Rosaline Diassant was a beauty, rose-red hair, green eyes, a slender waist and a figure that drew the eye.
Her upturned gaze and fine nose suggested intelligence to go with it.
On the afternoon of May 19th, she arrived in Azenka escorted by the mage Nicole Sijuten and twenty royal guards, and was led directly to the Commander's office for a private audience with Yurien.
"It's been a while, Prince Yurien."
"Do not call me Prince, Lady Diassant. My nationality is Azenka, not Kyrie."
"…I understand, Sir Yurien. Do you remember me?"
"I saw you at your sister's and brother-in-law's wedding, so yes. I didn't expect to be meeting you again over an engagement matter."
Yurien leaned against his desk with his arms crossed. His gaze was cold and clipped.
"This is the first I'm hearing that you are my fiancée. Did I even have a fiancée to begin with?"
"Not yet. But there will be an engagement ceremony shortly, so it hardly matters."
"An engagement I was never informed of. How absurd."
"You did receive a message about it?"
"Three days before you arrived."
"Yes, that one."
Rosaline nodded without ceremony and sat down on the sofa without waiting to be invited, she doubted Yurien would offer. She settled her gaze on him.
"So... Will you refuse? You can't, can you, Sir Yurien? You know better than anyone what rejecting this engagement would mean."
"..."
A faint crease formed between Yurien's brows. Rosaline crossed her legs on the sofa and rested her chin in her hand.
"I expected you to accept without much resistance. I'm surprised."
"Do you have no complaints about this engagement?"
"Complaints? Of course I do. But what can I do? It's my duty as a noble. This is a transaction, not a marriage. Still... considering my prospective partner is you, I suppose I'm fortunate. Do you know how many noblewomen are desperately in love with you?"
Yurien closed his eyes, looking exhausted. Rosaline studied his weary face. Even tired, he was captivating.
She watched him as one might study a fine piece of art, then asked after a pause, "What will you do, Sir Yurien? Will you declare this engagement void and raise your sword against your own kin?"
His colorless, jewel-like eyes met hers. Rosaline had the idle thought that if he smiled more easily, the number of lovesick women would double. After a silence, he replied in a rough voice, "I need time."
"I understand. It's not an easy decision. But don't take too long, those who sent me are anxiously waiting."
"…Appreciated."
"For the record, I don't particularly care if you refuse. Honestly, I'd be grateful if you did. I don't have the nerve to do it myself. Though...if you refuse, I will be seeking appropriate compensation."
"Compensation? For what?"
"I'll explain when you make your decision. If you agree to the engagement, it won't come up anyway."
Rosaline tilted her head, tapping her chin casually.
"Not that it'll come to that. You won't be able to refuse in the end. From my perspective, this engagement isn't so terrible, you're the one I'd be marrying, after all. They say the wielder of the Holy Sword cannot act against justice. I doubt you'd make a terrible husband."
"…Enough. Leave, Lady Diassant. The vice-commander will show you to your quarters."
"Yes, yes. Until next time, Your Highness."
She curtsied without hesitation and left. The soft rustling of her dress was the last sound before the door closed.
That sound reminded Yurien of Echinacea Roaz, whom he had seen that morning.
"I would never choose to sacrifice my peace."
He felt as though chains were tightening around his entire body. Yurien looked down at his right palm. The golden sigil of RanGiosa shimmered faintly.
"…I know which choice is better. Even so, my heart refuses to obey…"
The sigil flickered briefly, as if in response.
"A little more time. Until I can let go. Before I lose my mind entirely, I will decide."
He buried his face in his hands. A quiet, pained sound escaped through his fingers.
* * *
"Echi!"
Thanks to Alice bringing dinner to their room, the two of them had been eating together inside. They were into their tea when a familiar voice called out and pushed the door open.
"…So it's not a single-person room."
Nicole Sijuten stood in the doorway, wearing her mage's robe and scratching her cheek. Echi's eyes went wide. She set down her spoon and got to her feet.
"Sister Nicole!"
"Ugh, don't make it such a production. It's embarrassing."
Nicole grumbled even as Echi threw her arms around her. But she hugged back.
"It's been a while, Echi. You look thinner. Wait, you have a fever!"
"I just caught a cold. I'm fine. How have you been, unni?"
