I understood Reidox’s concern. Even though I didn’t know much about the history of this place, Recador, it seemed no king had ever held an engagement ceremony outside the palace before.

Seeing even Sikar Blake wearing a troubled expression, I realized I must have made quite a radical suggestion.

But he seemed worried about hurting my feelings, so he gently tried to soothe me.

“Madam. This matter requires more caution. We don’t know whether it will benefit or harm Kian.”

Reidox also agreed with Sikar.

“My thoughts align with yours, Duke. His Majesty is not an ordinary person. I worry whether holding the engagement ceremony on Snow Mountain will truly convey dignity to the nobles.”

“But what about the common people?”

“Huh?”

“If the king holds his engagement ceremony at the place where his late father is buried, out of filial longing, the nobles may say the king cannot distinguish between public and private matters. But the common people will see the king’s filial devotion. They may even be deeply moved by his profound filial piety.”

Of course, I didn’t wish for the ceremony to be held on Snow Mountain for that reason alone. It was because of Valije, who remained a constant painful wound in Kian’s heart.

Kian had spent his entire life longing for Valije, and had yearned achingly for his father, who would never witness his wedding. The same would be true for this engagement ceremony between Lucy and Kian.

The engagement ceremony was an extremely joyous and auspicious day for Kian. Precisely because of that, it would also be an achingly sorrowful day for him, missing Valije with every fiber of his being.

But if the ceremony, at least, could be held where Valije rested, perhaps it might soothe their pain, even a little.

Moreover, it would naturally allow us to invite Princess Veronia to Kian’s engagement ceremony, which was even better.

Seo Yeon understood my feelings better than anyone else.

“I think I understand a little of the Duchess’s heart.”

But Reidox, burdened by his role as chancellor, seemed more concerned about how Kian would appear to the nobles than to the common people.

“However, among the nobles still remaining, there are those connected to the death of Lord Valije Tahigon. Of course, they were involuntarily entangled because of Gillian, but they will certainly interpret this as a deliberate attack against them.”

Yes, that was possible.

“You must resolve this issue yourself, Minister Reidox.”

“Me? How can I possibly…”

“Speak firmly to them. Obtain their oaths of loyalty. Assure them you will protect His Majesty from now on. If you, Minister Reidox, give them your assurance, they won’t doubt it.”

They wouldn’t believe Sikar’s words, but they would unquestioningly trust the words of the upright Reidox. Sikar had appointed Reidox as chancellor precisely because of this integrity.

If the nobles followed Sikar out of fear, they followed Reidox out of trust. Thus, this matter required Reidox’s strength.

Though Reidox looked uncomfortable, he obeyed me.

“Understood, Duchess.”

Since arriving here, I had never once raised my voice as queen mother.

I had never intervened, not even once, because I didn’t want people to say the king was under the queen mother’s skirt. But in matters concerning Kian’s well-being, I could not step back.

As Sikar said, if there was anyone in Recador wielding the most immense power, I knew very well that person was me.

So, just this once, I wanted to use my tremendous power to hold Kian’s engagement ceremony on Snow Mountain.

Seeing how resolute I was about this matter, Sikar sighed and said,

“I’ll do whatever it takes to gather consensus in the council of ministers, so the engagement can be held on Snow Mountain.”

“I’ll first consult His Majesty and make the decision.”

As expected, Kian not only fully agreed with my suggestion, but was so touched by my judgment that, even before breakfast the next morning, he kissed my cheek.

“Mother, I heard you suggested holding my engagement ceremony on Snow Mountain. Thank you, Mother.”

And a few days later, the council of ministers ultimately decided the engagement ceremony would be held on Snow Mountain.

Though midsummer was approaching, we had to prepare thick coats to go to Snow Mountain.

We had informed Princess Veronia of this news in advance, but apparently, she didn’t seem pleased.

Since the princess wished for Kian to become a more coldly rational monarch rather than a filially devoted king, her reaction was only natural.

Perhaps because it had been so long since he last visited Snow Mountain, Kian’s expression today looked unusually bright.

“Are you that happy?”

Sikar, sitting across from us with his arms folded, smirked slightly toward Kian.

“Of course. It’s my engagement day.”

Kian abruptly sat up, glanced at me, then calmly gritted his teeth and said,

“It’s not that, Father.”

Sikar looked unconvinced, but Kian didn’t care whether he believed him or not—he glanced at me instead.

“It’s true, Mother. I’m just happy to be going to Snow Mountain after so long.”

He must have been embarrassed that I saw through his feelings. Well, it was good anyway, killing two birds with one stone.

“I’m also glad to be going to Snow Mountain after so long. I’m curious how Princess Veronia is doing.”

At the mention of Princess Veronia, Kian’s expression hardened again.

Even though things had eased somewhat before, such matters couldn’t be resolved all at once. He must still feel quite awkward.

I tightly squeezed Kian’s hand, which was holding mine. Kian looked at me, as if asking why.

