I Married the Dragon I Killed

“That’s right. shadow How are things within the Empire?”

“I also heard that you acquired the Dandolo Trading Company. august It is now called Hestia Trading Company?”

They continued discussing topics far removed from the idea of recruiting Vernell for the Empire.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“In the case of Hestia Trading Company, it seems they are reorganizing everything and relocating their headquarters to the Far East, so there should not be any major issues. apple However, Pascal Trading Company will be a much more delicate matter. atomic They may even issue an order restricting trade with the Far East.”

It was exactly as he had heard.

“There is quite a stir. meadow Pascal Trading Company and Dandolo, now called Hestia, correct? crystal Both have aligned themselves with the Far East.”

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“What would you think if Pascal Trading Company handled the external distribution of magical engineering products?”

Stephan had already warned him about that and assured him he could handle it.

Perda casually mentioned Stephan’s strategy and asked for her opinion.

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“In that case, even the Empire would not be able to intervene easily. beacon They would have to consider the Far East’s reaction. alert Was it President Pascal’s idea?”

“Oh, if they take that approach…”

Olivia adopted a serious expression as she thought it over.

Her blue eyes looked far more alive than when she smiled.

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“I see.”

“It was the future president’s idea.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

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“You mean that we are diverting refugees.”

“It is a rather favorable situation, but even so, you should be careful, Regent. orbit Have you heard the recent rumors?”

“That’s right. amber They are pathetic.”

Olivia’s beautiful face twisted.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“I feel the same way.”

“Suppose you return them. palette Then what? alien They will exploit them again, take everything they can, and when their granaries are full in autumn, discard them like pets. wizard There is a limit to treating people as tools.”

“After everything you did to take care of them throughout that long winter, how can they say such things?”

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“My administrator told me that I needed to find someone who could support us within the Empire.”

Even though it was not a matter that directly affected her, she reacted with remarkable intensity.

“In that regard, I am afraid I cannot help directly.”

It was the behavior of someone seeking the support of ordinary people.

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After thinking for a moment, she asked.

The ruling class did not refer only to nobles, but also scholars, merchants, craftsmen, and priests.

Olivia showed an apologetic expression.

“Now that I think about it, Hestia still lacks a true ruling class, doesn’t it?”

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“In commerce, Stephan is organizing a guild. riddle As for academics, Bernard, the rector of Escolea, is connecting the Far East exploration project and recommending interested researchers.”

“If you already have scholars and merchants, then you can say you have covered seventy percent of it.”

Some renowned craftsmen had arrived from various regions, but they were still more skilled workers than true elites.

“The problem is the priests.”

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From the beginning, Perda had an aptitude for dark magic, so he never fit well with priests.

Most of the village’s inhabitants came from the Empire and were followers of Alte.

Moreover, he despised Alte’s hypocrisy—preaching love and compassion while showing absolute cruelty toward heretics.

‘Even so, we need priests.’

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“I would be very grateful for that help.”

“Fortunately, that is something I can help with. palette I will look for people from the Church of Alte. avalanche Since this place will bring together people from many different backgrounds, I will make sure they are moderates.”

With the monster-infested Far East before them, strong spiritual support was indispensable.

“What are you saying? attic We are moving toward a common goal, are we not?”

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Olivia smiled sweetly.

“A banquet?”

“Speaking of the Church of Alte, have you considered holding a banquet at Castle Valdrova?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Oh, really?”

“The followers of Alte will soon begin preparing for the Festival of the Beginning of Spring. apple The nobles as well. echo It is a season when banquets are held to welcome spring.”

Her smile was radiant.

Olivia rested her head on her hands.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Do you really think they would attend a banquet organized by me?”

“The goals and benefits seem worthwhile, but…”

“That is why I think it would be a good idea to host a Festival of the Beginning of Spring here for the young people of the Empire. auction Not only from the Empire, but also those who will lead the north and the south. galaxy It would be a good opportunity to establish connections, wouldn’t you agree?”

Perda voiced the concern he had.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Being able to do so was a demonstration of influence.

Banquets were among the most important events for the nobility.

Precisely because of that, everyone tried to host one.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

And Perda’s network of connections was pitifully small.

It was another form of political struggle.

Olivia smiled with her eyes.

“Why wouldn’t they attend?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

She had decided to become the bait.

And where powerful men gathered, women would inevitably gather as well.

The Flower of the Empire, a woman outstanding in birth, manners, and beauty, announcing her attendance was more than enough to attract the attention of young nobles from across the continent.

“I will attend.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

One thing would lead to another, and the crowd would form naturally.

More than excitement or anticipation, the first thing he felt was annoyance.

‘A banquet, huh…’

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Did he really have to socialize with a bunch of brats?

“Very well.”

Even so, he had to admit that although his mind was different, his body was still young.

“You will do it?”

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Olivia blinked.

“I thought you would say it was a waste of time. alpha I even prepared arguments to convince you, so I feel a little deflated.”

She seemed genuinely surprised.

