It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 47

Achilles strode forward, almost running by the time he reached her and without hesitation, pulled Charlize tightly into his arms. She stood firm, not even a tear in her eye, able to answer everything with unwavering composure.

That strength came from being loved.

His affection had become her confidence. It allowed her to stand tall in front of her old crush, unaffected. Even if Achilles hadn’t been there, she wouldn’t have lost but it would’ve been far more painful and far lonelier.

“I’m glad… that it’s you I’m marrying.”

“And I’m grateful I met you,” Achilles said as he held her tighter in his strong arms.

“Thank you, Charlize… for appearing in front of me… for making me fall in love. If I hadn’t met you, I never would have realized how empty my life had been.”

He knew just how much Valter Bianchi had thrown away. And to Achilles, Charlize was nothing less than a divine blessing.

Their eyes met, and Charlize smiled softly. As always, Achilles kissed the corner of her lips, gently asking for another kiss.

Her radiant smile as she looked at him sent a thrill through Achilles’s heart. He vowed in that moment—he would never let this happiness go.

The moment the men saw their lord returning from the fortress, they realized things had not gone according to plan. The Duke of Bianchi looked angrier than they had ever seen him.

“He failed to persuade the princess?”

Charlize’s affection for the Duke had once been widely known. Even beyond the empire’s borders, no match was considered worthy of her except Valter. Many had believed that someday, he would return her love.

He had all the right qualities—letting her go would be a waste. And if he was going to accept her eventually, wouldn’t it be safer to delay it? Let her pride as a royal cool down.

But now…

“So, this is how it ends.”

No love lasts untouched by time. Even mutual love can fade—how could one-sided love last forever?

“He was too vague… and this is the price.”

“Now he wants to chase her down? When it’s already too late?”

Even the knights serving House Bianchi found Valter’s actions cowardly. At this point, even if Charlize begged the Emperor to let her marry the Duke, it would be near impossible to call off the engagement.

Her fiancé was the Master of the Tower—a man who had saved the Crown Prince’s life in front of countless nobles. He was hailed as a hero across the empire. The Emperor would never give him up.

Still…

The look in the young Duke’s darkened eyes made it clear—this wasn’t over. These were knights who had once sworn to follow Valter to hell and back.

“We camp near the fortress tonight. We move out at dawn.”

Someone asked if he wasn’t taking the wounded knight with them. Valter’s eyes turned dull and cold.

“He’ll return once he’s recovered. Any objections?”

Even the most tone-deaf among them knew now wasn’t the time to argue. Silence fell, and Valter nodded once.

“Good.”

As he withdrew, his lieutenant began giving orders to set up camp. Soon, tents rose on the open grassland near the fortress and fires flickered to life.

The staff of House Bianchi, who had accompanied them, prepared the Duke’s tent and bedding. Though they resented the princess for turning away even their lord, they kept those thoughts to themselves.

Because the Duke’s mood… was terrifying.

As they hurried to finish setting up, dusk fell. And as always, Ailbbern’s night descended swiftly and completely.

Achilles kept watch even into the early morning. It had surprised him that Valter had left the fortress rather than insist on staying the night.

“What a fool.”

He knew Charlize had harbored feelings for Valter for a long time. But Valter had been vague and indecisive. So, Achilles hadn’t worried much.

Because no man who truly loves a woman hesitates.

And if he does—then his love is cowardly. And cowardly men lose women. They always do.

That’s why Achilles had left Valter alone. Perhaps, at the time, it was because he himself hadn’t loved Charlize yet.

But now? Charlize didn’t even seem to consider Valter a friend anymore. For someone like Achilles—who had always been wary of Valter—that realization was electric.

And knowing Charlize loved him, while Valter sat outside the walls of the fortress—it thrilled him even more.

At first, he thought she might reject him. But though she hesitated briefly, Charlize didn’t push him away.

“Ah… Achilles…”

Achilles watched Charlize sleep peacefully in his arms, her breath soft against his chest. Even now, with her body curled into his embrace, a part of him couldn’t fully relax. He loved her deeply, and she had chosen him—but some part of his heart still braced for the day she might slip away.

He brushed a lock of her hair from her cheek, marveling at how serene she looked. She had stood so strong earlier, unshaken, even in the face of someone she once loved. And yet, here she was now, completely vulnerable—safe with him.

Outside, Achilles had cast a quiet surveillance spell, sending a small bird to observe Valter and his men. Most had gone to sleep after their meal, only a few remaining on night watch. Valter had retired to one of the tents near the carriage.

He may have been watching the fortress… watching us… while we made love.

The thought didn’t fill Achilles with fear—but with dark satisfaction. He had won. Charlize was with him. And if Valter had seen even a glimpse of her love for Achilles, then he knew exactly what he had lost.

Still, if Valter had dared lay a hand on her, Achilles would have shown no mercy.

A soft sound brought him back to the present.

“Mmm…”

Charlize stirred in his arms, her fingertips tracing idle shapes on his chest. The gesture tickled slightly, but it warmed him more than he could say.

“You’re awake, Your Highness?”

“Mmm… Why aren’t you asleep?”

Achilles quickly dispelled the lingering magic in his eyes. There was no need for surveillance now. She was here. With him.

“I was thinking,” he said gently, “but it’s nothing important. Go back to sleep.”

“Only if you sleep too,” she whispered, wrapping her arms tighter around his waist. Her fingers trailed along the ridges of his abdomen with playful affection.

Achilles’s breath caught slightly at her touch—loving and familiar, yet still electrifying.

“My rose… if you keep touching me like that, sleep will be the last thing on my mind.”

“Really?” she asked, eyes wide with mock innocence.

He smiled, then shifted to hold her more fully, the weight of his emotions anchoring him. Even now, in the quiet of their shared bed, his love for her was fierce and all-consuming.

He leaned in and kissed her softly—her lips, her cheeks, the space just below her ear—each kiss a silent vow.

“Thank you,” he murmured. “For choosing me. For loving me.”

She smiled, her eyes full of warmth.

“I’m exactly where I want to be.”

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