Chapter 18

"Princess, is it alright?"

Two hours earlier, the commoner Seltyse mentioned looked extremely gloomy, waiting for the practice time.

"Oh, the riding outfit has arrived."

Via noticed the clothes Aimi brought and smiled with a sigh.

"Is Ebeck coming to pick you up soon?"

When she asked, Aimi smiled and said, "Yes."

She was about to wear her first riding outfit and learn riding from Ebeck.

After all, due to her设定为体弱多病的公主，Via 一直没能练习骑马。

Seltyse 似乎也是在进入安托雷后才开始学习骑马，但她的运动神经原本就很好，现在可以轻松驾驭马匹。

"I wonder if I have any talent for riding?"

When she asked Aimi, Aimi tilted her head in a puzzled manner, saying, "Well, I'm not sure."

She didn't really mind if she couldn't ride a horse, but of all people, the Empress invited her to a private ride. She had heard that the Empress enjoyed riding, but it was unbearable to be in such a position.

Or perhaps this was part of some harassment.

When she muttered, "It would hurt if I fell," Aimi replied with a serious face, "It's dangerous, so please don't fall."

Via thought that it would be better if Aimi said that to the horse instead.

The riding training was to take place at the Antore riding field.

Ebeck, who arrived on time to pick her up, taught Via riding attentively, but the horse's back was higher than she expected, and even with the reins firmly held, Via only felt fear.

She had heard that the Empress rode horses very gracefully.

The Empress was particular about her riding outfits, having various designs made to enjoy riding, as people's rumors suggested.

"Princess, the riding outfit suits you very well," Ebeck praised her appearance, but Via had no motivation at all.

After practicing for about half an hour, with almost no improvement, Via became thoroughly disheartened.

Ebeck forcibly interrupted the training and led her to sit on a bench in the shade.

"Let's get something to drink."

Concerned, Ebeck offered, and Via decided to wait quietly.

She had many things to think about, but the Empress inviting her to ride at such a time was truly hateful.

In the end, the prince born to Empress Myaarl was named Romaris.

The celebration in the palace lasted for three days and three nights, and Via attended the celebratory banquet with Alek, but it was far from a pleasant experience.

The Empress, citing poor health, skipped all the celebrations, but Alek conversed with the dignitaries of various countries with a dignified demeanor, showing no signs of inner turmoil.

Via also changed her dress four or five times a day, dressed gorgeously, and attended all the events.

Beauty is a weapon, her mother often said. The noblemen of various countries flocked to Via, who exuded a refined and elegant beauty, and she enlivened the atmosphere with witty exchanges, smiled and took their hands when invited, and danced with them.

Where there is power, various human desires swirl.

Her mother, Zitti, had stepped back from politics and seemed to find it amusing to watch the nobles being manipulated by their desires, but Via was different.

The court of Ansheize was divided into factions supporting the first prince, the third prince, and those who were waiting to see how things would unfold, which only made Via worry about Alek.

The most frustrating was the emperor, who deliberately fanned the conflict.

Although he was her stepfather, when she went to greet him, he called her "Viatora" in a cajoling tone, which gave her goosebumps.

What thoughts did her mother Zitti have when she entrusted herself to that man?

Thinking of her mother's frustration in enduring to protect her and Seltyse, Via felt a deep sense of sorrow.

Her mother never allowed the maids or Seltyse to call her "Viatora," perhaps as a form of resistance.

"Via."

Suddenly, a familiar voice struck Via's ears, and she looked up in surprise. She shouldn't have heard that voice here.

Looking towards the south where the lodgings were, she saw a young man approaching, as if holding back the guide knight.

"Your Highness? What happened?"

"That's my line. Why are you here?"

Alek, who had taken off his jacket and held a sword in one hand, spotted Via and approached her with large strides.

Looking behind Alek, she saw Seltyse and Ammon, both looking a bit surprised at Via.

"Riding practice."

"Riding? Can't you ride?"

After practicing desperately for more than half an hour with almost no improvement, Via felt extremely annoyed by his words. "Horses are not meant for humans to ride!"

Alek, who had never seen Via lose her temper, stared in surprise but then realized how bad she must be. Finding an unexpected weakness in Via, who was always perfect, he couldn't stop his lips from curling into a smile.

"What else rides a horse?"

"I don't know!"

At least to Via, horses were not meant for humans to ride. The continuous riding had even made her bottom feel sore.

She was relieved that she wasn't summoned for intimate activities... Via felt oddly relieved about that.

"Horses are intelligent creatures.

They get scared when you're scared."

Saying this, Alek suddenly grabbed Via's hand and started walking.

"What are you doing!"

She couldn't shout as it would draw attention, so she had to ask in a low voice while being dragged.

"Just follow me, no questions," he said, and Via involuntarily looked back at Seltyse.

Seltyse seemed to be enjoying the situation, her lips curling up. When their eyes met, Seltyse mouthed, "Good luck" and waved slightly.

Alek saddled his favorite horse and placed Via in front of him. He took the reins, holding Via's body, and started walking the horse slowly.

"If you're scared, lean on me," he said, but Via shook her head.

With Alek's warmth on her back, she wasn't scared anymore.

Alek seemed to be enjoying the situation, looking unusually cheerful.

"Being unable to ride a horse makes you an unsuitable concubine."

Sighing, she said, and he replied with a smile, "Thanks to you, I can hold you and ride with you, so it's not bad."

"Finally, we can talk alone."

