Chapter 85

When Leonhardt told her he wanted to talk and needed some time, Cordelia nodded.

"Of course. Your Highness, have you had lunch yet?"

"Not yet. It's been busy today."

"In that case, would you like to have some tea and light snacks while we talk?"

"That would be helpful. I'm quite hungry."

After returning from outside and going to his room to change, Leonhardt parted ways with Cordelia, who then arranged for the tea. Preparing for the days ahead, Cordelia had already met the staff of the Young Lion's Palace, including her familiar maid, Hanna, whom she had brought from her family home.

The servants, including Hanna, were all excellent and would surely prepare Leonhardt's favorite dishes promptly. In the room facing the front garden, Cordelia waited, watching Nini play in the garden and Lionel take a nap.

"Cordelia, big sister!"

The one who opened the door was not who she expected.

"Princess Femina? Good afternoon. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Leonhardt and Femina had formally become engaged, and as a result, Femina now called Cordelia her sister-in-law. They both loved cats and often had tea together, building a good relationship.

"Good afternoon, Cordelia, big sister! Did you hear about it?!"

"About what?"

"The engagement proposal to your brother!"

"…What?"

It was a complete surprise. As she froze, the door opened again.

"Femina, you're here."

"Brother!"

Leonhardt was smiling wryly.

"Femina seems to have good ears, but the information is incomplete. It's true that an engagement proposal came, but I've already declined it."

"…Is that so?"

Cordelia spoke awkwardly. She was aware of the movements of the nobility and knew that only a few families could propose to the Crown Prince.

"Who proposed to you, Your Highness?"

"Princess Latisha of Alphasar. I've already declined, but I wanted to talk about it. Femina, could you please step out for a moment?"

"But…"

Femina glanced worriedly at Cordelia's face.

"I'm fine. Princess Femina, please wait in the reception room."

It seemed her face was more tense than she thought. She forced a smile, saw Femina off, and sat down on the sofa.

Cordelia didn't doubt Leonhardt's love. However, as a royal, it was common to have multiple wives, and Leonhardt's father, the king, had several consorts.

She had braced herself for the possibility that Leonhardt might have multiple queens in the future, but her heart hadn't fully caught up.

"…Princess Latisha of Alphasar, the daughter of the queen, is 18 years old this year, right?"

Alphasar is one of the four major countries in the western part of the continent, along with the Lionel Kingdom where Cordelia lived, the Mardion Empire, a powerful magic nation, and the rapidly rising Ringlard Empire.

Generally, the Mardion Empire is considered the strongest among the four, while the Ringlard Empire's evaluation varies. The Alphasar Kingdom and the Lionel Kingdom are often treated as equals.

(Princess Latisha, the daughter of the queen of Alphasar. …Her status and age are very well-matched with the prince.)

She suppressed her emotions and thought deeply. Princess Latisha, despite being of marriageable age, was supposed to have no fiancé. She might have been looking for the right person and set her sights on Leonhardt, who had become the Crown Prince.

Cordelia considered the benefits the Lionel Kingdom would gain if Princess Latisha and Leonhardt were to become engaged.

"Cordelia, are you okay?"

"Ah…"

Leonhardt's hand gently overlapped with hers, which had been resting on her lap. She hadn't realized her hand was trembling slightly.

"Please calm down. To repeat, I have no intention of accepting Princess Latisha's proposal."

"…Yes."

Cordelia bit her lip. Even though she tried to stay calm, she couldn't fully understand Leonhardt's repeated words. She might disappoint Leonhardt with her pitiful state.

"I'm sorry for showing such an unsightly side."

"You're not unsightly at all. You must care about me a lot, right?"

Cordelia's body was pulled into Leonhardt's embrace, who sat next to her. He held her with a strong yet gentle grip.

"I can't help but love you so much. If I could, I'd hold you like this all day."

The steady heartbeat of Leonhardt's strong chest resonated through her. It was warm and touching, and Cordelia's voice wavered.

"I, if it's allowed, I want to stay like this with you forever. But Your Highness is not someone I can monopolize…"

"Monopolize me. The position of my queen is for Cordelia alone."

His sweet whisper and his straight, emerald eyes were focused solely on her.

"The only person I want to come back to is Cordelia. Do you believe me?"

"Come back to…"

Cordelia let out a small breath. The casual word "come back" seemed to have relaxed her in a good way. Leonhardt must have used it on purpose.

The tea and light snacks she had requested arrived, so she decided to eat and then listen to him calmly.