Rieta wanted to avert her eyes from his nonsense and frivolity.
But somehow, she didn’t want to lose, so she strained her eyes and endured.
“That’s also a lot of money. You’ve already proven that fact at a young age, so you’re well aware of it.”
“I didn’t get money for my looks.”
“You’ve already given a good performance despite saying that?”
“That’s because the Emperor felt sorry for my situation when I was young…!”
Despite her steadfastness, the King sneered at her.
“It’s because you look pretty. Who would give such a favor to an ugly girl?”
He turned his head for a moment and grunted.
“Compared to that, where did your younger brothers come from, that they’re so ugly they couldn’t even borrow a single gold coin?
As the King glared at one side of the tent, Rieta was startled and looked toward that side together.
She hadn’t noticed it until now, having been talking to her father, but her lovely brothers were standing with their heads bowed.
She almost approached them without realizing it.
If it hadn’t been for her ill body, she probably would have done it unintentionally.
Her younger brothers, who used to be babies, were now grown up.
Still, their bunny-cute face was exactly as she remembered it.
Rieta was suspicious of her father’s aesthetic sense for calling such beautiful boys ugly.
Weren’t they pretty boys to everyone?
Those handsome silver-haired boys standing side by side deserved to be called a work of art.
“The boys are white and longish, so there’s nothing to use. Why are they not like me?
Rieta was glad that her younger brothers did not resemble her father in the slightest.
“You guys are sinners because you haven’t inherited my good looks. You should feel ashamed.”
Due to the King’s sharp criticism, the beautiful boys bowed their heads more deeply in guilt.
“Apologies.”
Rieta cautiously opened her mouth.
It was because she thought that if the King were left unattended, the pitiful bodies of her younger brothers might fall to the ground.
“So, Father, do you intend to send me back to the Empire?”
King Liz has learned a lot, but his thinking tends to be simple.
So, he recalled Rieta’s achievement in borrowing money in the past, and was probably trying to get her to do the same.
“I’d like to say that it will be quite difficult. The Emperor has made up his mind. You already… know.”
Rieta looked at her father and spoke again.
It wasn’t that she was afraid.
She was just worried that he would take his anger out on the women around him or on some of her servants.
“Hmm.”
Only then did he take his eyes off Rieta’s brothers and looked at Rieta.
His face hardened slightly.
“Do you think I don’t know that?”
Ah. He knew.
“But … Why me?”
As she asked cautiously, the King answered while picking his ear.
“Get married.”
Rieta doubted her ears for a moment at his insincere attitude.
She almost asked back, “What?”
Fortunately, the King added a rare explanation.
“The other party is the third son of Euplana.”
Rieta’s lips parted slightly.
Euplana.
A commercial country close to the sea and famous for its meticulous disposition.
It was also a place that was always in trouble with the Empire over money.
It was a famous anecdote that the Emperor even raised his hands over customs issues with this place.
Of course, it was Rieta’s guardian, Duke Mayer, who said that.
“Ummm… I’ve already signed the marriage papers, so there’s nothing for you to do.”
“What? But the marriage papers…”
She was told that the person’s signature was required. Rieta asked in bewilderment, and the King clicked his tongue.
“Stupid thing. How come you don’t have anything in your head even when you’re already so old. Do you think someone younger than sixteen has the right to sign?”
“…!”
That would mean that the King signed the marriage papers as her guardian.
Rieta was so dumbfounded.
Soon, the King had the servant at his side open the papers and show them.
A special piece of paper bearing the symbols of the two countries written on the marriage contract, but Rieta couldn’t even count the numerous ‘0’s written on it.
“Euplana decided to pay the appropriate price considering your situation.”
The King rose from his seat and came over to Rieta again and stroked her hair.
“The reason why Euplana proposed this marriage is all because you seduced Duke Mayer with your pretty face.”
He chuckled.
“Good job. You did very well. I’m proud of you, my daughter!”
“…”
Rieta bit her lip. It was the first compliment she received from her biological father.
King Liz held out his arm straight forward.
The gold ornaments on his arms swayed with a jingle.
“Go ahead and start the boat! Let’s start the banquet!”
The band waiting outside the tent played a song, and the King reached out to Rieta.
Since she’d done a good deed, he was going to do her kindness?
Rieta was reluctant, but grabbed his hand and stood up.
Her head was still dizzy from the remnants of the drug. It was even more than ever.
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