Some might think it was a joke when the Emperor announced that Ian would be engaged to the princess. Yet, during his time at the imperial palace, Ian found himself persistently pursued by her.
Having Noah by his side didn’t help. Wasn’t this the same situation where the Emperor had officially approved their marriage?
Instead, Noah had now become a cunning vixen who had joined Ivenoah and set her sights on Ian.
“Lady Noah, if you help me, we can have our engagement party together within the week!”
“Wait, the engagement…!?”
“Yes! We sisters will be celebrating our engagements together. That way, the Marquis won’t be too bothered.”
As she spoke, Ivenoah shot Ian a sharp look.
Noah also turned to him, her expression unreadable.
Ian, however, had no intention of holding an engagement ceremony—or anything of the sort.
‘I can’t let myself get dragged into something crazy like this…’
At first glance, an engagement with the princess might seem like an opportunity rather than a disadvantage. Becoming her fiancé meant gaining the title of duke. If luck was on his side, he could even ascend to the position of Emperor. After all, it would place him in the third-highest rank within the empire.
However, that was just wishful thinking.
The idea that Ian would benefit from this engagement was something even a child could see through.
‘How will the others see me now?’
Stella, Syrah, Dinua, Principal Catherine, Homeroom Teacher Clara, Senior Ariel, and Lancia, whom he had only met a few days ago—
Many women would see this as a betrayal. He had given them all sorts of excuses in the past, only to eventually surrender to power.
While the Emperor’s authority was certainly tempting, it wouldn’t grant him immediate control. Ian needed influence in the provinces, not in the imperial court.
‘I have to speak with the Emperor.’
With that decision made, Ian requested a private audience with the Emperor.
The request was granted without hesitation, and just as he had at the academy before, Ian found himself seated alone with the ruler of the empire.
“So, what’s on your mind?”
The Emperor’s tone was relaxed—perhaps he already considered Ian his future son-in-law.
Ian studied his expression for a moment, carefully considering whether his words contained any flawed logic. Finally, he spoke.
“I’d like to talk about the date of the engagement.”
“It seems you’ve finally made up your mind. Good. When would be a suitable time? How about this weekend?”
“…I’d like to delay it.”
“Delay it? Hmm, yes, there is an academy festival in the second semester. That could work.”
“Graduation day.”
The Emperor frowned slightly. Ian’s graduation was still three years away, as the ceremony was held at the beginning of each year.
“…And why is that?”
“I have my reasons.”
Of course, he couldn’t tell the Emperor his real plan—to behead the Demon King and return to Earth before the graduation ceremony. If he said that, the Emperor would surely think he had lost his mind and would likely push forward with the engagement immediately.
No, he needed a more convincing justification, one that wouldn’t offend the Emperor.
“I come from a baron’s family. My background is closer to that of a commoner than a noble. In fact, my father is more of a hunter than a lord.”
Truthfully, Ian Clark’s father was indeed skilled in hunting, so this wasn’t exactly a lie.
After emphasizing his humble origins, he continued.
“In other words, I am no different from a commoner. I lack the etiquette and dignity expected of someone marrying into the imperial family.”
“That’s nothing to worry about. If you simply—”
“Even if Your Majesty believes so, the nobility may not.”
At those words, the Emperor fell silent, likely thinking of the court nobles. These were the same retainers who had refused to grant Ian a title despite his achievements in uncovering and destroying the demon tunnels, which had saved humanity from great peril.
It was clear how they would react if he, the son of a mere baron, were to marry the princess.
Even as Emperor, he couldn’t afford to ignore them entirely—they were a crucial financial resource.
“So, I need time to prove that I am worthy of the Princess.”
“…You wish to study court etiquette?”
“That’s not it.”
Ian’s voice was firm.
“I want to prove—so thoroughly that even a three-year-old child could understand—that I am a man deserving of the Crown Princess.”
‘This is it.’
Ian’s instincts screamed that this was the decisive moment. He concealed his true objective and presented his words like a finely honed blade.
“I will set a precedent.”
The Emperor chuckled.
“That’s quite an ambitious goal.”
“My current achievements are not enough.”
“If someone who has already defeated a top-tier demon isn’t enough, then who would be?”
“That accomplishment alone is lacking.”
Ian smiled, subtly hinting that there were even greater threats beyond the top-tier demons.
The Emperor, seemingly understanding his implication, let out a hearty laugh.
“You intend to rally the nobility?”
“More than that. I will present you with the head of the Demon King.”
