The seven families had been relentless. Knight Henton’s flight ended in a desperate struggle, his life snuffed out by the Kleinfelter private militia before he could breach the border.

The fires had been scattered, none of them large enough to threaten the structure of the castle, but the sheer scale of Nauk made the cleanup an ordeal. Embers hid in the shadows, requiring hours of tedious vigilance. [Fermos] "Whew. I think that’s the last of it, My Lord. You should head back inside." It was only as dawn began to bleed into the sky that Fermos dared to nudge Black toward the living quarters. Truthfully, Fermos had wanted to speak up hours ago,

She would have told him the truth. Thud, thud! The words were on the tip of her tongue when a frantic voice shattered the moment. [Tiwakan] "My Lord! Are you there? Forgive the intrusion, but it’s an emergency!" [Black] "..." Black muttered something under his breath—a string of words she couldn't quite catch, though judging by his dark expression, they were likely a choice set of curses. He rose swiftly, his jaw set in irritation. [Black] "Wait here." Clad only in his loose

Madam Flambard held Liene's arm, her face and voice grave with a seriousness that demanded attention. [Madam Flambard] “And I will tell you this, Your Highness, because you have no experience, but it is not good to have physical relations during your monthly cycle. No matter how fierce the temptation to indulge each other’s bodies, you must avoid it. You understand, don’t you?” Liene was so utterly shocked to hear the words “physical relations” spoken so bluntly that she shoo

Liene closed her eyes. That moment was the most fulfilling time for her as well. This vast Nauk Castle, even though she had lived here since childhood, was not really her home. Or rather, if it was a home, it was too empty. Black’s arrival finally filled that void, making it feel like a real home. Her trembling hands clutched his clothes. [Liene] "Is it... alright?" [Black] "It is. If the Princess desires it." [Liene] "Even if I desire it... I am not worthy. I... I still ca

[Liene] “...” [Old Man] “...” Liene received the old man in the Audience Hall. The Audience Chamber were uncomfortable places for an elderly man with leg problems, as there were no chairs for anyone other than royalty. As promised, Black closed the door and left after bringing him. Liene allowed time for the old man to fully absorb the fact that they were alone, slowly observing his one visible eye. ...No injuries or anything. It meant Black had not

[Liene] "Ah, I must have misheard. There’s no need to come in." [Tiwakan] "I will stay by your side, if you wish. This room seems just right for sword practice." The Tiwakan style of speaking, regardless of time or place, always made her smile, and she found it rather inconvenient. She shook her head, a faint smile on her face. [Liene] "I'll call you when I want to watch sword practice." [Tiwakan] "Understood. Please do. I will be on standby right outside." The clatter of th

Creeaaak. The iron door, rusted by humidity, scraped as it was pushed open, setting teeth on edge. Squish. The sound of footsteps was also thick and wet with dampness. The black hair of the figure who entered the room, tilting his head as if the iron door was too narrow, swayed slightly. [Old Man] “.......” The man sitting on the floor slowly lifted his head. Then, his eyes widened in surprise. [Old Man] “.......” He likely felt aggrieved by the fact

Liene found herself alone with Black in the bedroom, where a strange current flowed, making it hard to breathe with every intake of air. [Liene] "......Thank you for your concern. I am fine now, so please leave to attend to your duties." [Black] "Would the Princess do the same?" [Liene] "......." Black took her silent expression as his answer. [Black] "Lie down. I will watch over you from here." After speaking, he pulled a chair from the fireplace, placed it beside the bed, a

She hated how her voice trembled. She wrapped her arms around her own shoulders as she spoke. [Liene] "If you’re so intent on proving your skills, find another way to do it. Show me in a way that allows me to happily look forward to sharing a bed with you.” [Black] "......Is this wrong?” [Liene] "Yes. Because it only makes me feel like you’re toying with me. My heart won’t open like this. Just because my body reacts to your touch doesn’t mean I’m ready. My heart needs to be r

Black had said something similar before. He claimed to know it was a betrothal, yet admitted it might have just been empty words from his late father. [Liene] "If that’s the case, there wouldn't be any record of it in the royal archives, would there?" [Flambard] "I wouldn't know about such things." [Liene] "I should check, just in case." Liene turned around in a flurry. If there were royal records, they would be somewhere in the study. Please. Let there be something left.

She wanted to kiss him. Yet, a sudden wave of shyness held her back. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t initiated it once before. But back then, perhaps her ignorance had given her courage. Now, knowing exactly what a kiss with this man entailed... that knowledge paralyzed her. [Black] "I’m not exactly skilled at this sort of thing." Black spoke as he watched her fingertips hover uncertainly, ghosting over the skin just below his neck. [Liene] "Skilled at... what?" [Black] "This." B

[Lyndon] "Ugh..." The pain did not fade easily. Lyndon, both his wrists broken, could not even rise from the floor. He lay prone, groaning in agony. [Laffit] "Is the pain very bad?" Laffit tried his best to inch closer and spoke to him. [Laffit] "You need treatment right away..." [Lyndon] "Talk sense! There is no way those beasts would do such a thing for us!" Lyndon shouted abruptly. It wasn't just aimless venting. He was furious at his nephew, who had sat motionless while h

[Fermos] "Things will work out easily thanks to the Princess. The mere thought of lifting the hems of those gloomy priests’ robes... Ugh, it was enough to kill my appetite entirely." Since they had found a clue, it was time to move swiftly. Liene began preparations to convene the Grand Council, while Black decided to go to the Temple with Fermos. A group was quickly organized to head there immediately. [Fermos] "Ah, here comes the horse." Mercenaries brought a horse for Fermo

Fermos nodded and began to speak. [Fermos] "Yes, just as I said..." [Liene] "No, before that, I must ask. What happened to your face?" As Fermos stepped closer to answer, Liene was startled. One side of his face was mottled with a deep, dark bruise. When he had dragged Lyndon by the scruff of his neck out of the study, his face had been perfectly fine. [Liene] "Did someone hit you? Who did this?" [Fermos] "Ah, this is..." Fermos stole a quick glance at Black. [Fermos] "I am a

It wasn't just a possibility; it was the truth. Fermos had recounted everything to Black, leaving no detail out, but Black could easily visualize the scene that had transpired in the study. To call it difficult would be an understatement. Liene had inherited the crown at nineteen, barely an adult. To the noble elders of the Grand Council, including Kleinfelter, a nineteen-year-old princess was nothing more than easy prey. She must have had to constantly endure the harassment