『Arthur: What's wrong, Neizan? 』
Neizan looked at Arthur but decided not to share what he was experiencing. The complexity of those feelings was confusing, and trying to explain them now would only cause confusion and worry among his friends.
『Neizan: It's nothing. I think it's already passing. 』
Despite his words, the sensation lingered in his mind, latent, like a shadow he couldn't fully understand. He knew something had changed within him and that, sooner or later, he would have to confront whatever was growing inside him. But for now, he chose to keep quiet, holding his doubts within and hoping that time would bring him the answer.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a guard entered the room with a serious expression.
『Guard: Neizan. 』
Neizan looked up, still somewhat dazed.
『Neizan: What's going on? 』
The guard paused briefly before replying, aware of the importance of his message.
『Guard: The Emperor requests your presence. 』
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The guard informed Neizan that he was to come alone. After saying goodbye to his friends, he followed the guard down a long hallway until they reached the door of a grand chamber.
『Guard: Here we are. 』
The guard opened the door, and Neizan entered the room where he was awaited. Crossing the threshold, he was struck by the opulence before him, a setting more lavish than any he had ever seen, with intricate details and luxurious decor. Before him, on a grand throne, sat the emperor, flanked by a man with red hair and blue eyes and, beside him, an equally striking woman with similar features.
At that moment, Neizan remembered Miguel's advice.
『Miguel: When you see the emperor, you must kneel and show him your respect. 』
Neizan took a few steps closer to the emperor and, with some reluctance, knelt, lowering his head as a gesture of respect. Though he didn't like bowing to anyone, he knew the situation demanded it. The emperor observed him with a faint smile and stood from his throne.
『Emperor Erick: So, here we have the new champion of the empire. 』
『Neizan: What do you wish of me, my lord? 』
Neizan studied the man before him: with blonde hair and scarlet eyes, dressed in red and white robes adorned with golden details, engraved bracelets, and a striking necklace with an exquisite gem. Atop his head rested a crown befitting his status. He was a bit taller than Neizan, appearing as a young and strong man, radiating an aura of grandeur and power worthy of fine art.
『Emperor Erick: Raise your head, Neizan. 』
Neizan obeyed, and as he lifted his gaze, he noticed that the emperor had taken a few steps toward him. The emperor then looked at the red-haired woman in the room and signaled for her to approach. She walked gracefully to Neizan, who was still kneeling, and when she stood before him, she extended her hands, placing a delicate silver diadem adorned with green leaves and a lion engraving on his forehead. Neizan couldn't help but be mesmerized by her beauty; she was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her warm and calm gaze conveyed a surprising sense of peace, and her presence seemed to fill the room with serenity.
The young woman, around eighteen years old, withdrew elegantly after fulfilling her role, leaving Neizan absorbed and surprised by the emotions that brief interaction had stirred within him.
『Erick: She's beautiful, isn't she? She is the Empire's lady of honor, one of our most cherished and revered treasures. 』
As he spoke, the emperor gently reached out, brushing his hand against the young woman's face and sliding his fingers through her hair.
『Erick: Would you like to marry her? 』
Hearing this, Neizan's eyes widened in shock. The question was as unexpected as it was overwhelming, leaving him momentarily speechless.
『Neizan: My lord, why are you asking me this? 』
『Erick: Why not? 』
『Neizan: … 』
『Erick: The famous champion who managed to defeat the fearsome giant in the Coliseum games—a young, strong, and handsome man united with the most beautiful woman in the Empire. Wouldn't that be anyone's dream? 』
Neizan thought over the offer repeatedly, but he couldn't come to a clear answer. Obviously, accepting the marriage would be beneficial in many ways; it would grant him a place among the Empire's highest nobility, and much of his life's hardships would likely vanish. But the proposal was clouded in ambiguity, and Neizan had feelings for someone else. Besides, he had never aspired to nobility, fame, or to be revered by the masses. His life had followed a different path, one grounded in simpler dreams.
『Neizan: I'm sorry, but I must refuse. 』
The silence that followed his answer was profound. Everyone in the room stared at him in astonishment, and the emperor's gaze hardened momentarily as he assessed the young man's resolve.
『Erick: May I ask why? 』
『Neizan: I simply don't feel it's right for me. 』
『Erick: Well, hahahaha! Did you all hear that? Elisabeth, it seems you've been turned down. What an irony, isn't it? 』
The emperor laughed in surprise and then glanced at the beautiful red-haired woman, Elisabeth. She was taken aback by Neizan's response, for he was surely the first and perhaps the last man who would ever decline her hand so straightforwardly. This only highlighted Neizan's sincerity; his words were genuine, and his gaze held no trace of doubt as he spoke.
『Elisabeth: May I ask you something? 』
『Neizan: Of course. 』
『Elisabeth: Do you already have a beloved? 』
The question was quiet, yet it seemed to hang heavily in the air. Neizan felt an unexpected tension as he looked into her calm, probing eyes. He knew that answering honestly could lay bare more than just his intentions, but there was something in her gaze—a genuine curiosity, perhaps a hint of admiration—that made him want to respond truthfully.
Her question was direct and concise, and upon hearing it, Neizan hesitated again, forcing himself to reflect on his answer. He remained silent for a moment, immersed in his thoughts, trying to understand his own feelings.
『Neizan: No, really... But all I can say is that there is someone I do love. 』
These words, though cautious, carried an emotional weight that Elisabeth noticed instantly.