Sir Klipto, the Raontra knight, ground his teeth.

“Damn it.”

He looked torn—whether to fight me and drag me away, or let me flee.

I snapped open my hand to halt them.

“You’re worried because my identity’s been exposed, but I need to escape now!”

The knights flinched.

They looked as if to ask, Why are you, the one nearly kidnapped, telling us this?

I glared and said, “Keep your silence!”

“...Why should we believe you?”

“Do you think this is the first time I’ve almost been kidnapped? I’m the girl they called ‘Dragon-Bearer’!”

“......”

“Once I dealt with those who tried to abduct me, half the noble houses of Kalsoye would be wiped out!”

“......”

The knights exchanged uneasy glances.

‘Exactly. The more desperate the mind, the poorer its judgment.’

I turned to Klipto.

“And I have no desire to make Raontra my enemy.”

“......”

“You know our Empire’s situation. What good would it do me to pick a fight with Raontra now?”

“...Will you swear on your family’s honor to keep this oath?”

“Of course!”

Klipto bowed deeply.

“Thank you for your wise decision. We will repay this favor in due course... on the honor of our knighthood.”

I nodded at once, then whispered with my fingers.

“Go quickly—before you meet the Raontra carriage!”

“...Thank you.”

The Raontra knights hurried away. I exhaled deeply, turned, and sprinted toward the Zelkova Grove.

There, before the promised tree, I saw Alexis. He frowned and gazed at me.

“Why are you running like that—?”

“Raontra tried to kidnap me! Their leader was Sir Klipto!”

“...What?”

“I was nearly abducted on my way here.”

Did he actually believe I’d stay silent?

‘The Astras have no honor to spare, you know.’

All we have is money and armies, you fools.

Alexis grabbed my face, turning it to inspect every inch.

“Are you hurt?”

“No....”

Please move your face away from mine.

I cleared my throat and averted my eyes. His gaze darkened. Clenching his fist, he muttered coldly, “Raontra....”

Alexis escorted me out of the grove. I nervously smoothed my collar and said, “Go on ahead.”

“I’ll see you to your door.”

“I came alone to avoid attention; if you escort me, it defeats the purpose.”

“If you worry Salvatore’s pride will lead him to target me, don’t.”

“It’s not only that.”

“Then?”

“It’s....” Unable to speak, I hesitated. Alexis smiled and leaned close.

“Must you keep your face so still? Why push it toward me...!”

“You like my face.”

“...!”

That sly devil! I swallowed hard.

Indeed, Alexis’s appearance perfectly suits my taste. Perhaps living among the Astra’s famed beauty made his refined features stand out to me. I often found myself staring at Alexis’s composed profile.

“Sh-shut up!”

He laughed and mussed my hair. “Or are you worried the gossipmongers will talk about us?”

“...That’s not it.”

“Or that the Dowager Empress might force me to marry Dahlia to protect us?”

I frowned and smoothed my hair. “No, really?”

Alexis pulled me into his arms. “W-what are you—?”

“Will you—?”

“...What?”

From his embrace, he produced something: a ring. Too small for most fingers, not the lavish gold or jewel ring I usually wore, but a simple metal band, discolored with age.

“I earned my first pay from the Egritz Company that day.”

“....”

“My first earnings ever.”

“Mm.”

“I wanted to give you something, so I impulsively entered a jewelry shop.”

“....”

“But the prices were measured in hundreds of gold—300, 500 gold... All I could afford was this ring.”

“...If you bought it, why not give it to me then?”

Alexis smiled faintly. “Because the next day, I saw you wearing the shop’s most expensive ring.”

“....”

I remembered. Worried about Alexis starting mercenary work, I had found him to make sure he was unharmed—but he only looked at my hand.

“You asked if I was hurt!”

“...Yeah.”

“What were you so absorbed in... my ring?”

“Did you used to wear accessories?”

“I went to the market last time; Balzac bought it for me saying it would suit me.”

“....”

“Why?”

“Never mind.”

“So you couldn’t give it because it was too shabby?”

He smiled softly. “It felt too humble for you.”

“....”

“I may still be a humble man unworthy of you, but even so—.”

“....”

“If you don’t mind... will you accept it?”

I bit my lip. Why could I never hold back tears for Alexis? I imagined the young boy hiding the ring behind his back, too shy to give it. He had loved me so long and stood by me unfailingly—that devotion moved me. I stifled my tears and extended my hand.

“Put it on.”

“....”

“Put it on, you fool.”

Alexis gently took my hand. The ring could not fit my ring finger; it barely caught on my little finger. I said, “You know, wearing a ring too long makes your finger thinner. So....”

I wiped away a tear and glared at Alexis. “Before this ring fully fits my finger, bring me a new one.”

Alexis’s pupils fluttered, like the young boy’s did when he first looked at me. I laughed and wiggled my hand with the ring.

“This is enough for a proposal; bring me the wedding ring.”

“....”

Deep lines formed on Alexis’s brow. Swallowing hard as if to hold back emotion, he nodded slowly.

“...All right.”

I teased, “Crying? Are you crying?”

He gently pinched my nose and shook it. “Stop teasing.”

I looped my arms around his neck. “But you like days like this.”

He laughed as if unable to resist and buried his face in my neck. “Indeed.”

“Even a lump of iron is fine—just bring it on time, okay?”

“I promise—.”

“And move your face away?”

