Editor : Amethyst00



Great Families Assembly.

It's a grand gathering where the representatives of the continent's noble houses come together to discuss the future of the land.

And this assembly of noble houses begins with a gesture of camaraderie.

Given their nature, the nobles inevitably form the core of regional power structures.

The fundamental nature of power is to stand above others.

So, those with less power have no choice but to bow to those with more.

However, even those in power—no matter how strong their opponent may be—are not quick to bow their heads.

Because power is not just a force for domination; it also represents the dominators themselves.

That's why, to resist even greater powers, nobles have always maintained close ties with politics.

In the political world, allies and enemies abound—benefactors and nemeses alike.

In that tangled web of interests, nothing is permanent.

It's common for today's ally to become tomorrow's enemy, and vice versa.

Moreover, among the noble houses with long histories, unresolved grudges are deeply intertwined.

Meeting a sworn enemy at the noble house conference isn't exactly a rare occurrence.

And one wrong move can easily lead to bloodshed.

In fact, there have been several instances in the past where wars broke out during these conferences.

That's why fostering camaraderie between the noble houses is essential.

Very few families would dare cause a scene at a party hosted by the Heroic House.

"Well, though disputes among heroic houses have happened quite a lot, too."

Celia, dressed neatly in her uniform, muttered nonchalantly.

"Is that why they let only successor and young members attend the social party first? To pass off any conflicts as childish squabbles?"

An unfamiliar voice.

Grey hair and grey eyes.

A face still somewhat boyish, though he now looked mature enough to be called a young man.

His appearance was ordinary, yet unfamiliar.

But Celia knew he was her cousin.

"…Yes."

It was Niel who answered in her stead.

But she still seemed unsettled by something she had just learned.

"You really do look great in your uniform, Niel, but you look stunning in a dress too."

Amira beamed at Niel.

"When Marcel sees you like this, I'm sure he'll fall for you all over again."

"Miss Amira."

"Yes?"

"Marcel's already fallen for me."

"Wow."

Amira let out a soft gasp at Niel's confident statement.

Considering the status of their respective houses, the relationship between Niel and Marcel wasn't exactly smooth sailing.

Still, that night—

The night they confirmed each other's feelings and rekindled what had faded—

Both Niel and Marcel made a vow.

That no matter what happened, they would never deny or turn away from their feelings for one another.

Now that the scandal was out and known to the world, they had pledged to become lifelong partners.

'Father was furious… Well, he still is, but so what if the family opposes us?'

A stubborn glint flashed in Niel's eyes.

Seeing this, Amira sighed quietly.

"I wish Celia would learn a little from Niel's determination."

"What?"

Celia shot her a glare.

Unlike Amira and Niel in their beautiful party dresses, Celia stood in her impeccable knight's uniform.

Amira spoke to her.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble I went through to calm Chelsea down after you teased her?"

From Chelsea's perspective—unaware of Celia and Abad's relationship—the mention of Abad and Amira getting married was a serious matter.

But Amira replied.

"Even if I said it jokingly, I was also half serious about marrying Abad."

"What?"

'Is she messing with me again?'

Celia initially thought Amira was just playing her usual pranks—but then she saw her cousin's eyes.

There was sincerity in them.

"I'm not like Rhys-oppa or Leo-oppa… or you, Celia-unnie."

Amira said calmly.

"I'm also not like Aunt Reina."

Amira was born with a weak body.

A direct descendant of the Zerdinger family who couldn't wield a sword or stand on the battlefield.

She could neither uphold nor protect the family's honour.

She'd always thought she had no right to choose a partner for herself.

Even now, when the elders were gone and political marriages weren't enforced as heavily, her thinking hadn't changed.

If it were for Zerdinger, she would accept any arranged marriage without complaint.

Even if it meant marrying the man her cousin Celia loved.

"If it's for the family, I'll marry Abad. So please, make your feelings known quickly."

There aren't many instances where individuals can go against their family's will.

Even less so once the arrangement is made official.

For great families, honour and propriety are paramount.

Reina had to give up the Zerdinger name just to defy the family's will.

Even if Celia and Abad were destined to lead the Zerdinger and Lewellin families, it would still be difficult to stop a moving train.

"The party's soon. Oh, and by the way, I said I'd announce my engagement to Abad at the party."

"WHAT?!"

Celia's eyes widened.

Torn by conflict, she finally sprang to her feet.

And rushed out of the room.

"Is she going to Uncle Selde?"

"No. He'd never approve of a marriage to Abad."

Amira shook her head at Leo's question.

"Uncle Selde and the Lewellin head are practically enemies. It's well known. That's why my father always ends up negotiating with Lewellin."

Zeiss acted as Selde's representative when dealing with Lewellin.

That connection had influenced the talk of Amira and Abad's engagement.

"By the way, Miss Amira, are you really going to announce the engagement at the party?"

"Oh, that?"

Amira stuck out her tongue slightly at Niel's question.

"That was a lie."

