On the day the Emperor's brothers were scheduled to arrive, the palace woke before dawn.
Servants hurried through the corridors.
Guards polished their armor.
Maids carried trays of fabrics, perfumes, and jewelry.
The entire palace was filled with preparation.
And nowhere was the activity more intense than in Keyla's room.
That morning, maids flooded the chamber like a small army.
Fredda and Aldera stared in confusion as they were surrounded.
Keyla simply sighed.
"Relax," she told them calmly. "They won't leave until they've turned us into decorations."
The maids giggled nervously but continued their work.
The three women were dressed according to Keyla's personal request.
Golden leather trousers were fitted to their legs.
Their knee-high strapped boots shone under the morning light.
Then came the golden leather coats.
The coats hugged their figures tightly across the torso before extending downward below their knees.
Belted straps fastened across their chests, securing the upper half.
Below the waist, the coats separated like an open dress, allowing free movement while still maintaining an elegant appearance.
It was noble attire.
But it was also practical for warriors.
Their hair was styled into intricate princess updos, coiled and pinned with delicate gold ornaments.
However, none of them wore crowns.
Keyla had refused.
"Crowns get in the way if someone tries to stab you," she had bluntly told the maids.
Fredda and Aldera had simply nodded.
When the preparations were finished, the three women stood side by side before the mirror.
They looked… regal.
And dangerous.
---
Earlier that morning, the Emperor had issued another command.
Fredda and Aldera were now permitted to join the royal family for meals.
It was a privilege rarely granted to outsiders.
When Keyla heard the news, she simply shrugged.
"Good," she said. "Now we won't have to eat alone."
---
The three women walked slowly toward the dining hall.
Inside, the usual dining table had been replaced.
A massive banquet table now stretched across the hall.
The Emperor and Empress were already seated.
The princes sat nearby.
General Don and his wife had also arrived early.
Everyone was present.
Except the three ladies.
When Keyla, Fredda, and Aldera finally entered, all eyes turned toward them.
For a moment the hall went quiet.
Even the Emperor raised his brows slightly in approval.
"Ah," he said warmly. "There they are."
He gestured for them to sit.
Keyla was guided to the seat beside Crown Prince Eric.
Fredda was seated beside Fourth Prince Lahan.
Aldera was placed beside Second Prince Damis.
The three women froze.
Their expressions made it obvious that something was wrong.
Eric looked just as confused.
Lahan blinked.
Damis nearly dropped his cup.
The Emperor noticed their stunned faces and chuckled.
"You see, my dear young ladies," he began calmly, "this will be your seating arrangement from now on."
He paused.
"Because the men beside you are your fiancés."
For several seconds the entire table was silent.
Then six voices shouted at once.
"WHAT?!"
The princes and the women all looked at each other.
Then at the Emperor.
Then at General Don.
Then back at each other.
General Don's face was blooming like a field of flowers from how widely he was smiling.
The princes were not exactly unhappy.
But being ambushed with an announcement like this was still shocking.
Only a few days ago they had simply had crushes.
Now suddenly—
Marriage?
Instinctively, Eric and Keyla both turned toward their fathers.
"Father, I protest!"
They spoke at the exact same moment.
Then they looked at each other.
Snorted.
And turned away.
The Emperor only smiled wider.
"Oh, my dear children," he said cheerfully.
"You see, my wonderful brother and I made this decision two nights ago."
"In fact, I drafted an Imperial Decree for this purpose."
He tapped the table lightly.
"So you have no choice."
Then he turned toward the eldest prince.
"By the way, Sage, my one obedient son…"
"A decree was delivered yesterday morning to Baron Keen."
"I believe he and his daughter should be arriving any moment."
Sage smiled politely.
"Thank you very much, Father."
At that moment the other three princes slowly turned their heads toward him.
Their expressions clearly said one thing.
You betrayed us.
Sage simply continued eating calmly.
---
A while later, near the end of breakfast, the Royal Steward entered the hall.
He bowed.
"Your Majesty, Baron Keen requests an audience."
"Let them enter," the Emperor said.
Moments later a middle-aged man walked into the hall.
His build was rugged.
His posture straight.
This was clearly a man who had spent many years on battlefields.
