I stared at the Monarch, my mind kind of blank. His question just hung there, awkward like a demon strolling into a holy ceremony.

  "I'm sorry, I think you're misunderstanding something..." I managed, trying not to sound as bewildered as I felt. "I have a fiancée."

  A koi fish broke the nearby pond’s surface, sending little ripples through the lantern light’s reflection. The Monarch’s face stayed unreadable, though one eyebrow did twitch upward.

  “I know you have a fiancée,” he said calmly, choosing every word like it mattered. “I also know you’re involved with that Fenixia girl. And, from what I hear, your maid is also your ‘mate,’ as the First Apocalypse put it.” He folded his hands behind him, his robes shifting with the move. “So I’m just making sure.”

  What the hell? How did he know so much? Had Ha-Yun told him everything?

  My Demonic Sphere flared a bit, not sensing any direct threat but feeling the weight of how tricky this talk could get. Probably he wouldn’t attack me, but still.

  “Princess Ha-Yun and I are just friends,” I clarified, rubbing the back of my neck in a gesture that felt a bit too casual under his intense stare. “We only met a few weeks ago, during the midterms, right before we hopped on the airship to Goryeo.”

  It felt like the tension in the air softened a tad. The Monarch’s shoulders loosened, and a tiny smile touched his lips.

  “That’s… good to know,” he murmured, his gaze drifting to the koi fish darting under the lily pads. “As a father, that is indeed very good news. I wouldn’t want my daughter thrown into some harem where she’d always need to compete against others. But as a ruler…” His faint smile faded, replaced by a calculating look. “I admit, politically speaking, that revelation is a bit disappointing for me.”

  I stayed quiet, not sure how to handle that. The night breeze's smell of jasmine and incense mixed with the damp scent of the pond. Crickets chirped around us, filling the silence.

  So this is about politics, I realized. Not only about fatherly protectiveness, but something a lot bigger. The Monarch wasn’t just interrogating me as a dad—he was sizing me up as a king as well.

  “All right, let me give you a quick brief on the situation before we continue talking,” he said, gesturing for me to follow along the water’s edge. We walked side by side, our reflections rippling in the pond as koi wove around each other. “My daughter is engaged to the third prince of Xianli Kingdom, our neighbor to the north.”

  I nodded. Ha-Yun had mentioned an engagement on our trip here. I didn’t know it was political though, but perhaps I should have expected so.

  “It was set up years back, after a nasty border conflict that almost blew up into a real war,” he went on. “The marriage was supposed to lock in peace between our lands. But now…” He sighed, the sound heavy enough to remind me how much weight he carried as king. “My daughter’s powers have grown in ways no one foresaw. Now that she’s at Waybound, she’s blowing past even her previous teachers.”

  “She’s extremely talented, you’re right,” I agreed, picturing our duel. The memory of her sakura petals still amazed me—so pretty, yet so lethal. Her skill level was nuts for someone her age.

  “The Xianli royals aren’t exactly thrilled,” he said, watching a fat koi glide by under the surface. “Their culture doesn’t allow a wife to overshadow her husband in strength or rank. Then the fact that she’s engaged to a mere third prince, not even the crown prince. Yet, she surpasses them all. Imagine, a foreign princess who surpasses their crown prince? They’d never let that slide.”

  Ah, the classic 'strong woman scary' nonsense. I'd seen similar attitudes in noble circles back home although much less than in the east.

  “They’re pressing to move up the wedding,” he continued, his gaze following the koi. “They want her wed and under their thumb before she finishes her education at Waybound—basically before she gets any stronger.”

  They wanted to lock her down before she could spread her wings. How typical.

  “I… would like to scrap the whole arrangement, my fatherly instincts tell me so, but that would cause issues at the border… and, well, some other stuff,” he said, voice dropping lower like even the palace walls could eavesdrop. “We have a lot of traders traveling between our nations, and they’d get stuck in the middle of it.”

  “It’s fair to worry about your people, Your Highness.”

  “But when I think about how miserable my poor girl might be if she’s forced to live somewhere her strength is seen as a problem…” His fists clenched at his sides. “I couldn’t care less about trade at that point.”

  The emotion in his voice caught me off guard. Despite his regal posture, he sounded more like a worried dad than a monarch.

  “So why not just, you know?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Sorry if I’m crossing a line, but… why not just crown her as Queen? I heard that she’s the older child. Isn’t the fiancé the third prince, so he wouldn’t inherit that kingdom anyway? Maybe he could be the King Consort or something like that here? He should be happy.”

