While Casano and Mornie were surprised and discussing Erika’s skills, Gerick couldn’t say a word.

He knew Erika had talent.

He knew she was far superior to him.

But he didn’t know that Erika had reached the level of Master.

He thought she had merely learned to use aura.

Gerick felt a pain in his chest like it was being cut by a knife, from some inexplicable sense of betrayal.

“Sigh……”

“Erika, that was amazing!”

Even as other knights rushed over to praise Erika and pat her head, Gerick couldn’t move from his spot.

Any other time, he would have already rushed over, telling everyone to get away and making a scene about how Erika was his and not to touch her, but he remained quiet.

“Gerick?”

At Erika’s call, Gerick barely regained his senses and approached her with a faint smile.

“Erika, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Huh? Tell you what?”

“That you became a Sword Master.”

“Why would I need to specifically mention something like that……”

Erika spoke dismissively, feeling awkward under Gerick’s gaze, but Gerick’s fist trembled in secret.

She knew how desperately he wanted to become a Master, yet Erika was always like this.

“I’m not one yet, you know.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m not……”

Gerick couldn’t hold back anymore.

“I wanted to become one too! How could you become a Master all by yourself! Did you practice alone without telling me?”

‘Why is this guy suddenly acting like a five-year-old with a runny nose?’

Erika was slightly annoyed, but since this wasn’t the first time someone had gotten angry due to feeling relatively deprived because of her talent, she tried to be understanding.

“The Sparta Master training method is quite difficult……”

“I can do it too! Do you think I can’t do what you did?”

Erika almost blurted out, ‘Actually, you can’t.’

After years of being together, something like friendship had developed between them, allowing her to restrain herself.

“Fine. I understand. You can join the Master training too.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“What about us?”

“Yes. You guys too.”

Because of this incident, Gerick, Casano, and Mornie joined the Sword Master training program of the Sparta family.

Soon after, with Erika’s help, they also manifested their aura.

Gerick even reached the level of Sword Master.

After the imperial succession battle began, was the Third Prince faction’s continuous success due to their skills, or was it because of Erika?

In the original story, they weren’t Sword Masters, so would this also count as Erika twisting the original plot?

***

“Ugh!”

“Hey, are you okay? Let’s just surrender now, okay?”

Erika spoke with an apologetic heart as she looked at Ion who had just fallen off his horse.

He was so tough that to end things quickly, she always had to break something, which didn’t make her feel good.

She felt even worse about breaking his arm again when his leg had just healed from being broken by her not long ago.

Ion’s face, as he pounded the ground in frustration, looked like he was barely holding back tears.

Erika dismounted and extended her hand.

“Can you get up?”

“Get away!”

‘This attitude… Were all of his bloodline born with such terrible manners?’

Erika stared at her hand that Ion had swatted away, then turned around.

“If you don’t want help, fine, but why hit my hand? So rude.”

Erika left the scene, deliberately making her words harsher so she wouldn’t appear to be pitying Ion.

The Third Prince faction, already having secured victory, was joyfully waving flags.

“Long live His Highness the Third Prince!”

“Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!”

The long imperial succession battle had ended.

From policies for the imperial citizens to diplomacy, barbarian subjugation, mountain bandit cleanup, and finally the mock battle—it covered everything.

Fourth Prince Ion had scored many points in policy and diplomatic aspects, but he was at a disadvantage in barbarian subjugation and mock battles.

It was hard enough to overcome the barrier that was Erika, but with Gerick also being a Sword Master and Casano and Mornie being high-level aura users, Ion couldn’t compete alone.

Thus, the imperial succession battle concluded, and Third Prince Gerick ascended to the position of Crown Prince.

By then, Erika had become Gerick’s official lover, and they had an unofficial engagement.

Despite Erika saying they should wait until after the battle was over, Gerick insisted so much that she accepted his proposal late one night with all the tents lit up.

“I love you. I’ll definitely make you Empress, placing you at the highest position in the Empire.”

Since Erika wasn’t of imperial blood, the highest position she could attain was Empress.

Erika felt more exhilarated by seeing the male lead clinging to her for over ten years than by the prospect of becoming Empress.

Gerick was an even sweeter romantic than he had appeared in the novel.

She couldn’t help but fall for him.

Moreover,

“Congratulations, Erika.”

The supporting male characters sincerely congratulated her, and even the original female lead, Evelyn, cheered with a bright smile.

‘I’ve read many stories about villainesses who receive transmigration buffs and change the original plot, but I never thought I’d be the protagonist of such a story……”

Everything was perfect.

Yes, Erika firmly believed that she had completely changed the original story.

***

‘Whew— I can’t believe I’m going to marry the protagonist of this world.’

Erika smoothed the creases of her uncomfortable dress, trying to calm her nerves.

“Nervous?”

“Yeah. I didn’t think I would be, but I am.”

