Red Tape

It is a dazzlingly bright day. The sunlight tickled Liam’s eyelids, making his vision blur repeatedly.

He blinked twice, then three times in succession. Only then did his eyes, accustomed to the light, begin to see properly.

A strange landscape stretched out before him. Trees that had lost their green leaves, have started to embrace the dry season and Erwin standing is beneath them.

Erwin dresses in a crimson jacket embroidered with golden thread and adorned with a yellow lapel, paired with white trousers and black boots. It is the military uniform of the Freita Empire.

Liam, momentarily mesmerized by how effortlessly Erwin carried himself in such rigid clothing, let his gaze drift downward. His eyes landed on the black object in Erwin’s hands, an elongated firearm with a sharp blade attached.

“…Young Master?”

The weapon gleamed ominously, its surface reflecting the light in a razor-sharp glint. It is far too dangerous to be in Erwin’s hands.

Liam wanted to snatch it away from him. However, before he could even step forward. Erwin’s shoulder jerked violently backward.

‘Young Master!’

Before Liam could even move, another explosive sound thundered through the air and thick smoke engulfed the surroundings.

Liam pushed through the mist-like smoke, sprinting towards Erwin, who had collapsed beneath the trunk of a tree.

As he drew closer, he saw that Erwin’s crimson jacket had darkened near his chest, soaked in deep red. Panicked, Liam lifted Erwin’s upper body and cradled him in his arms.

The Erwin in his embrace is growing paler by the second. The once vibrant blue eyes, which shone like a night sky full of stars, are losing their luster. His dulling gaze is locked onto Liam, filled with resentment.

‘It’s because of you.’

The moment the last traces of life drained from those dimming eyes, Liam was jolted awake, thrashing violently.

“Haaah!”

His entire body was drenched in cold sweat, his ragged breaths came out irregularly.

Even after waking, Liam struggled to comprehend his reality. The vivid scene that had just unfolded before his eyes. it felt so real, as if it had happened right in front of him. It took a while for him to accept that it had only been a nightmare.

Only when his heaving chest finally calmed did he take in his surroundings. The familiar sight of Erwin’s bedroom comes into view.

An opulent carpet covered the floor, four large windows lined the walls, and he himself lay on a bed draped with gold-damask curtains. Beside him, Erwin is sound asleep, his arm wrapped securely around Liam’s waist.

Liam stared at Erwin with dazed eyes.

In sleep, he looks as beautiful as an angel. His cheeks are porcelain white, like a marble statue, and his lips are as rich as coral. Liam stared blankly at his golden hair which cascading over the pristine white pillow and shimmered like spun gold knowing it is foolish but he held back his judgement.

Just a little bit more, just a little bit more like this. Just one more day, just tonight. No, just until tomorrow.

Holding Erwin tightly, Liam squeezed his eyes shut as if trying to suppress the turmoil within him, irresponsibly surrendering himself to fleeting comfort.

***

The garden is in full bloom with summer flowers.

There had been no word of any visitors, yet the grand gates swung open, and a resplendent carriage drove in.

The four-horse carriage, painted a gleaming burgundy, is massive. A flag bearing an unfamiliar emblem fluttered from its side.

Even as the carriage came to a halt before the mansion’s entrance, none of the duke’s servants could recognize the symbol.

In that case, it is not a noble family’s crest, but the national flag of the Kingdom of Lacroix, which bordered the northern edge of the Freita Empire.

Lacroix is a wealthy and powerful nation, known for its abundance of natural resources. Its territory surpassed that of the Freita Empire, which had only unified through the subjugation of smaller duchies, and its royal authority is unshakable.

Moreover, its numerous mines are rich with brass, lead, and copper—all essential for bullet manufacturing. As a result, its weapons technology has advanced significantly. No one dared challenge them unless they wished to become a defeated nation reduced to ashes.

By the time the carriage reached the long driveway, the mansion’s grand doors opened. Having received urgent news of their visitor, the duke and Erwin stepped outside. Behind them, the mansion’s servants lined up in formation.

The Viscountess of Mortier is notably absent. She had been shut- in her chambers for days. She had been shock after hearing the news that that her maid, who returned to her hometown to collect ransom,had been robbed and died a tragic death.