  The Monarch's laugh was short and without humor. "The west operates much differently than the east, for you to have such a view. Amusing, but no. It's not common for female rulers to be a thing here. Especially in Goryeo." He gestured to the palace around us, its ancient walls steeped in tradition. "There's never been a female ruler here. The entire eastern continent is kind of backdated in that regard. Heck, even Ha-Yun is so obsessed with this culture that she doesn't want to be Queen. And because of the same views, the third prince would rather kill himself than become a ‘house husband’."

  So Ha-Yun was caught in the same old traditions she’d grown up with? That made sense with how resigned she’d been. This was more about her own beliefs than just what the kingdom wanted.

  “Gotcha…” I mumbled, soaking in the messy cultural puzzle.

  He grimaced as if the mere thought of that boy as a son-in-law irritated him. “I don’t like that brat either,” he said, tension in his jaw. “I hate just imagining how he’d treat my daughter. A man like that does not deserve my daughter!”

  He almost grew agitated, but was sensible enough to regain his cool in front of a foreign young man like me. I nodded, watching the lantern light flicker on the pond. This was a lot more twisted than I’d expected.

  After a bit of silent walking, the Monarch turned to face me fully, his royal presence commanding even in this private setting. "So, as a ruler – purely as a ruler – I see it as a pity that you and my girl don't share such... emotions."

  I stayed quiet. His eyes assessed me like I was a particularly valuable chess piece before he continued. "I don’t know if you realize how intense your background is. Being the son of an Ethenia count is good on its own, but you're the grandson of a Duke of the Erebian Empire. If that wasn’t enough? The duke just happens to be the Titan. Can you believe how it feels for me, to talk to someone like that?”

  “Not really…”

  “I suppose your friends at the Academy don’t realize it, but as a political head, I do. You hold an incredible position. Those things aside, the Beast Hero’s granddaughter is your lover and maid. You also have a Phoenix as your lover as well, who was adopted by a demigod. The Mountain Gods are also very interested in you.”

  I was starting to get a little embarrassed when he started listing all those things. He must really trust me not to get egoistic if he was saying these things to my face. He added, “All things considered, as a ruler, of course, my daughter being with you rather than that prince is a lot better."

  Oh. I’d guessed so since the start, but now I fully understood. He'd been hoping for a convenient solution—a romantic interest that could justify breaking the engagement while simultaneously securing an even more advantageous alliance.

  "Ah, well," I said, rubbing the back of my head again. "Pity, I guess."

  He narrowed his eyes as if running through a hundred political plans in his head. “Yes, it is. But I do have an idea,” he said, lowering his voice like he was about to share a secret. “It may sound ridiculous, but if you truly are her friend, maybe you’ll help…? I propose an engagement. A fake engagement.”

  A what now?

  The garden suddenly felt colder, his words rattling around in my head.

  A fake engagement to a princess? Meanwhile I already had a vampire fiancée, a werewolf bond, and a phoenix kinda-girlfriend. Talk about complicated.

  “Don’t panic,” he added hastily, seeing my face. “I’m not asking you to really marry her. But just your name linked to hers will force Xianli to hold back. They won’t risk pissing off the Titan, and therefore won’t cause trouble if I call off their engagement.”

  I exhaled slowly, my breath puffing white in the night air. Goryeo’s royal gardens looked picture-perfect under the moon, but they held secrets centuries old, and now the king was throwing me into one of them. I had to speak up before I got too caught up in it.

  “I think you’re giving me too much credit,” I said, absently rubbing the phantom space at my missing forearm. “Yes, my grandfather is the Titan Duke, but grandfather has a separate family of his own, with a woman who's not my grandmother. If you're not aware, he fell in love with my grandmother and lived in Ethenia for years where my mother was born. However, his father came and retrieved him back to Erebia, and had him marry another woman there. He has children and grandchildren from that line, and they’re the true heir to his Erebian Duchy. My family would have been labeled as his ‘bastards’ if not for the love he had for my grandmother.”

  “....”

  “While it's true that if any of my family members are killed, including myself, he'd flatten the enemy lands, it doesn't mean much. His protection also doesn’t extend to my engagements and friends and stuff. As a duke, he doesn't have the freedom despite all his strength. His responsibilities are heavy."

  The Monarch's shoulders slumped slightly. "...I'm aware of all that. But I don't have any better ideas. This is for... Ha-Yun. So I thought I’d at least try my luck. I apologize if you feel uncomfortable."

  His voice carried such paternal concern that I felt compelled to offer an alternative. “If this is about helping her, then maybe think about what I said regarding her being Queen. She’s strong, kind, and she’s strict when it matters. I bet she’ll do a great job leading, even if the tradition says otherwise. I’ll talk to her about it if you want.”

