Chapter 96: Resolution (Part 1)

Outside, the wind was biting cold, and snow had fallen thickly throughout the night, blanketing the world in white. Yet, inside, the room was warm, as if spring had settled in.

Merlin awoke from sleep, his routine typically disciplined with an hour of morning meditation. Today, however, was different. Normally full of energy, Merlin felt a distinct weariness.

He turned his head to see a beautiful face resting beside him, with a delicate white arm still wrapped around him.

Rubbing his temples, Merlin lifted the covers gently, catching a glimpse of warmth beneath them. The room was strewn with his and Sherlis's clothes, tossed all over the place, and the air still held a strange lingering scent.

Merlin shook his head slightly; the state of the room was proof enough of their intensity from the night before. His body, once frail, had grown remarkably resilient from his extended practice of the mysterious postures depicted on the floating reliefs, turning him into someone with a terrifying stamina.

Perhaps disturbed by Merlin's movements, Sherlis slowly awoke as well.

Her expression was calm, though her gaze was complicated. She looked at Merlin, and her voice was soft but firm. "Baron Merlin, don't forget what you promised me."

Merlin leaned closer, his tone unwavering and absolute, his eyes cold and intense. "Sherlis, perhaps last night was a transaction between us, but from today forward, you're my woman, part of the Wilson family. Your matters are my matters."

Merlin's presence had taken on an imposing weight, making it difficult for others to breathe. Sherlis found herself caught off guard, struck by the intense aura he exuded. For a moment, she was rendered speechless.

"Now then, tell me about the origins of this ring."

Merlin's lips curved into a slight smile as he lightly tapped Sherlis on the arm. The warmth of her skin tempted him to linger, but his disciplined nature held firm, even as he saw her cheeks flush.

Her voice softened. "This ring was given to me by Uncle Friedrich."

Sherlis's gaze turned distant, as if lost in memories. "My Uncle Friedrich traveled to many lands in his youth. He spent a decade in the Black Moon Kingdom, and upon returning to the Bright Kingdom, he became the commander of the Phoenix Corps. What no one knew was that during his time in the Black Moon Kingdom, Uncle Friedrich had become a powerful spellcaster. Yet, due to the oppressive authority of the Bright Church, he never revealed his identity."

"When the Bright Church's ambitions came to light, Uncle Friedrich was among the first to resist. In his final act, he helped Benin and me escape from the capital, entrusting me with this ring. However… neither Benin nor I possess the gift of a spellcaster."

Sherlis looked pointedly at Merlin as she finished, leaving unsaid the fact that while the ring held no particular value to her and Benin, for Merlin, who possessed the ability of a spellcaster, it was a priceless asset.

Merlin couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise. Prince Friedrich—a hidden spellcaster in the Bright Kingdom? Given the severe persecution of "heretics" by the Bright Church, the prince must have been a remarkable individual to survive for so long without detection.

And yet, powerful as he was, it seemed he too had likely fallen victim to the church's ruthless campaign.

"Tell me more about this Baron Valen," Merlin said, putting the ring away. His question surprised Sherlis, as her demeanor at the banquet had shown little of the resistance he now sensed from her.

Sherlis's expression shifted, her body tensing slightly, but she soon regained her composure. Oddly, while she had resented Merlin deeply just last night, her heart now felt differently. She explained, "Benin and I fled to Pagus City to distance ourselves from the Bright Kingdom, but even here, word of our royal background quickly spread. I was left with little choice but to form an alliance with Baron Valen for protection. However, he soon showed his true colors, tightening his hold over us and surrounding our residence with guards under the pretense of keeping us safe."

"In the end, I agreed to his proposal, accepting the idea of marrying him to buy us time. Baron Valen believes that once he's secured a marriage, the royal family's fortune will be his, so for now, he's keeping us under close watch."

Hearing Sherlis's explanation, Merlin pieced together the full story. Driven by greed for the royal fortune and possibly infatuation with Sherlis herself, Baron Valen had used a mixture of threats and temptations to entrap her.

It was then, upon seeing Merlin by chance at the banquet, that Sherlis had acted decisively, coming to him in the hopes of securing his help with the most enticing offer she could manage.

Afterward, Merlin sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching Sherlis dress, his self-control steady. There was something oddly fascinating about watching a woman of her noble bearing prepare herself for the day.

Under Merlin's unabashed gaze, Sherlis blushed and hurriedly finished dressing, her face as red as a rose.

Together, they left the room and descended to the main floor.

"Uncle Pula!" Merlin called.

Commander Pula appeared, unflinching in his loyalty, though his eyes held no hint of surprise. Evidently, he was aware of Sherlis's arrival in Merlin's quarters the previous night.

"What can I do for you, Baron?" Though Merlin continued to address him as "Uncle Pula," the commander now spoke with the deference owed to a noble.

"Uncle Pula, take a hundred riders and escort Sherlis back to her residence. Gather the remaining members of the Phoenix Corps and bring them back to the castle. Along the way, follow her instructions."

Though he was surprised, Commander Pula answered with a respectful nod. "Rest assured, Baron. I will bring back Lady Sherlis and the Phoenix Riders."

Sherlis's face showed a hint of worry, but Merlin reassured her, his voice firm. "Don't be concerned. I believe Baron Valen is wise enough to understand what this means. And if he doesn't… I'll handle it personally."

Though calm, Merlin's voice carried a cold edge that hinted at a dark resolve. The powerful presence emanating from him sent a chill even through the seasoned commander Pula.