For a moment, I genuinely wasn't sure what I was looking at. It didn't feel exaggerated or unreal in a dramatic way, just… the kind of moment where your mind takes a second longer than usual to process what's right in front of you. Golden hair that caught the light without trying, calm blue eyes that didn't just look at you but seemed to notice things, and a presence that felt composed without being distant. She wasn't doing anything extraordinary—just standing there—but somehow that was enough. And I, without realizing it, just stood there staring.
Not intentionally. Not even consciously.
Just… staring.
Somewhere beside me, Rowan noticed before I did. Of course he did. A quiet but very deliberate clearing of his throat followed, just loud enough to pull me back. "Ahem… Your Highness," he said, his tone polite but carrying a very clear message underneath, "as Her Highness has already introduced herself… this is Princess Elisa."
That was enough to break whatever state I had drifted into. Not completely, but enough to realize that I had been silent for longer than I should have been. "Ah… yes," I said quickly, straightening slightly, trying to gather myself before things got worse. "Hello… I'm Arin Carter, and I…" I paused. That shouldn't have been difficult. It was just an introduction, a basic sentence, something I've done countless times before. And yet, for some reason, the words didn't come out the way they were supposed to.
"…I'm… well…" I tried again, adjusting mid-sentence as if that would somehow fix it, "I'm the new king of this kingdom."
There was a small pause after that—not long, but long enough for it to feel noticeable. And immediately, my mind reacted. That didn't sound confident. It didn't even sound normal. Back in my old life, introducing myself was simple—name, maybe a small joke, conversation moves on. But here, in front of someone I hadn't expected to meet like this, my brain just stopped cooperating. Some things really don't change, especially the part where talking to girls somehow becomes unnecessarily difficult for no good reason.
Great, I thought, becoming a bit too aware of everything at once.
First impression… ruined.
And once that thought started, it didn't stop. Now I was thinking about how I sounded, how I was standing, whether I looked awkward—which, realistically, I probably did. A quiet exhale slipped out before I could stop it, and I immediately realized that might have been audible.
Not ideal.
For a brief moment, there was silence again, but this time it didn't last long. A soft laugh broke through it, and I looked up to see Princess Elisa turning slightly to the side, clearly trying to hold it in, though not very successfully. It wasn't mocking, and it didn't feel disrespectful either. If anything, it felt genuine, like she hadn't expected it and that made it harder for her to stop.
"I'm sorry," she said, still smiling, "but that might be the most honest introduction I've heard in a while."
I didn't really have a proper response to that, so I chose not to give one. At this point, saying less felt safer than saying more. She composed herself after a moment, though the lightness in her expression didn't completely disappear. "I don't think we should continue this conversation standing here," she added, her tone returning to something more structured, though still relaxed. "You've just arrived. You should go inside and freshen up. My mother and I will be waiting for you at lunch."
That actually helped. Clear instruction, no pressure to continue the conversation further. "I see… yes, that makes sense," I replied, nodding once and keeping it simple this time. No overthinking, no unnecessary additions—just normal.
As I turned to head inside, one thought stayed with me, clear and unavoidable. That could have gone better. Not slightly better—much better. I let out another quiet breath, this time more controlled.
…Yeah. I definitely need to work on that.
By the time I reached my room, my body had already started giving up. The moment I lay down on the bed, it hit me all at once—not pain, not exhaustion in any dramatic sense, just… heaviness. The kind where even moving your arm feels unnecessary.
The past few days hadn't allowed proper sleep, and now that everything had slowed down, my body was simply catching up. I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds without really focusing on anything, letting out a quiet sigh as the weight of everything settled in.
A lot had changed in a very short time. New place, new role, new people… and none of it felt like something I had prepared for. Even now, it didn't feel like I had fully caught up to everything that had already happened. The thought of what might come next lingered in the back of my mind, not heavy, just uncertain.
After a while, I forced myself up, took a bath, and got ready. The clothes laid out for me were already prepared—formal, structured, clearly chosen with intention. I didn't question it, just wore them and made my way toward the dining hall.
The dining hall was quieter than I expected. Princess Elisa and Queen Charol were already seated, with only a few maids and Rowan standing at a distance. There was no noise, no unnecessary movement—everything felt controlled. Not tense, but not casual either.
Elisa noticed me first. "Oh, you're here. Please, have a seat," she said, her tone polite, a little lighter than before. I responded with a small nod—something I was starting to rely on more than actual words—and took the seat opposite Queen Charol.
As I settled in, Elisa introduced me. "Mother, this is Arin," she said, then added, "the new king of Valenford. And this is Queen Charol, currently serving as Regent." It was a proper introduction, which meant I had to respond properly as well. "Hello… nice to meet you," I said, keeping it simple at first, but then, for some reason, added, "My name is Arin… I've been… well… brought here."
The moment the words left my mouth, I could feel it—something about that sentence didn't sit right. It wasn't wrong, but it wasn't exactly… right either. The atmosphere was already a bit heavy, and instead of balancing it, I had probably made it slightly more awkward.
