Chapter 84
Chapter 84 – The Princess’ Feelings
After the award ceremony, Ares first wandered around the capital without returning to the mansion .
There were lots of things to do .
He was inaugurated as both the [Lord of the Frontier] and [General of Conquest] .
Many aristocrats tried to contact Ares, but simply couldn’t find where he is .
Ares was moving in preparation to rule Grants . Governing his new territory would be hard, that much he knew . Therefore, everything has to be prepared .
And a few days passed .
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Ares received a summon from Princess Silvia, thus he headed to the palace .
He was guided to Silvia’s private room .
[Excuse me . ]
He could already somewhat guess the reason behind his summon . Ares sighed and entered Silvia’s room…to be surprised to see what awaited him inside .
[Ah, you are here, Ares . I have been wanting to have a talk with you ever since a few days ago . But first of all… let me congratulate you . ]
Silvia said that with mischievous tone, then resumed talking .
[And Cornelia also want to have a talk with you . Can you spare some of your time today?]
Next to Silvia was Cornelia, standing in her usual regal manner .
[It has been a while, Ares-sama . ]
Cornelia bowed deeply, then flashed a smile as her beauty had remained unchanged since the first time they met .
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[This time I had to rely on my elder sister . If it was just me, then this would not go anywhere… I am sorry . ]
Having said that, Cornelia bowed once more . She looked at Ares straight in the eyes as she raised her head back .
[……… . . and I have something that I would like to ask . ]
[Please refrain from bowing to me like that, Your Highness . Then, what is it that Your Highness wants to ask me?]
Ares laughed amicably . But his heart rate was different matter . He was very nervous . What does the princess want to ask of him?
And when he heard Cornelia’s next words… He was perplexed .
[I want to know Ares-sama’s feelings . ]
[Ha?]
[I want to ask whether you are truly sure about marrying me . ]
[………………]
[If you already have someone else you love, then please tell me . ]
Ares silently looked at Cornelia’s eyes . And Cornelia also did the same to him .
Silvia listened attentively to Cornelia’s unexpected question .
When Cornelia called her she thought that her little sister wanted to spend some time with her at first . But the truth is, when they finally met… . . she never imagined that this would be the first thing Cornelia mentioned .
Ares was originally not that well-versed in terms of love . And this frustrated Gilbert so much… He thought that Ares has been unconsciously running away from this problem .
Not only Sharon, but also there were Theta, Maria, the Rozenburg’s sisters, and Nina… . all of them care for him . And Ares was aware of it . Occasionally, his mother Sera would reprimand him about this, but he never truly acted on it . He always tried to ignore the matter .
But after Cornelia asked him here… he realized that he couldn’t ignore this matter anymore even if he didn’t want to .
It’s as if his meeting today with Cornelia was fate . Whether he decided to accept it or not…he still has to respond to their feelings .
The feelings of those he had neglected . And Cornelia’s feeling as well .
After a few moments of silence, Ares finally spoke up .
[I do have people I care about since a very long time ago . ]
[………… . . ]
[Despite knowing their feelings, I have always been pretending not to notice . It’s very pathetic of me . ]
[…………… . ]
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[That was also the case for our proposed marriage . Somehow, I didn’t think much about it, despite it being His Majesty’s order . This may sound rude, but up until a while ago, I was still busy thinking about how to make Grants prosper with me as the Lord of the Frontier… and that’s all . I didn’t even think about Your Highness…or how Your Highness would feel after all that . ]
[…………… . ]
[I truly am the worst kind of man . Please forgive me . ]
[………… . . ]
After saying so, Ares flashed a refreshing smile .
[But I do have something to do here first . ]
With that, Ares bowed his head .
[I think Your Highness should reject this arranged marriage with me]
[Wh!]
Silvia stood up upon hearing that .
[You! Do you want to put shame into Cornelia’s face! Even Cornelia is… . ]
[Elder sister, please be quiet . ]
It was Cornelia who interrupted Silvia .
[Please continue . ]
[…… . as I mentioned earlier, I have several women who harbour feelings for me . And… . I can’t bear to choose only one of them… I just can’t . Neither can I accept the thought of abandoning any of them . ]
Ares continued on with a serious look on his face .