Her willingness to marry Abad for the family's sake was genuine.

But she had no intention of blindly following that path.

After all, he was the man her beloved cousin loved.

"No one moves faster than when they feel the fire under their feet, right?"

"Then where did Celia go?"

"To Grandpa, of course."

Amira giggled and stood up.

"Shall we head to Grandpa's room?"

"Why?"

"So we can watch Celia act all sweet and cute. Just imagining it is adorable, isn't it?"

Leo stared at Amira, who clasped her cheeks and wore a blissful expression.

"You know, it might actually be a blessing you weren't born with knightly talent."

Her ability to toy with Celia and Chelsea was no joke.

To Leo's comment, Amira just smiled.

bl

"Mm. I've thought of a good idea, Brother."

"What is it?"

"I'll cry in front of Father."

"…What?"

"I'll sob loudly, even wailing."

Chelsea was the adorable youngest daughter who was full of charm—not only to her brother Abad, but also to her father, Chade.

But she had never used that charm to demand what she wanted like a spoiled child.

Her cheerfulness was just her nature.

She had always earned everything strictly through her own efforts.

And now, she stood as a hero, even ahead of her brother Abad, the soon-to-be head of the family.

Chade had no immunity to Chelsea crying and making a fuss.

"What if it doesn't work?"

But Chade was the head of the mighty Lewellin house.

He wasn't someone who would easily change his mind just because his daughter whined.

"Then I'll bawl my eyes out in front of Grandma."

Abad stroked his chin, thinking of their grandmother, the former head of Lewellin, who adored her granddaughter.

Only Chelsea could pull this off.

It might be unbecoming for a hero, but…

Now wasn't the time to care about appearances.

"What if even that fails?"

"…."

Chelsea stared blankly at her brother, who was thinking of worst-case scenarios.

"Then you'll use the ultimate move."

"Ultimate move?"

"Rhys-sunbae's method."

"I could die if something goes wrong."

"That's why it's the last resort."

It's not that she hates Amira.

She's more of a friendly rival.

Still, she refused to accept her as a sister-in-law.

'I'd rather call Celia my sister-in-law!'

With that, the siblings entered the family head's office.

"Oh! Abad, Chelsea! What brings you here? The social party must have you busy!"

As hosts of the party, Abad and Chelsea were expected to greet guests in advance.

Seeing them despite their busy schedule, Chade smiled warmly.

'Such good kids.'

They had never caused trouble growing up.

Chade prided himself on being better than Selde in that regard.

Rhys and Celia were excellent, yes—but Rhys had suddenly brought home a wife and kids, giving Selde a heart attack.

"Father. About my engagement…"

"Hm? What about it?"

"I'm going to marry Celia."

"……"

Chade's mind momentarily froze.

Then he frowned deeply.

"Hm. I must be overworked. What did you say?"

"Brother says he's going to marry Celia."

At Chelsea's words, Chade chuckled.

"Good one."

"I'm not joking."

Abad's serious tone made Chade's eyes twitch.

"No."

"……"

"It's not that I dislike Celia. She's perfect as a daughter-in-law. But she's that guy's daughter. So absolutely not."

"We're already engaged."

Technically, the engagement was conditional on winning a duel—but he chose not to mention that.

BANG!

"What?!"

Chade slammed his desk and pulled out a communication crystal from a drawer.

He poured mana into it.

["What is it, Chade Lewellin?"]

Selde Zerdinger's annoyed voice came through.

Chade shouted furiously.

"SEL-DE ZERDINGER! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO WATCH YOUR DAUGHTER?! SHE SEDUCED MY SON—MMMPH!"

Chelsea quickly covered her father's mouth.

Abad grabbed the crystal.

"Lord Selde, it's Abad Lewellin. My father's not in his right mind. Let me explain."

["Ah, Abad. Your father's clearly overworked. I thought I just heard something absurd? What was it?"]

"Lord Selde, I'm engaged to Celia."

["…What?"]

"I'd like to call you Father-in-law. Please give us your blessing."

["…"]

"Father-in-law?"

There was no response.

Instead, a cheerful woman's voice chimed in.

["Abad? It's Reina. My brother just ran out of the room. I just heard something really interesting."]

"It's true."

["Oh my~ That's wonderful. I support the marriage."]

"SUPPORT?! I ABSOLUTELY FORBID IT!"

Chade shouted as he pushed away his daughter's hand.

Then Reina replied in a pouty voice.

["If the kids want it, what can you and the Lewellin head do to stop them?"]

"As head of the house, I can't allow it! Children born into heroic houses must obey the family's will!"

["Wow, talk about shameless. Weren't you the one who married for love despite the family's objections?"]

Click—

Chade hurriedly ended the call.

Silence fell among the family.

"Anyway! No! Chelsea! How could you let your brother get involved with a Zerdinger girl?!"

Half-mad, Chade irrationally lashed out at Chelsea.

Moments later—

From the Lewellin family head's office came the sound of someone bursting into heartfelt sobs.