Editor : Amethyst00



Abad showed a slightly bewildered expression.

"A marriage between Amira and me?"

"Yes."

"Father. This is so sudden."

"Of course it is. It came up during this latest house meeting."

Chade replied flatly to his son's comment.

"Even so, arranging a marriage with someone from the Zerdinger family…"

"Normally, it would've been unthinkable. But…"

Chade glanced briefly at a map positioned on one side of the head of house's office.

It was a map of the western continent.

And across the map, there were patches of blackened territory.

Lands even the mighty Lordren Empire couldn't seize.

These were the very reason the Empire had to maintain overwhelming military power, and the reason for the existence of the two great heroic houses that supported Lordren.

The domain of Tartaros.

"You know as well—the recent movements of the demons are concerning."

The world now stood at a crossroads.

Countless heroes were sensing it.

"The continued subjugation of Erebos's fragments is certainly a positive sign. However…"

"You're saying it might not be Erebos or Tartaros that disappears—but the world itself?"

Chade nodded.

It wasn't just the fragments of Erebos being vanquished.

Even the Monster Queen and the Giant King—threats to the world for the past 5,000 years—had been defeated.

Tartaros was undeniably suffering devastating losses.

Yet, there were no signs of their aggression diminishing across the world.

On the contrary, like a fire fed with kindling, it seemed to be flaring up more fiercely.

"Some say this is just Tartaros's last desperate struggle before destruction… but if we get swept up in that final struggle, we may burn with it."

As the head of the most powerful magical house,

And as a magician himself,

Chade understood all too well that Tartaros must never be underestimated.

"And even if Erebos and Tartaros disappear, that won't be the end."

He had to consider the world that would come afterward.

Tartaros was both a threat and a form of deterrence.

With a common enemy, the various powers of the world had reason to unite and prevent endless conflicts.

Of course, conflict had never ceased in the world's history, but whenever an issue related to Tartaros arose, the fighting paused.

Chade couldn't predict how the world's balance would shift after Erebos was gone.

"Lordren needs to be more united. That's the shared thought of the Imperial Family, our house… and the Zerdingers."

"So…"

"Yes. That's why a marriage between you, the next head of Lewellin, and Amira, the direct bloodline of Zerdinger, has been discussed."

Hearing Chade's words—that it was all for the future of the Empire and their houses—Abad sighed deeply.

"Given our two houses' history, this will cause quite a stir once announced."

"That's true. But now that the most conservative Elders of Zerdinger have lost their power, the biggest obstacle is gone."

Lewellin had its own Elders.

But unlike the strict and conservative knights, magicians pursued 'efficiency.'

When weighing gains and losses, even the Lewellin elders wouldn't oppose strengthening ties with Zerdinger under current circumstances.

"Then why Amira and me?"

"There was talk of Leo and Chelsea too, but… Leo, while of the direct line, is now king of Arhi. For the Zerdingers, that's practically a split. Rhys already has a successor and is obviously excluded. That leaves only you and Amira."

"There's still Celia, isn't there?"

"Celia? Absolutely not."

"You don't think well of her?"

"It's not that. Celia isn't just a direct line of Zerdinger. Her potential as a knight rivals Rhys. Zerdinger would never want to send such a talent to Lewellin— especially now, when they're short-handed after the Elder Council was disbanded."

Expelling the Elders rid Zerdinger of internal threats, but it also meant losing their greatest knights of the past generation.

As a heroic house, they obviously wouldn't want to lose a powerful asset like Celia to an outsider.

"Besides, don't you and Celia not get along?"

"…"

Outwardly, they were known as bitter rivals.

'Maybe this is for the best.'

Abad tried to look on the bright side.

Wasn't the issue between the houses the biggest obstacle in marrying Celia?

But now both Lewellin and Zerdinger were looking to put the past behind them and prepare for a new era.

'Maybe this is a chance to improve my relationship with Celia…'

"If it were Reina or Zeiss, maybe. But Selde? Me, in-laws with that guy? Hah. Never. I'd rather cancel the whole arrangement."

'Ah…'

Watching his father gritting his teeth, Abad recalled something.

Chade Lewellin, meticulous and cold-blooded in all things.

Hailed as one of the greatest heads of house in Lewellin's history, yet also the one with the worst relationship ever with a Zerdinger head.

"Celia is absolutely off the table. Even if you're okay with it, I'm not."

Watching Chade, eyes bloodshot with anger, Abad gulped dryly.

'I should talk this over with Chelsea first.'

bl

Upon arriving at the main estate, Chelsea was overwhelmed with congratulations from house members.

"Miss Chelsea! Congratulations!"

"Thanks."

