After informing Baron Ariel, Sophia shared the news of her engagement to Prince Robert with her family. Everyone was delighted, which surprised Sophia.

Ellie, wiping away tears, said, “Your unrequited love has finally come to fruition. This is wonderful, Sophia.”

“What? Unrequited love?”

Ellie smiled kindly, as if understanding Sophia. “We all knew but chose to pretend otherwise to respect your feelings. Now, we don’t have to pretend. This is truly wonderful. Congratulations! Even if Wiscombe caused trouble, it was good you had a debut.”

Automatically, Sophia thought of Jack. Thanks to him, she had no need to justify her unexpected engagement to Prince Robert. Yet, she felt Jack deserved a good lesson.

In response to Sophia’s letter, Finega replied that she would be welcomed anytime, even suggesting she join Helen on her journey. Sophia, feeling it would be wise to avoid public attention for a month or two after her engagement announcement, happily accepted Finega’s proposal.

***

Sophia sent word to Prince Robert that she would be away for two months and would meet him in the capital after that. Along with her letter, she also sent him a contract bearing her personal seal.

Prince Robert, after setting down her letter, turned to Vian and said, “I was right, wasn’t I? There’s no one more suitable. She seeks to gain something from this engagement but expects nothing beyond that. She’s pleasant to talk to, too. If everyone were like Sophia, even balls and tea parties wouldn’t be so unbearable.”

Vian nodded in agreement with the prince’s confidence.

Most of the contract’s terms were what Sophia had already discussed with Prince Robert. However, additional clauses had been added, stating that “even after a breakup, neither Ariel nor anyone else is to be told that the engagement was contractual” and that “the monthly allowance would continue as long as the engagement was in effect, regardless of whether the two meet.” The contract also specified that the amount would not be reduced, even if the engagement had to be extended due to unavoidable circumstances.

The terms around the giving of the Marquis title were even more detailed, indicating that preparations had clearly been underway.

Vian felt it was still too early to voice any concerns about the engagement to Prince Robert.

Outside Prince Robert’s office, Vian pulled Mav aside. When Vian mentioned Lady Sophia Ariel, Mav confidently replied, “The Prince does have a special regard for Lady Sophia. Although it’s supposedly a temporary engagement, one never knows if a real breakup will actually happen.”

Vian raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about, Mav? That’s not my concern. My worry is whether she’ll cling to the engagement and cause trouble later on. Even if His Highness pays her, once she experiences the privileges of being engaged to a prince, she may not give them up easily. If she’s grown up poor, she might cling to the material benefits even more. Most of the contract is about finances, isn’t it?”

“I don’t think that will be the case.”

As Vian silently regarded him, Mav lowered his head and added, “There is a way. Lady Sophia would never endanger Ariel. If she caused trouble with His Highness, who knows what might happen to Ariel? I can assure you she wouldn’t do that.”

“Yes, that’s precisely what I was wondering—an easy way to make her let go if she clings too hard.”

Only then did Vian feel reassured. As he left, Mav shook his head and muttered quietly, “It’s the prince who’s the real problem.”

After returning to the capital, Prince Robert and Vian prepared to announce the engagement officially. A week after a brief conversation between the Prince and the Emperor, the engagement between Lady Sophia Ariel and Prince Robert was made public.

The news of Prince Robert’s sudden engagement caused quite a stir. Frederick had only recently broken off his engagement, and the Prince’s fiancée was none other than the poor Baron’s daughter, once pitied after Prince Robert had insulted her.

Upon hearing about the Prince’s fiancée, a charming romance narrative started to take shape. Vian thought Robert had likely calculated all this when choosing Sophia Ariel.

***

Sophia was now traveling through the central region of the Uranos Empire. Having only seen Ariel and the capital before, she was fascinated by the scenery and culture of the central region. Although the schedule required daily travel, she felt neither bored nor fatigued.

Helen found Sophia’s presence a delight during their travels. Helen’s younger sibling, Sol, looked at their chatting with mild disdain before spending the whole day reading. While Helen was reading a magazine, she grabbed Sophia’s arm, exclaiming over the headline in large print: “The Romance of Sophia and Prince Robert Revealed.” Sophia tilted her head, puzzled as she read the article.

“The Season of the Wild Rose”

It was hard to tell whether this headline was Prince Robert’s doing or if it was just due to current trends.

The article claimed that Prince Robert had been so captivated by a humble young lady that he had lost interest in the fashionable ladies of the capital.

Looking over the article, Sophia commented, “Well, I’ve officially become a country bumpkin now. They put it in such big print. They must have called it the ‘wild rose’ because Ariel’s estate is out on the frontier.”

Helen laughed, “Still, you’re engaged to the prince! Do you think Prince Robert ordered them to print this?”

“They probably imagined it and wrote whatever they wanted after figuring out who I was.”

