Prologue.2

The target was left alone at a late hour. Ariel checked several times to confirm that no one was around, then slowly approached Noah, who was working overtime in his office.

It was a door she opened almost every day, sometimes dozens of times a day. But now, even grabbing the doorknob made her nervous. The only other time she’d trembled like this just opening a door was during a mission, when she feared explosives might be set behind it.

Clack.

She slowly turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. Ariel naturally shifted her body and gaze slightly to the left of center.

Noah was there, always the same as ever.

Until now, she would have rushed to Noah agitated, but today, she simply stood still and watched him work.

The most striking thing about him was, without a doubt, Noah’s eyes. His brown hair, neat face, even his crisp knight’s uniform didn’t draw attention before those eyes—his gaze was uniquely commanding. It was understandable why her mother had pointed out his sky-blue eyes.

“What is it?”

Perhaps because Ariel’s behavior was different, Noah, who usually wouldn’t speak first, broke the silence.

Normally, Ariel would have already approached and said what she wanted, but today she just stood at the door, making Noah wonder what was going on.

“Um… are you busy?”

At her question, Noah frowned deeply, looking at Ariel.

“Yes, I am busy. I’ve been working hard to catch the servant thieves, but thanks to a certain someone, they were all wiped out.”

“I told you I had no choice! They were attacking villagers—how could I just stand by?”

“There were a lot of them, but it was only a portion. As you know, the servant thieves aren’t organized like other bands, with hierarchy and command structure. Each independent group is organically connected. If you wipe them out every time they appear, how are you supposed to find the connecting links?”

“But you can’t just let people get hurt while searching for those links!”

“The knight order’s manpower, equipment, and resources aren’t infinite. There’s a mountain of things to solve. Are you planning to move the order so inefficiently?”

“Fine, fine. I’ll work more to make up for it. Is that enough?”

“…Hoo.”

“What! What’s with that sigh!”

It was always like this. The conversation only worked when voices got loud and faces flushed. Their relationship was that bad.

“So, what is it?”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t come here for this trivial talk, did you?”

“Th-that’s right!”

Ariel snapped back to her senses, cleared her throat, and spoke again for her real purpose.

“Sir Noah, I wanted to ask about marriage…”

Ariel couldn’t bring herself to just blurt out a proposal, so she tried to gauge Noah’s thoughts.

“…What do you think about it?”

Noah sighed briefly and looked around as if searching for someone. Of course, there was no one else.

“Is this a joke?”

“A joke?!”

“Or what? If you want life advice, the building across the way is better suited. If you’re just bored… why not watch the ants crawling in the training yard?”

“Hey, aren’t you being too rude? I’m asking seriously!”

Ariel replied desperately. She had no choice. Receiving the name of Reynard was her reason for living, her everything.

Perhaps Noah sensed her urgency, because he looked into Ariel’s eyes and answered seriously.

“…I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Are you against marriage?”

“No, I think it’s good if possible.”

Fortunately, Noah wasn’t opposed to marriage.

“When you say ‘if possible’… does that mean you have someone? A fiancée, a lover?”

“Are you teasing me? Thanks to someone, I’m still here working at this hour.”

“Still, people manage to date anyway.”

“…”

“…Ah, sorry.”

So, he didn’t have a set marriage partner or anyone he was dating.

“But marriage… it’s with a woman, right?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Well, there are all kinds of people and preferences in the world. It’s fine! As long as it’s not against national law, I accept all my subordinates’ orientations!”

“Should I report you, my superior, for s*xual harassment?”

“How is this harassment! I just wanted to be sure! What if you liked men or another gender…”

“What are you thinking? I like women!”

Thankfully, he was thinking of marrying a woman.

“Then, what kind of person would you want to marry?”

“Well… since it’s marriage, someone stable, I guess.”

“A stable person!”

Ariel didn’t know what kind of stability Noah wanted, but if it was stability, she was confident.

There was no one who could threaten her, so physical stability was assured, as well as the financial stability of the Reynard family, and the status and honor of being a court knight.

Frankly, Ariel wasn’t exactly beautiful, but she wasn’t someone people would point fingers at either.

Plus, she was the proud, only heir of the Reynard family, and her swordsmanship was nearly the best in the kingdom.

Looks, power, skill—just these made her desirable, and she matched Noah’s condition for a stable spouse. Nothing could be more perfect.

“Then, Sir Noah!”

Suddenly, the flag of victory fluttered before her eyes. Filled with inexplicable confidence, Ariel placed her hand over Noah’s, which held a pen.

“Marry me!”

She hadn’t expected things to move so quickly. Ariel was elated. In the split second before Noah responded, she imagined a future where her mother acknowledged her and she inherited the family name.

“Are you insane?”

But Noah quickly withdrew his hand from Ariel’s and spoke.

“I thought something was off from the start, but why are you doing this?”

“…Huh?”

“This idea wouldn’t come from your head, so someone else must be behind it. Who and why made you do this?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“Did you cause such a big incident that you need to cover it up like this? How outrageous must it be…”

“Oh, come on! I said it’s not like that! Why won’t you believe me?”

