Erika and Ion carefully examined what the Duke of Sparta had meticulously written down.

The Sheffield territory Ion received was barren land in the northwest, but it adjoined the Sparta family’s domain.

It had been given to the Sparta family since ancient times, based on the belief that having a Sword Master’s family guarding the border would prevent enemies from invading recklessly.

Though difficult for farming, the territory flourished like any major city due to the development of mining industries after various mines were discovered along the mountain range.

Being Sparta family territory, it was safe, and many artisans had migrated there because they could create high-value-added items like weap*ns and jewelry from the diverse minerals.

Dwarves, despite their dislike for humans, had migrated in succession as if their life’s mission was to forge swords capable of handling Adam de Sparta’s aura, having fallen for the Duke’s swordsmanship.

The Duke of Sparta transferred several dwarf forges and mines to Erika as her dowry, and even left a memorandum promising cooperation should Ion harbor great ambitions to establish an independent grand duchy.

“Um…… Dad? Anyone seeing this would misunderstand and think we’re plotting treason.”

“……Treason means pushing out the current Emperor and taking his place, but this isn’t that. Well, I certainly have no desire to serve and remain loyal to the man who abandoned my daughter as Emperor, but not yet.”

Hermes nodded at the Duke of Sparta’s overly nonchalant words.

Ion stood with his mouth agape, at a loss for words.

While Erika chuckled, once again confirming that her father, the Duke of Sparta, was utterly devoted to his daughter.

“Yes…… Still, we should keep this secret. We’re not even at the stage to discuss such things yet. Thank you for the mines and forges.”

Ion, who had been staring intently at Erika, was startled by her words of gratitude and quickly bowed his head.

He should have been the first to express thanks, but he had forgotten in his surprise.

“I want you to live well without obsessing over revenge, but keeping it bottled up inside will make you ill, so do as you wish. Those ungrateful, disloyal wretches…… I’ll kill……”

“F-Father?”

Hermes grabbed the Duke of Sparta’s increasingly heated arm while glancing nervously at Ion.

He preferred that his father, always dignified and revered as a hero of the Empire, not be perceived as a fool who lost all reason when it came to his daughter in front of this man who would soon become his son-in-law.

Ion would naturally come to know this over time, but there was no need to reveal it in advance.

“I heard Gerick and Evelyn spent three months gallivanting around on romantic outings while leaving the wedding preparations to the palace staff?”

How did Father know that?

Erika hadn’t shared the information gathered through her Ravens with anyone.

Yet it was somewhat fascinating how her father, the Duke of Sparta, summarized everything in one sentence as if seeing through it all, expressing his irritation.

His words seemed to contain regret for having completely followed his daughter’s wishes regarding whom she dated.

“I’ll prepare the wedding with the best experts. You go have fun too. You haven’t had time to get close because you’ve been pointing swords at each other because of someone, right? Now that the exhausting competition is over, consider it a vacation and rest.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

This was very welcome news to Erika, who had been planning to replicate Gerick and Evelyn’s 90 days. Of course, it was equally welcome to Ion.

The Duke of Sparta handed a small box to Ion.

“And please use this tomorrow.”

Erika was shocked when she saw the box presented by the Duke of Sparta.

It was a pendant given only to swordsmen recognized by the Sparta family.

It was too generous for Ion, who was still only a Sword Expert.

Even Gerick hadn’t received one.

Ion’s hands trembled as he accepted the box.

“I couldn’t possibly……”

“Your Highness is qualified. You are a swordsman recognized by me, Adam de Sparta. And soon you will rise to become a true Sword Master.”

Erika looked at the Duke of Sparta with curiosity.

Though he seemed embarrassed and slightly turned his head to avoid her gaze, it was certainly exceptional treatment.

And it was clearly evident why he hadn’t given one to Gerick, Casano, or Mornie.

‘Could Father have known?’

Erika felt pangs of conscience, wondering if the Duke of Sparta knew the secret behind the aura used by Gerick, Casano, and Mornie.

Under Erika’s persistent gaze, the Duke of Sparta cleared his throat a few times and unnecessarily raised his voice.

“I am a fair person. I’m not giving special treatment just because he’s going to be my son-in-law.”

“Who said anything? Why are you acting like someone with a guilty conscience?”

The Duke of Sparta glared fiercely at his son in response to Hermes’s sarcasm.

As if the tactless fellow wasn’t helping.

Erika smiled slightly and patted Ion’s shoulder. Indicating he should accept it.

“Then I’ll take my leave now. Your Highness should rest early for tomorrow. Your appearance is already outstanding, so I won’t worry about that.”

Ion rose from his seat and bowed deeply to the Duke, his face still showing deep gratitude.

“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hermes also stood up and threw a parting comment to Erika before leaving.

“Now that you’re getting married, is there any need to keep it secret?”

While Erika flinched in surprise, her eyes darting around, Hermes disappeared and Ion turned to Erika.

“Secret?”

“Sigh…… Hold out your arm.”

