Chapter 95

Chapter 94

"Let's leave him alone for a bit; he's doing something important over there."

Of course, I had no intention of interfering with the reunion of old friends, so I held Ilyna back and smiled gently.

Perhaps it was for the best that Kaldiras didn't mention the Perseus.

Given her intense hatred of vampires, knowing he was a former Demon King could easily cause a conflict.

"...I understand."

Though she didn't know the reason, she nodded hesitantly, her expression doubtful.

"Then let's talk a bit."

"Hmm..."

"Actually, I have so many questions. But you, Prince, aren't the type to answer them kindly."

Not exactly, but I didn't show it.

"Well, I do have some things to hide, so I'll answer sincerely."

"Who are you, exactly?"

"I am David Ol Rawn, the first prince of the Rawn Kingdom and the legitimate son of Queen Reni Alisad."

"What I meant was..."

She sighed deeply.

If I had asked properly, she would have answered.

As I looked at her with a faint smile, she clenched her teeth and glared at me, seemingly frustrated.

"Hmm... Fine."

Then, as if a new thought struck her, she smiled coldly. It was subtly different from the restrained and elegant demeanor she had when we first met.

"Since we have plenty of time... I'll squeeze it out of you slowly."

She calmly muttered this and then slowly placed the bundle of cloth she had been carrying in one hand when she entered on the table.

"Is that the sword from back then?"

The greatsword she used.

It's so heavy that an ordinary person would struggle to even lift it, but to use the medium sword of Hares, a sword of this weight is necessary.

I, who have reached a considerable level, balance the weight in other ways.

"It's a bit different. This is the sword I usually use."

She met my eyes calmly. Her gaze was unwavering.

"Let me be straightforward. Teach me. The medium sword of Hares."

Her face was filled with a longing for something.

"Can I refuse?"

"I'll keep asking."

"What if I keep refusing?"

"There are ways to prevent you from running."

She smiled brightly and then took out a small bundle of papers from her bosom.

"This is..."

As I glanced at the contents and frowned, a wry smile appeared on her lips.

"A proposal for engagement. You might not know, but the royal family is different. I've thrown away all my pride and am fully prepared. I'm ready to be as childish as it takes. Want to try?"

-...You, for a moment, wavered.

'It's just a feeling.'

-Don't lie.

'...'

Princess Ilyna, showing her tenacity, declared.

Just as I was subtly twisted, she was also quite obsessed with the sword.

"If you keep avoiding me, I'll send this to the royal family of the Rawn Kingdom officially. My father has promised that if I choose a partner, he will allow it, even if they are of slave origin. Let alone, the lord of the rising Haines territory in the eastern continent."

There was no trace of falsehood in her words.

If I kept avoiding her, she would really send the engagement proposal to the royal family.

"What if I accept it? You seem to lack self-love."

I laughed bitterly, and she looked at me with a bright smile.

She was truly a cute and beautiful girl.

"Well, if you're a skilled and capable person like a prince, I wouldn't mind."

I started to feel that she was a woman who couldn't communicate.

"Tsk."

I clicked my tongue and pointed to the window.

"Don't say things you don't mean. Let's have a more productive conversation next time."

As I calmly dismissed her, she pursed her lips and glared at me.

Then, with a loud thud, she stood up from the table and approached me.

"No, I won't give up."

She sent me a gaze filled with determination.

Her tenacity was so severe that I couldn't help but click my tongue.

"I really have a bad temper and a strong will. I'm not the type to hide and watch from behind like other women."

She grabbed my collar as if to catch me and smiled brightly.

"Let's see who has the stronger will."

39. Decepticon Squadron Prototype, Megatron

Stubborn and forceful.

There are many things to describe, but the girl in front of me was a rare breed, fulfilling all of them and more.

On the contrary, her openly declaring her purpose and making a declaration of war was quite amusing, and I couldn't help but let her do as she pleased.

"Are you not busy?"

After handling some minor matters in the territory and writing a few formulas for an experiment, I looked at the girl who was leisurely drinking tea and putting a small bundle of papers into her magic bag.

Her lustrous, honey-like hair fluttered, and a fragrant scent filled the room.

Despite her feminine and delicate build, she was organizing the papers with a sparkling gaze, which made me sigh.

