“I’ve put Liu up in the accommodations I’ve arranged in the capital. I’ve already assigned ample security to it.”
A while after Liu left the study, Dale came in to give Eric all the documents he had gathered pertaining to this case and to discuss further proceedings.
“All right. You know, it was a surprise that he didn’t protest being placed under guard.”
Dale had helped us out a lot. He was the one who had coordinated the arrest of the Renese goons who went after Jill and Nash. His outstanding leadership led to the arrest of everyone who had tried to escape, thanks to a little help from the saints.
“I’m sure Liu understands,” Dale said. “And I doubt he intends to cause any further trouble for us.”
“Yes, especially after all the trouble he already caused,” I agreed. Though Liu’s words had contradicted his actions in the past, now that his mission was accomplished, I believed he would behave himself for the rest of his stay.
“Good,” Eric said. “That would help us out a lot.”
“Yes, indeed. And he also told me to tell you that he’s praying for a safe and uneventful wedding.”
“Why wouldn’t it be safe and uneventful?”
I agreed with Eric that Liu’s message sounded like a veiled threat, but I decided not to speculate.
“I also look forward to the wedding,” Dale said. “I heard your dress is exquisite, Miss Leia.”
“Er, my dress? Well, yes, it is very well made, and I like it very much.”
“Do you? Well, I’m excited to see it.”
“Dale?”
Huh? Is it just me, or does Dale look…
His eyes seemed so sad for a flash, but when I noticed, his peaceful smile returned and I was left wondering if my imagination was acting up.
“Miss Leia, I know not everyone has said very nice things to you, but I always believed you were the perfect woman to be my brother’s queen. May you continue to be his rock.”
“Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me.” I felt my heart lighten from his sincere praise.
He always says such kind things to me…
Having the respect of someone like Dale really did mean a lot to me. I needed to strive to live up to his expectations.
“Well, I’d better be on my way. Things are going to get hectic for the both of you, but if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to come to me.”
“Thanks. And thanks for all your help with this crisis… You’re a real strength to me, Dale.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
With a quiet smile, Dale left the study.
After Dale left, Eric said, “Dale was right when he said things are going to get hectic. Given everything we’ve had to deal with, we’ve fallen behind.”
“Yes, it’s a shame we had to delay the wedding preparations, despite our best efforts to move forward according to schedule.”
With all the unforeseen circumstances, we were far off schedule.
The only positive I can think of is my improved relationship with Margrave Linboldt.
The margrave had promised me he would go around and try to convince the critics to approve of my marriage to Eric. Linboldt had been our biggest obstacle, but now he was on our side.
“But you know, I’ve gotten used to having a lot of obstacles in our path,” Eric said. “That seems to be our lot in life.”
“You can say that again…”
Nevertheless, our biggest problem was now resolved. We were one month closer to the wedding. Guests from realms besides the Ren Empire had started to arrive, and Johann was already carefully coordinating security and other preparations for them.
Johann is probably in over his head too.
Eric had tasked Johann with our guests’ security without hesitation. Even though Johann had his hands full preparing for his duel, Eric could trust such an important task to no one else. Indeed, as captain of the guard, Johann would be in charge of all the security on the day of the wedding, so he was certainly the busiest person in the palace right now.
When Johann had announced his resignation and Eric said he would work Johann to the bone, he wasn’t kidding.
“But if I can dream,” Eric said, “after everything we’ve been through, I hope that our wedding is uneventful.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Mayhem has become a way of life for us as of late, but it really would be best if nothing happened at all,” I said. A wedding was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Everyone wanted it to be peaceful and uneventful.
“Um, Eric?”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“I promise I’ll work hard, so let’s make this wedding an event we can be sincerely proud of, for our sake, and for the sake of everyone there.”
“Haha, well spoken. I’ll give it my all as well. After all, it’s our special day.”
Eric nodded. His eyes sparkled like a young boy’s.
Ooh! It’s been a while since I’ve seen Eric smile like this…
Lately, I had seen him display the mature look of a responsible crown prince carrying out his duties, so these flashes of boyish innocence made my heart flutter. I was going to be by his side—now and forever.
We looked into each other’s eyes, and we leaned in close…