After meeting Sien, Matthias headed back to his mansion. Riding on horseback towards the mansion, he thought that raising a child seemed to be quite challenging.

He looked at the servant who silently accompanied him and said, “You mentioned you have experience in raising children.”

“Ah, yes.”

“In your opinion, is our Sien somewhat mature for her age?”
Having assisted Matthias for a while and gone through many experiences, the aide was slightly taken aback. It was especially because of the deep affection he couldn’t fathom that Matthias had for Sien.

Contemplating how to phrase it, the aide cautiously ventured, “Um… She seems like an ordinary child. Adorable.”

“What?”

Matthias’ expression turned cold.

It was when the aide looked at him with a bewildered expression.
“Our daughter is special. The most special in the world.”

“…Yes?”

The aide, who received Matthias’ gaze, tilted his head in confusion.

“Warm like sunshine, and far from ordinary wherever you look.”

After delivering such a freezing statement, Matthias promptly jumped down from his horse.

He had seen the princess’s carriage arrive in front of the western mansion in Mirmod where he resided.

“Follow me slowly.”
After saying that, he strode into the mansion.

He couldn’t help but wonder what business the princess had that disrupted his precious time with his daughter.

So, there they were, the princess and him, sitting face to face.

In the parlor, where they had been sitting and guarding until the tea, which had boiled away, grew cold, the princess, upon seeing Matthias, flashed a beautiful smile.

It was a smile that could melt any man’s heart, but Matthias remained as steady as a rock.
“What business does Princess Serena have with the Mirmod family?”

“Ah… Are we getting straight to the point like this?”

Even though Matthias brought up the main topic as soon as they sat down, the princess didn’t show any signs of being flustered.

Perhaps she had some knowledge of Matthias Mirmod’s temperament and came prepared.

She set down her cold tea cup and then made a clear declaration.

“I intend to propose a marriage alliance.”

“To whom?”
“I’m proposing to you, to join our two families in matrimony.”

Matthias showed no hint of curiosity or interest in his expression.

He stared at the princess with a sharp gaze, dissecting her like a specimen.

“Quite sudden.”

“I’ll submit the official proposal soon, personally.”

“It’s a very favorable offer for me. It means I’ll have the Empress herself as my ally. However…”

The princess smiled as if acknowledging that it was indeed the case.
The empire’s only princess, and externally, she was evaluated as the Emperor’s beloved.

Even her image as the flower of high society… In many ways, her reputation was impeccable.

However, Matthias spoke with a jaded expression.

“Perhaps the most beautiful and noble woman in the empire proposing to me doesn’t quite fit the picture.”

“What do you mean by ‘doesn’t fit the picture’?”
“I have a child. Furthermore, my past is anything but pristine. Moreover, I don’t think I can cherish you… Due to the hostile relationship between the royal family and the Mirmod, if we were to marry, it would be quite a trial.”

“…”

“To make such a marriage proposal first, anyone would think that you must have an ulterior motive.”

The current Matthias Mirmod understood very well now.

That there could be hidden traps in tempting offerings.
Moreover, he had a daughter to protect, didn’t he?

It was also a matter that concerned the mother of his daughter, so there was more to investigate.

“Why do you want to marry, and now it seems I need to persuade you. How about that?”

That princess might even try to grab her own leash.

So, is it necessary to say something unnecessarily?

“His Highness the Crown Prince wishes for a union between the royal family and the Mirmod.”
Despite Matthias’s penetrating gaze, the princess spoke gracefully.

“Furthermore, my choices for a marriage partner are either Matthias or someone much older than me, perhaps even foreign princes. I don’t desire such options.”

Matthias silently stared at the princess. Her gaze, meeting his, was quite dignified and composed.
She didn’t particularly excite him, but objectively, she was the most beautiful woman in this empire.

Enough to be able to marry someone other than Matthias Mirmord, for a political alliance.

“If you’re trying to put a leash on a beast like me through this political marriage.”

“Oh, excuse me, Lady.”

Ignoring her words lightly, Matthias continued.
“It seems like quite an interesting event will unfold.”

The princess smiled quietly, nodding her head, bowing briefly, and then raising it again.

“Then I will formally request a marriage alliance from your family.”

Axel Mirmord won’t be able to come out of the netherworld for a while.

Now he will become a foe of the Imperial family.

“Go ahead, give it a try.”

He gazed at the princess with a cold expression.

What was the Imperial family’s intention?

Matthias, too, gradually planned to find out.