Realizing they hadn't had a proper conversation recently, Via nodded.

"We haven't had a relaxed chat like this in a while."

When Alek visited her room, he would immediately embrace and kiss her, leaving no time for conversation.

Well, half the reason was her own doing (Via was aware that she often provoked Alek), so she wisely didn't mention it.

"At this rate, you can't even gallop. Should I talk to the Empress for you?"

"I'll decline the first four times, so don't worry."

"Four times? Why?"

"Headache the first time, dizziness the second, stomachache the third, and general malaise the fourth."

"Is that okay?"

Shrugging, Via replied, "I think the Empress probably knows I can't ride.

If I keep declining, she'll notice.

If you protect me, it might make her even angrier."

If she practiced diligently, she would improve eventually, Via smiled.

She decided not to mention how pitifully she had been looked at by the kind Ebeck due to her poor skills.

"Right."

Suddenly remembering, Alek looked down at Via.

"Seltyse mentioned something interesting.

As you said, let's sow the seeds in Midas. Depending on the celebratory mood in Midas, Sezon might become ambitious, and Midas could turn into a battlefield."

"Will it work?"

"Manipulation is Gruuk's specialty."

Via laughed. Then the people would be fine.

"I've heard rumors that if Ansheize falls into civil unrest, the other countries might take advantage and start a war. Is it true?"

"It's not impossible."

But he had no intention of letting it happen.

"Luitas is gathering information from the other countries. By holding a few weaknesses, we can keep them from moving for now.

Or, we can plant the seeds of unrest in the other countries."

He already had a plan in mind.

"When the emperor of Parisis took power, I heard that the late Prime Minister Dilanmer had already laid the groundwork so that the country could function smoothly even after the emperor's succession.

Diplomacy, domestic affairs, and military power. If these three are managed well, the country can survive."

"Who told you that?"

"The current head of the Dilanmer family, Lord Rizok."

The Empress, who viewed Empress Zitti and her daughter Via as enemies, had no grudge against the current head, Rizok. He lacked the cunning of his grandfather and father, but was filled with a gentle and sincere integrity.

"When I heard that, I realized why the Empress chose the three close aides to be your friends.

For diplomacy, Lord Luitas, who is good with people and skilled at reading situations; for domestic affairs, Lord Gruuk, who excels in knowledge and information gathering and has the talent to move politics; and for military power, Lord Ammon, who is honest and trustworthy.

When I realized this, I thought the Empress was a terrifying person.

While the emperor was distracted by Empress Zitti, she steadily laid the groundwork for her dominance."

"Are you worried about Seltyse?"

"No. The Empress is not concerned about Seltyse right now."

The Empress's current focus is on Prince Romaris and Lord Sezon.

If something happens, the Empress will not hesitate to use any cruel means to bring Ansheize under her control.

This is both reassuring and frightening.

After all, it will be Prince Alek who will have to pay the price.

"Do you remember when I said I might leave you someday?"

"I don't want to hear that."

Alek interrupted her words with a frown.

"Your Highness needs a principal consort."

Ignoring his reaction, Via said firmly.

She had avoided thinking about it, but now that Empress Myaarl had given birth to a son, the prince couldn't afford to wait.

"Besides the Empress, you need someone to support you."

"I said I don't want to hear it!"

Alek raised his voice.

If he welcomed a principal consort, Via would have to leave. Knowing this, Alek felt angry at Via for saying it.

Losing Via was unbearable.

Even if he couldn't summon her for intimate activities, just seeing her, hearing her voice, and spending time alone with her was enough for him.

"I have never cried in the Purple Jade Palace."

Softening her tone, Via continued.

"I wasn't supposed to cry.

My mother suffered the most, and Seltyse was locked in the Purple Jade Palace, fearing assassination.

I was the only one who was given freedom.

So, I couldn't cry in front of them."

"You cried a lot in front of me."

"When I was first summoned to your bed, I realized how lonely I had been.

Your arms were warm and comforting, and I wanted to stay protected forever.

But at the same time, I felt ugly for selling my body to gain your protection, and I was very confused."

"Via."

Alek quietly recalled that night.

Confused by her tears, he had probably only held her, thinking that comforting her would be enough.

But now, he could understand her feelings a little. Via must have been truly lost.

"There were nights when I cried in my sleep, but I cried alone under the covers, so no one noticed.

It was the first time someone comforted me until I stopped crying.

When I was injured and couldn't see you for a while, I was so lonely, even though I knew it was inevitable.

I tried to think of happy things, but nothing came to mind, and I cried.

When you came to me, being held by you made all the loneliness and pain disappear, and I could smile again."

Via placed her hand over Alek's arm around her waist.

"Your Highness, I am afraid of losing you.

The environment around you is too harsh, and the thought of something happening to you terrifies me."

"I have no intention of being killed."

But Via shook her head.

"Just as you distanced me to protect my life, if your life is secure, I can endure you welcoming a principal consort."

"Ultimately, it's me who is causing you pain."

Alek sighed.

"I can't do anything for you. I only make you cry."

Via smiled softly.

"As long as you are alive, I can endure anything."

Thank you always for reporting typos. I checked the report that "荒げる" might be a typo for "荒らげる," and found that while "荒らげる" is the correct expression, "荒げる" is also commonly used and cannot be considered a mistake. Therefore, I did not make a correction, but I apologize for any confusion. Thank you for reading so carefully. I would have liked to respond directly to the person who reported it, but I don't know how, so I am expressing my gratitude here.