Chapter 200
The situation wasn’t much different from when Isabel opened her eyes after seven years.
Rather than being no different, it had actually worsened.
Chief Attendant Dailtha-nim let out a big sigh.
“If Your Majesty doesn’t follow the order, it’s difficult for me to uphold the law.”
“Tell the other kids to follow it except me.”
“Everyone says the same thing.”
In the past, everyone had followed Dailtha’s control well.
So without much trouble(?), Isabel and her family could enjoy their dates, but now even that didn’t work.
Eventually, Dailtha came to have a one-on-one meeting with Isabel.
“At this rate, the Arena Palace will collapse.”
“Collapse?”
“They’re fighting so fiercely to meet you, Princess-nim, first…… The pillars are shaking.”
“Th-then, the ground shaking for the past few days wasn’t an earthquake?”
“Yes. It wasn’t an earthquake, but a power struggle.”
“I, I had no idea.”
“Of course. Everyone’s a good puppy in front of Princess-nim.”
Eventually, under Dailtha’s mediation, the Imperial Family decided to designate Wednesday evenings as ‘Family Day’.
It was a day when everyone spent time together equally(?), without anyone monopolizing Isabel.
Dailtha was able to gain a very brief peace with that, but it didn’t last long.
On the first Family Day, Arun, who wasn’t invited, barged into the family’s dinner table.
“Father-nim, Mother-nim.”
And he declared boldly.
“Please allow us to get married now.”
The atmosphere of ‘Family Day’, which had been amicable until then, changed in an instant.
Everyone except Serna-nim put down the forks they were holding on the table.
The first to speak was Sermon.
“Did I hear that wrong?”
“You didn’t hear wrong, Brother. I am Isabel’s proud fiancé, and I think I can ask for marriage now.”
“These days, do people make such long requests to be killed?”
A fork flew towards Arun’s face.
It was so fast that it wouldn’t even be visible to ordinary people’s eyes, but Arun caught the fork lightly without much surprise.
“I have no intention of dying. Because I’m going to live happily ever after with Isabel.”
“I think you lack manners.”
Kamanzo stood up from his seat.
“Do you have to come and interrupt this time when the family is gathered to enjoy a meal together? I will teach you the strict principles of Imperial Palace etiquette.”
Swish━━━
He drew his sword.
The strange thing was that even the Emperor didn’t try to stop him.
Michael stood up from his seat.
“I didn’t like that guy anyway. Brother, can I join in the beating?”
“Originally, it’s not right to persecute one person with many, but if it’s against that vicious thief, there’s no need to consider righteousness.”
“Alright. Let’s beat him together.”
Michael turned his neck.
Crack, crack, sounds were heard.
Arun sighed.
“Father-nim, didn’t you clearly say you would allow the marriage?”
“Me? When?”
Kamanzo swung his sword.
Kamanzo was also a strong person, but Arun was already in a situation where he had much greater power than the
He dodged or blocked Kamanzo’s sword and Michael’s fists without much difficulty.
“I risked my life for Isabel.”
“Is that something to brag about?”
Ron’s eyes contained subtle disappointment, and Arun felt a pang of regret.
“Well, that’s true. I wasn’t trying to boast about this.”
“I was almost disappointed.”
Isabel sighed.
There was no sign of this situation ending.
‘Let’s just eat steak.’
By the time the situation had reached this point, it was no use even if she spoke.
In the end, it wouldn’t end until someone collapsed.
She thought it would be the same today, but Serna-nim said with a smile.
“Ultimately, the important thing is our daughter’s thoughts, isn’t it?”
As if by magic, the fight stopped.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Isabel.
“Isabel wants to marry me. We promised to get married.”
Ron asked.
“Is that true?”
“That’s……”
“See? She’s not saying no, is she?”
Arun retorted without backing down.
“Isabel hasn’t said anything yet, Your Majesty.”
“I have no intention of giving Isabel to a thief. Get lost.”
