It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 90

The Duchess of Gianni had many questions she wanted to ask and complaints she wanted to voice, but because of the absence of the one she needed to question, she couldn’t even say half of what she wanted to.
“Before the wedding, we must meet.”
The Duchess of Gianni glanced at Achilles and whispered into Charlize’s ear. The words “except the fiancé” made Charlize smile softly.

The hand that had been reluctant to let go finally released, and the royal carriage carrying Charlize and Achilles began to move. Charlize felt relieved as she saw the Duke of Gianni embrace the Duchess.
‘They look happy and seem to get along so well. I’m glad.’

In fact, Amelia, the Duchess of Gianni, hadn’t been entirely sure about the marriage. Her family and the Gianni family had been close for many years, and the engagement had been arranged when she was just three years old.
The Duke of Gianni had always been kind, and as a child, Amelia hadn’t thought much of the engagement. But as she grew older, her feelings began to change.
However, when the scheduled time arrived, both families pushed for the marriage, and Amelia felt increasingly conflicted. Though she hadn’t had anyone she truly loved, the wedding date was fast approaching.
“If this goes on, I might fall in love with someone else. What will I do then?”
Amelia had found clarity just two weeks before the wedding, after she shared her first kiss with the Duke of Gianni. She blushed as she confessed to Charlize that she had felt a fluttering in her chest and thought that she could marry him.
‘I’m glad.’
Charlize smiled, reassured by her friend’s happiness, and looked out the window. Soon, they left the Gianni estate and turned onto the road.
Achilles held Charlize’s hand as they sat side by side.

“Don’t you feel a little disappointed that the gathering ended earlier than planned?”
“It can’t be helped. Lady Weaver was seriously injured, and continuing the gathering as if nothing happened would have been inappropriate.”
It was unfortunate that she couldn’t have a private conversation with Amelia, but Charlize hoped there would be another opportunity after the Empress’s tea party.

“Your Highness, how do you feel?”
When Policia made an impolite remark, Achilles wasn’t close enough to intervene immediately. He moved to step in as the tone of voice escalated, but before he could, Charlize handled the situation herself.
“I’m fine. I was surprised to hear such words, though…”
“I still hope that you won’t meet with that person.”
Achilles spoke firmly, as though he were emphasizing Charlize’s words. She wasn’t that shocked, as it wasn’t the first time he had said such things.
“I don’t plan to meet him either.”
Even if she wanted to, her family would likely oppose it, saying that Valter would never say anything good about her. He had become completely cornered and humiliated.
He might beg for his life or curse everything he once had. Either way, it was a sight she didn’t want to witness.
‘I don’t want to feel guilty toward Valter.’
His actions were entirely his own responsibility. Charlize had never been his lover, and even if she had been, there was no reason for her to take responsibility for his actions.
The fact that he had raised soldiers to stage a rebellion and attempted to kidnap the princess made him more than just a traitor.
At the point where he might have even tried to assassinate her older brother, Oscar, Charlize was firm in drawing a line.
This matter wasn’t something she should approach with emotions. She had asked the Emperor to show leniency for Valter many times, but she had always maintained a certain boundary.
‘You can’t blame me just because you didn’t realize it. I’ve already told you that I don’t love you.’
It was ridiculous for a man who hadn’t given her any love to criticize her for changing her feelings.

“Do you not regret it?”

