Do Your Best and Regret

Chapter 40

The atmosphere in the conference hall became chilly. I blinked my eyes. I clearly remembered what Edwin had whispered to me before it came here.

"I couldn't tell you in advance. You might be a little surprised when you go in."

Entering the conference hall without any further explanation, I thought that what Edwin had said was that he was worried about a face-to-face meeting between me and the Duke of Madeleine.

But, let's deal with that problem later.

"What is urgent today is the marriage between the Grand Duke and Princess Madeleine."

When the Emperor blatantly refused to allow Edwin to attend the meeting. And as if changing the topic, when the conversation turned to the marriage issue.

Olivia understood what Edwin meant when he said, 'You might be surprised.'

The Emperor is preventing the empire's only Grand Duke from attending a meeting. This was ridiculous, beyond her surprise.

What is it for?

The reason why the Emperor is openly wary of Edwin's attendance at the meeting. Is he worried that power will gather under Edwin, who has become a war hero?

Either that or else. It was a time when my thoughts became deeper and deeper.

"According to the Grand Duke's wish, I approve the marriage of Grand Duke Edwin Lowell Vikander and Princess Olivia Madeleine."

The Emperor's voice rang heavily through the conference hall. I lifted my head in surprise. He gave the approval cheerfully like this. Just a few days ago, the Emperor would not even accept a formal request for a meeting.

"But, you have to follow the rules of etiquette."

At that moment, various etiquette related to marriage appeared in my mind. Among them, if there is an etiquette that can interfere with marriage...

"Do you know the etiquette that states that a woman who was married to the royal family cannot have relationships with other nobles for one year? Princess?"

"Your Majesty!"

"Yes. I know."

I obediently answered, holding Edwin's arm as he called out to the Emperor in embarrassment. I knew best how viciously the 'one-year grace' could be used.

"I'm glad the Princess knows well. This is a wish that I promised to grant by royal decree, so I permit the marriage of the Grand Duke and the Princess, but order that the 'one-year grace period' be strictly observed."

The Emperor spoke without hesitation. His first plan to humiliate the Princess and the Grand Duke had already gone awry. Deciding to be content with just quickly getting those two out of sight today, the Emperor looked at the Duke of Madeleine.

The Duke, who was looking at me with a stern face, seemed to sense the gaze and bowed his head towards the Emperor. Any Duke he knew would definitely return the eldest Princess to her position as the Prince's fiancée within a year.

The Emperor, who had hoped that this meaning would also be conveyed to the Grand Duke, frowned for a moment at the sudden sound of the voice.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Princess Madeleine was smiling, with her arms crossed around the Grand Duke. A Princess who always thought she was quiet was showing off her affection with her partner at a noble meeting.

"I was already thinking about a year as a preparation period for my marriage to His Highness the Grand Duke. As Your Majesty has announced, we will legally hold our wedding exactly one year later."