Chapter 75

"Help the injured by lending them your shoulder!"

As Yurii's voice echoed, the rescued personnel were being carried from the Mareas to the imperial capital's pier.

I descended to the pier to confirm the situation.

"…Well, well. It was a chance to show my worth, but…"

"It was just a display of ugliness. Rather, the courage of that person…"

The imperial nobles were descending with their shoulders drooping.

That person… it's not me, right?

I made sure my presence was not visible. Of course, they noticed my followers.

Everyone witnessed the battle between the evil dragon and my followers. Since we were the ones who rescued them, it would be nice if some good reputation spread.

In the midst of this, the surroundings suddenly became noisy.

The nobles were bowing to the Mareas.

Selena, who was carrying an injured woman, looked smug, but it was different.

Everyone was bowing to the girl walking behind Selena.

That girl…

She was a girl in a blue dress, about seven years old, with long hair tied into two braids at the back, like the sky. Her eyes were like jade, and her skin was like white porcelain, giving off a sense of elegance even at such a young age.

I had seen her before.

She was the one who, to protect those who had escaped from the sinking ship, cast a wall of water magic alone against the evil dragon.

The one the nobles praised for her courage was this girl.

I was the one who actually defended against the attack and blew the evil dragon away.

However, since I made sure my presence was not visible, the nobles must have thought this girl defeated it.

After placing the injured woman down, Selena said with a smile,

"Oh! What a lovely lady!"

"Ah, yes… but more importantly…"

Judging from the nobles' reactions, she must be of high birth.

Since adult nobles were kneeling, she must be from a family higher than a duke… but I've never seen her before. If she were an imperial noble of the same age, I should have met her.

Then, could it be…

I recalled Virtus's speech.

The words about a certain noble's ship passing through.

Could that noble be her?

I see. Now I understand why the nobles were so enthusiastic. Whether the enemy was a monster or a pirate, they were trying to make a name for themselves in front of her and her attendants.

The purpose was to arrange a marriage with a member of her family who was close to her age.

Given their enthusiasm, she must be from a very prestigious family.

As I watched, detached from the situation, the girl who had descended to the pier turned her body toward me.

Huh? Me?

She started to walk over, but was immediately stopped by her attendants.

The attendants looked at me with white eyes and whispered something to the girl. They must know I am the sixth prince, Alex, who bears the mark of darkness. They are telling her not to come closer.

However, the girl started walking again in the middle of their conversation and came to me. Then she bowed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Alex. I am Nere, the third daughter of King Lykmar."

Her voice was clear and unclouded. When Nere raised her head, I could see no fear or disdain on her face.

She treats those who bear the mark of darkness without discrimination…

However, the Kingdom of Lykmar. Isn't it the richest country in the west?

The territory of the Kingdom of Lykmar is located in the center of the western coast of the continent.

Traditionally, it is a country with a thriving trade, and the council that governs the country includes not only nobles but also merchants. The island of Ruisel, a huge island that began to be colonized a hundred years ago, floats in the western sea, and the kingdom has prospered with the magic minerals and gold brought from there.

As a country that values trade, it has a friendly relationship with the empire, which has the strongest military power on the continent. However, when rebellions continue in the empire, they openly invade the empire's territory.

This explains why the nobles are paying attention to her… If a marriage alliance can be formed with the Lykmar royal family, a huge financial aid can be expected.

Nere, a member of the Lykmar royal family, is well-educated, as expected. At the age of seven, she knows the proper etiquette.

Nere bowed again and said,

"Prince Alex, thank you very much for saving me just now."

"Don't worry about it. I just happened to be nearby on the ship. However, according to the other nobles, you faced that large dragon alone, not only defended against its attack but also blew it away with a blast. This Alex is truly impressed…!"

I placed my hand on my chest and bowed slightly.

However, when I raised my head, Nere was tilting her head.

She's only seven. She probably didn't understand the word 'impressed.'

"Sorry, I used a difficult word. It was an amazing magic."

"My magic… but… oh!"

Nere turned her head as if she had noticed something.

There, my brother, the fourth prince Virtus, was waving his hand and calling out.

"Ah, you came! Princess Nere!"

At his voice, Nere turned her body and made a beautiful bow.

"It's been a while, Prince Virtus."

"I was worried when I heard the ship was attacked… I didn't expect Prince Alex's ship to be nearby. This must be fate! It must be!"

Virtus declared this dramatically.

Nere's attendants, of course, did not look pleased.

I put my hand on Virtus's back, forced him to bend his waist, and bowed myself.

