“Someone to help?”
Sponsored Content
Khalid suspiciously asked upon hearing the words different from what he had expected. He thought Maryam would ask him to step down from being a diplomatic ambassador.
“After marrying the 1st Prince, shouldn’t you be active as his companion? You’ll be busier than now, so you’ll need someone to assist you with your work.”
Maryam smiled awkwardly, feeling distrust toward her from Khalid’s reaction. She felt bitter that he didn’t trust her this much.
“……I thought noonim would tell me to step down from the diplomatic ambassador post.”
Unable to hide his surprise, Khalid hesitated a bit before speaking frankly. A few months ago, Maryam appointed Khalid as the Empire’s diplomatic ambassador to weaken his power within the kingdom. However, things had changed now. Khalid had become the fiancé of Renato, the Empire’s 1st Prince.
Currently, Renato was exerting considerable influence over the Khan Kingdom’s nobles as the Empire’s Prince and Esteban territory’s owner. Under such circumstances, if Khalid, the Prince’s companion, maintained his position as the Empire’s diplomatic ambassador, his influence would naturally increase.
So when Khalid and Renato’s engagement was decided, he voluntarily tried to resign from his post as the diplomatic ambassador. However, the Empire side wanted him to remain in the post of diplomatic ambassador and military cooperation advisor.
Renato also hoped Khalid would retain his post in case something happened. This was because if he was the Khan Kingdom’s diplomatic ambassador, he could escape responsibility through the immunity clause even if things went wrong in the battle for the throne.
However, the final decision rested with Maryam as the Queen. So Khalid didn’t expect much. Considering the attitude Maryam had shown over the past few years, it was inevitable.
But she wanted him to keep his post?
His red eyes fluttered slightly in confusion. Khalid was not sure what Maryam’s intention was in making this decision. It was not like her, who was always wary of his growing authority.
“I understand you have doubts about my decision. I would do the same if it were me, too.”
Instead of getting angry that Khalid didn’t trust her, Maryam felt forlorn and self-deprecating. It was all her fault that their relationship became estranged.
“But this is my decision. I want you to remain as the ambassador.”
Sponsored Content
“……Is that okay?”
Briefly pausing, Khalid cautiously asked. He didn’t want to doubt her, but he couldn’t understand how Maryam’s attitude toward him had changed favorably in just a few days.
“Yes. It’s not been long since the diplomatic ambassador changed, so it’s quite awkward to appoint a new person…… And above all else, the Empire side wants you to undertake it. We are mercenaries, so we have to give our clients what they want.”
“That’s true, but……”
“In any case, I want to send a foreign affairs aide and a military cooperation advisory secretary to act as agents in case of an emergency when you are away. Young Marquis Ziyad and Viscount Rahman are being discussed as candidates.”
Interrupting Khalid’s words, Maryam announced her plan of sending people to assist him with diplomatic and military affairs respectively. Both were loyal to Maryam and favorable toward Khalid. At least, they weren’t people to interfere with his work.
“I think I can lessen the burden if you do so. But are you sure it’ll be okay? There will be strong opposition from the nobles.”
Khalid’s expression became serious as he realized Maryam was sincere. He fixed his posture and mentioned the part that bothered him the most.
After the wedding ceremony, he would acquire imperial citizenship as the Prince’s companion. Concurrently, he would lose the right of succession to the Khan Kingdom’s throne, but his status as a royal would not disappear.
This meant that Khalid would have dual citizenship as both an Empire’s noble and the Khan Kingdom’s grand prince. With that, the nobles who considered him a thorn in the eye wouldn’t be happy.
“There are people against it, but it isn’t anything to worry about. Because there are more people in favor of it.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s all thanks to your fiancé.”
Recalling the state affairs conference this morning, Maryam smiled happily. It was only about a week ago that public opinion about Khalid’s retention as the diplomatic ambassador changed. Most of the royal faction’s nobles, including Marquis Ziyad, supported Khalid.
Sponsored Content
Marquis Ziyad actively insisted on Khalid’s retention, apparently wanting to repay Renato for saving his daughter’s life. When the Marquis, the royal faction’s head, approved, his vassals had no choice but to follow. Neutral nobles who wanted to do business with the Esteban territory also joined in.
When the situation became like that, the noble faction could no longer oppose it. The conclusion was that Khalid would remain as the diplomatic ambassador. It was a victory that Maryam finally tasted after a long time.
