Chapter 96

Chapter 96. Qualifications of the Mind (1)

(3rd person pov)

Robert smiled sadly as he looked at Annabelle’s back, who had disappeared in an instant.

Obviously, the main character of the banquet was himself, who had his birthday today, but it was like Annabelle was the main character instead.

From her first appearance, she was breathtakingly beautiful, as well as her superb dancing skills.

He was also forced to swallow the words she was pretty when she pulled off her skirt and raised her sword.

As expected, Annabelle stood out the most when she was holding her sword.

“Contract marriage for the throne.”

Robert muttered without even thinking of looking for a partner other than Annabelle.

“Contract marriage for the throne.”

Anyway, the music came back and the banquet continued amidst the chaos.

Among those who began to dance carefully, Robert mumbled Annabelle’s orders three times.

“Contract marriage for the throne…”

Then he took a deep breath.

“…Even if I mumble three times, I still can’t get it.”

His purpose was to become the emperor.

It was just his identity since childhood.

He was born as the son of a lowly dancer, and even though he had no foundation, he wanted to somehow rise to the throne of emperor.

He was confident that he would at least become a much better emperor than Carlon.

As he began to set up a confrontational angle, Carlon’s true identity, which he had guessed, was evil.

So he had to become emperor himself, even for the sake of the empire.

It was in that sense at first that he became close to Annabelle.

When she warned of terrorism for him, she was right and he approached her because he thought he might be able to find out something through the Marquis of Abedes.

It was because he was eager to even grab Carlon’s little tail.

But at some point, all those intentions faded.

But Annabelle noticed quickly, and she nailed him, saying, ‘you shouldn’t like me’.

“Prince.”

Then one of the noble maidens approached cautiously and asked.

“Are Miss Annabelle and you…possibly in a deep relationship?”

Robert smiled brightly mechanically.

As he could see, a lot of people’s attention was focused on that.

“Because Miss Annabelle is a commoner… Did you just ask for a partner for some reason without any rational meaning?”

Actually, that was correct.

It was all part of the scheme.

Still, no such answer came.

He was about to respond with a friendly expression, but the Emperor interrupted.

“Heh heh, Robert.”

The Emperor’s green eyes were shining sharply.

He must have been very nervous because a lot of things had happened.

“I am not ready to let you go yet.”

“…Yes?”

“Why don’t you think about dating a little more slowly?”

“If your Majesty says so.”

Robert turned the bow gently.

The young lady, who came to ask a question with a big heart, withdrew as if regretting it.

It was because the Emperor had given him an order not to speak openly on the topic.

“There is no need to answer such a question.”

“…Right.”

Robert nodded slowly.

If they said that they are not lovers, they would spread rumors and play with her because she was a  commoner, and the commoners’ assembly would rise again.

Everyone said that ‘the imperial family and commoners should never connect’, but the ripple effect was different.

It was obvious that Annabelle would be very angry because she absolutely did not want to be entangled.

“The history of the empire has been passed down for thousands of years, and it should continue for several thousand years.”

The Emperor said cautiously.

“If change is necessary in the process, we have to respond accordingly. How many countries have failed to adapt to the times and have been dragged away and destroyed.”

As the level of education rose and capital flowed to the common people, the empire was definitely different from what it used to be.

Now, the common people’s council only had to grow in power.

Besides, wasn’t Robert a member of the royal family supported by the common people?

“However, the fact that the common people’s assembly will pay attention to this is…”

Robert, who had been pondering for a moment, asked a question, and the Emperor slowly opened his mouth.

“Robert.”

The Emperor’s expression darkened.

“The imperial family’s debt is not heavy. I heard the news a week ago that the mine development invested by the previous emperor was completely destroyed.”

“…What?”

That fact surprised even Robert.

Since it was a huge investment, the failure was enough to wreak havoc on the imperial family’s finances.

“The common people’s assembly demanded the right to vote and offered the mobilization of financial power as a negotiating card.”

Robert thought for a moment.

Perhaps it would happen. There were already many aristocrats who were faltering, and the number of fallen nobles was enormous.

Another thought ran through his mind before he could calculate anything else.

