The Emperor and the Knightess

Chapter 228

The maids exclaimed as they talked about Cekel and Sir Ainno.

“Wow, that sounds so amazing!”

“I am so envious! A whole box of jewels?”

The biggest story in Yapa at the moment was Sir Ainno and Cekel’s upcoming marriage. Just like Frau and Poliana, there was a huge gap between Sir Ainno and Cekel in terms of wealth and status. People, however, reacted differently to the two couples. Whenever they heard about Poliana and Frau, they laughed or shook their heads. A woman marrying so beneath her? Everyone found it either ridiculous or unacceptable. However, a woman marrying above her station? All the women found the story of Sir Ainno and Cekel romantic.

Many women were jealous as well. They pouted, saying how sneaky Cekel was. Didn’t she declare that she was never going to get married? That she was going to remain a spinster? Yet here she was, getting married to the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.

People were also curious. How did someone like Cekel capture Ainno Seki’s heart? There were many rumors, but nothing was confirmed. The ladies also enjoyed Sir Ainno’s passionate courtship of Cekel. Sir Ainno was a jerk, and he was a very forward and forceful man, but it seemed that no one noticed it. It was partly because he was a great actor. Ever since Cekel gave him permission to try to win her over, he has been acting like a perfect gentleman.

When he gave her a bouquet of flowers, he made a noticeable effort not to touch her hands. Whenever he escorted her, he asked for her permission respectfully. He even asked for her permission whenever he kissed the back of her hand. To the ladies, he was a perfect gentleman.

Poliana, however, knew he was faking it.

‘What a jerk.’

Her guess was that Cekel was training Sir Ainno to act in this way. If this was the case, then Sir Ainno must really love Cekel.

Lady Siming asked Poliana, “And what will you do about the wedding animal hide?” Traditionally, the groom was supposed to hunt an animal and give its hide as a wedding gift to his bride. But unfortunately, everyone knew Frau was not a hunter. He was a chubby slow man. It was very likely that he wouldn’t even be able to catch a chicken inside a chicken coop.

Poliana considered hunting an animal herself but quickly gave up on the idea. Poliana herself was not a talented hunter. It was best to just purchase a hide. She didn’t even want or need one, but it was the tradition.

When Poliana said she was going to buy a hide, Lady Siming replied excitedly, “There is no need. His highness told me that he will be giving you a black bear hide as a gift for you. He has one that he recently received as a gift.”

“Isn’t that too much?”

“His highness was actually disappointed that he didn’t have a white bear hide for you.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense… His highness is so generous. I guess I better go and thank him in person soon.”

Poliana accepted the emperor’s gift without a fight. It was a good idea never to refuse a gift like this. Lucius the First also offered to give Poliana jewels, but she politely refused them, especially because he was offering a ring and Poliana wanted to get one custom made for her.

Poliana asked Lady Siming, “For the wedding ring… I was thinking about making one big enough to fit my gauntlet. What kind of stone do you think I should use?”

“Marquess! During the wedding, you will be exchanging the rings with your future husband. Are you telling me that you will be wearing your gauntlet at your own wedding?!”

Lady Siming exclaimed in shock. The maids, who were working nearby, also ran towards them and said hurriedly, “Marquess Winter! You will have to wear your ring during the entire wedding, and if the ring falls off even once that day, it means your marriage will suffer bad luck!”

‘Even the women are so superstitious here.’

It wasn’t just the Acreian men who were suspicious. The northern women also strongly believed in myths. There was no doubt that such a ring would fall off a few times during the wedding and the reception. It would also look quite ridiculous for her to be wearing a ring that big.

Poliana pouted in annoyance, realizing that she was going to have to give up on her idea. Lady Siming, watching Poliana change her mind, quickly learned that it was possible to persuade Poliana sometimes.

‘I am going to have to try changing her mind about the blue dress.’

Lady Siming thought carefully. It seemed that Poliana was not interested in fashion at all. The only reason she insisted on the color blue was that it was the color she was most familiar with, or perhaps she just liked the color.

If she could get Poliana an opportunity to wear different colored clothes before the wedding, Lady Siming thought she might be able to change Poliana’s mind about the blue wedding dress. Poliana, who was only used to dark colors, would never agree to wear a bright pink outfit, but…

“Marquess Winter.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Are you working on his highness’s birthday? During the party?”

“No, I am not going to be on duty. The emperor forced me to attend his banquet as a guest.”

This was the gift Lucius the First demanded from Poliana. Poliana wanted to be working that day just like at his wedding, but she had no choice but to do as the emperor wished. It was her duty to make him happy.

Poliana thought worriedly, ‘All of the Acreian nobles will be there…’

But Lucius the First wanted to be surrounded by his close acquaintances and friends on his birthday. He didn’t want the people closest to him working that day. The emperor was lonely, which was why Sir Ainno was also forced to be off duty that day.

Of course, this made both Poliana and Sir Ainno very nervous about the security that day.

Lady Siming said to Poliana, “That is great! Then you should wear a nice robe that day at the party.”

“Why? Do you need me to look like a clown so I can entertain the guests?”

Only

Poliana didn’t think Lady Siming meant a simple indoor robe. It was likely that the dressmaker wanted Poliana to wear a very feminine and extravagant dress. Lady Siming explained patiently, “There is a famous story about you in a dress in the Yapa castle during the war, right? I heard that you are very awkward in dresses, which means you should wear it often before your wedding, so you get used to them. It would be embarrassing for you to be walking down the isle awkwardly in your wedding dress.”

Poliana replied indignantly, “I was walking funny that time because I had hidden daggers on my thighs. I don’t walk strangely in a dress. I can even dance very well in it.”

“I am sure you can! It’s just that everyone thinks you can’t. This would be a great chance for you to show them!”

Poliana liked this idea. It was true that the story of her fighting bravely in a ripped dress and thick makeup was widely spread. The knights talked of it proudly, but Poliana didn’t like it at all. When Poliana looked convinced, Lady Siming quickly added, “I will make a perfect dress for you. Let’s make it something other than blue so that it doesn’t overlap with your wedding dress.”

Lady Siming looked at Poliana expectantly. After a few minutes of thinking, Poliana finally answered, “I think green would be ok.”

“Excellent. I will make a green dress that matches his highness’s beautiful green eyes.”

This was the perfect answer. Poliana smiled widely and Lady Siming grinned in satisfaction.

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