One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 101

Once the two were finally alone, Edys calmly began to answer Aireen’s earlier question.

“I wanted you to demonstrate your skills freely. I wanted everyone to recognize your talent. I hoped you would polish your abilities even further. And I wanted you to spend at least a little time with Carlisle.”

The last part struck home. An unexpected and sincere answer. Aireen, who had slightly parted her lips in surprise, slowly closed them again.

The usual playfulness that lingered on Edys’s face had completely vanished. In its place remained nothing but earnestness.

“It wasn’t a curse he brought upon himself. More than anyone, it’s Carlisle who wishes to lift it and live a long life by your side.”

“……”

“When he realized that he couldn’t even brush his fingers against yours, when he finally confessed it to me—his expression… I can still see it vividly. I can’t forget it.”

There was a faint tremble in Edys’s voice, as if emotion seeped through.

“And imagining how you must’ve felt when you saw that face… it tore me apart. Because I knew—if you ever learned the truth, Aireen, you would bear it all alone without hesitation. You’d throw yourself into finding a way to lift the curse, no matter what it took.”

Aireen found herself breathless.

But before she could say anything, Edys continued, her expression clouded with sorrow.

“In your rage, you might’ve stormed straight into the North. Or, in the worst case… you might’ve blamed yourself. You’d believe Carlisle was cursed because you were his weakness.”

“……”

“I never wanted to see you consumed by guilt. Both of you are equally precious to me—I couldn’t bear to watch either of you break.”

“……”

“I’m sorry for deceiving you, Aireen.”

Aireen responded with silence.

She was a little hurt—but she hadn’t realized just how deeply Edys cared about them both. Even during their academy days, when the three of them would occasionally spend time together, it had never seemed this way.

And more than that, Edys understood her better than she thought. If she had known the truth from the start… she likely would’ve done exactly what Edys feared.

As she watched Aireen’s subtle reaction, Edys cautiously added,

“And just to be clear, I’m not saying all this to shield Carlisle, nor is this some convenient lie to smooth things over.”

Her tone carried a delicate nuance. Aireen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Carlisle wasn’t the one who came forward first. I noticed something was wrong. I pressed him for the truth for a long time.”

“……”

“Mistakes he’d never make… the way he looked completely lost. That wasn’t like him at all. And when he’s acting strangely, the only possible reason is you, Aireen.”

Aireen simply listened in silence.

“So, naturally sharp as I am, I pushed. He tried to keep it hidden to the end, but I told him—if he really wanted to protect you, he needed to speak.”

Edys raised and lowered her eyebrows with a sigh.

“After dragging it out for ages, he finally confessed. And then he begged me—again and again—not to tell you. ‘Daughter of Marquess Hessiden,’ he said… Even I had to admit it was the worst.”

“……”

“That’s all there is, Aireen. From this point on, I intend to join hands with Santinu and bring down Marquess Hessiden. And I will break the curse on Carlisle.”

“……”

“Now that you, too, know the truth—I ask for your help and cooperation.”

She had started as a friend seeking forgiveness, but by the end of it, Edys had transformed before her eyes—standing firm as the Emperor of the Diert Empire.

Aireen let out a small, breathless laugh. Of course. That was the Edys she knew.

Changing the tone, Aireen brought up another matter—one of importance.

“By the way, regarding what happened during the recent subjugation… if my father asks, how much am I permitted to tell him?”

The Duke of Revart was undoubtedly the Emperor’s most trusted ally, but even so, given the gravity of the situation, there were surely limits to what information could be disclosed.

Edys wasn’t fazed. She slowly stroked her chin as she gathered her thoughts.

“Hm. Officially, only the three of us know about Carlisle’s curse… but in reality, Marquess Hessiden and his daughter are likely aware too. We’ll need to hear Carlisle’s report about securing a witness before we can confirm it.”

“You mean that report refers to—”

“Evidence proving that Marquess Hessiden has been colluding with the northern tribes. From the way Santinu is acting, it seems he wants an alliance with us after all. Which means the ones Hessiden is in contact with are likely the Tanil tribe—the ones made up of shamans.”

Instead of nodding, Aireen posed a calm question—one she finally felt ready to ask.

