Prologue

Year 3400 of the Imperial Era, Month Tauri, Day 18, Northern Capital City.

Currently, the inhabitants of the cold lands of the Terra Empire could see how the slightly cloudy northern skies were beautifully illuminated by the light of the brilliant Apollo, who blessed the land beneath their feet with his divine light; propitiating life with his warm energy, and also the birds that flew through the skies; something that rarely occurred at this time of year, singing joyfully throughout the capital city of Aswort with a melody that ignites the creativity of the troubadours, who played their instruments with joy, enchanting those who passed by with their contagious music.

The capital city of Aswort was a human architectural marvel surrounded by vast farmland, with several nearby villages beyond the grandiose walls surrounding it; these walls were engraved with magnificent scenes from the historic war between gods and demons, in which humanity's mightiest warriors participated.

And at the other end, there seemed to be a strange mixture of redwood and pine forests that stretched for miles: a rather picturesque sight that would have previously been unthinkable in these parts for anyone who understood anything about the northern lands.

Beyond, there was a long stretch of mountains that stretched to the right and continued until it disappeared into the cloudy horizon.

People of various races walked the well-paved streets of the City, enjoying a day that was neither too cold nor too hot; a gift brought to them by the achievements of the mysterious Lady who now resides in the Grand Duke's Palace.

It was she who allowed them to enjoy good meals that the commoners of the north could never have dreamed of before.

It was she who, with her ingenious ideas, changed the way of life of the citizens of the North, significantly destroying racial discrimination and mercilessness in their lands.

And it was she who gave everyone the same opportunities to prosper, regardless of race or gender, forever revolutionizing the way things were done in these cold lands.

Thanks to her, they no longer feared the evil of the old nobility that she helped eradicate alongside her reigning lord, and thanks to her, harmony and happiness now dwell in the hearts of the sovereign family of these lands, bringing stability and guaranteeing a future full of warmth for all...

No, she is not that infamous Yulia von Lasiuss, that silly girl who only knows how to eat and dress pretty and who in the past was mistakenly believed to be the Duke's lover.

No, the name of the person responsible for all these things is none other than Arisella Bluen; the only prophetess in the Empire to officially receive the honorary title of Duchess Bluen, considered by Aswort's subjects to be the First Lady of the North.

Since arriving in the capital a few months ago and bringing about sweeping changes without hesitation, the capital city of Aswort, which had been filled with a gloomy atmosphere, with uncertainty and fear in everyone's hearts, now had many people living their lives with some hope for the future.

Now everyone eagerly awaited the good news of her relationship with the Duke while living out their days with the enthusiasm that had previously seemed lacking in those dark times before her arrival.

And wouldn't it be best if the woman who did so much for these lands legitimately took her place in these lands officially as soon as possible?

That's exactly what everyone was talking about, even during their usual activities.

Some Orkus headed to the markets to buy or sell with kindness on their fierce faces while being accompanied by their families, laughing with joy as they talked about how festive the big day would be, while several Terarians headed to the taverns to have lunch and drink some nice tankards of cold ale with loud and cheeky voices while singing some rousing songs only used in their marriage bonding rituals.

The Terran peasants worked in the fields with incredible positive energy while speaking casually about the future of the Duchy, and the knights patrolled the streets of the capital with a seriousness that seemed to belie their past lack of professionalism.

The Grand Ducal Palace in Aswort was no exception to the lively atmosphere, albeit for different reasons.

Currently, it was filled with servants and maids coming and going to perform their duties in preparation to greet their master, with the Knights faithfully making their rounds and the Guards at their posts, watching with hawk-like eyes those who passed by.

This same Grand Palace was a beautiful and imposing building that seemed to come straight out of a fairy tale, its design and size leaving those who saw it for the first time speechless.

In fact, Duchess Bluen is said to have been quite shocked when she saw the Grand Palace upon her arrival, but her fanatical numbers quickly debunked this as nonsense that almost everyone in Aswort didn't believe.

Someone as noble and worthy as Arisella Bluen would never be affected by something like that, they thought.

In any case, today a large procession of carriages led by an elegant coach could be seen entering through the enormous double iron gates of the wall. 

This procession passed through the streets of the capital toward the Grand Palace, with all the gazes of the passing citizens inevitably directed toward the luxurious golden carriage that rode in front with a mysterious light shining down upon them.

"That's it...The Duke is back!"

"Will we finally hear news about your marriage to Duchess Bluen?"

“Let's hope so... It wouldn't be fair if she didn't get the position she deserves after having done so much for us!”

"I'll rebel if I hear that the Duke doesn't ask for her hand as soon as she arrives at the Grand Palace!"

"I'll join you, brother!"

".....Sorry bro, I'm not gay..."

"….Fuck, I didn't mean it like that!"

"Ha ha ha!"

Similar conversations took place among the city's inhabitants when the news of the Duke's return to the capital spread like wildfire.

