Chapter 29

Is he feeling jealous even though he doesn’t like me?

While I was lost in thought, Massera took on a serious tone and spoke.

“Major Rodriguez belongs to the Federal Army Headquarters.”

“Wow.”

What’s the problem with that? It’s not like he’s a spy.

With the same serious mood and tone, he continued.

“And I belong to the Joint Headquarters.”

“Wooow.”

I reacted a bit more enthusiastically, worried he might get upset again.

He stared at my clueless face for a while, then let out a sigh. The expression he gave showed resignation, as if he had given up on trying to explain.

“You… can just do as you please.”

“Hey, why do you say that like you’re giving up on me?”

Honestly, I think I knew what he was trying to say.

The three countries that led the Federation to victory had formed the Joint Headquarters, which was politically at odds with the existing Federal Army Headquarters.

Brigadier General Steve, who attended the dinner banquet, nitpicked at everything, withdrew investment, and left, was a staff officer of the Federal Army Headquarters. Naturally, he had a bad relationship with Massera, who was Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters.

And as Major Rodriguez was a direct subordinate of Brigadier General Steve, it seemed like he was telling me not to associate with him.

But to him, “Cynthia” was already a suspicious figure, so acting smart and pretending to know things here would only invite more suspicion, wouldn’t it?

True masters know when to feign ignorance.

“Oh my, are you perhaps jealous? I thought feelings like that didn’t exist at a~ll in your dictionary, General.”

I showed the sneer of a villainous noble lady. Plus, I could also say something to torment Massera, so it was like killing two birds with one stone.

He smiled leisurely.

“That’s right. I can’t let Major Rodriguez be taken by you, ‘Your Highness’.”

But Massera wasn’t an easy man to deal with either.

Damn, is he really turning this into a battle for a handsome Major General?

He added in a serious tone.

“Don’t get close to him. He’s one of my people.”

Wow! How childish!

Leaving behind that ridiculous warning, he walked away with disciplined steps. His ears were red, as if he was embarrassed himself.

“How cute.”

I muttered like a typical teasing male lead would, curling up the corners of my lips.

And yet, I felt vexed because for some reason, it felt like I had lost to him.

At that moment, Diego came running from afar.

“Your Highness, you need to check the list of people to whom the invitations will be sent. They’re scheduled to be sent tomorrow…”

He spoke while catching his breath, as if he’d been searching for me all this time.

Diego, even you’ve started calling me “Your Highness.”

“What will my title be after I get married?”

Surely I won’t be called by the title of a princess even when I’m a grandma.

At my question, Diego adjusted his glasses and fell silent in thought for a moment.

“As you won’t have a specific title, you’ll likely be called Madam, Ma’am, or Lady.”

Being called Madam feels a bit embarrassing, but I like how Ma’am and Lady sound strong.

But I need something more distinctive…

“Is there anything else? Something that sounds more dominant and powerful?”

Diego answered my pointless concern with needless seriousness.

“If you enlist and earn a rank, or enter politics and become a member of the parliament, it could make you seem stronger.”

For a member of the royal family that ruined the country to enter politics—it was something that could only be possible if the person had that strong of an ego.

“Do you dislike being called ‘Your Highness’?”

Diego, the capable and quick-witted aide, asked.

“I want to be called by my name. I like what feels most like me.”

“Then I’ll call you Lady Cynthia from now on.”

Diego said, giving a smile that was rare from him.

Most of the people at the residence seem kind. Except for Massera.

***

Major Rodriguez arrived at the temporary residence where Brigadier General Steve was staying.

Since Brigadier General Steve was his direct superior, he had to respond to his summons even on a day off.

“Did you deliver the documents?”

“I delivered them to the aide without issue.”

While the major stood straight in a posture full of military discipline, General Steve was sitting with his legs crossed, giving off an air of arrogance.

“Even if you’re on leave, isn’t showing up before your superior out of uniform against military spirit?"

“I’ll correct that.”

Major Rodriguez, dressed in casual clothes, bowed his head deeply.

Brigadier General Steve gave him a disapproving look.

