Chapter 37

"But I'm just a commoner, only the sister of a hero. Even if I have the potential to become a saint, I don't think I can be recognized as Clarence's fiancée."

I can understand why Riene is worried. Although Alex is a hero, his status is the same as Rane's. However, Clarence is the crown prince of this country. He said that Riene would be fine because she is the sister of the hero Alex. But throughout history, many heroes have been born. They all sealed the Demon King, but I've never heard of the hero's family being honored after their death. However, Clarence says it's not a problem.

"If you're worried about your status, it's not a big issue. Alex is not just any hero."

Clarence spoke in a much more relaxed manner than when they first met.

"Indeed, many heroes have existed in the past. They are praised as the saviors of the world, but in reality, their treatment was not good. They were sacrifices for the Demon King's seal, like offerings."

"Such..."

If Alex was to be treated like that, I can understand why he left without telling Riene anything.

(And yet, I...)

When I heard that the Demon King had been defeated, Rane was just happy. I was excited that finally, Alex would come back. But now, thinking that it was built on his sacrifice, it hurts.

"But the Demon King has been defeated, and a thousand years of peace is guaranteed. Alex is the first hero to defeat the Demon King, and it means that no hero will be born for the next thousand years."

Some people think that the weight of a hero born once every hundred years is different from one born once every thousand years. Clarence said this carefully.

"Of course, the current peace is something that the heroes of the past risked their lives to achieve. We must not forget their contributions."

Not a hero chosen as a sacrifice for peace every hundred years, but the only hero who defeated the Demon King, and one who won't be born for another thousand years. Many powerful people think that Riene, as Alex's sister, has value.

Especially as a candidate for the saint. Just like the hero, the saint won't be born for another thousand years. Many people would welcome the saint's bloodline into the royal family.

"Is it different for you, Your Highness?"

Rane knew it was disrespectful, but she couldn't help asking.

"Rane, that's—"

Riene tried to stop her, but since Alex entrusted his sister to her, she couldn't help but ask, even if she was punished.

"Are you worried that I might use Riene to maintain my position as the crown prince?"

"…Yes."

Clasping her hands tightly, she nodded. Clarence nodded calmly without showing anger.

"Yes, I understand. It's not unreasonable to think that. Riene is the sister of the hero Alex and a candidate for the saint. If I made Riene my wife, I could remain the crown prince. But I don't think this country has a future if Alex becomes my enemy."

He said this firmly.

"Alex?"

"Yes. He is a very loving person and values his family deeply. He has the broad love of a hero, but he doesn't forgive those who harm the people he loves. You remember, don't you?"

When Clarence said this, she remembered. When she learned about Ada's treatment, Alex was very angry.

"Come to think of it, he tried to hit Ada."

"Now, he might have been happier if he had been beaten by Alex and couldn't get back up. I would suffer the same fate if it were known that I used Riene. It's a problem before becoming king."

"…Yes."

She couldn't deny it, having seen Alex's anger at the time, and she looked down.

If that's the case, perhaps Alex cared for Rane even back then. Thinking about it, she touched her cheek.

"Besides, if someone has to take responsibility for the saint's death, it should be me."

The death of the saint is too heavy a burden, and others might even face the death penalty. Even if Aki was corrupt and lost her qualifications, she was still the official saint.

"But—"

Rane thought it was a problem for the prince who targeted Riene to become the crown prince. As if understanding her thoughts, he added:

"I have two younger brothers."

One is the second prince, the son of the same empress as Clarence. The other is the son of a concubine, one year younger than the second prince.

"Unfortunately, my half-brother seems to have more qualities of a crown prince than my real brother. There are issues of status, but with Noah and the duke's family as his backing, it shouldn't be a problem."

"I didn't want to serve anyone other than you."

Noah, who had been silent, said this quietly. His voice, though suppressed, was filled with friendship and loyalty for Clarence. He didn't try to stop him because Clarence looked exhausted, as if he might collapse at any moment. He was much thinner than when they first met, and his radiant smile was long gone.

As the mediator between the king and the nobles, and while dealing with the neighboring country over the dragon issue, Clarence was visibly exhausted.

"What will you do from now on, Your Highness?"

When Riene asked, he narrowed his eyes.

"Well, I'd like to live quietly in a place with a nice view."

"Why don't you come to my hometown? The sea is very beautiful. Living with my brother, Rane, and you, it would surely be fun."

Clarence's eyes widened at Riene's bright words, and he smiled happily.

"The sea, huh? That sounds good. If there's something to look forward to, I can keep going a little longer."

Rane looked at Clarence and Riene, who were exchanging glances. They must have feelings for each other. She had spoken out of turn earlier, but if it weren't for the status issue, they would be a good match. It's a happy thing for a family bound by love to grow, even though it was just the three of them—Riene, Rane, and Alex.

(To think of them as a family is premature…)

Riene and Clarence were still in a fake engagement, as were Rane and Alex. She took a deep breath to calm her rushing thoughts.

The days spent with the three of them at Alex's mansion were very happy. But from now on, it might be four of them.

At the royal castle, it seems that rumors were spreading about the crown prince bringing in women. Since neither of them went out, the rumors spread in all directions. The second prince, who probably didn't know that the women were Riene and Rane, was making a fuss to find fault with his brother.

However, Clarence suggested using this to their advantage and announcing their engagements, even if not officially.

"Once it's announced, no one will be able to touch you."

"I understand. I'm fine with that. What about Rane?"

Riene answered firmly and looked at Rane.

"I'm fine with it, of course. I'm just a little worried about what Alex will think."

What would he think, hearing about an engagement he knows nothing about while battling the dragon?

"He'll be happy, of course. I'll have to be more responsible since I'm going to be the crown prince's fiancée, even if it's temporary."

Riene said this with a more mature face than when they first met. Alex would be happiest to see his sister's growth, Rane thought.

Thus, Clarence proposed his engagement to Riene to his father, the king, and also announced the engagement between the hero and Rane. The king welcomed the engagement to the hero's sister.

Of course, the king knew that Riene and Rane were candidates for the saint. It was natural to welcome them, as they chose to marry in this country rather than be taken by another country.

The queen and the second prince opposed it, but the king firmly rejected them. Thus, the two engagements were announced, and the good news quickly spread throughout the country, which was anxious due to the dragon attack.

They were assigned bodyguards and could go out. All that was left was to wait for Alex's return.

One day, the long-awaited news finally arrived.

The dragon had been defeated. When Riene and Rane heard this from Clarence, who rushed into the room, they hugged each other tightly in joy.

Now Alex would come back. When he returned, the death of the saint would be announced. Clarence would take responsibility by resigning as the crown prince and leave the capital with his fiancée, Riene. Of course, Rane would go with them.

"Alex will be fine with it after the fact."

Riene said this and frequently returned to the mansion with her bodyguards to pack.

Of course, to prepare for moving to a town by the sea in her hometown.

Tomorrow, Clarence would head to the neighboring country for post-war matters. He was supposed to return with Alex. Riene and Rane were eagerly waiting for that day and were busy packing.

"From now on, we'll be four."

Riene nodded happily.

However, the incident happened the day after Clarence left for the neighboring country.

When they were returning to the castle from the mansion, their carriage stopped in the middle of town. It seemed that a wheel had broken. As the bodyguard knights were trying to arrange a new carriage, a carriage carrying the second prince passed by.

"It's dangerous to be stranded in the middle of town. I'll take you to the castle."

They couldn't refuse when he said this. Reluctantly, they got into the second prince's carriage.