“I see. That’s a relief. Reed was determined to do his utmost to make the princess happy if they were to marry. I had hoped Princess Farah would have some affection for Reed, but I suppose that was just parental meddling. Please keep this a secret from Reed.”
“Y-Yes…”
Farah replied and lowered her head. Her face seemed to turn bright red upon learning what he had said. Then, she began to shed tears of joy.
Neither her parents nor anyone else had ever truly seen her. She had always thought that even her marriage partner would only see her as a political pawn. She found him wonderful, and her heart had indeed been fluttering.
But somewhere deep down, she had been anxious that he might be just like everyone else. However, that wasn’t the case. He had truly seen Farah for who she was from the very beginning. When she realized this, tears naturally began to flow from her eyes.
Reiner seemed to have noticed her change but remained silent. Farah took a deep breath to calm herself, wiped away her tears, and smiled at Reiner.
“…I still don’t know what will happen. But if we do end up marrying, I will do my best to make Lord Reed happy as well.”
Hearing her words, Reiner smiled with a pleased expression. However, after answering, Farah remembered Eltia and felt a little uneasy. Perhaps sensing the change in Farah’s mood, Reiner asked with a concerned look.
“…Is something the matter? You look a bit worried.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
Should she talk about it? After hesitating for a moment, she made up her mind and confided in Reiner.
“…Actually, my mother often tells me that my marriage partner should be from the imperial royal family. Even if I were to be blessed with a connection to Lord Reed, I’m afraid my mother wouldn’t approve…”
“I see. However, this marriage is an agreement between nations. With all due respect, Lady Eltia’s wishes are not relevant in this matter. There’s no need to worry about it so deeply.”
Reiner’s words made sense. However, Farah wished for Eltia’s blessing on her marriage. She lowered her head without responding to Reiner. After contemplating her reaction for a moment, Reiner continued.
“Hmm… As a parent myself, may I suggest that you try expressing your feelings to Lady Eltia in words?”
“…What do you mean?”
She asked, not quite understanding Reiner’s intention.
“There’s a saying that the opposite of love is indifference. I’ve heard that Princess Farah receives strict education from Lady Eltia. But why would she be so strict?”
“…Isn’t it for the sake of a political marriage?”
Reiner shook his head slightly at Farah’s words.
“Indeed, education is necessary for a political marriage. However, from what I’ve heard, the content of Princess Farah’s education is excessive. To provide such extensive education, Lady Eltia must have some intention behind it.”
“…You mean she was deliberately giving me strict education? But I don’t understand why she would do such a thing.”
Could there have been some intention behind all of Eltia’s words and actions? No matter how much she thought about it, Farah couldn’t understand. When she looked at Reiner with a troubled expression, he cleared his throat and continued.
“A parent’s love isn’t just about being kind. Sometimes, we must be strict and harden our hearts. Even if it means being disliked by our children, parents care deeply for them. That’s what I believe to be ‘parental love.'”
“That’s…”
Reiner gazed softly at the sleeping Reed with gentle eyes. After talking with Reiner, Farah began to question her previous thoughts about Eltia. Of course, she had wanted her parents’ approval before. However, she had rarely considered things from their perspective. As Farah pondered this, Reiner gently spoke to her.
“It’s getting late. The doctor said Reed should wake up by tomorrow at the latest. When he wakes up, I’ll tell him to visit you, Princess Farah. For now, please retire for the night.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Encouraged by Reiner, Farah left the guest house with Asna. When they returned to the main castle, a soldier informed her that her mother, Eltia, was calling for her. She immediately headed to her mother’s room. On the way, recalling her conversation with Reiner, Farah felt a strange sensation.
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“…Have you come? Asna, please excuse yourself.”
“…Understood.”
As Farah and Asna entered the room, Eltia promptly ordered Asna to leave. She bowed once, gave Farah a worried look, and then exited. Only Farah and Eltia remained in the room, creating a somewhat heavy, tense atmosphere. Then, Eltia spoke in her usual cold tone.
“Where have you been until this late hour?”
“…I was attending to Lord Reed, who had fallen ill.”
Hearing this answer, she narrowed her eyes and said scornfully:
“You are to marry into the royal family. Yet, you spend such late hours attending to that [common sense-defying monster]. Consider your position.”
For the first time, Farah felt anger at her words. To treat him as a [common sense-defying monster], even if it was her mother Eltia, was unforgivable.
“Mother, with all due respect, Lord Reed is still my potential marriage partner. Please refrain from such disrespectful language.”
“…Farah, do you think you’re in a position to voice opinions to me? Children should simply obey their parents. You should marry into the empire’s royal family. That [monster] is not worthy of you. I intend to ask His Majesty to do something about this.”
Farah, remembering Reiner’s words, thought to herself:
(Lord Reiner… where is the [parental love] in my mother’s words? I don’t understand…)
At this moment, angered by her words, Farah cried out in an indignant voice:
“Mother! That’s far too cruel. I heard from Lord Reiner that Lord Reed said even if it’s a political marriage, he wants to do his best to make me happy if our marriage is decided.”
“…Do you really believe those words? Imperial nobles are cunning. Have you not considered that it might be a statement to confuse your heart? How shallow, I’m ashamed of my own child.”
She dismissed Farah’s words with a look of exasperation. Still, Farah continued in an angry voice:
“You’re the shallow one, Mother! The connection between countries won’t change even if you appeal to Father. Isn’t Norris from earlier a good example? I, I…”
“You… what? If you have something to say, say it clearly.”
At her mother Eltia’s words, Farah, with tears in her eyes, declared clearly:
“I admire Lord Reed. If I could marry him, nothing would make me happier… So please, take back your previous words!”
“…How foolish. Speaking on mere emotion, your quality as a princess is questionable.”
Farah was furious at her words and response. However, she was also confused, not knowing she could express such emotions. Still, Farah couldn’t forgive her statement. Sensing that the angry atmosphere around Farah wasn’t dissipating, she sighed exasperatedly and coldly pushed her away.
“…If you insist so much, do as you please. But our parent-child relationship ends today. I will never be involved with you again. Princess Farah, you too should consider me a stranger and forget about me. Understood?”
Farah couldn’t immediately understand the meaning of Eltia’s words. However, when she thought about how much she didn’t want to acknowledge him, Farah realized she was still expecting something from her. She wanted her mother, Eltia, to say, “I hope the marriage talks with Lord Reed progress well.”
But it seems that won’t happen. It’s still uncertain if she can really marry him. Even so, Farah couldn’t forgive having the person she liked being disparaged.
“…I understand, Lady Eltia. I too will never be involved with you again.”
“…That’s good. Our conversation is over. Leave now, Princess Farah.”
“Yes. Excuse me.”
Farah bowed to Eltia and left the room. Then, she hugged Asna, who was waiting outside, and cried loudly. Farah was sad, very sad. Afterwards, she continued crying in Asna’s arms and eventually fell asleep from exhaustion without realizing it.
The next morning, when she woke up, her face was in terrible condition. As she awoke, Asna, with a worried expression, timidly spoke to Farah.
“Princess, are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, thank you, Asna.”
Farah answered with an absent-minded expression. However, Asna’s next words quickly brought her back to her senses.
“We received a message from Lord Reiner. It seems Lord Reed has woken up, and there’s a request for a visit. Shall I decline it?”
“Eh…!? A visit!?”
That’s right, yesterday, Farah remembered Reiner saying something like that. Checking her own condition, she hurriedly shouted to Asna.
“Q-quickly, help me get ready and prepare! Asna, please assist me!”
“Understood.”
Asna smiled at Farah, who had regained some of her energy.
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