It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 70

“You endured far more than I did, Your Highness.”

Achilles said this as he looked at Charlize. The castle staff had already witnessed her using magic, and there was no longer any way to keep that fact hidden.

Although they had agreed to keep the truth about the Primordial Mana a secret to protect her, they would eventually have to explain her ability to use magic.

Charlize, caught off guard by the Emperor’s gaze, quickly spoke up.

“A-Achilles lent me a magic artifact… That’s how I was able to avoid being kidnapped.”

At her lie, Achilles glanced at her. Charlize was already looking at him, her eyes silently begging him to go along with it. Understanding her plea, Achilles responded.

“I never imagined Viscount Bianchi would go this far. Has he said anything yet?”

The topic shifted, but Charlize’s expression darkened at the mention of Valter. It seemed the Emperor and Empress noticed as well. Oscar stepped forward.

“He’s still refusing to speak. We’ll begin the investigation after the wedding. For now, the two of you should focus on that.”

“Yes, the wedding is only a few days away!”

The Emperor tried to lighten the mood, but Achilles didn’t respond. His eyes were fixed on Charlize. When he gently touched her hand, she quietly took his hand in return.

Oh my…

The Empress glanced at the Emperor, who had also noticed them holding hands.

“You both must be tired from your journey. Go get some rest. Charlize, you too. There’s still much to prepare before the wedding.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Your Highness.”

Charlize bowed to both the Emperor and Empress, then left the parlor with Achilles. The Emperor seemed a bit disappointed by how quickly she left after receiving permission.

“Not too long ago, she acted like she didn’t even want to get married…”

“You’re hardly one to talk, considering you forced the Tower Master on her.”

The Empress replied coolly, and the Emperor fell silent. Only Oscar watched Charlize with suspicion, thinking she was hiding something.

Achilles checked the hallway with magic to make sure it was empty, then turned to Charlize.

“Why did you say that earlier?”

Charlize also looked around cautiously before answering.

“I can’t properly use any spells yet. Saying I’ve learned magic just didn’t feel right… Once I can control at least one thing, I’ll speak up.”

It was true. Asking the princess to demonstrate magic she might not be able to control could have led to disaster.

It’s safer to let them think she’s using an artifact than to reveal her true condition.

Besides, the imperial mages had already declared her incapable of magic. No one would think she had cast spells herself—except perhaps the servants from the northern castle who had seen it. Even they might be convinced by the artifact story.

“In that case, I’ll create a special magic artifact and gift it to you. If anything happens, you can say it was that. For now, just tell them it’s being repaired by me.”

“Okay… Thank you for backing up my lie, Achilles.”

Charlize’s words made Achilles quietly nod. In truth, there was something he wanted to ask her.

Did she want to see Valter Bianchi?

She must’ve seen Achilles capture him. After witnessing how severely injured Valter was, she had every reason to resent Achilles.

But even when his name came up, Charlize seemed determined not to show any interest. The Emperor had even tried to steer the conversation away, worried she might ask.

“Is something wrong?”

Charlize looked at Achilles, puzzled by the way he stared silently at her. Gently, Achilles took her hand in his.

“Do you remember when you told me you loved me?”

“O-Of course I do.”

Then, he wanted to ask—could she still love him, no matter what? Even after what he’d done to Valter—would she come to hate him for it?

“In that case… I hope you don’t see him again.”

They would be staying in different wings of the palace until the wedding. If Charlize tried to visit Valter after parting ways with Achilles, there would be little he could do to stop her.

The Emperor or her family would likely intervene, but Achilles still hoped she wouldn’t even try.

Charlize looked a little surprised by his words. In truth, she had never intended to see Valter again.

“Because he didn’t seem like the Valter I used to know.”

In the novel, he was the type who could tell perfect lies whenever necessary. So if he met Charlize, he would definitely claim he’d been framed and deny everything he did.

But who would even try to frame Valter Bianchi? Though he had once been the object of both admiration and envy, someone else had now taken that spotlight.

The Tower Master.

Although Achilles had earned his title through years of service to the Empire, people still talked as if he had become a noble overnight. Now a Marquis, engaged to the Imperial Princess and on his way to becoming a Grand Duke—people saw him as a man blessed with ridiculous fortune.

“I have no intention of meeting him of my own will. Unless His Majesty commands it… but that won’t happen. So I won’t be seeing Valter again.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him. She was curious—why had he done such a thing? Had it really been necessary?

But in the end, it was pointless. Whether he was executed or imprisoned, Valter would no longer be a part of her life.

I don’t want to meet him again, only to remember things I’m trying to forget.

Valter would surely try to persuade her—manipulate her—somehow. In doing so, he might blame her or hurt her.

It might sound silly to fear someone locked away in a prison, but words could cut deeper than any blade. Words had a way of leaving wounds that were slow to heal.

“If you’re still feeling uneasy, would you like to stay with me a bit longer? We can keep it between us. You could hide in my quarters.”

“Would that be all right?”

The era where noblewomen were expected to preserve their chastity had long passed. With contraceptive rings widely available, being intimate before marriage was no longer a cause for scandal or broken engagements.

Besides, everyone already knew Charlize had traveled to the northern castle alone with the Tower Master. People would naturally assume they had shared a room.

“As long as no one finds out, it’s fine. So…”

Though the hallway was empty, Charlize pulled Achilles closer and whispered in his ear.

“Come to the detached palace, then come straight to my room. I’ll be waiting for you.”

She pressed a kiss to his cheek, and his golden eyes widened in surprise. It was as if all his worries melted away at once.

“…I will, Your Highness.”

Achilles smiled as he spoke, his joy radiating from his face. He looked so beautiful in that moment that Charlize felt her breath catch. He gently cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly before wrapping her in his arms.

For that moment, neither of them cared that they were standing in a hallway where anyone could see them. As she felt the warmth of Achilles’s hand against her skin, Charlize made a quiet vow in her heart.

That she would never neglect the person standing beside her because of past memories or lost love. She would make up for every tear he had shed—

With more love, and with kinder memories.

With that thought, she leaned in again and kissed him, sweet and sincere.

This place had no windows. Torches were lit twice a day and placed on the walls, not for the prisoner’s comfort, but so the guards could keep an eye on him—to make sure he hadn’t escaped or started any strange tricks.

Valter sat on the cold stone floor, watching the flames flicker. He was waiting for someone.

Crown Prince Oscar had visited him once yesterday and hadn’t returned. No knights had come either. There had been no interrogation, no torture.

Valter took it to mean one thing:

They’ve postponed my questioning and trial until after the wedding.

It made sense. The Emperor clearly valued the marriage between the Princess and the Tower Master. Keeping the Tower Master in good favor was the priority now.

Rumor had it the Princess was now playing the role of a devoted lover to the Tower Master. If true, the Emperor must have been relieved.

Charlize…!

Valter was filled with both anger and sorrow. He couldn’t believe Charlize hadn’t come to see him, but a part of him was also glad she hadn’t.

He’d been defeated by Achilles, reduced to this state. Of course, he wanted Charlize to resent the man who had done this to him—but it still hurt his pride.

Clack.

Somewhere in the large underground prison, a door creaked open. It wasn’t one of the barred cells, but the door at the top of the stairs—the one that led up to the surface.

Valter glanced toward the guard’s post. The guard, as if entranced, stared at someone, then quickly vanished into the shadows. It seemed he had rushed out of the corridor.

“…To think the great leader of the assassins would end up like this.”

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