Chapter 56

†† (Yuria's Perspective) ††

Lord Like, the magician of Ismus.

What a wonderful gentleman he is.

Yuria, the daughter of the ruler of Zenobia, thought this sincerely.

This is the first person she felt she could marry and to whom she could dedicate her purity.

Is this what they call first love?

Yuria had never experienced love before.

She had met several men through arranged meetings proposed by her father, but she had never felt such excitement before.

Even the son of a wealthy merchant from a neighboring country, whom she met recently, was no different.

He boasted only of the wealth his father had accumulated, and had no talent of his own.

He was just a boring man who flaunted his father's power.

But Lord Like is different.

His sense of justice, helping strangers, and his kindness, even to enemies like thieves.

When Yuria saw this, her heart trembled.

—This must be a fateful encounter.

This must be what it means to fall in love for the first time.

She had always thought that the phrase "love at first sight" only appeared in dictionaries and romance novels.

It was a word often used by her maids, but she had never thought it would apply to her.

She had expected to marry a boring man, become the wife of a boring man, and bear the children of a boring man, as the natural fate of a daughter of the ruling class of Zenobia.

But she never imagined such a fate would await her—

She placed her hand on her chest.

Her heart was beating fast, like a rapid drum.

Just thinking about him made her heart race,

and just thinking about him made her ears burn.

This must be what they call first love.

Since it was her first experience, she was confused.

She wanted to consult someone, but couldn't think of an appropriate person.

Perhaps she could talk to Sati, the maid of Lord Like.

She thought about it for a moment but shook her head.

"No. That girl is probably my rival."

She couldn't tell what Lord Like thought, but at least Sati had feelings for him.

Yuria had noticed this much.

She wasn't so insensitive or foolish as to consult a love rival.

"Then, maybe I should consult a maid after all."

She reached this conclusion and called for the maid who had served her since childhood.

This was the maid who had accompanied her in the carriage the other day.

Seeing Yuria's serious expression, she seemed to understand the situation.

"Yuria-sama, you want to be with Lord Like, don't you?"

Yuria nodded seriously.

She was the most trusted and wisest of Yuria's maids.

She might have a good idea.

Thinking this, Yuria consulted her, and it turned out to be the right decision.

The maid made an unexpected suggestion.

"Have you heard that Lord Like is seeking an audience with Lady Ertoria?"

"Of course. It seems to be about trade with Ismus."

"Originally, he came to see Lady Ertoria. Why not use this opportunity?"

"…Use it?"

Yuria lowered her voice.

It didn't sound like a good word.

Yuria was infatuated with Like, but she didn't want to use any tricks to force a marriage.

She wanted to win Like with her own charm.

"………………"

As she pondered, the maid encouraged her.

"Yuria-sama, do you know this saying? Since ancient times, it has been said that in war and love, any means are permissible. The one who ultimately wins is the one who is right."

"…The one who ultimately wins is the one who is right."

Yuria murmured.

"That's right. I have seen Lord Like up close, and becoming his wife would be a lifelong honor for any woman. You should use any means necessary to bind yourself to Lord Like."

"…You're right. You think so too, don't you?"

"Yes, if you miss this opportunity, you may never meet such a gentleman again."

Hearing these words, Yuria nodded in her heart.

And with her resolve solidified, Yuria decided to make a certain request to her parents.

This method might make Lord Like dislike her, but Yuria wanted to be his.

She wanted to be his wife.

With this resolve, Yuria headed to her parents' bedroom.

To make a certain request—.