Chapter 1

The Kingdom of Aventador, situated at the eastern edge of the continent, was blessed with a temperate climate and abundant nature. In the sprawling gardens of House Hertenes, located right next to the capital, the laughter of two children echoed.

“Hahaha, Emil! Are you really scared just because our Ben jumped at you? Hahaha!”

“I’m scared of dogs! Aaaaah!”

“My lady, young master! Please don’t run. What if you get hurt!”

“Hahahaha, Ben! Come here—whoa, ouch, kyaak!!”

While playing excitedly with her younger brother Emilique, Roabellin lost her footing and tumbled into a thicket.

“Ouch, owie…”

“Sister, are you okay? Uh oh, blood!”

Emilique rushed to her side and was startled to find a scratch on Roabellin’s cheek. It seemed she had been grazed by a branch when she fell. Fortunately, the wound wasn’t deep, but being on her cheek, it was very noticeable. A thin line of blood had formed.

The news that the precious young lady had been injured reached the ears of her father, Duke Hertenes, immediately. After receiving simple treatment, Roabellin was summoned to the Duke’s study.

“You called for me, Father?”

Roabellin looked dejected, thinking she would be severely scolded for her carelessness as a future Queen.

“Come closer.”

The Duke examined his daughter’s wound intently. Though his heart ached for her small injury, he spoke with feigned sternness.

“Roa, tomorrow is the day we visit the palace. To show the King a face that is not whole… You are the only daughter of our House of the Queens, are you not? As one who will become Queen, you must always cherish your body and avoid injury.”

Because the Hertenes family had produced the Queens of Aventador for nearly every generation for a thousand years, they were known as the ‘House of the Queen’—the Huga.

“Yes, Father. I am sorry…”

“Indeed. And to add… in the past, when international affairs or public security were unstable, there were cases where the daughters of Hertenes were taken to the palace from a young age to be raised there before the royal wedding.”

With a faint smile, the Duke looked affectionately at his daughter and continued.

“I only wish for one thing. Until you enter the royal palace, you must mind your conduct and study hard to show that you can grow into a fine Queen even while staying at the Duke’s estate. That is… unless you wish to leave your family early to live in the palace.”

To leave her beloved family and live in a palace full of strangers! For the eleven-year-old Roabellin, it was an unimaginable thought. However, she couldn’t whine about wanting to stay with her family forever without getting married. She knew that as the only direct daughter of the House of the Queen, she was destined to become Queen regardless of her own will.

***

The next day, the carriage carrying Roabellin and Duke Hertenes arrived at the palace.

“Roa, do you remember visiting last year?”

“A little. But I don’t really remember the visits before that.”

Daughters of the House of the Queen often visited the palace from a young age to build rapport with the Prince who would become their partner, though this time the interval had been longer for various reasons.

At a modest tea table in the palace’s rear garden, King Euraxiz and Prince Skark were already seated. Skark, with dark brown hair and green eyes, was handsome but had an expression that gave off a somewhat crooked impression.

The Duke and his daughter paid their respects to the King.

“We greet the Sun of the Kingdom, the Head of Aventador, His Majesty the King.”

“Welcome. Sit and have some tea. It is our Aventador specialty, Earl Grey. Harvested this year.”

“Yes, thank you. We have also been enjoying the Earl Grey you bestowed upon us last year. It is my family’s favorite tea.”

While listening to the ritualistic conversation between the King and the Duke, Roabellin suddenly felt an uncomfortable gaze.

‘Huh…?’

Turning her head, she saw Skark staring at her intently. She possessed the platinum blonde hair characteristic of the Hertenes bloodline and the violet eyes that appeared with high probability in the direct daughters of the house. For an Aventadorian, it was an extremely rare appearance. In fact, the combination of platinum blonde hair and violet eyes was almost exclusive to this family. They were also known for being extraordinarily beautiful, regardless of gender.

‘She’ll be quite a sight when she’s a bit older. If she grows up to be the most beautiful woman in the kingdom and becomes my Queen, the people will look up to me even more for naturally possessing such a woman.’

Skark was more interested in and satisfied by Roabellin’s beauty than the value of the political legitimacy he would gain by marrying the daughter of the House of the Queen.

‘Why is he looking at me so unpleasantly?’

Roabellin found his gaze uncomfortable, but there was no way to avoid it. After more pleasantries, King Euraxiz gestured to Skark.

“Skark. I have state affairs to discuss with the Duke, so why don’t you show the young lady around the main palace buildings? It would be good for the two of you to have some time alone.”

“Yes, Father.”

Skark took Roabellin to one of the buildings in the main palace area, which housed audience halls and meeting rooms for foreign envoys.

“At what age does the divine power of the House of the Queen manifest?”

“Usually at twelve.”

“Then it’s next year.”

“Yes, probably. Though it will be very weak at first.”

The two, who were not close, walked while making small talk about things they both already knew. As they turned a corner in the corridor, they came across a hallway lined with an endless row of paintings.

“On this wall hang the portraits of our ancestors—the past Kings and Queens of Aventador.”

The daughters of the House of the Queen possessed several mysterious abilities besides divine power, one of which could be verified right here.

The first child between a direct daughter of the House of the Queen and a ‘Legitimate King’ of Aventador is always born with black hair and blue eyes, regardless of the parents’ appearance.

Because of this, past kings who lacked confidence in the legitimacy of their throne would often make various excuses to avoid marrying into the House of the Queen to escape this verification. Looking at the portraits, many of the past kings had black hair and blue eyes, though there was some variety. However, the Queens were almost all platinum blonde, and many of them had violet eyes just like Roabellin.

Scanning the portraits, Skark thought: ‘Surprisingly, there are quite a few ancestors who weren’t from the legitimate line. But the Queens are almost all….’

His mood soured for a moment, and he spoke to Roabellin.

“As you can see, the hair color of the kings varies, and occasionally… the lineage of the kings changes too. Due to rebellions, or dying without an heir. But what about the House of the Queen?”

Skark paused for a beat, as if asking a genuine question.

“For the past thousand years, your family’s daughters have occupied the position of Queen in almost every generation. In a way, your bloodline is more impressive than the royal family’s. Thinking about it that way, hasn’t this country practically been ruled by the House of the Queen?”

It wasn’t entirely false, but it was a dangerous statement that could lead to charges of treason if one agreed with it. Roabellin hid her fluster and chose her words carefully.

