Zen patiently waited for Tanashia when he heard the sound of knights approaching on horses, and their conversation reached his ears.

“Did you hear the news? Breloph Young One accepted the emperor’s proposal and will soon become the empress.”

“Really? So, was it because of the proposal that Breloph Young One was brought to the Kalua Empire?”

“That’s what I heard. It was announced officially a while ago.”

With an expression of disbelief, Zen looked at the place where the knights had passed.

Tanashia didn’t consult Zen on everything, but at least he knew that the purpose of today’s meeting with Helsion wasn’t to accept the proposal.

Moreover, she had said something when they came here.
─Ascan keeps making remarks that bother you. Still, try to take it as positively as possible.

─Why should I…!

─Because he’s the man I like.

Zen had been Tanashia’s escort for ten years. Therefore, he knew she had an unbearable personality, and if she didn’t like something, she wouldn’t budge.

It was extremely unpleasant for Tanashia to harbor feelings for Ascan, but she would never marry him over Helsion.

That was an impossible choice.

‘Something is strange.’

It bothered Zen that, instead of dismissing it as mere rumors, the part of the article that mentioned officially announced content stuck in his mind.

He felt an unprecedented ominousness, something only those who had guarded Tanashia for a long time could sense.

Zen silently gazed at the sky.

Before going to the palace today, he had given Tanashia a signal. If something happened, she should have sent the signal.

‘I didn’t expect not using the signal would make me more uneasy.’

In the worst case, Tanashia might be in a situation where she couldn’t even use the signal.

Zen contemplated. Should he wait for Tanashia to come out, or should he check the recent conversation?

Since communication with Orland was currently cut off, the decision on what to do in this situation rested solely on him.

That’s when it happened.

Dut-dug, the chamberlain who had accompanied Tanashia into the palace appeared, bringing her with him.

The chamberlain seemed to recognize Zen, who had followed Tanashia a while ago. He walked straight towards Zen and spoke.

“The bodyguards who came with Breloph Young One may now return.”

“What are you talking about? Where is Miss Tanashia?”

“Don’t worry. Breloph Young One has accepted the emperor’s proposal. Tonight, she is scheduled to spend her first night in the palace.”

This suddenly?

Zen couldn’t comprehend it.

Even if the chamberlain’s words were entirely true, it wasn’t appropriate to call the people from the Breloph family to the palace to receive them.

“If that’s the case, I’ll go get the maids who serve the young lady.”

Zen thought he needed to come up with an excuse to meet Tanashia.

However, the chamberlain shook his head and spoke as if to reassure him.

“No need to worry. The emperor has ordered to prepare for the first night in the palace. There’s not much time left, so there’s no need to bring the maids from the Breloph family.”

There was no reason to hide the content officially announced from Zen alone. On the contrary, the chamberlain seemed to kindly explain to Tanashia’s bodyguard, who would soon become the empress.

‘A first night in the palace before the wedding ceremony…’

Zen was sure.

Something had definitely gone wrong.

However, contrary to such inner thoughts, Zen responded to the chamberlain with an expressionless face.

“I understand. Then I’ll leave for now.”
Zen walked willingly in the direction of leaving the palace. It was the moment when he could no longer see the chamberlain and the palace guards.

Sseuk, like a lie, Zen’s figure disappeared as if evaporating.

He had used his dark attribute ability to secretly infiltrate the palace.

The Kalua Empire was a powerful military nation. The palace security was strict, so delaying would likely raise suspicion.

The time to secretly investigate without anyone noticing was not long.

With an anxious heart, Zen quickly passed by the buildings, searching for Tanashia.

‘Miss, where on earth could you be?’

Fortunately, Zen soon caught sight of the familiar figure of Tanashia.

However, something was strange. Tanashia, like a doll with its strings cut, remained motionless, receiving the palace maids’ attention.

The maids brought several wedding dresses in front of her and asked, “Which one do you like?”

“…….,” Tanashia, however, didn’t respond.

Though the maids had expressions of not understanding her words, they refrained from making any move to avoid upsetting Tanashia, who would soon become the empress.

After a while, Tanashia closed her eyes, seeming resigned.

Zen quietly confirmed her location.

Ascan was meeting Bill at the mansion as planned.

Seeing the completely reversed Calspelliver for the first time, Bill couldn’t close his mouth in amazement.

“It’s truly amazing. I’ve heard that Breloph Young One is a genius in the field of magical engineering, but I never knew she could do it so perfectly.”