Even the maids of House Lewellin greeted her with beaming smiles, leaving Chelsea flustered.

While taking a breather in the garden, Chelsea spotted a girl entering through the Lewellin mansion's front gates and pouted.

Crossing her arms, Chelsea blocked the girl's path with a firm step.

"Zerdinger shows up at Lewellin's mansion with only one attendant? Still as bold as ever, huh?"

"Oh my. Chelsea. Nice to see you. It's been a while."

Amira smiled radiantly.

"I heard you became a hero. Congratulations!"

"Hmph."

Despite Amira's words, Chelsea only scoffed.

"So what are you doing here?"

It wasn't strange for Zerdinger to visit as guests.

But for Amira to show up at the Lewellin mansion was definitely unexpected.

In response to Chelsea's question, Amira answered,

"I came to see Abad."

"My brother? Why?"

"Well…"

"Amira?"

"Oh! Abad!"

With a sunny smile, Amira ran up to him.

Chelsea frowned at the sight.

"What's with her?"

As Chelsea scowled in confusion, the gray-haired attendant behind Amira said,

"Miss Chelsea, you haven't heard?"

"Huh? Heard what?"

"There are marriage talks between Young Master Abad and Miss Amira."

Leo, disguised as a servant, spoke with a grin.

For a moment, Chelsea froze.

She stood there a long while, trying to process Leo's words, then finally let out a dry laugh.

"Trying to trick me again? Not a chance, Amira. Marriage between Lewellin's next head and Zerdinger's direct bloodline? Absurd. Right, oppa?"

"Chelsea. About that… Father…"

Looking unusually flustered, Abad explained the situation to her.

Chelsea's face hardened like stone.

Watching this, Amira covered her mouth with her palm and giggled.

"Want to try calling me sister-in-law? Chelsea. Oh! How many nieces or nephews would you like?"

As Amira spoke, Chelsea's body trembled as if convulsing.

"No way! Absolutely not!"

With a flushed face, Chelsea blocked the space between Abad and Amira.

But Amira only laughed behind her hand.

"The family elders made the decision. Can you really oppose it?"

"Anyone but you! Even that wicked woman—Celia Zerdinger would be better!"

"Celia and Abad? Not a chance."

"Aaaargh!"

Chelsea let out a half-shriek.

'She's something else, huh?'

Seeing her over-the-top reaction, Leo laughed dryly while watching Amira tease Chelsea.

Eventually, Chelsea stormed out of the garden and ran off somewhere.

bl

"Miss Celia, how is it?"

"Oh? Off on a date? Good for you, Niel."

"I—it's not like that!"

Celia giggled while watching Niel fuss in front of the mirror.

Embarrassed, Niel shook her head rapidly.

Watching her, Celia rested her chin on her hand and murmured to herself,

'I wonder if I'll end up like this when word gets out about me and Abad?'

Though they were promised in marriage, they weren't exactly dating.

Maybe it was her personality?

Even after getting that close, she never really felt the urge to impress Abad.

"Niel."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Do you think I'd become more conscious of my looks if I fell in love?"

"Hmm… I don't think you'd change much, Lady Celia."

"Why?"

"You've always carried yourself with grace as a true Zerdinger lineage. You already shine. I doubt you'd need to worry about your looks any more than you do now."

"That's true."

"But why are you asking?"

Niel's puzzled look turned mischievous.

"Aha. Is it because of the groom candidates the head brought in?"

"Groom candidates, my foot."

"Why? Some of them looked quite handsome."

Eyes sparkling, Niel sat across from Celia and picked up the photos of Selde Zerdinger's handpicked groom candidates.

"Hmm. This one's too young."

"He's thirteen."

Celia looked incredulous as Niel giggled.

"Still, he might grow up to be a real heartthrob, no?"

While Celia kept an uninterested expression—

BANG!

A gust of wind blew open the mansion's window.

Celia and Niel narrowed their brows as they saw someone fly in like a bird.

"Chelsea, even if this is your family's estate, this is too much…"

"Hey! Celia! Duel my brother right now! And lose!"

Chelsea stormed in, eyes wide, and grabbed Celia by the collar, shaking her wildly.

Niel's face turned cold.

"Such rudeness. Even for you—"

"Lose and make it official with my brother already!"

"…?"

Niel froze.

Celia panicked and tried to cover Chelsea's mouth.

She hadn't told even Niel about her relationship with Abad.

"Miss Celia, didn't Chelsea just say something strange—?"

"She's just rambling… Ow!"

Chelsea bit her hand to break free and shouted,

"Abad and Amira are in marriage talks! Make it official with him before the announcement goes public!"

"What?"

Celia's jaw dropped at Chelsea's words.