“Some of the nobles under Duke Vint’s command strongly insisted on dismissal, but to no avail. Because of the engagement banquet, Marquis Ishbart is quiet these days…… So you have nothing to worry about.”
Maryam smiled confidently. She was still delighted to recall the state affairs conference this morning. If this atmosphere continued, she would have an advantage in the fight against Duke Vint.
“I’ve only caused you trouble till now, so I should deal with this by myself. Leave this to me.”
“I understand.”
Seeing Maryam’s bright smile after a long time made Khalid feel a bit strange. After ascending to the throne, Maryam lost her confidence after continuous failures. As a result, her expression gradually darkened and her smile disappeared.
But now, she was smiling as brightly as in their childhood when she was full of confidence in everything. In a way, it was an insignificant victory, but for Maryam, it was like timely rain after a long drought.
“Then I will trust noonim.”
“Good. By the way…… When you leave tomorrow, I won’t see you again for a while.”
“I suppose so.”
After that, the conversation was cut off again. Khalid and Maryam looked at each other in the silence that ensued. Then, at the same time, they opened their mouths.
“Excuse me, noonim.”
“I……”
“Ah, please speak first.”
Sponsored Content
“No. I guess you want to tell me something, so go ahead.”
Slightly shaking her head, Maryam yielded priority to Khalid. She wanted to hear what he would say first. Despite Maryam’s concession, Khalid couldn’t easily speak. Maryam didn’t rush, quietly waiting for him to be ready to speak.
After some time, Khalid determinedly raised his head and met Maryam’s eyes. And the words he said were something Maryam never expected.
“Today, I would like to get back the sword I dedicated to noonim.”
“……What?”
Maryam opened her mouth wide at his shocking remark. In the past, Khalid was willing to dedicate his sword to Maryam who wanted to become the monarch. Becoming her knight, he took the lead in cutting down the enemies. Asking for the sword back meant that he no longer wanted Maryam to be his liege.
“You know what it means to ask for your sword back, right?”
“My apologies. I know it’s not honorable to do as a knight, but considering the future, I think this would be good for both noonim and me.”
“Ho.”
At Khalid’s confirmation kill, Maryam forced a laugh. She was prepared to hear Khalid’s resentment today. She was willing to accept whatever he would say due to the karma she had accumulated in the meantime. But she never expected to hear this request.
“As noonim also knows, I and His Imperial Highness plan to hold a wedding ceremony soon. Then I will officially become His Imperial Highness Prince Renato’s companion and receive an Empire’s title. Unless something happens, I’ll be moving back and forth between the capital and the Esteban territory. That’s why I am saying this.”
“Your origin won’t change just because you become the Prince’s companion and live in the Empire.”
“I know. But if I continue to be noonim’s knight, some people from both the Empire and the kingdom will certainly dislike it.”
“That……”
Sponsored Content
“So in the future, I will try not to get involved in the kingdom’s affairs as much as possible. It’s not good for me, who is married to a foreign country’s imperial family member, to be involved in the kingdom’s politics.”
“Hmm.”
“And after returning to the Empire, I have to do something to help His Imperial Highness. I don’t think I can afford to worry about anything else until it’s done.”
Feeling thirsty after finishing his words, Khalid lifted the teacup. Maryam only blankly stared at him. She didn’t know what to reply. She felt giddy as if having been continuously struck on the head.
All of Khalid’s words were reasonable. Wasn’t it so chaotic over the past few weeks with just his diplomatic ambassador post’s retention? It would be logical for him to step down from being Maryam’s knight to ease their political burden.
But a lingering feeling remained. It was unfamiliar that Khalid, who had always helped her, was letting go of her hand.
So far, Maryam had never thought Khalid would no longer be her knight. Despite not trusting him and letting go of his hand, keeping a distance from him after being swayed by people’s words, she didn’t consider the possibility of Khalid abandoning her. It was because of the unwavering loyalty and affection that Khalid had shown from their childhood until now.
“Haa……”
Momentarily unable to overcome the surge of self-hatred, Maryam dropped her head. She couldn’t stand her own selfishness and brazenness.
“……Is that really the only reason?”
“Excuse me?”
“Is that the only reason why you wanted to take back the sword you gave me?”
“No.”
Khalid answered Maryam’s question without hesitation. As he was going to tell her anyway, he didn’t have to hesitate.
“I have a new person to whom I want to dedicate my sword. From now on, I want to live as his knight and not noonim’s.”