  His eyes lit up with some hope. “You would do that?”

  “Sure. Maybe she’s changed her mind after seeing so many strong women, like the Beast Hero who’s now the Lunewolf Tribe’s Matriarch. Then there’s Solara, who’s her junior, and yet a phoenix who’s destined to touch 9th Ascension.” I paused, letting him see my sincerity.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Then I took a deep breath, knowing I needed to be clear about my position. "However, yes, I'm sorry, I'll have to reject the fake engagement offer regardless. Trust me, it'll only bring your nation more harm than benefits from being associated with me..." My mind raced through the complications my future would bring. I didn't want Ha-Yun caught in that crossfire. "She’ll make a far better Queen than my fiance. She's a much better royalty than the ones I've met, and I've met a lot, both good and bad ones. For your reference, I'm comparing her with Ethenia's Crown Prince, and the Prince of the Elves, and she's still coming above them in my head. You have a brilliant daughter, Your Highness."

  His expression softened, a real smile breaking through the tension. “Thank you, Iskandaar Romani. I appreciate you even just listening to me, and I’ll hold on to the hope you might nudge her in a better direction.”

  His shoulders weren’t as rigid now, and his relief glinted in his eyes. At that moment, I saw a man behind the crown, someone who simply wanted the best for his kid—like so many parents in this world.

  I gave him a small nod, feeling a weird sense of empathy for the impossible situations we both faced. The koi in the pond kept swimming in circles, not caring about royal troubles or demon swords, just living their little fishy lives.

  Guess we could all learn from them sometimes.

  ****

  The Monarch and I wrapped up our talk and headed back along the palace’s winding corridors. Night had settled in fully by then, turning Goryeo’s fancy rooftops into silhouettes against the star-filled sky. Lanterns threw jittery shadows around us, and somewhere off in the distance, I could hear flutes playing a soft tune.

  “Thank you for your time, Iskandaar,” he said when we got close to the gazebo. “No matter how things go, you’re welcome in Goryeo. I hope your stay’s a good one.”

  I bowed slightly, the way his station demanded. “Thank you for the hospitality, Your Highness.”

  He nodded again before walking off, his regal robes swishing on the polished floor. I stayed there a moment, still turning over everything we’d discussed in my head.

  A fake engagement with a princess. Seriously, what a day. Nebula aside, Munera would probably kill me.

  When I arrived at the gazebo, it was empty. The cushions were set up around the low table, but there were no girls in sight. A servant stood near, bowing as I approached.

  “Young Master Romani,” he said respectfully. “The ladies have gone to Princess Ha-Yun’s palace. They’re relaxing in her private hot spring.” He paused, then added, “She invited you to join if you’d like.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “All of them? Together?”

  His face stayed calm and professional. “Yes, Young Master. The princess’s spring is quite large.”

  “I see.” My hand went to the back of my neck, feeling how tense I still was. A hot spring did sound pretty good after everything that happened. “Lead the way.”

  He guided me through a maze of gardens and courtyards, each more hidden than the last. Ha-Yun’s own palace was smaller than the main royal residence, but no less stylish. Traditional architecture blended with magical touches—paper lanterns bobbing in midair, carved beams with protective enchantments that caught the eye.

  We passed a moon gate and entered a quiet garden where steam rose behind decorative rocks. The servant gestured toward a little changing area.

  “You’ll find what you need inside, Young Master. Enjoy your bath.”

  I thanked him, and he left with another bow. Inside, I found clean towels and robes waiting. I got out of my worn clothes, so grateful for a chance to wash off the day’s grime. Then, with a towel around my waist, I stepped toward the spring.

  It was huge—felt more like a small lake than a regular bath. Steam billowed in thick clouds, hiding most of the water’s surface and giving it an almost dreamlike vibe. Stone lanterns dotted the edges, their light softened by all that mist. The water itself reflected the night sky, so it looked like you were floating among stars.

  I could hear women’s voices somewhere in there, muffled by mist and gentle bubbling. My Demonic Sphere flared on its own, instantly mapping out the shapes of their bodies through the steam.

  I shut it down… after a few seconds. It’d be rude otherwise.

  “Uh, I’m here,” I called out, drifting to the far side of the spring. “I’ll just stay over here. I honestly expected some kind of separate men’s side or something...”

  “Why would it be separated, you idiot?” Lilian’s voice floated back, half amused, half on guard. “It’s Ha-Yun’s private spring, meant for her and her alone.” I heard a splash, and her tone got clearer. “And don’t peek.”