[Your Highness’ words have caused me to realize that I should face this matter head on . I will accept all of them . No matter what other people will say . The person that will be going to be your husband from now on will have accept another woman… . . This may be unacceptable . ]
[…………… . . ]
[If Your Highness refused to marry me because it’s revealed later on that I have so many lovers… it will be only I who would be known as a flirt and womanizer . Your Highness’ name will remain unblemished . ]
[And you would do it even if you will end up smearing your own reputation?]
[Yes . That’s the decision I’d like to take . Because all of them deserve that much . ]
Ares then continued with a smile .
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[If they are so willing… then I will do my best to protect them . Even if the whole world is against me . ]
Then Ares turned to Silvia who was staring at him like a raging demon preparing to pounce at him .
[Of course, I will somehow compensate both Your Highness and His Majesty . I may not be able to become your backer…but I swear my allegiance to you . As for His Majesty…there may be some punishment for refusing this arranged marriage . Well it can’t be helped…]
After hearing Ares, Silvia could only sigh .
[You are truly …that kind of man, aren’t you?]
Cornelia suddenly got up and quietly smiled… Approaching Ares and nodded to him .
Neither Ares nor Silvia could understand what she meant .
[Then… . if I also have feelings for you, do you think that I would be willing to reject the marriage with you?]
[…………………]
[I have investigated all kinds of things about you . What you’ve done, your reputation . And today I have also heard your thoughts]
Cornelia turned up and looked at Ares, whilst Ares also looked back at her .
[The more I looked and the more I found out… the more I realized that you are the kind of gentleman I have been dreaming about since childhood . I came to pine for you . Therefore, when I heard about His Majesty’s decision a few days ago, I was really happy . But… at the same time, I was worried . ]
And so Cornelia said ever so quietly .
[I came to wonder, will our marriage cause sadness to someone else? Therefore, I went to meet your mother yesterday, and had a talk]
[Eh, with my mother?]
The revelation caused Ares to leak out a weird voice .
The face of the all-encompassing Sera flashed in his head . If she had a piece to bite… then he wouldn’t stand any chance to fight back .
[I heard from Ares-sama’s mother that you have several women who are also pining for you . Therefore… I asked you to make things clear . ]
Cornelia then looked at Ares once again .
[Ares-sama’s decision, I think it’s wonderful . I think Ares-sama’s resolve for these women is admirable . I envy them for being valued that much… that even Ares-sama is willing to make such a decision… . . I have but only one request now . Can I be included as one of those women? That is all . ]
[…………]
[I may not have a long history with you yet . And I know it’s a tall order . But, I can only beg you now . ]
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Ares stared at Cornelia . Looking closely… Cornelia was trembling ever so slightly . Probably out of shame from having to go that far and worried about how he would respond to her request .
Ares thought inwardly, Ah, I really am a pathetic man . To let a woman go as far as doing something like this .
[Please raise your head, Your Highness . ]
Ares approached and took Cornelia’s hand .
At the same time, Cornelia also slowly looked up .
[I may turn out to be the worst husband . ]
[I do not mind . ]
[I will most likely take even more wives . ]
[But you will love me all the same, will you not?]
[There is also the possibility of losing my life in war . ]
[Until that day comes, I will always be by your side . ]
Ares made up his mind as he listened to her answers . He would welcome Cornelia as his wife .
And so, he told Cornelia .
[Your Highness… will you marry me?]
Hearing that proposal, Cornelia showed a flowery smile on her beautiful face .
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Cornelia Arcadia Schwarzer
A prominent figure known as the Hero Sovereign Ares’ Queen .
Ares had many wives in his lifetime, yet his married life was rather devoid of conflict . It was mostly thanks to Cornelia’s presence . Also, it is said that it was due to her influence that the succession to the throne did not end up into a full blown political war .
Well-versed in domestic affairs, she supported Ares fully . Ares would always entrust her with the command of the dominion whenever he’s absent . It said that because he had strong trust in her that he could leave for battle with his mind at ease .
She is also proficient in the holy arts and often involved in charities, earning her the nickname [Arcadia’s Saintess] . Later on she would also be known as the [Arestia’s Holy Mother], exactly because she always acted like a [mother] to her people .
It is said that the Arestia Dominion’s prosperity was partially brought about by her existence .