"Sir Heirad, are you really going to do this?"
While Clarice had briefly stepped away, Isaac sighed and approached him.
The two had grown somewhat close after going through various incidents together.
Heirad, in particular, had contributed significantly in dealing with Arandel, making him one of the so-called Golden Generation.
"The princess, you see…"
At Isaac's question, Heirad chuckled with satisfaction, clearly amused.
"It's been a long time since I've seen her this happy. She's had nothing but hardships lately."
"...."
"Thanks to Baron Logan, she seems to be in a good mood. If it weren't for the situation in the North, she'd probably be visiting the baron's estate every day—"
"Did you hear what I said? I told you to stop this."
Isaac's voice took on a accusatory tone, but Heirad only smiled even more.
"Compared to Prince Raphael, who flits around with other women like a playboy, Baron Logan is far more reliable. I think this is a good thing."
"...You're not listening."
Isaac gave up on the conversation and turned away—just as Clarice emerged from his estate.
She carried a large tray adorned with delicacies, treats she had personally brought from the royal palace.
"I heard from Sharen that you're not fond of overly sweet things?"
"...Do you think showing up so boldly like this will make me happy?"
"Isaac isn't an ordinary man. I figured I should make it very clear that I'm a good woman."
Clarice grinned and pointed at Isaac.
"Someone once taught me how to win over a man."
"That was—"
"They also said that no man would dislike having a beauty like me clinging to him, so there's no need to hesitate."
"...."
Isaac was at a loss for words.
Everything she just said—he was the one who had told her that.
It was hard to argue against his own words.
Even romance was strategic.
Watching Clarice skillfully use his own advice against him, he had to admit—she had a talent for this kind of thing.
"Is this too much pressure?"
Clarice glanced at him, gauging his reaction.
Her eyes glistened with a hint of tears, making Isaac's own eyes widen slightly.
"You've learned well. Pretending to be vulnerable makes people waver."
"And adding tears makes it perfect. Show softness within firmness."
Clarice winked playfully, revealing that her tearful act had been fake.
She really had learned well.
Muttering to himself, Isaac took a bite of the treats.
Just as she had claimed, they were exactly to his taste.
"Well, if it's too overwhelming, just say so."
"And then you'll stop?"
"Nope. I'll just tell you to endure it. You're leaving in two days, Isaac. But I can't go."
Of course, Princess Clarice couldn't travel to the North.
No one could predict what might happen there, and besides, she had only just returned from Brentarion.
"Well then,"
Clarice propped her chin on her hand and smiled.
"Shall we go on a date? What do you think?"
"And if I refuse?"
"Haha!"
Laughing brightly, Clarice playfully formed a heart with her hands and responded.
"Can a baron refuse a princess's command? The world must be turning upside down!"
"...What do you want to do?"
"First—!"
***
Two Days Later
The dispatch team heading to the north was formed.
It was a bit exhausting to leave again so soon after returning to Evergard, but Isaac calmly finished his preparations.
This time, unlike the bridal procession to Brentarion, they would be riding warhorses, allowing for much faster travel.
Thus, they needed to prepare more thoroughly than before.
"..."
Isaac wore a slightly awkward expression as he looked at the warhorse gifted to him by the princess.
After two days of being dragged around by the princess…
After being relentlessly teased by the princess for the past two days, she had gifted him a renowned steed, Ravenfall, yesterday.
Its sleek black mane shimmered, and though he didn't say it out loud, Isaac was thoroughly satisfied.
'At least all that effort wasn't for nothing.'
Clarice herself had cheerfully said that their time together had given her the strength to return to her administrative duties.
As Isaac was fastening the saddle with satisfaction, Sharen Helmut poked him in the back.
"Isaac! I heard that just by making your name longer, your title gets promoted?"
"Hmm?"
"If we stretch out 'Isaac,' it turns into Isaac-Viscount! You're already a viscount!"
[TL Note: This joke is a Korean wordplay blending Isaac's name (아이작, Ai-jak) with the noble title Viscount (자작, Ja-jak). By adding "Ja-jak" to his name, it humorously sounds like Isaac has been promoted to Viscount just by stretching his name. The absurdity of gaining a title this way makes it a lighthearted pun.]
"..."
She had spent the last two days training with the Grandmaster, but had she hit her head in the process?
No, she was a Helmut—she'd be fine.
"Not funny? The Grandmaster thought it was hilarious. She's still laughing."
Following Sharen's pointing finger, Isaac saw the Grandmaster clutching her stomach, shaking with laughter.
"..."
"That was my best joke."
Sharen slumped in disappointment.
Just then, the knight commander, Eisenwolf, called out that it was time to depart, giving Isaac an excuse to pretend he hadn't heard her.