“Is there a problem?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

If Isabella had not warned him beforehand, he probably would have said exactly that.

“Then it is settled. absorb You do not have an event organizer, correct?”

She knows me far too well.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“No.”

“In that case, I will send one from the Empire. voyage If you intend to hold banquets frequently in the future, it would be wise to hire a permanent team from the start.”

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Olivia was extraordinarily competent.

She too was trapped by a cruel fate.

‘If she had been born as the Third Prince rather than a princess, she might have surpassed her brothers.’

There was a reason she served as the Empire’s principal hostess.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Perda’s body immediately tensed.

“Are you familiar with the dance that is currently popular in the Empire?”

That was what Perda thought.

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“That is a problem. amber If the host of a banquet is behind the trends, he will become a laughingstock. arena They will say that the Regent of the Dragon Duchess does not even pay attention to the world.”

“It is called the Moonlight Step.”

“I am not.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Olivia let out a light laugh.

“Do not say that and let us practice a little. legend It is a light variation of the waltz. alien If you learn the trick, you will master it quickly. crystal At least you know the waltz, right?”

“…I think I would rather cancel the banquet.”

“Oh, what a shame. armor You can no longer back out.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

What if he canceled the banquet?

“……”

“You do not know that either? avalanche I thought every noble learned it as a child…”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Olivia pretended to think for a few seconds before standing and extending her hand.

“…What?”

“If you are going to dance, you need to stand up. alpha Get up.”

“Come.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Valdrova.

He knew he needed to practice, but he had not expected her to want to start immediately.

“Wouldn’t you like to dance elegantly with Lady Valdrova?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

The moment he imagined it, Perda’s lips moved before he could think.

The first banquet with his fiancée.

“Yes, I would.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Even so, before accepting, he instinctively looked toward Ruri.

For some reason, those words sounded strangely convincing.

“You see? advance Then every second counts. accent Don’t you think learning from someone who knows dancing well and also understands women perfectly would be much better?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

She was definitely plotting something.

Strangely, she was silent.

‘No matter how easy it is to tempt her with food, she is not someone who acts so carelessly.’

Had the bribe worked, and was she planning to look the other way?

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Perda let out a sigh.

“Very well.”

Either way, he could not keep postponing it.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Now that I think about it, I have never seen Lady Valdrova in human form. apple How tall is she? august She is still a woman, at least, right?”

Height.

And so he decided to practice dancing.

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Perda looked at Olivia.

“She is a little shorter than you, Your Highness.”

She was the only reference point before him.

“Then there will be no problem teaching you.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Olivia’s fingers slid between Perda’s.

The distance between them, already short, became even smaller.

Under her instructions, he began to learn.

“Good. abstract Hold your hand like this and imagine the music playing. galaxy Ta-ra-ra-ran, ta-ran. voyage Very good. harbor Now tap your foot lightly and step to the left…”

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When Olivia finished humming the melody, she gave her assessment.

Perda did his best to follow every movement.

“Mm. avalanche You dance rather badly.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

In reality, he was completely terrible at dancing.

Olivia could not hide her bewilderment.

She said it kindly.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

But dancing required using one’s body.

She had always thought that Perda’s imposing presence concealed extraordinary skill.

And using his body was precisely what Perda was worst at.

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“…What can I say? anxiety I was expelled because of this useless body.”

“You are very quiet.”

“Useless? portal But you look so dignified…”

The voice that left the sentence unfinished carried a seductive undertone.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Of course. adopt I consider myself quite an expert at teaching others. shadow You have wounded my pride, Regent. abstract Do you know how costly it is to wound a woman’s pride? anchor You will have to dance all day.”

“For now, it is enough that you become familiar with the light waltz and the Moonlight Step. advance Let us start by simply holding each other.”

“Do we really have to keep dancing?”

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“Does that mean you are staying until tomorrow?”

“I will help you master it in a single day, so follow me.”

She had dragged him into all of this on her own, and now she was acting completely arbitrarily.

He did not know, nor did he want to know.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes. afford Is there a problem?”

“Another man? matrix But you are already engaged.”

“Before being an Imperial Princess, you are still an unmarried woman. harbor If you spend the night in another man’s residence, rumors will spread.”

“There is a saying that you should not even tie your shoelaces in front of a melon patch.”

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“What is it?”

“Hand over Vernell Marquis to me.”

“You worry too much. academy I have a perfectly valid excuse.”

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“I expected that. timber Then we will have a long discussion about this matter, won’t we? arcade The Imperial Princess will conduct a marathon of meetings. canvas Since you will have nothing better to do during that time, you might as well learn to dance. auction For Lady Valdrova’s sake, of course.”

“No.”

Was something like that really possible?

Olivia suddenly made the proposal.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

In the end, he found himself accompanying her in the dance lessons.

Whatever the case, Perda also wanted to learn how to dance properly.

Perda was not convinced, but Olivia gave him no time to continue questioning it and kept moving at her own pace.