Unlike Erwin, who looked confused by the unexpected guest, the duke wore a faint smile, as if he had been expecting this visitor.

Erwin glanced at his father with a foreboding expression before shifting his gaze toward the approaching carriage.

Soon, the lavish carriage came to a halt in front of them. Even at a second glance, the carriage is incredibly splendid, it surpassed even the duchy’s own carriages.

A servant dressed in a crisp black uniform swiftly dismounted from the back of the carriage and opened the door.

A tall man, clad in the formal attire of the Lacroix royal court, appeared. His bearing suggested that he is a high-ranking servant of the royal family.

He bowed respectfully before carefully retrieving something from the carriage

An enormous frame covered in a luxurious, glossy cloth. The meticulous way they handled it bordered on reverence.

Observing the seamless coordination of their movements, the duke gestured to a nearby servant.

“Escort these guests to my study. Jeffrey, I would like to serve a meal to our guests who have traveled a long distance, so prepare it.

“Yes, My lord.”

The servant assigned to escort the guests is none other than Liam.

Leading the way, Liam guided them up to the duke’s study on the second floor. The men who followed placed the frame onto a prepared stand, leaving the cloth draped over it.

Just as Liam was about to leave, the duke and Erwin entered the room.

As Liam moved to step out, his hand briefly brushed against Erwin’s. The touch deliberate yet secretive sent both of their hearts pounding.

From behind him, he heard the duke speaking.

“Go ahead and unveil it.”

“What is it? A masterpiece by some famous artist?”

“It is the portrait of the woman you are to marry.”

Liam, who was about to exit, froze in place.

“…What?”

“What are you waiting for? Shouldn’t the groom be the first to see his bride’s face?”

Instinctively, Liam turned back. He saw Erwin standing before the veiled portrait, his back facing him.

The duke, watching Erwin with an expression of satisfaction, suddenly sensed another presence and turned toward Liam. The sharp gaze that met him sent a jolt through Liam’s body. Bowing hastily, he fled the study as if burnt by fire.

His vision blurred, his mind clouded with fog. In his daze, he almost fell down the stairs, barely catching himself on the banister.

As he passed through the rear corridors where the servants bustled about, a piercing ringing sound filled his ears. As he was absentmindedly walking, his shoulder bummed with busy a kitchen maid.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!”

Liam staggered, steadying himself against the wall. He heard the maids chattering.

“Do you know what that was? It was the princess’s portrait!”

“What? A princess?”

“Yes! The youngest princess of Lacroix!”

Margaret, the maid was going back and forth preparing a meal for the guest from Lacroix, telling them what she had heard.

“The Lacroixen king had six daughters, but the youngest is his most beloved.”

Love marriage did not exist among royal and nobles, specially among those in high nobles.

Instead, portraits are exchanged, and if both parties approved, a meeting will be arranged. Of course, theye also play a little trick if they are too plain-looking, they would add a little intentional distortion.

Whatever lay beneath that crimson cloth, one thing is certain:

He don’t knows what type of portrait underneath the cloth but Im sure the princess of Lacroix across the continent had likely rejoiced upon receiving Erwin’s portrait.

“Haven’t you learned from what happened last time? Enough idle chatter.”

Jeffrey scolded the maids in stern voice.As Jeffrey passed by, warning them, Liam instinctively grabbed the butler’s sleeve.

“Is it true? Young Master is… getting married?”

“We don’t know for sure yet, but the political climate is unstable.”

Liam seem unable to grasp what an uncertain political situation has to do with Erwin’s marriage. Seeing this, Jeffrey offered a brief explanation.

In times like these, when the threat of war loom ever closer, forming an alliance with a powerful nation through marriage is a critical political strategy. It’s an unparalleled safeguard.

The rapidly shifting international landscape saw Grantaire’s invasion threat growing by the day. To counter that, cooperation with Lacroix, a formidable ally, is essential. And a marriage with Lacroix’s youngest princess will be the foundation of that alliance.

For nobles, marriage is never merely a union between individuals.

“Isn’t it fortunate? It seems their side has quite taken a liking to our young master as well.”

“………I see.”

A princess of a great kingdom. A figure with the power to deter even war itself.

Compared to that, how insignificant and wretched is his own pitiful love?