“Hahaha! Okay. Indeed, if you go after the Demon King, no one will doubt that you are worthy of the imperial family.”
The Emperor, laughing heartily, looked at Ian with admiration, as if he had never expected such a response from him.
“By the way, I didn’t expect you to take your engagement so seriously.”
“Yes?”
“You must be quite sincere to declare that you’ll take the Demon King’s head…”
As Ian listened, he realized the Emperor had misunderstood something.
Why did he say he was going to hunt the Demon King? It was for his own benefit.
In stories, once the Demon King was defeated, everything was over. However, in this world, people saw it as proof of one’s worth—even as a way to prove oneself worthy of marrying a princess by eliminating the greatest evil that threatened the world.
“Well, since you’ve said it—fine. I will grant your request.”
With that, the Emperor ordered Ian to bring back the Demon King’s head.
Ian wasn’t entirely sure how things had reached this point, but since the situation seemed to be working in his favor, he cautiously lowered his head and said,
“I will keep that in mind.”
***
After Ian left the audience chamber, the Emperor muttered softly, “Well, what do you think?”
“It was unexpected. I never thought he saw my sister that way.”
The Crown Prince, who had emerged from behind the Emperor, recalled Ian’s words.
What? He wasn’t well-versed in etiquette, so he needed time to study?
If he lacked qualifications, he would compensate by taking the Demon King’s head?
No matter how he looked at it, those were the words of someone truly determined to marry the princess.
And from the perspective of a protective older brother, that was rather annoying.
“…It’s irritating, but he isn’t wrong.”
Still, if Ian truly kept his word, the prince was willing to sincerely acknowledge and congratulate his sister’s marriage.
Right now, the world was in turmoil due to the ongoing battle against the Demon King and the demons. And here was someone claiming he would personally bring back the Demon King’s head.
If Ian really managed to do it, the prince might even consider surrendering the throne to him.
“He seems to truly love my sister.”
“Hmm… I didn’t see it that way.”
“…What? Then why did you agree to his request?”
“Well, if he actually defeats the Demon King, it would be advantageous in the end.”
At those words, the prince glanced at his father, carefully concealing his momentary shock.
An Emperor who saw even his own children as mere tools for the empire.
A man who devoted everything for the sake of humanity.
Perhaps, in his eyes, even his own son was nothing more than another cornerstone for the empire’s future.
‘A perfect Emperor for the empire… but a tyrant of a father.’
If it weren’t necessary to pass down his summons to an heir, he probably wouldn’t have had children at all.
Staring at his father with a mix of resentment and admiration, the prince wondered—could Ian give his sister the love that neither he nor their father ever could?
***
A few weeks passed at the Imperial Palace.
That meant Ian’s vacation was coming to an end.
‘Time flies so fast.’
Boring class hours seemed to drag on forever, but enjoyable moments vanished in an instant—almost as if to remind him of their preciousness.
Reflecting on the fleeting days of his vacation, Ian finished preparing to return to the academy.
“Your Majesty, thank you for everything.”
“It’s nothing. Are you heading back to the academy now?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Very well. I look forward to seeing you again, son-in-law.”
“…Hahaha.”
Ignoring the Emperor’s comment about being his ‘son-in-law,’ Ian boarded the carriage prepared for him.
Naturally, Noah sat beside him.
“So—”
“…What are you doing?”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“Princess. Why are you in this carriage?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I need to return to the academy as well.”
At that, Ian remembered—the princess was also a student at the academy. She was a year older than him.
No wonder.
Ian, who had finally escaped the palace and was looking forward to a different environment, suddenly felt as if nothing would change after all. His expression hardened as he glanced at her.
“Take good care of me, Marquis. Or should I call you junior at the academy?”
Hearing her teasing words, Ian could already see his future at the academy turning into a nightmare.
Even if he wasn’t particularly noteworthy, the princess was royalty.
At the academy, where the number of summons one possessed determined their status, someone of her rank could still look down on others by virtue of her title alone.
Would she suddenly act familiar with him just because vacation had ended? Even if he ignored it, he knew exactly how others would perceive it.
‘This is going to be a headache…’
Ian could only hope that the princess wouldn’t openly cling to him at the academy.
“…Princess.”
“Call me senior.”
“…Senior, please act like you don’t know me in the academy.”
“Are you putting up a wall? How cold.”
Fortunately, Ivenoah didn’t pout or ask why she had to do that. If she had, Ian might have seriously considered dropping out of the academy altogether. In a way, that was a small mercy.
‘Really… I’m going back after so long.’
It almost felt nostalgic.