“Hertenes has been unswervingly loyal to the Kingdom of Aventador and the Royal Family for ages, and will continue to be so. There is a family tradition that strictly forbids using the Queen’s power for the benefit of the family, as Your Highness well knows.”

“……”

Skark was slightly surprised by her answer. ‘An eleven-year-old not only noticed the thorn in my words but gave an answer that causes no trouble….’

He felt even more spiteful toward this girl who didn’t fall for his intent and instead seemed to see through his heart. Raised as the center of everyone’s attention, he was not used to managing his petty emotions.

‘I need to catch her on something… ah!’

He happened to notice the slight scratch on Roabellin’s cheek. He struggled to hide his smirking lips and asked, “By the way, what is that scratch on your cheek?”

Roabellin was puzzled by the sudden change of topic. “Ah, I was grazed by a branch in my garden yesterday.”

Thinking this was his chance, Skark said mockingly, “A future Queen running around like a wild foal and scarring her face… I doubt whether the Duke and Duchess are educating their daughter properly to be a Queen.”

At the sneering tone, Roabellin snapped her head up. Her father’s words from yesterday flashed through her mind like lightning.

“If you wish to leave your family…”

Her bright violet eyes filled with panic and tension. She feared she might be dragged into the palace immediately. Skark, finding her reaction amusing, increased the level of his mockery.

“Well, there are many excuses—no daughter was born, or she was born too late. Anyway, you haven’t produced a Queen for the last two generations… shouldn’t House Hertenes be nervous? Or perhaps, since they finally had a daughter of the right age for the Prince, the Duke and Duchess are raising her carelessly, thinking the Queen’s seat naturally belongs to them?”

Even as he spoke, Skark knew it wasn’t true. House Hertenes was famous for educating their children rigorously in royal etiquette, sovereignty, politics, economics, finance, foreign languages, and palace management. They were the perfect cradle for Queens. Despite knowing this, he mentioned her parents again specifically to provoke her.

Roabellin could not bear to hear her respected parents being insulted by a fourteen-year-old spiteful prince. Her lips trembled with rage.

“Your Highness, Hertenes always does its best in the education of its children. It is the most important task our family has held for a thousand years. And hasn’t the Royal Family also gained legitimacy by taking the daughters of our house as partners? How can you speak so of a family that has shared such a long bond?”

Commoners who didn’t know the true power of the House of the Queen thought their daughters won the King’s favor simply because they were beautiful. But it was the opposite.

The direct daughters of the House of the Queen were born with the fate of a Queen. It wasn’t just about being a King’s wife. Whoever their husband was, they were destined to make him King. It was considered treason for a direct daughter to marry a man who was not the current King or Crown Prince. Thus, the Royal Family maintained their legitimacy and power by monopolizing them. Roabellin was stating a ‘fact’—that the Royal Family had utilized the powerful fate of her house. It was an undeniable truth, but a taboo one to speak aloud.

Rendered speechless, Skark’s temper flared. “What? How dare you, where do you get the nerve to talk back…!”

Following his habit of dealing with subordinates, he raised his hand to strike Roabellin’s cheek. Never having experienced such a situation, Roabellin didn’t even think to dodge. She just froze, her large eyes growing wider.

At that moment, the flustered voice of the Chief Chamberlain rang out.

“Your Highness!!”

Skark flinched. Turning toward the voice, he saw his father, the King, standing before the Chamberlain. And behind him stood a line of high-ranking ministers on their way to a meeting. All of them failed to hide their horrified expressions.

“Good heavens…! Isn’t that the young lady of House Hertenes!”

“The Prince is assaulting the Duke’s daughter in broad daylight?”

A few seconds of silence hung over the shocked crowd.

Truthfully, the King did not like the House of the Queen and had no desire to take their side. But this was in front of many high ministers. For the only prince to strike the daughter of Hertenes—his future wife—was not a good image. The label of a man who hits women, especially his own Queen, could stick to the future King.

‘He’s not a child anymore, and he does something so stupid in a public hallway…! Has he forgotten his status?’

The King had to show the onlookers that he was a father who corrected his son’s wrongs. He strode toward his son with a fierce expression.

Slap!

He harshly struck his son’s cheek in front of everyone and shouted, “You fool! Who taught you that you could lay a hand on a lady!! Go to your room immediately and reflect. You are forbidden from leaving for a week!”

For Skark, who had been pampered as the most precious prince his whole life, this was a life-altering shock. He had failed to suppress the girl who talked back, and instead was slapped and scolded by his father in front of her and many others.

During his week of confinement, Skark’s resentment and anger toward Roabellin and House Hertenes grew.

‘That wench is nothing…! How dare a girl talk back to her future husband! I did nothing wrong! I was just teaching that ill-mannered girl a lesson because she made me angry. Wait… did she provoke me on purpose because she saw people coming?’

To someone as narcissistic as him, it was impossible for him to be in the wrong. He began to justify his actions and inflate Roabellin’s perceived faults in his mind. No one knew then that this incident had begun to change the future originally set for the King and Queen.

***

About a year passed after the incident. However, King Euraxiz was always bothered by House Hertenes. Especially as Skark approached marriageable age, the mere thought of them felt like a boulder on his chest.

What bothered him most was that the first child of a Hertenes daughter determined the King’s legitimacy through their appearance. There had been cases in history where kings were forced to step down after being proven ‘illegitimate.’

‘That Hertenes family is like a damn litmus test. My heart would be at peace if they just didn’t exist….’

Euraxiz had taken the throne by pushing aside his nephew—the son of his older brother, the previous King. Since he was already married at the time, he had a Grand Duchess and a son, Skark. He had luckily avoided the legitimacy test himself, but what about Skark?

‘If God deems my kingship illegitimate, my son, who carries my blood, will be no different.’

Moreover, Roabellin’s father, the Duke, had been close friends with his late brother, Ierik. The Duke was a clever man; he surely suspected Euraxiz regarding Ierik’s sudden death.

‘Ierik might have given him some hint before he died.’

Euraxiz’s thoughts became complicated. The deciding factor for his current anxiety was an oracle received during Skark’s 15th birthday. The royal family had gone to the temple to receive a blessing, but the oracle was a bolt from the blue:

「Skark shall not marry a direct descendant of the House of the Queen.」

What did this mean? If there were no daughters in this generation, it would be fine, but Roabellin was the perfect age. Does it imply Skark won’t become the legitimate King? Or that Roabellin will marry another man who will become King? Either way, it was a nightmare.

