Chapter 19

Someone like me, who rarely reacts to anything, found myself utterly stunned.

“This way, we won’t have to upend all the royal and Mergen-affiliated businesses because of a broken engagement, don’t you think?”

“You’ve gone mad.”

This needed to be said clearly.

“It’s not like it’s unheard of, is it? Engagements being rearranged within families for the sake of alliances—it happens all the time.”

“That’s not the point…”
Ha.

Seeing it happen right in front of my face was the problem.

Stay calm.
You need to look at this situation clearly and rationally.

Thinking about it, Henry wasn’t wrong—this kind of arrangement was common.

But the reason I never saw this coming was because I thought Henry had far more to gain from breaking the engagement with Mergen than staying in it.

“Wouldn’t a broken engagement be more favorable to Your Highness?”

“Just to avoid paying a small settlement?”

“It’s not just that…”

A sharp ache throbbed in my head.

I truly hadn’t imagined things would go this way.

“I’m not really losing anything here.”

Ah.

That’s when I finally realized what I’d missed.

Henry would have lost out by marrying me—as Mergen’s heir.

He’s not the kind of man who’d be satisfied with simply being a prince.

And under imperial law, anyone who marries the heir of Mergen—a family with the power of the forest—must give up the right to ascend the throne. That rule exists to preserve the bloodline of the forest’s power.

So marrying me, as the heir of Mergen, would’ve meant giving up the crown.

But with Irene—who has no real position in Mergen—that changes.

He could still wield Mergen’s influence while keeping his claim to the throne. Two birds with one stone.

You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“So now that my sister’s gone, you’re looking for a new pawn. Or maybe… just a new toy?”

I deliberately hid my earlier thoughts and provoked him.

“I didn’t think even a discarded puppet would interest you.”

Henry responded with a calm tone.

“If that weren’t my intention, I wouldn’t have brought up an engagement with the twin of my dead fiancée.”

“I already told you. I may be mourning Deborah’s death, but our relationship was always one of mutual benefit.”

“Milking it until the very last drop, I see.”

“Ha.”

Henry let out a full laugh and stood from his chair, pressing one hand to the table.

My eyes followed him as he rose.

His arm bent slowly as he leaned closer.

The nearer he came, the lower my gaze dropped.

Until finally, his face was right in front of mine.

Our eyes locked.

“I used to think you were completely different… but looking into those angry eyes now, maybe not so much.”

There was no need to ask who he meant.

He was seeing me through Irene.

“The ice in your gaze… she had the same. Makes me want to step on it—just to hear it crack.”

In the end, I was the one who broke eye contact first.

At this close range, staring into his eyes felt like exposing my soul.

Like a child afraid of being caught in a lie, I turned away.

“Take all the time you need to think about my offer.”

Henry pulled his hand from the table and straightened up with a cheerful turn.

He gave the room a broad look around.

“Sitting here is nice and all, but I’d love to take a walk around Mergen’s estate. It’s been a while.”

“Is that really necessary?”

We hadn’t even gone through a single page of the documents.

Letting him take the lead like this was clearly a disadvantage for me.

“No need to be so tense. It’s not like I’m going to devour you right here and now.”

It was as if he could read my thoughts.

No doubt he was still holding a grudge over the way I negotiated during our last meeting.

That’s why he came armed with the one proposal that could make things most difficult for me.

I lost.

No matter how I looked at it, I’d been thoroughly outmaneuvered today.

“Stay for dinner. The head of the house went out of his way to set the date for today.”

“Of course.”

Henry smiled knowingly, as if everything was already going according to plan.

Between Grandfather and Henry… I’d been completely played.

* * *

The clinking of utensils filled the banquet hall. At the head of the table sat Grandfather, flanked by Abel and Chloe. Across from them sat Henry and me.

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve all shared a meal like this,” Henry said, his pleasant smile never faltering as he chatted easily with Grandfather and Chloe.

Was I the only one here with something stuck in my throat?

“Even before her passing, such gatherings weren’t common,” Chloe said lightly.

“I dare say you’ve grown even more beautiful since we last met,” Henry replied.

Chloe didn’t care for anyone from the imperial family.
Though honestly, I wasn’t sure she cared for anyone.

“You certainly know how to flatter, Your Highness.”

“Truly, the women of House Mergen are all remarkably beautiful.”