“Your Majesty. Just in case—no, even if Her Highness remains aloof, please understand her. Didn’t I tell you before? Her Highness grew up lonely in the royal family, so her thoughts may differ greatly from yours. You must understand her. If even you, Your Majesty, fail to understand her, she will truly be alone.”

Though Kian made a sullen face, he nodded in agreement.

He would keep his promise to me.

As we drew closer to Snow Mountain, the temperature inside the carriage gradually dropped.

Since Kian had been sleeping nestled in Sikar’s arms, Sikar and I quietly draped a coat over Kian’s body.

I couldn’t help worrying a little, knowing Veronia wouldn’t welcome Kian even if he came.

Given her personality, she might dislike Kian becoming a “soft” king—and treat him even more coldly.

When I sighed deeply, Sikar took my hand.

“Don’t worry too much in advance.”

I wished I could, but my nature wouldn’t allow it—I worried all the way until we reached Snow Mountain.

Workers who had arrived earlier had already completed all preparations for the engagement ceremony on Snow Mountain.

As expected, Veronia came out to greet us wearing a thick coat. Or rather, she came out with a sour expression, as if asking, “Why did you come to my house?”

“We greet Your Highness, Princess.”

Veronia stared straight at me and said,

“I clearly did not permit holding the engagement ceremony on Snow Mountain, yet you insisted on doing it here. You don’t look it, but you’re stubborn.”

She didn’t permit it? I didn’t know, since Sikar never told me.

I glanced sideways at Sikar, and he deliberately turned his gaze away, pretending not to notice.

So Sikar had also intended to hold the ceremony here for Kian’s sake. Sneakily, he never even told me.

I quietly bowed my head toward Veronia.

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Enough. Since things have already come to this, there’s nothing to be done. Still, Valije would be pleased.”

Since she said Valije would be pleased, it meant Veronia didn’t completely dislike the idea. I smiled broadly at Sikar, signaling it was alright.

Then, both Kian and Sikar followed me, smiling broadly too.

At that moment, Lucy, today’s heroine, stepped down from the carriage. Wearing a thick coat, Lucy walking toward us looked as lovely as a winter fairy.

“Lucy, you must have had a hard journey.”

“Oh, no. I came very comfortably, Duchess.”

I knew very well how boisterous Lucy usually was, so seeing her speak so calmly now made her seem even more adorable.

Seo Yeon, following behind, made a circular hand sign toward me, indicating everything had gone smoothly.

Since the engagement ceremony was held outdoors on Snow Mountain—the coldest place on the continent—I had worried about the cold. But surprisingly, everyone wore thick coats during the ceremony, creating a uniquely impressive scene that made us forget the chill.

Because the cake was completely frozen solid, no one dared attempt the usual cake-cutting ritual. Not even cold drinks were served—everyone held steaming hot baincho (hot wine) in their hands.

Drinking the warming baincho while watching the engagement ceremony offered a very distinctive charm—a feeling of being formal yet unbound, freely spirited.

Durion presided over the ceremony, and there were no separate congratulatory speeches.

Kian and Lucy didn’t cut a cake, but they removed their gloves and placed engagement rings on each other’s fingers.

Watching this, Sikar downed his baincho in one gulp and said,

“Kian is lucky.”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s not easy to meet your destined partner at age ten. If I had met you when I was ten, you wouldn’t have had those nightmares.”

“Hmm… but Sikar, when I was ten, you were only five.”

Did I strike too close to the heart? Sikar gaped at me, then said,

“Even at five, I would have had the strength to protect you.”

I smiled a little, finding Sikar’s serious expression adorable.

Only one task remained: placing the tiara upon Lucy’s head. Though everyone in the council of ministers had loudly insisted I should do it, that was likely just to curry favor with Sikar.

I had already requested Veronia, via letter, to perform this duty.

Soon, Veronia walked forward to stand before Lucy. Seeing Lucy’s stiff posture, it was clear she was quite nervous under Veronia’s dignified presence.

Durion, with his loud voice, continued the ceremony.

“Finally, Her Highness the Princess will place the tiara upon Lady Yukana Dar Lucy, who shall become the mistress of the royal household.”

Lucy slightly bowed her head, and Princess Veronia placed the tiara upon her head.

When Lucy, now wearing the tiara, turned toward the guests, everyone burst into unified applause, celebrating the birth of the new queen.

At last, Lucy had become Kian’s fiancée.

It truly felt profoundly moving. Perhaps because of the atmosphere, strangely, a few tears slipped down my cheeks. When I looked at Seo Yeon, she was also wiping away flowing tears.

Sikar silently wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“Now that Kian has welcomed his fiancée, it feels like we’ve fully raised him. You’ve worked hard, Madam.”

“Saying it like that makes it sound like I’m sending Kian away.”

“You must let him go now. The engagement ceremony is done.”

His words made me even sadder, and more tears fell. Sikar, flustered, wrapped me in his coat—

so no one could see me crying.