[Yue's POV]
Two years have passed since I regressed.
Over these two years, I wasn't sitting back idly, twiddling my thumbs. In preparation for future calamities, I built my reputation and influence within the Elune House through my superior magical capabilities and adorable charm.
In my original timeline, I was already hailed as a prodigy, but with me forming my second circle before ten years old, I was now considered a once-in-a-generation genius. Adding to the fact that my grandfather doted on me tenderly and expected me to succeed him as heir, my position grew exponentially. Not only that, plenty of talented magicians joined my faction after realising I was the future of the Elune House.
However, even though I had all those credentials, I was still a ten-year-old. If I asked to visit the Solaris House to visit him, I would most likely be declined in a heartbeat.
After all, the Elune House didn't want to risk jeopardising their precious princess.
However, time was ticking. In a few months, he will join the Knight's Academy, and once that's done, it will be exponentially more challenging to reach him. If I wished to seal the deal, I had to take drastic measures.
Which was why I expedited the discovery of the mana crystal vein.
In my original timeline, the mana crystal vein was discovered much later. Incidentally, I've come to learn that the discovery was manipulated by our enemies to step foot into the Elune House and to gain influence over the core members and…
I was one of the victims of their nefarious, conniving claws.
Hence, I had no guilt in declaring the mana crystal vein as my discovery. Scratch that; I was elated to claim it as my own. Now, I wasn't just a prodigious ten-year-old child but a cherished member of the family who contributed significantly to the Elune House's fortunes.
But that wasn't enough. I negotiated a deal with my grandfather to partner with the Solaris House to strengthen our alliance with the ancient superpower and protect our newly found resources. And I didn't stop there; I suggested that I be betrothed to a member of the Solaris House of my choosing to cement the partnership.
All while hiding the sly smile that was plastered all over my face.
Naturally, my grandfather was reluctant, but my adorable face was too potent for him to ignore. Not to mention, there was significant support on my side, as many felt that since I was the one who discovered the vein, I had the power to decide what to do with it. However, secretly, I knew that there were numerous factors in play.
Some saw me as an emerging powerful faction and sought to eliminate me as a threat. Others were happy to see our partnership with the Solaris House grow through matrimony, significantly benefiting them.
But… I didn't care an iota about their opinions.
All I wanted to do… was to meet him.
My grandfather and other elders of the House questioned why I was so adamant about marrying this person even though there were many other better potential candidates.
Fortunately, the Elune House had a history of prophetic dreams and divination magic. With my history of discovering the mana crystal vein, I could simply say that I foresaw my future in a dream and that man was the only man who could bring me happiness. And in a sense, I was right.
I did live through the future, and he was the only one I loved.
No, he was the only one I could ever love.
Which was why this marriage had to happen.
After convincing the Elune House to solicit the help of the Solaris House, the following steps fell into place quickly. Naturally, the Solaris House was elated to enter this partnership and happily invited the family head and me to their impressive estate. The grandeur of the palatial dominion was as imposing as ever, with the emblem of the Solaris House plastered on every gate I passed through.
The Elune House was impressive in its own right, but the Solaris House's architecture was on a whole other level. Ever since the formation of the Hyades Republic, there weren't any Kingdoms or Empires anymore. Yet, the Solaris House was the modern-day equivalent of a King's fiefdom. Towering palaces were stretched out for miles upon miles. Ancient and rare antiques were littered all over the hallways, with many rivalling or exceeding that of museums.
The grandeur and magnificence of the dominion never fails to impress me.
And yet, this monolithic superpower fell to the future calamities.
"Young lady, the Solaris Lord summons us. He says the person you requested had just arrived."
While still lost in thought, Erywna's voice brought me back to reality. I blinked twice, fully taking the time to absorb the information I'd just received. However, it didn't take long for the colour to be drained from my face as I leapt to my feet.
"O-Oh! I have to hurry then! W-Wait, Erywna! How's my hair? Do I look strange?"
"... Young lady?"
"Do I still have any bed hair? How's my make-up? You know what, I better check for myself!"
I ignored my trusted handmaiden's shocked face and ran towards the nearby mirror. At the same time, I brought out a comb and a face brush to smooth out any rough edges I may have. I could hear my grandfather sighing as he trudged out of the waiting room with an exasperated voice, but I didn't care.
This was going to be my first time meeting him in this timeline.
I had to look perfect.
"Erywna, how do I look now?"
I promptly asked after making adjustments a dozen times. My trusted servant eyeballed me from head to toe once over, resting her finger over her chin. After careful consideration, she finally brightened her face and said:
"You look beautiful! There's no one prettier than you in all of Eshon and Solfea! I can guarantee it!"
"That's not enough! I have to be more beautiful than all the women in the world!"
"T-That… Wow… Young lady, forgive me, but… Do you have any shame?"
Hey! That's rude! I do have shame! But this is a matter of life and death for me! No matter how cold-hearted that man is, even he would be enamoured by a beautiful girl who aimed to be his wife. Our first meeting is pivotal to setting the tone for the rest of our relationship!
"It's fine… I think I'm ready for the audience."
Taking in a deep breath, I calmed myself once more. I was once a formidable mage who faced up against Demons and Deities. Meeting him again should be a piece of cake!
Or so I'd thought…
"Apologies for my late arrival!"
The moment I stepped into the chambers of the Solaris Lord, I saw a small crowd standing in a semicircle, seemingly awaiting my arrival. My grandfather, the Elune House Lord, lifted his chin and looked away, his nostrils flared. The Solaris House Lord rubbed his scratchy beard, his eyes pure with amusement. One older gentleman blinked, his jaw wide open, the moment he saw my face.
But none of their expressions mattered to me.
The moment… The millisecond I entered the chamber, my eyes were locked onto one person only.
Standing at attention, the young boy gazed at me icily. Anyone could tell that it was a death glare, yet the moment I saw his familiar majestic, golden eyes, my spine tingled as if lightning had struck me. His usually ruffled black hair, which resembled the ebony of night, was now combed in perfect symmetry, a sight I deemed impossible during my previous timeline.
He was also dressed particularly well, like a noble heir preparing for his debutante ball. The Solaris House was a Knight household, meaning most ceremonial attire was militaristic. And watching the young boy come out dressed in a regal suit bearing the emblem of the Solaris House…
My heart was about to beat out of my chest.
The last time I saw him, the man was in his mid-twenties, and now… I was seeing a child version of the man I loved. His noble frown looked haughty with his young, chubby face. I could see his entire complexion gleefully without his battle-worn scars and worn-out skin. Perhaps he could feel my eyes scanning him; the boy puffed his chest out and straightened his back, unwilling to back down a single inch.
My god…
How could such an adorable creature exist in this world?!
I wanted to charm him, yet here I was… falling prey to my own trap.
Isn't this cheating?
I couldn't bear it anymore. Ignoring the other adults in the room, I unknowingly held my hands behind my back and skipped over sheepishly towards the young boy. I hastened my feet, and it wasn't long before I was five steps away from him.
In truth, I wished to leap into his arms immediately and embrace him with all my might. But that action would unquestionably push him away. Still, this was my first time meeting him in this timeline, so I had to make a great first impression.
Focusing on calming my beating heart, I took a deep breath and gave the boy the introduction that would intertwine our fates forevermore.
"Nice to meet you! My name is Yue Elune!"
And this was how… I met Amon Solaris in this timeline.