“I need to hear Isabel’s thoughts.”
This time, Sermon threw a knife.
“Isabel doesn’t like you.”
But a strange thing happened.
Arun, who would have normally blocked the knife, couldn’t block it.
“Ugh.”
The knife stabbed Arun’s shoulder.
Isabel jumped up from her seat.
“Arun!!!”
✦✦✦✦✦✦
Sermon felt a pang of regret.
‘I’ve been had.’
He saw Isabel running away.
There, Sermon finally realized that he couldn’t protect Isabel.
“Brother! What have you done!”
Sermon wanted to tell her.
He got hit on purpose.
He avoided vital points, and he avoided all the tendons.
He just got hit on purpose to get your attention.
“Apologize right now. What my brothers are doing is not right. Since when was the Imperial Family such a violent family?”
For the past 500 years, it has always been this way.
But no one could say anything.
“Arun, are you okay?”
Arun coughed, hack, hack.
Actually, there wasn’t much impact on his body, but he felt like he should cough anyway.
“I’m okay, Isabel. I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“Why are you sorry? It’s Sermon-oppa who did this to you!”
Isabel turned her head sharply and glared at Sermon.
Sermon avoided Isabel’s eyes.
“Apologize now.”
“That’s because he……”
“Hurry up. If you don’t apologize, Brother, I will never forgive you.”
“……”
Sermon felt wronged.
No matter how he thought about it, it was he who had fallen into a trap.
But seeing Isabel’s furious eyes, he couldn’t help but apologize.
“Sorry.”
“Properly, apologize formally.”
“I apologize. I admit that I went too far. I sincerely apologize.”
Arun stood up from his seat.
And he held out his right hand.
“Thank you.”
For your information, the place where the knife was stuck was also his right shoulder.
There seemed to be no restrictions on his movement.
Sermon knew that too, but he didn’t point it out.
In the end, he shook hands with Arun.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Arun spoke very quickly and quietly.
“Thank you for allowing this.”
“Allowing?”
“Wasn’t this a handshake of permission?”
“……”
Tendons stood out on Sermon’s forehead, but he couldn’t get angry anymore because of Isabel.
In the end, Serna-nim spoke again.
“Isabel, what are your thoughts?”
✦✦✦✦✦✦
I don’t even know myself.
To be honest, I do like Arun.
I’ve felt all of Arun’s feelings, so how can I not like him?
And just looking at that face makes love that didn’t exist well up.
But the words “I want to get married” didn’t come out easily.
Maybe I’m a little shy.
‘But I have to be brave.’
It’s nothing compared to the courage Arun has shown me.
I had to show a little courage for Arun too.
“I think I do like Arun.”
“Then do you want to get married?”
“……”
I nodded very slightly.
It’s hard to be brave at first, but once I was brave, I could understand my feelings a little more clearly.
“I haven’t seriously thought about marriage.”
Dad and my brothers’ faces brightened.
“But if I were to get married, I haven’t thought of anyone other than Arun.”
This time, Arun’s expression brightened.
That night, the Imperial Palace meeting continued.
I don’t know why this is something to have a meeting about, but anyway.
Sir Viaton, Sir Dailtha, Sir Teyselon, Yuri, Narmore, Asellia, and my other friends were invited.
Michael sat in a delinquent posture, chewing on a leaf.
“Why are we letting the thief go? We should beat up a thief.”
I’ve never seen Michael so delinquent.
Somehow, I felt like I had raised him wrong.
Sir Viaton added strength to that.
“Is he a very vicious thief? Then I’ll catch him myself.”
And Sermon, who still hadn’t come to his senses, said.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely kill him before the wedding. Kamanzo, what do you think?”
“If it’s about eliminating a thief, I will also help. That is the way to serve the Empire.”
Oh, really.
I don’t know what they’re doing with the person involved right in front of them.
I clapped my hands, clap! clap! twice.
