**Capital of Alain Kingdom, Liberty.**
Zion and Hanette visited a luxurious tavern they had been to before. Liberty still screened its guests, allowing only nobles or wealthy merchants to get a table inside. Zion couldn’t help but recall the same old memories whenever he visited, memories he couldn’t forget no matter how much he tried.
“Hey sis, remember when we drank some strong liquor here?”
“I ordered strong liquor to impress you.”
Hanette looked around the tavern, lost in her thoughts. She had often come here, always drinking alone. It wasn’t because she enjoyed it; it was a way to secretly stash money. She spent her time lamenting her fate, stuck in a cycle of the same worries every day.
“Half a bottle got you drunk, huh?”
“I’m not a good drinker. I didn’t drink because I wanted to.”
“Then why did you go drinking?”
“…I pretended to drink. I needed to save money.”
Zion listened to her confession, carefully watching her. Hanette avoided his gaze, her eyes filled with a sad light.
“Oh… you were planning to use it after running away?”
“I needed something to survive, didn’t I?”
“You wouldn’t have needed money. You have talent.”
“How do you learn magic without money?”
“Practical experience is more important than theory. With your skills, you would have managed well.”
“……”
Hanette fell silent, pondering his words. She had been using magic even before joining the magic society. Perhaps Zion was right, and she would have fared well alone.
“Think about it. The Blue Sage and the head of the Logos Society recognized your talent. You earned the title of Mage in less than a year and killed the Shadow Dragon. With your ability, you could succeed in anything.”
“I didn’t do it alone. It was possible because of you and the Silenian Knights.”
“It’s the other way around. It was possible because of you.”
Hanette had helped him withstand the full force of the Shadow Dragon’s attacks, locate its position, and suppress it. She enabled them to achieve everything. He and the White Apostle had only been able to keep the dragon in check.
“You’ll become even stronger. You might not need me anymore. If that happens…”
“I’m not going without you.”
Hanette interrupted, meeting Zion’s eyes. Zion looked at her quietly before breaking into a smile.
“I can’t go without you either. I can’t do this alone.”
“You could manage without me.”
“I’m not as strong as you think. You might not need me, but I need you.”
As a Magic Sword user and someone who could wield Exceed Rain, he was still necessary. Perhaps they could recreate a near-ultimate power by holding both El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain together. But seeing Hanette's strength, even that seemed insignificant.
“Are you misunderstanding something? Why do you think I wouldn’t need you?”
“Well, maybe because you wouldn’t want to marry someone like me? There could be someone better.”
“I told you before, didn’t I? You’re worth marrying. I don’t think there’s anyone better.”
Hanette rested her chin on her hand, speaking softly. She wouldn’t let Zion go now. Even if he wanted to leave or said he no longer liked her, she wouldn’t give up. It would surely be a lie or a personal issue.
“I need a drink tonight.”
“Suddenly?”
“You upset me. I acknowledged you, but why do you undervalue yourself?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“It’s too late to apologize.”
Hanette waved for a staff member, and Zion couldn’t stop her, watching silently.
‘Did I do something wrong? What should I do?’
**Duke Adelaira’s Mansion, Hanette’s Room.**
Hanette drank a little and returned to the mansion with Zion. She wasn’t completely drunk and could walk straight without assistance. She could clearly see Zion’s face and hadn’t lost her mind. She wouldn’t speak carelessly and make mistakes like before.
“Hey, do I seem drunk?”
“You’re not talking nonsense, so probably not.”
“Ugh… I can’t drink anymore. This stuff isn’t for everyone.”
“How did you drink without me?”
“I secretly poured it away. Ha!”
“……”
Zion shook his head and sat in a chair. Hanette wasn’t as talkative or reckless as before. He planned to wait until she fell asleep and quietly return to his room.
“Don’t drink anymore. It’s bad for you.”
“I didn’t plan to. You annoyed me, so I tried it.”
“So it’s my fault again?”
“It is your fault.”
“Phew…”
Zion accepted it calmly, looking at Hanette. She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her shorter hair was a slight distraction, but she looked as beautiful as ever.
