Sophia felt the anger and tremor in Prince Robert’s voice as she closed her eyes. When she reopened them, her resolve was firm once more. She spoke calmly.

“I cannot separate myself from Ariel. I cannot exist without being Ariel. That is the kind of person I am. You cannot take Ariel away from me, nor do I wish for that. You must feel the same, Your Highness. Even when you despise living as a prince, you cannot cease to be Uranos. Even if you wish to be something else, you cannot.”

“I didn’t become Uranos by choice, nor did I choose to be a prince. I was dragged into this because I had nowhere else to go. And I know I shouldn’t be venting this to you, Sophia.”

Prince Robert barely managed to suppress the pent-up frustration that threatened to overflow. He spoke again.

“I understand what you’re saying. You mean I shouldn’t decide on an engagement based on a moment of wavering feelings. Engagements are something I must uphold because I am Prince Robert. But what if I proved myself… what if I created a place for you, where you wouldn’t have to pay the price but instead could thrive?”

He stood up and moved closer to Sophia. From the office window, Oberon’s harbor was clearly visible. Prince Robert, still gazing out of the window, looked at Sophia’s profile as she resolutely held her ground.

Robert realized he truly liked Sophia Ariel. Her calm judgment, even in the face of his confession, and her decision to reject him were ultimately the right choices. That unwavering demeanor was quintessentially Sophia, and he found himself appreciating all of it in that moment.

Seeing Sophia bite her lip as if steeling herself, Robert felt his anger and resentment dissolve. He understood he couldn’t cling to her in an attempt to prevent the dissolution of their engagement.

Suppressing a bitter smile, he said, “I accept the annulment. We are no longer engaged, as you wish. No, I shouldn’t put the responsibility on you. Since this engagement began as a contract, let me rephrase it: this contract is terminated. I hope your next engagement yields better results than this one.”

At the mention of a “next engagement,” Sophia finally turned away from the window to look at Robert and said, “Your Highness, I doubt you’ll have the luxury for another engagement. Both the capital and Umbriel will soon be embroiled in chaos.”

“I know. The path ahead won’t be smooth. I understand why you worry about my lack of power. But I will overcome it—on my own merit, with my own hands. I’ll prove it to you.”

Sophia smiled faintly and replied, “There’s no need for you to prove anything to me, Your Highness. Think about the empire’s future. Do you wish to leave Uranos in the hands of Cressida and Prince Frederick? Right now, you need to focus on defending against Saturn’s attacks while finding a way to prevent internal divisions and conflict.”

Sophia looked at Robert. He still had more to grow as a prince. And beyond that…

“It won’t be easy. Become the Crown Prince. Then become the Emperor. Ariel will always maintain its alliance with Umbriel. Ariel’s enemies are always external. Ariel will guard the borders. Trust in Ariel.”

Prince Robert nodded, then asked calmly, “Do you like the greenhouse?”

“Yes. I truly do.”

“Do you spend a lot of time there?”

“As much as necessary.”

“…Do you like me as much as you like the greenhouse?”

After a brief pause, Sophia answered, “More than the greenhouse.”

A bright smile spread across Robert’s face. He stood beside Sophia, both of them looking out toward Oberon’s harbor.

“The next time, I’ll come to the greenhouse you’ve cultivated and propose to you there. I won’t ask you to wait for me. Just focus on your duties.”

“Of course. You, too, Your Highness, should fulfill your responsibilities.”

After exchanging final words, Sophia left the office. She was relieved that she had not shown any weakness, as she had feared. And she was also glad to know that Robert wanted her.

‘Still, nothing changes. No, I suppose it feels less one-sided now. Knowing that he likes me too is somewhat comforting—no, very much so.’

Sophia believed that being the only one to care deeply was a great disadvantage.

‘The engagement is still annulled… but my heart hurts a little less.’

Prince Robert considered asking Sophia about her thoughts on Sir Gareth but stopped himself. He knew how pointless and embarrassing it would be.

The impending attack from Saturn loomed. Both Ariel and Umbriel had to prepare for defense without support from the central government. Meanwhile, the capital remained mired in distrust with Cressida and Wiscombe holding sway.

Robert returned to his desk, leaving the annulment papers atop it, and resumed his work concerning Oberon.

‘This proposal wasn’t a failure. It’s merely the start of my efforts to win her heart.’

***

When Gareth reviewed the contract Sophia presented, his expression grew complex. Sensing his hesitation, Sophia asked, “Is there a condition that concerns you or something you’d like to amend?”

With an exaggerated sigh, Gareth replied, “Although I was the one to make the proposal first, I can’t help feeling as though I’ve been outmaneuvered…”

Sophia, her expression calm, denied this. In times like these, it was essential to handle Gareth carefully. She sought to match his mood as much as possible.

“That’s not the case. It’s simply that what we each wanted happened to align perfectly. I am, however, slightly concerned that if the imperial auditors investigate Oberon’s affairs, the Emperor himself might take direct control.”

Seeing Sophia wear an expression of concern, as though she believed any advantage would be hard-earned, Sir Gareth let out a dry laugh.

Sir Gareth couldn’t fully grasp the hardships of Ariel’s borderlands. Survival there required constant struggle. Sophia Ariel’s actions deserved praise for their ingenuity.

But that praise stemmed from Ariel being a poor and small border territory. It was a commendation reserved for someone from such a place.

Though Sir Gareth didn’t look down on Sophia’s practicality or her efforts to accommodate him, he didn’t think she was suited to be Prince Robert’s partner.

