Grant me Your Grace Chapter 62

At the long-awaited answer, Miftah let out a soft chuckle.  

 

“I was worried you might be a bit slow-witted from being locked away all this time, but it seems you’re not as naive as I feared.”  

 

It was an outright mockery of the empire’s princess, but Dahlia quietly swallowed her anger. 

 

For now, safely retrieving Bertha was more important.  

 

Suppressing her turbulent emotions, Dahlia spoke calmly, “Tell me. What is it you want from me, going so far as to take my handmaiden hostage?”  

 

Her eyes hardened with resolve.  

 

“Surely the prince of Hayad wouldn’t go to such lengths just to claim a mere woman’s body.”  

 

Seemingly amused by the provocation, Miftah curled one corner of his lips. Dahlia met his smile without flinching, staring straight at him.  

 

It was a situation where upsetting him could lead to danger, but showing too much agitation would be no different from handing him the reins. She needed to plant the idea that she wouldn’t be easily swayed—only then could negotiations be possible. 

 

Though worn down by years of abuse, Dahlia was still a princess raised in the imperial household.  

 

“Your Highness’s body will naturally become mine once we’re married. Why would I need to stir up trouble for that?”  

 

Fortunately, it seemed her assumption wasn’t wrong, as Miftah laughed and shook the lock of hair in his hand.  

 

“It’s simple. Your Highness only needs to answer my questions honestly.”  

 

Questions? As Dahlia furrowed her brows in confusion, he lowered his voice conspiratorially.  

 

“The Sacred Blood.”  

 

“…”  

 

“Was it yours?”  

 

Thud—

 

For a moment, she felt as though the ground had vanished beneath her feet.  

 

She had suspected this might be the case ever since Bertha was taken hostage. 

 

Now, it was clear—this man had begun to suspect that the princess might be the true owner of the Sacred Power.  

 

What should I do? Clinging to her scattered thoughts, Dahlia quickly tried to piece together a response.

 

If he were to grab me here, leaving traces of blood that weren’t mine, the dagger Miftah carried at his waist would wound me, revealing a secret that would be easily exposed.  

 

Sending Miftah away now would be pointless. He would surely speak of what he had seen in Nuan, and if the story reached Saltar’s ears, not only I but Bertha and her child’s family would not be spared.  

 

‘I was careless. Even if it took more time, I should have prepared more thoroughly…’  

 

Dahlia bit her lip hard, blaming herself. The thought that her reckless ambition had endangered Bertha tightened her chest like a vice.  

 

Delaying further would only worsen the situation. 

 

Closing her eyes softly, Dahlia looked at Miftah with resignation.  

 

“Bring Bertha here first.”  

 

“Negotiations aren’t won by throwing tantrums, Your Highness. Even if you flip the table now, I have nothing to lose. If I don’t get my answer here, I need only hasten the marriage, and you will eventually fall into my arms.”  

 

“I promise to give you an answer once I confirm Bertha is unharmed.”  

 

Dahlia removed the diamond headpiece she wore and placed it on the table.  

 

“I swear by the Nuit goddess.”  

 

Pledging the diamond—called the God’s mineral and permitted only to the imperial family—was tantamount to staking her royal status.  

 

Miftah glanced at the glittering diamond headpiece and let out a soft chuckle, as if amused by Dahlia’s audacity.  

 

“Very well.”  

 

Miftah whispered something to his underlings, and soon one of them left the reception room.  

 

Before long, the sound of awkward coughing could be heard.  

 

“Bertha…”  

 

Seeing Bertha forcing coughs while glancing around cautiously, Dahlia’s emotions surged. Half of her once neatly braided hair had been carelessly chopped off, leaving a mess.

 

Dahlia quickly rose from her seat and embraced Bertha. The child finally stopped coughing and sniffled quietly.  

 

“I’m sorry, Bertha. I’m sorry for putting you in danger…”  

 

Dahlia swallowed her tears and gently stroked the girl’s cut hair. 

 

Bertha silently shed tears but shook her head bravely.  

 

“I’m fine, Your Highness. It doesn’t hurt at all. More than that…”  

 

The frightened child’s eyes turned toward Miftah. Her gaze held a question, Why was the prince of the Hayad Kingdom here in the middle of the night? Her eyes filled with worry, fearing that what she had done might have brought great danger to the princess.  

 

Unable to explain anything, Dahlia simply wiped the child’s tears.  