“Ugh, I feel worse now.”
“Of course, you do. You can’t live without blaming me.”
“You should stay here tonight.”
“…What?”
“There’s no extra blanket. Just sleep next to me.”
Zion wrinkled his eyes, saying nothing. Hanette watched him for a while before bursting into laughter.
“Haha! What are you thinking? Just sleep here.”
“…Like we did in the borderlands?”
“You always slept next to me there, right? What’s the problem with sleeping in my room now?”
Zion finally relaxed and chuckled. During their travels, he always set up camp next to Hanette. Even in the castle, they sometimes shared the same room. Keeping a distance now wouldn’t erase their past.
“That makes sense.”
“You just need to sleep. It’s not hard.”
“I wonder if I can sleep with the smell of alcohol.”
“Ha! I didn’t drink much.”
“People might misunderstand.”
“Let them. We’re engaged. Is it wrong for us to sleep together?”
“…That’s true.”
Living with Hanette had made Zion more comfortable. As the lady of the Duke’s family, his fiancée, his fellow knight, and his reliable companion, he felt he could accept anything she did.
“Seems you’ve grown quite comfortable with me, huh?”
“How about you? Does it seem weird for us to sleep together?”
“No, if we’re engaged, it’s not a big deal.”
“Then there’s no problem, right?”
“…Aren’t you embarrassed?”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? If we had followed the original plan, we’d be married by now.”
“Married couples do share a room.”
“Hey, we’ve slept together many times. Why be scared now?”
Hanette had grown used to being by Zion’s side. Whether they were traveling, fighting monsters, sleeping, or just hanging around, they were usually together. At some point, she had stopped feeling embarrassed about sleeping beside him.
“But shouldn’t we change clothes?”
“…I’m not ready for that.”
“Sleeping together is okay, but changing into sleepwear isn’t? That doesn’t make sense.”
“That would really feel like we’re married.”
“Phew… you’re so complicated.”
Zion stood up and walked to the bed. Hanette scooted over to make space for him. After a moment’s hesitation, he lay down next to her.
“Happy now?”
“Does it smell like alcohol?”
“Not really.”
“…You’re not nervous, right?”
“Why would I be? We’ve always slept like this.”
“We’ve never shared a bed.”
“Now that we are, it’s not a big deal. You were right.”
“See? I told you.”
Hanette smiled slightly, turning her head. Zion lay beside her, staring at the ceiling.
“…Honestly, I didn’t want to be alone. You can leave if you want.”
“I’ll stay since you said the truth.”
“How long will you stay?”
“Hmm… depends on what you do.”
“I’m not doing anything but lying here.”
“You never know. If you stay like that, I might not leave.”
“So you’ll stay till morning?”
“We’ll see how it goes.”
“You’re something else…”
Zion smiled faintly, answering her. Satisfied with his response, Hanette fully turned towards him.
“Tell me a fun story. It’s a waste to just sleep.”
“I’m not a storyteller.”
“If you’re staying, you should entertain me.”
“You asked me to stay.”
“This is my room. Follow the host’s rules.”
Zion finally turned his head to look at her. Hanette met his gaze with a relaxed look.
“This is tricky…”
“You can’t leave now. You promised.”
“You’re holding me to a promise?”
“Or just sleep. I can sleep too.”
“I can’t sleep with you beside me.”
“How excited are you to be unable to sleep?”
“It’s not excitement. It’s too demanding.”
“What have I demanded? Come on…”
They continued talking, spending time together. Night fell, and the room remained lit.
**Duke Adelaira’s Mansion, Head's Room.**
Robbenz looked at the letters on the desk and then turned away. The letters, related to the family, had brought unexpected results. It was hard to know who sent them, so he decided to let the butler and maids handle it.
‘They did well, but things have gotten complicated.’
Those letters likely contained requests to join the Silenian Knights. Many would be introducing themselves and asking to join the order. Having read some letters himself, Robbenz was sure.
‘Marquis Laird must have received letters too.’
