“Sir Roengreen?”

“The lady was right.”

Still catching his breath, Gined quickly whispered.

After closing the door he had just opened, he lowered his voice even more and repeated himself.

“There was no dragon on Mount Acheron.”

Enril’s disappearance seemed to have shocked him greatly, as he looked very serious.

“Oh my goodness!”

Feigning surprise, I covered my mouth with both hands and took a step back. Then, with a confused expression, I spoke to Gined.

“Please, let’s say that this discovery was made by you and the Sephiroth Holy Knight Order, not me.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t want to get involved in such frightening and troublesome matters. I’ve never even seen a dragon or monsters in real life… Just imagining it is too terrifying.”

I made my eyebrows droop and widened my eyes to look like a scared and naive young lady.

“But wouldn’t that mean I’m taking credit for your achievement?”

“I don’t need that kind of credit! I just want to stay safe and comfortable as I am now. Please, I’m begging you!”

The last thing I wanted was for the Emperor and the Crown Prince to find out that I was the one who first revealed this information. They would undoubtedly question me persistently about how I came to know this, and if I couldn’t answer properly, it would bring trouble to my entire family.

“…I don’t understand why you’re refusing the credit, but fine, I understand.”

“Thank you, Sir Roengreen. By the way, what happens if the dragon is gone? Will the monsters invade the heart of Arcadia?”

“That won’t happen. The monsters of Mount Acheron have evolved very slowly compared to those in other regions. Now that the dragon is gone, they will evolve much faster, but they are still no match for the advanced weapons humans have developed over the years. The reason the capital’s defense forces struggled this time was simply because they weren’t accustomed to fighting monsters.”

“So even though the monsters’ evolution is fast, they can’t overcome a thousand years of gap. That’s really a relief.”

‘Then what’s the problem?’

I looked at Gined’s still grim face.

“But the disappearance of the dragon is not a simple matter. Once it becomes known that the dragon’s land is empty, there will surely be those who covet it.”

“That’s true. I’ve heard that dragon lairs contain many valuable and rare items. If tomb raiders start coming in, the public sentiment in the capital will become unstable, right?”

“That’s not what I meant. Mount Acheron is a sacred mountain imbued with the dragon’s magic after he resided there for a thousand years. Initially, it may have been an ordinary mountain, but now it is a land infused with the dragon’s magic. The magic was dormant only because the dragon was asleep.”

“The mountain is imbued with magic?”

“Yes. Even though the dragon is gone, there are still transcendent beings in this world. Once they learn of this, they will undoubtedly try to claim Mount Acheron.”

“Then that’s even worse!”

“If the new owner of Mount Acheron is friendly to humans, it would be fortunate, but if not, a terrible disaster could befall us.”

‘Enril, you f*cking bastard…!’

They said all I had to do was safely fall in love, but he left this mess behind and escaped.

“Then we must inform His Majesty immediately—”

“Shh.”

Suddenly, Gined signaled for silence and sharply watched the door.

A loud noise followed as if the door would be torn off its hinges, and the Crown Prince barged in.

At the same time, Gined stepped in front of me protectively.

Startled by the sudden noise, I instinctively hid behind Gined’s back, then realized the awkwardness of the situation and stepped back.

But the Crown Prince had already seen everything.

“What are you two doing here?”

His purple eyes coldly scanned me and Gined.

“You swore you’d never do anything shameful.”

He sneered coldly.

‘I’m f*cked.’

I was still innocent. My concern wasn’t the Crown Prince’s misunderstanding, but rather that Gined would learn of it.

There could be no greater insult to a priest.

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, the Crown Prince stepped into the library.

His imagination was rich enough to write a scandalous novel with just a handkerchief. Now, having witnessed us alone together, I worried about what nonsense he might spout next.

“Don’t misunderstand, Your Highness. I just had something urgent to discuss with Sir Roengreen.”

I spoke calmly and stepped forward, causing the Crown Prince’s eyebrows to rise.