‘I have no choice. I must strike down House Hertenes.’

It was a momentous decision, but once made, it felt like a large thorn had been pulled from his chest. Euraxiz secretly plotted the downfall of the House of the Queen, who oversaw the central temple. She, too, had a complex about not being from the House of the Queen and was unsettled by the oracle, so she immediately agreed.

“Leave the priests to me. As for the date… how about after Your Majesty’s upcoming birthnight banquet?”

“A grand idea. It’s best when the lingering excitement of the party has faded.”

The King wore a meaningful smile. Thus, the day of House Hertenes’ extermination was decided with chilling ease.

***

Autumn arrived—the season of King Euraxiz’s birthday. It was a major annual event declared a national holiday. Major nobles from home and abroad, foreign royalty, and ministers were invited.

Among the guests was a member of the Imperial Family: Kaisertern, the 3rd Prince of Prahenfelt, the only empire on the continent. Though only fifteen, he had just begun his public activities as a diplomatic envoy. Kaisertern was small for his age, appearing to be around twelve or thirteen. With black hair and golden eyes, he was very handsome but still had a boyish air.

Since it was a gathering of royalty and high nobility, many saw this period as a chance to find potential marriage partners. The banquet was filled with a bright, bustling atmosphere. However, Kaisertern, attending by order of his eldest brother (the acting Emperor), only exchanged necessary greetings and didn’t spare a glance for the ladies.

The whispers of the Aventadorian nobles reached his ears. They thought they were speaking quietly, but Kaisertern, who inherited dragon blood from his mother’s family, possessed hearing that surpassed human limits.

“It seems the rumors that House Hertenes has fallen out of favor are true.”

“Did you see the seating at yesterday’s banquet? Even if they aren’t engaged yet, she’s a daughter of the Queen’s house, yet she was seated with the Duke’s family instead of next to the Prince.”

“I saw the seating chart for the hunting competition earlier; they didn’t even give Hertenes a VIP seat. The excuse is that the Duke’s family will be busy hosting guests, but it’s still strange.”

“My, it seems the mighty House of the Queen is finally losing its grip. Well, they haven’t produced a Queen for two generations, after all….”

Since Kaisertern had never heard of the ‘House of the Queen,’ their talk merely brushed past his ears.

‘Every country’s noble society is full of gossip.’

He was tired of seeing people speak behind others’ backs, so he ignored it. But he couldn’t ignore the conversation coming from a bit further away.

“That Empire Prince. Didn’t they say he was fifteen?”

There was only one ‘Empire’ on the continent. Thus, the only people that could be called the ‘Empire Prince’ were Kaisertern and his second brother, Radak. The 15-year-old prince they were talking about was him. He focused his hearing.

“But he looks about twelve? Was there another youngest prince?”

“I don’t think so. I heard the 3rd Prince is the youngest. Ugh, I dressed my daughter so carefully today just in case. If he’s that small at fifteen… what if he doesn’t grow anymore?”

“What does it matter if he doesn’t grow? He’s still a Prince. And he’s quite handsome. Just tell your daughter to meet him as if she’s playing with a younger brother… Hohoho, was that too much?”

“Hohoho, oh my~ I saw him coming in, I should tell my child to go greet him quickly.”

Kaisertern bit his lower lip.

‘The “explosion” just hasn’t come yet….’

Hearing his greatest insecurity being tossed around by strangers made his mood plummet. His longtime attendant, Hail, guessed that the Prince had heard something unpleasant again and spoke cautiously.

“Um… Your Highness. Should we prepare for the upcoming hunting competition?”

Kaisertern didn’t want to go anywhere where he would be noticed. He would have to politely and elegantly reject the young ladies approaching with ulterior motives.

“No, I will not attend the hunting competition. I want some time alone. Prepare a horse for me and go back to the lodging.”

Though puzzled, Hail bowed without a word.

Meanwhile, Roabellin sat alone in the hunting grounds’ spectator seats, looking around where the competition would soon be held. The hunting competition was the highlight of the King’s birthnight banquet, held on the final day in the royal woods. Originally, the forest was home to everything from rabbits to wolves and leopards. However, after becoming a royal hunting ground, large predators had been culled over the years for the safety of the royals. Now, only small game and foxes remained.

‘It’s… strange.’

Roabellin was the unofficial fiancé of the Prince and the daughter of the prestigious House Hertenes. Yet, during this banquet, she had been treated with strange coldness.

‘It wasn’t this bad last year.’

She didn’t really have a reason to watch the hunt, as no one from her family was participating. She had come just to be mindful of appearances, but there was nothing to see or do.

‘I’m bored. I wish my nanny had come with me….’

Since it was an event inside the palace, domestic nobles couldn’t bring their own servants; they had to be served by palace staff. Whether it was a mistake or someone’s intent to slight her, not a single maid was assigned to Roabellin. She was left alone in an awkward spot. She couldn’t go bother her family members, who were busy hosting VIPs.

‘Can’t be helped. I might as well walk a bit.’

Roabellin stood up energetically. To avoid the path of the hunters, she walked deeper into the forest where no one seemed to be, and soon found herself lost. The intense sunlight was beginning to fade.

Walking anxiously in search of a path, she suddenly witnessed an unexpected scene.

***

Kaisertern, who had sent his attendant back to the lodgings, climbed onto his horse and gripped the reins. As a VIP representing the Prahenfelt Empire, his name was technically on the list of participants for the hunting competition, but he had no intention of participating actively.

‘Forget the hunt. I think I’ll spend some time alone for once.’

He urged his horse forward at a leisurely pace, heading in the opposite direction of the competition grounds.

‘I’ll stick to the forest. I don’t want to run into people trying to strike up a tedious conversation….’

At the very least, every royal and noble at today’s birthnight banquet knew that this handsome boy with black hair and golden eyes was a Prince. To avoid them, he chose a path that veered deep into the woods.

He had ventured quite far when his gentle horse began to grow restless without cause, eventually becoming agitated.

“Whoa, whoa. It’s okay.”

Kaisertern tried to soothe the animal by stroking its mane, but the horse would not calm down.

“…!”

As he scanned the surroundings for the source of the trouble, he spotted a black panther glaring at him from the front. Kaisertern caught his breath in surprise.

