Amanda recovered to full strength. In truth, the drain on her energy was not so much the drug, but the fatigue accumulated from the wedding preparations. After a sound sleep, she woke up lighter and more refreshed than before. Then, Oliver brought up something unexpected to her.
“What? What did you say?”
Amanda’s eyes widened, but Oliver continued on idly.
“I said you don’t need to pay the dowry.”
“Is…is that possible?”
Marriages among nobles rarely came without dowry. When they were, people gossiped, saying it was a marriage of true love. It wasn’t necessarily wrong. However, no bride has ever not paid a dowry for an imperial marriage.
“I already talked to my father. I’m telling you now so you won’t be surprised.”
“The Emperor approved it?”
Although Amanda didn’t know Howard very well, she observed him to be a shrewd politician when they last met. It was hard to believe that he would approve a wedding without a dowry, even if it was with the Windsor family. Oliver gave her a smile.
“My father believes that the Imperial Family would be ruined otherwise.”
“Ruined? You mean…”
Amanda’s gaze turned to the blue bead ring on her finger. Although Oliver and Howard claimed different things about the ring, it was clear that Howard valued it extremely. If he really believed that the man who married Amanda would become emperor and revivor of the Keith Empire, he would never let that wedding go. Oliver had deftly exploited that part of his father’s psychology.
“Did you threaten him with what you said about this ring?”
“‘Compromise’ is probably a more appropriate word than ‘threat’, but he wouldn’t waive the dowry otherwise.”
“But the Windsor family is not poor. We can fairly pay the dowry and wedding ceremony requested by the Imperial Household”
“You would be surprised the dowry my father sought for.”
Amanda looked at him, puzzled. Although Amanda managed the finances, her father had not clarified it to her.
‘Is the amount more than I anticipate?’
The Windsors held considerable wealth, and it seemed impossible that even a princess dowry would drain their finances entirely. Noblewomen typically wouldn’t worry greatly about it, but Amanda’s finance-minded approach wouldn’t let her set it aside. Her forehead creased, while Oliver offered his reassurances.
“You don’t have to worry about it.”
“How can I not worry? It’s a serious matter if the Emperor requested a high dowry.”
“That’s why I’m saying you don’t need it anymore.”
Oliver’s proposal was tempting, but she was unsure of the approach. Perhaps House Windsor would appear cheap to other nobles, and she didn’t know how the Imperial Family would tolerate that. Oliver had his elbows on his knees as he languidly studied Amanda.
“Sometimes you don’t listen when I speak.”
“I…No, of course I’m grateful, but the reputation of my family is at stake. I’m only being cautious.”
“Don’t overthink it. At home and abroad, it will be rumored that my love for you is so great that I turned down the dowry. There will be no harm to your family’s reputation.”
“…!”
It seemed too good to be true that he would turn it down. What he offered so casually was unusual in the Imperial Court of the Keith Empire.
“…This is too good for me.”
“Yes, so I think you owe me another one.”
Amanda felt like she was already deeply indebted to Oliver. On top of that, she felt uneasy about not paying dowry, but Oliver simply smiled.
“Just remember to pay me back later.”
But as Oliver suggested, the appearance of a love marriage had several advantages. Firstly, their relationship would appear stronger to others, and secondly, by not using the Windsor’s money, it was easier to hand over financial control to Amelia. The benefits were so tempting that Amanda was almost apologetic towards Oliver.
“…Then I’ll accept it without reserve. I’ll never forget to pay you back later.”
Although she was with Oliver was for her family’s sake, after the marriage she wouldn’t be around to help her family as often. Amanda had been part of the Windsor family all her life. She worried about how her father, her brother, and Amelia would fare without her there, and so selfishly, she could not refuse the burdensome favor Oliver offered her. Meanwhile, Oliver answered with a satisfied look.
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s all for you, after all.”
“It seems like I’m the only one who benefits, isn’t it?”
“Let’s say that what benefits you benefits me as well. We’ll be married soon.”
Amanda heart softened. Perhaps it really was time for her to be married Oliver.
“Let’s have dinner together before we go back.”
“It’s too late for that…”
“I won’t allow you to refuse. If you don’t want to walk from the palace to your mansion, you should follow me.”
He grinned at her mischievously, and Amanda felt the urge to rebel. She was perfectly capable of returning home with Oliver giving her a carriage, but she couldn’t refuse after the massive favor he had given her. Finally, Amanda agreed.
“…Alright.”
Oliver’s smile deepened at her answer. It is almost as if he waived the dowry just to create this situation. Amanda felt like she owed another debt, and was slipping into the grip of a swamp called Oliver.