"Sorry, Princess Nere… This brother of mine is known throughout the empire for his silly jokes."

"I am aware."

Nere answered immediately, and Virtus smiled wryly.

"…So, Princess Nere, you know my brother?"

"Yes. Two years ago, at the Lykmar palace."

"Is that so! What, brother. If you knew her, you should have introduced her to me without hesitation."

"There's nothing to hesitate about! I originally wanted to introduce Princess Nere to you!"

Virtus patted my shoulder and said,

"Princess Nere, Alex may seem a bit stern and mature, but he is quite capable. He already has a chamber of commerce in the capital's international street!"

"A chamber of commerce…"

Nere looked at me with an impressed expression.

"That's right! I hear that in Lykmar, even nobles are expected to have business knowledge and connections! He's very useful!"

I said to Nere, "May I have a moment?" and dragged Virtus to a slightly distant place.

"What's wrong, Alex? I—"

"You're trying to set me up with that girl, right? Read the room. Clearly, I'm not welcome."

"She's not the type to reject someone just because they bear the mark of darkness."

"That may be true… but she's still a child. Besides, neither her surroundings nor the Lykmar royal family would welcome it."

"What are you angry about? …Ah, I see. You still—"

"Yuris and I have no relationship anymore… She decided to go her own way. Besides, if you know her, you should introduce yourself."

Virtus smiled wryly.

"…I know you like older women. But it's not like you'll get married right away… Anyway, respect her wishes."

"…Yes…"

Nere's voice made me turn back with a smile.

"What is it, Princess Nere?"

"You seem busy, so I'll leave. But I have one thing to say to Prince Virtus."

Virtus said with a troubled look,

"To me? …That, that…"

"Prince Virtus… I'm sorry, but I will leave the capital immediately. I believe my king asked you to take care of me in the capital, but I would like to decline that."

Virtus made a silly face at her words.

"I will request an audience with the emperor and apologize directly. I am truly sorry."

Nere bowed to Virtus and then turned to me.

"Prince Alex, thank you very much… I left a thank-you note on the ship, but it's not enough to repay your kindness. I will definitely repay it someday."

"That's… really not necessary."

As I said this, the attendants told Nere it was time to go.

"Then, I'll take my leave. Prince Alex… until we meet again."

Nere bowed deeply to us again and headed toward the capital.

Next to me, Virtus stood with his mouth open.

I sent him a white-eyed look.

"…Rejected, huh."

Virtus, who is popular with women, must have been surprised that Nere chose to leave on her own.

Virtus blushed and replied,

"S, shut up! I didn't want to do it in the first place! If I became her caretaker, it would inevitably lead to a marriage proposal!"

"Then don't try to set me up. Especially with someone who bears the mark of darkness."

"Well, think about it. She's a princess of Lykmar. In that country, money talks, so even with the mark of darkness, you can live comfortably with money. She would be an ideal marriage partner. Well, it's too late to say anything now… but, that girl, she didn't look completely displeased when she looked at you at the end."

"That's just a mature response… sigh."

This investigation might have been planned from the beginning to set me up with Nere. To make me stand out in the investigation and introduce me to Nere.

Indeed, Lykmar would be a more comfortable place for me than the empire. Virtus must have been concerned about me.

Besides, Nere seemed very intelligent. Her magic skills were good… fundamentally, she was a girl who didn't match me.

"I'm against forced marriages…"

"Are you saying that? A while ago, you were telling everyone you wanted to marry Yuris."

"T, that… No, you're right."

I thought of Yuris. She should be resting at the chamber of commerce. I asked Elysia to take care of her…

"Anyway, the investigation is over. The dragon was defeated by Princess Nere's efforts. The Lux Bay should be safe now. Virtus, tell my father about Princess Nere's bravery at the palace. That way, it will be easier for her to leave the capital."

"Right… I'll do that."

"Okay. I'll leave for Mires tomorrow. If you need anything, contact my chamber of commerce."

"Understood. By the way, Alex."

"Yeah?"

"…It's only been a few days since we started talking, but I feel like we've been good friends for a long time."

Virtus had a rare expression. He looked genuinely puzzled.

Well, we talked a lot before we started over. We weren't exactly close, but we got along. We knew each other's hobbies and personalities well.

"…Maybe we just get along as oddballs."

"Maybe… Anyway, I hope we can continue to work together. Especially on financial matters."

"I'll involve you in big deals without you asking."

As I said this, Virtus smiled and walked toward the palace.

After that, I hurried to the chamber of commerce.