It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 44

“I’ve brought back the heart of the Ice Nac, as you requested. We found the nest while we were at it, so I cleared it out. I ended up collecting more than what you asked for.”

Eliza placed a large leather pouch on the table, bowing slightly without meaning to. The bulging bag clearly held six or more Ice Nac hearts.

“Well done. Anything else?”

It was rare for Achilles to offer praise, so the words gave Eliza a subtle thrill. Achilles already knew Eliza hadn’t been waiting just to deliver an item.

If it were only a matter of handing something over, Eliza could’ve given it to one of the automatons. Mages valued efficiency over formality.

“There were some suspicious figures in the forest. It looked like they were watching the castle… Some of them even headed toward the village.”

Eliza glanced at Achilles, his expression asking:

Do you want me to take care of them?

Though this was the residence of the Imperial Princess, she had arrived without any escort from the palace. As such, there weren’t enough guards here to protect royalty.

“…Just observe for now.”

“Understood, Tower Master.”

As Eliza began to leave, Charlize tugged gently on Achilles’s sleeve. In response, Achilles instinctively pulled her into his arms.

They weren’t in the palace, and there were no imperial attendants around—so there was no reason for him to hold back.

“What is it, Your Highness?” he asked softly.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

“…”

When Achilles had seen the way Eliza looked at Charlize earlier, he’d nearly considered plucking out the man’s eyes. Introducing the two of them wasn’t something he had the slightest desire to do.

“I am Eliza Ispher, Your Highness. A mage of the Tower, and in service to the Tower Master.”

Charlize opened her mouth to respond, but Achilles suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her view.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slightly annoyed.

“…Nothing.”

Noticing the shift in atmosphere, Eliza gave a quick, sly smile and bowed.

“Your Highness. Tower Master. I look forward to meeting you both again.”

And just like that, he transformed into a large eagle and flew out the open window.

Charlize, caught off guard, looked at Achilles with a hint of frustration. He avoided her eyes.

“What was that just now?”

“My body just… moved on its own.”

That’s your excuse? She narrowed her eyes and stared at him in disbelief. Seeing her reaction, Achilles blinked and said,

“Your eyes are already big… but I didn’t know they could get even bigger.”

Ah—!

He leaned in close, making Charlize flinch and pull back, but he was already holding her waist securely.

His golden eyes filled her vision—intense and warm, like they were burning right through her.

“You’re so beautiful… it makes me want to be the only one who ever sees you.”

“Wh-What are you saying…”

Her face turned bright red, and she quickly looked around, trying to find someone to break the tension. Just a few moments ago, the room had been full of attendants, maids, and even automatons—but now, there was no one.

She glanced toward the drawing room door just in time to see the last automaton slipping out and closing it. Through the crack, she caught a glimpse of maid Betty giving her a thumbs-up.

Oh my god!

He was the one saying all these embarrassing things, so why was she the one overwhelmed with shame?

But Achilles, seeing her flustered expression, just smiled quietly—as if he found her absolutely adorable.

“Your Highness. Is your face red because you’re embarrassed? I’ve told you you’re beautiful plenty of times. Why does it feel different now?”

“B-because… there were people around!”

“There were people around then, too.”

“Y-yeah, but they were close to me… people I’m comfortable with…”

The people who managed the estate were ones she saw maybe once a year. Trying to justify herself, she pushed lightly at his face with her hand.

“I was embarrassed then, too! Don’t lean in so close!”

“But your expression is so cute… I want to see it up close. I want to kiss you, too.”

You say that like you don’t kiss me all the time…

In the training room, he kissed her constantly. Whenever they were alone, Achilles never missed a chance to lean in for more.

“Your Highness!”

The door hadn’t even opened, but the voice from outside made Charlize’s shoulders jump. Achilles only glanced toward the sound with his usual unreadable expression.

“It’s urgent!”

Charlize was left speechless as she looked out at the long procession stretching up to the castle gates. These weren’t members of the imperial palace staff she hadn’t been able to bring along—no, what stood below were Valter and his knights.

“Why aren’t the gates opening? One of my knights is severely injured!”

