"I know I'm a symbolic figure."

Throughout my childhood I lived with scandals to be recognized as a member of the aristocracy.

Then it turned out that I was a commoner, and after that I became a hero who eradicated dark magic from the Empire.

I won a duel for the Emperor's honor, and as a result, he personally bestowed alcohol.

It was obvious that it would be an incredibly beautiful story to have a relationship with Prince Robert.

"I'm not forgetting the symbolism. Especially in this day and age."

But that didn't mean for me to get on with Robert at all.

It was another matter of my liking for Ian.

It was necessary to clarify this fact.

"My true feelings, for the trajectory of my life, is not marriage."

It was a little embarrassing, but there was still something to say.

I cleared my voice and opened my mouth again.

"And Leslie isn't forced to be pointed at. She's a great person who has the philosophy of eating delicious things instead of having time to pay attention to what others think."

"..."

"I don't think Leslie needs me to be her shield either, for she is the staunchest and most noble woman I have ever known."

I continued in a firm tone.

"I really don't care that my parents are commoners either. On the contrary, I'm even grateful that I don't have the blood of Marquis Abedes."

I heard a noise outside the door and I sighed softly.

I was already aware of the popularity, but my family was eavesdropping on our conversation.

That cry was definitely my father's. It seemed that my family was moved more than necessary.

"Wait a minute."

For a moment, I focused outside the door and noticed a faint sign and breathed in surprise for a moment.

"I guess Leslie is here too!"

Unlike my family, Leslie can easily hide her traces, so I didn't sense her until now.

'I think you must have been really touched.'

It was a little awkward, but I tried to suppress the embarrassment.

"Well, can I end the conversation now? I have an appointment."

"Of course. It's my fault that I didn't notice you in advance."

Maiena got up without a hitch.

"But what can I do..."

Then she wriggled her fingers in a perplexed way.

"What is it? Anything else?"

"In fact, I used to treat the Emperor alone..."

I wondered if the commoner council was this big, so I opened my mouth. I knew the Emperor was in favor of the common people.

"I thought Miss Annabelle and Prince Robert were lovers who were really hesitant because of the gap in status..."

She blinked and sighed.

"...So I made a suggestion in support."

I sighed with the same expression as her after hearing the whole story.

I thought I had to solve it.

~*~

Robert got up early in the morning and was pacing the garden.

Annabelle's note said 'morning', but there was quite a lot of time left until noon.

'And if I go to the Duke of Wade, will Annabelle feel too much pressure?'

To be honest, she said she would enter the palace in the morning, but it was funny that he couldn't stand it and ran to the Duke of Wade in the morning.

'But the pigeon came... I can't wait to tell her.'

It was a note that the plan for the prisoners being escorted from Caronda was as expected. Using it as an excuse, the urge to go to Annabelle quickly arose.

Robert sighed and touched his forehead.

When he thought about it, it wasn't because of the fact that he was following in Carlon's footsteps.

Because he had never been curious about Ian, another person who was scattered with the same mission.

'I'm sorry, Ian.'

Robert thought with a groan.

'Maybe I'm serious about Annabelle, who's been bothering you so much...'

It was then.

A servant rushed in and announced.

"Your Majesty is calling, Prince."

"...Now?"

"Yes."

Robert nervously swallowed. He couldn't help but go in this situation.

Inevitably, he emphasized to his servant several times before going to the Emperor.

"When Annabelle comes, serve the finest cookies and tea and tell her to wait a while. Very politely."

And he hurried on.

His mind was restless as he went to the Emperor.

He was in a hurry even though he stressed to his servants several times that he would come back soon. He was nervous that his steps would be crossed even a little.

"Robert, you're here."

Robert, who almost ran, stood in front of the Emperor, trying to manage his expression.

Then, after exchanging greetings quickly, he immediately said what he guessed first.

"I heard you had a private meeting with the president of the commerner's council a few days ago."

It was inevitable that the royal debt was huge. Now, the president of the common parliament is in a position to meet with the Emperor alone.

"Oh, yes."

The Emperor nodded with a dark look and added.

"So...after a long thought, I'd like to ask you a favor."

"Tell me."

"If you have feelings for Miss Annabelle..."

Robert's eyes grew bigger.

"...What do you think about getting engaged? Marriage is better."

"What?"

"The President of the commoner's council suggested it first."

Said the Emperor calmly.

"I want you to break the custom of not being able to get married because of status."

However, unlike his subdued voice, his expression was subtly heated.

"I'm a little in favor of Annabelle."

Robert felt his heart pounding for a moment.

Annabelle had previously pushed herself out of favor with the throne.

He knew she didn't like him, but...

Still, if she didn't believe in herself that she wanted the throne, maybe he'd give her some credibility and have room to rebuild a relationship.

"No, actually..."

Not knowing what Robert was thinking, the Emperor coughed and continued.

"Honestly, she's a wonderful person. Her recent moves have also guaranteed patriotism."

"If His Majesty wishes..."

Robert tried to keep a straight face and managed to speak peacefully.

"...I'll talk to Miss Annabelle today."

"Today?"

"She'll be in the palace soon."

The Emperor's eyes curled in half-moon shapes.

No wonder, Robert's clothes were more colorful than usual.

"Haha. I had a bet with the Duke of Wade, who had just been to the palace the other night."

"A bet?"

"It's about who gets to see her first... Strangely enough, the Duke of Wade was full of confidence. Is there a girl Ian is dating?"

"As far as I know..."

Robert tilted his head and the Emperor laughed loudly.

"I think I'll win that bet anyway."

The Emperor added with a chuckle.

"Then hurry up and go, since you're meeting Miss Annabelle."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Robert's ears were burning back at his place.

~*~

I was a little distracted after sending Maiana off.

However, to ask the Emperor to accept me as his daughter-in-law, what kind of meddling was this?

"Annabelle."

After Maiena disappeared, it was Leslie who hugged me tightly.

"Thank you for saying that."

She had come in person to thank me for my visit after her leg had healed.

"It would have been a little miserable if you had said that you would be a princess for me. Thank you for acknowledging me as I am."

I hugged Leslie and laughed awkwardly.

If I had known Leslie was out there, I wouldn't have said that.

'I should have said it more splendidly...'

Even Aaron, of course, was applauding.

"I'm touched, sister. You showed your appreciation for our family through the trajectory of life. It was a very noble line."

"Annabelle..."

My father also sobbed.

I was a little embarrassed and laughed half-heartedly. It was awkward because I suddenly felt like I was being recognized inside by Leslie and my family.

"Anyway, I have to go to the palace. Let's talk about the details when I get back!"

Aaron asked me suddenly.

"So is Ian coming back now?"

"What?"

"Ian left for somewhere."

"Oh..."

Aaron didn't know our plan very well. It was because I didn't bother to inform many people.

On the part of Carlon, he was cautious and moving with minimal people. Robert, Ian and I were the only ones who knew everything too.

"Well,"

I answered vaguely.

Ian went to the coast of Banafarim, where the former High Priest was located.

Of course, he wore a magic item ring that he could communicate with Robert right away. So I was going to tell Robert while I was in the palace to summon him to the capital right away.

"I don't know."

The coast of Banafarim and the forest of Smaho were closer than I thought. Therefore, if we went to the forest of Smaho together anyway, we didn't have to come back here.

But there was something that would take place. It was a sword contest.

If I did something wrong, I thought the day of the swordsmanship competition and the showdown would overlap.

No, that was exactly what Carlon was up to.

It was obvious that he would have tried to tie my feet in a sword contest.