Chapter 53 of Gaiden. Marquis Enrique Leyden
2023.02.14.
There is a question that will give you the same answer if you grab and ask any woman of marriageable age in the Ermano Empire.
[Who do you want to marry?]
[His Highness Prince Oscar or His Excellency the Marquis of Leiden!]
No one could deny the fact that a hundred out of a hundred would answer that.
It was an obvious fact that there was no better husband than them in the empire.
Property, honorary status, and your outstanding ability and strong physique, and finally your dazzling appearance.
Oscar and Enrique were perfect men, lacking nothing.
Not long ago, they were called the three handsome men of Ermano, but one of them became someone’s husband and was removed from the list.
Anyway, there was a common singularity between the two men who were the objects of envy of the Ermano ladies.
The fact that he never had a fiancee. Ever since I was born, I hadn’t even mentioned an engagement once.
They don’t even show interest in the opposite sex, let alone engaged.
The ladies who summoned the courage to talk to the two men at a formal event had to withdraw without even saying a few words to the delicately drawn line.
The harder it is to win, the more impatient and coveted it is.
Who the hell will marry them? The ladies used to stretch their imaginations by substituting themselves for the opponent.
There were even people who rejected rumors of an affair between two men who were childhood friends.
The two men who have been close since childhood are not equally interested in the opposite sex, so the two can be like that
.
He was appointed as the commander of the 2nd Knights from the Imperial Guard Knights a month ago.
Although the position of the emperor’s escort knight is honorable, there has always been an opinion that it is not an appropriate position to display Enrique Leiden’s personal capabilities, so it was natural for him to be promoted to the rank of captain.
Not long after taking over from the former head of staff, administrative work was overdue.
Enrique was on his way to the office of the marquis’s mansion to take care of the rest of the day.
Enrique, who was lost in thought and moved his steps, raised his head at the presence he felt in front of his office.
“Brother.”
His sister, Emily, was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
“Emily. Aren’t you busy?”
“busy.”
“I’m busy, why…”
The Javier family’s capital residence and the Leiden family’s capital residence were quite far apart. It existed within the same capital city, but it was inconvenient to come and go because it was located at the end of the residential district.
Emily replied with a calm face.
“Are you a good younger brother who comes to ask your brother how he is doing even when he is busy?”
Enrique just laughed awkwardly.
Emily also smiled and shrugged at the completely disbelieving reaction.
“that’s right. It is a lie.”
With a somewhat serious expression, Enrique asked anxiously.
“…Did you fight with your husband?”
“no it’s not! We are good friends!”
“But Emily came to my mansion last week saying she didn’t want to see my husband’s face.”
“That’s because he only reads books and doesn’t eat… Anyway, it’s not today! Tonight, Ricavelli decided to eat out at this new restaurant.”
Even as she grunted, Emily’s cheeks turned red. Embarrassed, but looking forward to this evening’s date.
Enrique entered the office with a hearty smile at the sight of his younger brother and his wife pouring sesame seeds even after they got married.
Naturally, Emily followed him in and stared at her brother, sitting on the sofa and reading papers at the desk, with her chin resting on her face.
‘There’s no disagreement about the fact that it looks too good to be left alone.’
Blonde hair that shines brighter in the sunlight shining through the office window and golden eyes that are as soft as honey. And the face, still as beautiful as an angel, was mesmerizingly unreal.
Being the younger brother of such a man, Emily could feel his popularity with her whole body.
No matter where they attended banquets, ladies who wanted to talk to them stood in line, and some even took up the courage to talk to them.
Whenever that happened, Enrique would smile kindly and answer their questions.
In fact, when he answered kindly, there were countless people who had a romantic relationship.
But that was it. Enrique never asked for a dance first or made an effort to continue the conversation.
Emily knew why Enrique put up a wall against others.
‘Whether to call it foolish or to say that its innocence is amazing…’
Unrequited love that has been going on all along without seeing any fruit.
Emily has been watching Enrique love someone and then give up.
Living alone with emotions that should not be revealed now.
But I couldn’t help but think about the practical problems.
“Brother.”
With his eyes fixed on the papers, Enrique answered with a smile.
“huh?”
“Are you not going to marry me?”
“huh.”
It was an answer without the slightest worry.
Silence passed. It was not the usual natural silence.
It was Emily who broke the silence first.
“The vassals said they were worried about your brother.”
“They are Javier’s vassals, so it has nothing to do with me.”
“Older brother, you are also Javier.”
It was entirely thanks to her younger sister Emily that she was able to be proud of the surname ‘Javier’, which she hated even mentioning in the past.
The name ‘Enrique Javier’ was still more familiar to Enrique than the name ‘Enrique Leiden’.
However, it was not desirable for the family’s vassals to hasten the marriage.
Emily asked cautiously.
“If you don’t get married, what about the succession of the Leiden family?”
square square. Enrique’s hands were busy signing papers diligently.
“well. I haven’t thought about that yet…”
“Give it to me.”
At the words Emily threw out like a joke.
“Is that so?”
Enrique smiled mildly, as if it was a good idea.
Emily let out a deep sigh at the sight of no poison even after time passed.
‘Anyway, let’s get into it.’
Even if he covets his family, he will smile like a gentle sheep and just give it away.
‘hmm. If my older brother asks me to do so, then I will have to take Raiden as well.’
In the meantime, it was Emily who took care of her own interests.
***
The Age of Peace and Prosperity.
Ermano was reigning as the strongest country on the continent in name and reality.
Starting with the successful opening of the transverse train that crosses the continent, products within the empire spread easily throughout the country.
