“That makes a great deal of sense. It explains why every empire, as well as our own kingdom, is watching His Majesty’s marriage prospects so closely. Some even say the Emperor keeps the Princess at arm’s length because, having no heir of his own, he refuses to grant even the slightest leeway to the second in line to the throne.”
Ryan spoke in full agreement with her reasoning.
Dalia nodded calmly, as if she had anticipated that conclusion all along.
“Lia is remarkably sharp. It may not always seem like it, but she is.”
Annie looked at Dalia, her eyes gleaming with newfound admiration.
“Annie, purely out of affection for our friendship, I’ll overlook the part you left unsaid.”
Dalia teased, drawing a quiet chuckle from Annie.
Ryan cut into their banter, his tone light and amused.
“So you intend to approach those close to His Majesty in order to marry him off?”
“They would know his tastes and preferences better than anyone.”
“There is only one side of his circle that an outsider could access with ease.”
“And where would that be?”
Ryan offered a mild smile before he spoke.
“So this is the training ground.”
Dalia murmured in admiration as she took in the sight before her.
Above the training yard of smooth, square-cut black marble, clusters of silver light floated gently through the air like tiny stars.
“I am told that light is defensive magic meant to keep gravel from flying or weapons from ricocheting during training.”
Annie whispered the explanation, then added,
“The Krizia Empire installed it as a gesture of goodwill.”
“As expected of the Krizia Empire.”
A nation renowned for its prowess in magic.
Along one side of the grounds ran a long, raised terrace where elegantly dressed noble ladies stood beneath parasols, gazing down at the knights below.
“Is it customary for noblewomen to come watch training like this? Do they do the same in our kingdom?”
Dalia strolled slowly toward the terrace.
It offered an exceptional view.
“Our training grounds have no open viewing areas like this. Back home, the ladies usually lurk in the bushes to watch.”
“And how would you know that, Annie?”
Dalia asked with a sly smile.
Annie answered coolly,
“A friend told me.”
“Annie, I am your only friend.”
“It seems we need to step closer if we want a clear view.”
Annie feigned deafness and quickened her pace.
As they drew near the terrace, the low whispers of the noblewomen drifted into earshot.
“Goodness… Did you see Sir Ian’s technique just now? After days of struggling, it seems he has finally mastered it.”
“Indeed. He must be close to manifesting aura.”
“Will Commander Ethan appear today?”
“I have it on good authority from my father. He said the Commander would attend training today.”
“How wonderful! I can hardly wait.”
The impeccably dressed young ladies concealed their faces behind folding fans, murmuring among themselves about the knights. Judging by how well they followed the men’s progress, they clearly visited often.
“Noble ladies truly are something else.”
“We have plenty like them in our kingdom as well. Some even slip away in secret to the knights’ residences.”
“Now that is even more astonishing!”
Dalia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Having lived sheltered away in the detached palace, she had never known such a world existed.
She followed the gaze of the ladies toward the training yard below.
Around thirty knights were engaged in vigorous practice.
“Ah!”
“Hold on a moment!”
Amid the clashing blades and apparatus drills, one sight commanded attention no matter how hard one tried to look away.
In a corner of the yard, several knights had stripped off their upper garments and were pouring water over themselves to cool down.
Droplets glistened against their taut, defined muscles—whether sweat or water, it was impossible to tell.
“Annie, the view here is… truly magnificent.”
The physiques laid out before her were ripped straight from the pages of romance novels.
How had she never known such a wonderful place existed until now?
As Dalia stared with shining eyes, unable to tear her gaze away, Annie snapped open her fan and blocked Dalia’s view.
“Please, Lia, maintain your decorum.”
“If you do that, I won’t be able to see anything in a moment.”
“One must not gawk so openly. Look to the side.”
Dalia glanced over and saw the other ladies watching the knights with only their eyes peeking over the rims of their fans.
“That is how it is done.”
“You certainly seem to know your way around, Annie.”
Dalia flashed a mischievous grin, while Annie fanned herself serenely—though her earlobes were flushed crimson.
‘So… she was looking too.’
Dalia smiled to herself and turned her attention back ahead.
As enjoyable as watching the knights was, she had a different purpose here.
She needed to get close to Commander Ethan of the Imperial Guard and quickly arrange for him to meet a woman who might catch the Emperor’s interest.
At that moment—
“Miss Ander?”
A sharp voice rang out, drawing the gazes of every lady present toward a single spot.
There stood a young woman dressed in a plain brown gown, a stark contrast to the lavish attire around her.
“Good day.”
Miss Ander, a gentle-looking woman with down-turned eyes, gave a slight curtsy in greeting.
“We haven’t seen you in quite some time, yet here you are again? Even though Commander Ethan won’t spare you so much as a glance.”
Miss Sorina, the first to notice her presence, sneered haughtily.
“…I have been rather busy.”
Miss Ander answered, her expression stiff.
Sorina snapped her fan shut in irritation.
“We know. Word has it your circumstances haven’t been well of late, and that you’ve been searching for work. Isn’t that so?”
“Yes… which is why I believe today will be my last visit here.”
Miss Ander said with a faint, weary smile.
“Oh my, you poor thing. Have you found employment? Speaking of which, my younger sister is in need of a private tutor.”
Sorina’s eyes gleamed with malice.
“Oh! Could you introduce me? I can perform the duties of a tutor quite well!”
Miss Ander spoke eagerly, prompting one of the noblewomen beside Sorina to let out a snicker.
“Miss Sorina, do you smell something strange?”
“Indeed… Is that the stench of an old dress? Miss Ander, I am so sorry, but my sister is terribly sensitive to odors. Once you manage to purchase a new gown, I shall introduce you then.”
At Sorina’s mocking words, Miss Ander’s face turned bright red.
Seeing her humiliation, the other ladies concealed their smiles behind their fans and stifled their laughter.
With the blush crawling all the way down the nape of her neck, Miss Ander lowered her eyes, desperate to hide her wounded pride.
Once, she had been one of them, mingling and sharing company in their circle. But ever since her family’s fortunes collapsed, being shunned and ostracized had become routine.
Yet growing used to it did not mean it ceased to hurt.
The ladies’ cruel barbs always cut deep into her heart.
She had gone through great pains to come here today solely because she wanted to see him one last time.
She had never possessed the courage to speak to him, but she had wanted at least to catch a glimpse of him and bid him a quiet farewell in her heart.
It had been a foolish choice.
She never should have come.
Her fingers tightened around the handkerchief embroidered with his initials—the keepsake she had hoped to deliver to him.
As her head sank lower toward the ground—
An unfamiliar voice cut sharply between them.
“A dog’s nose.”
The noblewomen turned around, their expressions filled with bewilderment.
There stood a stunning beauty they had never laid eyes on before, accompanied by another woman with calm features who radiated a chilly aura.
“What did you just say?”
“To pick out scents with such precision is truly remarkable. Just like a dog’s nose.”
The pink-haired beauty remarked, clapping her hands together as if offering genuine praise.
“How dare you call me a dog’s nose?!”
Miss Sorina trembled with rage.
“It was a compliment.”
She turned slightly. “Wouldn’t you agree, Annie?”
“Indeed. Distinguishing dresses by scent alone… is hardly something a human being could achieve.”
The composed woman replied, a faint, sardonic smirk playing on her lips.
“Who on earth are you two?!”
At that, Annie stepped forward and offered a crisp, polite curtsy.
“I am Annie of the Count Herdlan household, from the Wyvern Kingdom. And this lady is Miss Lia Herdlan.”
