While Corbett and the princess were speaking, Osmar was hiding on the terrace, enjoying the cool breeze of the summer air. He far preferred the fresh air over interacting with the nobles, especially since a betrothal with that princess had been put forth as a possibility. If he went in there, he would be swarmed by the guests who wanted to congratulate him on marrying a princess, and he knew that he had no interest in the princess for many reasons.
There was the common sense one, the age gap. Princess Adela was only seventeen years old and Duke Osmar was twenty-eight. The princess might not care, because he was powerful and good-looking, and therefore was probably still a fine match from her perspective since he had an admirable reputation. He was good enough friends with the second prince, but the princess was nothing more than a child to him, even if she and her family had more political power than his own. He found it disturbing to marry a girl so much younger than himself.
The other issue was political. The Citriver Duchy maintained neutrality between the imperial faction and the aristocratic faction. Although there were not many issues between the two factions at present, there was always a power struggle between them whenever a new emperor was crowned. Osmar knew that Citriver’s neutrality would be compromised if he married an imperial princess. He did not want to affect the political stance of his house like that.
The duke sighed to himself and turned his attention towards the garden. Many people had stepped out of the ballroom to enjoy the main gardens, which were always open to guests during events. As he watched the guests, Osmar felt himself relax a bit.
This was very peaceful. They were happy. If they knew so well of the dangers he had faced on the battlefield before, if they had seen and done what he had, their expressions would not be so unburdened.
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He had fought for peace and safety, and he had won, but he knew this war was not yet over. The voice of a god had spoken to him as he slayed his last demon and told him they would return with even greater strength.
“That god told me they had given someone the powers of a saint to fight the monsters and demons. How will I ever find that person when that presumptuous god didn’t even tell me anything about them? Just saying that we’d be drawn together by fate? What kind of bullshit is that? Does that god even know how many people I meet in a day? What determines whether I meet someone by fate? You could justify any meeting with fate. I just happened to finish my battles and returned home, and just happened to meet the emperor for my service. He could have just sent me a letter and a medal and been done with it, but he wanted to meet me in person. Is that fate? Is the emperor the saint?”
Osmar rested his elbows on the banister and held his face in his hands. “Now that I have the time to think, I’m doing far too much of it. I should just relax and enjoy the celebration. I am the guest of honor here, so I should be more present in there. I should do more socializing.”
The duke looked at the doors leading back inside and groaned. “I’d rather spend another twelve years on the battlefield than go back in there. All those formalities kill me.”
The doors swung open, and the duke’s arms were grabbed. “We need to get out of here.”
“Corbett? What are you doing here?” The duke frowned. His peace had been disrupted.
The young man was trembling in fear. “The princess told me that if I don’t leave now, she’s going to dismember me! So come on and let’s go!”
“This celebration is in my honor, Corbett. I cannot leave early. If you insist on making me leave now, I’ll dismember you myself.” The duke pulled off one of his gloves and sparks danced over his fingers threateningly.
The boy’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t!”
“Do you really think that I wouldn’t? I spent all those years fighting for my life and my empire, and I’ve done far worse for far less.” The duke smiled dangerously. “Now get lost, Corbett.”
The young man stormed off in a huff and the duke chuckled as he began his return to the celebration hall. “Even if I will not marry the princess, I certainly respect the way she got rid of him.”