“...Why?”

He raised his head to ask; I brought his face to my nose. “Why do you think?”

I kissed him; his eyes widened as though they’d fall from his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing heavily. I teased again, “Do you love me to death?”

“This is real.”

“Why? What?”

“Close your eyes.”

He pulled me close by the neck. I continued teasing until the end, “Fine, just mood,” then closed my eyes. His lips met mine gently.

The next day.

When I entered court, the palace was in uproar.

Alexis had hurled a glove in the face of Prince Mercedes of Raontra. Mercedes’s glove fell to the floor ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) with a soft flop.

“...What is the meaning of this?”

Alexis lightly rolled his wrist and glanced at Mercedes.

“You know best.”

“I have no clue. You must explain yourself properly.”

“You attacked my nobles. You sponsored the kidnapping of Erilot Astra. You deployed troops in my territory without permission. Need I list more reasons?”

“...!”

Indeed: the sponsor of my abduction was Mercedes. I’d thought the Princess behind it, but this was confirmed by the Astra ducal intelligence and the imperial guard together. Sir Klipto’s mother was Mercedes’s wet nurse; there was no motive for betrayal. The Raontra knights’ receipt of money from Mercedes was also verified.

‘So it was you all along.’

As expected, Mercedes froze. Behind him, Sir Klipto’s face went pale. Klipto glanced at me over Alexis’s shoulder. I shrugged. Mercedes bit his lip, saying to Alexis, “There must be some misunderstanding.”

“We Astra and the imperial guard have completed our investigation.”

“I told you it was a misunderstanding from home!”

“Shall we summon Raontra’s envoys to confirm together?”

Mercedes flinched. “Arrange that. It seems we need a dialogue.”

Saying “Follow me,” he opened the door to his chambers. Then—

Bang—!

Alexis slammed Mercedes against the wall by the throat.

“What is this—!”

“First, an apology.”

“What?”

“Apologize for using such cowardly abduction. Swear before the Imperial House it will never happen again.”

“You—!”

Mercedes twisted to break free but failed. No matter his blessings, how could he withstand Alexis, raised on the battlefield from youth?

“My patience is short, Prince of Raontra.”

“Do you intend war? Dare to do this and think you’ll remain unscathed—”

“Raontra is embroiled in a succession struggle, is it not?”

“...!”

“If the Emperor hears this, it will harm not only you but also your elder brother, first in line for succession.”

“....”

“If you’re not of sound mind, cling to your father and tell him you were struck by the Western Empire’s prince.”

“You mad—”

Another slam as Alexis shoved Mercedes harder.

“Let us end this easily. If you yield one arm, I may consider mercy.”

“Preposterous—!”

“If you refuse, you must kneel before my beloved and beg forgiveness.”

The palace corridor buzzed. Solar Congress princes passing by stopped to stare. Even passing officials whispered in shock.

“My... beloved?”

“Beloved?”

“Er—Erilot, what is this?”

I touched my cheeks shyly. ‘Such force and uproar.’

Prince Adin rushed up, pale. “What’s this?”

“Well....”

Just like that. Seeing us thus, Adin and Abino’s faces hardened. Christopher murmured, “Hoho....” They glanced between Alexis and me.

Then—

“Release his hand, Prince Alexis.”

Princess Veloster appeared, Dahlia behind her—both expressions as hard as the princes’.

Dahlia looked between us, then bit her lip.

Princess Veloster repeated, “I said release his hand.”

“Apology first, then measures to prevent recurrence.”

“And we shall inform the Emperor and offer a formal apology.”

Mercedes burst out, “Your Highness, what—”

“Silence!”

She thundered. Alexis quirked an eyebrow and released Mercedes. Free, he touched his throat and glared away.

“As Prince Regent treats this as an international matter, you must consult with the Regency.”

I frowned—an unmistakable threat: you’ll suffer consequences too.

“Both of you, come with me.”

She turned and departed. Alexis and Mercedes followed her toward the Regent’s office.

To plan my next move, I decided to find Father in the Grand Assembly Hall. As I walked the corridor—

[A barrier.]

Awen’s warning. Indeed, I felt the seal—the Ninth Guardian’s barrier I sensed before. I frowned.

“What now?”

At once, several Guardians approached. Duke Jermo, the Mashitabbarogu, and Hera came.

“We know you do not wish to see us.”

“If you know, please stay away.”

“.......”

Their faces fell. Duke Jermo, head bowed, spoke to me.

“If I may deliver this and depart swiftly.”

He held a small pendant.

“What is it?”

“It’s the Messiah’s relic we safeguarded—only the true Messiah can use it.”

The Messiah’s relic? ‘What is that?’ I asked. Duke Jermo answered,

“It awakens latent potential. Originally part of a set with a censer to perceive guardian auras—.”

“A censer?! Did you say censer?”

“Yes. When royalty and nobility united to attack us, the censer was lost.”

The censer that reveals guardian auras was the one I carry! Duke Jermo bowed painedly.

“Please accept this. Upon hearing you were nearly kidnapped, we Guardians felt as though traversing hell.”

“.......”

“I’m sorry we could not protect you properly.”

Ah—how I want it. The censer is too large to carry, but a small pendant...!

‘Yet I despise taking anything from those scoundrels.’

The Guardians looked at me with earnest faces.

“Messiah, please—just this.”

I agonized intensely.

‘I truly want it—just that!’