“Someone to help?”
Sponsored Content
Khalid suspiciously asked upon hearing the words different from what he had expected. He thought Maryam would ask him to step down from being a diplomatic ambassador.
“After marrying the 1st Prince, shouldn’t you be active as his companion? You’ll be busier than now, so you’ll need someone to assist you with your work.”
Maryam smiled awkwardly, feeling distrust toward her from Khalid’s reaction. She felt bitter that he didn’t trust her this much.
“……I thought noonim would tell me to step down from the diplomatic ambassador post.”
Unable to hide his surprise, Khalid hesitated a bit before speaking frankly. A few months ago, Maryam appointed Khalid as the Empire’s diplomatic ambassador to weaken his power within the kingdom. However, things had changed now. Khalid had become the fiancé of Renato, the Empire’s 1st Prince.
Currently, Renato was exerting considerable influence over the Khan Kingdom’s nobles as the Empire’s Prince and Esteban territory’s owner. Under such circumstances, if Khalid, the Prince’s companion, maintained his position as the Empire’s diplomatic ambassador, his influence would naturally increase.
So when Khalid and Renato’s engagement was decided, he voluntarily tried to resign from his post as the diplomatic ambassador. However, the Empire side wanted him to remain in the post of diplomatic ambassador and military cooperation advisor.
Renato also hoped Khalid would retain his post in case something happened. This was because if he was the Khan Kingdom’s diplomatic ambassador, he could escape responsibility through the immunity clause even if things went wrong in the battle for the throne.
However, the final decision rested with Maryam as the Queen. So Khalid didn’t expect much. Considering the attitude Maryam had shown over the past few years, it was inevitable.
But she wanted him to keep his post?
His red eyes fluttered slightly in confusion. Khalid was not sure what Maryam’s intention was in making this decision. It was not like her, who was always wary of his growing authority.
“I understand you have doubts about my decision. I would do the same if it were me, too.”
Instead of getting angry that Khalid didn’t trust her, Maryam felt forlorn and self-deprecating. It was all her fault that their relationship became estranged.
“But this is my decision. I want you to remain as the ambassador.”
Sponsored Content
“……Is that okay?”
Briefly pausing, Khalid cautiously asked. He didn’t want to doubt her, but he couldn’t understand how Maryam’s attitude toward him had changed favorably in just a few days.
“Yes. It’s not been long since the diplomatic ambassador changed, so it’s quite awkward to appoint a new person…… And above all else, the Empire side wants you to undertake it. We are mercenaries, so we have to give our clients what they want.”
“That’s true, but……”
“In any case, I want to send a foreign affairs aide and a military cooperation advisory secretary to act as agents in case of an emergency when you are away. Young Marquis Ziyad and Viscount Rahman are being discussed as candidates.”
Interrupting Khalid’s words, Maryam announced her plan of sending people to assist him with diplomatic and military affairs respectively. Both were loyal to Maryam and favorable toward Khalid. At least, they weren’t people to interfere with his work.
“I think I can lessen the burden if you do so. But are you sure it’ll be okay? There will be strong opposition from the nobles.”
Khalid’s expression became serious as he realized Maryam was sincere. He fixed his posture and mentioned the part that bothered him the most.
After the wedding ceremony, he would acquire imperial citizenship as the Prince’s companion. Concurrently, he would lose the right of succession to the Khan Kingdom’s throne, but his status as a royal would not disappear.
This meant that Khalid would have dual citizenship as both an Empire’s noble and the Khan Kingdom’s grand prince. With that, the nobles who considered him a thorn in the eye wouldn’t be happy.
“There are people against it, but it isn’t anything to worry about. Because there are more people in favor of it.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s all thanks to your fiancé.”
Recalling the state affairs conference this morning, Maryam smiled happily. It was only about a week ago that public opinion about Khalid’s retention as the diplomatic ambassador changed. Most of the royal faction’s nobles, including Marquis Ziyad, supported Khalid.
Sponsored Content
Marquis Ziyad actively insisted on Khalid’s retention, apparently wanting to repay Renato for saving his daughter’s life. When the Marquis, the royal faction’s head, approved, his vassals had no choice but to follow. Neutral nobles who wanted to do business with the Esteban territory also joined in.
When the situation became like that, the noble faction could no longer oppose it. The conclusion was that Khalid would remain as the diplomatic ambassador. It was a victory that Maryam finally tasted after a long time.
