If I had to name the most beautiful woman I had ever met, Sigrun would unquestionably come first. Even among the elves, a race of unparalleled beauty, she possessed the noblest blood. Her appearance was so transcendent that every tribute to beauty in the world would still fail to do it justice.

Her wicked, sadistic temperament was a problem, of course, but few beings in the world could rival her in sheer physical beauty.

To name a few, there had been the Sword Marquis in the age of the Great War, and the Mage of the White Night four hundred years ago. In the present age, there was Arwen Kirgayen. Naturally, even they could not compare with Sigrun in looks alone. But each possessed a radiance that Sigrun lacked.

The Sword Marquis had a powerful beauty born of her dignity as a commander who had won countless battles and the lofty stature she had attained as a knight. The Mage of the White Night possessed a mysterious beauty rooted in her innate delicacy and the truths she had grasped. And Arwen had a distinctive grace and nobility that sprang from her upright nature.

By comparison, the princess of Teuton was plainly lacking. Her natural features and figure fell far short of Sigrun's absolute beauty, and her dignity did not measure up to the Sword Marquis's. She lacked the White Night's delicacy and mystery, and ranked below Arwen in innate grace and nobility. In looks alone, she was not even Gunne's or the other Sword Maidens' equal.

And yet, when the princess of Teuton appeared, the dignitaries in the dining hall were spellbound.

A face beyond pale, utterly drained of color. Mournful eyes that seemed on the verge of tears. A slender frame and fragile shoulders that looked as though a gust of wind might carry them away.

Put kindly, her appearance stirred the urge to protect her. Put less kindly, she looked ill. I favored the latter interpretation. Apparently, everyone else favored the former.

"I, Hestia Neumann, eldest daughter of House Tudor, offer my apologies to the Royal House of Leonberk and the esteemed dignitaries of the Leonberk Kingdom. I am terribly sorry to have caused you concern."

"N-not at all! The North Sea's fury and our kingdom's bitter winds are difficult for those from other kingdoms to endure. We know it is no fault of yours, Princess! There is no need to apologize."

Maximilian answered her greeting in an unusually excited voice. She had spoken in awkward Leonberk that could not be called fluent even as a compliment, yet he seemed not to have noticed that she was speaking our language at all.

Grand Marshal Bielefeld was little better. He watched her with such profound concern, as though she were his own sickly granddaughter, that I nearly laughed in disbelief. Had he ever even met the woman before?

I looked around. The others wore different expressions, but the emotions beneath them were much the same as those on the marquis's and Maximilian's faces: deep sympathy and affection.

Only Count Siorin Kirgayen was behaving normally. As he quietly studied the princess of Teuton, the corners of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. No doubt he had been comparing her beauty with his daughter's, declared his daughter the winner, and was now basking in satisfaction.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, he suddenly looked at me. His smug eyes seemed to boast, Wasn't Arwen far lovelier? Ordinarily, I would have clicked my tongue at such doting foolishness. Right now, I was almost glad to see it. That was how utterly the men in the dining hall had lost their heads.

There was no way the Teuton dignitaries could have missed the mood. A look of superiority spread across Duncan Seymour Tudor's face. That satisfied smile could not have been more irritating.

TAP.

I deliberately brought my hand down on the table with a sound to break the spell. Maximilian, who had still been babbling away half-dazed, belatedly came to his senses and shut his mouth. The princess of Teuton looked at me.

"I, Hestia Neumann, eldest daughter of House Tudor, greet you once again, Crown Prince of the Leonberk Kingdom, renowned as the Lion of the North. You cannot imagine how my heart flutters to meet a hero celebrated throughout the continent."

"Ah..."

Her already downturned eyes drooped further in a peculiar smile, drawing sighs from the kingdom's dignitaries.

"Tsk."

At my quiet click of the tongue, Maximilian and the others realized their mistake, closed their mouths again, and composed their expressions.

"I have long wished to meet the people of the Leonberk Kingdom. Even to an ignorant woman such as myself, your victory sounded quite miraculous. I have always wanted to hear the full tale. To find myself here today, in the company of so many heroes, brings me more joy than I can express."

But the moment the princess began chirping like a bird, showering praise on the kingdom's victory, their hard-won composure dissolved. What a sight. Maximilian was the worst of the lot.

"In truth, when we first declared that we were severing ties with the Empire, the whole world mocked us as fools. Everyone said the kingdom would soon be crushed beneath the Empire's feet."