“Haha. I’ve lived to see it all. You being nervous. It’s cute.”

Soon-to-be Crown Prince Gerick gently caressed Erika’s cheek with his thumb, his eyes curving beautifully. Erika barely held back from laughing out loud as she received Gerick’s touch.

“Your Highness, His Majesty wishes to see you for a moment.”

“Now?”

The attendant came to fetch Gerick with an uncomfortable expression, avoiding Erika’s gaze.

Erika sensed something ominous in the attendant’s expression as he avoided making eye contact with her, but not knowing what it was, she soon dismissed it from her mind.

With Gerick’s Crown Prince investiture and marriage announcement approaching, what could possibly go wrong?

However, when Gerick returned shortly after with a serious face, Erika caught another glimpse of the ominous feeling she had sensed earlier from the attendant.

“What’s wrong?”

“……”

“What is it? It’s okay. Tell me. Have we ever failed to solve anything together? Never, right?”

Gerick looked at Erika with sad eyes, then suddenly knelt before her.

“Gerick?”

“Erika, I’m sorry.”

“……For what?”

“When I become Emperor, I’ll definitely make you my Imperial Consort. And I’ll never take another Imperial Consort besides you. Because I only love you.”

“What are you talking about?”

Erika couldn’t understand a word of what Gerick was saying.

Today’s banquet was not only the day Gerick would become Crown Prince, but also when their marriage would be announced.

“Just now, His Majesty said that to be a good ruler, I must always keep relations with the temple in mind, and ordered me to marry Saintess Evelyn.”

“What?”

Erika never expected to hear such absurd words in her life.

“He commanded a political marriage…… It seems people like us find it truly difficult to marry the ones we love.”

“So you’re saying that His Majesty will announce your marriage to Evelyn at today’s banquet? Not to me?”

Gerick nodded slowly with a face that looked like he might cry at any moment.

“I’m truly sorry. I can’t disobey Father’s orders. I promise I’ll make you my Imperial Consort and the most beloved favorite of the Emperor……”

“Gerick, let’s clarify this again. You’re certain that His Majesty has ordered a political marriage between you and Saintess Evelyn, and will announce it tonight?”

Even though she knew she’d get the same answer, Erika couldn’t believe it and asked again and again.

Erika’s belief that she had perfectly changed the original story became meaningless with a single order from the Emperor.

Everything had returned to its original place.

“Your Highness, His Majesty says to prepare for your entrance immediately.”

Urged by the attendant, Gerick looked back at Erika regretfully but steadily made his way toward the banquet hall.

A fanfare loud enough to be heard from the waiting room where Erika remained sounded, and the attendant’s voice announcing the entrance of the Emperor, Gerick, and Evelyn resounded through the banquet hall and corridors.

Shaking her head at the unbelievable reality, Erika rushed frantically to sneak into the banquet hall.

“Today, I am very pleased to finally introduce the Crown Prince who will be responsible for our future. Third Prince Gerick, who showed outstanding skills in the long imperial succession battle, step forward.”

Gerick emerged from behind the Emperor and stood beside him.

The Emperor proudly placed his hand on Gerick’s shoulder and joyfully recounted Gerick’s achievements on his path to becoming Crown Prince.

Most of those achievements had been through Erika’s hands, and it was Erika who had brought Gerick victory.

At the Emperor’s introduction, everyone in the banquet hall rejoiced and bowed to Gerick with proper respect. It was their first greeting to the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, congratulations.”

“Everyone, please raise your heads. Thank you all for your support and for being with me……”

While Gerick was giving his address from the platform with a radiant smile, Erika was trying desperately to understand the current situation.

Casano and Mornie approached her and nudged her shoulder.

“Weren’t you supposed to enter with Gerick today?”

Their voices rang like tinnitus, but Erika couldn’t respond.

As Gerick finished his speech, the Emperor raised his hand to focus everyone’s attention.

“And there is one more thing to celebrate. Saintess Evelyn, step forward.”

Evelyn blushed slightly as if shy and stood beside Gerick with an elegant posture.

“Now that Gerick has become Crown Prince, it is time for him to take a wife. The Pope and I agree that the marriage between the Crown Prince and Saintess Evelyn will bring great fortune to our Empire.”

A deep silence fell over the banquet hall at the Emperor’s unexpected announcement.

“The wedding of Crown Prince Gerick and Saintess Evelyn will be held at the Grand Temple three months from now, and I hope everyone will celebrate with us.”

After a moment, Elliya, the Viscount’s daughter who was close to Evelyn, began to clap and shout.

“Oh my, congratulations, Saintess.”

People who had been in a daze slowly began to clap with sullen faces.

Even as they applauded, their gazes alternated between examining the expressions of Gerick and Erika.

One side was smiling as if happy, while the other looked ready to draw a sword at any moment, creating an automatic tension.

“Erika, what’s going on? Did you know about this?”