The Duke's carriage, which finally returned after some negotiations in lands outside the north, looked like a caravan with knights on horseback in front and wagons in the back.

The flag of Aswort, bearing the image of a fierce Draconic Lion, stood high, swaying gracefully, displaying its noble grandeur.

The carriages behind the Duke's Carriage were enormous, and they accompanied the Duke toward the Grand Palace with unknown contents inside.

Soon, the great gates of the Grand Palace opened to admit his master, and upon reaching the inner court filled with beautiful gardens and statues, the Duke; after having a servant open the door for him, stepped out of the carriage with a calm expression, his eyes full of power as he looked imperiously at the ranks of knights in shining armor who greeted him with a bow, their heads almost against their swords in respect for him, their lord.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty!"

The captain of the Knights who currently resides in the Duchy exclaimed loudly.

"I'm back, Arnold," Astrian replied with a casual nod; a flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes as he didn't see who he wanted present among all those individuals who quickly went unnoticed.

No... What did you expect? We're not like this yet... we're not like we used to be... She resisted the urge to sigh.

The Duke currently looked as handsome as ever, with his powerful figure and elegant black clothes making a strong impression on those who looked at him. 

His golden eyes, reminiscent of a lion's, emitted a mysterious and cold glow that made people gasp when they saw them, even if he wasn't even close to them.

Her shoulder-length hair seemed too messy for someone who was one of the noblest individuals in the Terra Empire, but even that looked beautiful on her person, giving her a wild charm. 

It was silver hair, a color common only among men of the Aswort family, blessed by Ares, the god of war.

The Duke, Astrian von Aswort, had such a presence that he seemed to envelop the entire atrium with his mere existence; and that could only be described as an emanation of a King's majesty that makes common people afraid to approach him.

His own body seemed to vaguely glow with a silvery aura, as if a divine aura were emanating from him.

The ruler of the north, who looked like an Invincible King in his bearing, looked at the servants of his Grand Palace with eyes that seemed cold to anyone who was unaware of his inner emotions. 

They were so intimidating, in fact, that no one among the knights and servants could even imagine what was going through his somewhat nervous, yet clearly determined, head at that moment.

I'm finally back... It's time to end this, I propose it once and for all today, without a doubt.

This time I'll be the one proposing to you...

Taking a deep breath, Astrian walked towards the Grand Palace while chatting a little with the butler and housekeeper Leonora who respectfully welcomed him along with the rest. 

The servants were in charge of carrying the loads that the carts brought while he was at it, carrying many products and materials that according to Arisella would be useful to the North.

He had to deal with idiots from the south and east to obtain them, but for Arisella, Astrian was willing to do anything, even kneel before that imbecile Emperor Orlando.

"Your Majesty, my lady wishes to have a private meeting with you."

"Does Lady Arisella wish to see me?"

"Si"

When Leonora told him that in a calm and polite voice, Astrian remained silent for a few seconds while he thought.

What's up with Arisella wanting to see me? Could it have something to do with the kids? I highly doubt it's anything else; she's always hesitant to bother me with her self-imposed homework... What an adorable fool...

I hope Leonardo and Luciana haven't caused too much trouble for their mother.

"Okay... I'll say I'll come see her at my office soon," Astrain replied in an intentionally indifferent tone of voice, holding back the smile that threatened to appear on his face when he thought of her.

Without a response from her, Astrian still couldn't show his affection. Don't make bad things happen because of his lack of control.

They still had time...

"As you wish, Your Majesty"

Thus responded the housekeeper who served Arisella, and only her. Although she respected him as the ruler of these lands, it was clear to whom she owed loyalty, and Astrian genuinely liked that.

After all, it was better for Arisella to have people loyal to her en masse rather than individuals who cared about nothing but the power and status of their masters. 

That was also the reason why he allowed Leonora to act as the Grand Palace's housekeeper in the first place.

Everything should be fine, things didn't seem so bad between us last time, there's no reason to fear rejection...

Trying not to think about the negative possibilities that inevitably came to mind when he thought about what he wanted to do today, Astrian subtly clenched his hands and walked with a firm step towards his office.

I was already looking forward to seeing his face... and at the same time, I felt like I'd suffocate if I looked at him. He couldn't help but scold himself for being consumed by such illogical anxiety.

Everything's fine

He repeated in his heart, this time with more conviction.

♦♦♦♦

"That!?"

A mighty shout echoed through the Great Palace of Aswort in just a few minutes as the Duke ascended to his office, causing the officials, knights and servants who were wandering around the place to make faces of bewilderment upon hearing the voice of who they assumed was their lord so altered.

In fact, Astrian was the one who exclaimed with disbelief all over his face as he repeated the words spoken to him by the beautiful but relatively small woman in front of him, who was trembling in fear due to his scream, in a trembling voice.

