“Marriage with the emperor. There were many houses eagerly welcoming the daughter who would become the empress, but the marriage, with a daughter who had parted ways long ago and had a complicated history upon reuniting, was not particularly appealing. There wasn’t much to give in terms of approval.

“There isn’t a single imperial figure who will send her to live in the palace.”

In a place without an emperor, people still found ways to criticize the emperor. Even Flaché, the viscount who had been crucial in handling important state affairs with the emperor for several months after the war ended, was relentless when it came to issues involving his children.

“Your Majesty, you have no intention of marrying Ru or anyone else, right? Having deep affection is also an advantage.”

“Well, that’s a given, dear.”

In response to Milène’s words, Édann turned his head decisively, stating that he had no intention of giving any points.

After all, a son-in-law should naturally have a handsome face, be tall, strong, possess wealth, status, education—nothing should be lacking. Above all, he should support and cherish his daughter well, and preferably be more difficult to deal with than the daughter.

In that sense, Édann found the preparations for the imperial marriage, the first in 430 years, quite distasteful. Could they postpone the marriage just a little more? There were still so many things he hadn’t done for his daughter!

“Dad, look at this.”

However, the date had already arrived, and if they continued to delay the marriage with one excuse after another, the emperor might not release his daughter into the central palace at all. No, more than anything, his daughter would be disappointed. Specifically, all three of his daughters.

“Is it pretty?”

When the second and third daughters came in, twirling in their festive attire in front of their father, Édann, like any father, could only admire their beauty.

“Very pretty. It suits you well. Let me see. Yes, bright and beautiful.”

“Like a princess?”

“Yes, just like a princess.”

Dressed in white dresses with white tights, wearing crowns, the children would hold flower baskets and scatter flower petals in front of their sister getting married.

Unfortunately, there were no other children in the royal family, so the flower girls were all Flaché Viscount’s daughters. Seeing his daughters trying on their dresses in advance, Édann couldn’t help but be moved.

“Let’s let Sia and Bella get married later. Let’s live with Dad for a long, long time?”

“Yeah!”

“Oh, dear…”

Fixing Bella’s crown again and contemplating the color of the blue sash, Milène looked at her husband and shook her head.

The Perseta custom of engaging early and marrying when of age, which had grown on Sia already, became a massive affair after the war, but Édann was pushing against it. The Flaché Viscount couple had a love marriage early on, and their eldest daughter was clearly in love and getting married. There wouldn’t be much difference for the second daughter. She would do it if she wanted to. Édann just hoped it would be a bit later.

“How is it? Wow, it’s beautiful.”

“Sister!”

Lu, who had tried on the wedding attire, stretched out her neck, then looked at her sisters and burst into laughter. Lady Freya followed in, and, together with Milène, began to discuss the harmony of the flower girls and the bride’s attire.

“It seems that the blue color…”

“Yes, should we remove it altogether? With Her Majesty’s attire…”

Of course, Édann, who had no interest in such matters, kneeled to the jumping sisters, laughing at his eldest daughter who was trying to show a smile.

Though she still seemed fourteen, she had clearly grown up, handling Carlos’s matters and now getting married. Lu, who had been listening and smiling to her chatty younger sisters, looked at her father.

“Why, Dad? Why are you like that?”

“…No, it’s just…”

“Where’s it weird?”

“No, no. It’s not that. Well, this feels really strange.”

Édann chuckled as if amazed by himself, then finally turned away. His eyes were becoming warm behind, making it difficult to face his daughters.

“Dad.”

When Lu stood up, Lady Freya quickly gestured to the two Flower Girls.
“Now, would you two young ladies come back here? Let’s try changing our ribbons.”

Milène, who had pushed her daughters’ backs toward Lady Freya, choked back her tears.

“Dad, I’m not going far away.”

“I know. Does Dad seem unaware of that?”

The words were rough, mixed with a chuckle that seemed amazed, but his voice kept wavering. Lu approached and hugged her dad.

“Oh, it’s okay… It’s okay, Dad.”

“I’ll come often.”

Lu quietly spoke, stroking her dad’s arms, which would be her reliable support.

“Her Majesty has promised that, and you know, I will win over Her Majesty. I’ll fill the time we couldn’t be together as tightly as possible, so please don’t be too disappointed.”

“No, I’m not disappointed. It’s okay!”

“Really? Is Dad not feeling disappointed at all?”