‘A panther?! Why here?’

It was bizarre. Even if they were deep in the woods, this was a royal hunting ground. Dangerous beasts were supposed to have been culled long ago, and the area was fenced off from the outside. Having heard about the safety of the grounds, the appearance of a predator left him flustered.

‘Of all times to face one without even a dagger or a bow….’

Using mana here was a delicate matter. He was currently on the royal grounds of another nation as a foreign guest. For an envoy to use mana in the royal palace was strictly forbidden in almost any country; it could be perceived as an intent to attack, potentially escalating into a major diplomatic incident.

Given the circumstances, it was highly likely that detection and tracking devices for foreign mana were installed throughout the hunting grounds.

‘Besides, if I use mana, my eldest brother will surely hear about it. He’s always watching me….’

As he briefly debated whether to risk it, the world suddenly tilted.

“Neigh—!”

Locking eyes with the panther’s murderous gaze, the terrified horse reared up on its hind legs. The movement was so sudden that Kaisertern was thrown from the saddle.

“Ah!”

Fortunately, he used a breakfall technique and wasn’t seriously injured, but he landed awkwardly, and his ankle gave way with a sharp twist.

“Ugh….”

As he sat on the ground clutching his ankle, the black panther began to approach with a low growl.

“Neigh!!!”

Completely overcome by fear, the horse bolted and disappeared without looking back.

Left alone with the panther, Kaisertern bit his lip.

‘I can’t run with this ankle, so I have no choice. Brother Heymelic will find out, but I have to worry about surviving first.’

Resigned to using mana the moment the panther lunged, Kaisertern began to circulate the energy within his body.

Just then—

Step, step, step, step!

The sound of light, hurried footsteps approached. The panther stopped its slow advance and glanced behind him. Kaisertern also turned toward the sound.

‘What?!’

First, he saw soft platinum-blonde hair, and then the breathtakingly beautiful face of a young girl. It was Roabellin.

Kaisertern was momentarily dazed by her appearance, but he quickly realized she wasn’t stopping.

“Don’t come any closer! Can’t you see the panther right there?!”

Despite his shout, Roabellin ignored him and ran straight to his side. She reached the grounded Kaisertern and stood in front of him as if to protect him, facing the predator head-on.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

Startled, Kaisertern actually stammered. Roabellin didn’t even look back; she simply held the panther’s gaze. She spread her arms wide, signaling to the beast that she intended to protect the boy. The panther stopped and stared intently into Roabellin’s eyes.

‘Wait… did it stop?’

However, his fleeting hope was quickly dashed. The panther began to pace toward them once more.

‘Of course. What was I thinking? I have to handle this—!’

Kaisertern began to gather his mana again. At that moment, Roabellin extended one hand toward him. It was a gesture telling him to stay still.

By then, the panther was dangerously close.

Roabellin kept her eyes fixed on the beast as it reached her, extending a hand as if greeting a pet dog or cat. Just as Kaisertern’s jaw dropped in disbelief, something incredible happened. The panther rubbed its head against her hand like a common cat, gave her palm a single lick with its rough tongue, and turned away.

Once the panther had vanished from sight, the tension finally broke. Both of them let out a long breath.

“H-how did you do that?” Kaisertern asked, his voice filled with bewilderment.

“Um… I’m just a bit good with animals. I told him with my eyes to go back and not hurt us.”

Not wanting to explain the details of her power to a stranger, Roabellin gave a vague answer.

To Kaisertern, everything felt suspicious: the sudden appearance of a panther in a royal forest, the perfect timing of a beautiful girl appearing to save him, and her mysterious power.

‘Is this one of my brother’s schemes?’

He looked at her with suspicious eyes and asked, “Who are you? Why are you out in the forest?”

Roabellin panicked slightly. She couldn’t very well say she was the unofficial royal fiancée who had wandered off because she was bored at a party. She didn’t even have time to wonder why he was speaking to her so informally despite her wearing a dress—even if it was a simple outdoor design.

“Ah, I was just walking in the forest and got lost…. I saw the panther approaching from a distance. I thought someone might need help.”

By all accounts, Kaisertern should have been thanking her. However, since his mother passed away, he had survived countless crises while being targeted by his half-brothers and the Emperor’s concubines. He was so busy suspecting a plot that it didn’t occur to him to be grateful.

Roabellin watched him get lost in thought, then turned around.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. It’s getting late, so I’ll be going now.”

The sun was dipping below the mountains. The hunters were supposed to submit their catch before twilight. Roabellin was anxious because she knew her absence would be noticed if she missed the awards ceremony.

Before she could take a step, Kaisertern’s calm voice stopped her.

“Wait. Didn’t you say you were lost? How do you plan on getting back?”

“……”

She had turned away because his suspicious gaze made her uncomfortable, but the truth was, she had no plan.

“Let’s find the way together. I have to go back as well.”

‘Another person might help in finding the way… but wasn’t this noble—or royal—uncomfortable with me just a second ago?’

While Roabellin hesitated, a drop of water hit her face.

“Huh?”

A few drops fell, and within seconds, it turned into a torrential downpour.

“Oh, the rain…!”

The two quickly scrambled under a nearby tree. Even so, their clothes began to soak through. They looked at the sky with worried faces.

“It doesn’t look like it’ll stop soon.”

“Then we should move quickly before it gets completely dark.”

They moved under a tree with thicker foliage. As they walked, Roabellin noticed Kaisertern’s limp. He was struggling to walk because of the ankle he had twisted during his fall. Roabellin sighed softly and called out to him.

“Wait. Sit down and lean against this tree.”

She sat him down against the trunk and placed her hand on his ankle.

“What? Why? What are you doing?”

Like a puppy that had never been loved, Kaisertern instinctively recoiled and grew suspicious of her pure kindness. It was a natural reaction given his upbringing, but it could have been offensive to a stranger.

However, Roabellin wasn’t offended. She spoke softly, as if soothing a skittish animal.

“Stay still for a moment. This will help.”

She closed her eyes and focused. Soon, a faint light emanated from her hands.

“What are you—!”

Kaisertern, who hadn’t lowered his guard, stopped mid-sentence as a gentle, tingling warmth wrapped around his injured ankle. A soft, golden energy seeped into his skin.

‘Could it be…?’

The light soon faded. Roabellin let out a tired sigh and pulled her hand away, looking slightly drained.