“This won’t do. I’ll say it clearly.”
I don’t know about the others, but it seems like I’m the only one who can stop Dad and my brothers.
“I want to marry Arun, and.”
It seems like this won’t end like this.
If it’s Arun, I think it would be good to spend the rest of my life with him.
At this point, Arun’s face turned red.
He carefully held my hand, and his hand was trembling strangely.
I liked that trembling.
“Please let me marry Arun. If you keep saying things like you’ll deal with the thief or get rid of him, I’ll consider it as you harassing the person I love.”
“……”
“……”
Everyone seemed to be in great shock.
Still, it was a mountain I had to climb over once.
“If you keep doing this, I’m running away from home.”
Hmm, is there a better word than running away from home?
“Moving out?”
At those words, Dad stood up from his seat.
“Let’s end today’s meeting here. My mind and body are so exhausted that it’s difficult to concentrate on the meeting.”
“Ah, I just remembered a guy I have to kill.”
“I just remembered a very important task I had forgotten. I must go and take care of it quickly.”
“I had a fight scheduled with Honey Badger, but I forgot! Uhehehe!”
Everyone disappeared from their seats.
Sir Viaton approached me.
“I don’t care if Princess-nim runs away from home or moves out. However.”
He looked at Arun with eyes that were quite different from the way he looked at me.
“It is I, Viaton, who serves Princess-nim. I will serve Princess-nim anytime, anywhere.”
And then he leisurely walked away.
Sir Teyselon laughed heartily, saying he had enjoyed a good show.
Teacher Karin, no, now Her Majesty Karin, said.
“I support Princess-nim. Whatever your choice, just let me know if you need my help.”
“Teacher, you seem to be smiling too?”
“I’m relieved. The method is a bit strange, but it shows that everyone cherishes and loves Princess-nim very much. That’s enough for me.”
And as she passed by Arun, she said in a warning tone.
“I don’t oppose the marriage, but you better do well. If you make Princess-nim suffer, you will suffer twice as much.”
Narmore also nodded.
“I also agree with the marriage, but you better do well. There is no place on the continent that my eyes and ears cannot reach. I can make things very difficult for Sir Arun. Right, Yuri?”
“Of course. If you make Princess-nim cry, I won’t let you off easy.”
At some point, Narmore and Yuri had linked arms.
They were always bickering, but they became close while mourning me together, or something like that.
Anyway, it was nice to see.
Asellia also approached with a grin.
“Princess-nim is a very precious friend to me too.”
Her eyes became hazy.
“If you make my friend cry, I really won’t let you off easy.”
Just now, it seemed like she was speaking as the Dragon Monarch.
Asellia also walked away, and now only Arun and I were left here.
I said awkwardly.
“Somehow…… it seems like marriage won’t be easy. Huh? Arun?”
Arun was smiling brightly as if it didn’t matter at all.
And then he came closer to me.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
He came closer and closer.
I unconsciously stepped back, and Arun chased me, not very fast, but persistently.
Against my will, I ended up sitting on the window sill.
The blue moonlight happened to be filtering in, illuminating Arun’s face.
Gulp.
I swallowed unconsciously.
I saw Arun’s red lips.
“A-are you okay, shoulder?”
Somehow, Arun’s breathing was a little short.
“I’m going to kiss you.”
Arun intertwined his fingers with mine.
As if drawn by some irresistible force, I slowly closed my eyes.
I closed my eyes and focused only on my senses.
Arun’s emotions poured into me like a tidal wave.
It was as if the waterfall of countless emotions was being lumped together into candy and melting softly in my mouth.
Love melted and entered my body, making me feel sweet from head to toe.
It seems like it will be a very sweet night.
Suddenly, I felt like Arun was moving away.
‘A little more.’
I unclasped our hands and wrapped my arms around Arun’s neck.
And I slowly pulled him towards me.
Still, love, sweeter than before, rolled around in my mouth.
I hope this candy never melts.