Ch.298Chapter 298 – The Day of the Final Battle

“Marquis Severio. I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning.”

“It’s fine. What is the matter?”

Early in the morning, a hotel employee came up to my room looking for me.

The fact that an employee, who normally wouldn’t approach guests first, came to me meant that something must have happened.

“Lady Maria, a lady-in-waiting to the First Imperial Princess, wishes to see you, Marquis. What would you like me to do? Did you have a prior appointment?”

Fortunately, nothing serious had happened; it seemed that Princess Karen’s lady-in-waiting was looking for me.

“Send her up. We had discussed this beforehand.”

After the employee withdrew, I waited for Maria, Princess Karen’s lady-in-waiting, to come up.

Shortly after, there was a knock, and the door opened to reveal a silver-haired woman.

“I am Maria, lady-in-waiting to Her Highness Princess Karen. I have come to deliver Her Highness’s message to Marquis Pathos Severio.”

I already knew her name from earlier, but strangely, Maria’s tone was stiff, as if she were on guard.

Could she be wary of me? Or perhaps someone was hiding nearby?

Someone of her caliber, being a princess’s lady-in-waiting, would likely have the skills to detect hidden assassins.

“You must work hard serving Her Highness, Lady Maria. So, what did Her Highness say?”

Maria’s visit meant that the time and place for my meeting with Karen had been decided.

It was advantageous for me to let Karen choose the location. If she, as an Imperial Princess, selected the venue, we wouldn’t have to worry about other people’s gazes.

“Her Highness said to meet ‘the day after tomorrow at lunch, at The Song of the Shining Star.’ Please arrive on time.”

“Thank you, Lady Maria. Take care on your way back.”

Maria bowed her head slightly in greeting, then turned and left the room.

Immediately after she left, I took out my pistol and thoroughly searched the room for anyone hiding, but found nothing.

Well, who would be bold enough to try assassinating me in the capital? Besides, this lodging was recommended by the Prime Minister himself.

‘So that means Lady Maria was wary of me?’

But why would Maria be cautious around me? It’s not like I’m going to harm Princess Karen. After all, Princess Karen was the one who suggested meeting me first.

‘Though I got myself into this situation by confessing to Her Highness based on misunderstood information…’

Anyway, what could be the reason for Maria’s wariness?

Could it be that she sees me as a womanizer? Is she worried about a relationship between me and Princess Karen?

‘Personally, I don’t want to get involved with Princess Karen either!’

This is solely because she’s an Imperial Princess. Becoming her husband would inevitably entangle me in central politics, whether I liked it or not.

Otherwise, Princess Karen seems like a decent person.

Of course, my intuition isn’t always reliable, so there’s a possibility that Princess Karen’s personality might actually be quite boisterous.

However, according to general evaluations and information from the Black Feathers, Princess Karen was well-regarded for her gentle character.

Though she apparently acted as a sort of disciplinarian among the imperial heirs, making her siblings find her difficult to approach.

The fact that even the Black Feathers, information brokers, couldn’t find any flaws in a member of the imperial family suggests that Princess Karen truly has integrity.

I don’t understand how such a person came to like someone like me.

Honestly, as someone who handles the stressful role of being the eldest sister so well, she deserves to meet and marry someone much better than me.

So Princess Karen and I are absolutely not compatible!

‘…But what if all my plans fail? What should I do then?’

I had already analyzed the princess’s personality and dislikes based on information from the Black Feathers.

If I behave in ways she dislikes without offending her too much, her affection for me should naturally fade.

‘Why do I have to go through all this, seriously.’

Frankly, it would be better if Princess Karen simply abdicated her position, but thinking about it again, that didn’t seem right.

Would my conscience be clear if I sacrificed someone else just for my own comfort?

Absolutely not.

Anyway, all I can do now is prepare thoroughly and make sure that by the time I meet the princess in two days, her affection for me turns negative.

‘Please, please let me succeed this time!’

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

The morning of the day after tomorrow dawned. Today is finally the day of reckoning.

“Sigh…”

Today I will spend time alone with Princess Karen, and as planned, I intend to make her distance herself from me.

‘If my plan fails and Princess Karen becomes even more attached to me…’

Then I’ll have to call Sister Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong for help. If she still likes me despite my doing things she dislikes, then she’s completely infatuated.

In that state, anything I do will only increase her affection, and I’ll have no way to defuse the situation.

If she still clings to me and shows affection after all this? Then I guess I’ll just have to accept reality…

Sigh, I really don’t know how my fate got so twisted.

Anyway, since Princess Karen dislikes people dressed informally, today I’ve put on a very casual and relaxed outfit.

The fabric itself is high quality, but the design is extremely plain—simple top and bottom, leather boots, and a warm fur coat.

Anyone looking at me would think I’m just a local resident, not a nobleman.

After tidying up my appearance, I left my lodgings.

“Going out, I see. I’ll have someone clean your room. Have a pleasant outing.”

The employee saw me leaving and greeted me, but his greeting didn’t register in my mind.

A pleasant outing? I’m heading to the battle of my life.

I wasn’t this nervous even when going to hunt demons, but facing Princess Karen is proving to be this difficult.

By the way, the place where Princess Karen and I agreed to meet, The Song of the Shining Star, was the name of a restaurant.

While it appeared to be an upscale restaurant on the outside, it was actually a place where imperial family members went when they wanted to meet someone discreetly or spend quality time.

Naturally, everyone employed there was also imperial staff, and floors above the third were inaccessible unless you were royalty or accompanied by royalty.

‘Wait, thinking about it now, this is basically like inviting me to her home turf.’

Calling me to a place where all the staff are imperial people.

It seems Princess Karen has prepared thoroughly.

Of course, I’ve also prepared meticulously based on the information provided by the Black Feathers.

It’s a contest to see whether her affection will drop first or my patience will run out first.

“Excuse me, sir. This restaurant operates on a reservation basis. Do you have a reservation today?”

As I approached the entrance of The Song of the Shining Star, a man guarding the front door came forward to stop me.

“I am Marquis Pathos Severio.”

“…Ah, you’re on the list. Welcome to our establishment, Marquis Pathos Severio. It’s an honor to meet someone of your renowned reputation.”

Upon revealing my name, he disregarded my casual attire and guided me inside.

“Aren’t you going to verify? I could be an impostor.”

“Who in the Gelebrio Empire would dare impersonate you, Marquis? We can easily filter out those who pretend to be heroes at our level.”

Wow, they’re not hiding the fact that they’re imperial people.

Well, anyone who comes here would know what kind of place this is, so there’s no need to hide it.

I followed the man, and we arrived at a small room.

“Princess Karen is inside. I hope you have a pleasant time.”

He said that and turned away, leaving the scene.

Only after he disappeared could I open the door and enter the room, where Princess Karen sat wearing a revealing dress.

“Welcome. Was it difficult getting here?”

Princess Karen was still maintaining her royal manner of speech.

Good. Now it begins.

“Not really, Karen.”

“Wh-what? Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

As expected! Princess Karen showed considerable surprise when I called her by name without formality.

Her face even turned slightly red, suggesting she might be a bit angry?

Great! Everything is going according to plan! Let’s keep this up!