“Try moving your ankle slowly.”

Kaisertern moved his foot tentatively. The ankle, which had been swollen and throbbing as if the ligaments were torn, was now perfectly fine, as if it had never been injured at all.

“Oh…!”

At this point, he couldn’t avoid saying thank you.

“Th-thanks. For everything.”

Embarrassed that he had suspected her after she helped him twice, he quickly changed the subject.

“Are you a mage?”

Since she had already used her power in front of him, she couldn’t hide it entirely.

“Not exactly…. Let’s just say I have a tiny bit of divine power.”

Whoosh—

Just as Kaisertern was about to ask more, the rain grew even heavier. He looked up at the darkening sky.

“We need to go somewhere. This rain isn’t letting up.”

“Yes, we should move.”

As Roabellin tried to stand, she swayed slightly.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Kaisertern caught her.

She gave a pale smile. “Yes, I’m just a little tired from using my power. I’ll recover with some rest. I’m fine.”

Though she said she was fine, her complexion was poor, and she had already saved him twice. Kaisertern immediately took off his jacket and draped it over her. The high-quality leather jacket was surprisingly effective at blocking the rain.

“Wear this.”

Startled by the unfamiliar warmth of a man’s garment, Roabellin tried to wave it away. “No, I’m already soaked. You should wear it.”

“Your health is already failing because of me. If you stay in the rain like this, you’ll get very sick. Keep it on. Besides… the rain is making it darker. We need to hurry.”

It was autumn; pleasant during the day, but the temperature plummeted at night. They walked quickly, sticking under the trees to minimize their exposure to the rain. Roabellin took the lead since she had at least seen the hunting grounds once before.

In her haste, she tripped over a tree root.

“Ah! Ouch….”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes… it’s nothing.”

She wasn’t badly hurt, but being lost, soaked, and now falling made Roabellin feel suddenly miserable, and tears began to well up. Though it was dark, Kaisertern, who had excellent night vision, noticed. Her tearful, beautiful face left an inexplicably deep impression on his heart.

“Take my hand.”

He reached out to pull her up and didn’t let go as they started walking again. It was the first time she had held a strange boy’s hand, but Roabellin didn’t pull away. The warmth of his hand seemed to melt the cold in her heart, making her feel safe.

They reached a clearing where a small cabin stood.

“It looks like a forest warden’s hut.”

“Let’s get inside and out of the rain.”

The door was unlocked, perhaps because it was rarely used except during the hunting season. They entered cautiously, hoping to find someone, but the cabin was empty.

“I thought we might find a warden to help us….” Kaisertern sighed, disappointed.

“Still, I’m glad we have a roof over our heads. Let’s go in.”

The interior was small and simple—just a wooden table, some logging tools, and an old bed. There was a fireplace and some candles, but no tools to start a fire. It was reasonably clean, though. Kaisertern opened the window shutter to look out. The rain had become a deluge.

“At this rate, I don’t think anyone’s coming to find us tonight.”

Roabellin took off the heavy, water-logged leather jacket and hung it on a chair. Without it, the cold hit her instantly.

“Ugh, so cold….”

Kaisertern pulled out a glowing yellow stone to light the room. “I wish we could start a fire.”

“I’ll try.”

Roabellin went to the fireplace and focused her mind on the few branches inside.

Flash—

A weak light flickered from her palm but died out before catching. She tried several times with the same result.

“Oh… I think I used up all my strength earlier. There’s nothing left. What do I do…?” she said apologetically. Her face grew even paler from the effort.

“I’ll—” Kaisertern started, then hesitated.

If he used his mana, not only would his brother Heymelic sense its nature, but his mana was suited for combat and destruction, not domestic utility. He had killed massive beasts, but he had never started a small fire.

‘If I try to light the fireplace and accidentally fire a bolt of lightning, this whole hut might explode.’

He felt pathetic. He couldn’t explain the truth to a strange girl, so he had to swallow his pride.

“Uh… I don’t have a way either.”

“At least we’re out of the wind.”

She said the words, but her body began to shiver violently as the cold set in. If only there were spare clothes, but the warden hadn’t left any. Since Kaisertern was already near the chair, Roabellin hesitated before sitting on the edge of the old bed.

Kaisertern pulled out a few more glowing stones and placed them on the table. They didn’t provide heat, but the warm yellow light made the room feel a bit cozier. In that light, he finally got a good look at Roabellin’s face.

Her long platinum-blonde hair was wet, and her skin was porcelain white from the cold. Her light violet eyes, long blonde lashes, and delicate features were incredibly lovely. Even her blue-tinted lips, he realized, would look like ripe cherries once her color returned.

He had grown up seeing many beauties in the Imperial Palace, but he had never seen a girl this beautiful. There was an ethereal, poignant quality to her. For some reason, he felt like he would do anything she asked.

Roabellin looked up and met his gaze. Kaisertern realized he had been staring and hurriedly cleared his throat, looking away.

“Ahem! What… what is your name?”

Roabellin hesitated. ‘If he’s an Aventadorian noble or foreign royalty, he’ll know the name Hertenes.’

Not knowing who he was, she was worried about revealing her identity as a daughter of the House of the Queen. She decided to tell the truth about her name but hide her family name.

“…It’s Roabellin.”

However, young Roabellin overlooked something. Among commoners, the name ‘Belin’ or ‘Robelin’ was occasionally used, but ‘Roabellin’ was not. It was too long and impractical for commoners. Furthermore, it was the name of the supreme goddess of beauty and fertility in the continent’s shared mythology. It was a name reserved for royalty and high nobility. A commoner using it would likely be beaten for being pretentious.

By using her full name, she inadvertently gave him a massive clue that she was a high-born lady.

But Kaisertern replied casually, “That’s a pretty name. Do people call you Belin?”

“Ah, I think most people would shorten it like that… but my family calls me Roa. It’s a bit unusual. May I ask your name, my lord?”

Hoping to steer the conversation away from her own identity, she quickly turned the question on him.

“Um, I’m Kai.”

His full name, ‘Kaisertern,’ meant ‘Ruler’ and was a name strictly reserved for the direct imperial line in Prahenfelt. It was too revealing to say in full.

“Kai….”

Kaisertern watched her as she whispered the name—his nickname. He couldn’t understand why he kept spacing out while looking at her.

After a moment, he made an impulsive suggestion. “Since neither of us seems to have a last name, do you want to be friends?”