"Are you family?" Alice asked as she stacked dishes onto the tray.
Echi nodded. "Basically. Sister Nicole, this is my roommate, Alice Winterbell."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Alice Winterbell."
"Hello. Nicole Sijuten."
The two exchanged slightly awkward greetings. Then Alice picked up the tray.
"I'll leave you two to talk. I have evening training."
"Oh, Alice, you don't have to..."
"I'll be back around ten. Enjoy your time, Echi."
Alice smiled, grabbed her sword, and left. Echi watched her go with a slightly flustered look. Nicole, who had observed the whole exchange, gave her a knowing smirk.
"A friend?"
"…Probably."
"'Probably'? Seriously? I was genuinely worried when I heard you were going to the military academy, but it looks like you're doing all right. Making friends, even."
"Sister, you're talking as though I've never had friends before."
"Those young ladies from before weren't quite close enough to be called friends, were they?"
Echi had nothing to say to that and closed her mouth. The young ladies Nicole was referring to were noble daughters of similar age who held tea parties out of obligation and attended each other's events.
Their relationships weren't bad, but there was always a careful distance. A single misstep could become gossip in high society, and so everyone was careful.
Having lived fifteen additional years, Echi barely remembered any of them.
"But why did you catch a cold? You've lost weight too. Is the swordsmanship training that hard?"
"No, I'm fine. I just pushed myself too hard. I'll recover quickly."
"Alright. I trust you know what you're doing, you're not a child. …The cursed sword?"
Nicole lowered her voice. Echi removed her glove and held out her right palm.
"The same as ever. Don't worry."
"…Good. So no one found out?"
[One person completely did find out. Saw everything. Found out, found out!]
Echi only thought it, and answered aloud calmly. She didn't want to give Nicole more to worry about.
"No one found out. Oh, and I read your telegram, so you came as an escort? The VIP you're accompanying, is it the daughter of House Diassant? She's here for the engagement with Commander Yurien?"
"That's right. Sounds like the rumor has already spread everywhere."
Nicole nodded and pulled her teacup closer. Echi poured for her naturally, something the old Echi would never have thought to do. Nicole noted the change silently, taking a sip.
"Did you volunteer for this escort just to visit Azenka?"
"Yes. The Mage Tower requested a mage, so I put myself forward. But not only to see you."
"Then why?"
Nicole glanced around. She set down her teacup, drew her fingers through the air in a small pattern, and murmured a brief incantation.
Echi felt mana spread from Nicole outward, enveloping the room. Some kind of barrier.
"Sound won't carry out of this room now," Nicole said at Echi's questioning look. She clasped her hands on the table, and the weight in her murky green eyes behind her monocle was plain.
"Echi. Listen carefully. This is important."
"Is it about what you discovered tracing the cursed sword's origin?"
"Yes. But first, the most urgent issue. The engagement between Commander Yurien and the daughter of House Diassant must go through. No matter what. It's the safest outcome for the Roaz family."
"…What do you mean?"
"There are people who want to prevent this engagement, even if it means killing the duke's daughter. That's why I volunteered as escort. Even if the Mage Tower sent a mage, there's no guarantee they aren't part of the opposing faction. And I had things to tell you besides."
Echi stared at her. Nicole gave a wry smile.
"Echi. Aside from His Majesty the Emperor, who are the direct members of the imperial family?"
"Huh? The imperial family, well, there's the Crown Prince, and since Commander Yurien is the Third Prince, there must be a Second Prince as well…"
"What's the Crown Prince's name?"
"Kruen de Harden Kyrie. Right?"
"Correct. And what is he particularly known for?"
"…"
"What's the Second Prince's name?"
"…I don't know."
"No one does. Most people can barely name the other princes at all. But everyone knows Commander Yurien. You could stop a random foreigner on the street and they'd be able to tell you the exact age at which he became a Master."
Nicole's words were indisputable.
The youngest Master in history. The youngest Commander of the Celestial Knights. A prince of the empire. The wielder of the Holy Sword. On top of all that, an appearance and a legend that drew attention wherever his name was spoken.
Nicole leaned in, lowering her voice.
"Everyone only remembers Commander Yurien. They only care about him. The other members of the imperial family are fading because Yurien shines too brightly."