Chapter 75: The Steel-Willed Princess in Azure 4

Accepting Santana’s request to meet her, Estel followed the crimson-haired maid with piqued curiosity.

‘Santana Andreas… I’ve heard some about him, but I wonder what kind of person he truly is?’

She was broadly familiar with the rumors surrounding him – the Bohemian heir who ran away to become a Holy Knight, only returning over a decade later…

As well as the one who, despite that long absence, had defeated the formidable Imperial forces, leading Bohemia to victory.

And through such feats, he had earned the complete trust of the fiery Count Turen.

Synthesizing these tales, despite never actually seeing him, Estel could naturally envision what kind of man Santana might be.

‘Having served as a Holy Knight, he surely possesses warrior qualities… and seems quite talented militarily as well. If he takes after the tempestuous Count Turen, he is likely a stalwart, rough-hewn knight.’

The image she could initially picture was that of an immensely bulky, rugged knight – a lion-like figure leading the charge against foes on the battlefield.

Of course, war was not solely about brute force, involving various strategies and machinations. But for a ‘hero who led them to victory,’ envisioning such a figure was typical.

And in that regard, Estel’s current assessment of this Santana was that he did not seem like someone who would appeal to her tastes.

‘The details remain to be seen in person… but based on the rumors, he does not sound like my preferred style.’

Men who resorted to force were not to her liking.

While he might offer political utility, thus making matrimony worth considering out of necessity, affection was a separate matter altogether.

Like other nobles, she primarily viewed marriage as a political tool, giving little thought to notions of ‘love’.

‘For nobles, matrimony exists solely for the family’s benefit. Even if the husband is disagreeable, it is an unavoidable reality. My goal is simply to further strengthen my brother’s authority and my own.’

As Estel pondered this, the escorting maid finally arrived before a chamber door, politely knocking.

“I have brought the lady, my lord.”

“Yes, enter.”

The voice from beyond the door sounded far calmer than Estel had anticipated from a man.

Having expected a gruffer tone, she felt slight puzzlement as the maid guided her carefully inside.

Then, upon laying eyes on the man before her, Estel realized her initial prediction had been quite mistaken from the outset, a tinge of bewilderment arising.

‘He seems… rather refined compared to my expectations…’

Instead of the muscular, towering figure she had envisioned, the man before her cut a relatively petite yet toned frame – not lacking in muscle, but with a healthily lean muscular build.

While not strikingly handsome, his facial features exuded a scholarly air rather than a warrior’s ruggedness.

In fact, his appearance aligned quite well with Estel’s preferences, one could say.

‘Well… while not crucial, it’s not a bad thing for one’s prospective husband to be easy on the eyes.’

Feeling a peculiar sense of gratification at this unexpected reality, Estel calmly took a seat.

“I am Santana Andreas, son of Count Turen. Thank you for accepting my invitation, my lady.”

As Santana politely greeted her, his voice lacked the gruffness she had anticipated, matching her initial impression.

Inwardly piqued by this observation, Estel courteously bowed her head in return towards her ‘potential fiancé’.

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Estel Bertina Fernandes.”

Introducing herself with a deep smile, the guarded expression she typically showed others, Estel continued:

“I am well aware of your renowned reputation, Lord Santana. As the heir and savior of Bohemia, it is truly an honor to meet you in this manner.”

“The honor is mine to meet the lady governing Lepsodia on behalf of the young lord. Your accomplishments deserve the utmost respect.”

“You flatter me. I merely govern a modest domain. It pales compared to your feats of defeating the Emperor himself, Lord Santana.”

Offering a solemn smile, Santana’s piercing black eyes glinted as he continued:

“To administer rule in the Holy Empire as a woman while serving a young lord is no easy task. Moreover, you overcame the resistance of numerous nobles in the process. Even with Dragonian aid, such an achievement warrants respect.”

“…”

Though ostensibly formal flattery, there was undeniable substance to Santana’s words.

As he spoke, Estel instinctively sensed this man before her was far more formidable than she had assumed.

“…I shall accept your praise. However, as we are both busy individuals, might we dispense with further pleasantries? What is the reason you wished to see me, Lord Santana?”

“Of course. Unlike yourself, I cannot afford to wander about for information-gathering purposes.”

“!…Wh…What do you mean?”

Struck by Santana’s pointed remark, Estel inadvertently revealed her bewilderment.

Maintaining his calm smile, Santana lightly continued:

“Precisely as I said. You have been touring Bohemia under the pretext of a potential bride – the lord’s castle, the commercial districts, even sneaking glances at the training grounds. Quite the diligent sightseer, though if information-gathering was your aim, you should have been more discreet. Even with a plausible cover, some discretion is advisable.”

“…Umm…”

Santana had accurately deduced Estel’s supposedly discreet movements, causing her to break into a cold sweat at this unexpected turn.

‘I had assumed a war hero would simply be a courageous warrior… but he seems the complete opposite of such a straightforward sort…’

With that realization, Estel cautiously smiled and addressed the man before her:

“…So you were aware to that extent. It seems my vigilance was sorely lacking. So? What do you intend to do now? Arrest me as a spy, perhaps?”

“No, there will be no need for that. While circumstantial evidence exists, I am well aware formally proving it would be no simple matter.”

As he spoke, Santana casually lifted the cup before him.

Then, regarding Estel with heightened solemnity, he continued:

“The reason I asked to see you, Lady Estel, was not to issue threats, but to propose a deal.”

“A deal, you say?”

Though he phrased it as such, Estel sensed an underlying coercion in his words.

While difficult to take immediate official action based on this, circulating related rumors could still inflict considerable damage on Estel and Lepsodia.

Rumors of espionage during a marriage proposal would undoubtedly tarnish their reputation, potentially more so in this sensitive period.

To prevent that, Estel realized she could only partially accept the ‘deal’ this Santana had proposed.

And towards Estel, harboring such thoughts, Santana calmly voiced the terms of that deal:

“Lady Estel. Will you become my fiancée?”

“Wh…What?”