Slice.

I could swear Chloe’s knife was cutting more harshly than before.

“But truly, what a joy it must be—for your son to return home a hero of this nation,” Henry continued smoothly, sipping his wine.

“The entire family is proud of him.”

“You must be especially proud, Lord Mergen. None of my father’s children ever made it to general—he’s quite envious, you know.”

“It is an honor to be recognized even by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“With such an impressive young man, I imagine marriage proposals are flooding in.”

“Oh, no, not at all. It’s still a bit early to be thinking about marriage.”

Ha ha.
Ho ho.
Back and forth, as if perfectly choreographed.

I quietly listened while tearing my salad into tiny pieces.

“If such a man becomes the next heir of Mergen, there would be no room for concern.”

At Henry’s words, the sunlight-warm air that had settled over the table turned tense in an instant.

Slowly, I looked around the table, then turned to Grandfather.

“No decision has been made regarding succession,” Grandfather said calmly.

“But even the farmers say that the next heir will surely be Abel, the war hero.”

“What would simple farmers know?” Chloe interjected with a cold smile.

“Surely public opinion means something,” Henry countered.

“The affairs of Mergen are decided by Mergen alone,” Grandfather said firmly, drawing a clear line.

Watching Chloe’s eyes twitch ever so slightly every time that line was drawn—it was rather entertaining.

“This isn’t the time or place for such talk,” Chloe said, cutting off the exchange. “Lord Mergen, Abel has completed the task you assigned him. Please give him your praise.”

So Abel had successfully reorganized the private forces.

Honestly, it was a little surprising that he finished so quickly.

All I gave him was a few hints… and he unraveled it right away.

Perhaps Abel was far more politically astute than I had given him credit for.

“I heard the report. You’ve done well. That couldn’t have been an easy task.”

“I didn’t do much. There was some confusion after my sister’s death, but the unit was well-structured to begin with.”

“Still, managing those men isn’t something just anyone can do.”

It was clear that Abel was the center of attention tonight.

It had been a while since I’d seen Grandfather speak to him so warmly.

Or perhaps… this was the first time.

“I heard Nehrzhu will also be coming home soon after finishing his term at the Academy. Isn’t it wonderful to have everyone together again?”

So that’s why Chloe had been in such high spirits.

Nehrzhu is coming back.

That walking disaster somehow managed to survive another term at the Imperial Academy.

I thought for sure he’d blow something up this time and get expelled…

Nehrzhu was Abel’s younger brother.

Unlike Abel, who was quiet and composed, Nehrzhu was impulsive and hot-tempered.

He was the kind of person who was easily provoked—entertaining to watch, if nothing else.

“Is that so? Has that much time already passed?”

Grandfather set down his utensils and stroked his long beard thoughtfully.

“He’s nearly of age now.”

“Hard to believe that boy has grown so much.”

“I’m sure he’ll become a great asset to House Mergen.”

What a fox.

It was clear Chloe was using this opportunity to position Nehrzhu more firmly within the family.

When it came to making use of my death, no one did it quite like Chloe.

“There’s no need to rush. Like beans on a lightning-heated skillet—things done in haste often go wrong.”

Pfft.

Grandfather’s reply to Chloe’s hopeful comment made me let out an involuntary laugh.

And just like that, all eyes turned to me.

“Hm. The pepper’s a bit strong tonight,” I said, stabbing a piece of meat with my fork to cover up my amusement.

It wasn’t really that funny, but watching Chloe’s expression twist at the thought of Nehrzhu being likened to a hastily cooked bean was too much to resist.

Grandfather’s really become quite amusing these days.

First, he’d left me speechless—and now he was serving Chloe a slice of humble pie.

“There’s nothing wrong with being cautious,” Henry said smoothly, backing Grandfather.

Then Abel set down his utensils and finally spoke.

“You seem to take great interest in Mergen’s affairs.”

Abel’s gaze locked directly onto Henry.

He was never the soft-spoken type, but tonight his tone was especially curt.

The tension between the two of them simmered.

I had expected this dinner to be uncomfortable, but now it felt more like a minefield.

“How could I not be interested? Mergen is practically family to me.”

“But not anymore, is it?”

He meant: Now that I’m dead, what business do you have here anymore?

Before I realized it, I found myself quietly nodding in agreement with Abel.