VOLUME 15: CHAPTER 30

VOLUME 15: CHAPTER 30

[Capital of the Kingdom of Thornforge]

“Damn it. I shouldn’t have let her go back then!”

Pacing back and forth in his room, the Second Prince couldn’t contain his uneasiness after hearing that the King of Lukas had just arrived in the capital.

“When is she coming back? Surely, she isn’t going to stay in the village for several days again… right?”

The Second Prince’s stomach churned. He could easily see his sister doing exactly that.

Although the purpose of King Lark’s visit was probably about the Coalition, the topic regarding their father’s proposal would come up eventually. At that time, he didn’t know what their father would do to them once he found out that Princess Vivienne was missing.

As the head of the patrol guards, how could he explain to his father that he had allowed his little sister to leave the capital unannounced?

He couldn’t possibly reveal that she was the Saintess — that she had been going around villages helping the poor and the sick, especially those ravaged by the bandits.

Had he known this would happen, he would have done everything in his power to prevent his little sister from going to Dried Leaf Village!

“Shit! Shit!”

Due to the tacit agreement between the kingdom and the bandits, the princes had been living relatively peaceful lives these past several decades.

Although the small villages had suffered annual raids, the larger settlements under the direct jurisdiction of the kingdom remained untouched.

The merchants and bandits had also long established a set of “rules and regulations” regarding toll fees, allowing goods to travel between territories peacefully.

Everything had been flowing smoothly until now…

Until that damn Lukasian decided to come here unannounced.

This was probably the first time the Second Prince had experienced this much pressure since becoming the head of the patrol.

“Urgh! When is she coming back?!”

He wasn’t afraid of offending the King of Lukas. That outsider’s territory lay far from their own.

War was costly, and no sane ruler would march an army across distant lands just to teach a mere prince a lesson over something trivial.

With their massive fertile fields, Thornforge was self-sustaining. Even if the relationship between the two countries turned sour because of this mishap, it wouldn’t affect their territory in the least.

What he feared most was his father’s reaction.

Although King Gram was a doting father, he was unusually strict and unforgiving when it came to matters concerning the state.

The mere thought of being hanged upside down again as punishment — without food or water for three days — sent shivers down the Second Prince’s spine.

He might even be forced to step down as the head of the patrol guards, stripped of his power and authority.

Others might believe that the Second Prince was merely overthinking things, but he knew all too well how unexpectedly radical his father could be.

Based on his recent conversations with his father, it was apparent that King Gram looked up to Lark Marcus and his achievements as the head of the Coalition.

His father had often spoken about how remarkable it was that someone so young had managed to gain the Emperor’s cooperation and approval.

Honestly, the Second Prince couldn’t understand why his father kept putting that outsider on a pedestal.

“Hmph! What’s so amazing about that, anyway?”

Although the Second Prince couldn’t fathom how someone so young could accomplish so much in just a few years, he would never openly admit it.

The Second Prince called out to the man standing guard outside.

“Tidor.”

“Your Highness.”

“What is our visitor doing now? I’m sure Father already heard the news of his arrival.”

“King Lark Marcus is currently resting in the villa, Your Highness. I heard from our men that His Majesty, King Gram, is already on his way to meet him. This humble servant suggests that you prepare yourself soon, in case His Majesty calls for you.”

The Second Prince inwardly clicked his tongue in frustration.

He didn’t mind going, but he dreaded that inevitable moment when their father would start asking where the princess was.

Their father truly wanted to pair Lark Marcus with their little sister, and that topic would eventually come up during the meeting.

True to the servant’s words, a messenger soon arrived, asking the Second Prince to come to the villa where Lark was staying.

According to the messenger, all of King Gram’s children were required to attend the meeting.

“Damn it.”

His head throbbing, the Second Prince dallied for almost half an hour before donning his formal clothes and leaving the palace.

He couldn’t understand why they were going to the villa instead of meeting Lark Marcus in the throne room.

With this arrangement, it felt as though King Gram was openly bowing his head to that outsider.

Shouldn’t Lark come to them instead of the other way around? He was the visitor, after all.

Why did he have to wait in his villa like some important person while the King of Thornforge and his children came to him?

The Second Prince swallowed all his complaints as he rode in his carriage. Escorted by several guards, he went to the villa north of the royal palace.

Upon arriving, he saw the carriages of his brothers already parked nearby. It seemed he was the last to arrive.

The Second Prince sighed and entered the villa.

