Chapter 31

A few days after Lauro and I fought alongside the House of Modenes at the eastern fortress, a ceremony was held at the imperial palace to confer honors upon Lauro and me.

Although it wasn't the fortress we were responsible for, we rushed to the eastern fortress in its time of crisis and saved the life of the head of the House of Modenes and many others who would have been lost if the fortress had been breached. This was the reason for the commendation.

While it is the duty of the dukes to defend their respective fortresses, and the four great dukes are defined by this responsibility, it seems that one duke saving another has never happened before.

Therefore, by conferring this honor on me here, there is also the intention to encourage the dukes to cooperate when the empire is in crisis.

At the ceremony, the four great dukes were all present. Lauro and I knelt before His Majesty the Emperor in the center.

"Miss Asaria Jil Spencer. You have rendered great service to the empire. In recognition of your achievement, I confer upon you the Royal Rose Medal."

"It is an honor, Your Majesty."

I received the medal, a shield with a large rose depicted on it. It is the highest medal in the empire.

If a commoner were to receive this, they would likely be granted a title as high as a count.

While receiving this as a duchess won't raise my rank, it will set me apart from other duchesses.

"Knight Lauro. In recognition of your outstanding achievement, I confer upon you the title of knight."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lauro received the title of knight, thus becoming a noble rather than a commoner. In terms of status, it is almost the same as a baron, but the biggest difference is that he can now use a family name.

He could also receive a name from the royal family, but it seems Lauro chose to decide on his own. I wonder what name he will choose; I'm looking forward to it.

After the ceremony, Lauro and I received congratulations from many people. I continued to smile and express my gratitude... I'm getting a bit tired, though.

Finally, Crown Prince Lewis approached.

"Congratulations, Asaria."

"Hehe, thank you, Crown Prince Lewis."

Before the regression, I had never been congratulated by Crown Prince Lewis. Not just him, but I had never been praised by such a distinguished person.

In fact, there were only bad rumors about me, so compared to before the regression, the evaluation of me has changed quite a bit.

"You are indeed my fiancée. You have achieved something truly remarkable."

...Hehe, this person has a talent for annoying me.

"I am honored by your praise. However, Crown Prince Lewis, is it appropriate to speak of a woman in such a way?"

"What?"

"Speaking as if she is your possession... If a Crown Prince can only praise a woman with such words, I think it is a problem."

He probably said "my fiancée" to show the Emperor and the dukes that we are firmly engaged.

However, I can break the engagement with Crown Prince Lewis at any time, and I have no intention of marrying him.

So, it's fine if people think we're not getting along, and it might even be better if they do.

"...I apologize."

Oh, it's very rare for him to apologize so sincerely. Well, the Emperor is here, and the other four great dukes are also present.

He won't embarrass himself any further in front of them.

"This is the highest honor in the empire, and I don't think it is enough to commend Asaria's remarkable actions, but congratulations."

"Hehe, thank you. Yes, this prestigious honor is one that even a baron can receive and be recognized for an engagement to the royal family."

Crown Prince Lewis's body twitched, and his eyes widened. It seems he was already thinking about that.

Before the regression, after Crown Prince Lewis broke off our engagement, he gave this Royal Rose Medal to Oriane to marry her. Oriane, who was working as a saint, received the medal for saving a few lives and the promise of saving many more in the future, which was a rather arbitrary reason.

However, the saint Oriane, who received the medal, had no problem getting engaged to Crown Prince Lewis and became the Crown Princess.

Before the regression, Crown Prince Lewis could remain the Crown Prince even after breaking off our engagement because I had a very bad reputation, and he was engaged to Oriane, who had received the highest honor.

But this time, I no longer have a bad reputation, and I received the highest honor first. The only way for him to remain the Crown Prince is to stay engaged to me and marry me.

But that is absolutely impossible.

"Crown Prince Lewis, I am very honored to receive your words, but there is another main character today."

"Ah, yes, that's right."

Crown Prince Lewis seemed very surprised by my words, but he cleared his throat and looked at Lauro beside me.

"Knight Lauro, congratulations on your new title."

"...Thank you, Your Highness."

Lauro gave a slight bow.

Hehe, I wonder how it feels to have to say "congratulations" with a smile to a knight who was injured by you. You hit him, after all.

"Then, Crown Prince Lewis, we will take our leave now."

"Ah, yes..."

Crown Prince Lewis watched us leave with a strained smile. I felt like I managed to put on my best fake smile of the day.