“Then why don’t you write something yourself? Without using your real name.”

“I already have the story. I don’t intend to publish it as a book, but I’ve prepared a response if anyone asks.”

“Really?”

“Well, might as well have a good romance story—for both myself and the prince.”

Sophia thought she might even be able to write a memoir for publication after breaking off the engagement someday.

“A beautiful romance would be good for my family and for my future as well.”

***

A few days after Prince Robert announced his engagement, Gunther was summoned to the capital. As soon as he entered the Emperor’s office, he was given an order.

“Tell me everything you know about Sophia Ariel.”

Without hesitation, Gunther replied, “Sophia Ariel spends most of her time either in Baron Ariel’s study or in the greenhouse and garden. She often climbs the Titania Mountains. Not only is she familiar with maps, from the ancient to the latest editions, but she also appears to make maps herself, though she hasn’t openly stated this. I’ve seen her personally writing a book on Titania myths, and, as reported, she was the first to propose publishing it with the royal publishing house. There is certainly a political motive behind this.”

Gunther also noticed a copy of Sophia Ariel’s book on the Emperor’s desk, indicating that the Emperor had already read it.

“Baron Ariel’s study remains open, allowing any family member to enter, and visits from the estate’s residents are frequent. The entire Ariel family, including the baron, is involved in addressing the issues brought up by the estate’s residents. This means that every family member is well aware of the estate’s matters, and, in Baron Ariel’s absence, Alex Ariel, Sophia Ariel, and Administrator John are all capable of acting on his behalf.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and gestured for Gunther to continue.

“Above all, Ariel is rapidly increasing its military strength. With Ariel’s cooperation, Umbriel soldiers are either training in Ariel or receiving patrol assistance from Ariel’s soldiers in the Umbriel area, leading to closer military cooperation between the two estates than in other regions. While this minimizes gaps in border defense, if either estate were to become involved in an issue, the other would likely be drawn in due to the engagement between Prince Robert and Lady Ariel.”

“Become involved in an issue?”

“The influx of outsiders for construction and recruitment means there are suspicious individuals entering the estate. Reports also indicate suspicious activity in Umbriel. Both estates are preparing for any possible developments.”

“What about Sophia Ariel and Prince Robert?”

“Prince Robert has been consistently gifting Lady Sophia Ariel books, ancient documents, and maps. I’ve verified this myself. They have maintained contact since he first arrived as Lord of Umbriel.”

“And you’re working as a schoolteacher in Ariel, correct?”

“Yes. Since my assignment in Ariel was extended, Baron Ariel entrusted me with teaching duties. However, I still visit the study daily.”

“That’s fine. I didn’t bring this up to interrogate you; relax.”

After observing Gunther for a moment, the Emperor asked, “What’s your impression of Sophia Ariel? Personal opinions are acceptable.”

Gunther hesitated for the first time but quickly responded, “In a positive sense, she’s clever and diligent.”

“And in a negative sense?”

“Not exactly negative, but from my position, she’s someone I can never afford to let my guard down around. She’s the person we need to be most cautious of.”

“Why?”

“She appears ordinary, including her appearance and daily life. Her actions have justifiable reasons, yet she always has a different motive and purpose.”

“So, she’s a more cunning player than she seems. Not bad. Not bad at all.”

The Emperor clasped his hands together, looking intrigued. Gunther swallowed nervously. Although he wasn’t exactly incriminating Sophia Ariel, he knew this information wasn’t necessarily favorable to her.

Gunther was, after all, an inspector for the Emperor. He couldn’t lie or submit a half-hearted report.

“I’m merely the Emperor’s informant. Lady Sophia Ariel must know that.”

Gunther felt a twinge of guilt toward Sophia, feeling that his involvement with the school in Ariel had emotionally entangled him with the estate.

“Maybe I should consider requesting a transfer.”

The Emperor spoke, studying Gunther, “Continue to monitor for any suspicious activity in Ariel, particularly around Umbriel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Gunther left, the Emperor turned to Caliban and said, “It seems Ariel is starting to lean in our favor.”

“Leaning, but not yet dyed in our colors. It may be best to bring them closer now, don’t you think?”

“No, let Gunther stay in Ariel. He gave his honest opinion. He may like Ariel and its people, but he’s not deceiving me. I like that. Continue to foster that.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you see Sophia Ariel as a potential variable?”

“Ariel itself seems a likelier variable than Sophia Ariel. If they’re actively expanding military power at the border, then… doesn’t that suggest one thing? Rebellion.”

“Indeed. All the more reason to link them closely to Robert.”

“How shall we proceed?”

“Proceed? We wait. This is a good opportunity to see Ariel’s true strength. If they aim for the Marquis title, they should overcome such challenges on their own.”

Caliban suppressed a sigh at the Emperor’s words.

“Ariel will have to endure hardship once again.”