‘Contract marriage for the throne…’

The Emperor even poured alcohol for Annabelle today.

Perhaps marriage with commoners was not that far away.

Especially if it was a symbolic commoner like Annabelle.

~*~

(Annabelle’s pov)

What do you mean, a kiss? I couldn’t believe such a word came between us.

Although I brought it up first.

Suddenly, I realized that I was quite close to him.

His body was so close that I could fully see myself in his eyes.

It was only now that I became conscious that I had not moved away after coming closer to see his medal.

I didn’t want to be found out of breath, so I quickly spit it out.

“That is a different story. To be honest, all our problems are caused by me!”

“Don’t just keep saying that I hate you.”

Ian was also a model student, so he pinpointed the essence of the problem.

It was true that I had been vaguely thinking that Ian might like me.

But I didn’t think too deeply.

This was because, as my uncle said, ‘He can be confused because someone who used to be reckless was kind’.

I thought that judging Ian as good or bad was not qualified in itself.

Perhaps there was a feeling inside of me, ‘even if Ian is attracted to me, I will eventually find my ideal type’.

No matter how much Robert liked me, it was obvious that he would choose the throne between the throne and me.

So my mind has never worked so hard.

“Anyway, I don’t know.”

My vision was already dizzy, and my heart was beating so hard that it hurt.

“And if you want me and not anyone else, you’re a real idiot.”

“That is my case. And didn’t you say that I’m your ideal type?”

Ian asked again, looking at me, who was speechless because of confusion.

“Then can’t we just kiss?” (pr/n: Omg I have chills) (tl/n: u & me both)

I bit my lower lip and answered.

“Uh… That is… I don’t know… I’ve never thought about it, so let me think…”

“Didn’t I say that thinking was not your aptitude?”

Ian didn’t even touch my body, but it felt like I was being pushed.

I was terrified to face him because it seemed like a clear desire stood in his red eyes.

“It’s your style to solve things quickly with your body.”

He also had a good memory.

“If you don’t know, try it first. Can you do it?”

“Hey.”

I made my last protest in a trembling voice.

“You’re the type of model student who knows that you shouldn’t even think about getting married until you become an adult. I’m not even your lover yet, but does it make sense to try kissing?”

“It’s certainly nonsense to a model student like Ian Wade.”

Ian replied and smiled softly, but his voice was already firm as he continued.

“But, as you said, if I were an idiot, maybe it would be possible.”

I swallowed dry saliva once.

Ian’s red lips entered my blurred vision.

My heart was pounding and my head was dizzy and my thoughts stopped.

‘I don’t know anymore…’

Even though it wasn’t cold at all, my body shrugged a little.

Tension crept between our gazes. I gently gave strength to the foot that was about to lose its strength.

Our shadows on the balcony floor were already entangled.

“…Do you want to?”

It was a really strange feeling.

In a way, I didn’t want to question it even though there was absolutely no reason.

I lifted my head as if possessed and put my lips to his.

The sound of our lips met and our bodies pressed together.

I bit his lip and then gently lifted it back, and in an instant he put his hand around the back of my head. (pr/n: OOHHHHHH MYYYY GODDDD AKSJFHHFBC ITS HAPPENING F**KKKKKKKKNWHATTT)

The kiss that started with ease became more and more intense.

Suddenly, his large hand wrapped around my cheek and grabbed me tightly.

The sound of the music of the banquet was heard from far away, and the refreshing smell of the flower bushes flowed in the wind.

My breathing became more and more difficult as my stomach tickled.

A soft moan escaped my lips, and he took a deeper breath and wrapped his arms around my waist.

It felt good to cool off slowly.

I was confused because I wondered if I was a human being so weak to such a momentary impulse.

How should I look at Ian’s face after this kiss was over?

How the hell did we become like this? Still, I couldn’t stop and I didn’t want to.

His face that came into view was so cool, and his chest that I was leaning on was surprisingly firm.

I looked at him, gasping for breath, unable to move.

I didn’t know that a kiss with Ian would take me so far away.

(tl/n: sorry we got a lil carried away with the notes😩)