  “I’m not,” I chuckled, dropping the towel and sliding into the hot water. Right away, the warmth seeped into my muscles, easing the tightness from my chat with the Monarch. “Oh man, this is so nice...”

  Water rose to my shoulders as I leaned against a smooth rock and tilted my head back. After all the drama—fighting a dragon, dealing with demigods, picking up a demon sword, the Monarch’s wild offer—this calm felt almost surreal.

  Suddenly, the water rippled, and I heard a soft flutter. Before I even looked up, a naked Solara landed in my arms, skin hot against mine and her damp crimson hair clinging to her neck. Water droplets slid down her collarbone and vanished into the curve of her chest.

  “I’ve been waiting for you!” she said with a grin, snuggling in close, her wings folding around us. Her phoenix heat made the water steam even more, like we were in our own private pocket of warmth.

  “Hey! Solara!” Lilian’s voice cut across the mist, full of disapproval. “You’re being way too clingy!”

  Through the swirling steam, Lilian waded over with boldness. Water trickled down her body, catching the low light. She’d put her silver hair up in a messy bun, showing off the smooth line of her neck. She stood waist-deep, the water just below her chest, her ruby eyes throwing a glare Solara’s way. That left her chest for the world to see…

  She leaped forward, sending water splashing. The next thing I knew, Lilian wedged herself against my other side, her wet skin pressing against me.

  “You sleep in his room all the time—that’s not fair. Why not just let me have him in the bath at least?” Solara asked with feigned sadness, but she kept her arms tight around my neck, her body firmly against mine.

  “Fair? You call that fair?” Lilian’s ears twitched, her tail swishing under the water. “You feathered temptress.” She scooted in closer, making it clear she wasn’t leaving. “Too bad, I’m staying right here.”

  Their good-natured squabbling filled the air, halfway between playful affection and mild competition. I let out a resigned sigh, a mix of amusement and acceptance. My arms naturally settled around them both, feeling their supple flesh. My fingers skimmed through the water as I shifted to make room.

  Solara’s wings stretched above, releasing tiny sparks that fizzled when they hit the water. Lilian’s tail brushed my leg now and then, just to remind me she was there too. I felt squeezed on both sides, but somehow completely at peace.

  A soft cough broke into our moment.

  “Um... am I interrupting?”

  Ha-Yun’s voice was small but firm. She was with the other two girls just a moment ago, but she’d gotten off the water to walk over here. She stood by the edge of the spring, wrapped in a towel, her cheeks pink—who knew if it was the heat or just the awkwardness of the scene. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, and the lantern glow made the droplets on her skin shine like stars.

  “Not at all. We’re just... winding down,” I said, trying to stay casual despite being sandwiched by two gorgeous women.

  Ha-Yun stepped into the water slowly, towel clutched to her chest. Unlike Solara and Lilian, she kept a polite distance, settling herself a few feet away.

  “I... wanted to ask about how things went with my father,” she said, her bright pink eyes eager despite the obvious discomfort of being in such a, well, interesting situation. “I hope he wasn’t too overbearing.”

  "He was fine. He's mostly concerned about your situation with the Xianli Kingdom." I leaned my head back, water lapping around my shoulders. "He really cares for you."

  "...I know he does. But duty is duty. The marriage will ensure peace. My happiness… isn't as important as the nation's stability." Her voice faltered slightly, but she steadied herself.

  "I don't know what's going on, but that's such bullshit." Lilian scoffed, her ears twitching as she slid an arm over my shoulder, sending a look Ha-Yun's way. "I mean, think about it. Why should you be miserable just because of some brat from another nation? Ah, assuming it's a brat and not some old man…"

  "Actually, let me give you guys a briefing. If Ha-Yun’s fine with it?" I asked, looking at Ha-Yun for permission. When she nodded, I explained the situation to the girls. Their expression morphed into annoyance as I continued.

  "AH, I agree with Lilian then,” Solara said the moment I finished, her wings fluttering and sending ripples across the water's surface. “You've got strength, Ha-Yun. More than most. If they're scared of you, maybe they should be.”

  "They're right, you know. You shouldn't diminish yourself just to fit someone else's comfort zone. Especially not someone who would resent your power," I added.

  Ha-Yun hugged her knees to her chest, the water rippling around her. "It's… not that simple. It's a lot more complicated. My strength isn't just a gift—it's a burden. The stronger I become, the more of a threat I am to everyone around me. My betrothed's family already sees me as a challenge to their control."

  "Then why not challenge them properly?" I asked.

  Her eyes snapped to mine, confusion swimming within them.