 

“Bertha, you can go back to your room now. Everything’s fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”  

 

“Your Highness…”  

 

Bertha’s eyes pleaded to stay, but from this point on, Dahlia had to discuss secrets the girl should never hear.  

 

Dahlia soothed the worried Bertha and quietly sent her back to her room.  

 

Click— 

 

As the door closed, Dahlia let out a low sigh. If she could, she would burst through this door and hide somewhere—anywhere—but she had to take responsibility for what she had done.  

 

Even if it was to protect Bertha.  

 

Even if it was to turn this crisis into an opportunity.  

 

‘…There’s only one way left.’  

 

Having gathered her thoughts, Dahlia slowly turned around.  

 

“You probably already know the answer without hearing it.”  

 

Dahlia looked at Miftah with hardened eyes and spoke.  

 

“Prince Miftah of Hayad, let me make you a proposal.”  

 

“A proposal?”  

 

Miftah’s brow twitched at Dahlia’s sudden shift in demeanor, but his eyes gleamed with interest.  

 

Now that he knew this discarded pawn of an empress held a colossal secret, there was no reason for him to leave the negotiation table early.  

 

After all, the reins were in his hands. He could afford to hear her proposal before making a decision.  

 

‘With this piece, negotiating with the Emperor won’t be impossible.’  

 

Miftah nodded graciously, “Let’s hear it. I wonder what kind of tantalizing bait Your Highness will throw my way.”

 

‘What could a confined princess possibly do?’  

 

That’s what he thought.  

 

“The throne of the Hayad Kingdom.”  

 

Dahlia’s eyes gleamed sharply.  

 

“If you join hands with me, I will give it to you.”  

 

This audacious princess was offering not just a prized hunt, but the entire hunting ground itself.  

 

‘How insolent.’  

 

Miftah let out a sharp, mocking laugh. He seemed irritated by the ridiculous proposal. 

 

Would he lash out in anger for daring to dangle such a delusional bait? His green eyes, colder and fiercer than before, scanned her neck as if assessing a target. 

 

Dahlia swallowed dryly, silently.  

 

But Dahlia hadn’t spoken without a plan. She had already gathered some understanding of the Hayad Kingdom’s internal affairs.  

 

Ever since marriage talks had begun, she had immersed herself in books and news about Hayad.  

 

‘Hovan must have brought these to me so I could at least have some freedom within these walls.’  

 

He likely never expected her to use them this way. But as always, the Goddess of Nuit had a habit of opening new doors in the most desperate moments.  

 

Just like now.  

 

“Wasn’t the reason you wanted to marry me in the first place to gain the backing of the Baran Kingdom and turn the tide in the succession battle?”  

 

The more afraid she felt, the straighter Dahlia held Miftah’s gaze as she continued.  

 

“If I win this fight, I will help you claim the throne—without the need for marriage.”  

 

Cracks began to form in Miftah’s displeased expression. Dahlia’s unwavering demeanor seemed to pique his interest.  

 

The man, who had seemed ready to storm out at any moment, stiffly leaned back into his chair. 

 

Yet, he hadn’t fully opened his heart—instead, he pressed her fiercely.  

 

“How exactly does Your Highness, confined to this tiny palace with no influence—let alone standing—plan to win this fight? In the end, are you not just planning to hide nobly behind the scenes and use me as a chess piece?”

 

After mocking her to his heart’s content, Miftah tilted his head and smirked.  

 

“Besides, Your Highness makes it sound as though I’m the one unwilling to marry.”  

 

“Was I wrong?”  

 

“Even if one ascends the throne, having no heir is like a cart with a broken wheel. Taking the Princess of Baran as my wife would secure an heir and give me an advantage in the succession struggle. There’s no need to gamble on something so risky.”  

 

“Even if your lover were to die in a brothel in the end?”  

 

“…What?”  

 

At Dahlia’s words, Miftah’s face hardened sharply. In an instant, all traces of his smile vanished, and his eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he bared his teeth.  

 

“Who the hell are you?”  

 

He growled like a beast ready to tear out her throat.  

 

“How do you know that?”  

 

Though he had dared to speak rudely to the imperial princess of the suzerain state, Dahlia chose not to take offense. It only meant she had struck a nerve.  

 

“You may have seen me as nothing but a frog in a well…”  

 

Her pale amber eyes deepened with resolve.  

 

“But even in this small imperial palace, the wind carries whispers.”  

 

At Dahlia’s even-toned voice, Miftah gritted his teeth in frustration.