The Duke had mentioned that he would be training.

Given his dislike for meeting people, he would probably go to the training ground early in the morning. Hyacinth was not guessing but was sure of it.

So, she woke up early as usual and prepared herself diligently. Although it was before dawn, she didn’t want to show an unkempt appearance.

Jewelry seemed too much, so she gave up on that. A white tunic looked better than a blue one……. Hyacinth was so busy choosing her clothes that she almost missed the time to leave.

She half-ran to the vicinity of the training ground. But the problem was, despite living in Tyche Castle almost her entire life, she had never visited the training ground.

Unable to find the main entrance, Hyacinth wandered along what seemed to be an endless wall. She thought if she kept walking, she would eventually find a door.

But where am I now?

Her feet hurt, and the sky was getting brighter. She felt increasingly anxious.

Hyacinth pouted for a moment, then glanced down. If she stacked the bricks scattered here, she could check over the wall of the training ground.

If she was lucky, she might see him, and even if not, she could find out where the main entrance was.

Hyacinth carefully looked around. Carrying bricks was certainly not something a noble lady would do. Fortunately, no one was watching.

Hyacinth let out a deep sigh and quickly stacked five bricks. Although she had some doubts about what she was doing, Hyacinth Hener was inherently determined. Hesitating and giving up didn’t suit her.

Yes. If you want something, you have to act.

When Hyacinth let out a deep sigh and hopped onto the bricks.

“Hyacinth Hener.”

She froze at the familiar voice.

She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. It was a voice she wished she didn’t recognize. Hyacinth puffed out her cheeks and glanced sideways.

As expected. Caleb stood there with an incredulous look.

Why did it have to be him……

Hyacinth pouted, lamenting her bad luck.

“What are you doing, lady?”

“I couldn’t find the main entrance to the training ground, so I was trying to look for it.”

“Why the training ground?”

“To watch……”

“Who? The ‘unicorn’?”

“Don’t call him that.”

Hyacinth sternly lectured as she jumped off the brick pile. Caleb approached and pinched her cheek.

“Ow……”

“Are you in love?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Say it again.”

“I’m not in love.”

Hyacinth declared without batting an eye, but lowered her voice. She was afraid that he might be on the other side and hear her answer and misunderstand.

“Let go of my cheek.”

Caleb surprisingly let go obediently. But his scrutiny wasn’t over, as his gaze pierced every corner of Hyacinth’s face.

“Hyacinth Hener. Our Lady Laurel. I’ve been watching you almost all my life…….”

“You’re only two years older and acting like that…….”

“Have you ever, even once, come all the way here to see me or my brothers?”

“I might have suddenly gotten curious about the training grounds.”

Hyacinth’s eyes sparkled brightly. It was a habit she had when she lied without realizing it.

“Sure. Because of that sudden curiosity, you even stacked bricks yourself to climb up? You worked hard stacking them yourself, didn’t you?”

“Uh, since when were you watching?”

“From the beginning. I wondered why you, who’s not even sleepwalking, came out here.”

“You could have made your presence known.”

“Why would I? It was fun watching your pointless efforts.”

Hyacinth’s cheeks puffed up again. Her expression blatantly said, ‘That’s too much, I’m really upset!’ Normally, Caleb would have flinched, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t important.

Really. In this maddening situation, a temporary sulk didn’t matter.

“Give it up.”

“What?”

Look at her batting her eyelashes so naturally. Finding his cousin’s feigned ignorance quite irritating, Caleb deliberately pressed further.

“That man doesn’t care about you.”

“…….”

“Why that face? Can’t lie anymore?”

“Why are you being like this to me……?”

“I’m doing this for you. Wake up.”

Hyacinth’s fingers started to fidget with the hem of her tunic. Now that he noticed, she had even dressed up.

This early in the morning.

She’s really lost it. Caleb rubbed his forehead in exasperation. If he was the type to cause small, frequent accidents, Hyacinth was the type to stay quiet and then cause a big one.

And she was causing one right now. A massive one.

Hyacinth hesitantly opened her mouth.

“No, I just…….”

“No more excuses. Wake up, lady. Do you think you can be anything to Ethan Erentis?”

“Why are you so mean?”

“So that you’ll accept reality. I’m a man too. Don’t make that disgusted face and listen, Hyce. As a man, I know how a man treats a woman he likes.”

“…….”

“At least, that’s not the way Duke Trisel treats you.”

Hyacinth’s fingers fidgeted as she lowered her gaze. A dejected look. A downcast expression. She looked like a puppy soaked in the rain. It was so pitiful that Caleb reviewed his words.

But what could he do, every word he said was true and couldn’t be taken back. Sure, he could have said it more gently, but she needed to give up.

So he deliberately chose harsh words.

