Chapter 14

Varro's POV

Arthur's sudden declaration shocked me—I hadn't expected him to say it so soon.

I always knew he had a soft spot for that child, and after discovering his genius, I suppose he couldn't let the opportunity slip away. Still, this is troublesome. I support his decision, but this will make Lady Victoria furious. And that is a very bad thing.

She has the backing of the monstrous Solmorne family—a family as powerful as the Reinhearts.

Sigh. This may be the first time a crack forms in the royal table since I joined it. Handling this will be troublesome.

Just then, a chilling voice filled the room. It was calm, delicate even, yet laced with unmistakable bloodlust.

"So, Arthur… what is this great reason you found for making such a decision?"

Lady Victoria's voice was dangerously smooth, but her body was already shrouded in a red aura.

Yeah… she was mad.

How will the Emperor respond? The best approach would be to mention Lady Isis and how the prince's ideas led to innovations in accounting. That might give her something to consider.

As I ran through different ways to defuse the situation, Arthur spoke.

"How about we discuss this once the children leave?"

At his words, the prince began to exit the room. Lady Seraphina hesitated, wanting to stay, but Victoria simply raised her hand, signaling her to leave. Seraphina gave a reluctant nod and walked away, a sad expression on her face.

As soon as she left, Lady Victoria stood up. Her aura surged.

The wooden table beneath her hand melted.

She was furious.

"You truly are twisted, Arthur. You made that announcement in front of Seraphina, yet now you ask her to leave when she likely wanted to hear your reasoning?"

Her voice no longer held any formal restraint. She was seething.

Victoria didn't bother walking around the large table. Instead, she moved in a straight line—melting everything in her path as if the obstacle didn't exist.

With each step, the wood dissolved into molten liquid, hissing as it dripped onto the marble floor.

the melting table, clearing a path for her as she advanced toward her husband.

Sigh. This is why I hate dealing with the strong. No matter how intelligent they are, when a disagreement arises, it always escalates into a clash of power.

Victoria stopped inches away from Arthur and met his cold gaze with one of her own.

And then—the room split in two.

Flames surged on one side. Ice spread across the other.

Their auras clashed, trying to consume the other, turning the air heavy with pressure. No words were spoken. They simply stared, locked in a silent battle of dominance.

Then—BANG.

A powerful force erupted through the room, overpowering both of them.

I turned toward the source.

Sitting calmly, as if unaffected by the tension, was Archduke Valerian Thornwood. His mere presence commanded silence.

"As civilized people," he said in a neutral tone, "let's settle this over a proper table discussion."

For a moment, Victoria remained still, glaring at Arthur one last time before scoffing and returning to her seat.

Victoria's POV

"So then, speak. Tell me the reason for this decision of yours."

My voice was cold, laced with quiet fury.

There is no reason that will convince me. But I will hear it out.

After all, the crown belongs to my daughter. I will make sure of it.

Arthur opened his mouth.

"There are two main reasons for this decision. And no, it's not because Guinevere convinced me to do it."

Hearing that vixen's name only made my anger burn hotter.

But Arthur continued, undeterred.

"The first reason Gwydre was chosen over Seraphina is that we found a relationship for him that is far more powerful than our original plan with Seraphina."

His words piqued my curiosity. Our strategy with Seraphina had been perfect—what could possibly surpass it?

"Speak. Tell me—what could be better than Seraphina marrying Axel?"

Axel was a perfect choice. His engagement to Seraphina would have solidified the imperial family's control over the Reinheart family—a house boasting three warriors, one of whom, Leo, possessed the greatest potential of his generation.

Even if Seraphina was no longer the crown princess, this marriage would still tie us to them. Strengthen our hold.

So what could possibly be better than that?

Then Arthur spoke.

"Gwydre's marriage to Isis Ravenspire."

…Who?

I frowned. The name was unfamiliar.

Isis Ravenspire?

I knew of House Ravenspire, a marquis family on the empire's outer edges. They were known for their magic, yes, but that was all. Nothing about them was particularly special.

My dissatisfaction must have been clear, because Arthur gave a small nod before continuing.

"I and Archduke Valerian Thornwood went to see her once. We were traveling to negotiate with the kingdom adjacent to their territory. That's when we met her. And that's when we decided—she had to be part of the imperial family."

I turned to Valerian. He simply nodded in confirmation.

Arthur's next words sent a chill down my spine.

"She is a genius beyond words. She may be the first human in history to use high-level magic—without uttering a single word."

I felt my breath hitch.

Not because of what she had done.

But because of what it meant.

The Ravenspire territory is at the very edge of the empire—reaching it takes months. If my calculations are correct, the last time Arthur left for such a journey was… two years ago.

That would mean… if this girl is the same age as the prince…

She could use high-level magic when she was seven.

…Or possibly even younger.

I clenched my fists.

It didn't make sense.

I cast my first high-level spell at sixteen—and I was heralded as a once-in-a-generation genius equal to the kingdom's strongest.

Yet this child had done it at six.

What kind of monster is she?

I swallowed hard before speaking.

"How old was she?"

Arthur met my gaze and uttered a single number.

A number that sent ice through my veins.

"Six."

Six.

At an age when most children were still learning to read…

…No way.

Such a monster shouldn't exist.

Because if she does—if that child is real—then there is not a single strategy, not a single move, not a single path left for me to secure the crown for my daughter.

No amount of influence, no carefully woven alliances, no royal decree could change the simple, undeniable truth:

Power reigns supreme.

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