The once-dusty study of the Nearl estate was now back in use thanks to Daniel‘s return.
Wearing his glasses, Daniel was reviewing documents while Yujin leaned against the wall, watching him.
"You're going to the party?"
"Yes. They claim it‘s a gathering to promote harmony among the Sport Knights... but I don't know the specifics."
The Sport Knights and the Merchant Association were inseparable. The Association paid the knights to advertise corporations, and the knights used their fame to boost corporate image. It could be called corruption, but officially, it was mutual respect.
"…Going is fine. Getting information while you're there would be even better."
"I intend to, but since I don't know their motives, I can't predict what will happen."
To attend a party, one needed the proper attire. Fortunately, dresses and suits for Yujin and Raquelamalin had already been prepared.
"You already had them ready? When?"
"From the moment you entered the tournament. Knights and banquets go hand in hand."
They must have taken the measurements when fitting him for armor. But how had they prepared a dress for Raquelamalin? Seeing Yujin‘s perplexed expression, Daniel smiled.
"Have you told the lady yet?"
"Yeah, well..."
Yujin trailed off, his expression complicated. Remembering Larin burying her face in his chest reminded him strangely of Theresa.
Daniel slammed his file shut. Was the boy dense, or just slow on the uptake? Larin‘s feelings were obvious to anyone with eyes, yet this oblivious knight still hadn't caught on.
"Go get ready. The banquet is tonight."
"Understood."
Once Yujin left, Daniel‘s smile faded as he looked back at the documents spread before him. Sector Zero, and the movements of the Armorless Union.
They didn't flip coins on uncertainties. They waited until the desired result was guaranteed, then struck like hunters going for the throat. Even if the Merchant Association made foolish mistakes, the Armorless Union did not. That was the rule that had kept them alive.
The mindset of a corporation and the mindset of a hunter were fundamentally different. Without the Union, the Association would have collapsed dozens of times over.
"What are they waiting for? Is there something more important than us?"
The Union hadn't moved. If they wanted to kill Yujin, they should have done it before he gained fame. Or if they wanted to suffocate the Nearl family as it slowly regained strength, they should have struck now.
"Why...?"
Daniel still couldn't understand them.
Dressed in a suffocatingly formal suit, Yujin twisted his body uncomfortably. It was restrictive, but he had to endure it.
"If you keep fidgeting, this will take longer."
The butler adjusted Yujin‘s attire and pinned a brooch to his chest. It looked excessively expensive, glittering in the light.
When everything was done except the tie, the butler stepped aside, prompting Yujin to turn around.
Behind him stood Raquelamalin in a long, pitch-black dress. The back was open, revealing a seductive elegance, and the fabric flowed around her like the night sky filled with dancing stars.
"…Beautiful."
The compliment slipped out reflexively. She was breathtaking.
"R-really...?"
Larin, also uncomfortable in the dress, fidgeted slightly but smiled at Yujin‘s words. She walked over to him and touched the untied necktie.
"Why isn't this done yet?"
"I don't know how to tie it, and the butler vanished."
Like a shadow, the butler had disappeared, leaving them alone. Larin reached out with her slender fingers.
"There."
She tightened the knot and smiled, feeling a thrill of domestic intimacy, as if she were tying a tie for her husband.
Yujin, oblivious to her thoughts, looked at the invitation. It stated nothing about the purpose of the banquet, only that they were invited. It could be a tiger's den. But the problem for the tigers was that Yujin and Larin were apex predators capable of eating the tigers.
Yujin felt confident he could extract himself and Larin from whatever trap lay ahead.
"You look worried. Will you be okay?"
"…No, just hoping my anxiety is unfounded."
He hoped it was just nerves. As long as the danger didn't materialize, they could get through this. But his instincts were sounding an alarm. Given his current unstable state, if something happened, he might lose control.
Adding to the unease, PRTS had gone silent since his condition worsened. It had never failed to respond since their first meeting. Yujin was the only one who knew of its existence, so its sudden disappearance was troubling. He just hoped the AI hadn't caused any trouble.
"I will guide you from here."
When they got into the prepared car, the driver spoke bluntly. Yujin looked out the window indifferently, while Larin fidgeted nervously.
"Why so tense? As a princess, haven't you been to plenty of parties?"
Not knowing the extent of a Banshee Princess's life, Yujin asked casually. Larin gave a bitter smile.
"No."
Through her hazy memories, she saw the land of the Banshees. A valley built in a desolate wasteland.
"…The world I saw was limited to that crumbling valley."
To Larin, the valley was a cage. The Banshees protected her there, keeping her ignorant of the outside world. She had only heard stories from visitors, fueling her curiosity.
The dry valley, the daily life with her sisters, her mother leading them as Queen. It wasn't bad, but it was confining. Using Kisha as an excuse, Larin had left to wander the world.
Stories are beautiful only when heard; experiencing the world firsthand was far less romantic.
'Still, meeting you might be my greatest fortune.'
Swallowing the words, Larin looked at Yujin. What had started as curiosity toward a strange man had deepened.
She knew she had fallen for him, and she remembered her sisters saying, 'The one who falls in love first loses.' But what could she do? She was crazy about him.
"You can experience it from now on. We have plenty of time," Yujin said.
Even if she hadn't seen it before, there was time. They could travel the world together.
"Will you be with me?"
She asked teasingly, intending to fluster him, but Yujin was used to her jokes by now.
"If the Princess wishes it, gladly."
Yujin took her hand and mimed kissing it. Larin‘s face turned bright red.
Leaving the flustered Larin behind, Yujin stepped out of the car as they arrived at their destination. The driver bowed silently. Yujin helped Larin out, holding her hand.
A guard approached. Yujin handed over the invitation, and the guard, recognizing him, bowed.
"Verified. Please, go inside."
Who would they meet? What was the intent behind the invitation? Yujin didn't know, but he wasn't afraid.
"The lady beside you..."
"My partner. We can enter together, right?"
"Of course."
The guard glanced at Larin, then lowered his gaze after meeting Yujin‘s eyes. Her dress revealed her shoulders, and her thorn-like horns were distinct—proof of her Sarkaz heritage.
Yujin being a Sarkaz was public knowledge. Insulting his partner would gain them nothing.
Seeing Larin‘s eyes tremble slightly, Yujin squeezed her hand.
"Don't worry. I'm protecting you."
She had used Arts to conceal the Originium crystals on her shoulder, but a skilled observer might notice.
However, Yujin was by her side. That was enough.