“Yes. He’s the second older brother of the mage Leah Piert.”

At Viscount Paipers’ report, a strange light flashed in the crown prince’s eyes.

“I see… I’ve seen that man once before.”

Despite his angelic face, he possessed an ominous aura. The crown prince fell into thought.

“If I could gain a Swordmaster as an ally and establish my achievement… those haughty nobles of the empire might become a bit quieter.”

“A Swordmaster as an ally? Do you have a plan, Your Highness?”

Crown Prince Archaik smiled.

“Obtain one thing to make the other follow.”

***

The royal palace of the Kingdom of Peiren.

The king sat in the audience chamber, feeling uncomfortable.

‘An envoy from the Oken crown prince.’

Unlike the Kingdom of Peiren with its monogamy system, the Oken imperial family kept many concubines.

Because of this, power struggles within the imperial family raged intensely, and a crown prince rarely emerged quickly.

From the emperor’s perspective, selecting and re-selecting an heir from among many children advantageously strengthened imperial power.

But recently, the Oken Empire had determined its crown prince. Considering the emperor remained in his prime, this surprised many.

‘I heard his maternal family holds little significance. What method did he use?’

The king felt uneasy at the thought of receiving the first envoy sent by Archaik Oken, who had secured his appointment as crown prince with unprecedented speed.

The Oken Empire’s envoy, disregarding the king of Peiren’s stomach condition, immediately addressed the point.

“The rising sun of the great Oken Empire, Crown Prince Archaik Oken, has requested a marriage with your country.”

“Marriage?”

The king of Peiren asked in bewilderment.

“Marriage, you say?”

“Yes.”

The king cautiously asked, tension evident in his voice.

“It’s a great honor… but is there a specific reason why the crown prince has requested marriage from our Kingdom of Peiren?”

Plenty of noble families within the empire would eagerly form ties with the crown prince. Yet why specifically choose a small peripheral country?

‘With his insignificant maternal family, he should seek connections with powerful families within the empire to stabilize his future imperial power.’

While the king anxiously awaited an answer, the envoy smiled and replied.

“He has taken notice of a particular lady in your country.”

A lady he’s taken notice of?

“And who might that be?”

The envoy said:

“Lady Leah Piert of your country’s prestigious Piert Ducal Family.”

***

News that Crown Prince Archaik Oken had proposed to Leah Piert spread instantly.

Rumors inevitably circulated when a delegation bearing dragon flags arrived in the capital and encircled the Piert Ducal Family’s residence.

Public opinion in Peiren erupted in uproar.

“Since when has the Oken Empire sought royal marriages with our Peiren!”

“My mother said that in the past, they even demanded we send young girls to become concubines for their seventy-year-old emperor! In their eyes, we’re not even equal humans!”

“But now the crown prince wants to marry Peirlily—isn’t this proposal just a scheme to get his hands on Ruyan Piert!”

“Using Peirlily as a hostage to control the Swordmaster at his pleasure? These bastards now try to freely take even another country’s talent!”

The atmosphere in the capital grew more turbulent daily.

When an incident occurred where a young boy threw stones at the Oken Empire’s delegation and had his arm cut off, tensions worsened.

“Are we just going to watch them take Peiren’s Lily and our Swordmaster?”

“What if we refuse? He’s the crown prince of the Oken Empire. No matter how prominent the Piert Ducal Family is, do you think they can refuse?”

“They can refuse.”

A solution emerged from someone’s lips.

“What if Peirlily gets married first?”

Marriage.

If Peirlily married first, even the crown prince of Oken would have no recourse.

“But for someone of Peirlily’s status, such a hasty marriage would be…”

“True. Being from a great noble family, finding a match of equal status proves difficult.”

“How foolish these people are.”

The person who spoke up slapped their palm with a fist.

“Our top bachelor in Peiren remains single!”

The listeners suddenly realized.

“T-that’s right!”

“The two of them could join together!”

“Indeed. It’s perfect, absolutely perfect!”

Public opinion flowed rapidly.

‘Prince Patrick should marry Leah Piert to prevent the outflow of national assets!’

Both remained clean singles without any previous engagement history.

The only son and heir to the throne, and the esteemed daughter of the Piert family—one of only three ducal families in the kingdom.

It would unite the highest of nobles, both treasured by their families.

“The king cherishes Prince Patrick, doesn’t he? And no better match exists for the prince than Lady Leah Piert.”

“That’s right, and the same applies to the lady. Everyone throughout the kingdom knows how the Piert Ducal Family dotes on her.”

“Plus, Prince Patrick demonstrates capability, diligence, and handsome features.”

“And Peirlily shines as a peerless beauty who has starred in social circles for a long time. When the prince ascends to the throne, she’ll provide strong support.”

A splendid pair from any perspective!

***

However, the parties involved found these rumors very troublesome.

“It’s not possible.”