‘Certainly more troublesome than Cressida. If we start pushing profitable ventures and resources toward that impoverished region to gain their favor, it’ll spark resentment everywhere. Even Cressida didn’t start out with such fierce ambition.’

Sir Gareth couldn’t agree with Parma’s belief that Sophia Ariel would make a better empress than herself.

***

Sir Gareth glanced back at the carriage trailing behind him. Prince Robert had departed for Umbriel the previous day.

The Robert he observed appeared every bit a competent crown prince. As Parma described, he was composed, not overly talkative, and handled affairs efficiently, though his reserved demeanor made it hard to gauge his thoughts.

After receiving the annulment document, Robert officially informed the capital of their broken engagement. Watching how both handled the situation with such composure, Sir Gareth noted the pair’s apparent compatibility.

‘They seem to understand each other well. Almost alike,’ he mused, turning back to the road ahead. ‘The northern alliance should be enough—with the two of them.’

According to Sophia Ariel, preparations in Ariel had been underway, but they were still short on manpower. Gareth regretted coming to the north with only a handful of men.

Had he known Saturn’s invasion plan against Uranos was so meticulously crafted, he wouldn’t have ventured north so lightly.

Once again, Gareth glanced at the carriage behind him. ‘If Ariel’s forces were as capable as Sophia Ariel herself, things would be much easier.’

***

Inside that carriage sat Sophia, Helen, Parma, and Sol. Sol, seated across from Parma, was so nervous he could barely breathe.

He’d forgone the joy of horseback riding just to remain in Parma’s company. Even Helen, finding Sol unresponsive and dull to tease, had settled into silence.

Sophia quietly mulled over the events in Oberon. For all the careful planning Saturn seemed to have done, it baffled her how Oberon had failed so spectacularly.

“Was it truly just Oberon’s incompetence? Or was Oberon a sacrificial piece? Did they intend only to sow suspicion toward Uranos?”

Sophia had once firmly told Sir Gareth that Saturn’s objective was to destabilize Uranos. Yet, she couldn’t help but question if that was the full extent of their aim.

Helen broke the silence, studying Sophia’s thoughtful expression. “Is Ariel really in danger? With Oberon’s plan exposed, wouldn’t Saturn give up on the invasion?”

Sophia replied, “It’s too sloppy. Oberon’s failure came far too easily.”

“It wasn’t exactly easy. Oberon didn’t anticipate their plan being uncovered so quickly. When Ariel arrived in Oberon, they seemed unaware, and even after we reached Oberon, they didn’t realize their plan had been discovered.”

“Exactly. That’s what worries me. Saturn has been planning this for so long—perhaps they allowed Oberon to fall. A deliberate loss to protect their stronger moves.”

Sophia had withheld certain information from Helen and Parma, such as the matter of a spy. Prince Robert insisted on handling it discreetly, so she kept silent.

“Saturn likely knew through their informant that their connection to Oberon had been exposed. They must have adjusted their plans, erasing evidence and even involving Wiscombe to muddy the waters.”

Sophia found herself increasingly curious about the mastermind behind Saturn’s meticulous schemes.

“So careful, so calculated. That’s what makes it all the more unsettling.”

Parma, observing Sophia’s contemplative expression, spoke up. “Lady Sophia Ariel, you’re different from the other ladies I know. Listening to you feels like listening to a father or brother discuss strategy. You don’t come off as pretentious or condescending, unlike some others I’ve met.”

Helen, beaming with pride, chimed in, “Even the Marquis often consults Sophia for her opinions. She handles much of Ariel’s affairs.”

Parma raised a surprised eyebrow. “Really?”

Sophia answered modestly, “The Marquis of Ariel values everyone’s input when it concerns Ariel’s well-being, not just mine. It’s not due to any special talent of mine. He’s always open to listening to those who care about Ariel—whether it’s Helen, Sol, or anyone else.”

Helen and Sol nodded in agreement.

“That’s true of the Marquis,” Sol added. “He even seeks my advice. Unlike some who ask only to ignore it entirely.”

Helen scoffed, teasing, “He’s just humoring you. He’d listen seriously if you had anything worthwhile to say.”

Sol, pretending to be offended, retorted, “At least he knows there’s something worth humoring! Unlike someone who only ever mocks.”

“You’re just adorable when you’re so adamant,” Helen teased again.

Sol glared at Helen, glancing nervously at Parma for his reaction. Seeing Parma smile, Sol’s face flushed crimson.

Sol suppressed the urge to yell not to be treated like a child. That would only make him seem more childish.

Sensing Sol’s discomfort, Sophia decided to intervene. She said…

“It’s because of Ariel’s situation. There’s always a shortage of people, so the ones who can handle the tasks are the ones who do them,” Sophia explained.

Parma realized that he needed to consider that Ariel’s circumstances were worse than those of other territories.

“Ah… I see.”

Sophia continued, “And right now… as you know, the situation is urgent. Saturn could be right on our doorstep. We’re trying to come up with everything we can.”

The mention of Saturn’s invasion darkened everyone’s expression.

Sol turned to Parma and said, “I’m grateful that Sir Gareth is going to Ariel, but wouldn’t it have been better if Lady Gareth had gone to Umbriel instead?”

Parma responded, “Well, honestly, I think the most dangerous place right now is beside Prince Robert. Don’t you agree?”

Sophia nodded. Prince Robert clearly had a plan, and that plan was likely filled with traps, threats, and danger.