Episode 11.
“The lighthouse?”
“All inspections are complete.”
“Ensure the light never goes out. When night falls, keep the entire port illuminated as well.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
“Under no circumstances should any problem arise for the Shulid delegation in the Sepia Strait. You understand, right?”
“Yes, I am fully aware of all the orders you have given.”
“What about the kids out in the Salaway?”
“They say the pirate ships don’t even show their faces anymore. The sea is so calm it’s almost boring, they say.”
Elisa chuckled at Enoch’s playful remark.
“Still, tell them never to let their guard down.”
Instead of Enoch’s reply of acknowledgment, another voice was heard. It was the voice of someone she hadn’t even imagined would make a personal appearance at this spot.
“The Admiral is more concerned with welcoming the state guests than I am.”
“Your Majesty.”
“I greet the one and only sun of Sepia.”
As Elisa and Enoch immediately showed proper etiquette, Queen Anne-Marie waved her hand, indicating it was fine.
“What brings you all the way out here?”
“I was feeling stifled.”
“By any chance, was the House of Roserica negligent in serving Your Majesty at the ducal residence?”
Elisa knew better than anyone that her father—who was so obsessed with power that he was now pushing the illegitimate child he had mistreated all her life into the marriage market as his own daughter—would never let that happen, but she opened her mouth while feigning ignorance.
“It’s not a problem like that, but isn’t the Roserica Duke’s castle exactly like the Royal Palace? All the faces I’m sick of seeing at the Palace are here. There’s no point in coming all the way down to Roserica, you see?”
Even though she had come to Roserica just a few weeks ago to issue the royal command for Elisa to marry and then left, the Queen spoke with such nonchalance.
And among those nobles who had followed her down to the South to catch the Queen’s eye, there would be those who had attended the military academy with Elisa. No, they would certainly be included.
And they would all be people who knew that Adrian had made a bet involving Elisa.
That even after suffering that disgrace, the vulgar illegitimate child had finally managed to snag Adrian Oberon.
Just what kind of methods did she use? What did she sell to become the mistress of the Grand House of Oberon? It would be her lot to endure the questions they would whisper behind her back.
However, she couldn’t stay submerged in those thoughts for long. Elisa suppressed the sigh that was about to burst out.
Get it together, Elisa Shooter. Remember who you are standing in front of.
As Elisa barely managed to control her expression, the Queen looked back at her just in time.
“How much of the Theronya is prepared?”
“All trial runs have been completed.”
“To plan such a luxurious shipboard party in such a short time. My expectations for Admiral Shooter are very high.”
“You flatter me.”
“Modesty is… I would like to board that ship of great reputation first. Is it possible?”
“Of course. Please, come this way.”
After walking a bit further along the beach, the majesty of the massive ship anchored at the port was revealed. Its silhouette was different from most of the warships in the naval units or the infiltration vessels useful for disguising as pirate ships.
The massive three-story sailing ship,
crafted from the finest oak, boasted dignity with a black exterior that sparkled enough to shine.
As the wind blew, golden sails unfurled one after another from the high mast. That light, which seemed to have moved the sun itself, dyed even the seawater golden.
A moment later, the drawbridge lowered, connecting the port and the ship. Upon entering the vessel, an even more surprising sight unfolded.
On the ceiling, chandeliers were emitting light while making a tinkling sound. At the front, there was a space for musicians to play dance music and even a floor provided.
Rather than a ship, it was as if a ballroom from a castle had been moved intact.
“I can’t believe this is inside a ship.”
“This upper part leads directly to the lounge, and the rear stairs lead to the private cabins. If you go to the front, you can enjoy the night breeze on the deck and spend some personal time. I designed it so that everything one can do in a ballroom can be done here as well. Would you like to look around the deck as well?”
“No, I’ll see the private cabins first.”
“Yes, understood. Please come this way.”
Elisa followed the stairs with the Queen. Elaborately crafted amethyst pieces were embedded in the stair railings, and paintings by famous Sepian artists hung along the corridor.
Elisa was confident that it could satisfy not just Schultz Tugrahan, but even royalty from the Empire.
However, despite that perfect appearance, Elisa’s mood plummeted to the bottom at the sight that unfolded as soon as they ascended the stairs.
Why on earth is Adrian Oberon here right now.
“These two families must not be put together. They are currently in a bidding war for the fur business. Keep them far apart so they don’t encounter each other as much as possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
The Queen caught sight of Adrian Oberon, gave a slight smile, and immediately moved toward him.
At the sound of the Queen’s heels echoing in the corridor, Adrian also took his eyes off his documents and looked this way.