From atop his horse, Valter raised his voice. The soldier on the castle wall looked down at him, clearly conflicted.

This castle belonged to the Imperial Princess. If it had been unoccupied, they might have allowed noble guests to temporarily rest in the servants’ quarters. But now, things were different.

Her Highness is inside. And besides…

Valter Bianchi hadn’t simply shown up with a few household attendants. Even though his men were bundled in thick furs to fend off the northern cold, it was obvious he’d brought a full knightly unit.

What exactly is his intention in coming all the way out here?

Though remote, the estate was overseen by a minor baron—a low-ranking noble, the illegitimate son of a city noble from far below the mountain village. He’d earned his barony through military service, though after sustaining an injury, he’d become somewhat of a burden to his family. Managing this secluded castle suited him well.

From the way things looked, he doubted Bianchi came with innocent motives. If he truly only wished to see Her Highness, why bring an entire order of knights?

“Just a little longer…”

He was about to shout for them to wait when a young errand boy ran up the stairs of the wall and whispered the princess’s orders. The baron’s face brightened as he leaned over the battlements.

“We will now open the gate! However, per Her Highness’s orders, only Viscount Bianchi and one injured individual may enter!”

The announcement deepened the furrow in Valter’s brow. His knights, already worn from the rushed journey to the northern castle, began murmuring in protest.

“Only the two of us…?”

“Isn’t that going too far?”

The baron resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Sure, Her Highness had the right to come and go from her own castle, but this? Showing up unannounced with a private army and expecting entry? That was a bit much.

“Are you sure this is truly Her Highness’s will?” Valter called. “She’s not someone who would turn away a wounded guest. Could it be that you’re distorting her words?”

“I’m only relaying what I was told. If you’re uncomfortable with the arrangement, Her Highness said you’re welcome to send in only the injured man.”

Valter suddenly recalled the two figures he had seen in the princess’s room back at the palace. At that time, Charlize was supposed to have been alone—but Achilles had been there, too.

And now, the emperor had sent Achilles north… and sent the princess with him.

No. It can’t be…

Even imagining it made his blood boil. He couldn’t accept it. Looking up at the wall, he raised his voice again.

“The injured man cannot walk on his own! You can’t possibly be saying no one can accompany him inside?”

He tried to twist the situation, but the baron had already thought ahead.

“We’ll send two of our own servants to assist.”

How excessive…

Valter sighed, hiding his frustration, and dismounted. Two of his knights stepped forward to help the injured man out of the wagon.

The knight was clearly in bad condition—he had a deep stab wound to the thigh and had lost a significant amount of blood.

I even brought attendants for Lize…

Behind him were three carriages—one lavishly decorated for Charlize, and two more carrying her attendants. Though the lead carriage was empty, the other two were filled with her handmaidens and footmen, brought after Valter learned she had traveled north without any of her court staff.

Finally, the massive castle gate—nearly five meters tall—creaked open. Two sturdy-looking servants stepped out and approached with swift, practiced movements. They bowed respectfully to Viscount Bianchi, then rushed toward the wounded knight.

One of them lifted the knight onto his back, while the other held him steady, making sure he didn’t slip.

Valter watched grimly as they hurried into the castle. He followed shortly after, passing through the gates.

He fully expected Charlize to be waiting in the courtyard to greet him. But she wasn’t there.

Nor was that maddening man—Achilles.

Only the baron and a few castle staff awaited him. The baron, standing casually just as he had on the wall, stirred a violent impulse in Valter.

Once I have Charlize… I’ll make sure to remove this man permanently.

“Where is Her Highness?”

“She is inside, sir,” the baron answered steadily. “She is currently speaking with the Tower Master. She asks for your understanding, as she cannot come out to meet you.”

Valter felt a wave of heat surge to his head. When he had heard that Achilles was taking Charlize to the northern castle, he had dropped everything and rushed here, altering his schedule at great cost.

And now… she wouldn’t even greet him?

He clenched his fists, struggling to keep his composure. No—this wasn’t her doing. This had to be the work of Achilles. There was no way Charlize would treat him this way by her own will.

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