  "What if you didn't need to marry into power?" I draped an arm over the hot spring's edge, my posture casual but my tone serious. "What if the power was yours outright?"

  "You mean... take the throne?" She sounded horrified, a blend of disbelief. "But the culture-"

  "Oh, fuck the culture," I shrugged. "I talked with your father, and he wants it. Your father wants the best for you, Ha-Yun. He… suggested some ideas to me, but I didn't understand why they would be necessary. You could be Queen. Rule in your own right. You've got the strength, the wisdom, and the bloodline. What you need is to accept it."

  Silence fell over the spring, broken only by the gentle splash of water and the soft hum of nearby crickets. Ha-Yun's expression was a battlefield of emotions—fear, hope, rebellion, and a smoldering ember of ambition.

  "I am going to be honest since we've been through so much, and since you're not from the east… It's not as if I never dreamt of the throne before. In fact, my father and my brother have the wrong idea that I'm so obsessed with culture that I don't want to be Queen. But it's not me who is obsessed with culture, but rather the people of this nation. If a woman who studied abroad was to become Queen, they'd get angry, they'd be like I am disgracing the Goryeo culture by bringing the culture of a foreign land to—"

  "Please, culture bows before strength. As do people. You're almost at the peak of 6th Ascension, and you're a third year. You'll reach the 8th Ascension long before your father did, and the lucky thing is, your father will be alive since the life expectancy of 8th Ascension humans is long. So it's not as if you're taking the throne tomorrow, you have a lot more time to gain strength and put people in their place. So why are you worried?"

  "What level are you again, Junior?" Ha-Yun raised an eyebrow at me.

  "I am Level 67. If you think me being so strong as a first-year disproves any of my points, you're wrong. It’s the opposite. You saw it with your own eyes, the Mountain Gods were intrigued by me. You're the same. That's why they blessed you. Be honest, do you really want to marry a man who's weaker than you, into a family who'll make life hard for you because you're strong?"

  "…."

  "I mean, he's not wrong. You've got what it takes." Lilian finally pulled back from my side, her voice serious. "And if it comes down to it, we'll back you. Right, Solara?"

  "Of course! And I'm sure even Ao'kai would step in if needed."

  "…As would I. We're friends, and I'd help you calm the crowd if they act up. Think about it, Ha-Yun. You could end this cycle of sacrificing yourself for others. You could… you could be like Vargathrian. How she’s the First Apocalypse, and now the Matriarch. You could be the… Empress of Goryeo. The First."

  “Ah…”

  “Trust me, Ha-Yun. I don’t know you for long, but I can see that you have what it takes to shape Goryeo's future instead of being a pawn in someone else's game.”

  Ha-Yun's fingers tightened around the edge of the towel clinging to her chest. Her breathing deepened, and slowly, her expression shifted.

  Determination rose, a tide swallowing the hesitation.

  "You really think… I could do it?"

  Nice, she's getting convinced.

  "Think? No. I know you can. I can see it." My voice softened, a rare tenderness slipping through. "You've already proven you can stand among the strongest at Waybound. Now, prove you can lead. Cancel that engagement, and be free. Rule."

  Her lips parted, and for the first time since I'd met her, I saw it—a glimpse of the Queen she could become. Hopeful. Strong. Unyielding. Ready to rewrite her story.

  "Then… Fine. I'll do it." She nodded, the steam framing her face like a crown of mist. "No more hiding. No more pretending. I'll speak to my father and make it clear—that I won’t be a bargaining chip. I'm his—the Monarch's daughter. And I'm Goryeo's future."

  The atmosphere shifted, the weight of her decision pressing against the warm air. The three of us shared a look—Solara's wings spreading slightly, Lilian's tail swishing, and my lips curling into a proud smirk.

  The hot spring no longer felt like a place of rest but a crucible where resolve was forged. In the quiet rippling of the water, history began to change course.

  Slowly… I grinned wide. "Nice, looks like I've successfully manipulated a Queen into my friendship. Oh, oops, did I say that out loud?"

  "Oh, shut up," Ha-Yun giggled and threw water at my face.

  We lingered longer, trading half-teasing, half-serious plans while soaking in the warmth. The steam felt charged with promise as I leaned back, watching Ha-Yun's eyes shine with new fire. Ha-Yun’s mood had improved a lot, but so had mine. I felt good having somehow convinced a future Queen to take the throne while in the hotspring…

  I realized we were witnessing the birth of something extraordinary. Maybe it was the hot spring or the relief of choosing a path, but we shared an unspoken certainty that this moment would reshape more than one life.

  It felt like the start of a story none of us had expected to write.

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