Chapter 216

An awkward silence settled over the room. If it weren’t for the faint chirping of birds somewhere outside, it would have felt as if time itself had stopped.

Sero glanced nervously between Jin and Romandro. Ian, the person at the center of it all, remained calm and composed, yet the reactions of the other two were so extreme it was baffling. Romandro cleared his throat and offered a polite apology, regaining his composure.

“Pardon me. I was just taken aback for a moment.”

“Me too, me too—I was surprised as well.”

“No, it’s quite alright.”

At the prince’s apology, Sero bowed his head. Ian, in turn, gracefully set down his teacup. The clinking sound seemed unusually loud in the stillness.

“…You mentioned your younger sister—is she the lady I met at the New Year’s gathering? I believe her name was Alenara?”

“Oh, yes! You remember her.”

“Of course. Like Sir Sero, she was the first lady I spoke with at the palace.”

Ian remembered his sister!

Sero couldn’t hide his excitement at the unexpected turn. Though Alenara was a bit wild, her beauty was undeniable—something to be grateful for. He straightened his collar, trying to maintain his composure.

“Are you aware? Among the nobility, your name, Sir Ian, is being mentioned quite frequently.”

“That’s because you’re at the center of the palace’s storm.”

“No, that’s not it—”

Sero glanced at Ian, who had maintained the same unreadable expression since earlier. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Instead of pressing on, Sero took a large sip of his tea.

‘Aside from his commoner birth, he’s the perfect match for marriage. Handsome, a mage, wealthy… It’s a shame he’s only a viscount, but with His Highness close by, a promotion is only a matter of time.’

At that moment, Jin and Romandro’s eyes met. What now? Jin’s silent question was met with Romandro’s flared nostrils. It’s best to intervene. Jin furrowed his brows again. How? Romandro gave a brief, cryptic signal with his eyes rolled back.

Finally, Jin mustered the courage to raise his hand.

“…Sir Sero, I have a question.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please, ask.”

Sero hurriedly set down his teacup and bowed politely. The prince’s expression hardened with resolve as he spoke firmly.

“Are you aware? Sir Ian has not yet undergone his coming-of-age ceremony. He’s not ready—he must not be!”

“Excuse me…?”

“You’re too young!”

“Ah…”

Sero blinked in stunned silence. It wasn’t really a matter for a ten-year-old prince to argue about, but it was impossible to respond disrespectfully. Clearing his throat, Sero regained his calm.

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand. That is precisely why I proposed an engagement. Among the nobility, it’s common for betrothals to be arranged even from infancy.”

“That may be so, but—”

“Actions speak louder than words. This is the best way to show that Sir Ian supports the Sero family. Even if only for a limited time.”

His plan was to bind Ian to the Sero family name for now. When the contract eventually ended—whenever that might be—the relationship between Ian and his sister would already be accepted in society. By then, the Sero family would have risen to rival even the Hayman clan.

Could there be a more perfect plan? It was entirely Sero’s own fantasy, but not impossible.

“For a limited time?”

“Yes. Until the Hayman family’s influence fades to the desired extent. That would be sufficient. Of course, if I may be candid, I truly wish for us to become family.”

Jin glanced at Romandro as if asking for help. Romandro nervously fiddled with his beard, clearly struggling. He wanted to politely refuse immediately, but lacked a proper excuse.

“Enough of your fretting,” Ian said with a light smile, motioning for Romandro to stop worrying.

“Sir Sero, it is truly an honor. As a brother, I know I cannot easily part with a sister I have raised with love.”

Raised with love? That wild child? Sounds like something out of a fairy tale. Sero hesitated briefly but quickly masked his expression.

“However, I worry that if the contract is broken, Lady Alenara might be heartbroken.”

A marriage based on contract was essentially a business deal between families. Whether it succeeded or failed, gossip would surely spread. Ian feigned concern, subtly expressing his discomfort.

“As a noble, one must accept such things. I’ve heard your parents reside in the capital. If possible, I would like to arrange a small reception.”

“Yes, understood. I will inform my parents and consider it carefully.”

A polite refusal. Though he said he would consider it, Sero sensed Ian’s true answer. But with the upcoming events, it was better to leave room for negotiation than to close the door outright. Besides, he didn’t expect it to be settled in one go.

Placing a hand over his chest, Sero expressed his gratitude.

“With the trust Sir Ian has shown, I will rebuild the Sero family anew.”

The family’s survival was at stake, but this was undoubtedly an opportunity. He accepted the proposal gracefully, bridging the gap between viscount and prince with dignity.

“I look forward to it.”

“I hear the grand assembly will be held soon.”

“That’s right. Once the complaint reaches Hayman, it will begin. They will send attendants to Sero’s estate any day now, so please prepare the necessary documents.”

Ian briefly outlined the upcoming situation and the appropriate responses. Sero’s pen moved swiftly across the paper, as if recording a prophecy.