The leader of this expedition was Sir Eisenwolf, a seasoned veteran and one of the kingdom's most experienced knights.
Rumor had it that this would be his last mission before retirement, and he was chosen to be the stabilizing force for the young nobles who had joined the dispatch team in large numbers.
"Princess Adeline certainly knows how to put the right people in the right places."
By appointing Eisenwolf, she was making sure the Blue Wave Society wouldn't overstep its bounds.
This would also be Ravenfall's debut ride.
Isaac mounted the horse, running a hand over its mane.
But then, Sharen remained standing in place instead of preparing to leave.
"…Why?"
Feeling a sense of unease, Isaac asked.
"Let me ride with you!"
Sharen beamed.
He wanted to say no, but since she had already sent her greatsword ahead with the supply wagons, she had clearly made up her mind.
She wasn't too heavy, so it wouldn't be a problem.
Still, given that he had once been engaged to a Helmut family member, getting too friendly with Sharen could cause misunderstandings…
Yet she paid no mind to that, hopping up in front of him and leaning against his chest.
"I'll even share my snacks with you!"
"…Fine. Let's go."
The dispatch team set off.
The Grandmaster rode up beside Isaac, grinning.
"You know what happens when you stretch out your name?"
This again?
"I already told him that one!"
"Ah, what a shame. I was going to use it too."
The Grandmaster clicked her tongue, lighting a cigarette.
As soon as Sharen and Isaac covered their noses, she sheepishly guided her horse forward, creating some distance.
"Sigh… Can't even smoke in peace. What's the point of living so lo—"
"She really acts like an old lady."
"She is old."
Before Isaac could react, a hard piece of bread flew straight into his face.
"I may be old, but my hearing is just fine."
Isaac peeled the bread off his face, only for Sharen to snatch it and take a big bite.
"Helmuts have strong teeth, too."
Munch, munch.
While she enthusiastically chewed on the bread, another headache approached.
A man guided his horse next to Isaac's, greeting him with an insufferable smirk.
"Greetings."
Waxed blue hair, thick skin, and a neatly groomed mustache.
From their very first meeting, Isaac had known this man was bad news—Reian Leviath, the noble heir of the Leviath family.
"Get lost."
Isaac openly expressed his annoyance, but the man was undeterred.
"Now, now, I'm not here for you. I came to meet the lady here."
"Lady?"
Sharen smirked and glanced up at Isaac.
"Ahem, lady!"
Isaac let out a sigh as he brushed off the bread crumbs stuck to her cheek.
"Lady, I am Reian Leviath of the Leviath family. Might I have the honor of sharing a conversation with you?"
"A lady never refuses a gentleman's invitation."
"Finish your bread first before you talk."
Isaac interjected, but Sharen ignored him and looked at Reian with curiosity.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"For example, about your one and only sister."
"My sister? What about her?"
Isaac furrowed his brows and shot a sharp glare at Reian, but the man shamelessly pretended not to notice and continued speaking to Sharen.
"The truth is, I'm quite interested in your sister. So I was hoping to learn about her preferences and hobbies."
"Ohhh."
Sharen nodded, intrigued.
It was the first time someone had ever approached her with such a question, and her mouth opened far too easily.
"She likes handsome men."
"Sharen…"
"Haha! Beauty is a preference every human holds, after all. And the Blood Rose possesses such striking beauty—it's only natural."
"She likes black hair."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Reian, seemingly proud of his own hair, looked slightly disappointed.
Sharen continued listing off Liana's preferences without hesitation.
"She likes people who seem weak."
"She prefers sensitive and gentle men."
"She seems to favor slim, handsome men with soft and pleasant voices."
The more Reian listened, the more his gaze flickered toward Isaac.
On the other hand, Isaac's face turned bright red as he averted his gaze.
The reason?
Every single trait Sharen described was something that applied to Isaac.
"How about it? Was that helpful?"
With the bread now finished, Sharen asked.
Reian forced a smile as he answered.
"Yes, it was helpful… but it seems as though you were merely describing Baron Logan?"
"Hmm? Of course."
Sharen blinked, as if she couldn't understand why he found that strange.
"My sister has never been interested in any man other than Isaac."
"..."
"..."
A brief silence.
"So I have nothing to tell you except Isaac's traits."
"Ha… hahaha…"
Reian broke the awkward silence with a forced laugh before bowing politely.
"Ah, thank you for sharing. That was very insightful."
"Shave your mustache first. I think my sister would hate it the most."
"I-I shall keep that in mind."
With that, Reian rode forward to rejoin the other noblemen of the Blue Wave Society.
Watching his retreating figure, Isaac quietly reached out and patted Sharen's head.
"…Well done."
"Huh? Did I do something praiseworthy?!"
As he ruffled her hair, Sharen beamed brightly and swayed her head happily.