deprecatingly. Marcel started to say something but thought better of it.

“She grew close to an international student from a neighboring country. Before I knew it, she had fallen in love. They were discreet, mind you. Neither was reckless. But their eyes were always searching for one another.”

Recalling that look, I paused for a beat.

“Even so, she tried to fulfill her ‘duty as a fiancée.’ Her sincerity made it all the more painful. I couldn’t bear to let her marry out of obligation while her heart belonged to someone else.”

I exhaled softly, lowering my gaze.

“So, the proposal to annul came from my side.”

“…From you?”

“Yes. My parents understood. I was the second son, after all. My older brother would inherit the house. Because of that, I was allowed to live freely.”

There were talks of other matches later, but thankfully, I was never forced into them.

“I hear she lives happily now. She married in that neighboring country and has become a fine lady.”

Marcel didn’t reply immediately, his finger tracing the rim of his cup. The swaying surface of the tea reflected our silence.

“…You are a very kind man, Lord Julius.”

The words fell softly, carrying a tone that was part respect and part sorrow. I didn’t answer, simply returning a smile.

“Lord Julius, I was a third son,” Marcel shared. “I had more freedom to choose my path compared to my brothers. I fell in love with this territory and moved here as a sort of apprentice when I was young. It’s been quite a long time now.”

I nodded quietly as Marcel spoke. His voice was gentle, but a sudden shadow crossed his face.

“However, in a situation like this, marrying the one you love… it would be difficult, wouldn’t it?”

His eyes were downcast. His words were tinged with a faint sense of resignation. For those holding vital roles in the state, marriage is no longer a matter of “personal freedom.” Marcel was becoming one of the pillars of this nation. The balance of houses, political implications, the chains of responsibility—Marcel understood this painfully well. That was why he lost his words for a moment while staring at the tea.

“Is there someone you hold feelings for?”

When I asked, Marcel took a sharp, quiet breath. The candlelight caught in his eyes, making them shimmer.

“Yes. But it was only ever a feeling.” His voice was so quiet it seemed to dissolve into the air. “When she was small, she was the type of child who often cried in the corners of rooms. If I gave her a sweet, she would smile so happily. Just seeing that made me feel saved.”

His nostalgic smile lasted only a second before vanishing.

“But eventually, I realized she carried a massive destiny. Once I knew that, I only wished to be of use to her. Now she stands on her own two feet, even without someone like me.”

His final words were surprisingly calm. It wasn’t resignation; it was a voice filled with pride and a quiet, prayer-like affection.

“…I see.”

I simply nodded. I couldn’t pry any further. I didn’t need to ask to know who he was picturing. Marcel smiled gently, though his expression remained laced with a certain sadness.

I thought as much. But if that were the case, surely marriage wouldn’t be “difficult.” Most would agree that Marcel is a perfect fit.

If so… was that touch of sadness because he had sensed my own feelings and was worrying about me?

“Haha, I’ve said too much.” Marcel began tidying the documents. “Shall we head out?”

“Yes.”

The sound of our footsteps echoed softly in the silent office. The flickering candle flames cast long shadows of the stacked papers onto the floor almost like a silhouette of the path this new nation was beginning to take.