* * *
The meaning behind “I’ve been waiting” was clear.
It meant that Kaindel had a reason to come find Kerona—and that reason was none other than her.
In that moment, Kaindel’s suspicions solidified into certainty.
“I have something to ask… No,” Kaindel trailed off, brushing his lips out of habit before quirking them into a smirk.
His lips twisted into a crooked angle.
If Kerona was indeed behind those rumors, there was no need to show her any courtesy.
“I’ve come to make a proposal, Your Highness.”
Kaindel ignored Kerona’s gesture to sit across from her and spoke in a low voice.
Without any preamble, he got straight to the point.
When the word “proposal” escaped his lips, Kerona’s expression shifted dramatically, her eyes flashing with intrigue.
“Oh? A proposal? What kind of proposal?”
“I wish to join Your Highness’s plans.”
“Join, you say.”
Kerona mulled over his words as she straightened her posture.
Her gaze flitted around the empty surroundings as if to confirm their privacy.
Her fiery red hair shimmered as it cascaded over the hand supporting her chin.
“And what makes you think you know what my plans are? You haven’t exactly shown much interest in my words thus far.”
“Recently, there have been increasing reports of barbarian sightings in the northern regions of the kingdom.”
“…”
“Barbarians don’t act without reason. There must be a motive behind their movements.”
The people of the Hadelber Kingdom referred to the Taru people as barbarians.
The Taru were descendants of the now-fallen Tarumin Kingdom, clinging to the old ways of life.
Their refusal to worship the main deity or embrace magic marked them as uncivilized in the eyes of Hadelber’s citizens.
Perhaps aware of such perceptions, the Taru rarely left their strongholds unless absolutely necessary.
It was a wise decision; instinctive hatred often led to unconscious violence.
Countless Taru had suffered at the hands of Hadelber’s citizens over the years—too many to count.
Yet, news recently spread that the Taru people from the northernmost regions had ventured into villages inhabited by commoners.
It was an unprecedented move.
The Taru had once journeyed to the capital to meet with the king but had never attempted to coexist with common folk.
Kerona silently processed Kaindel’s words before slowly curling her finger, beckoning him to continue. The gleam in her blue eyes gradually faded.
“Is that all?”
“Hardly. Recently, there’s been a notable increase in mercenaries from foreign lands. Officially, they’re here to bolster the labor force, but who would believe that?”
“Idiots, perhaps,” Kaindel added under his breath, narrowing his eyes.
Foreign mercenaries and the Taru people—anyone could see the situation was suspicious.
For some reason, the information hadn’t yet reached the king’s ears, but the other nobles were starting to catch on.
It was only a matter of time before something significant happened.
Something like…
“I suspect you’re plotting treason.”
“Treason, you say? That doesn’t sound very flattering. I’d call it a revolution—a movement to cleanse the kingdom of its rot.”
At Kaindel’s blunt accusation, Kerona burst into a wide grin, as if delighted by the chance to speak openly.
“You know it as well as I do, Kaindel. This kingdom of Hadelber, this rigid caste system, is rotten to the core. People will do anything for money. Corrupt powers cling to their positions, and meanwhile, the lives of the common folk grow more wretched. I want to put an end to this vicious cycle.”
“Have you experienced such wretchedness yourself, Your Highness?”
“No. But one doesn’t have to live through something to understand it. I’ve seen enough. I watched my nursemaid suffer simply because she was a commoner. I’ve seen the pain endured by Sir Heron, who remains by my side despite his humble origins.”
“…”
“I will change this world. Completely change it.”
Having poured her heart out, Kerona sipped her now-cold tea and added, “So, this isn’t treason. It’s revolution.”
“Is that so?”
Kaindel let her words drift past him.
Revolution might sound more appealing than treason, but in the end, it was all the same.
While she spoke of noble ideals, there was no proof that her motives were free from personal ambitions.
To Kaindel, it didn’t matter whether it was treason or revolution.
As long as Isa wasn’t harmed.
The memory of those at the banquet who had insulted Isa as nothing more than a man wh*re tightened Kaindel’s jaw.
He forced himself to relax.
“Whatever Your Highness is planning, I’ll join you.”
“What made you change your mind so suddenly?”
“Who knows?” Kaindel shrugged at Kerona’s probing look.
He couldn’t explain the change in his feelings.
If Kerona had spread the rumors about Isa being a man wh*re to draw him into her schemes, he figured he might as well play along.
After all, hearing the nobles mock Isa at the banquet had stirred a small rebellion in his heart.
“Let’s just say it’s for my own goals.”
“Good.”
Satisfied, Kerona’s smile widened.
“Then let’s start by pretending to get married.”
“Wait… What?”
Kaindel froze mid-nod, doubting his ears.
Marriage?
Where had that come from?
“What did you just say?”
“Marry me, Duke Schudelgarten.”
“You must be joking.”
“No, you heard me correctly.”
“If that’s your method, then this arrangement is off.”
He had already vowed to the king that he would not marry.
Changing his stance now was unthinkable. He had no intention of marrying anyone, especially when he had promised to keep Isa by his side.
What a waste of time.
As Kaindel prepared to rise, Kerona spoke again.
“I know about your lover—that gray-haired one. Isa, was it? No, Isaac Winter, right?”
“…”
“That’s why I said pretend. Just pretend to marry me. I have a lover too, after all.”
Kaindel immediately guessed who her lover was.
He glanced toward the shade of a nearby tree, where Sir Heron stood, keeping a discreet distance from their conversation.
Noticing his gaze, Kerona tapped the table to recapture his attention.
“I’m planning a revolution, as you guessed. It’s bound to draw attention, so I need a distraction. Plus, I need to appear cooperative to the king.”
“And?”
“All you have to do is walk down the aisle with me. That’s the extent of your role in this plan.”
Understanding her point, Kaindel frowned slightly but remained seated.
As the distance between the two figures decreased, the distinct scent of roses pierced Kaindel’s nose.
It wasn’t a pleasant aroma—it was a stench, as though rose petals had been steeped in alcohol for far too long.
“If you truly wish to help me, then I will help you in return.”
“And how are you so certain of what I want?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Isaac Winter.”
“……”
“You’re after Isaac Winter’s safety, aren’t you?”
Even though he knew he shouldn’t, Kaindel couldn’t help but stiffen the moment Kerlona mentioned Isa. Showing sincerity in front of someone who sought to tear him apart was no different from exposing his weakness, and yet, it was beyond his control.
Isa’s safety.
A social circle free of the rumors labeling Isa as a prostitute.
A world where Isa could stand proudly by his side.
It was a hope Kaindel couldn’t seize with his own hands—not yet.
“I will guarantee it. I’ll ensure the vile rumors surrounding Isaac Winter spread no further. And I’ll have him recognized as a companion of the Hero.”
It seemed Kerlona understood this all too well.
Fixing her gaze on Kaindel’s perpetually wavering green eyes, she emptied her teacup.
“So? What do you say?”
* * *
