Chapter 4
At the word “pact,” Kaiden flinched.
The first Duke of Crensia was a dragon, and his descendants were born with superhuman strength.
Kaiden himself carried the strongest dragon bloodline among all previous heads of the family.
His powerful body and overflowing aura were proof of that.
So when someone mentioned a “pact,” it was not something he could dismiss lightly.
A pact.
A contract in which the other party wagered their life to use the dragon’s power was, for dragons, little more than entertainment.
The first Emperor of Mernier had gained wealth and glory by forming a contract with the dragon Crensia.
The reason Crensia, who originally belonged to no one, became a vassal of the Emperor was also due to that pact.
And that agreement had continued through generations, turning the House of Crensia into the sword that protected the Mernier Empire.
[Crensia stands with Mernier.]
When Reyna brought up a pact that had long since become nothing more than tradition, Kaiden sat back down.
He judged that the woman’s reason for coming was not simple.
“You do understand what that means, and you still propose it?”
Reyna inwardly felt relief and spoke calmly.
It was good that he had not left.
“Yes, I know. If I break it, my heart will stop.”
The pact was not one-sided to Crensia alone.
In exchange for borrowing Crensia’s power, Mernier offered its heart.
The moment they betrayed it, their heart would cease.
But she had already experienced a heart that had stopped once before.
Reyna wanted a different choice this time.
A life not dragged along by fate—but one she would actively live.
To do that, she had to leave before her birthday arrived.
The Emperor believed that Reyna, who had been sickly since childhood, possessed weak abilities.
He likely did not even know he had a daughter named Reyna among his many children.
So she had to escape before the Emperor took interest in her.
“Knowing that… why would you make such a proposal to me?”
“Because I’m desperate.”
Reyna steadied her trembling hands and continued.
“And because… you will also need me.”
“Me?”
Kaiden repeated in disbelief.
The woman before him looked far too fragile to be useful—more like someone who needed protection.
Her words were absurd, but remembering his earlier rudeness, he held his tongue and waited.
“Well… I don’t particularly need you, Princess.”
His tone was slightly mocking.
Reyna had expected him not to believe her, so she was not greatly shaken.
Who would believe a princess who suddenly claimed she was needed?
She steadied herself and continued.
“A Class-1 Sealed Monster.”
“Pardon?”
“I can solve it for you.”
At the mention of monsters, Kaiden’s expression turned serious.
The reason he had been preparing to return to the North was precisely because of a Class-1 Sealed Monster.
Once every hundred years, a Class-1 Sealed Monster appeared in the North.
The exact cause of its appearance was unknown, but statistically, this year was the most likely.
And whenever it appeared, countless people in the North died.
So he could not take her words lightly.
Kaiden asked with suspicion.
“And how exactly do you intend to solve it?”
Meanwhile, Reyna inwardly rejoiced as she saw his interest.
Just as she thought—this was the best way to convince him.
For the next ten years, Class-1 Sealed Monsters would appear frequently in the North.
In her previous life, due to imperial interference, Crensia failed to respond in time, and half of its territory became dead land ten years later.
She knew the locations of all future Class-1 Sealed Monster appearances.
If she prevented them in advance, she could stop the weakening of the North.
Kaiden Crensia would never be able to refuse her proposal.
Reyna said with determination:
“I know which divine beast’s authority will manifest for me on my coming birthday. Even now, I can use its power in a limited way.”
At the word “authority,” the room turned cold.
It was such a serious matter that even Kaiden lowered his voice.
“…Is something like that possible?”
Of course it shouldn’t be.
But only the imperial family knew the details of divine beast authority.
So Reyna casually lied.
“Of course. Through that power, I can locate the appearance sites of Class-1 Sealed Monsters. Does this make my proposal more interesting?”
Kaiden seemed to think for a moment before murmuring,
“I was under the impression that speaking of divine beast authority to outsiders is forbidden.”
“That’s why… could we speak alone? This is a matter of life and death for me as well.”
Reyna glanced toward Ben.
Honestly, she could not trust anyone except Kaiden.
After a moment of consideration, Kaiden decided it would not hurt to hear her out.
“Leave us.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Ben reluctantly bowed and stepped out.
Now finally alone, Reyna took a deep breath.
Being alone with him made her nervous.
Meanwhile, Kaiden observed her carefully.
Just moments ago, she had spoken boldly, yet now her cheeks were flushed with tension.
‘Was she always like this?’
Back when they had met briefly, she had barely been able to look him in the eye.
Now she was staring so intently it felt as though she was trying to memorize everything she saw.
Well—she did have imperial blood.
Kaiden crossed his arms and spoke casually.
“Now, speak. How exactly do you intend to locate the monster’s appearance sites?”
Kaiden watched from the window as the carriage carrying Reyna disappeared into the distance.
Contrary to his expectations, Princess Reyna Iv Mernier’s proposal had been bold.
He had thought she was merely fragile, but recalling how calmly she stated her opinions made her seem surprisingly capable.
At that moment, Ben returned after seeing Reyna off.
Kaiden turned and said,
“Look into Princess Reyna.”
“How far should I investigate?”
“Everything.”
Ben bowed and accepted the order.
Yet instead of leaving, he hesitated and asked,
“Did you enjoy the conversation?”
“Hm?”
“You’re smiling.”
“Me?”
Kaiden touched the corner of his lips and blinked.
“If you doubt me that much, you can investigate my background.”
“I was already planning to.”
“I-I see. That’s good then.”
Perhaps it was because that awkward, fidgeting image lingered in his mind.
Kaiden sat down heavily.
“I may need to meet the Emperor soon.”
The sudden change of topic made Ben wave his hands in protest.
“What? N-No way!”
“Why not?”
“You’re not seriously considering accepting, are you? This is clearly the Emperor’s scheme. There’s nothing to gain by going.”
“The princess wasn’t sent by the Emperor.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Intuition.”
“Does only Your Grace get that intuition?”
Ben muttered in annoyance, and Kaiden shot him a look.
Ben lowered his gaze and muttered,
“The Emperor is already trying to interfere in your marriage as it is. Why walk into that nest yourself? …Wait! Don’t tell me you’re finally planning to confront him directly? If so, please accept my resignation first.”
“Nonsense.”
Kaiden dismissed his words flatly.