“You’re finally here,” said King Gram disapprovingly. “What took you so long?”

There were seven people already inside the sitting room of the villa:
King Gram, the First Prince, the Third Prince, their visitor — Lark Marcus — two guards, and one maidservant.

The guards and the maidservant stood silently near the wall, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible.

King Gram and Lark Marcus sat on couches facing each other. Standing behind King Gram were the First and Third Prince.

“King Lark, my apologies,” said King Gram.

The Second Prince nearly frowned. He didn’t like how easily his father apologized.

“That fool over there is my son, Dorian. He’s the Second Prince and Chief Warden of the kingdom.”

Lark smiled amicably at the Second Prince. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I am Lark Marcus, the regent king of Lukas.”

“Regent? You mean it’s temporary?” the Second Prince couldn’t help but ask.

“Dorian!” roared King Gram. “Another word and I’ll personally slap your teeth out of your mouth!”

The King was unnecessarily strict when it came to matters like this.

The Second Prince hung his head in defeat and muttered an apology. “I apologize. I… didn’t mean to say it disrespectfully, King Lark.”

Lark shook his head. “It’s alright. It’s true that it’s temporary.”

King Gram looked at him in shock. “…What do you mean?”

“After some time, I plan on giving back the position to His Majesty, King Alvis,” said Lark. “I’m not really interested in ruling over a kingdom.”

King Gram fell silent at that shocking declaration.

Lark could see the man silently calculating something in his mind.
Eventually, King Gram said, “I see.”

He seemed curious about Lark’s reason but didn’t ask further. Judging by how his treatment of Lark didn’t change despite learning that his rule was temporary, King Gram must have reached a favorable conclusion in that brief silence.

“Since everyone is here, shall we proceed to the subject of council?” said Lark.

Because of the Second Prince’s delay, the two kings had already finished the trivial formalities. Now, only the main agenda of the meeting remained.

King Gram wordlessly asked the Second Prince where his little sister was. Seeing that the Second Prince also had no idea, King Gram could only swallow the curses that nearly escaped his mouth.

Although Princess Vivienne wasn’t present, King Gram decided to proceed with the discussion.

“Of course,” said King Gram. “So, have you thought about it? The proposal regarding marrying my daughter as the condition for our kingdom to join the Coalition.”

As though afraid of hearing Lark’s reply, King Gram quickly added, “Your Majesty, history has taught us that alliances forged with words are brittle. Only an alliance created through a matrimonial bond can endure the test of time. Only a pact forged with blood and kin can last through generations.”

Lark disagreed with that statement, but he didn’t feel the need to voice it. Instead, he said, “I understand Your Majesty’s worries and stance.”

“Then—!”

“—But I respectfully decline,” said Lark.

Hearing those words, veins popped on the Second Prince’s forehead.

His sister was more beautiful and kinder than anyone else in the world!

How dare this bastard refuse when her hand was already being offered to him on a platter by their father!

Of course, the Second Prince didn’t dare interrupt their conversation. He remained standing behind King Gram, reining in his emotions.

“Decline? King Lark, maybe it’s because you haven’t seen my daughter yet,” said King Gram. “But I assure you, she’s the most beautiful woman in this world.”

Being a father probably played a part, but it seemed King Gram genuinely believed what he said.

“Your Majesty,” said Lark. “I don’t plan on marrying someone I hardly know. People may think my views are outdated, but I believe one should marry only out of love.”

King Gram nodded in understanding. “Hmm… Love, of course.”

He had experienced it firsthand — love so abundant it overflowed.

Although known as a monster who treated the members of his harem as mere playthings, he had truly loved the late Queen.

“If you can stay in the capital for another day or two,” said King Gram, “I’ll make sure to bring my daughter to you. Please meet her and see if she’s to your liking. Just one meeting, one date with my daughter. I won’t ask for more than that. If your decision remains the same even after meeting her, I won’t pursue the matter further. You can at least grant me that, can’t you, King Lark?”

King Gram was quite crafty despite his appearance.

When phrased that way, Lark had no room to refuse.

Although King Gram showed deference to him as a fellow king, he had his pride, too. Lark didn’t want to wound that pride unnecessarily, lest it create a rift between their kingdoms. Waiting another day or two in Thornforge — he could do that.

“Alright,” said Lark. “I’ll stay in the capital for two more days, Your Majesty. I look forward to meeting Princess Vivienne during that time.”

King Gram’s face visibly brightened.