The emperor’s policy for the balanced development of Ermano was praised every day.
After the conquest of the Devlin Empire, magicians’ research was actively conducted using magic materials from the north, and magic culture was literally pouring out.
Active exports of such resources and technologies were encouraged, not just for domestic consumption.
Thanks to that, the standard of living across the continent was developing by leaps and bounds.
In addition, other countries dispatched delegations to Ermano without even trying to bring their own interests.
Because of that, the knights who protect the imperial family and guard the imperial castle were busy.
The 2nd Knight Commander, Enrique, was no exception.
Dressed in the uniform of a knight commander, Enrique stepped into the true nature.
It’s already been a month, but it was still awkward to find this place as a knight commander rather than an escort.
As Enrique approached the office, the two new knights who were standing guard tensed up and straightened up.
“Are you here!”
“Is His Majesty inside?”
“yes!”
Since he was a newcomer, a knight with a strong discipline opened the door to his office.
Upon entering, Mabel, who was sitting at her desk looking at documents, looked up.
“Meet Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“Welcome, Marquis of Leiden.”
While exchanging informal but formal greetings, Mabel glanced at the driver through the still open door.
As soon as he closed the door, the atmosphere became more relaxed.
“Come on, Enrique.”
The face that greeted Enrique just before was greeted with a wide smile as if it was welcome.
“Didn’t I see you the day before yesterday?”
“I didn’t see you yesterday.”
“I don’t see you every day, so it’s a bit awkward for me too.”
It was strange that she had been by the emperor’s side almost every day except for vacations, and now she doesn’t.
It’s because I’m only seeing your face for a while for the report.
Enrique captured Mabel’s 21-year-old figure in his eyes.
Her playful face still had a hint of youth, but it became bright and beautiful with a different feeling compared to when she was young.
There are many people who think of the image of the former empress in the image of the emperor who naturally grew up.
Enrique also agreed, having met the late Empress Siana when she was very young.
Putting down the pen, Mabel stretched out and relieved her aching body.
“Ugh, tired. By the way, did you get close with the Enrique Knights?”
“I am trying.”
“Enrique must have smiled kindly again. Didn’t the former commander say that knights should keep their spirits down from the start to listen to their superiors?”
“Haha…”
Mabel couldn’t help but worry about Enrique, who was just laughing.
How do you live in this harsh world with such a kind and beautiful heart?
It took a while to ask how they were doing, and they went straight into work.
“At the banquet visited by the Bargata delegation, the 2nd Knights will be in charge of defending the main gate to the west of the imperial castle and the back gate of the banquet hall.”
“Right.”
“I am waiting in the hall.”
“good. If there is a problem even during the banquet, report it immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
There were other items on the agenda, but as if we had known each other for a long time, the discussion was quick.
Thanks to that, Mabel suggested a tea time to Enrique.
“Enrique. Would you like to go get some tea?”
“I have a lot of desire to do that, but I feel like I have to step back because I have a lot of work to do.”
“okay? But don’t work too hard by trying your best. Moderately. know?”
“yes. Moderately.”
“Then be careful.”
“Let’s go in first.”
Enrique skillfully hid his feelings and withdrew from his seat.
***
Bargatha delegation visiting banquet.
The atmosphere in the hall heated up. The music of the beautiful orchestra flowing inside the hall mixed with people’s conversations and laughter, creating a very noisy atmosphere.
Among them, it was the imperial couple that definitely caught people’s attention.
The figure of the emperor sitting in the high seat and Guk-seo standing next to him was really eye-catching.
It was the rule to sit side by side in the seat of honor, but Grand Duke Aserad, the secretary of state, volunteered to act as an escort and stayed by the emperor’s side.
On the contrary, people’s reaction was better for that supreme loyalty.
“They are a really good pair.”
“When are you two planning to have an heir?”
Enrique looked at the two of them quietly.
Aidan diligently carried it in front of her as soon as Mabel, who was sitting in the seat of honor, looked at the food or drink.
If it got on my hand, I took out a handkerchief and wiped it as if I was used to it.
When Mabel made a small gesture, Aidan leaned over and put his ear to it.
It was really friendly to see them whispering and whispering.
Enrique, who was watching the scene from a distance, instantly felt Aidan’s gaze directed at him.
Our eyes met.
Enrique, who was staring at him with red eyes that seemed to see through his heart, soon smiled at him.
Aidan’s brow furrowed slightly.
It was not intended to be provocative.
‘There’s no need to be wary of someone like me.’
Even though he became a husband, Aidan’s consistency, which is still wary of himself, was sometimes amusing.
It was when Enrique, who had turned his attention first, was trying to focus on his mission again. A lady who had been looking for a chance nearby approached him hesitantly.
“Hello, Your Excellency, Marquis of Leiden.”
“yes. Nice to meet you.”
“Do you remember me? He once lent me a handkerchief…”
“I remember. Is your injured knee all right?”
“yes! Thanks.”
The fact that Enrique remembered her made Lady’s eyes colored with emotion.
She mustered up her courage again.
“Then could you dance with me-”
“Sorry lady. I’m on a mission.”
Enrique drew a line by refusing with a single knife.
She was friendly, but she knew very well that she couldn’t get any closer.
“Then, it’s okay even after the banquet is over…”
Still, it was the time when I was trying to gather up the courage and ask her out on a date.
Enrique’s adjutant hurriedly ran into the hall and began to look around hurriedly, as if looking for someone.
Soon after, the adjutant who found Enrique ran to him in a month and immediately reported.
“dismissal.”
“What is going on?”
“Kietro Javier is said to be dead!”