Ariel finally raised her voice, seeing Noah wouldn’t listen. It might have been shocking, but Noah seemed used to it and didn’t care much.

“You wouldn’t say such things otherwise.”

At his words, Ariel’s mind cooled. The confidence that surged when she heard Noah’s desired condition vanished, and her rationality returned.

From the start, Ariel and Noah weren’t even close enough to be friends, let alone a couple. She’d focused so much on her goal that she’d forgotten the basics.

“Tell me why you’re doing this.”

He was right. Ariel had a duty to explain, and Noah had a right to hear it.

“You see, Sir Noah.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I have to get married.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“What’s with that nonchalant response?”

“You’re a noble, it’s only natural.”

“Well, that’s true.”

As Noah said, for nobles, marriage was a means to maintain privilege. Except for special cases, everyone married at the right age.

Noah was a commoner but a member of the court knight order. He had plenty of contact with nobles, so he knew the customs well.

“But the person has to be you, Sir Noah.”

“What? What are you talking about…”

“So, marry me. No, please marry me. I’m begging you.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You don’t have to. Just marry me and I’ll do anything.”

“…You shouldn’t say things like that carelessly.”

“Why?”

“What if I actually demand something?”

“That would be great! What do you want? If I can do it, I’ll do anything!”

“…”

Suddenly, Noah fell silent and furrowed his brow.

“I said, tell me! What is it? Is it something I can’t do? Then I’ll get help…”

“That’s why you shouldn’t say things like that… Hoo, never mind.”

“What! What’s with that arrogant attitude! Rather than explaining, you’d rather not speak at all?”

“You know me well.”

“You…!”

Noah completely ignored Ariel’s anger and went back to his papers.

Ariel wanted to grab Noah by the collar and demand attention, but she was the one at a disadvantage. She had to marry Noah, no matter what.

“Money! I’ll give you all the money I’ve saved!”

“I’m not lacking now.”

“Strength? Just say the word! If you want someone taken down, I’ll do it; if you want protection, I’ll protect you; if you want rescue, I’ll save you. Or do you want to learn swordsmanship from me? You’ll become incredibly strong!”

“What would I do with more strength?”

“Then power? As deputy commander of the court knight order, I have some influence! Or, why not become deputy commander yourself? If I give you all my achievements, you could be promoted!”

“I’m a commoner, I have no reason to crave power.”

Money and power weren’t enough to win Noah’s heart. But Ariel couldn’t think of anything else.

She hadn’t received the Reynard name yet, so she couldn’t offer her family’s assets. All she had left was…

“That’s it! Then…”

There was one thing left that no one could refuse. If he didn’t want any of the three, she’d give him all three at once.

“I’ll give myself to you! You can do whatever you want with me!”

Being able to use Ariel however he wished was a huge deal. She was a top swordswoman and the deputy commander of the court knight order. She was also the only heir to the powerful Reynard family—if used well, there was nothing in the kingdom she couldn’t achieve.

Ariel was sure Noah couldn’t refuse this offer.

“Are you out of your mind?”

But Noah reacted unexpectedly. He was angry at Ariel’s words. His anger meant he really didn’t like the idea.

It was true Ariel and Noah didn’t get along. But even so, Ariel was Reynard. He could have put aside personal feelings and considered it, but he rejected her outright, which was hard to understand.

Wondering what was so unappealing, Ariel’s gaze settled on Noah’s hand. He was gripping his pen so tightly his hand was shaking, and ink was spreading on the paper.

Now that she noticed, Noah’s desk was piled with work. Ariel thought showing her usefulness would be better than just talking.

“Tell me what you want. If you want, I’ll personally…”

“What, what are you doing!”

“Hold on. I just want to show you how useful I am.”

Ariel reached under Noah’s arm for the documents, but Noah startled and slapped her hand away.

“Go away! Don’t come near me!”

“Why are you so sensitive? Don’t worry, I’m used to this…”

She’d dealt with paperwork since her days as a low-ranking knight. This much would take time but wasn’t difficult.

“I said don’t come near me! Why won’t you listen?”

But Noah got up and started backing away, clearly upset.

“What are you talking about? Who’s not listening?”

“Then why are you doing this?”

They often argued, but Ariel had never seen Noah so agitated.

Realizing something was wrong, Ariel tried to calm him, but the closer she got, the more Noah reacted and backed away.

“Why are you running away? Don’t run!”

“How could I not run in this situation!”

“I’m not trying to hurt you!”

“Just hurt me instead!”

As the tension continued, Noah inevitably ended up against the wall inside the office.

Only then did Noah realize his mistake and began searching the office for an escape. But Ariel shook her head as if to tell him to give up.

The only exit was the door behind Ariel. No matter how fast Noah was, he couldn’t escape Ariel’s agility.

With nowhere to run, Noah had no choice but to give up. Ariel thought now he’d finally listen, so she began to speak…

“You see, No—”

Clatter!

Before she could finish his name, Noah threw open the window behind him and, without hesitation, jumped out.

“Ah… Sir?”

Stunned by Noah’s unexpected reaction, Ariel froze and stared blankly at the rattling open window.

Much later, she mumbled in a hollow voice.

“This is the third floor…”