And then there was Queen Charol. Her presence wasn't intimidating in an obvious way, but it carried a quiet authority. The kind where you become more aware of your own words without being told to. Before I could overthink further, she spoke. "So, you are Arin," she said calmly, and then, without hesitation, she lowered her head slightly. "First of all, I am deeply grateful that you have come to our world and are willing to help Valenford."
That completely caught me off guard. Not the words themselves—but the way she said them. I hadn't expected that from a queen, especially in a setting like this. For a moment, I didn't respond, not because I didn't want to, but because I needed a second to process it. It felt strange. Not wrong—just unexpected. Because the truth was, I hadn't come here by choice, and yet she was thanking me for it.
"N-No, please…" I said quickly, straightening slightly. "You don't have to do that. You're the queen—you shouldn't be bowing like this." I paused, choosing my next words more carefully this time. "As for me being here… yes, at the beginning, I didn't understand any of this. It didn't feel right. But after everything I've seen… I think Valenford needs me more than I thought." It wasn't a perfect response, but it was honest, and that felt enough.
Queen Charol observed me for a moment—not judging, just… understanding. Then she gave a slight nod, as if accepting both my words and the hesitation behind them. Before the silence could stretch any further, she shifted the conversation naturally. "We should begin lunch," she said, her tone returning to structure. "There will be time for discussion afterward."
That was something I could agree with immediately. "Yes… that would be good," I replied, feeling a small sense of relief as the conversation paused at a stable point. For now, at least, I could focus on something simpler—which, considering how the last few minutes had gone, was probably for the best.
After the meal, the atmosphere shifted subtly. The plates were cleared, tea was served, and with that, the real purpose of this meeting began to surface. Queen Charol placed her cup down gently before looking at me.
"Arin, as Chief Advisor Rowan must have already informed you, in order to establish your position properly and secure your legitimacy, it will be necessary for you to marry Princess Elisa."
She said it directly, without hesitation. I had expected this, but hearing it from her carried a different weight. There were already several questions in my mind, but I chose to listen first.
"Yes, Rowan has explained the situation to me," I replied.
She nodded. "As you know, my husband, King Leki, has passed away, and Valenford requires a ruler. However, to ascend the throne, you must be recognized as part of the royal lineage. That is why this marriage is necessary. I would like to hear your thoughts."
It was a fair question. I took a moment, not to delay, but to be clear with myself before answering. "I understand Valenford's rules, and I respect them. But before I give my answer, I want to know what Princess Elisa thinks about this. Being asked to marry a stranger… that isn't a small decision."
There was a brief silence before Elisa spoke.
"You don't need to consider my opinion separately," she said calmly. "When Rowan spoke to you about this, it was already with my consent. And as for marrying a stranger, that is not unusual in royal families. In many cases, the bride and groom don't even know each other until the day of the wedding. Right now, Valenford needs stability, and if I begin to prioritize my personal preferences over that, then I would be failing my responsibility to this kingdom."
She didn't sound forced or pressured. If anything, she sounded certain. Then, with a slight smile, she added, "And after what you've done, you've already proven that you can lead Valenford forward."
I listened quietly. There was no exaggeration in her words, just a clear acceptance of her role. Queen Charol followed without delay.
"Elisa is correct, and I fully support this decision as well. Your actions in the recent battle have already demonstrated your capability."
For a moment, I didn't respond immediately. Not because I was unsure, but because I wanted to say it properly. Then a small, natural smile formed.
"Alright… I understand," I said. "I accept the marriage. But I do have one condition."
Both of them looked at me, attentive.
"This is not just a political arrangement. It's something that will affect both of us," I continued, glancing briefly at Elisa. "So I think we should have some time to understand each other before making it final. I don't think the marriage should happen immediately."
This time, the silence felt thoughtful rather than tense. When I looked at Elisa, her expression didn't show surprise. If anything, it felt like she had expected something along these lines.
Queen Charol considered my words for a moment before responding. "Your point is reasonable. The marriage will take place one year from now, and until then, you will remain formally engaged. This ensures your legitimacy as king will not be questioned. And tomorrow, the announcement of your engagement will be made across Valenford."
That resolved both sides without conflict. I nodded in agreement.
With that, Queen Charol rose from her seat, and I followed immediately. She stepped closer and took my hand in hers, her expression calm but firm.
"From today onward, the responsibility of this kingdom rests on your shoulders," she said, "and so does the responsibility of my daughter."
Her words weren't dramatic, but they carried weight. She then turned toward Rowan. "Will you continue to guide our young king as you did for King Leki?"
Rowan bowed his head slightly. "It would be my honor. From what I have seen, I am confident he will become a capable ruler."
Queen Charol then called Elisa forward and gently placed her hand into mine. "Take care of each other," she said.
For a brief moment, I looked at Elisa. The confident composure she had earlier had softened slightly. She wasn't uncomfortable, but there was a natural hesitation there—something more human than royal. And oddly enough, that made things easier.
After that, everything moved quickly. The decision was formalized, the message carried outward, and within a short time, the entire kingdom knew.
From that moment on, things were no longer uncertain.
I was no longer just Arin.
I was the 29th King of Valenford—Arin Valenford.