“What urgent matter could you possibly have to discuss with the commander of the Sephiroth Holy Knights?”

The question felt dismissive, making my face flush with embarrassment.

“Even if I didn’t participate directly in the battle, I am still the young lady of the Duchy of Dronay. Shouldn’t I be informed of major events in the capital?”

“Fine, young lady of the Duchy of Dronay. Then tell me what you were discussing with a priest at this hour.”

This time, Gined answered in my stead. His tone was cold, clearly displeased.

“I admit it could be misunderstood. But as the lady said, we did not commit any immoral acts. Please remember that I am a priest who has sworn chastity before God.”

“As expected of the noble Sir Roengreen.”

The Crown Prince smirked.

“I wondered where you were rushing off to right after the battle. Perhaps you had another purpose for coming to Arcadia?”

‘Please stop. What will Gined think of us…!’

I wanted to cover my ears. Every nonsensical word from the Crown Prince was unbearably embarrassing.

Realizing that talking was useless, Gined sighed lightly.

“I intended to report to His Majesty first, but since you insist on misunderstanding, I’ll explain. The Storm Dragon has disappeared.”

Pinion’s face, which had been full of scorn, hardened.

“What? The dragon disappeared?”

“Exactly as I said, Enril is no longer on Mount Acheron. That’s why the monsters have appeared. We need to plan a response immediately.”

“What do you mean, the dragon disappeared? That’s absurd.”

“Why would I lie to Your Highness?”

“…Even if it’s true, what does that have to do with my fiancée?”

After a brief silence, Gined spoke solemnly.

“Upon learning of the dragon’s disappearance, I intended to claim the treasures left in the lair with my subordinates. Lady Dronay found out and was trying to dissuade me.”

I was utterly shocked that Gined would go so far as to tarnish his own honor to protect me.

“Is that true?”

The Crown Prince looked at me and asked.

Unable to bring myself to say yes, I simply averted my gaze.

Unfortunately, this seemed to provoke the Crown Prince further.

“Do you think I’m a fool? Then what about that handkerchief, huh!”

‘Please shut up!’

I rushed at him and covered his mouth. I could feel the soft, squishy sensation of his lips beneath my palm.

But I had no time to worry about that. That specific comment could never be uttered.

If Gined found out about my bulk purchase of souvenirs, I might just die of embarrassment.

“Please, let’s talk somewhere else, Your Highness. Goodbye, Sir Roengreen!”

I barely managed a greeting to Gined as I dragged the Crown Prince out of the library. For some reason, the Crown Prince followed me without any resistance.

I pushed the Crown Prince into a secluded hallway and glared at him.

Seeing him up close, he looked extremely tired and worn out, perhaps from overexertion. His delicate face, often described as that of an absolute beauty, appeared sharper than usual, adding a touch of sensitive beauty.

But right now, I couldn’t care less about his looks.

“What on earth are you doing? How do you expect me to face Sir Roengreen after this?”

“Are you telling me to believe that ridiculous excuse? Be honest, Lou. Is that man the reason you don’t want to get married?”

My conversations with the Crown Prince had all been like this recently.

I was tired of repeating the same answer.

I firmly shook my head.

“Sir Roengreen has nothing to do with it. Not just Sir Roengreen, but I haven’t had an inappropriate relationship with any man. And I don’t intend to in the future. Do you understand what I mean?”

“…”

“You said you didn’t want to hear love songs. But I can’t help it. I will not reduce my lover to a mere mistress in order to marry a man I do not love. That’s a matter of respect for the person I love.”

“…Fine. If that’s what you want, I’ll try. I can at least pretend to love you.”

I let out a hollow laugh.

How could a person be so arrogant?

“Even if Your Highness sincerely loved me, it’s already too late. I don’t love you anymore. And I won’t in the future.”

Although the situation had taken an unexpected turn due to the protagonists’ escape, the original story had taught me a valuable lesson.

If I ever became an obstacle to his goals, the Crown Prince would discard me without hesitation.

“So please, break off the engagement.”