"I can only marvel at and admire the Royal House of Leonberk for making such a difficult decision."

"We did it because it had to be done, not to earn anyone's admiration."

"Which makes you all the more admirable. The world is full of people who turn away from what must be done because it is difficult."

Encouraged by the princess, Maximilian chattered endlessly about the thorny road the kingdom had traveled.

"Ahem."

I cleared my throat in warning, but he would not stop talking. Usually, the boy could read my mind with uncanny accuracy. Today, he seemed an entirely different person.

Bewildered, I studied him and saw a fervor around his eyes that I had never seen before. Apparently, Maximilian had fallen for the princess of Teuton at first sight.

I could not understand it at all. What was so special about that obviously sickly woman? Arwen was prettier. She was wise and strong, too.

And she was not the only one. Gunne and the Sword Maidens had elven blood, even if only half, and the beauty to match. They were also skilled enough to pull their own weight on a battlefield.

Compared with them, the princess of Teuton was merely a visibly ailing patient. I simply could not fathom why Maximilian and the kingdom's dignitaries were so besotted with her. The kingdom had no shortage of beautiful women who were excellent swordswomen.

"Tsk."

As I clicked my tongue without thinking, the princess suddenly shifted her eyes toward me.

"I see. How truly remarkable."

Her face remained turned toward Maximilian, her lips offering words of agreement. But, unbeknownst to him, her eyes were on me, smiling faintly.

At that smile, I found myself laughing. The smile in her eyes deepened. She had no idea why I was laughing. It was sheer disbelief.

From then on, I leaned back in my chair and openly studied her. The princess of Teuton discreetly turned her eyes back to Maximilian. He was still recounting tales of valor.

The problem was...

"My brother..."

"Had it not been for my brother..."

"In fact, even during the crisis in the North, my brother..."

"My brother..."

"My brother's..."

They were not tales of his own valor, but mine. It was ridiculous. What sort of fool did nothing but boast about his elder brother before a woman he had fallen for at first sight?

"Maximilian."

"And so my brother... Yes? What is it, Brother?"

"The food they went to such trouble to prepare is getting cold."

Unable to watch any longer, I intervened and gently told him to save the rest of the story until after dinner.

"I hadn't thought of that. Thank you for reminding me, Brother."

Another man might have resented being chided in front of a woman. Far from taking offense, Maximilian looked at me with renewed reverence, as though I had revealed some profound truth.

"Now, let us eat before the food gets any colder."

With a sigh, I invited the Teuton dignitaries to begin their meal, then applied myself to my own.

Several times during dinner, I felt a strange gaze on me. Whenever I looked up, the princess of Teuton was staring at me. I stared right back. Under my unreserved gaze, she flushed and returned to her food.

She picked at it, taking tiny bites. Even the way she ate was unsatisfactory. There wasn't a single thing I liked about this young lady. I gave a small shake of my head and went back to my meal.

I could find nothing to like about the princess of Teuton, but I did appreciate one thing: since her arrival, Duncan Seymour Tudor, who had been ceaselessly getting on my nerves, had fallen quiet. Thanks to that, I was able to finish a leisurely meal for the first time in ages.

"No, Brother! How could you say such a thing!"

After dinner, I called Maximilian over and quietly asked whether he liked the princess of Teuton. He all but jumped out of his skin.

"I would never presume to interfere in your marriage!"

"As I've told you repeatedly, I have no interest in marrying her. Meeting her today only made me more certain."

Maximilian tilted his head at my words. He asked what I disliked so much about a woman who was both beautiful and seemingly gentle.

My answer was simple.

"She's so frail. I doubt she could even hold a wooden sword properly."

I told him a flower that did nothing but look pretty was utterly useless.

"What use have I for a woman who can't even protect herself?"

Maximilian hesitated before asking me, "Brother, just what do you think a spouse is?"

I thought it over carefully before answering.

"Someone you can trust, whose abilities and character you respect and who respects yours? Someone with whom you can encourage and foster each other's growth?"

Maximilian looked incredulous.

"Isn't that a comrade, rather than a spouse?"

"What else would you call someone who spends their life at your side?"

My question drew a sigh from him.

"Brother, marriage is not an exercise in recruiting an outstanding knight."

"Why not? What's so strange about wanting the person at my side to be highly capable?"

