Having finished the meal, Prodia began discussing the contract in earnest with Leke.

She first asked the question that intrigued her the most.

“I would like to know the reason for wanting to contract with me again.”

Leke had already rejected her proposal once.

This was a question Leke had expected.

He answered with a gentle smile, “I felt it in the hunting grounds. I realized that I can never survive alone for long.”

It was an understandable response.

Even for Prodia, the treasure hunt competition had gone too far.

It was a miracle that there were no casualties in that chaos.

At that moment, Leke asked a slightly strange question.

“Lady, did you contract with any other participants besides me?”

Prodia hesitated for a moment.

What intention could be behind this question?

Should she be honest or keep it hidden until signing the contract?

However, Leke relieved her dilemma first.

“I believe having a trustworthy companion would be better.”

Ah, that’s it.

Prodia smiled and said, “Actually, there is another contractor. I’ll introduce you later.”

Upon hearing this, Leke’s eyes showed a momentary hesitation.

The other contractor must be Eritis without a doubt.

Afterward, the two exchanged several questions.

What Prodia was most curious about was the real reason Leke entered the competition.
Perhaps she wondered if Leke had different intentions like Sharak, but Leke replied as if it were nothing, “The Duke wishes for me to marry the Princess.”

If that’s the case, there was no need for further explanation. It was a common reason in noble families. It couldn’t be violated, given the words of my father who holds real power.

After signing the contract, Prodia revealed information about the other contractors.

“Currently, there are four people who have contracted with me. You may be familiar with them, as they were known to accompany you in the hunting grounds.”

Upon hearing the names of the four men, Leke was quite surprised.

“Do you mean they all contracted with the Lady?”

He seemed quite shocked.

He had only thought of them as guys who hung out with Eritis.

Moreover, all three of them were well-known figures within the Empire.

The walking miracle of the Eastern Front.

The successor to the Western Overlord.

And the man known as the future Admiral in the South.

“To have all four of them under her…?”

Leke stared at Prodia.

What kind of leadership did she have to subjugate all four of them, including Eritis, to her command?

He wondered if she might be a more remarkable woman than he initially thought.

And the following statement gave Leke a strong conviction, “The next competition theme is a choir.”
While talking, Prodia mentioned the trust.

Not only did she already know the contents of the trust, but she was also already conducting training tailored to it.

As her story continued, Leke felt like he had been hit on the head.

So, that was the reason.

Why Eritis, who didn’t keep people around easily, had contracted with this woman.

“She was hiding an incredible skill.”

His heart began to beat rapidly.

If that were the case, what he needed might not be Princess Arlin, but Prodia.

Leke was looking for the true owner of the position of the Duke’s wife.

A few months ago, the Emperor of the Empire sent a letter to Duke Elhas.

The content was to ensure that his son participates in the upcoming Buma Tournament.

Among the princes of allied nations participating in the competition, Leke was one of the Emperor’s picks.

Especially since Duke Elhas was a loyal subject who contributed to the Emperor’s ascension.

So, Leke, the Duke’s son, was an excellent match for the princess.

With an outstanding family background, appearance, and even reaching the level of a Sword Master at a young age.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Buma Tournament had to be held, but the Emperor didn’t want to marry his precious daughter off to just anyone.

Duke Elhas accepted the Emperor’s proposal with honor, but Leke’s thoughts were different.
“I have no intention of marrying an emperor’s doll.”

In Leke’s view, Princess Arlin was not a suitable spouse for him.

He heard that she spent her time only in the Star Palace, receiving the Emperor’s care.

So, it was obvious even without looking.

She must be a fragile human who knows nothing about the world and has no independent thoughts.

What he desired was not such a woman.

Someone with abilities as outstanding as his own.

Someone who could foresee the distant future and assist him by his side.

The nation he would rule had to be different from the current one under the empire’s control.

He planned to cultivate independent strength to break free from the empire’s grasp.

But for now, he couldn’t find a suitable woman.

So, he hid his true feelings from his father for the time being.

“Participate in the Buma Tournament, Leke. It is the Emperor’s command.”

“I will make preparations immediately, Father.”

With this, he intended to go to the Avm Empire to assess the situation.

However, an unexpected stroke of luck came his way.