Intentions and Goals
"That's right," Roxus replied. "It's just that I've decided never to get married," she continued.
Cecilia's face froze. The wind blew gently. Nobody spoke for a few seconds of silence.
Roxus fiddled with her teacup on the saucer and subconsciously turned her head towards Lucifer's back far away on the other side of the garden. "The person I love decides to abandon his identity, power and influence, and everything he has to achieve the goals he pursues. A person like me shouldn't be a hindrance to what he wants or become his weaknesses," Roxus explained.
"...But at the same time, after he reaches his goal one day, when he has nothing to chase or a home to return to, I want to be by his side as a good friend and be able to help him fill all the gaps he created," Roxus continued in a voice that was so warm.
Again, a silence struck them. Even so, the warmth that made an impression of Roxus' words still felt between them.
"Thank you for asking Luc to stay away, Cece, even though it's a bit useless," Roxus stared at Samael.
He should also have felt the ability of Lucifer, the Swordmaster.
"If it's not like this, maybe I won't be able to give a reason why I refuse to get married," Roxus said then, returning to her sweet and formal words.
Cecilia smiled. Slowly, she leaned back and took a deep breath. "Ah... even though I almost succeeded in making you two my allies," she muttered.
Ting. "Pft," Samael held back his laughter. He, who was quietly sipping his tea, almost spilt the tea on his thighs.
"Your Majesty!" Cecilia took a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to Samael. Samael said thanks casually as if he was used to receiving such treatment.
Samael is the Prince of the Rotund Empire who is most famous for being strong due to his military might. On the other hand, he is also a Swordmaster, making use of the dragon blood in his body, making him grow stronger among other swordmasters. As a Prince of the Dragon Empire, he became the greatest icon in its history.
That's why Roxus knew he could already judge Lucifer's ability as a Swordmaster as well. "Cece, you should already think of me as your ally. Why do you say things like that?" Roxus asked.
Cecilia shook her head with a chuckle. "Do not take it wrong. I won't fall for your sweet words, you viper," said Cecilia in a sweet voice.
"Shut up, you old fox. You already have me as your ally, but you are still eyeing another ally," Roxus cheerfully replied to Cecilia. Of course, the two spoke softly and jokingly but in harsh and slightly shocking words.
Samael sighed. It seemed like his existence here was no longer needed.
"But, Cece," Roxus smiled differently this time. "Looks like you should thank me for bringing the two of you together. If you two could become my allies, that would be even better," she let out a smile full of triumph.
Cecilia changed her expression completely. "Heh," this time, she smiled dryly.
"Of course," Samael leaned back in his chair. "From the start, I accepted Princess Cecilia's invitation because I already knew that by wanting to be an ally of Lady Croix, I must also become an ally of Princess Cecilia," the man muttered softly. "But I thought Princess Cecilia was trying to ask me to be her fiancé, not Lady Croix'," Samael continued dryly.
"Ah," Roxus and Cecilia reacted the same way.
Samael tilted his face. "Did I say something wrong?" asked Samael. The man was a handsome man with unique jet black hair, typical of Dragon Emperor Orcen Rotund. His eyes were blue, also like the King. In this world, no one could deny the identity of that man, plus his appearance far exceeded that of an ordinary human. But...
"...Cece's favourite type of guy is more of a boy who looks cute and younger, right?" Roxus asked quietly.
"…That's right…" Cecilia smiled dryly.
"I see." Samael nodded in understanding. The man rose from his leaning position. "I came here to meet Lady Croix, but I also have another proposal. Princess Cecilia, I agreed to come because I thought we could agree to the engagement between the two of us," he continued.
Cecilia looked uncomfortable. The woman sighed. "Too bad, Your Majesty. I'm sorry for this misunderstanding," Cecilia bowed.
"You two act like I'm not the cute type of guy…" Samael supported his face with one hand as if he was in serious thought with his flat face.
Roxus and Cecilia looked at Samael in surprise.
"If it's a matter of appearance, it seems like there's nothing I can do," muttered Samael.
"W-wait a minute, Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty intend to continue this discussion any further?" asked Cecilia, confused.
"Of course. To me, Princess Cecilia is the best future wife I can get. Not only from the appearance factor but also the basic nature, there is no flaw from Princess Cecilia," said Samael. "That's why, regarding my appearance, can Princess Cecilia reconsider?"
Cecilia turned her head towards Roxus as if asking for help. Roxus shook her head, slowly stood up. "Your Excellency Prince and Cece, I have to talk for a moment with Lucius. We'll be back after a while, so please speak comfortably together," Roxus said and gave a graceful bow.
"Bebe…" Cecilia almost got up from her wheelchair, but she stopped her thoughts. Roxus was already walking towards Lucifer, and Cecilia then looked at Samael. "You'd better explain to me properly the reason why Your Majesty wants to marry me," Cecilia said later, this time in a calmer tone.
While changing his seat slightly, Samael looked straight at Cecilia. "My father is an immortal being," he said later.
Cecilia remembered. Orcen Rotund is a Dragon. Until now, it had been more than 300 years since he had led the Rotund Empire and became the supreme ruler of this Continent. He is the Black Dragon, a dragon who is 500 years old.
Maybe because he had been the sole ruler for 300 years, everyone thought there would be no power struggle or something, but quite the opposite. For 300 years, Orcen Rotund has had 19 sons and daughters. They fight with each other because they have power equal to that of a dragon with human egos.
"I am the Ninth Son of Orcen Rotund's 19 children. Right now, I'm around 30 human years old, but if you count the dragon's age, I'm still very young, around nine years old," said Samael. "Technically, I'm much younger than you, Princess Cecilia. Can't you reconsider?" he asked later.
"Eh?" Cecilia wondered why they were still talking about that matter again. "Your Majesty, we can put aside the matter of appearance for now," said Cecilia softly. "But, we can't get engaged to each other for no reason, can we?" she asked.
Samael thought again. "Looks like... it would be difficult to explain to you, Princess Cecilia," he explained. "Because I want to make you the Queen of this kingdom and have sufficient authority to make me stay by your side as the Queen's Husband."