A man who had likely earned his noble title through merit.
Behind him walked a young woman.
Her hair was a striking wine-red color.
She wore a beautiful blue noble gown.
The Baron bowed deeply.
"A blessed morning, Your Majesty."
"Forgive my tardiness in responding to your decree."
He gently gestured behind him.
"This is my daughter."
"Quickly greet them, dear."
The young woman stepped forward nervously.
"Good morning, Your Majesties."
"My name is Lindsay Keen Ahim."
"It is an honor to meet you."
Everyone smiled politely and returned her greeting.
But Lindsay's heart was pounding wildly.
To her, the Royal Family had always been an untouchable existence.
Now suddenly she was sitting in the palace.
And she had been told she would be living here for several months.
She felt overwhelmed.
After exchanging a few pleasantries and receiving instructions from the Emperor, the Baron excused himself and left.
Lindsay was then seated beside Prince Sage.
As breakfast continued, she kept sneaking curious glances toward the three women dressed identically.
Sage noticed.
He smiled gently.
"They are the fiancées of my brothers," he explained.
"And the one with black hair is my cousin."
"The Crown Prince's fiancée."
Lindsay nodded quietly.
"I see…"
---
After breakfast ended—
Three princes fled the dining hall like mice escaping a cat.
Eric.
Lahan.
Damis.
They grabbed their eldest brother and dragged him away toward Damis's chambers.
Once the door closed behind them—
Lahan exploded.
"Big brother! How could you do this to us?!"
Sage blinked calmly.
"How could I?"
"You're the one who said you were planning to speak with Father about your feelings."
"I simply removed the stress for you."
He folded his arms.
"And Second Uncle was there too."
"They were both extremely happy."
"They kept laughing."
"Why? I don't know."
"They asked me to leave afterward."
"Then yesterday the girls received noble titles."
"And this morning you all received fiancées."
He smiled.
"You should be thanking me."
Eric groaned.
"Thank you?!"
"Oh, I'll thank you alright."
"When Keyla cuts off my head, I'll remember to thank you first."
He rubbed his jaw.
"You saw how she beat me up the other day!"
Sage shrugged.
"That's nothing."
"Just don't kiss her before the wedding."
---
Meanwhile, downstairs—
Three women stood at the base of the stairs.
Waiting.
Keyla's eyes burned with fire as she stared at Damis's door.
Fredda and Aldera stood quietly beside her.
Then another voice approached.
"Hello… Your Graces."
They turned.
It was Lindsay.
She bowed politely.
"My name is Lindsay."
"I'm the fiancée of the First Prince."
"May I know your names?"
Keyla's stern expression softened immediately.
She smiled.
"I'm Keyla Aragon."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Fredda nodded.
"I'm Fredda Conrad."
"Nice to meet you, Your Grace."
Aldera bowed slightly.
"I'm Aldera Eluna."
"Nice to meet you."
They began chatting casually.
Then—
CREEEEAK
The door upstairs opened.
Four men walked out laughing.
Then they froze.
The women were standing directly below the staircase.
Sage immediately stepped forward.
He walked downstairs and gently escorted Lindsay away.
As he passed his brothers he raised both hands.
"Good luck."
Then he left.
The remaining three princes slowly descended the stairs.
Step.
Step.
Step.
They stopped before the women.
Then each prince bowed.
"My Lady."
Fredda and Aldera blushed instantly.
The tension in the princes' shoulders eased immediately.
"Would you care for a walk?" Lahan asked hopefully.
Fredda hesitated.
Aldera hesitated.
Then both women turned to look behind them.
Keyla and Eric were staring at each other again.
Another silent standoff.
Finally Eric sighed.
"Could you stop glaring at me every five seconds?"
"You can't blame me for this."
"Our fathers made the decision."
"It has nothing to do with me."
Keyla crossed her arms.
"Really?"
"And I'm supposed to believe that?"
Eric shrugged.
"Believe whatever you want."
"That's your problem."
"But I'm innocent."
"Hmph."
Keyla studied him for a moment.
Then she sighed.
"Fine."
"I believe you."
She turned.
"Let's walk."
Eric smiled slightly and gestured forward.
"Ladies first."