It was a ridiculous thing to say—no commoner could have entered the royal hunting grounds—but he was essentially suggesting they drop the formalities and ignore their hidden identities.

“…Alright, I’d like that. How old are you, Kai?”

“I’m fifteen. You?”

“What? Fifteen? Really?”

Roabellin, who was twelve, wasn’t much shorter than him. He definitely looked younger than his age. Despite the three-year gap, she felt comfortable with him because they looked like peers.

“Yeah. I’ll grow soon. It… runs in the family to grow late,” he added sheepishly.

“I see. So when do you usually grow?”

“Well….” Kaisertern hesitated.

‘Should I tell her about the Imperial family’s trait?’

He decided it didn’t matter. She was just a girl from a distant kingdom; she wouldn’t know the specifics of the Prahenfelt lineage.

“In my family, the men grow suddenly after they hit puberty and find their first love. Like an explosion, we become adults in just a few days. I… just hasn’t happened yet.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! How can that happen?” Roabellin’s violet eyes sparkled. Seeing her bright expression for the first time, Kaisertern felt his heart skip a beat.

“Yeah… I guess….” He felt as if he were under a spell.

Embarrassed by his staring, Roabellin changed the subject. “You know, you’re just like a Ukla tree.”

“A Ukla tree? Why?”

“The young shoots of that tree gather strength underground for years. Then, after a certain rain, they suddenly shoot up. They say they can grow as tall as a child in a single day.” She gave him a warm smile. “Maybe like the Ukla tree, you’re just gathering strength while waiting for your time.”

Kaisertern had been secretly anxious about his lack of growth. Without height and bulk, there was a limit to his martial arts and the amount of mana his body could hold. Moreover, his destined lady hadn’t appeared. He had worried he was a mutation or that his growth had stopped.

Roabellin’s words were like a soothing rain to his parched heart. He had never received such comfort before.

“…I see,” he murmured.

When their eyes met again, she beamed at him. Kaisertern felt dizzy, and his heart began to thud against his ribs.

‘What is this? What’s wrong with me…?’

Fustered by his uncontrollable reaction, he quickly spoke again. “I’m sorry for doubting you earlier. I should have thanked you from the start.”

Roabellin smiled. “It’s okay. Are you usually that wary of strangers?”

“…A bit. There are people around me I can’t trust.”

Roabellin thought of a puppy she had once found in the woods. It hadn’t trusted people at first because it had been hurt. But with time, it had opened its heart.

‘Maybe he’s like my dog, Ben. Maybe he wants to give and receive love but is just scared.’

“I understand. But there are many people in the world you can trust. Like me!” She gave him another radiant smile. Kaisertern forgot to even smile back, completely entranced.

The conversation lulled. Roabellin rubbed her arms and hunched her shoulders. Kaisertern, who was using mana to maintain his body temperature, realized she was freezing.

“Are you very cold?”

“Y-yes….” Her voice shook.

The air in the unheated hut was icy, and they were still in wet clothes. Roabellin, having spent her last bit of energy trying to light the fire, was in a bad way. She was shivering, and her eyes were drifting shut from exhaustion.

Kaisertern, who had always been served by others, didn’t realize that for the first time in his life, he was genuinely worried about someone else.

Roabellin’s shivering began to subside.

‘Is she getting better?’

He looked closer, but her condition was worsening. She was slipping into a semi-conscious state. He remembered something he had read.

‘It’s not just a cold—if she falls asleep like this, she could die of hypothermia!’

He immediately moved to her side and shook her shoulders gently. “Roabellin, Roa? Roa! Wake up. Please.”

She opened her eyes weakly, then closed them again. Her deathly pale face terrified him. He had an idea.

“Roa, take off your clothes.”

At those words, Roabellin’s eyes snapped open, and she looked at him as if he were a madman.

“……”

It was a look of pure, icy disdain. Even in her fading consciousness, her pride as a high-born lady remained intact.

Panicked, Kaisertern waved his hands frantically. “No, no! Don’t get the wrong idea! There’s a thin blanket here on the bed. Take off your wet clothes and wrap yourself in this. You’ll feel much better. I’ll turn around!”

Roabellin managed to grasp her senses. She tried to stand up as he suggested, but her strength failed, and she collapsed forward.

“Roa!”

Kaisertern caught her falling body. The momentum pulled him down, and he ended up sitting on the floor with Roabellin in his arms. His heart was racing like a drum, but he was too worried to care.

“Roabellin, wake up!! Roa!!!”

She only leaned her head against his shoulder, not even letting out a groan. Feeling the chill emanating from her body, Kaisertern decided he had to at least get her wet outer layers off.

“Listen, Roa. I’m only going to take off your outer dress. I’m not doing anything strange—I’m just helping because you can’t do it yourself…!”

***

 

With a flushed face, Kaisertern offered a string of rambling excuses as he reached behind her back.

Although it was a formal dress, it was a relatively simple design suited for an outdoor event. Fortunately, there were no complex laces or corsets at the back, making it much easier to remove. Kaisertern, knowing little about women’s clothing, felt a surge of tension, uncertain of what lay beneath the fabric. To his immense relief, Roabellin was wearing a chemise and a knee-length petticoat underneath.

Kaisertern let out a long, shaky breath of relief.

He pushed the heavy, soaked dress aside and gripped Roabellin’s shoulders again. Her pale skin was as cold as a sheet of ice.

“Wake up, please….”

To warm her freezing body, Kaisertern pulled her tightly into his arms. As he did, his gaze inadvertently fell upon her back. There, where the chemise strap rested over her right shoulder blade, he saw something.

It was a palm-sized pattern—part illustration, part script.

‘It must be a family crest, engraved on an important heir, as some noble houses do.’

Following the name ‘Roabellin,’ this was another significant hint that she was high-born. But now was not the time for such thoughts. He continued to speak to her, trying to pull her flickering consciousness back to the present.

“Roabellin, open your eyes, please. Look, I’ve only taken off the outer layer. See? You’ll be less cold now that the wet clothes are gone. We can’t stay here; we have to get to the bed….”

Kaisertern wished she would suddenly snap her eyes open and slap him for “daring to lay a hand on a lady’s clothing.” But Roabellin remained limp, leaning entirely against him.

Perhaps thanks to the warmth he shared, Roabellin’s consciousness slowly returned. Her eyes blinked open with effort.

