I was sure he was going to do something then. So there must have been trouble now too.

It was because he now knew that I could recognize the origin of black magic.

"I don't think Ian is necessary..."

"Wow, sister."

Said Aaron, clicking his tongue.

"Now that the crucial moment is coming, you seem to want to be in the spotlight alone."

I just shrugged, letting him be mistaken.

It was true that Ian was not really needed.

If the third black magic origin was eliminated, I would be stronger than Lagian unconditionally.

The forest of Smaho was an access control area where the monsters came out anyway. It would be difficult for Carlon to use more power than Lagian.

"Well..."

Aaron murmured, rubbing his cheeks.

"Anyway, Ian will get enough attention for the upcoming sword contest, so it doesn't matter."

I was dumbfounded, so I replied right away.

"I'm your sister."

"I'm sorry, sister. No matter how close we are, I have to be honest in front of the sword. Especially at official events like sword competitions."

"Isn't it too cold for the official event? Do you know the meaning of siblings in sword competition?

"Of course."

Aaron nodded gently.

"Even if you didn't apply in advance, it's the only condition that you can participate as a proxy."

Naturally, the swordsmanship competition receives applications in advance.

If the participant does not attend that day, he or she will be abstained, except in one case.

One thing was that siblings participated as proxy. Even in this case, the age limit remains the same.

Of course, in the meantime, I have never thought about the clause.

It was because it was unimaginable that Reid would participate in a sword competition instead of me.

But Aaron said firmly as if he could not compromise.

"But under any conditions, it can't be Ian. I've been watching you use a swordsman for eight years."

He added, raising his eyes.

"You're cool-headed when it comes to skills. Remind me that I've never laughed at you in eight years."

"That's unnecessarily consistent."

I snorted and then stopped talking about the topic.

I also had a lot of thoughts after I noticed that Carlon was aiming for the competition day.

I applied in advance, and Aaron didn't. And Aaron can stand in on my behalf.

For now, there was something more urgent.

"Anyway, I'll start with the entrance hall."

"Now?"

Leslie blinked regretfully.

"Yes, Leslie. I'll visit you when I get back. First of all, I have an emergency."

I hugged Leslie once and got ready for the palace.

~*~

It was the second time, so I didn't wander much in the palace. I was able to find Robert quite skillfully.

"Oh, Miss Annabelle. You're here?"

Robert greeted me dressed up as he did at the party.

"Yes, Prince. Did I come too early?"

As soon as I arrived, the servants served me very diligently. They seemed to have heard the news that was hitting the entire capital.

'Hah, like a princess already.'

I sighed inwardly as I watched all the tea-foods set in front of me.

"Oh, no. You're not early at all. His Majesty has already seen me in the morning."

Robert, as well as the servants, seemed somehow to be reminded.

Since I had already met Maiena, I thought I knew the reason, so I was confused.

'I guess you heard it from the Emperor, to marry me...'

I sighed inwardly, but I decided to pretend that I didn't know. This was because there was no need to pretend to know early on.

"First of all, I have something to say."

Robert said, stroking the pigeon.

"I got a call from Nick. They captured the royal knights who tried to kill Lanella and Rayburn."

"Oh, that's great. As expected, it was worth the effort to move fast."

I gave the pigeon a cookie as if it had done well. And I also explained to Robert what happened yesterday.

It all worked out as planned, and the third black magic originated in the Smaho Forest.

Robert sighed when I said that Bellinock was dead.

"Hah. I'll be hearing the news in the afternoon."

It would have been no use accusing me, Aaron, or Cessianne of what happened yesterday anyway.

There was nothing to gain by saying that the Prince's escort seemed to have killed the High Priest. This was because it was only natural for Carlon to cut off a tail.

That was why he didn't lead the Knights of the Wade last night and hit the scene.

A clearer picture of the situation had to be captured. That was also for countless people to know.

"We have to go to the Smaho Forest anyway. I'm sure he's heard by now."

"Hmm."

Robert said with his arms folded.

"You know, Annabelle, you have to go to the Smaho Forest with the royal family. It's only for one person. If you don't, you'll be attacked by the monsters."

He immediately continued with a grave look.

"In addition, the first emperor made a warning of never going to the forest."

"That warning is supposed to be about a violation."

Of course I answered in a casual way.

"If you don't violate those warnings, there's nothing interesting in the world."

"I wonder if he was lucky because there was no one in the capital yet to step in that forest for the first time."

"Hmm... Really?"

"It's written in the literature that most noble people read. It was said that this place was a wasteland when the first emperor took over."

"I think I heard it vaguely."

"Of course, there are stories that are not known to civilians."

"What is it?"

"They say that human civilization has never stayed there and no animal's feet have ever touched it."

"Hmm."

I thought he knew something.

After organizing my thoughts for a moment, I said clearly.

"I think I know the origin of the third black magic."

"...What? How?"

"Just listening to what you said earlier, I remembered something. I'm not sure, so I think I'll know when I go."

Robert's eyes grew bigger at my words.

But I could only guess, so I had to go and check it myself to be sure. I thought I could finish everything really well if I guessed right now.

"Anyway, shall we discuss what's to come?"

Robert stared at me as I spoke smartly. Anyone could tell he didn't want to discuss the future.

"Annabelle."

Robert calmly called my name.

"Didn't you tell me to get married on a contract for the throne?"

"Hahaha, well... Yes."

"Then..."

Robert said with a smile.

"Is there anything you want from me?"

"What?"

"I don't think Miss Annabelle likes me..."

I couldn't help sighing because I thought it had to come. Robert continued in a slightly tense voice.

"...I want to have an arranged marriage that meets the conditions."

"..."

"I'm not surprised."

"Actually, I was expecting it."

There was a moment of silence.

I didn't even try to break the silence and gave him a serious look.

And after quite a long time, I answered slowly.

"First of all, one warp ring."

"...What?"

"I have to smash the royal relics, so I need your wealth and permission."

"Well...that's not hard."

"It's not hard, but it's not a condition of marriage."

I replied with a slight smile.

"It's the price of the crown prince."

"..."

"I'll give you the crown prince's seat this time. You don't have to wait any longer."

It was a huge reduction in time compared to the original.

"But I can't take the place you're offering."

Robert forced a smile at my words and said.

"May I ask why, Miss Annabelle?"

His green eyes shook, unable to hide his shock. Like this, he didn't think I'd say no immediately.

"Is it true love?"

I thought bitterly.

'He doesn't look so happy to be given the crown prince's seat.'

Robert slowly opened his mouth with a slightly panicked look.

"I thought it was because I was too ambitious that Miss Annabelle turned me down. I'm afraid I'll end up choosing the right woman for the throne."

Obviously he thought that, because Robert was clearly the one who would choose the throne over love.

Now, of course, I'd met the requirements.

Maiena said she offered my marriage as one of the considerable sums of money for the royal family.

So it was a pretty good way to marry me to make sure it was in the Emperor's eyes. It also helps the imperial finances.

For Robert, I was definitely a pretty good card.

"It's more heartbreaking than I thought it would be to be rejected. My heart just stings."

But hearing Robert's words, it didn't seem like he was proposing a marriage because I was a good card.