I decided not to worry about things I couldn’t resolve.

It was pointless to fret over it, as I knew it wouldn’t make any difference. Nathaniel, too, swiftly moved on to the next topic without much concern.

“Also, Father felt a sense of guilt, so he suggested delaying the New Year’s ceremony a bit.”

“The New Year’s ceremony?”

“Yeah, it’s a way to buy some time before the subjugation.”

The reason Nathaniel and I were so busy was also due to the follow-up handling of humans transformed into monsters.

Upon hearing their stories, we secretly dispatched people to find the suddenly vanished villages.

As feared, there were very small villages that disappeared without a trace. And there was a commonality—monsters appeared in their vicinity.
We had no choice but to tentatively conclude that the people in that village had turned into monsters.

“Have you found a way for the people to return to their original forms?”

“I’m not sure if it’s getting any better.”

“Perhaps those people don’t have magic?”

“That’s likely.”

Even with Nathaniel explaining how to switch between a dragon and a human form, it was of no use to them.

Originally, there was no comparison between Nathaniel, who could freely manipulate the magic within his body, and ordinary humans.

“What’s more urgent is finding a place to hide them.”

Though they were originally human, there would be no lord willing to take those who had become monsters into their territory.

I, too, found it difficult to casually ask my parents for help.

“For now, I’ve found a place to hide. It’s a land abandoned even by the Winter’s Duchy…”

“The Duchy seems to be taking on too much responsibility.”

Taking in a creature that could lose its sanity at any moment was not an easy choice.

But Nathaniel didn’t know something.

“That land is practically abandoned. It’s a forgotten place because the way there is so treacherous. Even if something happens, it’s a location where it’s hard to trace responsibility back to the Duchy.”

“How do you know about that land?”

“My father occasionally sent Uncle there as a form of punishment.”

“…”

It was a harsh land, where one could taste the bitterness of life, especially during the winter.
The problem is that, despite everything, Maximilian, who couldn’t pull himself together, ended up lying to Theresa.

“Anyway, the problem is hiding them and taking them away. Long-distance travel won’t be easy.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already thought everything through!”

I grinned and thumped my chest. The expression on Nathaniel’s face might feel darker than before, but it must be a misconception.

The Winter’s Duke chuckled as he listened to his son’s words.

“Who are you saying you’ll get engaged to?”

“I’ll get engaged to Theresa.”

The duke doubted his ears. The name Maximilian just mentioned didn’t register in his mind.

Even if his son were crazy about a woman, there was no way he would engage with Theresa, whom he disliked.

“Is it the Theresa I know?”

“Yes.”

“Are you not deluding yourself alone?”

“… No, I’m not. I’ve already had a conversation with Theresa.”

The duke ran his hand through his hair nervously. It felt like he was stuck in a horrifying nightmare on repeat.

“Even if you two have talked, I can’t approve. Engagement is no child’s play, and what is this nonsense!”

The duke poured out his words in anger. Starting with their breakup, the Winter’s Duchy had lost many things.

“All because of your fancy love play, Jaina got into a marriage she never wished for, and the Duchy had to present compensation to the royal family, and now this!”
In the end, the duke couldn’t contain his anger and forcefully struck the table in front of him. With a resounding crash, the table couldn’t withstand the force and broke in half.

In desperation, Maximilian stood up and knelt on the floor.

“I understand why you oppose this, Father. However, please support me just this once.”

Maximilian’s words left the Winter’s Duke feeling dizzy. It was pathetic to see this proud man, blinded by love, kneeling and clinging like this.

“Have you lost your mind? You broke off the engagement with Menisil because you disliked her, and now you’re saying you’re engaged to her again. What nonsense is this?”

“We’ve already settled matters between us.”

“Then handle it yourselves! Don’t involve the Duchy anymore.”

Maximilian bowed lower at the duke’s words. Convincing Theresa was challenging, but he anticipated that convincing his father would be equally difficult.

“I know how wretched of an engagement partner I was to Theresa. I’ve disappointed you as well, Father.”

Maximilian honestly admitted his faults. He had been arrogant and arrogant, not giving anyone a chance.

Protecting his pride left him only with the wounds of those he loved.

“Please give me a chance to make amends, just this once.”

“Do you think this chance is for whom?”

Facing his still cold-hearted father, Maximilian bit his lip.
“I won’t do it solely for the family and Theresa. However, if I let her slip away without trying anything, I feel like I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

Capturing Theresa’s heart was a secondary concern. Maximilian’s current purpose was singular.

To keep her alive until the end.

“I earnestly request this.”

Facing his son, whose head was bowed low, the duke fell silent.

It was unbelievable that his proud son, who used to be so confident, was now kneeling and pleading for love.

Love was an unknown emotion for the duke. The strategic marriage with the duchess left only irreparable misery.

Although the duke pretended indifference, marking the divorce seal, he had lost love.

‘And so, I didn’t want to sacrifice my children as pawns in a strategic marriage…’

Eventually, when Jaina was sacrificed for the sake of the family, the duke experienced the feeling of the sky falling.

“Sigh… I’d like to drive you out of the family right away.”

Faced with the sight of his son kneeling and pleading for love, the duke couldn’t help but be swayed.

Wanting the happiness of one’s child is a sentiment shared by all parents.

Closing his eyes tightly, the duke opened his mouth.

“Fine.”

“Th-Thank you!”

Maximilian quickly rose from his seat and firmly grasped his father’s hand.

Seeing his usually aloof and distant son show affection, the duke’s body stiffened.
He discreetly withdrew his hand, turned his head, and spoke bluntly.

“Before that, I should meet Theresa.”