1 Chapter 1 : I'll do it with this person.
'How? Did I say I was getting married.'
Arne glared at the man standing in front of her. Arne wedding ceremony has been talked about a lot and it's trouble some. Her marriage partner was the man who was standing right in front of her.
cassian : " it's been a long time."
Cassian shameless, smirkful face was so mean. In the meantime, Arne was a little worried as her anger
was relieved because of his good-looking. a memories that have been forgotten suddenly come to her mind. Arne was troubled.
Arne : "This is how we meet again?"
with a cassian deep smile, Arne turned her face around.The beginning of this tough relationship began from that day.
****
3 months ago, the light from the West Empire party hall shook with a dizzying way. Arne, who succeeded in sneaking into the party building without getting caught by the guards guarding the imperial palace, finished climbing the terrace on the second floor and leaning against the railing.
'Ugh, i feel a headache.....' [Arne]
probably it was because of the alcohol I drink like crazy with the knight last night, i was getting a hangover, and it hasn't been long since I woke up because I drank all night. Normally, I wouldn't have cared about whether or not a party was held at the Imperial Palace, but today was different.
"ππ πππ ππππ πππ πππππ πππ ππ, π°'π πππ πππππ πππ πππππ! πππ ππππππ πππππ ππ π ππ!"
just think about the voice buzzed in my head, made my whole body feel cold. The person who can give a notice murder to the strongest sword master in the West Empire is her mother. Arne checked the time, the party had already started a long time ago, i'm a bit late but.....
"I'm already here anyway, so it doesn't matter."
Arne made a point that the party wasn't over yet. She wanted to get rid of her drunken stomach quickly.
'I should hurry to take a stamp of attendance and find something to get rid of this hangover.'
Arne's who is about to leave, paused for a moment. something was reached out to her hearing level as the sword master. it was the voice of the young lady chatting near the terrace.
"Did Arne not come again today?"
"The Duchess was looking for her everywhere. She was very angry."
"I guess she said she was coming, but she didn't come."
"Oh my god. our Arne really made a big trouble this time?"
suddenly, something pressed on her chest, Arne thinking, it's not a good decision to meet my angry mother right now. it feels like I'm really going to the hell. Arne decided
'Let's meet the emperor secretly as soon as possible and run away quickly.'
this is the only way to create proof that she came to this party. After making a great plan of run away. Arne naturally jumped to the third floor terrace as it was. that is the right spot to find the emperor location in the hallway of the third floor since the whole party hall can be seen there. Arne, who landed on the railing of third floor terrace like a sleek cat, almost sprained her feet.
'Who's there?'
I did accept that there was someone on the third floor terrace, I thought it would be no one there since I don't feel the presence of people there.
'There's no way I could make such a small mistake.'
While Arne is so confused, the man who felt the presence of someone looked his back. for a moment, I made eye contact with his blue eyes. a cold blue eyes. Arne belatedly comes to her senses after being distracted by the eyes resembled with the winter.
'it's not a time for something like this.'
As Arne expression changed, the look of the man wearing a black masked also changed. a twinkled flashed turned into his blue eyes. The moment he reached out of his hand. takkk! [Arne run away]. the man looked down on his hand, which caught nothing.
'Did I miss it?'
A moment ago, i suddenly felt a strange feeling behind my back, so I looked back, but I couldn't believe that something interesting would happen.
''What's the matter, Your Highness?''
A knight who appeared on the terrace late asked the man. The man smiled languidly and pointed to the spot where Arne had fled. His boring time became a little more fun.
"I saw a cute stray cat."
Arne, who managed to escape without being caught, landed on the other terrace as it was. After thoroughly confirming that no one was there this time, Arne let out a sigh of relief. I escaped, but the blue eyes that were not covered by the black mask remained strong in my mind. His blue eyes darkened a little. . . .
"Who is that person?"
It was the first time i've seen that kind of eye. I bowed down as i thought if there's someone i knew had the same kind of that gaze.
'Ugh, my headache...'
Arne shook his head, regretting losing her thoughts for a moment. I can't find the emperor at this time.
