Two years ago, in spring.

The Emperor of the Feorn Empire, protector under Zeus and Lonel, and lord of ninety-nine estates, spoke.

“I have a young lady to introduce to you, Baron.”

Edward placed his fork and knife neatly on the table and stared blankly at Emperor Raodin.

While his behavior was improper by royal etiquette, the chamberlain didn’t rebuke him. Even the chamberlain, known as the Emperor’s confidant, was quite shocked by the Emperor’s statement.

Edward struggled to ask calmly.

“Your Majesty, I beg your pardon… What did you just say to me?”

“I mean it literally. She is a lady I hold dear, beautiful and charming like a single peony in bloom.”

A soft smile played on the Emperor’s lips.

For an Emperor of the Feorn Empire, known for his refined taste, there were few ladies in the imperial capital of Freia who could truly be called beautiful.

Yet Edward felt an ominous chill run down his spine.

“A lady, Your Majesty? You mean, you’re introducing me to a noblewoman?”

“Indeed! Since the topic has come up, it’s best to arrange a meeting without delay. Chamberlain, notify Duke Xavier.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The chamberlain poured wine into the Emperor’s empty glass and withdrew carefully. Edward felt his heart sink.

“Did you just say… Duke Xavier?”

“He is one of the most prudent and dignified people I know. He would make an impeccable father-in-law for you.”

“But Your Majesty, isn’t Duke Xavier’s young lady only seventeen?”

Edward knew this fact because he had recently encountered Duke Xavier in the Emperor’s reception hall.

They had exchanged a brief conversation about the weather and garden maintenance, and at one point in the conversation, they asked about each other’s families.

“My youngest daughter will be debuting in society this year.”

Duke Xavier had said this with a face full of pride. He was clearly delighted that his daughter, who had often been ill in her childhood, had finally recovered enough to make her debut.

In that moment, Edward felt a sensation akin to fear.

Rumor had it that Duke Xavier, usually serious and ruthless, transformed into a different person entirely when discussing his beloved daughter.

There was also a high likelihood that the tales of prestigious families’ young men being too intimidated to approach the young lady were no exaggeration.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, the Duke’s young lady has yet to come of age.”

“It’s you who doesn’t understand. In just a few months, Yelodia will be a fine adult. And soon enough, men will line up at Lonel’s gates to kneel before her, offering flowers and rings.”

“But I… have no desire to marry yet.”

Without realizing, Edward’s voice trembled. Even when his fleet had been surrounded by the navy of Lota, he had remained composed and calm, but one remark from the Emperor had shaken him.

The Emperor clicked his tongue, seeming displeased.

“Don’t talk nonsense. It makes no sense for you to serve as Vice Admiral of the Feorn Navy without marrying. If you’re torn apart by noblewomen like a school of crocodiles, leaving only bones and skin, what good would you be to me?”

“…”

Edward knew it was improper to stay silent, yet he couldn’t bring himself to speak. A cold sweat had formed on his back. The Emperor then spoke, as if revealing a hidden dagger.

“Do not delay the engagement beyond May. If it’s any later, the guests will be sweating and grumbling.”

＊ ＊ ＊

It was a sunny afternoon. The warm, gentle spring sun of March bathed Duke Xavier’s grand mansion.

On the second-floor terrace, overlooking the vibrant garden, Yelodia lay in a relaxed posture, reading a book.

Every time she moved her foot, the ruffled hem of her light green negligee fluttered like the wings of a dragonfly.

She resembled more a fairy who had come to play on Earth than the daughter of a noble family. Although, she herself was letting out an ungraceful yawn.

‘So boring.’

Closing her book at last, Yelodia pouted her lips, imagining her future as a gardener.

The image of herself in shabby work clothes, grafting apple and apricot trees, seemed rather fitting.

But then, visions of her father and brothers appearing like furious bulls ruined the peaceful apricot grove. Her devilish second brother even set fire to the apricot trees.

The daydream quickly faded.

Yet Yelodia did not lose heart and began a new fantasy. As always, she imagined herself crossing the continent on a sturdy horse.

