Sigren’s face was full of a cynical smile. Wherever people exist, whether they were aristocrats or commoners, people would always take advantage of being their own ground to act as a lord to the newcomer. Of course, there was no one openly opposed to Sigren as he was now recognized as the official prince by the Emperor. But, they were subtly disrespectful. They created a bizarre atmosphere by having a small attitude like ignoring him. Among the maids and servants, some felt they were big enough to participate in the ‘lord’ occupation. Sigren did not care about those servants. However, the knights assigned as escort knights to Sigren’s palace were different. They were from noble families. What did this mean? It meant it was necessary to sort things out.

“One more.” Sigren spoke firmly while standing in the royal palace’s gymnasium

‘A monster.’

The knights scattered around, forgot to mask their expression, and groaned.

Sigren smirked as he saw his escort knights stretching out in the gymnasium.

“What? Is that it?”

The ridicule made the knights’ faces turn red. They didn’t like Sigren, but they did their best to fight him. However, it was also true that they underestimated how strong the twenty-year-old prince would be. Because the result of their battle was a crushing defeat. None of the knights succeeded in scratching Sigren’s body. Unlike the tired knights, Sigren still looked physically relaxed.

“So you protect someone like this.”

Sigren knew how to stand above these ‘lords’. A hundred words were of no use to them. Rather, it was more effective to show an overwhelming difference in power.

“Get up quickly. If you guys are like this, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully.”

The knights’ role was to guard his room. That meant he couldn’t leave his safety to them and sleep.

Hearing those words, several strong-willed knights jumped up.

Sigren remembered their faces.

‘There are a few who can be used.’

In any case, he had no intention of turning all those in the palace into enemies. This confrontation was merely a warning to those people who were above them and was not intended to be completely hostile. If he had been serious, none of the knights here would have had healthy limbs.

“I like some of you have guts, now…”

Then a servant approached cautiously.

“His HIgness the Prince.”

“What’s going on?”

“You have a guest.”

Sigren frowned lightly. He used to not have someone serve him, he didn’t like being interrupted when wielding his weapon.

“Who is it? Ask them to return if possible.”

The servant hesitated. “The person said her name is Fiona Heilon. She told me to…”

“No, it’s fine.”

Sigren changed his attitude very quickly.

“I’ll go right away.”

When he said so, the knights sighed quietly in relief. Then they rolled their eyes at each other. Who was the young lady who could move the prince who was like he wouldn’t bleed even if they stabbed him?

‘Does anyone know about a young lady named Fiona Heilon?”

‘I think I’ve heard of it.’

Of course, as Fiona hasn’t done much socializing yet, not many people knew Fiona, only a small number of knights, they were even part of the noblemen. But whether they did really know her or not, Sigren had no longer paid attention to them.

As soon as Sigren was about to go, he realized that his condition was not possible. He was covered in sweat and dust because of the match.

“Get ready for a quick wash. In the meantime, serve Lady Fiona respectfully so that she doesn’t get bored.”

Because the owner of the palace was in a hurry, the movement of the servants and maid became busier at the same time.

And just before Sigren left the gymnasium, he turned around and faced towards the knights that were stretched out again.

“Fifty laps of the gym.”

“Ah..”

The knights let out a small groan, understanding the meaning.

Despite hearing the sound of the groaning pain, Sigren ended his speech with a sour voice.

“Start running.”

That was why they should not have come at him from the beginning.

***

I visited Sigren’s palace to see him after a long time. I also wanted to tell him about what happened so far.

“The guardian of winter?” Sigren laughed briefly after hearing the story. The tip of his hair, which hasn’t dried enough, fluttered, “There were some people in Heilon who called you that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you may not have known because you aren’t the kind of person who cares about people around you.”

“It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“You don’t need to. You’re that great.

“….” Hearing Sigren said that confidently, I became even more embarrassed. I looked at Sigren. I was worried that he might be bullied, but fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case. Rather, when the maids of the palace brought tea, their cheeks blushed slightly while looking at Sigren.

‘He’s popular.’

I frowned looking at him. “Actually, when I heard that, I was a bit excited.”

Sigren hesitated. “What kind of shit told you that?”

