#78
“…Are you okay?”
Julian asked cautiously.
“Why wouldn’t I be? As long as our Shamier doesn’t get dragged into the war, it’s not my concern if they fight amongst themselves.”
Enrique said calmly.
“But… if a real war breaks out and Ruben wins, all your plans will fall apart. The Prince of Ruben will likely plan to crush Baron after destroying Monta, and then you’ll end up…”
Julian trailed off.
“If a real war breaks out, Ruben’s victory is almost certain, and then my remaining two marriages will be broken. Obviously, I’ll demand compensation from Ruben equivalent to the benefits I was supposed to gain from those two marriages. And no matter what Ruben does, I will never leave Shamier to follow the Prince.”
“…I see.”
Julian replied softly. His face was tinged with faint worry. It was probably the same concern as Enrique’s.
If Ruben succeeds in crushing Monta and Baron, and successfully breaks Enrique’s remaining two engagements… then no other country would dare covet Enrique afterward. Anture will succeed in fully possessing Enrique… and someday, he’ll try to take Enrique to Ruben. Could Shamier’s power really prevent that?
Even a moment’s thought led to the conclusion that it was impossible. Enrique, feeling gloomy, held his forehead.
On that day in the audience chamber, he shouldn’t have chosen Anture as his first husband. If he had chosen Monta or Baron, this wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t have developed feelings for Anture, and he could have acted purely rationally. Of course, there would have been no war either.
“What are you going to do now?”
Julian asked.
“Well…”
Enrique let out a heavy sigh with his hand on his lower abdomen.
Julian diligently brought news like a mother bird bringing food to her chicks. Thanks to this, Enrique could understand the situation in detail even while quietly confined to his quarters.
The situation unfolded exactly as Enrique had predicted.
Monta sent ambassadors to all neighboring countries without exception, but they were not welcomed. Most countries politely refused alliances, citing the maintenance of peace as their reason. Only one country, Baron, was an exception. Although they seemed to have haggled over alliance conditions for a while, in the end, Monta and Baron formed an alliance to stand against Ruben together.
Baron probably wanted to take the same stance as other countries. Even though they had been quiet for quite a long time, Ruben was still a military superpower. Fighting against Ruben was reckless. The problem was that Ruben’s spearhead was pointing not only at Monta but also at Baron.
“Demanding to open a path for war against Monta… Which country would willingly open a path for Ruben’s military to pass through their territory? Do you know what would happen the moment they let military forces into their country? Even if we assume, for argument’s sake, that they only use the road for military passage. Then Baron would be considered on Ruben’s side, so how would their relationship with Monta be afterward? I hesitate to criticize your husband, but the Prince is a bit…”
“Acting like a thug.”
Enrique finished the words Julian couldn’t bring himself to say. Julian shrugged as if to say ‘exactly’.
Ruben shares a border with Baron, and Baron shares a border with Monta. For Ruben to invade Monta, they had to pass through Baron’s territory. Of course, there was a way to go around through other countries’ lands. But Anture specifically demanded Baron to open the path.
Baron’s position became extremely awkward. If they don’t open the path, it seems Ruben will use force, and if they do open it, it would be like stabbing their neighboring country Monta in the back. And most importantly, Baron also knew the purpose for which Anture was waging this war. Anture wanted to break off the engagement between the King of Monta and Enrique. So naturally, after crushing Monta, it would be the turn of the Crown Prince of Baron, the next fiancé.
Two opinions clashed sharply within Baron. But in the end, the King of Baron decided to form a military agreement with Monta and stand against Ruben together as allies. In the end, they chose war as if pushed into it.
“Monta’s army should be arriving at Baron’s border soon. Ruben’s army has also started building fortifications at Baron’s border. The war is right around the corner, Enrique.”
Julian’s expression was complex and subtle as he spoke softly. Knowing the inside story of this war in detail made his feelings even more complicated. Of course, not as complicated as Enrique, who was directly involved.
Knock knock-.
