Chapter 100: 100 — Welcome to The Royal Family

"What’s wrong?" Lucian asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he noticed the faint frown tugging at Cynthia’s lips.

"You’re right. I am hungry," she murmured, rising gracefully from her seat. She stepped toward the long, elegantly adorned table, laden with an array of carefully prepared dishes.

As she approached, her gaze swept over the hall, lingering on the extravagant decor and the vibrant clusters of guests dressed in finery. It amazed her that her brother had managed to organize such a grand celebration for his wedding so soon after the war’s end. There was an almost surreal quality to the lively gathering as if peace was something fragile, held together only by the warmth and laughter filling the air.

Her attention shifted to the platters of fruit, and a familiar sour-looking one caught her eye—a favorite from childhood that she had nearly forgotten. She reached out, her fingers just inches away, when suddenly, another hand swept in and snatched it from the plate.

Suppressing the annoyance that pricked at her, Cynthia followed the line of that hand up to its owner, her gaze meeting Vincent’s smug, playful expression.

"You really should reconsider your tastes," he quipped, flashing her a bright, mischievous smile.

"Hah..." Cynthia let out a soft sigh. She had forgotten how Vincent had always been like this. Their rare in-person meetings—scarce due to the war and their conflicting schedules—had left her with only his letters, which never quite captured just how irritating he could be. He was the one who always teased her, no matter the topic. Perhaps it was because their age difference wasn’t as great as it was with Alistair, who had always been more of a father figure to them than a brother.

"Sister," Vincent spoke in a low voice, pausing.

Cynthia glanced at him, reaching for another of the green fruit to have a taste, waiting for him to continue. He hadn’t called her that ever since she had reached adulthood, leaving her curious about what he might be wanting to say.

"What is it?" She asked, hearing no more of his voice.

"Do you know why... His Majesty is marrying this woman?"

Cynthia paused before taking a bite. She had been wondering as well. Saya Ramsel might be better than Duke Dorian’s distant relative, however, will she be a safe option for Alistair? She didn’t know. She wanted to choose the queen herself.

But of course, my brother would never listen to me when it came to politics...

She pursed her lips, remembering the few times she tried to talk to him about political matters in her past life. He had always dismissed her back then. Even in this life, that fear did not leave her. What if her brother began to be irritated by her and ignored her? She tried to keep her opinions to herself and instead proved to her brother that her point of view was right during the battles without ever speaking out loud.

"I am not sure."

Vincent looked around, making sure there was no one close enough to hear their conversation.

Thankfully, everyone is on the dance floor...

He mused, leaning a little close to Cynthia’s ear.

"I know Duke Ramsel is your uncle but... I can’t trust that man," he whispered.

Cynthia chuckled, eating the fruit in her hand without saying anything back to her brother. She did not have any faith in a man who had turned against his own blood either.

"Seems like I am the subject of your discussion," a familiar voice was heard from behind.

Cynthia and Vincent turned to face the white-haired man standing before them. His hair had grown from the last time Cynthia had seen him, reaching his neck. However, the cunning gaze he had never changed.

With a forced smile, Cynthia stepped a little closer to him.

"Don’t give yourself so much importance, Duke."

"You hurt my feelings, Cynthia. I am your uncle. We share a blood relationship unlike the two men who are constantly claiming to be your family," Duke Ramsel glanced at Vincent, his gaze filled with contempt.

"Blood relationship..." Cynthia scoffed.

The very relationship you ended first.

She clenched her fists, trying to control her anger. She couldn’t lash out now. Lucian was also present. Doing anything extreme will only ruin her image and her plans.

"Don’t talk to her like that. She is a member of the royal family, Duke," Vincent stepped forward, like a sturdy wall, protecting his sister from any threat.

"You are behaving as if I want to harm my only niece," Duke Ramsel clicked his tongue.

"Refer to her as Her Highness," the words escaping his mouth seemed clearly ragged with heavy breathing. The anger he was trying to control was evident.