“Your Majesty, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I’ve never been privy to complete information. Up until just a few days ago, I didn’t even know a curse existed. Only Your Majesty and Sir Carlisle have had full knowledge of the situation.”

Edys flinched slightly, her shoulders twitching with guilt at Aireen’s composed words. But Aireen paid her no mind and continued.

“So, when Sir Carlisle says he secured a witness, that would confirm Marquess Hessiden’s collusion with the northern tribes. Is that correct?”

“That’s right.”

“And if those tribes are the Tanil, then Marquess Hessiden must be aware of the curse. No—he may have even ordered it.”

“Exactly.”

“Then… what about Judith Hessiden?”

Edys, who had been answering without hesitation, now let out a low hum.

“…She probably knows. There’s a high chance Marquess Hessiden told her.”

“So it wasn’t Sir Carlisle who said anything?”

“No. Why would he? Their relationship is strictly contractual. There’s no trust to confide in.”

Aireen gave a small nod, signaling her understanding. Then she returned to the matter at hand.

“Then I assume that I may share the essential details with my father—specifically regarding Marquess Hessiden’s collusion—and if there are sensitive parts, I should defer those to Your Majesty?”

“Do that.”

“Excluding anything related to the curse.”

“Correct.”

Edys took a breath.

“And this part must remain hidden for now. Marquess Hessiden is the type to dig an escape route the moment he senses a crack. We mustn’t give him the slightest hint until the trap is set perfectly.”

“……”

“The only exception is the Duke of Revart, Sir Aireen.”

“I understand.”

At present, Edys was countering Marquess Hessiden’s schemes—those that manipulated national defense and foreign policy—through Carlisle and Aireen on the outside, while quietly cornering him politically on the inside with Duke Revart.

All of it was orchestrated to appear like a typical power struggle between the throne and the nobility.

Even the campaign to force him to spend money on building orphanages served that purpose. With clever justification, they pushed him to part with his wealth while gradually increasing the taxes on the monopolies he controlled.

As the current emperor, Edys lacked traditional legitimacy and was quietly scorned by certain nobles—most of whom were under Hessiden’s influence.

So Edys and Duke Revart aimed directly at that faction. The Imperial side exposed evidence of tax evasion, while the opposing nobles retaliated by pushing for legislation that weakened the emperor’s power.

It all stemmed from the emperor’s relatively weak political standing.

Because Carlisle wished to keep things private, Edys never told Duke Revart anything about him. But for everything else, she worked closely with the duke. If Carlisle gave permission, she would eventually reveal the truth about the curse to him as well.

“I may soon be able to tell Duke Revart everything. So keep that in mind,” Edys said, studying Aireen’s expression without making it obvious. Aireen’s face faltered briefly, then regained its composure.

“…Understood.”

“Now, would you call Carlisle in for me? I’m sure he hasn’t gone far—likely waiting just outside the door.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll handle Duke Revart myself, so don’t worry.”

Aireen gave a nod in response and stepped outside. The moment she did, she sensed someone nearby.

“Aireen…”

It was Carlisle. His gaunt face was shadowed with exhaustion.

Aireen glanced around quickly. Thankfully, no one was passing by, but caution was still needed. He was, after all, Judith’s fiancé. She didn’t want to create any more scandal.

She spoke firmly.

“His Majesty is calling for you.”

“…If you have questions, I’ll tell you everything honestly. Could you spare some time today?”

Instead of answering her, Carlisle offered something different. His face, usually unreadable, was now riddled with anxious hesitation.

But Aireen met his gaze with calm, unwavering eyes and replied.

“I’m not in the mood to talk today. And His Majesty is waiting for you.”

“Ah…”

A helpless sigh escaped Carlisle’s lips. Aireen turned away from him.

There were still pieces she needed to examine rationally—especially the assumptions she had leapt to. After all, this wasn’t merely a love triangle between Carlisle, Judith, and herself.

But she had no desire to hold a long conversation with him now.

She had only just returned. During the ride back, she’d exchanged casual words with Piel and the others while on horseback, but had no real time to think. No, perhaps she hadn’t wanted to think.

She needed to return to her estate, to silence, to sort through her mind in peace.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Aireen turned away, leaving Carlisle standing there alone like a lost child.

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