"Today's party was masked costumes ball,"
Somehow, the man was wearing a black mask. Coming out of the hallway, Arne secretly picked up a mask of a nobleman resting in the room and put it on her face with a distinctive movement. Now, i just need to find the emperor. Arne's eyes were busy trying to find Syclion IV, the current emperor of the Western Empire and his boss at work.
'There you are.'
Fortunately, the emperor was not too far away. It was not difficult to find him because the place he could go to as the emperor is limited. Arne, who was about to run away after greeting the emperor, get her attendant stamped and make a witness hurriedly stop her steps going to the downstairs.
"Oh my, it's been a while, Millian. Didn't you see my daughter by any change?"
Hearing her mother's familiar voice, which she would recognize it even in her sleep, Arne quickly turned around. Arne's mother, the Duchess of Lilcht, went all over the party hall, asking for Arne's whereabouts.
"Hoho, haven't you seen my daughter by any change? I said she would die if she couldn't come today, but she still. . . ."
"Oh, duchess. Arne must be come to the party, but you couldn't find her it's because of this masked ball, isn't it?"
"Oh my, what a sad sound. That child she doesn't even know it's a masked ball if she goes to a party today? ho ho ho."
A clear yet powerful voice can be heard clearly. Hearing his mother's voice, Arne immediately went back up the hallway on the third floor.
"It's ruined."
Arne had a strong foreboding of the promised path of destruction. She just heard it for a moment, but her mother anger voice was like an active volcano about to explode. It was not a good idea to go straight to the emperor like this. I think i should change my plans.
'Hiding somewhere, aiming for the time when the emperor is leaving and greets himβ¦.'
The feelings of not being able to heal were still soreness, but it was more urgent to avoid my mother anger. My mother anger even me the sword master couldn't stand it. It's not a fight with someone who can't win in the first place. the moment arne made up her mind, her mother voice from the second floor came closer. Before she knew it, her mother was on her way up to the third floor with another noble lady.
'Why At a time like this'
As her mother's voice got closer, Arne moved in a hurry to hide herself.
"So, what the hell is she thinking... Huh?"
I was in hiding, but it seemed that i got caught by my mother eyes. I didn't feel good.
'Please just pass by. just go.'
"What are you doing, madam?"
"Did i see it wrong? Hmm. wait a minute. I guess I'll have to go over there..."
Arne bit her lip at his mother's words. it's messed up.
'At this rate, i'm really getting caught.'
With silent footsteps, arne went into other hallways. Soon, a hallway was spread out with a private restroom set up for tired nobles to take a rest. I hide in the corner of the hallway. I hid as invisible as possible, but I couldn't be relieved at all. Even though my mother don't have a skills of a sword master, she had the skills of a duchess she had cultivated over many years.The sound of her mother's footsteps coming into the hallway without difficulty came closer and closer.
One step, two steps. At the sound of footsteps getting closer and closer, it made me feel
nervous and out of breath.
"Hush!"
A black cloak fell in front of my eyes. It was only when her vision was blocked that Arne felt a huge presence behind her back. A blue eyes appeared in Arne's gaze as she raised her head. The arrogant blue eyes that were exposed in his black mask softened when he looked at Arne.
"My stray cat was here."
Arne was surprised by that tone as if he had found her.
"How...?" (Arne)
There's a lot of questions she wants to ask, but she can't put it on how. How did you come here, how did you find me, how did you recognize it was meβ¦. I even wearing a mask right now?. However, the man pointed ahead rather than answering Arne's question, and Arne kept her mouth shut. The situation wasn't over yet. And the sound of footsteps stopped.
"Maybe it's was here!"
The duchess who were ambitiously went to the hallway was so surprised to see a stranger man there and not arne.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't know there were people in this place."
"It's okay, ma'am."
The man responded with a charming smile to the Duchess, who is apologizing. The Duchess' gaze turned over the man's cloak.
"By any chance, the one over there..."
"My partner was too shy."
"Ohh."
The Duchess nodded and stepped back after satisfied with the answer.
"Hoho. Have a good time~"
Arne's expression became profound at the words of the duchess, who never dreamed that it was her daughter inside the cape. Arne felt relief but not really relieved. Anyway, what the hell is this guy thinking?
'A partner? Me shy?'
