"Bargaining chip??"
"The Duke of Herra's Family proposed to marry Princess so they can build the Alliance of Imperial family, Quentin family and Herra Family to collectively suppress the Maxwell's." William said annoyed.
...A lot is going on in the Empire.
This must be the reason the king proposed an engagement between Freya and the crown prince.
Now since Lily, my stepmother is the big sister of Duke Augustine it will make a strong alliance between the three families...But if Aria marries in Herra Family.
Wouldn't that mess up the relations?
"Uhmm...if I am not wrong isn't your brother recently engaged to the Freya of the Quentin family. And Duke Augustine is the little brother of Lily Herra the mother of Freya. Wouldn't that make..."
Aria frowned. "You know a lot."
"It's Nothing, just got few friends in nobilities."
She didn't express any doubts, for a person like me, it's normal to have few friends between Nobels.
In case she asked I have already thought of Yves name as my way out.
Aria looked outside the window.
Finally, She sighed with emotion. "...Duke Augustine is the Adopted child of Herra Family. It will soon be made public."
"!!"
Austin, Mia and Rafael who were previously uninterested in conversation about the nobels looked at Aria in shock.
"Woah, what a mess." I said in surprise.
"Humph, a toad wants to eat swan meat." William said sarcastically.
This is the only thing I can agree with him.
Aria tried to suppress a smile but felt corners of her mouth twitch.
Basically, he will suppress opposition in the Herra family by marrying a princess. And secure his seat as the Patriarch of the family. Then, they will collectively take care of Maxwell's.
"So what will you do." I asked Aria. In the end it's her decision.
She made a thoughtful look "If it's in the benefit of Empire I would gladly marry him." Aria expressed her stance.
I nodded in agreement.
Would I help her? Nope.
Because if I did, I would have to take responsibility for her as well. And getting involved in plots of Aristocrats is the last thing I want. Not to forget a God is aiming for her head.
...Killing everyone is easy. But killing is not always the solution.
I glanced at Aria with sympathy. It would be a pity for a girl like her to fall in his hands.
There was silence inside the Carriage.
The quality of the carriage is admirable even though we were moving many times faster than normal carriage no jitters can be felt.
Aria broke the silence. "But now I changed my mind." She said in a low voice but it could be clearly heard by me.
"Pardon me?"
Aria's mouth curved into a smile. "Forgive me, I was talking to myself. I was very excited since this is the first time I was interested in a man."
I fell silent.
Sigh, Nobels...
Mia, Rafael, and especially William were extremely surprised at Aria's statement. All of them looked at her who was smiling radiantly with widened eyes and disbelief of what she just said.
"Y-Y-Your highness?! Are you really?!" William shuttered.
She was the princess of Arcland. A woman of unparalleled beauty, extremely keen intellect, possesses talent in magic and an extremely kind, gentle and generous princess. She was an existence that men could only dream of. Countless noble sons, no matter their rank or consequences, have tried to court her in hopes to monopolize her beautiful smile for themselves. Even the position of being the princess of the nation's partner was a bonus compared to her smile.
"Of course, I am, William. I am truly interested in Leon, and I would like to know more about him."
That princess just declared her interest in Leon. It would be stranger if no one was surprised. In fact, William's panic reaction was the normal one. Mia and Rafael were also similarly surprised like William but they only didn't act on it as much as her.
As for Austin, he is unbothered by these worldly affairs. ( ^ - ^ )
I immediately start speculating what the princess was scheming by declaring that. Judging by William's reaction, her saying this was the first time she got interested in a man was most probably true. By saying she was "interested" in me, she would already said the reason why she would want to meet me more often in the future. By increasing the number of interactions between us, she would have more chances to use me for her whims.
Although it might seemed like her position as a princess would make meetings more difficult, in reality, it would make it harder for me to reject her invitation.
My speculation was logical and based on my experience with high ranked business woman, it was the most plausible course of action for her.
However, for some reason, I felt like I was wrong.
I smiled faintly. "Miss Aria, sorry to disappoint you but I am not interested in being a pawn in your game."
Aria extended her hands.
"??" I watched her perplexed.
What is she up to?
Don't tell me she will fight me.
Aria blinked. "Check my thoughts, didn't you say you could do it."
"Oh, ... yes" I hesitated slightly but finally decided to do it.
Grabbing her hands I closed my eyes. I started searching into the depths of her soul.
...First I implanted a small mole to make her help Freya.
Aria expression turned strange. She got faint blush on her cheeks. It was a weird feeling. Like being gazed bare naked.
I can see everything from the moment she was born to now. In front of me, she was like an open book, completely exposed, unguarded and uncovered...
I can see everything, all her memories, many secrets of Empires, information about the Imperial family...she felt insecure.
For a moment, she decided to withdrew her hands but the thought disappeared as soon as it came.
William stared at Aria anxiously, If not for the fear of Austin he would have attacked me already.
"This girl..." The Gaurdian who watching all of it from afar sighed.
Finally, I withdrew my hand.
I have an unusually weird expression on my face. There was only one question in my mind...
"Why...?"
"What!?"
Aria tilted her innocently. Her face has a tinge of redness remaining, which made her look extremely mesmerising.
But now it was not important for me.
"You risked the security of whole Empire, if not mad I don't know what to call you."
Aria smiled. "I have innate skill. It can check the character of a person. Other than my parents, only two persons have passed the test one is William another ...you."
I started at her baffled.
Certainly, I fell her using a spell at me earlier but as it was not fatal I didn't guard against it. Still what if it didn't work? Did she ...
"...you gambled everything on a skill?"
"Yup" She nodded unconcerned.
"...Insane."
This girl is nuts.
"Are you agreeing." Aria turned to me excited.
"Nope." I declined immediately.
I sympathise with her after seeing her life, but that's not enough for me to compromise. Not to forget it is not only a conflict between mortals anymore, a God is also involved.
The cost to benefit ratio isn't matching.
But to think that he was the Strongest Guardian... Emperor must love his daughter.
"...Its alright....I was impatient." Aria fell silent. She looked at the floor dejected.
William breathed a sigh of relief.
Mia glared at me presumably blaming me. But what can I do? It is not my fault.
It's outright emotional blackmail...unfair.
I peeked at Aria to discover her discouraged expression. Instantly a flood of her memories irrupted inside my mind.
I sighed. "We can start as friends."
"Really." Aria's face immediately blossomed in a smile.
She turned her head towards me, as if her neck was attached to spring.
The corners of my mouth twitched. Was it all an act?
"I said friends, we can continue after it, if it goes alright." I clarified.
"Mm." Did she even understand a word?
Sigh, womens are complicated. They are the reasons for the fall of Empires and nations throughout history.
"Hehe, I'm truly happy to have meet you, Leon."
I smiled wryly. "...It is an honor, Aria."
Aria smiled radiantly.
... Am I becoming emotionally weak?