"A-ah... y-you... do you want to leave here?" The Duke's eyes seemed to be silently pleading with her to tell him it wasn't true, that it was a bad joke; a completely unacceptable one.

The woman nodded timidly in response to his behavior, her look filled with confusion as her eyes flickered.

She, who had honey-colored hair that elegantly cascaded down her back and charming brown eyes that were pleasing to the eye, was a woman possessed of incredible beauty; one that any man who saw her would covet.

She wore a short-sleeved white dress that outlined her charming feminine figure, attracting the indecent gaze of even the gentlemen of the court, with its shoulders and ample cleavage slightly exposed. On her arms, she wore white silk gloves that further enhanced her seductive charm.

Arisella Bluen was absolutely stunning as always. And she looked incredibly adorable given the nervousness she displayed in his presence.

Her beauty, throughout her time in the public eye of the Empire's High Society, has attracted the lust and greed of countless powerful men, including the Crown Prince and the Duke of the South; troublesome creatures the Duke could hardly wait to rid himself of.

But at that moment, neither her beauty nor her adorableness mattered to the Duke.

The woman he loved more than anything in this world, the one who had returned to him after a long period of separation... wanted to leave him, this time of her own free will.

No... logically speaking, she wasn't leaving him. Or at least, she didn't see it that way. She'd simply come to the capital to fulfill a mission she'd set out to accomplish, and now that she'd had some success, it was only natural that she'd want to return...

Even so...

"Why...?" He couldn't help but ask, unable to look her in the eyes.

"Well… Your Majesty," she began to explain, addressing him in a formal manner that he truly hated, "I've already accomplished most of my goals here, at the Grand Palace… I don't have much reason to stay any longer. And besides, I have important things to do back home…"

"...."

"And it's not that I mean any disrespect by wanting to leave after having asked you to bring so many products from the other Duchies to help the North, but there is an urgent situation there and I have to go, right now... That's why..."

"...."

".....Your Majesty?" She looked at him as she lowered her head, looking somewhat guilty about whatever she thought was the reason for his silence.

Whatever it was, she probably couldn't imagine how hurt he felt at the thought of her leaving him of her own free will, on the very day he was planning to propose to her.

Given the curse his damned grandfather had placed on both of them, he would never be able to go see her even if he wanted to if she really returned to Taylan.

It would be a literal goodbye forever because she really has no reason to stay by his side...

No... there's something... something that could emotionally tie her to me... No, to the Grand Palace....

What he was about to do was completely cowardly. Astrian knew it, but he couldn't help it; he couldn't allow Arisella to leave his side like that.

He had to buy himself more time; a way to win her heart in that period... so that she would never want to leave him.

And only they could help you.

“…I’m sorry, but I can’t allow it,” he said, shaking his head after a period of silence.

"...That!?"

This time, it was Arisella who exclaimed in disbelief as she stared at him with wide eyes, seemingly not believing his words.

His head was filled with chaotic thoughts while his pupils trembled with anxiety.

Why the hell won't Astrian let me go? What's going on here?

She couldn't help but panic. She really had a lot to do in her village, a lot of problems to deal with... And she wasn't supposed to be able to do it because the Duke wouldn't let her leave for no apparent reason?

"Your Majesty, there really is a problem I have to solve!"

She appealed to her lord.

"And I created you, Lady Arisella. You are a prophetess who did not ignore a catastrophic vision that could have wiped out the North, after all..."

"...." Yeah, well...That was the scenario...!

“…But there’s a reason I can’t let you go so easily; my children are too attached to you.”

"That is..."

"It's true, Luciana even firmly believes that you are her mother no matter what you tell her."

"W-well... I do look like her mother after all... It can't be helped... my little princess can't help but want to see her mother reflected in me... she really does have an excellent memory. If he can remember Lady Zion's form so well..." She looked away as she whispered to herself wryly. It wasn't like Astrian couldn't hear her.

Do you still have that misunderstanding?

Astrian wanted to laugh at the incredibility, but he couldn't. How could he begin to explain the truth without causing an even bigger disaster?

Shaking his head, Astrian approached her and placed a hand on her delicate shoulder, fighting the strong desire to hold her in his arms as he looked into her brown eyes. "Arisella, that's the problem; if you leave right now like this, even if you say a proper goodbye, Luciana will feel like her mother is abandoning her. And not just her; Leonardo will be very sad too."

Although she said all this out of selfishness, Astrian wasn't lying; those two children would be deeply depressed if she left like that, walking away from them out of nowhere with an apologetic smile. And they're not the only ones...

"That's why I'm offering you my support. Stay with us and I'll help you solve this problem that's bothering you. It's changed now. Help me take care of the children..."

This was the only way he could keep that woman by his side, who looked at him with doubts about what he should do...

That's what he told himself.

Unbeknownst to him, his path would be filled with far more difficulties than he imagined, as past problems, absurd misunderstandings, and his current enemies would be major obstacles that would prevent him from easily achieving his goal...