“It’s only because you risked your life in the Federal Army that you’re treated as a soldier at all.”

He was one of those who discriminated against and despised the fallen Esahts.

It would not have been surprising for Major Rodriguez to be promoted to colonel for his achievements in war, but thanks to Steve, the main appointing authority, he didn’t get promoted beyond the rank of major.

It was unfair treatment, but in the strict military that adhered to hierarchy, raising objections was nearly impossible.

“Major, have you seen the princess? The woman who’s going to be Brigadier General Vicente’s wife.”

“I haven’t had the honor of meeting her yet.”

As he had received no information, he didn’t know what the princess looked like or what her name was.

And since his fellow officers envied his outstanding abilities, he was rarely informed of anything beyond what was strictly necessary.

“A lowborn nobody managed to get some stars on his shoulder and thinks he can take a member of the royal family as his wife, and the result is a princess in name only. It’s laughable.”

Brigadier General Steve often summoned Major Rodriguez to vent all sorts of gossip and complaints.

With no backing or connections, the major was like a bamboo grove he could shout into or a trash bin for his emotions.

“You were a noble too, weren’t you? From which noble family did you come from?”

“That’s all in the past.”

“That’s true. This is a world where nobles end up worse off than commoners, and war-orphan commoners rise to be war heroes, after all.”

Major Rodriguez listened to his superior’s ramblings with his hands folded politely, his eyes counting the patterns on the floor.

‘A pitiful man who reassures himself of his worth through others’ misfortune.’

The brigadier general, though born into a wealthy noble family with nothing lacking, had a childish side to him.

And although Brigadier General Steve used Major Rodriguez’s misfortune to feed his sense of superiority, he had never really considered himself unfortunate.

People around him often saw him as a “pitiful man,” showering him with either pity or insults, but he had never cared much about what others said to begin with.

However, the woman named Cynthia he’d seen at the residence felt different from all the other petty people.

She didn’t try to judge him by his appearance.

The major found that deeply impressive.

He thought that maybe, for the first time, she could be someone to whom he could express his true feelings to, rather than just fake smiles and courtesy.

As he thought of Cynthia while counting the patterns on the floor, Brigadier General Steve’s smug jeering reached his ears.

“I heard you canceled your request for an assignment to the autonomous territory. Got a promotion and now you’re getting ambitious, huh? You do realize I’ve been looking out for you, right?”

“I’m always grateful.”

As always, Major Rodriguez said what Brigadier General Steve wanted to hear.

General Steve frowned at his subordinate, who responded lukewarmly no matter what was said.

‘Esahts really are all gloomy and impossible to read.’

Thinking that, General Steve pulled out a wedding invitation and tossed it at the major.

The major, his gaze still on the floor, deftly caught the invitation.

“You go in my place. And pay the gift money for me too.”

Major Rodriguez’s blue eyes, which had been fixed on the floor, shifted toward the invitation. Soon, his eyes, which had been like a calm lake, shook as if ripples had formed.

Bride: Cynthia Queensguard of the Variessa Royal Family

“Cynthia Queensguard…”

Brigadier General Steve stared fixedly at the major’s face as he muttered to himself absentmindedly.

As someone who thrived on the misfortune of other people, he was sharp at spotting emotional shifts in them.

“What, is there a problem?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Major Rodriguez shook off the brief agitation he had felt and lowered his head.

‘So she was Brigadier General Vicente’s princess.’

The kindness she’d shown was clearly not a sign of romance between a man and woman. But somehow, his heart felt hollow.

“You know everyone hates the princess, right? I guess you could say she’s treated like a traitor of the highest order.”

Brigadier General Steve was a man who’d risen to his position through scheming and sowing discord.

Having keenly read the fleeting turmoil on the major’s face, General Steve spoke.

“I hear she’s despised even at the residence. It’s clear she’ll live a miserable life, unloved by anyone.”

The major, head bowed, was no longer counting the patterns on the floor.

In his downcast blue eyes, the image of Cynthia’s radiant smile lingered.

General Steve smirked slyly and spoke to the major lost in thought.

“The princess who’ll be used and abandoned is quite pitiful.”