"My, my. Now you cannot harm the queen’s father, can you?" Duke Ramsel sneered, his golden eyes sparkling with clear joy.

Vincent clenched his jaw, frustrated. He could not even throw a punch at this man because he had a high rank among nobles. Attacking him would only result in other nobles questioning their safety.

Unless I end him secretly...

Just as he began thinking, Cynthia placed her hand on his arm, as if to calm him and gave him a reassuring smile.

Vincent nodded, understanding she did not want to create a scene today. But it was still hard for him to forget what this man did to his sister.

"What is going on here?..." A woman’s voice asked.

It was Saya Ramsel, Duke Ramsel Jihan’s daughter.

"We were merely discussing family matters," Duke Ramsel grinned. "I should go greet the guests who have just arrived," he said, walking away from Cynthia and Vincent.

Saya slowly approached Cynthia, as if hesitant.

"Did... my father say something to you?" She asked, reaching for Cynthia’s hands, her face filled with worry.

The silver-haired young woman looked at the woman dressed in a bride’s wear before her. She was older than her but seemed more fragile. So fragile that she would break if she was inflicted with the slightest pain. If Cynthia swatted away her hand from Saya’s grip harshly, she could fall in an instant, causing Cynthia to bear the physical contact she hated so much. She had gone to greater lengths.

So this is nothing compared to what awaits ahead.

"No. He was simply greeting us."

It wasn’t a lie because that was the kind of greeting she could expect from a man like him. He never actually addressed her by her title and kept trying to force their blood relationship despite having ruined it with his own hands.

"I... We haven’t met it’s been... eight years," Saya’s grip around Cynthia’s hand tightened.

"I will leave you ladies alone," Vincent smiled softly at Cynthia before walking away.

Cynthia nodded, without any expression on her face, shifting her gaze back to the lady standing in front of her.

"I missed you..."

Hearing so, Cynthia pulled back her hand from Saya’s grip. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Saya— she was just too nice compared to her father, Duke Ramsel.

"Words do not matter. Actions do. I hope you learn that one day."

"I apologize for what happened that day.... My father..." Saya paused, pursing her lips. Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something but the words caught in her throat.

"It’s alright. Welcome to the royal family," Cynthia smiled. "You did nothing wrong."

"But... I couldn’t stop him," Saya’s head lowered slightly as if she was overwhelmed by shame.

"It’s in the past," Cynthia gently lifted her head, looking into her eyes.

Ironic how I am the one saying this...

"But..."

"You will be the queen from now on. You should keep your head high or people will look down on you."

Saya nodded, though still hesitant.

"Tell me one thing. Do you love my brother?"

Hearing that question, Saya’s face flushed a tint of red on her pale skin.

"I..."

Cynthia did not need to listen to the rest. She wanted to make sure that the woman marrying her brother loved him and the answer couldn’t be more obvious.

"Does he love you?"

Saya’s expression turned dark upon hearing the question.

"You know there is no such thing as love marriage among us nobles. That is a privilege reserved for commoners... free from any duties that could bind them to marry one they do not wish to spend their lives with."

"But you love His Majesty—" Cynthia paused, understanding the meaning behind her cousin’s words.

This marriage was just a political move her brother made devoid of any feeling of love. But why? Wasn’t her marriage with Lucian enough to end the rifts between Eldoria and Selvarys? Did he now have other enemies as well?

He never tells me anything!..

"My love isn’t enough for both of us," Saya smiled faintly, the pain evident. "He is still in love with that woman..."

Cynthia let out a deep sigh. She wished her brother had a good marriage in this life, unlike her past life. However, it seemed even the gods were against his happiness.

"No. It’s enough. You can make him love you," Cynthia grinned.

Saya tilted her head to the side, confused. The only kind of romantic love she ever knew of was love at first sight. How else could she make a man who did not like physics love her?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read