Chapter 178

Chapter 178

The unidentified ivory-haired girl seemed somehow displeased with me.

Judging from what she was saying, she must have had some connection to me.

I should have asked Lucas about Ashs relationships with women... but no, there wouldnt have been enough nights to cover them all.

Ash was well-known as a notorious playboy, after all.

There wouldnt have been time for a detailed briefing, and remembering every single instance would have been impossible.

So, who is this young lady... Ah!

Suddenly, it dawned on me.

That ivory-colored hair, the same shade as the SSR-rated heroes from the northern Ariane Kingdom.

Furthermore, though slightly tan and cream-colored, she had the pale skin typical of northerners, with a particular light pigment.

And those white furs adorning her pearl-colored dress... they must be from the white bear, a symbol of Ariane Kingdom.

By now, it was clear. I quickly got up, forcing a smile.

"I apologize for recognizing you late, my Lady."

I approached the girl and respectfully bowed at the waist.

"As you know, I am Ash, the third prince of the Everblack Empire."

"..."

"May I know your name, my Lady?"

I already knew her name, having read the documents provided by Fernandez, but its better to go through the formality of asking.

"...Yun."

The girl reluctantly spat out her name, as though it was a great inconvenience.

"Its Yun Ariane, Your Highness."

"It is an honor to meet you, Princess Yun."

As I continued to bow, Yun, looking uncomfortable, twisted her body and reluctantly extended her left hand.

I gently grasped her left hand and kissed the back of it. Yun shuddered, disgusted.

Hey, I was merely following the etiquette. Dont hate it so much.

I mustered up the courage to do this, even though Im kissing the back of a hand of a woman Ive never met.

Though Ash was known to usually ignore royal etiquette and behave however he liked, he still had to act properly when meeting his betrothed.

As I lifted my lips and smiled gently, Yun quickly snatched her hand away.

***

Yun Ariane. 19 years old.

The second princess of the Ariane Kingdom, she was described in her profile as clear-headed, wise, and as courageous as a bear, making her quite popular in her kingdom.

Courageous like a bear...?

Looking down at the girl in front of me, I broke into a cold sweat. She looked more like a swan than a bear, no matter how I looked at her.

"I was sent as an envoy, and after I arrived, I found out that a marriage had been arranged in the meantime."

Standing at the border of the garden and banquet hall, we were engaged in conversation.

Leaning against the terrace wall, Yun absentmindedly swirled the champagne glass in her hand.

"The fate of royalty is always like this. Ha, but to be matched with the most ill-reputed third prince..."

"That third prince is standing right before you."

Youll hurt the delicate feelings of the prince if you say it so bluntly.

"You are surely aware of your own reputation, arent you, Prince Ash?"

"One cannot truly know a persons essence based on public opinion alone. Princess Yun."

Yun addressed me with the respectful "Your Highness," but I did not return the favor.

The Ariane Kingdom was nominally a vassal state of the Everblack Empire.

Because of this, she could not easily refuse this arranged marriage, regardless of her own will.

"Do you dislike me?"

I asked with a broad grin, to which Yun rolled her amber eyes.

"Do I have a reason to like you? A philanderer, a good-for-nothing... You seem to have tried every bad thing a man can do."

"Perhaps all of that is merely unfounded rumor?"

"Where theres smoke, theres fire, right?"

I shrugged at Yuns sarcastic laugh.

"If I truly were such a playboy, wouldnt all the ladies Id ever dallied with be swarming around me like bees at a party like this?"

Around me, all was calm. Yun was the first to approach me one-on-one.

But Yun glared at me, her face filled with disbelief.

"Do you think I really wouldnt know? Youre famous for approaching others, sucking them dry, and then ruthlessly discarding them."

"..."

"Ive heard there were many young women who gave you everything, their bodies, hearts, and wealth, only to be discarded. Will you not use me and my kingdom, only to cast us aside when youre done?" she asked.

"Hmm... Let me think about it. A sly man and a bad man..."

I burst into casual laughter.

"Exactly what type of man is to your taste? What is the standard for your preference?"

"Really, dont you southern men understand?"

The princess of the continents northernmost kingdom raised her arm, emphasizing her biceps, and said, "Of course, its rippling muscles!"

I was momentarily speechless.

Ah.

Of course.

I understood at once.

"Muscles that fit perfectly! Majestic physique! The kind of heroic presence that can uproot mountains with strength and overturn the world with vigor!"

Was this the aesthetic of a nation that survived in the icy wastelands? Indeed, it made sense.

So she liked the muscular Lark but disliked the scrawny but tall Fernandez and me.

"May I ask just one thing?"

I suddenly grew curious.

"What is the popular ideal for women in the Ariane Kingdom...?"

"Its the same."

Yunthen raised her opposite arm to emphasize her biceps.

"Muscular and strong! What else would it be?"

"...By that standard, Princess Yun doesnt seem very popular?"

She appeared frail and delicate.

"When I take off my clothes, its quite impressive..."

Yun started to reveal her abdomen, as if to show off her abs, but realizing she was tightly dressed, raised both her hands.

"Theres no way to show you."

"..."

She seemed quite confident in her muscles, but, um, those lines were a bit risky. Please be careful in the future.

While engaging in this unproductive but enjoyable chatter.

Dong-! Dong-! Dong-!

Suddenly, a loud, slow, heavy bell rang three times throughout the banquet hall.

The previously noisy party hall became as silent as if doused with cold water. Everyone turned their astonished eyes toward the entrance.

Even Yun, sensing the extraordinary atmosphere, covered her mouth and stared at the entrance.

"Could it be? Could it be?"

Expect the unexpected.

The servant who had been loudly announcing the arrival of the royalty, this time, uttered in a trembling voice, full of effort.

"Chosen by the goddess to build a paradise on this land, supreme, noble, and lofty, the sovereign of this country, His Imperial Majesty of the great Everblack Empire, long live!"

Long live!

Everyone shouted, bowing their heads and showing respect, even though he had not yet appeared.

Yun and I hastily bowed our heads and knelt on one knee.

"He enters!"

With a scream-like shout, that man entered the banquet hall.

"..."

I opened my mouth slightly, looking up at my father.

If a god were to shape a human not from clay but gold, would he look like this?

I hadnt realized it when he was frozen on his throne. The appearance, the demeanor, and the twinkling golden light hidden in those piercing eyes.

He truly seemed a man born to be an emperor.

The majesty, authority, and transcendental aura overflowing from his body, clad in black and gold formal attire...

Thump!

He merely stepped onto the platform, yet I felt a resonating sound.

The sole Emperor of the Everblack Empire.

Traha Peacemaker Everblack - swaying his red cape, entered the banquet hall.

"Hmm..."

He slowly scanned the thousands of kneeling attendees before him and then,

"...Where is Ash?"

He asked for me first.

What?

Why?