“Your highness, you have to try to speak more nicely.”

“Who said that to you, Lady?”

“Don’t be grumpy like that.”

Originally, I was in a position to speak politely with Sigren. Well technically, he agreed to be polite, though he said only in official places, but he looked as if he was very disgusted right now.

“Why are you suddenly curious about that?” I asked curiously.

There was a subtle smile on Sigren’s smile as if he was smirking. “That person made your heart flutter, so I should go to say thank you as a friend.”

Haha, what did he mean? To be honest, I have no idea what he was talking about.

“Well, she’s Lady Livya. Do you know her?”

“Livya? The Priscilla family.. Wait, that person is a girl?”

“Yes.” I never said that I was flattered by a man.

Sigren blinked calmly, then he spoke in a slightly weak voice, “Wellm i still should say thank you later.”

“Whatever you want.” I drank tea slowly after answering simply.

Sigren was glancing at me with his chin on his hand. He would often look at me like this, the reason was unknown.

“What?”

“It’s nothing, but more than that.” Sigren frowned lightly. “You said you would win the hunting contest?”

“Did you hear that too?”

“It’s Abel, ah no.. Master told me.”

“I see.”

“Also, I’m participating in the hunting contest, too.”

Oh right. He did indeed. Come to think of it, even if no one else were to know, would I be able to defeat Sigren?

“Then, we’re rivals.”

Sigren chuckled. “A rival? With you?”

Of course, from Sigren’s point of view, I may look like a puppy for that day. “Honestly, I thought it was only the Crown Prince and his knights who I should defeat. I forgot there is you.”

Sigren’s face looked like he was having fun.

“I won’t participate if you tell me not to.” After saying that, he smiled lightly. Then he pulled my hand and kissed the back of my hand slowly. “I’m not your rival, but your hands and feet, Fiona.”

This kind of skinship was a common greeting in noble social circles, but when he was the one who did it, it certainly had a different destructive power. Also, what did he mean by hands and feet?

‘When I was young, I did drag him around as if I was a leader in an alley.’

Of course, my purpose was that he needed various experiences when he was young. But now that we were all grown up, I couldn’t believe I heard ‘hands and feet’ from the male lead. That was quite burdensome?

I slowly took my hand back and replied. “It’s your first hunting competition after you become a prince. You couldn’t easily throw away a good opportunity to show your skills.”

“The dragon’s heart decorated the imperial palace should be enough.”

“Still.”

In fact, hunting competition was not just about catching monsters, it had other meanings as well. It was an event that had romance between those young nobles mixed in it. People who have captured monsters—mostly noble young men and knights—sometimes offered their monsters to their lover or someone they like. For this reason, even the young girls who did not participate were showing a subtle interest in the hunting competition. Moreover, in the case of the winner of a hunting competition, people gave their full attention to which young girl would have the captured monsters from the winner. It was said that the winner and the noble young lady who received the monsters actually got married in many cases. In noble society, where arranged marriage was a thing, these stories were considered quite romantic.

I continued to speak after thinking up. “You might want to look good on a girl you like in competition.”

There was an event in the original as well. Sigren won the competition and gave the monsters to Eunice.

‘Wait, if it’s like that, then the biggest rival is really Sigren.

Sigren grinned. “Of course, I have that thought.”

“What, do you have one?” I almost jumped up. Did he meet Eunice without my knowledge? Although the timing was a little later than the original plot.

‘Honestly, I want to see her too.’

I should ask him to introduce me to her later.

I smiled broadly. “You really have one! That’s great!”

But Sigren had a harsh reaction. “That’s right. I have.”

“Then, you’re really my rival?” Ah, then I was in big trouble, I was so confident when I talked to Duke Ernest that time.

“Well.” Sigren smiled meaningfully.

These days, it was hard to understand what Sigren was thinking. Especially when he made a face like that.

“What does that mean?’

Since Sigren had become an adult, he was able to hide his own feelings, and he did far better than before. He and I were best friends, so this change was a little disappointing.

‘Well, that’s how everyone grows up.’

He then spoke in an ambiguous tone. “You’ll find out soon.”

Hey, just tell me!

***