Robbenz and Freed had both supported the Silenian Knights with troops and funds. The Knights had defeated the Shadow Dragon, brought back treasures, and presented them to the King. As a result, nobles and knights began showing interest, wanting to join and build connections.
‘How to handle this…’
Some letters were from people he knew or respected. As the Duke, he could dismiss less significant requests, but the rest required careful handling. A mistake could damage their network or the family’s reputation.
‘I should discuss this with Marquis Laird. I should also inform those two.’
Robbenz didn’t want to interfere with the Silenian Knights. He had only helped Zion and Hanette start the order because they had goals they wanted to achieve. It wasn’t for his own gain.
‘Things are going well. Almost too well.’
Marquis Laird was arranging a political marriage with the royal family. Duke Ternein had lost influence after their daughter’s disappearance. The Silenian Knights, supported by both families, had made a historic accomplishment and returned to the capital. Duke Adelaira’s family was at its peak, and their legacy would continue for years.
‘I can give Hanette more of the family wealth.’
When he passed away, his title and most of his assets would go to one child, but others would get some wealth. More could be given for significant contributions. Hanette’s defeat of the Shadow Dragon had greatly honored the family, so she deserved more.
‘I wronged Hanette.’
Since Hanette began learning magic, Robbenz had felt guilty. She had been recognized by the Blue Sage and the head of the Logos Society, quickly earning the title of Mage. Soon after, she founded a knight order with Zion and became known as a powerful dragon slayer. If he had realized her talent sooner, her future could have been even brighter.
‘Better late than never. She’s done well.’
Hanette had been the least promising of his children, a damaged finger. Now, she was the most accomplished, with no scars left. His worries about her were fading, bringing him peace.
‘The wedding should be delayed. They shouldn’t have children yet.’
Zion and Hanette had just proven their strength by slaying the Shadow Dragon. They needed to focus on the Knights and their roles. Marriage was fine, but children would force them to take a break, weakening their skills and the order’s position.
‘It’s better to tell them now…’
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Yenid entered the room. Robbenz quickly composed himself.
“Master! Zion entered Hanette’s room and hasn’t come out.”
“It’s quite late… it’s time to sleep, isn’t it?”
“They went to a tavern. It’s been a while since they went in, so I think…”
“……?”
Robbenz quickly understood. They had grown closer through their travels and battles. They often stayed together, even sharing a room in the castle. The addition of alcohol and comfort could change things.
“Yenid! Why didn’t you stop them?”
“What do you mean…?”
“Now’s not the time for this!”
Robbenz hurriedly ran upstairs. Yenid and the maids followed in a panic.
‘I took my eyes off them for a moment…’
Robbenz stopped at Hanette’s door, signaling the maids to stay back. They quickly retreated, giving him space. He knocked on the door, filled with anxiety.
‘I shouldn’t go in first.’
Usually, it wouldn’t matter, but now he couldn’t just enter. If they were intimate, the door would be locked. Even if it wasn’t, barging in would embarrass them.
‘If I’m too late…’
As doubts filled his mind, the door opened, and Zion appeared. He quickly bowed upon seeing Robbenz and Yenid.
“H-how did you get here?”
“……”
Robbenz delayed answering, scanning the room. The lights were bright, and nothing was out of place. Hanette sat up, fully dressed. Zion’s suit was still neat. Nothing had happened.
“…Ahem, could you step out for a moment? Let’s go to your room.”
“Uh, yes, sir.”
Zion, puzzled, followed Robbenz to his room. Alone, Robbenz finally relaxed.
“I know this is a delicate question, but I must ask. What were you doing with Hanette?”
“We were talking. She asked me to stay, so I planned to stay until morning.”
“Nothing else?”
“No, we just lay on the bed together. Nothing else happened.”
Robbenz felt relieved but struggled to find the right words. When they got engaged, he had hoped for this, but now he wanted to delay it. Interrupting their private moment felt wrong, but it was necessary.
“Ahem… I’m sorry, but I must insist. Now is not the time. Not that it should never happen, but it’s better to wait for both your sakes.”
“…Wait for what?”
“Children can come later. You need to focus on the Knights now.”