Riding an elegant horse with a white body and mane was a familiar blonde man—Duke Macassi, Jax.

Next to him, an even larger and majestic horse appeared.

The horse also had pure white fur, but its mane and tail shimmered like silk in dazzling gold. It elegantly pranced, exuding an arrogant demeanor.

In contrast, the rider appeared somewhat small. Or rather, compared to the horse, they looked even smaller.

A pale face with rosy cheeks and golden eyes. A nobly-shaped nose and gracefully closed lips.

But what was most striking was the bright golden hair that seemed to wave elegantly.

The golden locks shone intensely as if burning by themselves.

The woman wore a tiara that seemed to boast its own halo.

Princess Maira Riley looked down at Aiden with a subtly graceful smile.

“Princess……”

“Ah, Duke Mason. I see you remember me even from a distance.”

While Princess Maira appeared relaxed, Aiden was breaking a sweat.

His keen senses detected an impending danger.

The magic that controlled Brody was different, much more potent than when Jax had triggered it.

Because the source of that power was none other than Maira Riley, who received the blessings of the Sun Spirit from the Riley family.

‘That woman is the princess……’

For Brody, this was the first time seeing the princess in person.

The woman she had only heard about or read as characters in novels was vividly alive before her eyes.

And Brody realized that the description in novels was neither exaggeration nor falsehood. In fact, it felt insufficient.

Her beauty was so ethereal it seemed to captivate anyone at first glance. Her hair was so brilliant it was almost unnerving. She exuded an inexplicable charm and intimidation.

Warm, yet capable of burning everything to the ground.

Such was her sun-like presence.
Brody caught the princess’s gaze, and she smiled back at him.

Then, with her elegant smile still intact, she spoke.

“Your Grace, I did not come here to fight.”

“Odd words coming from someone who just shot an arrow.”

“Is it not a reasonable warning for a kidnapper?”

“Ah, a kidnapper.”

As Aiden chuckled, Jax stepped forward beside him.

The handsome, albeit somewhat smug, face of Jax was no longer marred by the scar Aiden had given him. The princess must have used some magic. Jax caressed the spot where the scar used to be as he spoke.

“Surely there’s no one in the world who would be fine with their sister being taken without their lord’s permission.”

Of course. Jax delivered his lines as if he were an actor on stage.

Same old, same old. Brody felt a headache coming on as he listened to Jax’s tone.

“Brody, my dear sister, like a cute sparrow and a mischievous kitten, how about you stop resisting and come back with us?”

Ah… Ah, what do I say to that?

Leaning on Aiden, Brody mumbled.

“Your Majesty, can’t we just ignore him and go?”

Aiden almost nodded vigorously but held back.

He wanted to turn and run if he could.

However, among the thirty or so robust men present, he wasn’t sure he could stop one person—the princess.

The power that founded and maintained the empire originated from the ‘Spirit of the Sun.’

The descendants of the emperor had been blessed by the ‘Spirit of the Sun’ for generations.

Much like Aiden was blessed by the ‘Spirit of Ice.’

And for some reason, that power seemed to be manifesting in the princess, not the emperor or crown prince.

At least Aiden, who possessed the energy of the ‘Spirit of Ice,’ could sense it.

The burning energy within her.

‘She also seems to have strong elemental energy.’

For a long time, the ‘Spirit of Ice’ had been subordinate to the ‘Spirit of the Sun’ due to a long-standing ‘promise.’

However, that promise was recently broken when the empire allowed the autonomy of the north.

Thus, this confrontation of energies was an incredibly rare event, defying ages of history.

“Wasn’t it you who proposed a ceasefire? Advancing all the way to the Fort of Ferdinand, should I consider that breaking the treaty?”

“Oh, oh, why the harsh words? Your Grace, we did not come to attack the north. Simply return my lovely sister, and we will turn back immediately.”

“Who would return their wife to an Orabi who tries to control her with cursed medicine?”

At those words, the princess’s eyebrows twitched.

Though the thirty soldiers were well-trained and remained silent, their gazes wavered slightly.

But Jax did not flinch and shrugged.

“In what world is there such a villainous Orabi? Wait, wife? Are you saying Brody is your wife? You’re her husband?”

Aiden unconsciously tightened his grip around Brody as if he never wanted to let go.

And he replied with each word carrying weight.

“Yes, we are bound by matrimony. Brody chose to be by my side.”

Aiden’s solemn voice resonated through Brody, who leaned against him.

This is not the time. For some reason, a shiver ran down her spine, and Brody’s heart began to flutter.

Though unintentional, Brody’s flushed face gave the impression of a newlywed couple.

With finality, Aiden spoke.

“You all are the kidnappers trying to take my wife away. It’s absurd. Just go back.”