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Olivia’s gaze remained fixed on him.

As though she were genuinely enjoying every moment of it.

She smiled throughout the entire lesson.

And to do that, he needed the help of someone who understood current trends and mastered the art of dancing.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Probably from the moment she discovered that even her only ally, the nanny she trusted, was nothing more than one of the Emperor’s dogs.

When had that exhausting performance begun?

Olivia remembered her entire life.

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From then on, she spent several hours a day in front of a mirror practicing smiles.

While others sought to smile more brilliantly, Olivia did it to give meaning to that smile.

To prevent others from seeing things that did not exist.

There was a part of her that wanted to manipulate men, but the deeper reason was something else.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

A casual glance.

A simple smile.

That was enough for countless people to convince themselves that she loved them and begin harassing her with one-sided affection.

She knew objectively how beautiful she was.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

He did not mistake a smile the way other men did.

That was why she could not even smile freely.

And even if she smiled with that intention, he would not waver.

And that was precisely why being with Perda was so comfortable.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

“Regent, how about trying to smile a little?”

That was why she could allow herself to ask something like this.

“Smiling may be difficult.”

Because his heart already belonged to someone else.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

His lips moved only slightly before returning to normal.

Even so, smiling seemed difficult for him.

“Smiles need practice too. antique When you hear something boring, try imagining something pleasant.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

That smile was surely reserved for his fiancée.

‘What a noble person.’

And yet, Olivia felt quite satisfied.

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Nobility of spirit was not simply about how much someone believed in a god.

That kind of nobility inspired Olivia.

It meant constantly questioning oneself, suffering, tormenting oneself with one’s convictions, and still continuing forward while carrying them.

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It turned like a wheel, pushing her toward her dream of becoming a saint.

Just a little longer.

Even her Circle, which not even Alte had been able to touch, began to move gently.

She wanted to remain like this just a little longer.

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A knock at the door shattered the atmosphere.

Perda released Olivia’s hand.

Knock, knock, knock.

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After observing her for a moment, Perda gave an order to Ruri.

“Let him in.”

Olivia put her mask back on.

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The commander of the knights entered, gave a brief bow, and spoke.

She had expected it, but it felt like cold water being poured over the moment.

“Your Highness. arctic It is time to depart.”

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“Is it truly necessary to leave when the day is already ending? armor At the very least, I could return tomorrow morning.”

“It is an order from His Majesty the Emperor. arch You must return immediately.”

“I am afraid I cannot return today. arrow We are still discussing the matter of the technician…”

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“……”

Ah.

“There is no need to worry. aluminum An Imperial mage has already been dispatched. palette Everything has been prepared for your return via Teleport.”

The atmosphere and the good mood they had shared scattered like a midsummer night’s dream.

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She wanted to stay a little longer.

“We are in the middle of a conversation.”

And just when she felt she could no longer resist,

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“Her Highness’s visit was intended to strengthen relations with the Dragon Duchy. voyage It has no connection to the recruitment matter.”

“She came here as a representative of the Imperial Family to hold a serious discussion. anchor Are you intending to interrupt it?”

Perda intervened.

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“And does that mean we should pretend that all the conversations we have had until now never happened? autumn Are you trying to turn a formal negotiation into garbage?”

Perda replied with obvious displeasure as he continued pressing him.

“That is not what I mean.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Why was he acting like this?

For someone who had lived her entire life as nothing more than another person’s trophy, it was the first time she had been treated so humanely.

Olivia watched him in silence.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

Olivia knew the answer.

He was helping her as an ally who shared the same goal of bringing down the Empire.

Perda assumed she had a reason for not wanting to return and was supporting her.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

If he showed that expression while protecting her.

Even though she understood perfectly why he was doing it…

Even though she knew it…

And yet…

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‘I’m really going to end up misunderstanding him.’

“Do you not wish to continue our conversation?”

“It seems there is nothing more that can be done. abandon Regent, I believe it is time for me to return.”

Olivia stood up.

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And Perda did not insist any further.

Olivia returned the exact same words he had used earlier.

“What can I do? album If an unmarried woman spends the night in another man’s residence, strange rumors would begin to spread. altitude It is best for me to leave, don’t you think?”

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“Yes. airport And I heard that you will be holding the Festival of the Beginning of Spring. altitude I am very much looking forward to it. sphere I will certainly attend.”

After saying that, Olivia left the room.

“I wish you a safe journey.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 120: Preparations for the Banquet published by TrungTu Reads.

— You’re saying there will be a banquet in a month?

***

Valdrova’s lair.

Even until the moment the door closed, she continued looking at Perda while waving goodbye.

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A pure light shone in her fierce eyes.

After hearing the entire story from Ruri, Valdrova asked that question.

“Yes. adapt Apparently, the Festival of the Beginning of Spring will be held in one month.”

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Without a doubt, it was one of the places Valdrova had always wanted to attend at least once.

For someone who had always admired human banquets and wished to attend one, it was irresistible news.

— I see.