Chapter 76: The Steel-Willed Princess in Azure 5

Regarding Santana’s request for her to become his fiancée, sensing an underlying motive, Estel cautiously inquired:

“A fiancée, you say… What precisely does that entail? I came here to discuss a potential marriage proposal, after all. Since the final selection is yours to make, I wish to know why you are making such a request of me.”

Certainly, it was unlikely he harbored affections for her or any such pleasant notions.

If coupled with veiled threats, the request undoubtedly carried additional conditions.

Bearing that in mind, Estel awaited Santana’s response, which came with a slow nod:

“Of course. If it were a simple engagement, such troublesome measures would be unnecessary. What I am proposing is a contract engagement.”

“A contract, you say… Could it be you merely want me to play the part of your fiancée outwardly?”

“Yes, precisely.”

Though officially denied, Estel was already somewhat familiar with the concept of contract engagements or marriages.

A false pretense of engagement or marriage undertaken by a couple for some ulterior motive – such covert contracts for personal convenience or political purposes were publicly disavowed yet commonly practiced within the strict noble society of the Holy Empire.

“I am well aware that your primary purpose in coming here was for information gathering, as previously mentioned. Additionally, any marriage proposal would solely be for the benefit of your brother’s domain Lepsodia. You yourself have no desire for the ‘tedious affair’ of marriage itself, do you?”

“!… That…”

Santana had accurately read Estel’s thoughts during her stay, her face etched with bewilderment.

Regarding her stunned expression, Santana smiled with what seemed like satisfaction as he continued:

“If you become my contracted fiancée, you can attain your desires. The name alone of being the Bohemian heir’s intended would firmly suppress the restive Lepsodia nobles awaiting an opportunity. It would also serve as a robust defense against the Emperor’s lurking threat of subjugating this region.”

Precisely identifying the benefits Estel had considered, she swallowed dryly before cautiously asking:

“…Then, what do you stand to gain from this?”

From her perspective, there was no reason to refuse such an advantageous proposition.

However, being a contract engagement, he would undoubtedly derive some benefit as well.

To this query, Santana quietly smiled and replied:

“The same as you. To reap the benefits while avoiding an undesired marriage. For I too have no wish to enter into an unwanted union.”

“…I see…”

Having long harbored similar thoughts, Estel could only slowly nod in acknowledgment of Santana’s words.

Outwardly, they would forge an engagement symbolizing an ‘alliance’ between Bohemia and Lepsodia.

Yet in reality, neither would follow through on marriage, merely maintaining that betrothed state while living separately as before.

Considering her ‘information gathering’ had been uncovered, Estel had no grounds to refuse this proposition that also benefited her.

‘Rejecting it would only harm me… while accepting it guarantees immediate tangible gains. So the choice is already made, in a sense…’

Noting Estel’s acquiescence, Santana cautiously inquired:

“Then, may I have your answer? What will you do, Lady Estel?”

“…Very well. I accept, Lord Santana.”

Uncharacteristically hesitant compared to her usual self when inwardly agreeing, Estel responded with a hint of reluctance.

And upon hearing her reply, a profound smile of joy – and for some reason, seeming relief – graced Santana’s lips.

After parting from Santana, Estel exited his chamber.

Although stinging that her information gathering had been exposed, the fact that she had achieved the optimal scenario she desired was cause for satisfaction.

Yet, at this moment, her thoughts hardly dwelled on the gains for herself and Lepsodia.

Instead, her mind lingered on the man she had met barely an hour ago…

Santana Andreas.

‘He read me so thoroughly… How could he, without even seeing me before…?’

Despite being strangers, Santana had seen right through her.

Initially, Estel had tried gauging him based on publicly available information. But her expectations had been entirely off the mark – his appearance and personality alike.

It was never easy to judge someone solely from fragmented rumors, inevitably leading to significant inaccuracies.

If grasping even a general outline was difficult, discerning one’s innermost thoughts from their outward conduct was all the more challenging.

Yet that man, Santana Andreas, had perceived Estel’s motives with near-perfect clarity before proposing their deal.

Even if he had leverage over her weaknesses, without precisely understanding her thoughts for coming here and her usual values, he could not have so readily made such an offer.

Inwardly marveling at his aptitude while feeling an inexplicable sensation, Estel pondered:

‘I never imagined… a man like this existed in this world…’

Estel prided herself on her capabilities, considering herself second to none.

And indeed, her abilities were far from ordinary.

Otherwise, at her mid-twenties, she could not have subjugated those powerful nobles to seize control of Lepsodia, nor established diplomatic ties with the great Dragonian Empire.

Yet this Santana, who made even her break into a cold sweat while negotiating a mutually beneficial arrangement, lingered vividly in her thoughts.

Unknowingly, Estel gently cupped her flushed cheeks, bewildered by these unfamiliar sensations.

‘As planned…’

After Estel’s departure, profound joy graced my lips in a satisfied smile.

The deal I had orchestrated based on Estel’s information from the original story had succeeded, relieving an immense burden.

‘As expected, she had no interest in any man besides her younger brother, just like the original…’

In the original story, Estel lived solely to support her younger brother before passing away unmarried and childless.

Though political marriage proposals arose, she ultimately rejected them all to focus solely on governance.

Having repeatedly voiced her disinterest in men, I had anticipated her accepting this deal – which proved accurate.

‘With this, I no longer need to fret over a political marriage. All that remains is laying the final groundwork after Cazeros returns.’

Since this was a contract engagement, it could be dissolved at any point as needed. After presenting a credible facade before eventually announcing my marriage to Cazeros once the shock subsided, the situation would be resolved.

Having narrowly overcome this substantial obstacle, I felt relieved as I slowly sipped the tea Polena had brought, inexplicably flushing with a sense of pride as her master.