Charlize fell into deep thought as Achilles spoke. She reconsidered everything once more, but in the end, her conclusion was clear.
“I don’t regret it.”
She didn’t want to cling to a faded relationship and risk hurting the person by her side. After all, the person beside her was someone who truly loved her.
Valter had the last 13 years. During that time, she had given him so much of her heart and done many things for him.
Even though he had treated those feelings carelessly and hurt her, she didn’t want to be bound by the past.
‘I didn’t properly confess or reject him, but… it doesn’t matter now.’
He had become someone she could never continue a relationship with. Meeting with him would only bring pain.
“If I meet Viscount Bianchi, I will regret it. He’s now my enemy.”
Because he was a traitor. He was no longer even her friend. Achilles was relieved by her firm words. He had secretly been worried about how to handle the situation if she ended up resenting him for keeping her away from Valter.
He didn’t want her to meet him under any circumstances, so her words were a great comfort to him.
“I’ll… do better.”
When he spoke those words, his eyes lowered, and Charlize smiled at him. She took his hand and rested her head against his chest.
“You’re already doing well. But right now, just hold me.”
At her whisper, Achilles pulled her into a tight embrace.

Meanwhile…

“I don’t know about the other invitations, but this one is from the Duchess…”
“Shut up!!”
Ryuhan threw the water basin beside him at the servant and chased him out. The servant screamed and fled, slamming the door behind him. Ryuhan, who had been lying on the bed, finally got up.
“Foolish idiot!”
How could he calmly attend the Duchess’s gathering after the humiliation he had endured just yesterday? And the Duchess was a close friend of the princess, with both the princess and the Master of the Magic Tower attending.
The thought of facing them at the gathering while they laughed and chatted made his face burn with embarrassment. Ryuhan gritted his teeth and flopped back onto the bed.
“The Master of the Magic Tower! I hope he dies quickly!”
Even if that Master of the Magic Tower were struck down instantly, Ryuhan doubted he would die. In fact, he imagined the Master would take revenge on him, but he still hoped that the Master would face great humiliation. The thought of meeting him again was unbearable, and dying would be a good way out.
‘How did he become so strong… I need to figure out how he did it…’
Even a non-magician like him, with his white hair, would be laughed at by the magicians of his homeland. Yet, the Master of the Magic Tower, Achilles Illien, appeared to be around the same age.
‘That man is the Master of the Magic Tower… The sorcerers back in the homeland will laugh at me!’
The Master of the Magic Tower was in a position similar to that of the leader of the Heavenly Sword, so others would naturally expect his defeat. However, Ryuhan didn’t think that way.
He planned to defeat the Master of the Magic Tower, make him his disciple, and then return to his own country to overthrow the leader of the Heavenly Sword, Tian Liao.
Such greatness as his naturally attracted the attention of all sorcerers. He was sure that news of his defeat the day before had reached his homeland by now.
‘I can’t stand this! I lost! This calls for a rematch!’
Tossing and turning in frustration, Ryuhan angrily punched the bed, then leapt up. His pride couldn’t bear the defeat. He had to face Achilles again in a rematch.
He immediately jumped off the bed, but the moment he recalled the magical trap that Achilles had set, his thoughts darkened. The cold, piercing stare of Achilles, almost like that of a death god, lingered in his mind.
“….”
‘This isn’t Lushan.’
Though his father, the Emperor, still stood behind him, the distant land beyond the seas was of little concern. Still, Lushan’s vast influence was undeniable. Yet, Achilles might not see it that way.
He had reduced Ryuhan to that state, and yet Achilles had been looking at him—no, at the father of his fiancée.
‘…Is he really that much under the control of his fiancée?’
Ryuhan seemed to recall hearing some idle gossip about it, though he had dismissed it as irrelevant.
‘That princess or whatever, I didn’t get a good look at her face, but she had great power. If she learned magic, she’d become an amazing sorceress. She would be a great disciple… Hmm…’
It was embarrassing to think about facing the Master of the Magic Tower, but Ryuhan found himself intrigued by the princess. His resentment toward the Master was growing because of his interest in her.
It was likely the same for the Master. After all, he had glared at Ryuhan with an intense, intimidating gaze the moment he looked at the princess for even a bit too long.
‘He agreed to the match so easily because of that.’
Ryuhan’s face brightened as an idea struck him. If the Master of the Magic Tower was so quick to get upset over a glance, then approaching his fiancée would surely enrage him.