With narrowed eyes, Shailo, who had been watching us, stepped forward.

“I’ll get the doll.”

Even though I didn’t like dolls from the start.

But Shailo had already accepted the dart before I could say anything.

The result is obvious.

Shailo subtly manipulated the wind to ensure that all the darts he threw hit the apples.

“Unfair.”

Merem, who noticed it, narrowed his forehead and made a remark.

But Shailo hugged the large teddy bear with enthusiasm.

Worried that he might come straight towards us with it, I was relieved when Shailo sensibly placed it on the side.

“Is it okay to leave this here while the game continues?”

“Yes, of course. Now, let’s move on to the next competition! The next one is… the Strength Contest!”

Even if Fabel had prepared it, the strength contest would not be an easy one.

Thinking so, Fabel pointed at Merem.

“Come on, Astalo Knights’ commander. Please step forward.”

“…Me?”

“Yes. In this contest, the winner is the one who makes the commander move even a single step!”

There was some discussion about it beforehand, and Merem questioned it as if it was absurd.

But I poked his side, urging him to go to the center.

It seemed more entertaining that way.

“Aren’t you participating, Gong?”

Unwillingly going to the center, Merem turned to Shailo and asked. Shailo, with both hands raised, shrugged.

“Using strength isn’t my style, so I’ll abstain.”

“Tsk.”

Merem, as if indicating to listen, clicked his tongue and left my side. He seemed really reluctant.

“I wonder what the Strength Contest specifically involves.”

It turned out to be a simple tug-of-war. A thick rope was laid out, and participants from both sides grabbed it and pulled.

Naturally, the side with less strength wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

As Merem held the rope with one hand, Shailo approached me a step closer.

“Arti-nim, may I come to deliver the teddy bear around dinner time? If it’s not inconvenient, I’d like to have a meal together.”

“Not today. I’ve already promised to spend time with Merem.”

“Oh, then, how about giving me some time tomorrow?”

“Well… if it’s the last day, I can promise.”

“Great.”

Shailo, who managed to secure the promise, grinned broadly. Then, he gently twirled my silver hair.

“I’m relieved. I’m glad you’re giving me some time, even if it’s just for a day. I was anxious because there are too many consort candidates.”

Shailo exaggeratedly sighed. Without taking my eyes off Merem, I replied smoothly.

“Once you board this ship, you become a consort candidate for the Grand Duke. Since you boarded without permission, you’ll have to accept that much, right?”

“Yes. I’m actually honored. I’m grateful for any time you give me. There are too many consort candidates, so I was nervous.”

Shailo breathed a sigh of relief, exaggeratingly. I didn’t take my eyes off Merem and responded softly.

“Once you board this ship, you become a consort candidate for the Grand Duke. Since you boarded without permission, you’ll have to accept that much, right?”

“Yes. I’m actually honored. I’m grateful for any time you give me.”
Even without looking back at me, Shailo had been looking at me all along.

“In truth, I thought I would grow old and die without meeting anyone.”

“Oh, really?”

“But my perfect ideal type is you, Arti. It hasn’t been long since we met, but everything you show is just perfect. Really.”

While in the capital, the standard of beauty is considered beauty and delicacy, in the north, strength seems to be valued the most.

Watching Merem be the tenth to lie on the floor, I eventually glanced towards Shailo.

“I sincerely meant that I wanted to get to know you. If you go back and choose me, I will willingly enter the Queen’s Palace.”

“What about the Northern Duke?”

“I have many capable subordinates. Moreover, when you don’t visit me, I can just teleport.”

Talking about teleporting as if going in and out of the yard. Well, with that amount of magic power, there isn’t much he can’t do.

From his magic, a very refreshing fragrance emanated. The scent of spray hitting black rocks, the smell of the winter wind robbing ships, the clean scent of piled snow, and the sweet scent of wintersweets were mixed.

Overall, it was a bright and pale… scent of nothingness.

He would be someone my third sister would really like.

“I will be of great help.”

Shailo subtly appealed without missing the opportunity.

Of course, I had already thought about the benefits he could offer.

‘The prestige associated with the Northern Grand Duke’s name. And the unknown power he possesses. The material and human resources of the North.’

All of that was tempting.

If Shailo stood by my side, the nobility faction would have to transform into the Queen faction under that name.

He might achieve an unprecedented powerful authority in the history of the Nix Empire.

In my reign.

‘A truly fascinating condition.’

I didn’t think Shailo innocently made such remarks without knowing.

“I wasn’t interested in what was happening in the capital, but I was still aware. And… I found something unusual.”