After narrowly escaping death multiple times, she finally arrived at the cypress forest on the eastern edge of the continent, known as the “Forest of Death,” where she would begin her adventure to find the dragon’s heart…

“What on earth do you mean? An engagement?!”

At the sudden sharp voice, Yelodia nearly spilled her teacup.

It was unmistakably her eldest brother’s voice.

Sensing something unusual, Martha, who had been serving tea on the terrace, hurried over to Yelodia.

“It seems Master Kias has arrived, My Lady. But he sounds rather angry, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, indeed. What’s going on?” Yelodia asked, puzzled. It was exceedingly rare for her composed and quiet eldest brother to raise his voice in such a manner.

“Shall I go and check?”

Without much thought, Yelodia stood up at Martha’s suggestion.

“No, I’ll go.”

The soft green dress she wore swayed like a wave in the air.

Tired of the new book she’d picked up at the bookstore, and intrigued by Kias’s intense voice, Yelodia was drawn by curiosity.

“My, be careful.”

Martha was flustered by Yelodia’s careless steps and called out.

“Don’t worry, Martha. I’m fine.”

Since the age of thirteen, she no longer felt short of breath or pain in her lungs even when walking quickly or running, so her steps were light and brisk.

“I’m telling you, Baron Adrian is a ruthless soldier! He’s a disgraceful man who even had a fiancée run away from him—how can anyone pair Yelodia with such a man?!”

Just as Yelodia was stepping inside from the terrace, she froze at the furious voice. She had no idea what Kias was talking about.

Baron Adrian? Engagement?

“…My Lady?”

“Shh. Be quiet.”

At Yelodia’s signal, Martha, who had followed her inside, widened her eyes and halted in place.

When Yelodia gestured for her to withdraw, Martha nodded cautiously and disappeared down the servants’ staircase.

Kias’s agitated voice reached Yelodia’s ears once more.

“I shall challenge him to a duel immediately!”

“Calm yourself, Kias. This is something His Majesty himself has mentioned.”

“How could His Majesty… favor such an unprincipled man…!”

Kias, aghast, was unable to continue. His flushed face, with veins bulging at his neck, began to pale.

“Surely, His Majesty…”

In that brief moment, Yelodia could see just how disheartened Kias was.

Kias’s tone softened, as though he were now trying to persuade Duke Xavier.

“Father, this is a man who, only a month ago, didn’t even hold a title. He lacks not only the etiquette of nobility but even basic decorum as an adult. Yelodia cannot marry such a man.”

“It’s futile. His Majesty has already decided.”

When Duke Xavier raised his voice slightly, Kias clenched his fist.

The Duke’s words, more a decree than an explanation, left Yelodia feeling dizzy as well.

Duke Xavier was stating that the Emperor himself would preside over Yelodia’s marriage.

And the Emperor Yelodia knew was not one to tolerate opposition to his decisions.

“His Majesty has invited our entire family to a banquet. Prepare thoroughly; it’s tomorrow night.”

“Father.”

“Kias. This concerns the family’s honor. Do not act recklessly.”

Yet, despite his words about family honor, Duke Xavier’s voice was somber.

The Duke himself had felt a similar anger to his son’s only a few hours prior.

He had cherished his daughter, who had been frail from birth, with utmost care.

Unlike other young noblewomen, she had never been forced to diet for appearances, nor had he ever raised a cane to correct her manners.

He had found comfort and joy in watching his daughter, who lost her mother at the age of five, roam the mansion freely with a cheerful smile.

‘And yet…’

Duke Xavier could not ignore the Emperor’s intent to secure Edward Kieri Adrian, a man of notorious renown in the central wars, by awarding him the title of Baron.

Moreover, Yelodia, as Duke Xavier’s cherished daughter, was also the Emperor’s niece.

He did not believe that the Emperor, who had always shown boundless affection for his niece, would choose this marriage solely for political gain. At least, he fervently hoped that was not the case.

“I’ll speak to Yelodia myself. You, Kias, make sure no detail is neglected in the banquet preparations.”

Duke Xavier stopped abruptly, unable to immediately turn back. Kias stood equally frozen in place.

“Yedi…”