“Of course! Rest assured, we’ll take care of all your needs and accommodations.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Lark, smiling.

Shortly after the meeting ended, King Gram ordered his men to search for the princess’s whereabouts.

And as expected, the Second Prince, who served as Chief Warden, didn’t escape his father’s punishment.

***

Two days quickly passed.

To King Gram’s dismay, they failed to find Princess Vivienne no matter how hard they searched.

His foolish son, Dorian, seemed to have an idea where she went, but for some strange reason, he refused to talk — even after being hanged upside down as punishment.

King Gram was about to give up on the marriage when good news reached his ears.

“You’ve found my daughter?” said King Gram.

Finally, the princess’s whereabouts had been discovered.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” said the Deputy Warden of the patrol. “She’s currently on her way to the capital. By our estimate, she’ll arrive in about three hours.”

King Gram heaved a sigh of relief.

At least King Lark didn’t wait for nothing.

King Gram couldn’t explain it, but his intuition kept telling him to tie that young man to their kingdom through marriage.

“But Your Majesty…” The Deputy Warden’s voice trailed off.

“What is it?”

“The princess’s caravan seems to have been attacked on the way. According to our scouts, their carriages were riddled with arrows, and several guards escorting her were injured. Some even lost their limbs.”

Hearing this, King Gram flew into a rage.

He was trying to pair her with the King of Lukas, that was true — but that didn’t mean he didn’t care about his only daughter.

King Gram’s hair and beard began floating in the air as a torrent of mana spiraled out of his body. The windows cracked and shattered, and the ground quaked from the overflowing mana.

“Who?” growled King Gram. “Who’s the bastard who dared to hurt my precious daughter?”

The Deputy Warden almost cowered. “W-We don’t know yet, Your Majesty.”

“Then what are you doing?! Quickly investigate it!” roared the king.

“Y-Yes! Right away!”

The Deputy Warden saluted and left the room. Shortly afterward, King Gram spoke to the now-empty chamber.

“Mobilize the Flowing Shadow. I want you to investigate everything about this incident. That daughter of mine probably went out again in the guise of the Saintess.”

“Understood. And if the Eye Collector Clan or the Phantom Castle is involved?”

“It doesn’t matter. We’ve already given them enough concessions by allowing them to prey on small villages. But if they’re behind the attack on my daughter, I’ll make sure they suffer the consequences of their foolishness.”

“The Shadows shall move according to your command.”

King Gram felt the assassin stationed nearby vanish, leaving only the four guards standing in the hall outside.

“My precious daughter,” King Gram muttered.

Unbeknownst to the Second Prince and the Princess, their father had long known that she was the Saintess.

It was King Gram’s machinations that led to the Saintess being “captured” by the patrol back then, allowing the Second Prince to learn his sister’s secret identity.

It had been King Gram’s way of ensuring her safety.

“Did I make a mistake? Is entrusting her to Dorian not enough to keep her safe?”

King Gram rubbed his brows.

According to his information network, everything King Lark had told them about the demons was true.

This continent would soon undergo great turbulence — chaos so vast it would engulf nations.

The real reason he was so adamant about marrying his daughter to King Lark was to ensure her safety in the wars to come.

The portals to the Demon Realm had opened in the United Grakas Alliance and the Empire before, but that didn’t guarantee they would open in the same locations again.

Even the Great Empire’s capital had nearly fallen overnight under the demons’ assault.

Had it not been for the Kingdom of Lukas’s timely assistance, the Empire — with its vast history — would have been wiped from the map.

In the event that portals opened again, the safest place in this world was not the Great Empire, but the Kingdom of Lukas ruled by King Lark.

Wherever Lark Marcus resided was the only true haven on this continent.

King Gram’s intuition, which had never failed him before, was telling him that chaos would soon befall this land.

It was a strange, gnawing dread that kept him awake each night.

Maybe it would take months, perhaps years — but it would definitely happen.

“Vivienne,” whispered King Gram. “For your sake… please… I hope you succeed in this marriage.”

Truth be told, King Gram planned to join the Coalition even if King Lark refused the marriage.

But as a monarch trained from a young age in royal diplomacy, King Gram knew he couldn’t simply accept the Coalition’s offer outright.

The art of negotiation wasn’t just about winning or compromising — it was about creating perceived value. Both sides had to walk away believing they had gained something.

At the very least, he needed to appear to have made concessions in the deal.

Hours later, Princess Vivienne finally returned to the capital.

Immediately, King Gram summoned her to the royal palace.