“Some of the nobles under Duke Vint’s command strongly insisted on dismissal, but to no avail. Because of the engagement banquet, Marquis Ishbart is quiet these days…… So you have nothing to worry about.”
Maryam smiled confidently. She was still delighted to recall the state affairs conference this morning. If this atmosphere continued, she would have an advantage in the fight against Duke Vint.
“I’ve only caused you trouble till now, so I should deal with this by myself. Leave this to me.”
“I understand.”
Seeing Maryam’s bright smile after a long time made Khalid feel a bit strange. After ascending to the throne, Maryam lost her confidence after continuous failures. As a result, her expression gradually darkened and her smile disappeared.
But now, she was smiling as brightly as in their childhood when she was full of confidence in everything. In a way, it was an insignificant victory, but for Maryam, it was like timely rain after a long drought.
“Then I will trust noonim.”
“Good. By the way…… When you leave tomorrow, I won’t see you again for a while.”
“I suppose so.”
After that, the conversation was cut off again. Khalid and Maryam looked at each other in the silence that ensued. Then, at the same time, they opened their mouths.
“Excuse me, noonim.”
“I……”
“Ah, please speak first.”
Sponsored Content
“No. I guess you want to tell me something, so go ahead.”
Slightly shaking her head, Maryam yielded priority to Khalid. She wanted to hear what he would say first. Despite Maryam’s concession, Khalid couldn’t easily speak. Maryam didn’t rush, quietly waiting for him to be ready to speak.
After some time, Khalid determinedly raised his head and met Maryam’s eyes. And the words he said were something Maryam never expected.
“Today, I would like to get back the sword I dedicated to noonim.”
“……What?”
Maryam opened her mouth wide at his shocking remark. In the past, Khalid was willing to dedicate his sword to Maryam who wanted to become the monarch. Becoming her knight, he took the lead in cutting down the enemies. Asking for the sword back meant that he no longer wanted Maryam to be his liege.
“You know what it means to ask for your sword back, right?”
“My apologies. I know it’s not honorable to do as a knight, but considering the future, I think this would be good for both noonim and me.”
“Ho.”
At Khalid’s confirmation kill, Maryam forced a laugh. She was prepared to hear Khalid’s resentment today. She was willing to accept whatever he would say due to the karma she had accumulated in the meantime. But she never expected to hear this request.
“As noonim also knows, I and His Imperial Highness plan to hold a wedding ceremony soon. Then I will officially become His Imperial Highness Prince Renato’s companion and receive an Empire’s title. Unless something happens, I’ll be moving back and forth between the capital and the Esteban territory. That’s why I am saying this.”
“Your origin won’t change just because you become the Prince’s companion and live in the Empire.”
“I know. But if I continue to be noonim’s knight, some people from both the Empire and the kingdom will certainly dislike it.”
“That……”
Sponsored Content
“So in the future, I will try not to get involved in the kingdom’s affairs as much as possible. It’s not good for me, who is married to a foreign country’s imperial family member, to be involved in the kingdom’s politics.”
“Hmm.”
“And after returning to the Empire, I have to do something to help His Imperial Highness. I don’t think I can afford to worry about anything else until it’s done.”
Feeling thirsty after finishing his words, Khalid lifted the teacup. Maryam only blankly stared at him. She didn’t know what to reply. She felt giddy as if having been continuously struck on the head.
All of Khalid’s words were reasonable. Wasn’t it so chaotic over the past few weeks with just his diplomatic ambassador post’s retention? It would be logical for him to step down from being Maryam’s knight to ease their political burden.
But a lingering feeling remained. It was unfamiliar that Khalid, who had always helped her, was letting go of her hand.
So far, Maryam had never thought Khalid would no longer be her knight. Despite not trusting him and letting go of his hand, keeping a distance from him after being swayed by people’s words, she didn’t consider the possibility of Khalid abandoning her. It was because of the unwavering loyalty and affection that Khalid had shown from their childhood until now.
“Haa……”
Momentarily unable to overcome the surge of self-hatred, Maryam dropped her head. She couldn’t stand her own selfishness and brazenness.
“……Is that really the only reason?”
“Excuse me?”
“Is that the only reason why you wanted to take back the sword you gave me?”
“No.”
Khalid answered Maryam’s question without hesitation. As he was going to tell her anyway, he didn’t have to hesitate.
“I have a new person to whom I want to dedicate my sword. From now on, I want to live as his knight and not noonim’s.”