“Are you awake? Can you stand? I’ll help you.”

Supported by Kaisertern, Roabellin managed to stagger to the bed. He helped her lie down and immediately turned his back. Grasping at her remaining senses, Roabellin crawled under the thin blanket. She decided it was impossible to strip further in front of a strange man.

However, the unheated blanket was as cold as the air outside. She began to shiver violently. Worried, Kaisertern glanced back to ensure she was covered before approaching.

‘Has she warmed up at least a little?’

He hopefully touched her forehead, but it was still icy. It was only natural; a blanket only preserves existing body heat, it doesn’t generate its own.

Before long, Roabellin’s shivering began to subside—not because she was warm, but because she was losing consciousness again as her body cooled. Kaisertern’s expression turned grim.

‘At this rate, she’ll…! What do I do?!’

Desperate, Kaisertern paused to think, then stripped off his own damp jacket. He draped his and her clothes over the chair and table, hoping they would be dry by morning. He stood by the bed, looking at Roabellin for a moment, then, with a determined look, he lifted the edge of the blanket and slid in beside her.

He was grateful that the darkness hid her figure in her undergarments.

“Sorry, Roa. Forgive the intrusion.”

Lying shoulder-to-shoulder on the narrow single bed, he felt the chill of her body even more acutely. If left alone, this body might turn cold forever.

‘She saved me. I have to save her.’

Kaisertern turned onto his side. He gripped her shoulder and gently pulled her toward him, drawing her into his embrace.

“Listen, Roa. Roabellin. I’m not doing anything strange. I’m just trying to keep you warm.”

“……”

“Roabellin, don’t die. Please… open your eyes.”

Afraid she might think ill of him, he continued to whisper detailed explanations to the barely conscious girl.

Born as a Prince of a Great Empire, he had been raised to believe his life was more precious than anyone else’s. He grew up in a world where subordinates were expected to sacrifice themselves for him without hesitation. Yet here he was, for the first time, ignoring the cold in his own body to save another’s life.

He used his status as her “debtor” as an excuse, but in truth, his heart was pierced with a sharp, deep worry for this girl he had only met today.

‘…What is this feeling?’

It was an emotion he had never felt before. As he wrapped his arms around her, he felt a pang of regret that his body was still small; he couldn’t fully envelop and protect her.

‘If only I could hold her in a large, warm embrace, her temperature would return instantly. I wish I could grow big right now and be of help to Roabellin….’

He was too worried to sleep. Holding her tight, he rubbed her back and arms with his hands, praying for her warmth to return.

As Kaisertern continued to move, the space under the blanket gradually grew cozy with his body heat. Perhaps his desperate wish reached her; Roabellin’s condition began to shift. Slowly, Kaisertern felt the warmth returning to her skin.

He felt so relieved he almost choked up with tears. Pressing his ear toward her face, he heard her breathing turn stable. As the tension finally snapped, a wave of immense exhaustion crashed over him. Only after confirming her stable condition did he allow himself to drift into a deep, proud sleep.

***

“My Lady—!”

Around dawn, Kaisertern woke to the sound of birds chirping and a distant voice shouting. He immediately touched Roabellin’s cheek. Fortunately, she was warm, and her lips had regained their rosy hue.

Seeing her sound asleep, he carefully slipped out of bed and put his clothes back on. The damp fabric felt unpleasant against his skin, but there was no helping it. He went to the window, opened the shutter, and listened. The shouting was getting closer.

Kaisertern hurried back to shake Roabellin awake.

“Roabellin, wake up. People are here.”

“Mmm….”

Roabellin rubbed her weary eyes. He handed her the cold, damp dress from the chair.

“Here, get dressed. I’ll call them over.”

He spoke quickly and dashed outside to alert the search party. They were the maids and attendants assigned to Roabellin and Kaisertern.

“Heavens, My Lady!!!”

They were horrified by the sight of the two young nobles. The maids wrapped Roabellin in blankets they had brought, and the attendants took charge of Kaisertern. Roabellin, whose fever had begun to spike again, had to be carried back on the back of a sturdy attendant.

And so, the two parted without even a chance to say goodbye.

***

Roabellin didn’t wake up at the Duke’s estate until the following day. She came to her senses at the sound of a wet towel being wrung into a basin.

“Oh, you’re finally awake!”

The Duchess, who had stayed by her side all night, looked relieved as she felt her daughter’s forehead.

“M-Mother? When did I get home…?”

“You were found in the hunting forest yesterday morning. I had you brought home immediately. We thought you were staying at the palace as planned…. I was so shocked that this happened while we weren’t looking. You’ve suffered so much, my child.”

Tears welled in the Duchess’s eyes out of pity for her sick daughter.

“N-no, Mother. I’m not hurt. I’m really okay….”

Though her body was hot with a lingering fever, Roabellin forced a smile to keep her mother from bursting into tears.

“Everyone was in a frenzy because the King was slightly injured during the hunt. Then the rain poured down, and it was total chaos as everyone scrambled for cover.”

Roabellin nodded slowly.

“I assumed the palace maids would have looked after you. They said they thought you had gone home since you didn’t show up. Regardless of palace rules, I should have sent someone specifically for you…. I’m sorry, dear.”

Her mother’s soft, cool hand stroking her cheek felt wonderful. Roabellin enjoyed the sensation for a moment before remembering that night.

“Ah, right! What about the young lord who was with me?”

“I heard someone else was found with you, but I didn’t get the details. Since you were unconscious and had to be carried, while he was taken away on horseback by his attendants, I assume he is fine.”

“Ah, that’s a relief.”

Looking at her relieved daughter, the Duchess’s expression suddenly turned concerned.

“Wait, dear. By any chance… were you with that boy all night? Do you remember who he was?”

Roabellin shook her head slightly.

“No, I didn’t hear which house he was from. We both met while lost in the forest, and then the rain started…. We went into a nearby hut to stay dry.”

“I see. I’m glad you weren’t out in the rain all night. Did he… by any chance, act impertinently toward you?”

Roabellin could vaguely guess what her mother was worried about.

“No, not at all. I treated his injured ankle, and he….”

Suddenly, a vivid memory flooded her mind. The two of them, in their undergarments, huddled together on a bed! When she had woken briefly in the middle of the night, she hadn’t even realized Kai was holding her. She had simply felt safe in the warmth and fallen back into a deep sleep.

