It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 61

The castle was quiet. It was late, and the servants were most likely already asleep. As Charlize descended the staircase, she saw her shadow flickering back and forth in the lantern light.

The light came from the lamp held by an automaton walking ahead of her—a directive she had given just a few minutes ago. On either side of her, and behind her, knight-type automatons assigned to her protection stood guard in formation.

It’s safe now… isn’t it?

And yet, the unease remained. This castle only had eight soldiers. With that number, their primary role was likely just to patrol the perimeter and stand watch at the walls.

Charlize didn’t doubt Achilles’ intentions, but she couldn’t help wondering—Does he really love me?

Aside from the fact that she possessed primordial mana and bore the title of princess, she felt there was nothing truly special about her. Someone as extraordinary as Achilles—what could he possibly see in someone like her?

No. I have to stop thinking like this. Only “worthy” people being loved isn’t how love works. I didn’t fall for Valter or Achilles just because they were great men, did I?

She hadn’t liked them for what they could do or what status they held. At first, it had just been looks that sparked her interest. Then, as she got to know them, her feelings grew.

She loved talking to him, spending time with him. Her heart would flutter when their eyes met. She’d find herself wanting to see him again and again.

Why did I fall for him, really? His face? His personality?

Thinking about what had drawn her to Achilles made her heart a little lighter. The more her thoughts shifted toward her own feelings, the more her mood began to lift.

She reached the lower stairway leading into the underground and noticed the glow of lamplight spilling from a hallway ahead. In this castle, no servant would dare to spy on the Tower Master’s affairs, so no guards were posted at the doors.

Charlize whispered to her automatons to stand back, then quietly approached the door. Surprisingly, it wasn’t locked. She slowly opened it—and no one inside seemed to notice.

She paused just outside and listened to the voices within.

After extracting all the necessary information from Lewein, Giel had released the soundproofing spell. They needed to speak openly now, and others were to be brought in.

All the mages summoned by Achilles were high-ranking. Even among mages, those from the Tower were trained to sense the flow of mana. They could detect someone approaching long before others could. Unlike knights, who relied on physical intuition, their sensitivity was magical.

Still, because Achilles didn’t react, none of them acknowledged Charlize’s presence outside.

“…So then, Tower Master,” came a voice from beyond the crystal orb, “what exactly is it that you want from me?”

Until now, it had been Eliza reporting the details of what had happened. But it was Giel’s reading of Lewein’s memories that finally provided clarity for the Emperor.

The Emperor now knew the full truth: that Valter Bianchi had attempted to kidnap the princess, that he had intended to murder a decoy and stage her disappearance.

And he understood that Achilles had shared all of this for a reason.

The Emperor had given Achilles a noble title and granted him land—but he knew that didn’t mean Achilles was loyal to the Empire. The truth was, Achilles still operated independently. He was the head of the Mage Tower—a force far beyond simple politics—and his actions were his own.

“Your Majesty,” Achilles said calmly, “I do not spare those who harm my people.”

“…Ahem.”

“However, since Lord Valter Bianchi is a noble of the Empire, I thought it proper to inform Your Majesty before I act.”

The Emperor, visible through the crystal orb, wore a troubled expression. The crime was clear—an unthinkable offense worthy of a thousand deaths. But the problem was who had committed it.

Valter Bianchi.

The Emperor wasn’t concerned about the nobility’s opinion. If Achilles had executed Valter without warning and only informed the palace afterward, that might have caused backlash. But this—seeking the Emperor’s permission first—left no room for protest.

If Valter had committed treason, and the Tower Master had carried out a sentence under imperial order, no one could object.

The Emperor was troubled—but not just by the crime itself. What he worried about was something far more delicate, something even difficult to speak aloud.

“Must it be you who does it?”
“You’re approaching what should be a joyful time… It’s not right for your hands to be stained with blood.”

He had every intention of seeing Valter punished, but in the Emperor’s view, it should not be Achilles who carried out the execution.

Even if Charlize claimed she no longer had feelings for Valter, it didn’t erase their long-standing friendship. The Emperor didn’t want a man—dead and buried—standing between his daughter and her future husband.