It was ridiculous to hear it for the first time in my life, but something else is more exciting than that.
'Why did you help me in the first place?
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"What do you mean�"
"You seem like an uninvited guest,"
Arne's expression crumpled at the man's words. I know i didn't come in through the right entrance, but I am not an uninvited guest. Certainly, she was a member of the imperial family and one of the best sword masters in the Western Empire. Arne just didn't want the party to be noisy because of her.
'But it's troublesome to explain one by one.'
"Why you don't leave me alone when you know that I'm an uninvited guest?"
"Because it's interesting."
The blue eyes flashed dazzlingly. Something mysterious that could be seen in his dark eyes for a moment seemed to bind Arne. Now i know for sure.
'This is the first time i've seen him.'
someone i've never seen before. Arne suddenly became curious about the identity of this man.
"What was that?"
"Let's just say I'm interested in stray cats."
"A stray cat. . . ."
Arne's face wrinkled beautifully. I was wondering what kind of cat it was earlier, but it seemed like he was pointing it to myself.
'Is that why you call me that because you saw me climb the railing earlier?'
The smile on that man's lips grew bigger at Arne's blatant displeasure. I thought it was just a pastime to refresh the boring time.β¦but it looks like it was much more interesting than he expected. While the man observed Arne, Arne was busy with figuring out the man's identity.
'Is he from a foreign nobleman?'
His gestures were aristocratic, but he didn't hide his arrogance. Usually, such leisurely and arrogant gestures belong to those who are born from wealthy families. In addition, he was speaking a natural Western language, but strangely, some accents of the pronunciation were different.
'I haven't heard of anyone coming from a foreign country. Who is he?'
When they secretly explore each other like that. Suddenly, their gazes connected with each other. His blue eyes, which seemed to contain like a cold winter, became deepened. Looking at that eyes seemed like looking into the dark deep sea arne suddenly felt like she couldn't get out of it. As arne took a step back, the man stepped closer. his strange scent stuck me. Arne tried to avoid his gaze at the obvious presence, but she couldn't turn her eyes away. The man who stood on her way approached little by little as if he wouldn't allow her to escape. My breath stopped, and I could feel the approaching breath. It's like everything is erased from the senses, and there are only two of them in the moment.
"Khuk.. khukkβ¦."
Arne shook her upper body because she was nauseous from a hangover.
'Oh, I think I'm going to vomit'
I managed to stop from vomiting, but I was still nauseous.
'I can't. Let's live first.
I had to get out of here as soon as possible. Arne moved quickly. First of all, let's say thank you to the person who helped me before.
"First ... Thank you for your help. Ugh, I'll repay your kindness when we meet again. Take this. Then I'm leaving. Bye."
Arne, who roughly took off the badge from her clothes, quickly left the spot. Seeing Arne staggering from a hangover, the man made a strange expression. After Arne disappeared, the man quietly looked down at the badge in his hand.
"Mr. Cassian."
The man who came to visit cassian belatedly showed up. He was surprised that there was no one to be on the terrace, but I couldn't believe he was in a place like this. Alan approached after seeing the black mask, and he was surprised to see Cassian fiddling with a badge he had never seen before.
"What is that?"
"Wellβ¦..?"
A small smile crossed Cassian's lips.
"It's like reward from my stray cat."
" A Reward. . . .?"
Alan, who didn't understand, tilted his head. But Cassian grinned as if he had no intention of explaining more. alan made a blank expression as he saw cassian smile so brightest. It was the first time I've seen Cassian like that.
'What the hell is happened to you that made you feel so good?'
When Alan was in shock, Cassian erased his smile and looked back at him.
"So, what's going on?"
"Ah, that's, the emperor of Western Empire is calling you."
There was a strange feeling of regret in cassian eyes when he heard the word 'Emperor of Western Empire'. in his heart, he wanted to follow the stray cat who was leaving and only left a badge, but now it was a time for him to do what he had to do. Cassian, holding the badge and nodding.
"I'll go."
*** *** ***
In the western Empire, everything was affluent and wealthy compared to the northern empire where cassian came from. Conflicts occurred every day in all the border areas bordering with the Western Empire, but the capital was peaceful as if nothing had happened. Cassian smirked as he saw the aristocrats holding royal blood and enjoying a luxurious daily life. Even though there were a few incompetent people, the Western Empire was still strong. All these miracles are possible because of their existence.
