TOOCM | 004

Episode 4

At the mention of an “oath,” Kaiden flinched.

The first Duke Crencia was a dragon, and his descendants were born with superhuman strength.

Kaiden inherited the strongest dragon blood among all heads of the family.

His robust physique and boundless aura were proof.

So, when she brought up the binding “oath,” he couldn’t take it lightly.

An oath.

A contract where one stakes their life to wield a dragon’s power was, to a dragon, almost a game.

The first Mernie Emperor gained wealth and fame through a pact with Dragon Crencia.

That oath also led Crencia, once unbound, to serve as the Emperor’s vassal.

This made the Crencia ducal family the sword guarding the Mernie Empire.

[Crencia stands with Mernie.]

When Reina invoked the oath, long reduced to a formality, Kaiden sat back down.

He judged her visit was far from simple.

“Do you understand what that means and still propose it?”

Reina, inwardly relieved, said calmly.

Thank goodness he didn’t leave.

“I know. If broken, my heart will stop.”

The oath didn’t bind only Crencia.

Mernie offered their heart in exchange for Crencia’s power.

Betrayal meant a stopped heart.

Her heart had already stopped once.

Reina wanted to make a different choice this life.

Not a life dragged by fate, but one lived fully.

To do so, she had to leave before her birthday.

The Emperor assumed Reina, frail since childhood, had weak powers.

He likely forgot he even had a daughter named Reina among his many children.

So, she had to leave before he took notice.

“Knowing that, why propose this to me?”

“Because I’m desperate.”

Reina clasped her trembling hands and continued.

“And you’ll need me too.”

“Me?”

Kaiden asked, incredulous.

The woman before him seemed too fragile to be needed—more like someone to protect.

Her absurd claim amused him, but recalling his earlier rudeness, he waited.

“Well, I don’t particularly need you, Princess.”

His mocking tone didn’t faze Reina.

She expected his disbelief.

Who would trust a princess they just met claiming she’s needed?

Steeling herself, Reina spoke.

“A Class-1 restricted monster.”

“What?”

“I’ll deal with it.”

At the mention of the monster, Kaiden’s expression turned serious.

That was exactly why he was rushing to the North.

Every century, a Class-1 restricted monster appeared in the North.

No one knew why, but this year was the likeliest.

Each appearance brought countless deaths to the North.

He couldn’t dismiss Reina’s words.

Kaiden asked, skeptical,

“How exactly will you deal with it?”

Reina inwardly cheered at his interest.

She knew this was the best way to persuade him.

For the next decade, Class-1 restricted monsters would frequently appear in the North.

In her past life, imperial interference delayed Crencia’s response, leaving half the territory a dead land after ten years.

She knew every monster’s emergence point.

Preventing them could preserve the North’s strength.

Kaiden Crencia wouldn’t refuse her offer.

With a resolute look, Reina said,

“I know what divine power I’ll awaken on my birthday. Even now, I can use it to a limited extent.”

The word “power” chilled the room.

Given its gravity, Kaiden lowered his voice.

“…Is that possible?”

Of course not.

But only the royal family knew the details of divine powers.

So, Reina lied nonchalantly.

“Absolutely. With that power, I can pinpoint the monster’s emergence. Does that spark your interest?”

Kaiden seemed to ponder, then muttered,

“I thought revealing powers to non-royals was forbidden.”

“Which is why—can we speak alone? My life’s at stake.”

Reina glanced at Ben.

She trusted no one but Kaiden.

Judging it wasn’t too late to decide, Kaiden ordered Ben,

“Leave.”

“…Yes.”

Ben reluctantly bowed and exited.

Alone at last, Reina took a deep breath.

Now that it was just them, nerves set in.

Kaiden keenly observed her.

She spoke boldly, yet her cheeks flushed with tension.

‘Was she always like this?’

Years ago, she could barely meet his eyes.

Now, she stared so intently it was almost embarrassing, as if memorizing everything.

Well, royal blood, he supposed.

Arms crossed, Kaiden spoke calmly.

“Now, tell me. How exactly will you locate the monster’s emergence?”

* * *

Kaiden watched Reina’s carriage depart through the window.

Contrary to expectations, Reina Eve Mernie’s proposal was bold.

He thought her merely frail, but recalling her calmly stating her opinions, she was quite resolute.

Ben returned to the study after seeing Reina off.

Kaiden turned and said,

“Look into Princess Reina.”

“How deep?”

“Everything.”

Ben bowed, accepting the order.

Instead of leaving, he slyly asked,

“Seems you enjoyed the talk.”

“Hm?”

“You’re smiling.”

“Am I?”

Kaiden touched his lips, blinking.

“If you’re suspicious, investigate me.”

“I was already planning to.”

“W-Well, that’s good then.”

Perhaps her awkward hair-twirling lingered in his mind.

Kaiden slumped into his seat and said,

“I might need to meet the Emperor soon.”

Ben waved his hands, objecting at the sudden shift.

“What? No way!”

“Why not?”

“You’re not seriously considering it, are you? This is clearly the Emperor’s scheme. Going will gain you nothing.”

“She wasn’t sent by the Emperor.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Just a gut feeling.”

“Is that gut feeling exclusive to you?”

Ben grumbled, lips twitching, earning a glare from Kaiden.

Lowering his gaze, Ben muttered,

“His Majesty’s already meddling in your marriage. Why walk into that den? …Gasp! Are you planning to confront the Emperor? If so, accept my resignation first.”

“Nonsense.”

Kaiden dismissed Ben’s words.