Chapter 1

In the kingdom of Rizer, a spirit festival is held at the beginning of the year.

This festival celebrates the first queen, the founding Sage Princess, and the spirit that bestowed her with blessings. Not only in the town below the castle but also within the castle, grand parties are held.

Famous orchestras perform.

The venue is filled with the lively waltzes familiar to the people of this country. The nobles, who usually live in a world of intrigue and sharp nerves, now wear gentle smiles.

Outside such a venue, on a balcony illuminated by the magical lights that light up the castle, a young couple faced each other.

The young man is Prince Zachary, the first prince and heir to the throne of Rizer. A nineteen-year-old youth with a well-featured face framed by brown hair. His emerald eyes, which still retain a hint of youth, reflect the beautiful girl standing before him.

The girl is Iris Icefield, the current Sage Princess and the daughter of a duke. Her platinum blonde hair is lustrous, and it takes on a fantastical glow under the lights. Her amethyst eyes give a slightly cold impression, but she has a very well-featured face. She stands there like a spirit of ice manifested in this world.

(To call me to such a place... Could it be?)

Iris, summoned by Prince Zachary, had a vague idea of his purpose. Thus, she awaited his words with a slight unease and even greater anticipation.

A long silence.

The waltz from the venue played through, and the prince clenched his fist.

"Iris, I want to dissolve our engagement."

"---Yes, I am delighted."

Hearing the expected words, Iris responded eagerly. And she, who was known as the Sage Princess who never smiles, bloomed like a bud opening into a flower.

Her smile was very rare, and it was probably the first time Prince Zachary had seen it.

Though his features are stern, he is exceptionally well-featured. Zachary, the prince, was captivated by Iris's smile. However, he quickly regained his composure and looked puzzled.

"...You're delighted? I said I want to break the engagement."

"Yes, so I responded that I am delighted."

"...Why?"

Prince Zachary tilted his head, unable to understand. But in response, Iris tilted her head and asked, "Why do you ask?"

Her gesture was somehow bright, and her hair shimmered in the light as it spread out.

"Is there... any lingering affection?"

"Affection? May I ask if you have any? Since it was an unwanted political marriage, you have been seeing Lady Helena, haven't you?"

"Ugh. Y-You knew?"

"...I am a Sage Princess, raised to be a princess consort."

A Sage Princess is a title given to women blessed by the spirit. There can be multiple Sage Princesses in an era, or none at all. The title is given only to those who are skilled in magic and possess various knowledge.

Therefore, if there are no issues with age, it is customary for a Sage Princess to marry the king. She is expected to assist the king using her knowledge as a Sage Princess.

Iris, like others, became the prince's fiancée. She had already excelled in handling information, and there was no way she wouldn't know about Prince Zachary's affair with his lover.

(Rather, why did you think I wouldn't know?)

She hadn't even tried to cover it up.

There was no way it wouldn't be noticed—so Iris tilted her head. But she soon realized that it wasn't important and abandoned her search for an answer.

"Anyway, do you have any lingering affection, Your Highness?"

"No, I... don't."

Understanding that he had no lingering affection—perhaps sensing the implication in Iris's words—Prince Zachary's face slightly twitched.

"Then, let's part amicably."

Iris smiled again.

Her expression, which had been like a closed bud, bloomed beautifully.

"...You smile like that. If you had smiled like that, I wouldn't have been drawn to Helena..."

(What is this incompetent prince talking about?)

Firstly, it's disrespectful to Helena.

Secondly, Iris smiles when she's happy and cries when she's sad.

She didn't smile in front of him because their relationship was cold from the beginning. While she doesn't blame it solely on the prince, she doesn't deserve to be blamed one-sidedly.

Until now, Iris had silently accepted such injustices. Assisting the prince was her duty as the current Sage Princess.

But that is over now.

"I smile when I am happy. That's all there is to it."

"Is that so... I understand. From this moment on, you and I are strangers."

Prince Zachary said this as if trying to be strong and walked away. In contrast, Iris watched his retreating back with a gentle smile... making it unclear who had been dumped.

But either way, Iris was now free. Of course, formal procedures still needed to be completed, but that was a minor matter to her.

More importantly—she turned her attention to the corner.

"I don't know who you are, but eavesdropping is not commendable."

"...Impressive, you noticed my presence."

A young man with an impeccable aura appeared with his voice. The night wind blew through, causing his golden hair to flutter. As he approached, his well-featured face became more visible.

His sharp blue eyes caught Iris.

A man she was supposed to meet for the first time.

But—

"...Brother."

Iris's lips whispered the word with a sense of nostalgia.