“I’m not asking you to forgive him. Valter will face trial, and he will be sentenced to death. But if it’s you who kills him…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it outright. He didn’t want to plant the idea in Achilles’ mind that Charlize still had unresolved feelings. That would only damage her in his eyes.

“…There may be backlash from the nobility. And after all, you and the princess will still be part of the imperial family. Please consider Her Highness—consider Charlize’s position.”

Achilles didn’t answer right away. For a long moment, he stood in silence, clearly turning it over in his mind. The Emperor could guess how he felt. He himself had once wanted to kill those who dared to covet his empress—even after marriage.

Outside the door, Charlize felt her chest tighten. It was true—Lewein had been exposed as the one behind it all. Valter was guilty. And now the Emperor was saying that he would die for it.

This was unavoidable. If Valter really did this… if he was the one who tried to kill my brother…

She pictured Oscar spitting blood on the floor, fighting to breathe. The sorrow that had overwhelmed her just moments ago began to dull.

She still couldn’t believe it. That Valter—the proud son of the prestigious Bianchi house—could have done this. If her father had been a tyrant, she might have understood. But the current Emperor was respected by nobles and commoners alike.

Would I understand you if I knew your reasons?

No, she decided. Not when it came to Oscar. This wasn’t about politics or succession. Oscar wasn’t just the Crown Prince—he was her family.

“Are you saying I don’t have Your Majesty’s permission?”

Achilles’ voice was calm, but the chill in his tone made Charlize flinch. She was terrified that he might still kill Valter.

The Emperor paused, then spoke in a heavy voice.

“Valter Bianchi is a Sword master—a powerful one. If he resists arrest and you are forced to kill him… well, it would be understandable. But… as Tower Master, you have a duty to protect yourself. Please avoid unnecessary risk.”

The mages from the Tower, who had all been tense until now, relaxed slightly at those words. Achilles, however, remained composed as ever.

“I appreciate Your Majesty’s consideration.”

He didn’t say Valter wouldn’t survive the night. But the look in his eyes made it clear.

“…I’ll return to the capital with the princess in a few days.”

“We’ll be waiting, Tower Master. Stay safe.”

With that, the Emperor’s voice faded. The image in the crystal orb disappeared—but the tension in the room didn’t.

None of the mages relaxed completely. Not because of the Emperor—but because of Achilles.

He turned away from the now-dark orb and approached the door.

Charlize had no time to flee. Their eyes met the moment he opened the door fully.

She had been peeking through the slightly ajar door, caught in her curiosity.

“Princess.”

He looked down at her with those same golden eyes, expression as unreadable as ever. But this time… she couldn’t tell what he was feeling at all.

“Do I have your permission to kill Valter Bianchi?”

Her throat went dry. She couldn’t speak.

The truth was, she didn’t want Valter to die. Not because she wanted him free. She knew his crimes deserved death. No argument there.

I thought I was over him…

If he died, it would still hurt. But that pain—she would endure. Because Valter was dangerous. Letting him live was not an option.

And yet, another fear haunted her. Achilles was the kind of man who would listen if she asked. If she begged him to spare Valter, he would likely try. But Valter was a Sword master. Even for someone as powerful as Achilles, capturing him alive would be dangerous—maybe even deadly.

What if I ask Achilles to spare him, and he or someone else gets hurt… or worse?

So, she lowered her gaze, pale and trembling.

“…Yes. He’s a criminal.”

Achilles said nothing. He followed her gaze, watching her eyes fall to the floor. She had given him permission to kill—but the hesitation in her voice said something else.

She still carries him in her heart.

That one truth was enough to justify Valter Bianchi’s death.

His blood boiled, but all Achilles could do was reach out—then release a single strand of her red hair that had slipped across her shoulder.

“Tower Master.”

Aisha approached, her team following close behind. Her eyes sparkled as she spotted Charlize—but first, she bowed to Achilles and gave her report.

“We’ve found him. He didn’t get far. If we use long-distance teleportation, we can reach him in under ten minutes.”

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