EMATEC Chapter 146




 146



“...!”


“...!”


No one in the room, aside from Enoch himself, was left unshocked by the firm declaration he had just made.


Even Benedict and Jade, who had been speaking so smoothly moments before as if their tongues had been oiled, were left speechless, their mouths agape.


Even Aurelian, Crown Prince of the Lutinas Empire, who had been lifting his teacup, trembled slightly and looked back and forth between Enoch and Cherrya. His face had gone so pale that one might have thought he was the one announcing a broken engagement.


Perhaps sensing the weight of the atmosphere, Enoch looked straight at Cherrya, whose eyes were wide with astonishment like everyone else’s, and declared once again.


“We are getting engaged.”


“Wha—…”


Cherrya tried urgently to speak, but Enoch tightly grasped her hand and continued.


“There will no doubt be people who oppose this engagement. But that’s exactly why Cherrya and I must be united.”


“…”


“So that no one can ever again use Emblem and Gray as an excuse to harm us.”


At his words, Cherrya paused, seemingly deep in thought, then let out a long sigh and nodded.


“I’m honestly at a loss over what just happened… but I can’t say you’re wrong, Enoch.”


Neither of them had ever truly felt the need for an engagement—until now. Only through this incident did they finally realize its importance.


“So, are you saying you’ll head back to the Empire and hold the engagement ceremony right away?”


The Crown Prince of Pavan couldn’t suppress his curiosity and urgently asked. A union between the two houses—he had never once imagined in his lifetime that he would witness Gray and Emblem declare an engagement before him.


“As you know, I’ve only just graduated. Compared to Cherrya, the fully recognized commander of Emblem, I still lack in many ways.”


“That’s certainly true.”


Benedict replied without thinking, only to be pierced by Jade’s sharp glare.


“He already proved his talent by acting as Gray’s interim commander even before entering the academy. So it’s only natural that Enoch will officially take on the position once he graduates. We taught him that modesty is a virtue, but still…”


The exchange between Benedict and Jade required no words—it was as if their glances alone held entire conversations.


“For now, I’ll focus on reorganizing the Gray Knights and adjusting to the responsibilities of leadership. Preparing for an engagement between Gray and Emblem will also take time.”


“Ah yes, of course. Even if you wanted to keep it small, that likely won’t be possible.”


The Crown Prince of Pavan nodded, then leaned forward with interest.


“If the two of you truly go through with this engagement, please be sure to send me an invitation. After what happened, I owe you both. I’ll prepare a gift from Pavan that will be nothing short of extravagant.”


“You really don’t have to...”


But it was clear, this engagement would send shockwaves throughout the continent.


And the Pavan Crown Prince was certain of that.


“Please, do invite me. I have a feeling this will be the most historic engagement I’ll ever witness in my life.”


He pleaded persistently for an invitation to the ceremony so he could repay the debt, and only after receiving a firm promise did he finally leave.


In the end, thanks to this turn of events, Lutinas had managed to foil the King of Pavan’s schemes without much effort—and stood to gain immensely.


Still, the atmosphere in the room remained oppressively heavy.


It was the Crown Prince who finally broke the silence.


“Do you truly intend to proceed with this engagement?”


Aurelian’s voice trembled slightly.


“This incident proves there will always be others who think like the King of Pavan. That’s probably why my daughter and Seffield’s daughter were so insistent from the start.”


Jade Gray delivered the final confirmation.


And with that, the teacup in Aurelian’s hand slipped and shattered to the floor.


“Ah-sorry, I’m sorry. I knew the two of you had been promised since before birth, but I didn’t expect it to move forward so suddenly…”


Flustered, Aurelian started stammering.


Cherrya stood up, scratching her head, and approached him.


“Well, it can’t be helped. Since I was a kid, I always had a feeling this day would come.”


Casually, Cherrya knelt and began brushing aside the broken porcelain at Aurelian’s feet with a handkerchief. Then she took his hand, helped him up, and led him to another couch.


“Did you perhaps forget about it all this time?”


“…Embarrassingly, it seems I did.”


As Cherrya seated Aurelian on the sofa, her gaze swept down to the floor near his feet—checking whether any fragments of the shattered teacup remained.


Color slowly returned to Aurelian’s pale face, but his eyes also grew red. Though Cherrya had only acted out of habit, this time more than ever, her behavior deeply reflected the duties of a true knight.


Jade, noticing Aurelian’s expression, rose from his seat and spoke.


“It’s time we return to the Empire. You shouldn’t be away from the palace for too long.”


“Yes, His Majesty will be waiting. I should get going.”


Aurelian closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then stood up.


Then, seeing Cherrya still eyeing the floor to ensure he wouldn't step on any shards, he addressed her.


“Then, Dame—please visit the palace when you have time. I have something I wish to say.”


“Ah, yes.”


Cherrya gave a polite nod, and Aurelian finally managed to pull his eyes away and take his leave.


“Ah, what a shame. I really wanted to attend the graduation, but I suppose this old man will be too busy drafting and negotiating the official documentation for all this.”


“I understand. Please don’t worry about me.”


“…Come on, show a little concern for me, will you?”


Jade clicked his tongue in mock frustration, muttered 'Tch,' and left the room with the Crown Prince.


A faint smile formed on Enoch’s lips as he watched them go.


“Hey, Enoch. Are you really okay with your grandfather missing your graduation?”


“What can we do? The royal family needs us Grays right now.”


Enoch gave a casual shrug, to which Cherrya frowned and shook her head.


“Aren’t you just full of yourself.”


“Anyway, Cherrya—I know you had a lot you wanted to say back there but held it in. You did great.”


“I didn’t hold back just to hear your praise, you know.”


“Still, you did great.”


Benedict, quietly listening to the two, let out a small chuckle and finally spoke up.


“Since Duke Gray can’t be here, I’ll stay behind and congratulate you at the graduation. How does that sound?”


“You must be busy—I couldn’t possibly trouble you like that…”


“Oh, but I was already planning to stay and listen to our Cherrya’s graduation speech. Melsia even prepared a graduation gift for you. I’ll give it to you then.”


“Thank you very much.”


Enoch bowed deeply. Smiling, Benedict motioned for him to go ahead and leave.


“Then I’ll take my leave.”


Enoch gave Cherrya one last glance before stepping out of the reception room.


Now alone with Cherrya, Benedict sighed deeply, then suddenly pulled her into a big hug.


“My daughter! I always knew this day would come, but it’s more dreadful than I imagined. All these boys falling head over heels for our Cherrya!”


“Dad! I can’t breathe!”


“Oh, Melsia… To think I must stand by and witness all this with open eyes… You’ve truly left me with a cruel burden.”


Groaning dramatically, Benedict rubbed his cheek affectionately against Cherrya’s head.

Post a Comment

0 Comments