Prince Patrick refused with a resolute tone.

“The Piert Ducal Family wields too much power to form connections through shallow schemes. They wouldn’t trade their daughter for political gain either.”

The king, who had subtly suggested it, sighed deeply.

“You’re right. I simply felt frustrated.”

“And if we became engaged now, would the Oken Empire sit quietly?”

A bitter smile appeared on the prince’s lips.

After all, the Kingdom of Peiren couldn’t match the Oken Empire in a power struggle.

“Rushing into an engagement with their own prince after receiving a proposal… The other party represents the imperial family of the Oken Empire. Not just anyone, but the crown prince, their future sun.”

“…”

“They would consider it disrespectful and could start a war with ample justification.”

Every word rang painfully true.

But the king’s sigh deepened.

“You’re right, but… what do we tell the nobles and the people?”

“…”

“They’ll only want to hear pleasant things. Even if you explain your reasoning, they’ll dismiss it all as excuses.”

Indeed, public opinion already flowed in that direction. Prince Patrick’s concerns deepened.

***

Leah faced the same predicament.

Every party she attended brought her to the verge of neurosis from people asking when she would get engaged to the prince.

‘I’ll handle my own marriage, so mind your own business!’

She felt angry for various reasons.

‘Because of that damn proposal, Helix’s debut received no attention! Despite how handsome he looks!’

She looked up at Helix, who stayed close by her side. Dressed in a silver-gray tailcoat, he looked splendid today as well.

‘…Maybe his overshadowed debut brings fortune?’

Had he become the talk of the town, other ladies might have approached him aggressively.

Helix leaned in and asked quietly.

“Leah, what’s wrong?”

“Seeing a handsome person improves my mood.”

“Does just any handsome person suffice? Don’t you feel better specifically because you’re looking at me?”

Leah reflected for a moment. I’ve spoiled this man too much and raised his pride.

“Wow, from any other man, that would sound so annoying. I’ll let it slide because it’s you, Helix.”

“Let it slide and look at me more.”

He adjusted the front of his tailcoat and added casually.

“I like that you feel better when you look at me.”

Where did our Helix go, the one who used to act precious when asked why he was looking?

But the gentle whisper pleased her too. Leah made a hissing sound like escaping air and glanced at him slightly.

“You must stay handsome for thousands and tens of thousands of years. Promise.”

“…The unit is ten thousand years? I’ll try my best.”

While they remained completely absorbed in their own world, a familiar person approached them.

“Lady Leah Piert, Grand Duke Helix Sharit.”

“I see the future of Peiren before me.”

Prince Patrick waved his hand dismissively.

“No need for such formality. May I have a word with you?”

Leah and Helix looked at each other and nodded. The prince led them to the royal private lounge.

“I heard you’ve been having a difficult time lately.”

“You suffer collateral damage by becoming entangled in this as well, Your Highness. I apologize.”

“How can my troubles compare to those of the lady… and the grand duke?”

Prince Patrick’s gaze touched on Helix before falling away. He spoke slowly.

“I want to clarify that this incident hasn’t changed the supportive relationship between Lady Piert and myself.”

“We’ve always cherished the trust that Prince Patrick has shown the Piert family since before the special royal trial.”

“I’m glad you answered so clearly.”

The prince spoke with visible relief, seemingly unburdened.

“People keep urging me to have at least a fake engagement… Doesn’t this trouble you too, my lady?”

“It does trouble me.”

As Leah chose her words, Helix abruptly interjected.

“I believe Your Highness would never use Leah politically without her consent.”

“My, Grand Duke Sharit. The lady would never allow me to use her either.”

The prince raised both hands.

“And I have no intention of turning a legendary figure into an enemy.”

“…”

“While traveling with the northern subjugation force, I discovered many relics and ancient stone inscriptions. The origins of the Hel Mountains’ name… the legends truly never end.”

Helix remained silent. Prince Patrick smiled, apparently expecting this reaction.

“Please take care of the Piert Ducal Family. Even without me, you’ll protect them well, but they remain crucial political partners to me.”

***

“…I didn’t know the prince had figured out Helix’s identity.”

“He demonstrates intelligence and perception.”

“Hmm. Speaking of perception, he certainly possesses that.”

But did he truly guarantee against a fake engagement solely out of consideration for Helix?

Perhaps concerns about Crown Prince Archaik Oken weighed more heavily.

When that thought occurred to her, she felt dejected.

“Helix, what grudge could Archaik Oken possibly harbor against me?”

Leah complained.

“He appears in my dreams to threaten me, casts sleep magic and tries to burn me to death, and last time he even tried to kidnap me when Count Trow pressured me. And after all that, he proposes? Does that make any sense?”

“That’s how dragons behave. Since you became a mage with his mana, he considers you his possession.”

“Ugh, I hate that…”

She shuddered. Watching her, Helix unconsciously gritted his teeth.