The moment those words left Eliana’s mouth, everyone’s jaw in the room almost hung open.

Wedding a princess to a commoner—it didn’t matter if he had saved the queen.

If Arthur married either Evangeline or Jasmine, and the one he married became queen, it would make him the king of the Ashford Empire.

Aiden’s eyes almost popped out of his head in disbelief.

Evangeline was just as surprised.

She knew her mother better than anyone. Eliana always believed in political marriages—arrangements that brought as much benefit as possible to the royal family.

But right now, she was doing something completely unlike herself.

Arthur held no political power and didn’t have that much influence, even if he knew one or two wealthy people.

Jasmine was the most surprised of all.

It was the first time her mother had done something like this without asking for her consent first.

She looked ready to pounce on Arthur.

She was about to deny it outright—

When suddenly, Arthur spoke in a loud voice.

"Hell no."

It surprised everyone—except Yuna.

Arthur, realizing what he’d just said, lowered his tone quickly.

"I mean to say, Your Majesty... both of them are very capable. I’m not fit for them."

He pulled out his phone and glanced at it dramatically.

"Oh, look at the time," he said. "I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Something important has come up. I have to go."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and ran out of the room as if his life depended on it.

Everyone just stood there, stunned.

’Who was he just trying to fool?’

Evangeline almost burst out laughing.

Yuna, standing beside Eliana, sighed.

"I told you," she said. "He’s a lazy bum who tries to run away from responsibility. Becoming a king? He wouldn’t do it even if his life depended on it. He just loves his freedom."

Eliana smirked.

"Well, it didn’t hurt to try," she said. "Besides, who knows? Maybe he’ll change his mind in the future."

Yuna smiled faintly.

"That would be an interesting sight to see."

She turned toward the queen.

"It’s time for me to go now too," she said.

Eliana’s expression softened.

"I will never forget what you have done for us, Yuna. If there is anything you need... just say the word. I will help you however I can."

Yuna shook her head gently. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Right now, I don’t need anything. I already have everything I wanted. But if the need arises... I will call upon you."

Eliana smiled and nodded.

Outside the palace, near a private jet, Arthur stood waiting for Yuna.

Suddenly, two people came running toward him.

It was Aiden and Evangeline.

Arthur sighed.

"If you’re here to make me your husband, please go back," he said flatly.

Evangeline struck a sexy pose, one hand on her hip, the other flipping her hair.

"Don’t you want this sexy and beautiful lady in front of you?" she said with a grin.

Arthur leaned forward, squinting at her.

Aiden groaned.

"Stop gawking at her," he said.

Arthur ignored him completely.

"Even if you do have the right curves," Arthur said, "you’re nothing compared to my master. Come back after ten years. Maybe I’ll consider it."

Evangeline’s mouth twitched.

Aiden burst out laughing.

Evangeline glared at Arthur.

"It would do you some good if you learned to respect women," she said.

Arthur shrugged.

"I believe in equality," he said.

Evangeline sighed.

"Alright, so you’re taking the exam for Celestia Academy too, right?" she asked.

Arthur nodded.

"Well, I am. I’ve heard a lot about it. And my master is also making me."

Aiden grinned.

"Good. Then see you at the entrance exam. I just can’t wait to kick your ass."

Arthur smirked.

"You couldn’t even save your own ass when that Demon Lord attacked," he said.

Aiden’s face turned red.

Evangeline burst out laughing.

Before Aiden could retort, a voice came from behind them.

"Looks like you’ve made some good friends, huh?"

The trio looked toward the direction of the voice.

Yuna was standing there.

She wore a simple white button-up shirt tucked into fitted black jeans, paired with a long beige cardigan that hung loosely over her shoulders. Her pink hair was tied in a relaxed ponytail, a few strands framing her face. Her grey eyes held a calm, knowing glint, and despite the casual outfit, she carried herself with an effortless elegance that made her look impossibly beautiful—like someone who didn’t need armor or a title to command respect.

Both Aiden and Evangeline bowed slightly toward her as a show of respect.

Yuna nodded her head.

"Are you two also taking the Celestia Academy entrance exam?" she asked.

They both nodded.

Yuna smiled.

"Good. Now it will be fun to watch."

She looked toward Arthur, her smile turning sharp.

"Because if you lose, I’ll break both of your legs—the ones you use to run away from everywhere."

Arthur took a huge gulp.

"You’re kidding, right?" he said nervously.

Yuna just gave him a smile and entered the jet.

Arthur kept staring at her back.

Behind him, both Aiden and Evangeline burst out laughing.

Aiden grinned.

"Now I have another reason not to lose," he said.

A vein popped up on Arthur’s forehead.

He sighed.

"Alright, it’s time to say goodbye for now," he said.

He looked toward Evangeline.

"Investigate the Lawless City and find out everything you can about a person named Juggernaut. He’s the boss of that city."

Evangeline nodded.

"It will be done. Don’t worry."

Arthur smiled faintly.

"Alright. See you guys at the entrance exam."

Arthur turned and entered the jet.

The door closed behind him.

The jet’s engines roared to life, and it took off into the sky.

Aiden watched it disappear.

"I’m gonna train like never before," he said.

Evangeline smiled.

"I know you’d say that. But I’m with you on this one. Defeating someone like Arthur and all the prodigies of the world will not be easy. And maybe some even possess systems like you and Arthur."

Aiden nodded.

"You’re right. We have to be prepared."

Evangeline clenched her fist.

"Let’s go. I’m also gonna train hard. I’m not gonna lose to Jasmine, no matter what."

---

Inside the royal palace, in her luxurious room, Jasmine stared at a picture of a boy.

She threw a dagger at it.

The blade pierced through the paper with a sharp thud.

Even looking at the picture made her body tremble. A strange, unfamiliar feeling rose inside her chest—something she couldn’t name, something that made her skin crawl and her heart race.

’What has that bastard done to me?’ she thought.

She grabbed another dagger from her desk.

"To get rid of this feeling," she said aloud, her voice trembling with fury, "I’ll kill you with my own hands."

She threw the dagger straight at his head in the picture.

Then she started laughing—a mad, broken laugh that echoed through the room.

Her eyes turned red for a moment, glowing faintly, before returning to their original violet color.