Chapter 40
“Blood isn’t everything.”
He must have sensed that Maya was thinking about the Pendragon family.
‘I said something similar to McGuire once.’
So Tristan had thoughts like hers sometimes too. Maya smiled softly and closed her eyes.
Feeling more at ease, she began to nod off.
Tristan’s embrace felt especially warm today.
Watching Maya fall asleep so quickly, Tristan fell deep into thought.
‘Her power is growing stronger.’
She had always trained her healing power regularly, but her skill had remained mediocre.
He had long realized that this wasn’t something one could improve through sheer training.
But ever since the death of the white beast, her powers had clearly strengthened.
‘What was different about that monster?’
He had been staying in the library, trying to find answers, but useful information was hard to come by.
‘Maybe it’s in the Imperial Archives.’
He was beginning to suspect he’d have to dig through the imperial library next.
The Day of the Banquet
For most noble ladies, the day of a banquet would start at dawn with elaborate preparations. Doshien would’ve expected the same—but Maya’s day began differently.
She started with training.
“I want to fight!”
“Just wait a bit. It should appear soon.”
Beyond the creature Kendrick had to take care of, there were many monsters Maya herself had defeated as the knight commander.
She wasn’t sure exactly where it all began—she’d been stationed in the North, after all.
‘Where did it first appear again?’
All she knew was that one had shown up in the capital.
Still, it was bound to happen soon.
“…Hey, Wyvern, you’re awfully quiet today, huh?”
Maya glared playfully at the wyvern standing behind her during training.
“Normally, you’d be begging me to take you along….”
The wyvern averted its gaze and gave an extremely awkward yawn. Haaahm.
Maya took it at face value.
“Guess you’re not in the mood today.”
Accepting that conclusion, Maya hurried back to the mansion. Doshien had said he understood her need to train—but he’d also asked her to come back quickly afterward.
Doshien’s touch was like that of a fairy, and the dress from Ofraze was nothing short of magical.
Was this how Cinderella felt?
The gown, a graceful blend of pink and violet, reminded her of a rose.
Its slightly puffed sleeves, off-shoulder bodice, and layered fabric evoked soft petals.
‘This isn’t just a dress—it’s a work of art.’
The confidence and pride radiating from Ofraze were clearly born of skill.
She hadn’t inherited her abilities like Maya had—she’d built everything through her own effort.
That made her even more admirable.
‘Wearing something like this feels amazing.’
She had always worn mass-produced dresses, so worn-out they felt like they would tear apart. She never knew dressing up could be such a joy.
‘I like this side of me too.’
As she experienced what she couldn’t before, she was discovering new feelings—new likes and dislikes. The process itself was satisfying.
Maya liked delicious food, meat, desserts…
Now, she’d add dressing up and adorning herself to that list.
“Now, with this necklace…”
Doshien beamed as he fastened a diamond necklace around her neck.
Maya stared at her reflection in the mirror.
The dress and jewelry were armor and helmet for the battlefield she was about to enter—because this banquet wasn’t just a party for her.
It was a new battleground.
Fully prepared, Maya walked toward the main hall, heading for the waiting carriage.
Standing at the main gate was Tristan, dressed elegantly, as if he too were attending the banquet.
Though he appeared in the form of a boy rather than a man his age—it was better this way.
‘He was an adult during the ball held for my birthday.’
How many people get to experience both the youth and adulthood of their spouse?
…Even if it was just a contract.
Seeing his face softened the anxiety stiffening her chest.
“Maya.”
Tristan approached as he called her name.
“Are you here to see me off? All dressed up too? That’s really sweet of you.”
“I pale in comparison to you… but I wanted to go with you in spirit.”
He gently tucked away the loose strands of hair from her face.
“Yes.”
“I’ll do my part here. But… please don’t enjoy it too much.”
“Because my dancing is awful?”
“No, not that…”
Tristan kissed the back of her hand.
“I think I’ll get jealous.”
How could he say such a thing with that face?
“Tristan, maybe you shouldn’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
“You should say things like that to your future wife.”
“But I already have a wife.”
“I’m your contract wife.”
Tristan quietly studied Maya’s honest expression. She didn’t seem troubled, but not exactly comfortable either.
‘Is it burdensome when I do this?’
He needed to figure out why she kept drawing that line, always calling herself a contract wife.
Maybe the reason she kept retreating into reason was tied to a past he didn’t know yet.
She didn’t show any sign of telling him today.
He’d have to start learning more soon.
“Tristan.”
He didn’t want to burden her with this before a banquet.
He’d bring it up tonight.
Having made his decision, Tristan smiled kindly.
“I only say those things to someone I hold in my heart.”
And that was true.
Because he was saying it to her now.
One day, there would come a time when he wouldn’t have to dance around his feelings like this.
Tristan truly believed it.
Inside the Carriage
Maya gazed out the window.
The road to the imperial palace felt oddly unfamiliar. Maybe it was because she only remembered vivid moments from when she had her senses.
‘…Because I clung to the imperial court, maybe.’
She thought back to the room she used to live in.
A tiny room attached to the training grounds—completely unfit for the commander of the Imperial Knights—but it had made her happy.
It had felt like the beginning of her real life.
But haunted by memories of her nightmares, Maya squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again.
Pull yourself together.
Maya whispered to herself and stepped out of the carriage.
The palace she arrived at was eerily familiar.
“Lady Maya Beiauden has arrived!”
At the loud announcement, Maya stepped into high society—the place she had never been allowed into before.
The chandelier’s light stabbed her eyes. From the top of the staircase, she looked down to see everyone staring at her like deer in headlights.
People who had once scorned her and treated her like an insect.
‘What are you all thinking right now?’
Maya walked forward with confidence.
At the end of the hall stood Emperor Riserfield, waiting for her on the throne, his eyes glinting.
She recalled what she’d once heard from the former knight commander.
“I chose her because she looked like my type. Who knew she’d actually be useful?”
She hadn’t realized back then how soul-crushing it was to be valued for your “shell.”
Not this time.
She would never be swayed by him again.
Maya stepped forward to face her former liege—the one she now considered her enemy.
“Maya Beiauden greets His Majesty the Emperor.”
The Pendragon name was long discarded. She now stood under House Beiauden—and she felt much safer with that name.
“Maya Beiauden, is it.”
Whatever she said must’ve irritated the emperor—Riserfield’s lips twisted ever so slightly.
It was a small thing that others might’ve missed, but Maya caught it instantly.
She had known him for too long.
“To think a daughter of House Pendragon would be this beautiful.”
In her past life, he would’ve at least feigned courtesy to manipulate her. But now, he didn’t even bother.
His crude remarks made Maya want to cut off his head on the spot.
‘I should ask later if I can do that.’
Still, some things needed to be said.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. But if it’s House Pendragon, being praised for swordsmanship would be far more of an honor.”
“Ah, swordsmanship. That’s right. You are of Pendragon blood. Have you… noticed anything different?”
Riserfield’s vague question was clearly probing her awakening.
He must be wondering if the new generation of Pendragon was different.
Just like before, he was unusually sensitive to Maya’s condition.
Of course, Maya had no intention of revealing anything about herself.
Even facial muscles she normally couldn’t move responded miraculously in front of Riserfield.
Lowering her gaze with feigned regret, she replied:
“Unfortunately, I have yet to show any significant results.”
But Riserfield wasn’t so easily fooled.
“…Hmm, did you not feel anything while defeating that monster up North?”
