Chapter 4
At the word “oath,” Kaiden flinched.
The first Duke of Crencia was a dragon, and his descendants were born with superhuman strength.
Among all the family heads, Kaiden had inherited the dragon’s blood most strongly.
His robust physique and surging aura were clear evidence of this.
For someone like him, the mention of an “oath” as a contract could not be taken lightly.
The oath.
A contract where the other party pledges their life to wield the dragon’s power was, in truth, little more than a game for the dragon.
The first Emperor Mernie made a pact with the dragon Crencia, gaining wealth and honor.
The reason Crencia, who belonged to no one, became a vassal of the emperor was also due to this oath.
This pact had continued, making the Crencia ducal family the sword that protects the Mernie Empire.
[Crencia stands with Mernie.]
When Reina brought up the oath, which had only been mentioned as a formality until now, Kayden sat back down.
It was because he judged that the reason this woman had come was not simple.
“Are you making this proposal knowing what it means?”
Reina, inwardly relieved, spoke calmly.
It was fortunate that he didn’t just walk away.
“I know. If I break it, my heart will stop, won’t it?”
The oath did not bind only Crencia.
Mernie offered their heart as the price for borrowing Crencia’s power.
The moment they betrayed, their heart would cease.
It was a heart that had already stopped once anyway.
Reina wanted to make a different choice from her past life.
She didn’t want a life dragged along by fate but one she could truly live.
To do that, she had to leave before her birthday arrived.
The emperor had judged that Reina, who had been sickly since childhood, would be weak.
He probably didn’t even know he had a daughter named Reina among his many children.
So, she had to leave before the emperor took an interest in her.
“Knowing that, why are you making such a proposal to me?”
“Because I’m desperate.”
Reina continued, clutching her trembling hands.
“And because you’ll need me too.”
“Me?”
Kaiden asked back, as if he found it absurd.
The woman before him didn’t seem like someone he’d need; rather, she looked fragile, like someone who needed protection.
Her outrageous words were ridiculous, but considering his earlier rudeness, he held back and waited.
“Well, I don’t think I particularly need you, Princess.”
His tone was almost mocking.
Reina, expecting he wouldn’t believe her, wasn’t too shaken.
How many people would believe a princess they’d just met claiming they’d need her?
Steeling her trembling heart, Reina spoke.
“A Class 1 restricted beast.”
“What?”
“I’ll take care of it for you.”
When Reina mentioned the beast, Kayden’s expression turned noticeably serious.
The reason he was hurrying to the North was precisely because of a Class 1 restricted beast.
Once every hundred years, a Class 1 restricted beast appeared in the North.
The reason for its appearance was unknown, but the likelihood was highest this year, based on the cycle.
And every time it appeared, countless people in the North died.
Thus, he couldn’t dismiss Reina’s words lightly.
Kaiden asked with a skeptical look, “Just how do you plan to take care of it?”
Meanwhile, Reina inwardly cheered as Kaiden showed interest.
As expected, this was the most effective way to persuade him.
For the next ten years, Class 1 restricted beasts would frequently appear in the North.
In her past life, due to the imperial family’s interference, Crencia couldn’t respond in time, and ten years later, half of their territory became a land of death.
She knew all the locations where the Class 1 restricted beasts would appear.
If she could prevent this in advance, she could stop the North’s strength from weakening.
Kaiden Crencia would never be able to refuse her proposal.
With a resolute expression, Reina said,
“I know what divine beast’s power will manifest in me on my coming birthday. Even now, I can use that power to a limited extent.”
At the mention of “power,” the room grew tense.
It was such a grave matter that Kaiden also lowered his voice.
“…Is that even possible?”
Of course, it wasn’t.
But apart from the imperial family, no one knew the details of a divine beast’s power.
So, Reina lied with a straight face.
“Of course. With that power, I can pinpoint the locations where the Class 1 restricted beasts will appear. Does that spark your interest in my proposal?”
Kaiden seemed to sink into thought for a moment before muttering softly,
“I thought it was forbidden to speak of such powers to anyone outside the imperial family.”
“That’s why I’m asking if we can speak alone. My life is on the line too.”
Reina glanced at Ben.
To be honest, she couldn’t trust anyone but Kaiden.
Kaiden, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to hear her out, ordered Ben, “Leave us.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Ben reluctantly bowed and left.
Finally alone, Reina took a deep breath.
Now that it was just the two of them, she felt nervous.
Meanwhile, Kaiden keenly observed Reina’s expression.
Her cheeks, flushed with tension, contrasted with her earlier boldness.
‘Was she always like this?’
In the past, when they’d met, she could barely meet his eyes.
Now, she stared so intently, as if trying to memorize everything she saw, that it was almost embarrassing.
Well, she must have the blood of the imperial family, after all.
With his arms crossed, Kaiden spoke calmly,
“Alright, tell me. How exactly do you plan to find the beasts’ locations?”
☆☆☆
Kaiden watched through the window as the carriage carrying Reina moved away.
Contrary to his expectations, Reina Eve Mernie’s proposal was bold.
He’d thought she was just frail, but recalling how she calmly voiced her opinions in front of him, she was quite resolute.
At that moment, Ben returned to the study after seeing Reina off.
Kaiden turned and said, “Look into Princess Reina.”
“How far should I dig?”
“Everything you can find.”
Ben bowed, accepting the order.
Instead of leaving, he subtly asked, “It seems you enjoyed the conversation quite a bit.”
“Hm?”
“You were smiling.”
“Was I?”
Kaiden touched the corner of his mouth, blinking.
“If you’re suspicious, you can investigate me.”
“I was already planning to.”
“Well, that’s a relief then.”
Perhaps it was the lingering image of her awkwardly fidgeting with her hair.
Kaiden slumped into his chair and said,
“I might have to meet the emperor soon.”
The sudden shift in topic made Ben wave his hands in protest.
“What? No, you can’t!”
“Why not?”
“You’re not seriously considering accepting her proposal, are you? This is clearly the emperor’s scheme. Going there won’t benefit you.”
“She wasn’t sent by the emperor.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Call it a gut feeling.”
“Is that gut feeling something only you get?”
Ben muttered, pursing his lips, and Kaiden shot him a glare.
Ben lowered his gaze and mumbled,
“His Majesty is already meddling with Your Grace’s marriage. Why would you walk into that den? …Wait! Are you planning to confront the emperor? If so, please accept my resignation first.”
“Nonsense.”
Kaiden brushed off Ben’s words.
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By Anna 💓