‘I forgot all about it because we left so suddenly in the morning!’

It was a pure act to save a life, but if known to others, it would be a stain on a Duke’s daughter destined to be a Princess. People loved to simplify and distort the circumstances of others. And….

‘Neither of us did anything wrong, but for some reason, I’m too embarrassed to tell mother….’

After choosing her words, Roabellin decided to gloss over the details.

“He kept talking to me and shaking me awake so I wouldn’t lose consciousness from the cold. We both fell asleep toward dawn.”

For the first time in her life, she had a secret from her mother.

Though suspicion hadn’t entirely vanished from her face, the Duchess didn’t want to press her sick child further. She patted her daughter and stood up.

“Alright, sleep some more. You still have a fever.”

Only after her mother left the room did Roabellin begin to recall the events of that night in order.

‘Come to think of it, my divine power has grown enough to heal someone!’

She smiled with pride. But the moment the thought of sleeping with a boy in her undergarments returned, her face grew so hot she felt dizzy. A handsome face with black hair and golden eyes flickered before her. She remembered his reliable figure walking ahead of her while holding her hand tight. And that wasn’t all. The urgent, desperate voice calling her name in the hut, his careful touch….

‘Ah, why do I keep thinking about it?!’

It seemed she wouldn’t be getting back to sleep anytime soon.

***

Upon arriving in Prahenfelt, Kaisertern collapsed and remained bedridden for three days with agonizing pain and fever. Throughout his illness, he had the same recurring nightmare: an unknown mansion or castle engulfed in flames. He heard the clashing of swords and the desperate screams of people.

“…!”

Waking from the hellish dream, Kaisertern shuddered at the ominous feeling. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and slowly his mind cleared. Fortunately, it was just a dream; he was in his own bedroom in the 3rd Prince’s Palace. He felt relieved, but the lingering unease didn’t vanish.

Then, realizing the pain was gone, he got out of bed.

Long, powerful arms and legs met his eyes. Larger hands, broad shoulders—he had become a fully grown man.

‘Could this be…?’

It wasn’t just his size. His deep golden eyes had grown even more intense, and his features were sharper. His jawline held the raw edge of a predator. The subtle aura of allure he once had was now potent and undeniable. He looked excessively captivating for a Prince.

He stood before the mirror, staring at his unfamiliar reflection for a long time.

‘I hate to admit it, but I look so much like the father I resented.’

He dismissed the servants and bathed alone. As he looked at his new self in the mirror, his attendant, Hail, approached with a smile.

“Congratulations on your ‘Explosion,’ Your Highness. You have grown magnificently.”

“Hail.”

“I have sent for a tailor to make all new clothes. For now, I’ve borrowed some of the 2nd Prince’s clothes, so please wear those.”

Wearing his brother’s hand-me-downs… he didn’t like it, but there was no choice. It was better than wearing Hail’s clothes.

As Kaisertern awkwardly put on a shirt several sizes larger than his old ones, a handsome man with dark blonde hair and green eyes entered the room. It was Heymelic, the 1st Prince and currently the acting Emperor. He had rushed over the moment he heard Kaisertern had completed his ‘Explosion.’

Despite having received detailed reports on his brother’s three-day fever and growth, Heymelic entered with feigned amazement.

“Oh, this is incredible! My growth took ten days, but you finished in three… truly amazing. Where did my cute little brother go? Who is this grizzly man in his place?”

Heymelic chuckled and reached out to ruffle his brother’s hair as he used to, but stopped when he realized Kaisertern’s head was now slightly higher than his own.

“……”

Ignoring him, Kaisertern looked down and finished buttoning his shirt. After a momentary pause, Heymelic continued cheerfully.

“Who is the lady who caused you to explode? Just say the word, and I’ll bring her to you. Do you want to marry her immediately? Or keep her as a concubine for now? A better woman might show up later, after all. There’s no law saying your first love has to be your last.”

Kaisertern slowly raised his eyes to meet his brother’s. His eyes were different now. Though still gold, they felt less like a human’s and more like a predator’s. Facing that overwhelming gaze, Heymelic swallowed hard.

“…There was a beast in the Aventador royal hunting grounds,” Kaisertern said.

His voice was deep and resonant—the voice of a full-grown man. Heymelic, momentarily distracted by the change, took a second to process the words. Suddenly, his past orders flashed through his mind.

‘When and how did I say to carry that out…?’

Feeling a cold sweat on his back, Heymelic acted surprised. “What? Is that true? How did you escape?”

He had tried to harm his younger brother more than a few times, but today he felt strangely nervous. Perhaps it was because his once-small brother was now a towering adult.

Kaisertern replied slowly, “I wonder.”

“How did a panther get in there? Did the palace investigate?”

At those words, a strange light flickered in Kaisertern’s golden eyes.

“I never said it was a panther. And I never said I was the one who encountered it.”

‘Oops.’

Heymelic tried to play it cool. “Ahaha…! I was just guessing.”

Kaisertern let out a short, dry laugh and spoke in a low voice. “Brother, your mana must be getting stronger by the day. To know the whole story from just one sentence.”

He turned back to the mirror to finish his shirt. Heymelic watched him, thinking: *‘I should have finished him when he was small and weak…. He grew up in an instant. Damn, this is going to be much harder now.’*

Kaisertern spoke again as if just remembering. “Oh, right. I don’t know who that girl is. So you don’t need to look for her.”

“Huh? She’s your first love, but you don’t know who she is? And you aren’t looking for her?”

“No.”

Kaisertern sounded indifferent, but his heart told a different story.

‘I don’t know what Brother would do to her, so I have to find her quietly myself. I’ll ask her if she can see me as a man now, not just a peer. I’ll tell her in person.’

Kaisertern began making quiet preparations to return to Aventador. Through his agents, he had already secured her full name and status.

“Your Highness, here is the report on the House of Hertenes, also known as the House of the Queen. And… as they are the ‘Queen’s family,’ the young lady has been destined to be the Crown Princess of Aventador since birth.”

“Is that so?”

Kaisertern didn’t care about the report. It was the arrogance of a Prince of a Great Empire.

“Aventador is independent, but it cannot compare to the power of the Empire. Since Roabellin isn’t married yet, a mere kingdom would have no way to refuse a request from the Empire.”

The image of Roabellin’s bright smile flickered before him.

“Let’s move quickly.”

Driven by a sudden urgency, he stood up and left the room.