When Ion didn’t move from his spot, not understanding Erika’s words, she reached out and placed her hand on Ion’s broken arm.

“Remedium.”

Light burst from Erika’s hand and enveloped Ion’s broken arm.

His arm grew warm, then began to tingle, and he could feel an invisible force touching the bones inside his arm.

Erika impassively unwrapped the splint and bandages covering Ion’s arm.

“Huh? You know magic too?”

“It’s a secret. Now only my father, brother, and you know.”

Ion’s eyes wavered with emotion.

“……You only told your family?”

“Yes.”

“……Then why didn’t you tell Gerick? You were even engaged to him.”

She wasn’t married to Ion yet either.

He was just her contractual marriage partner.

Erika didn’t want to admit that she hadn’t completely trusted Gerick.

She didn’t want to be too bound by the original story and ignore Gerick’s feelings. And she had grown increasingly confident that she had changed the original plot.

Nevertheless, strangely, she couldn’t be honest with Gerick.

Perhaps in a corner of her mind, she thought she needed to hide a secret plan in case the original story’s force activated, preparing for contingencies.

Maybe she had hoped that Gerick would love her for who she was, without such usefulness.

Of course, there were more secrets beyond this, but those would be revealed in due time.

“……This is a special service for tomorrow. You need to shine brighter than the new groom Gerick. By my side.”

Erika stroked Ion’s cheek with a bitter expression.

“Thank you for going along with my unreasonable request.”

“N-no. I should be thanking you. I would have been exiled to the north alone, but now I’m not alone……”

Erika smiled as she saw Ion’s ears turning red.

Though the other princes were likely in similar situations, Ion had no one to rely on.

His birth mother had passed away immediately after giving birth, and he was reluctantly sent to the Emperor for recognition, growing up like an outcast in a corner of the palace.

He couldn’t help but be different from Gerick, who had a mother secretly taking care of him from behind the scenes, even if she couldn’t enter the palace.

“That’s true…… Let’s do well together from now on.”

“Yes. I’ll go now. Sleep well.”

“Yes. You too.”

Ion returned to his quarters, preciously holding the box given by the Duke of Sparta against his chest.

***

Finally, the day dawned.

Erika, who had started her preparations at dawn, removed her familiar knight’s uniform and donned a carefully prepared dress.

‘I wonder how long it’s been since I wore a proper dress to a banquet.’

She had worn her knight’s uniform to yesterday’s pre-wedding celebration too. Partly because she hadn’t planned to stay long, and partly as a message to Casano and Mornie to remember who she was and answer carefully.

Due to the Duke of Sparta’s excessive care, she had an abundance of dresses and jewels, but since she had rarely used them properly, the maids had been frantically busy all night.

Even while sleeping, she had to receive full-body skin massages, and scented candles burned all night to infuse her with pleasant fragrances.

The maids who had rushed in at dawn and devoted themselves to Erika from head to toe shed tears of joy.

“Our lady is so beautiful, it’s been so frustrating that we couldn’t show it all this time.”

“Right. It feels like we’ve fulfilled a wish today.”

“I’m not here for you all to play dress-up with, am I?”

“Come on, my lady. When have we ever treated you like a doll?”

Jessie, whose bright smile wouldn’t leave her face for some reason, fastened a purple diamond that matched Erika’s eye color around her neck.

The Duke of Sparta had won it at an auction with blazing determination, saying it was a rare color among diamonds.

“Where’s Ion?”

“He’s already waiting in the reception room on the first floor.”

“Tell him not to sit down. It would ruin the creases in his pants.”

“Oh my, even without telling him, he seems nervous and keeps pacing around standing up.”

Erika’s eyes widened at Jessie’s words. She couldn’t imagine it.

That Ion?

The rude Ion who looked down on others as naturally as breathing and frequently lost his temper was nervous?

Impossible.

Erika thought Jessie must have misunderstood, not knowing Ion well.

But as she entered the reception room and spotted Ion standing by the window, she had to change her mind.

It was quite amusing to see him repeatedly taking deep breaths in front of the window, trying to breathe fresh air without even opening it.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh? …………”

Ion, turning at Erika’s voice, froze in place.

Her bright pale yellow dress with its layers of lace flower decorations fluttered gently, beckoning to him.

Though Erika couldn’t possibly be fragile, her shoulders, which made him want to protect her, captured his gaze and wouldn’t let go.

Gulp.

Ion swallowed dryly, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fists.

If he reached out his hand, would she take it?

If he extended his arm, would she come closer and stand beside him like a lover?

While Ion stared blankly at Erika, she carefully checked his attire.

It suddenly struck her that his appearance truly wouldn’t fall short anywhere.

‘He’s actually handsome—I just didn’t notice because he was overshadowed by Gerick all this time.’

Erika firmly adjusted his tie, then stepped back to examine him once more overall.

He hadn’t dressed up before, but now that he had, he was so handsome that the male lead could step aside.

“Relax. You look great. Very good. Today you’ll even outshine the male lead’s buff.”

“Huh?”