A fancy carriage with a huge emblem of a blue dragon passing through the border of Belial territory, it's surrounded by a group of knights in shining armor, everyone who sees the carriage along the way stopped their activities and bow in the presence of the Imperial family.
"This land is the most prosperous territory, the Belial family sure have their pride in their possession, in contrast to this well-managed region, it's a shame they are ignorant in political affairs"
Said the Imperial Crown to his escort Dion inside the carriage, both of them admiring the vast plantation and the smile on the face of the workers.
They were only entering the Belial territory not too long ago but the atmosphere of the surrounding has changed drastically.
The laughter from the playing youngsters, the warm chat among the adults, and the friendly patrolling guards, instead of fear by living next to the den of the monsters, they live happily protected by the Belial family.
"Yes, Your Highness. Despite being a terrible Father, he is unexpectedly a credible Lord to his people and has a good reputation"
Dion stated his opinion, looking at the people of this territory he was sure that the Belial Archduchy is a remarkable landlord, but the report of the ex Zero who acted as the watchman in this family saying that both the Archduke and Archduchess aren't favoring the Miss Belial, the odd thing is Miss Belial has a true-blood but they never bothered to marry her off to the other Belial true-blood before the Imperial decree comes, as if they just realized she is born with their exact appearance which is likely impossible.
"If this family shows any interest in political affairs and favor their daughter as the candidate for the Crown Princess, I wouldn't choose Miss Belial as my fiance, though I have an uneasy feeling about this Miss Belial either, everything around her is too mysterious"
"Oh, are you feeling anxious about that matter?"
"Yes, that report was brought by the ex-Zero directly to the palace in his day off as a Butler to prevent any suspicion"
"Wait, your Highness. If that report were true, then, isn't it seem like she only keeps her parents as the pawns to manage this territory?"
"You just realized that despite being a top scholar?"
Dion could feel the shiver on his spine, he still wasn't sure the reliability of the report regardless of whether it was brought by the trustworthy spy or not because the content simply unbelievable but...
"But your Highness, In the end, she didn't mean any harm to the innocents, and more importantly, this family is not into your throne as they are more obsessed with having a Belial True-Blood than engaging their daughter to you and seized more power unlike the annoying nobles who keep pestering you"
"Talking about the nobles, these peaceful 2 years were like the calmness before the storm"
Prince Rex added, ever since the appearance of a powerful third party, both the traitor's faction and the Imperial family were laying low and focus on searching for the mysterious girl and her companions, they don't even know if that little girl has a master as a backer or she was the master in disguise, their strength and origin remain as a mystery in this 2 years.
"Yes, even though we have strengthened all we could in these past years, we still didn't have enough information about the enemies and their schemes, to make it worst, the meddlesome Temple also keep saying war is an evil deed to the people, making us will be seen as the villain if we choose to attack the rebels, we have no choice but remain in the passive defense"
Rex let out a heavy sigh, he needs to settle this engagement as soon as possible and back to the palace to help his father.
"Your Highness, we have arrived"
One of the Knights informed him from the outside of the carriage. Rex peeks at the small window and sees they are passing through the Belial's castle gate.
-â¢-
Thump!
Thump!
"I greet His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince of the Great Azure Empire, My name is Lagertha Grizel Von Belial, firstborn daughter of the Belial house in honor of welcoming you to this humble abode of Belial family"
The Belial only daughter gracefully greets the Prince and his escorts in front of the mansion, standing behind her were the servants bowing to the guests.
Thump!
Thump!
The gazes of the fated two meet in silence as if the time has stopped. Rex stunned in astonishment as the unfamiliar feeling creeps his heart once again since the last 2 years ago, his heart getting restless at the girl in front of him.
Swoosh!
A gentle breeze fluttered the silky white silvery hair in bright radiant beneath the sunlight, blue sapphire eyes as clear as the calm ocean drown those who were charmed, long thick eyelashes match the bright color and the natural red cherry lips.
'A fairy?'
The prince who lost his words flinched a little bit when the melodious voice caught his ears once again.
"Your Highness?"
Grizel called the dumbstruck Prince in a concerned tone but...
"Pfft"
A slight chuckle could be heard behind Rex, Dion quickly shut his mouth when the prince who gained his consciousness back glared at him.
"I am sorry Miss Belial, I was fascinated by the perfect creation of God right before my eyes, I am Abigor Ãedán Rex Von Royale Azure pleased to make your acquaintance"
Rex back to his princely acts as he smiled and kneel in front of Grizel to kiss her hand gently.
"The pleasure is mine, your Highness"
Grizel smiled sweetly like a pure maiden in response to the fake gentle prince.
Gasp!
The servants and the knights who bear witness to the painting-like view of the two enchanting humans gasped in awe, both of them have taken the heart of those around them.
-â¢-
"Dion, did you realize it?"
Prince Rex asked her trusted aide, both of them are talking with a low voice in a fancy chamber assigned to the exclusive guests to rest in Belial castle.
Arrived right before noon, they were given the rooms to rest after the tiresome trip because tonight the little Lady in charge of the guests will be hosting a small feast to welcome the Prince and his escorts formally.
"Yes your Highness, although it was a little bit mature, I am certain that voice is the voice of the mysterious little girl 2 years ago, and..."
"Her personal Butler, Levi. If I'm not mistaken the name she granted to the skinny boy back then was Leviathan"
Rex added, he couldn't forget anything about her even after 2 years has passed.
"Exactly your Highness, he got a taller and healthier body, not to mention his graceful conduct befitting the high-class Butler, for a second it was hard to recognize him as the malnourished youth at the slums 2 years ago. Oh! is that why you keep on staring at him instead of your angelic fiance?"
Dion teased the blushing prince, it was the first time for him to see the mature prodigious Prince acting like an enamored youth whenever the Miss isn't looking.
Rex smirked on his smug face.
"I have a lot of time worth my entire life to look at her as my wife when everything is settled, for now, I need to confirm her intention as the third party in this affair if she was truly that mysterious girl"
"Your Highness, you are just barely engaged with her by using the forceful Imperial decree, I can't believe you are already talking about marriage life"
Dion who is still unmarried in his twenties facepalmed at the abrupt statement, he knew that his lord was planning to use his fiance as the shield to avoid the pestering nobles, yet now he is the first one to forget his own goal.
"But, isn't it strange? She doesn't conceal her voice nor has the intention to hide her Butler from us as if didn't care about the leak of their secret"
Prince Rex asked Dion, he was certain that the mysterious girl knew his identity and smirked at him before leaving,
'Then why she didn't hide anything from us after keeping silent in these 2 years?'
Both of them lost in their own thoughts.
"Is she perhaps inviting us for a little talk?"
Rex murmured by himself trying to figure out everything.
"Tonight, she is hosting a small banquet to welcome us, how about asking her for a stroll then confirm to the Miss directly when no one around you, your Highness?"
"If she leaked her identity purposely to invite us, I don't need to ask for a meaningless stroll, she will provide a place to negotiate with me, Dion"
"Hahaha indeed..."
Dion laughs awkwardly but the prince seems to ignore him.
'What are you planning tonight my beloved fiance~?'
Rex grinned inwardly couldn't help but wish for the sun to set and the night to come sooner.