For a while, Maximilian repeatedly opened his mouth, only to close it again. At last, he heaved a deep sigh.

"Anyway, I have no intention of marrying. If you like her that much, marry her yourself. From what I saw earlier, you seemed quite taken with the princess."

"Brother! When did I ever act that way!"

"If you're not, you're not. Why shout?"

I gave him a sly grin, and he sighed again.

"If that is what you want in a spouse, Brother, what about Dame Arwen?"

After a long silence, he came out with that non sequitur.

"She is a distinguished Silver Lion of the kingdom in her own right, and both her beauty and character are worthy of being called the kingdom's finest. Moreover, House Kirgayen has served the Royal Family faithfully for generations. No one could say she lacks the qualifications."

I frowned.

"From what I have observed, she seems to have feelings for you as well."

"Our relationship is not what you think it is. Don't talk nonsense."

"You know far too little about women, Brother."

To hear that from a naive fool who had done nothing but praise his brother in front of the woman he had fallen for at first sight. Unbelievable.

"Tsk. Enough nonsense. We begin in earnest tomorrow, so brace yourself."

Maximilian's expression grew serious.

"I will see that everything is prepared without a hitch."

"Then you'd better go and get some rest first."

At my subtle dismissal, Maximilian gave a slight bow. Then, as he turned the door handle, he suddenly looked back at me.

"But are you truly not interested in the princess of Teuton, Brother?"

"A woman as fragile as a glass ornament will never appeal to me."

"Understood, Brother. Then, as you instructed earlier, we will proceed with the negotiations using the arms and armor from the North as leverage."

Having returned to his usual clearheaded self, Maximilian left the room with those words.

"Tsk. He should at least hide those red ears before trying to play innocent."

But I had already seen the faint relief on his face, so I merely laughed.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Just then, someone knocked on my door.

"It is Siorin Kirgayen, Your Highness."

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing a man as handsome as ever.

"Forgive the discourtesy of calling at such a late hour, Your Highness. There are a few matters concerning tomorrow that I wish to discuss."

"If you know it's discourteous, keep it brief."

My rebuke did not alter Siorin's expression in the slightest. He continued shamelessly.

"Before we discuss tomorrow, however, there is something I would like to ask Your Highness."

"What?"

"Does my daughter truly fail to meet your standards?"

Only then did I look squarely at him. Apparently, he had overheard my conversation with Maximilian from outside. Fire blazed in his eyes. Seeing that expression, I could almost hear the true question: Who the hell do you think you are, rejecting my daughter?

"Didn't you once talk as though you would keep her by your side forever?"

I asked with a chuckle. Siorin answered, looking pained.

"She has sworn to spend her life with the sword. At this rate, she will remain alone for decades, even after I am gone. When I think of that, I can no longer indulge my own selfish wishes."

"Anyone listening would think Arwen had been living in chaste seclusion for her father's sake."

When I told him Arwen was hardly that dependent on her father, Siorin looked wounded.

"That is not what matters now."

But the look lasted only a moment. Recovering his usual shamelessness, he looked at me and continued.

"I can think of no one but Your Highness. Nor would she refuse you."

"Arwen?"

I gave a disbelieving laugh. Neither of the people concerned had any such intentions, yet everyone around us was making a fuss.

"Count, I don't think you know your daughter at all."

"I believe it is Your Highness who knows too little of a woman's heart."

"Everyone keeps telling me that today."

First Maximilian, and now Siorin was saying the very same thing. The former had been spouting an inexperienced boy's absurd nonsense. The latter was different.

This was a man who had once been the object of every woman's admiration in the kingdom, and who was now its chancellor. He was not one to spout baseless nonsense.

"Hmm."

Caught off guard by this unexpected turn, I could only rub my chin. Siorin spoke in a courteous but firm voice.

"Then I ask Your Highness's intentions once more. Before you answer, please understand that, as the head of House Kirgayen, I am formally inquiring into the Royal Family's wishes."

Straightening his posture, he looked directly at me.

"What are Your Highness's feelings toward Arwen?"

His face was full of indignation, as though he were forcing out words he had no wish to say, but his eyes were more earnest than ever.

"Assuming the marriage with Teuton does not proceed."

Regardless of my bewilderment, Siorin pressed me again.

"Would Your Highness be willing to take Arwen as your consort?"

At his persistent questioning, I found myself looking back over my feelings for Arwen.