"I'm busy, that's why I'm here, isn't it? They say that the closer the body, the closer the heart."

Her confident answer made me exhale in disbelief.

"Does that even make sense?! Who in the world brings work and handles it in a stranger's office?"

Winry's question, seemingly flustered, echoed in the air.

"Oh, Princess Winry. Stranger? I've heard that close friends often do this. For example, Duke Orba, the chancellor of the empire, often visits the house of his close friend, Baron Perdum."

"Yeeek! When did my brother become friends with the princess? I don't understand!"

Winry's cry, as if she was a child whose toy was about to be taken away, was cute.

"Indeed. Let's stop this trivial paperwork."

"Yeeek!"

Winry, realizing that communication was impossible, looked at her in disbelief.

"Hmm..."

"Rather, I'm more curious about why Yulius 5th is here."

Yulius smiled at Ilyna's question, which seemed to be a gentle reprimand.

It was like looking at a sulking younger sibling.

"Well, since I'm friends with David, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Since when?"

"Hmm... Since when, indeed."

Ilyna's gaze instantly turned to me at her calm answer.

"Are you saying that you don't want to be involved with me? What did I do wrong?"

"Hmm... If I get too close to the princess, I might make many people my enemies."

"Yeeek! I'm fine! Let's be friends! Drop the formalities!"

Almost a three-way... no, a four-way.

Winry, who was on high alert like a cat towards Ilyna.

Yulius, the youngest elder of the Red Tower, who was chuckling as if he found the situation amusing.

And Ilyna, who was complaining that it was unfair to leave her out.

Her approach was forceful, but her character itself was quite to my liking.

If she had been a twisted person, I wouldn't have met her like this, even if she were the empress of the Palan Empire.

Since regaining some of my strength, I've been living quite forcefully.

And I'm well aware of that fact.

-Do you know that the kid is doing the same?

Perseus, who had been yawning and stretching on my shoulder, chuckled as he tugged at my ear.

-What? Speak up, or I'll stick my arm in your ear.

'That's creepy, don't do that even in my dreams.'

"By the way, you and Princess Ilyna seem quite close. Have you met before?"

"Didn't you know? The story of the two of us is quite famous."

Winry's words piqued my interest for a moment.

Despite her brashness, Winry, as a princess, had experience in many unofficial social gatherings before her official debut.

She was quite knowledgeable about the world.

"Didn't you hear a lot of engagement rumors? I've heard many rumors about the two of you."

"That's why, I see. No wonder Winry was on edge from the start."

A woman who is rumored to be engaged to the man she likes.

It's understandable to be wary.

-Dumb...

I heard Perseus and the rebellious new sword's conversation, but I ignored it.

The two of them were like a relaxed fox and a small cat facing its predator.

"Let's say Winry is like that, but doesn't Yulius have business at the Red Tower branch?"

"Well, I don't really have anything to do there. Rather, I have more business with David. For example, about magic."

His words were a bit subtle, but it seemed that Yulius was particularly interested in the Void Blade among the incomprehensible magics I had shown.

I definitely don't want to attract the attention of those crazy, curious magicians.

Of course, he seems to be quite cautious, knowing the consequences.

I was also grateful for his consideration and thoughtfulness.

Knock knock.

"Your Highness, I've moved everything you asked for to the underground warehouse."

"Ah, finally? Good job."

As Amy cautiously reported, the glares of Winry, Ilyna, and Yulius all turned to her.

Amy, who had started to take on the role of managing the territory, still hadn't changed out of her maid's uniform.

Of course, the color, material, and decorations of the fabric were different to show the difference.

I don't know why the meticulous and strict Butler Bernil allowed such attire.

"A maid... not really?"

Ilyna, who had been startled by Amy's presence, muttered as she watched her cautiously disappear.

"Amy is my personal maid."

"She's the territory manager now. She even received a baron title."

"Really?"

Winry's eyes widened in surprise. For a woman to receive a title in this continent is far more difficult than for a man.

"Amazing."

"The royal palace is in chaos, so it's hard to pay attention to such details."

The political struggle between the royal family, led by Duke Faltris, and the nobles, led by Duke Barrieta, has reached its peak.