At that moment, his eyes met Elisa’s. It was a bold thought, but Elisa felt that Adrian’s gaze reached her even before it reached the Queen. As if proving this, Adrian showed his respects half a beat late.
“…I greet Your Majesty.”
“This is perfect. I was just being introduced to the Theronya by Admiral Shooter; you join us as well.”
“It is an honor to serve Your Majesty alongside the Admiral.”
‘Please refuse, please refuse,’ Elisa was praying inside, but in vain, as Adrian accepted immediately as if he had been
waiting.
A man crazed for power. Well, since he’s that kind of guy, a crazy idea like wanting to marry me pops out of his head.
“It looked like you were preparing the rooms earlier?”
“Yes, I am preparing so that we can be ready for everything that will happen on board for the three days.”
“Then, there must naturally be rooms for you two to stay in?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Let’s go take a look.”
Hmm…? Something was a little strange. The Queen herself was checking the rooms where a mere naval Admiral and Vice Admiral would stay, which wasn’t even the place where the Queen would stay?
She couldn’t guess the Queen’s intention.
While Elisa was having such thoughts, the Queen arrived with quick steps in front of the room where Elisa’s name was written on the nameplate.
And in the room right next to Elisa’s, naturally, Adrian’s name was hanging.
The Queen looked back and forth at the rooms where the two names were written, then took down Elisa’s nameplate.
“Is there a reason for you two to use different rooms?”
“Pardon?”
So flustered was she that Elisa had no choice but to ask back, even though she knew it was not polite.
What on earth does this mean?
“I asked if there is a need to use separate rooms.”
“B-But we haven’t officially held a wedding ceremony yet, so this seems too early. Does it not also go against the laws and customs of the Sepia Kingdom?”
Elisa barely finished that sentence and looked up at Adrian, sending him a look that urged him to back her up. However, Adrian chose to do exactly what Elisa loathed. He was exceptionally talented in that area.
“You are right. We haven’t held the ceremony yet, but since it is a settled marriage anyway, it would be better to show a firm appearance to Schultz Tugrahan. Thank you for your wise advice,
Your Majesty.”
“I’m glad the young Duke of Oberon understands my intent.”
The Queen spoke and turned toward Elisa.
“And what of Admiral Shooter’s intent?”
As if Elisa’s opposition hadn’t been heard in the first place. This time, too, there was no choice.
“I shall follow Your Majesty’s command.”
When she replied with a silent bow while raising one arm, the Queen stared at her for a long time with eyes that seemed to be gauging the sincerity in Elisa’s words.
“Yes, I believe Admiral Shooter will perform her role well.”
“I will live up to your trust.”
After saying so, the Queen left the ship without lingering, as if there was no need to look at anything else.
That had been her only business from the start.
Meaning, it was all a pre-written script. From the beginning, this was the Queen’s purpose for visiting the Navy.
Reasons like the Roserica residence being stifling, the flattery of the nobles there being obvious, or being curious about the Theronya were all nothing but excuses.
From the start, there was no choice. Since it was something Queen Anne-Marie wanted, it would go according to her will regardless of what kind of answer Elisa and Adrian gave.
And Adrian Oberon had grasped that before she did.
It was galling, but it was the truth.
During the shipboard party, I can just sneak out at night and go to the base or something. Or I can just grab Enoch and chat in the lounge. It’s only staying up for three nights.
For Elisa, who had no intention of spending the night on board in that room alone with Adrian, this was the best way.
However, as Elisa kept her mouth tightly shut until they had completely left the ship, Adrian Oberon interpreted that silence in some way and urgently grabbed her sleeve.
Elisa, whose steps were suddenly blocked, looked back and forth between his hand and his face as if it were extremely unpleasant. A blunt voice burst out automatically.
“Why?”
“I didn’t know things would turn out like this. It wasn’t something I intended.”
Since the words lacked a subject or object, Elisa hesitated for a moment before realizing that Adrian was mulling over the same thing she was.
“Who said anything?”
“W-What?”
When Elisa didn’t blame him, Adrian was actually left speechless. Adrian naturally thought Elisa would be angry or demand to know what on earth he was doing, interrogating him right then and there.
“I don’t know if you’ve been treating me like a fool, but it was Your Majesty’s command. Anyway, the moment she took my nameplate and hung it on your door, it was a settled course of action. It would have gone according to her will regardless.”
“It’s not that… it’s about having to spend the night in the same room.”
“Ah, and here I thought it was something else.”
“What?”
Adrian stood there stupidly with an expression that said he completely failed to understand why Elisa was so unconcerned.
“Do you want to sleep with me?”
To Adrian, who was fluttering his lips unable to find words because he hadn’t grasped Elisa’s intent, Elisa delivered the final blow.
“I’m asking if you want to have sex with me.”
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