There was a knock, and Kisha entered the reception room. Seeing the two sitting close together, Kisha immediately raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t tell me you’re talking about the war again? Julian, Enrique is pregnant. Such harsh talk is not good for prenatal care!”
Kisha nagged as she approached and plopped down on the sofa. She strongly disapproved of Julian informing Enrique about the war situation. It was for reasons like pregnant women should only see and hear good things.
“Never mind that, is my outfit for the investiture ceremony ready?”
Enrique got in first before Kisha could unleash a storm of nagging. Kisha stared at Enrique for a moment, then nodded, pursing her lips as if to say she’d let it slide this time.
“Of course. It’s been ready for a long time. But I hear other people are sending someone to the tailor’s shop every day to hurry them up, worried their new clothes might be late. All the nobles in the capital are in an uproar getting new clothes made. I heard some people who got pushed back in line even gave up on getting new clothes and are altering their existing ones instead. It’s a good thing you gave us a heads up early, otherwise we might have ended up wearing old clothes to your investiture ceremony.”
Kisha, who was very interested in fashion, chattered away.
“By the way, will you be alright for the investiture ceremony?”
Kisha asked, looking at Enrique’s lower abdomen. Enrique nodded, stroking his now visibly protruding lower abdomen.
“I’ve already entered the stable period, so the investiture ceremony shouldn’t be a problem. When I asked the doctor, he said the baby is well-settled and I’m so healthy that I could even run or ride a horse now.”
“Well, they say to be careful in early pregnancy, but being too cautious even after entering the stable period can actually be bad for the baby. Although I’d still be against riding horses or running.”
“That’s just a figure of speech.”
“Well, that’s good then.”
The topic shifted to Enrique’s crown prince investiture ceremony, which would be held in a few days. Julian and Kisha weren’t too excited as they knew Enrique had been planning to succeed his father since childhood. However, they seemed a bit worried because of the situation with Ruben.
As they were chatting in a warm atmosphere…
Knock knock-.
A servant entered with a knock and made eye contact with Pol. Pol took large steps towards the servant and exchanged whispers. Enrique sensed that something had happened when he saw Pol’s face stiffen slightly.
“What’s the matter?”
When Enrique asked, Pol approached with somewhat hurried steps and spoke.
“Your Highness, an envoy sent from the Ruben Empire has arrived.”
“An envoy from Ruben?”
“Yes. He’s in the audience chamber now. His Majesty spoke briefly with the envoy and has summoned you to the audience chamber. It seems you should go right away.”
The King of Shamier had not called Enrique to such meetings since his pregnancy, always insisting that he rest comfortably. For the King to call Enrique now, it must mean the matter was of great importance.
Julian and Kisha exchanged glances and then gave worried looks. Enrique stood up immediately without much thought.
As he entered the audience chamber, Enrique saw the King of Shamier seated on the throne and the back of the envoy standing before him. All eyes turned to Enrique. The Ruben envoy’s face looked familiar. He remembered it was probably Lord Theovan.
“Enrique, come quickly. Come here and sit down.”
The King of Shamier said, pointing to a chair placed next to his own. It wasn’t a good look for Enrique, who wasn’t even king, to be seated in front of a foreign envoy. But it was a chair specially prepared by his father for the pregnant Enrique. Instead of refusing, Enrique silently approached and took a seat.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. I am Theovan.”
“It has been a while, Lord Theovan.”
Enrique nodded slightly in greeting to Theovan, who was paying his respects. Theovan’s gaze fixed on Enrique’s lower abdomen. It was somewhat rude, but this child also had Ruben blood mixed in. Instead of being displeased, Enrique smiled faintly and stroked his slightly swollen belly.
“Oh my, I’ve committed a faux pas in my excitement to see you. I apologize. But you’re already showing, I see. I’m most relieved to see you look healthy. My sincere congratulations, Your Highness.”
Lord Theovan bowed his head again in greeting. Enrique nodded with a smile.
“So, what were you discussing?”
Enrique asked, looking at his father. The King of Shamier’s brow furrowed slightly.