Among the royal family, no one knew Hyacinth Hener as well as Caleb. Having fought and pulled each other’s hair as children, Caleb knew his cousin well.

Hyacinth Hener doesn’t give up easily. She won’t be able to.

And…… it’s definitely her first love. The ‘first’ is surprisingly powerful.

“Go back. I’ll keep it a secret that you were wandering around at dawn looking like this.”

Caleb sighed deeply in frustration. He genuinely, sincerely hoped that his beloved cousin would choose a man who liked her rather than the man she liked.

“The sun is rising. Go.”

“Take me home.”

“What’s so pretty about you.”

“Then do you think I find you pretty?”

Caleb immediately surrendered.

* * *

The fortunate thing for Hyacinth was that the two men in the training ground did not hear her conversation with Caleb.

The unfortunate thing for Hyacinth was that the two men in the training ground were aware that she and Caleb were beyond the stone wall.

It was impossible not to know. They were people who had walked the path of warriors with their senses open all their lives. So they quietly held their swords and waited until the two presences outside the training ground disappeared.

Arthur twirled his sword lightly as he watched the gradually brightening eastern sky. After spinning it twice, he looked at the man standing in front of him.

Why would his cousin, Hyacinth Hener, come all the way here in the morning dew? To see him? Absolutely not. Blood is blood, and Arthur easily noticed his sister’s feelings.

The answer was clear from the start.

In this training ground—the only—unusual element was Duke Trisel, Ethan Erentis.

“My cousin…… took a walk all the way here.”

“I see.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“Should I have thoughts?”

Although he must have understood the implied meaning, Ethan Erentis’s expression did not change at all.

A pebble rolling on the roadside would be more expressive. The emotional dynamics, the roles of the superior and the subordinate, and the power relationship between the two were so clear that Arthur had a headache.

……Hyce. Why such a guy.

Her taste in men…… calling it bad would be an understatement, since the Duke was quite outstanding.

But no. Their union must be prevented.

Arthur instinctively knew.

He understood that love was not essential in marriages in this world. How often did couples seek their own love after producing heirs?

However, such marriages were only possible when neither party had affection for the other.

A marriage where one side loves. A marriage where only one side loves. This inevitably leads to disaster.

Would Duke Ethan Erentis ever understand the emotion of love?

Unlikely…… It seemed far-fetched.

“No. You don’t need to.”

Arthur firmly concluded.

Without any personal feelings, based solely on observation, that man was someone who would emotionally drain a woman—especially one who loved him.

“You won’t need to in the future either.”

“I don’t think I will.”

“Good attitude.”

It was a clear warning not to covet Hyacinth, but the Duke showed no sign of displeasure. He remained as peaceful and calm as ever.

Indeed, what a tough guy.

Not Hyacinth. Absolutely not. It might be selfish, but blood is thicker than water, and Arthur felt an overwhelming duty to protect his cousin.

He smiled bitterly.

And with that bitterness etched in his heart, he stormed into his parents’ bedroom as soon as the training was over. Startled by their eldest son’s morning request for an audience, the King and Queen couldn’t hide their surprise.

The tea in their cups cooled quickly as Arthur spoke bluntly.

“It’s time to consider Hyce’s marriage prospects.”

“Hyce is still young, Arthur.”

“Mother, she’s of age to be engaged. You yourself were engaged at her age.”

A look of sadness and dissatisfaction spread across Johanna’s clear face.

Despite having three grown sons, she still retained a youthful demeanor.

“Can’t I protect her a little longer? Hyce is my real daughter. At least, that’s how I raised her.”

“If you don’t want her to marry at all, I’ll respect your wish, Mother.”

“No, Arthur. I don’t understand why you’re acting this way today. My wish is for Hyce to marry someone she wants and live happily……. Like I did.”

The last words brought a bright smile to King Kendrick’s face. Although their marriage started as a political alliance, they had an exceptionally happy union.

While his parents exchanged affectionate glances, Arthur carefully chose his words. Then he gave up. It wasn’t the time to be tactful. It was time to be blunt, even if it sounded crude.

“Hyce wants Duke Trisel.”

“What?”

“Is that true?”

The King and Queen’s expressions changed in opposite ways.

Kendrick’s face showed regret and disapproval.

Johanna’s face showed excitement and anticipation.

“And if I may add one more thing.”

“…….”

“…….”

“From what I’ve observed while training together, the Duke is not someone capable of loving anyone. Yes. I know. This may be a harsh judgment on Ethan Erentis. But I care more about my sister than him. So I must speak.”

Arthur looked his parents straight in the eyes.

He knew he was overstepping. If Hyacinth found out the truth, she might never forgive him.

But he had to prevent an obvious tragedy.

“Please consider Lady Laurel’s marriage prospects. But I earnestly request that you exclude Duke Trisel as a candidate.”

* * *