Jin listened intently, asking Romandro questions when something was unclear, carefully memorizing Ian’s strategies.

“If there’s a chance of armed conflict with Hayman, retreat immediately.”

“Understood.”

“That should be enough for now.”

“Yes. We’ll meet again soon. Let’s end here.”

The sunlight streaming through the ceiling grew deeper as time passed. The sky was a thick, glowing red, like a sea of fire without a single cloud. Jin stared blankly upward until Ian gently tugged at his collar.

“…Your Highness.”

“Ah, yes. Let’s move forward together.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will devote myself fully.”

When Jin extended his hand, Sero took it with both hands and bowed deeply at the waist. Soon after, he was escorted out of the greenhouse by his attendants. Once he was out of sight, Romandro slumped onto the sofa with a relieved sigh.

“Goodness, today feels especially long.”

“Sir Ian, are you really going through with the engagement? If so, I want to meet him first! To see if he’s truly worthy before proceeding!”

Jin clenched his small fist determinedly, and Ian laughed. Romandro wiped his brow with a handkerchief, muttering.

“By the way, Sero, I didn’t expect you to be so ambitious. A political marriage with Sir Ian, huh?”

“Indeed. I was surprised.”

He probably wouldn’t have dared ask Jin himself. After all, Jin was royalty and close to becoming emperor. Sero, a mere viscount, was hardly a match.

But Ian? Though he held the position of Minister of Magic, he was still a commoner-born viscount. He was a worthy contender and the current power behind the throne.

“He seems serious about this.”

Ian glanced between the two men and tilted his head slightly. Honestly, he wasn’t thrilled, but with a few added conditions, it wasn’t a bad offer. Sero would likely accept most terms.

“By the way, Romandro, do you know Lady Alenara?”

“No, I’ve never met her. Why?”

“You seemed quite opposed earlier. So did His Highness.”

Could there be rumors circulating in society? If so, it was best to know. Romandro snorted and exclaimed.

“I don’t know about rumors, but isn’t it a bit much? Someone like you, Ian, should be looking for the perfect woman—talented, diligent, thrifty, with wealth, beauty, and noble lineage. Sero, you’re wasting him!”

Romandro lightly slammed the table in frustration, and Jin nodded vigorously in agreement.

“Exactly. Someone like Sir Ian could even meet foreign royalty.”

“Isn’t that right, Your Highness? You truly are remarkable.”

“I don’t know how good Lady Alenara is, but accepting this proposal on the spot is out of the question.”

“Exactly! Your Highness, I feel relieved! Unless she’s as wonderful as our Viviana, there’s no way I’d let her go. Absolutely not!”

Romandro and Jin were perfectly in sync, voicing their opposition to Sero. It was rare to see a middle-aged man and a child so well aligned. Ian glanced at Xiaoxi standing quietly nearby and nodded.

“You should sit down. The guests have all left.”

“…Yes, Master.”

Even as the attendants brought out refreshments, Romandro and Jin continued loudly voicing their objections to Sero. Unbothered, Ian tapped the table thoughtfully.

“Master?”

“Hm?”

When Xiao Xi asked with concern, Ian faintly smiled and lifted his head. He was recalling his past life as Emperor Ian. His fiancée, whom he had never even seen, had died of illness before she could even walk. After entering the palace, he had been drained from fending off attacks by powerful officials vying to claim the vacant empress seat. He acknowledged that marriage was a political tool, but somehow…

“Xiao Xi, do you wish to marry?”

“…Even if I do, my lord’s permission comes first.”

No matter how fine the clothes or how gracefully she sat, a slave was still a slave. Without the master’s consent, she couldn’t even start a family. At her answer, Ian looked at Romandro as if something had dawned on him.

“Earlier, the officials speculated that Haiman might be funneling funds to foreign powers, didn’t they?”

“That’s right. What good is noble blood? It’s all about building connections for moments like this.”

Though they couldn’t directly intervene in Bariel’s affairs, if Haiman made a strong request, there might be an external response. It would be wise to set up a shield in preparation for that.

Just as Ian was about to give an order, a servant entered through the greenhouse door and delivered a message.

Squeak.

“My lord Ian, a courier from the Karbo Temple has arrived.”

“From Karbo? Let me see.”

The servant placed a small note on a golden tray and held it out. The temple’s official seal was stamped on it. Romandro craned his neck in curiosity, and Jin’s expression grew intrigued at the rare news from his maternal family.

“What does it say?”

“It says the Light of the Oracle has just been sent from Karbo Temple. As requested, the priests who received the oracle at that time are accompanying it…”

“Accompanying it?”

Ian carefully folded the paper and handed it to Jin.

“A few days ago, another oracle was delivered from Karbo. They say they will be sending that message along as well.”

An oracle had been delivered—Jin had never once witnessed such an honor before. His face instinctively tightened. Could it be that this time, too, a curse had been cast upon him?

With caution, Jin unfolded the note.