'The sword master who protects the empire.'
A master of the sword who surpassed the human realm. However, in history, only about 100 people have reached the level of a sword master. Most of the sword masters were from the Western Empire.
'The ominous red-eyed slayer. The executor of the Rewellgosa's.'
The sword masters from Rewelgosa always appeared appropriately and saved the empire from destruction. In this generation as well, thanks to the Sword Master, the West Empire was able to win the war against the Eastern Kingdoms Alliance and become a victor in history.
'It's was luck.'
It was interesting to know this a country that wouldn't not be shaken no matter when it was about to destroy at any time. It was living because of one existence. Since he came to the Western Empire, Cassian, who wanted to meet such a great Sword Master in person, unfortunately, didn't have that kind of luck.
"He he. Do you want to meet the Sword master? That person is even if it me called. He doesn't even show his nose."
The emperor of the Western Empire, Siclion IV, laughing loudly when he said those words. It was interesting to see the emperor casually saying that even if it was ordered by the imperial family, he was ignored. Even though it was a serious matter comparable to high treason, the emperor could not help but move on by clicking his tongue, i could see it how great the sword master was.
"How could i not boast? It's a treasure of the empire. but that guy is. . .. anyway that it is."
Syclion IV shook his head.
'If the rumors about arne spread to the foreign countries, my daughter will be prevented from getting married because the duchess brillcht will stir up them.'
Some people know that arne is a sword master but externally, it was known that the sword master was a man. It was useless to correct it because no one will believed it that such a strong Swordmaster was not a man. Cassian wanted to meet the sword master once before he headed back to the northern. Nodded along and hid his regret.
The place where the emperor now was on the second floor has a wide balcony with a throne. Cassian, who watched the nice view of the hall, looked down casually and smiled.
'You got caught in the end.'
It was clearly seen from a distance that stray cat being caught by the duchess who was trying so hard to avoid it. Covered her ears and suffered. Cassian grinned as he heard the duchess nagging her, and one of her hands was on the stray cat ear. With that expression, I wanted to leave this place.
'I thought she succeeded to escape, but it's surprising that she got caught right away.'
"So, about the national marriage... hmm, archduke?"
Hearing the emperor's voice calling him, Cassian belatedly looked at the emperor. Siclion IV was surprised inside, but he didn't show it. Although he was polite, his thorough attitude loosened up a bit.
"Hey, you look particularly good today."
"I saw a cute cat."
"A cat� Yeah , cats are cute."
Syclion IV nodded, thinking that how cute a cat was, it could make this man laugh like that. Now, it was the right time to get to the point.
"So, did you find someone you like?"
The two people exchange a glance. The party was held over the past few days. On the surface, everyone thought it was a party specially held by the emperor, but the reality was different. All the parties held so far are to find a marriage partner for Cassian.a national marriage that promotes harmony between the Western Empire and the North Empire for a long time. Siclion IV, who really wanted to make this marriage happen, waited for Cassian's answer nervously.
"Any lady is fine, so feel free to talk to me."
"Well."
Cassian smiled meaningfully while giving ambiguous answers. It wasn't just Syclion IV who wanted to make this marriage happen. Cassian had to get married, too.
'It doesn't matter whoever it is, as long as the conditions are matched.'
I'd like an interesting person. Coincidentally, there was only one person, a cheerful person. Cassian's gaze turned to the badge in his hand.
"First of all... thank you for helping me. Ugh, I'll repay the favor when i come back later."
'I will return the favor...'
An evil smile crept across Cassian's lips. Tsk . Cassian put down the badge. The sun crossed by the two swords.
"Let's do it with this one."
". . . .?"
Siclion IV's expression hardened as he would immediately recognize whose badge it was.
'This is... Arne's?'
Syclion IV's eyes widened in surprise.
'Did I hear it wrong? Did i lose my mind?'
The unbelievable gaze turned to Cassian.
"I will do it with this person."
While facing a confused gaze,cassian drove the nail in. A bright smile spread across his lips.
