“Right about now, they’re probably wondering how they haven’t found us yet, considering they closed down the temple where the High Priest resides and turned the estates around the ducal and count houses upside down.”
“They won’t send soldiers to search inside the manor itself… will they? Or drag my family out?”
“That depends on how much patience the ones on high still have. But if they dare cross that line, the other nobles won’t stay quiet. Besides, accusing your house of treason requires proof they simply don't possess.”
Will handed her a cup of water, reassuring Selina as he spoke.
“There are nobles who favor preserving the Dragon Power, so they won't stand by and let His Majesty act recklessly on a whim. Please rest easy.”
“And how long until we reach our destination? What if someone from the Imperial Palace arrived before us?”
Xenos offered a gentle smile to soothe her worries.
“We still have three days of travel ahead of us. And I expect it will take them a long time to even consider the possibility of us being there. That place is only revealed in secret to the heir alone.”
“Right… I had no idea there was even a law stating, ‘A marriage between the wielder of the Dragon Power and their partner is recognized if held in the Dragon Land.’”
“The Second Emperor, who was the heir in his time, enacted that law, and only a select few know of it.”
“The Dragon Land…”
Selina murmured softly, a look of intrigue crossing her face as the truths unraveled before her one by one.
“Originally, that land permitted entry to no one. Only the heir and his partner may set foot inside, which is why the wedding must be held with just the two of you.”
“We won’t know the details until we arrive.”
“And so…”
Selina looked toward Xenos with hesitation.
“What if I’m not the true partner?”
Seeing her hesitate, Xenos smiled with quiet confidence.
“It’s true my nose always tells me you’re my partner, but even if we assume you truly aren’t…”
“Right, I’ll step away for a moment.”
Will discreetly took his leave to grant them privacy, and Xenos drew closer to Selina.
“I will marry you even if I have to resort to any other means.”
“And you won’t search for the real one?”
“I won't.”
“But… didn’t you say you wouldn’t survive unless you married your true Fated Partner?”
‘If I were in his shoes, I would have done everything in my power to find my partner and survive…’
Selina swallowed her words, leaving them unsaid. Yet Xenos answered without the slightest trace of hesitation.
“I will marry you. That will never change. You could say I fell in love with you at first sight, or that this is an instinctual pull between an heir and his partner… neither alters the truth.”
Without realizing it, they were sitting side by side, just as they had by the lake.
Xenos looked deep into her eyes.
“You have become someone I cannot resist. I want you by my side, no matter the cost.”
The warmth in his voice mirrored the depths of his crimson eyes, and Selina’s throat suddenly went dry, though she had just drunk some water.
“Fortunately, young Lord Patel agreed to break off the engagement. At least no one was hurt.”
Selina tossed out the light remark to mask her sheer embarrassment, and Xenos chuckled softly, as if finding her endearing.
“Yes. I believe it was wise of him not to covet what lies beyond his reach. Still, I won’t forgive him for tarnishing your reputation.”
After their conversation by the lake, they felt as though they had grown much closer.
Even so, the sheer intensity of Xenos’s feelings still left Selina feeling flustered.
Yet that night she had hurried to the ducal manor, heard the truth from his lips in earnest, and embarked on this long journey by his side, she had resolved to place her trust in him.
‘I won’t regret my choice.’
Leaning her head more comfortably against his shoulder, she spoke.
“Even if I am your partner… accepting all of this hasn’t been easy. It felt like something so far removed from my life.”
“I understand. And I feel sorry as well… as though I forced you into all of this.”
The moment she heard his words, Selina lifted her head, looking straight at him with firm resolve.
“I’ve been wanting to say this for a while… this isn’t something you should apologize for, Your Grace.”
“My lady…”
“I came on this journey with you because the Imperial family tried to use me as leverage against you. It isn’t your fault, so please don't apologize.”
“Still, if I didn't possess this power… you could have had your wedding wherever you wished, surrounded by the people you love, receiving the congratulations you always dreamed of.”
The wedding she had dreamed of…
Selina wondered quietly to herself.
‘If I told him that I’ve never once dreamed of any particular wedding, what would he say?’
Everyone saw her as the delicate flower of a wealthy family… but the reality was that she had spent her life fighting tooth and nail so nothing would be stripped away from her.
‘Even this decision… was solely to protect what is mine.’
She had refused to be dragged off to the Imperial family, having their trading firm stolen and living a life mortgaged to an uncertain future.
“It might sound strange, but I simply never harbored any illusions about marriage. I have other goals I’m striving toward.”
Selina said this with a faint smile.
“So please, don't feel sorry for me. This was my choice, too. I chose not to walk into the Imperial Palace, and I chose to pour my efforts into the future I desire alongside you, Your Grace.”
Xenos took Selina’s hand in a firm grasp.
“Tell me whatever you need. Anything for you… I will make it happen.”
Selina drew steady reassurance from the strength of his hand entwined with hers, and a radiant smile graced her lips.
“Luce… I didn’t expect you to come here in person.”
Count Arsene said this as he looked upon Luce, who had managed to enter the manor despite the surrounding cordon.
“And what if I were carrying a contagious disease? You’re a man who stands by His Majesty’s side every day!”
“I came on an imperial order.”
“An imperial order… Yes, I figured you would get in that way. Today is the eighth day, after all.”
Luce asked calmly,
“Do you truly have no word of your daughter?”
“With all the commotion you people are making… do you really think I’d tell you even if I did?”
Luce sighed, watching the Count drop the pretense of illness and pour them both a drink.
“I knew it… You have nothing left in this world but Selina, and you’ll protect her by any means necessary.”
“Yes, and you know why I’m doing this better than anyone.”
Their glasses clinked, and they took a sip before Luce spoke cautiously.
“His Majesty wants you to come to the palace.”
“He wants me to become a willing hostage?”
“If you stay here, I can’t guarantee your life. His Majesty is waiting to see your loyalty proved once more. You know this well.”
“I know… Things have reached a point where I have nothing left to say.”
Luce’s eyes wavered as he asked,
“Don’t tell me you truly intend to turn your back on His Majesty?”
Count Arsene let out a heavy sigh.
“Who is my daughter’s fiancé? It’s Duke Eustia. From now on, His Majesty will never trust me again.”
“Why did you choose someone like that for her in the first place? You should have just married her off to the Patel family!”
“If His Majesty hadn’t acted as though he wanted to marry Selina off by tomorrow morning, I would have found another family. But he behaved as if he wanted her for a very particular reason… Do you know nothing about that?”
‘Because your daughter is the true Fated Partner…’
Unable to speak the words, Luce merely shook his head.
“Fleeing the Imperial family to run to the Duke… do you honestly think that Dragon Power of his will be enough to protect your daughter? I don’t think so. I’ve told you time and again that its power is grossly overstated!”
“For seventeen full years, he showed no interest in her… and suddenly His Majesty starts demanding my daughter? There must be a reason. If there isn’t, then I have nothing more to say. I must simply present His Majesty with a clear reason that prevents him from taking her away.”
“Siding with the Duke is the wrong choice!”
Outside the room, Flora had been eavesdropping; she gasped involuntarily, then hurried away in absolute silence.
