Chapter 5
Like the previous Saints, she would be granted a single premonition that could not be shared with anyone.
In other words, once the downtime of Sol, the Sun God, passed and the prophecy descended, any gains they might earn from her bride price and gifts would be utterly worthless.
“I… I raised her… how could this happen…”
Fredis gasped in shock, struggling to breathe, and her son, Marvin, stepped forward.
“Mother, I’ll go find her. Don’t worry too much.”
Her sharp gaze snapped toward him.
“You still haven’t gone? Your only sister is missing, and you’re moving so slowly?!”
Sensing a looming disaster, Marvin hurriedly left, while his husband, Count Herman, brought over a cup of honey water.
“Honey water, dear. Drink this slowly and calm yourself.”
Fredis, unable to resist, leaned on her husband and sipped the warm drink, muttering incessantly.
“This is so frustrating. Where could she have gone, missing such an important marriage meeting, and not even back by tonight? Ugh, really…”
“Mother!”
Fredis’s eyes narrowed sharply at the sight of her son rushing in again, and Marvin stammered nervously.
“Th-The Crown Prince… Your Highness has arrived!”
Huh? The Crown Prince? At this hour?
Blinking several times, she asked,
“…Why?”
Flustered, Count Herman, his wife, and Marvin rushed to the entrance to receive the Crown Prince. Despite the late hour, no one could block the Crown Prince’s path. Power was the law here.
But why would the Crown Prince visit the humble Herman household at this hour?
The Hermans had no close ties to the royal family. Their estate was deep in the countryside, and the taxes they remitted were minimal. Their presence in the capital existed solely because of the high bride price.
Once Asha’s marriage was arranged and the profit secured, they would return to their estate to prepare for the eldest son’s wedding—the heir apparent.
The Hermans were an ordinary noble family, too low-ranking to even hold a seat in palace meetings. If the Crown Prince visited, they would have to leap out of bed barefoot to greet him.
Soon the gates opened, and mounted knights entered the neat garden in formation. They encircled the estate, their presence overwhelming Count Herman, who tightly held his wife’s hand in nervousness.
As the knights took their positions, a gilded carriage entered the garden.
It was the Crown Prince of the Empire, Alesto, notorious as a merciless and cold-blooded man.
The Hermans and Marvin lowered themselves in respect.
“Your Highness, we welcome you.”
All three bowed simultaneously.
Alesto approached Count Herman and helped him to stand—a simple act, yet imbued with elegance and an intimidating presence that made the others shrink back.
“Pleased to meet you, Count. And you, Countess. I wondered whom Asha inherited her beauty from, and I see she takes after both of you.”
Count Herman’s eyes widened, while the Countess quickly lowered her gaze. Alesto paid no attention to their reactions.
Gesturing toward the interior, he spoke as if it were his own home.
“Let’s go inside. The conversation may take some time.”
Guided by a butler, Alesto arrived in the parlor and naturally seated himself in the place of honor, motioning for the others to sit.
“Sit.”
The Count and Countess took their seats, while Marvin quietly stepped back, feeling he had no place there. His anxiety was understandable—the Crown Prince had changed the course of the nation’s history.
Having claimed the title at a young age, he ended a border war that had lasted fifteen years.
Yet rumors also followed him:
“The Emperor’s will-defying illegitimate son.”
Though unproven, such tales were familiar to nobles. Especially for someone so ruthless and meticulous, rumors like this only made them more intimidating.
‘Let’s hope this doesn’t get out of hand,’ the Hermans thought.
Despite sitting with them, Alesto remained silent for a long while. Growing impatient, Count Herman finally spoke.
“Your Highness… what brings you here…”
At that moment, Jerold Burns entered in uniform and placed documents on the table.
Alesto, expressionless, handed over the papers and got straight to the point.
“I will pay Asha’s bride price. Have them sign it.”
The Count stared blankly at the papers in Alesto’s hand—two marriage contracts lay before him.
He slid the contracts onto the table, pen in hand, ready to sign, and glanced at his wife for permission.
Fredis, having assessed the situation, slowly spoke.
“Your Highness, it seems Asha’s value has increased further.”
The Count’s mouth fell open. Had he misheard? No, he had heard correctly.
Fredis was attempting to negotiate Asha’s value upward before the Crown Prince. He knew his wife was bold, but even here, in front of the Crown Prince…
As he nervously tried to restrain her, Alesto addressed her.
“State your request.”
With determination, Fredis replied,
“Please secure a place for her within the palace.”
Alesto’s lips curved slightly in amusement.
“An ambitious one.”
Yet his voice lacked any trace of laughter.
Fredis stood and bowed low.
“Since Asha has been frail from childhood, I worry as a mother. You understand that people like us rarely enter the palace. I only ask that she be seen frequently for her wellbeing. I implore you to consider this.”
She gestured for her husband to comply, and Count Herman quickly bowed beside her, pleading.
“I humbly request it.”
Alesto touched his chin, as if in thought, then said bluntly,
“I didn’t know Asha was weak. Very well. If her mother visits often, she’ll adapt to the palace more quickly. It will benefit her in many ways.”
Hearing the Crown Prince’s approval, the Herman couple brightened.
But Alesto wasn’t finished.
“Yes, I have an idea. I’ll arrange a place for her on the third floor of my palace. Then you can watch over her daily and take good care of her.”
Fredis’ expression immediately darkened.
The third floor of the Crown Prince’s palace was notorious—one of seven places in the empire where people often disappeared. Even low-ranking nobles and palace staff frequently vanished there.
Being told to move Asha there sounded dangerously close to a threat of disappearance.
Fredis spoke cautiously.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but Marvin is our son and heir. He will soon prepare for his own marriage. Visiting Asha daily is difficult in reality. There’s no need to arrange a separate residence…”
Alesto interrupted casually.
“So your son disappears, then.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You said you can’t focus on Asha because of your son. An only daughter would be simpler. I’ll help you.”
Disregarding the Countess’ shocked expression, Alesto signaled a nearby knight.
The uniformed, rigidly standing knight drew his sword and approached young Herman.
“Ugh! Ah—!”
A sharp blade gleamed, raised high.
