To propose to me the position of Imperial Consort…

I trailed off, unable to finish my sentence.

My mind was in chaos. I had never once imagined that Helsion would desire me as his Imperial Consort.

The lineage of the Calua Imperial Family came to mind.

Helsion had already taken as Empress the daughter of the Manoko Marquis family, a house wielding formidable power within the Calua Empire.

The Empress’s name was Seruna Pa Petra Manoko.

Even if it was purely a political marriage, I had heard that the Manoko family and Seruna had greatly aided Helsion’s ascension to the throne.

That was precisely why I had never even guessed he would already be considering taking an Imperial Consort.

‘Does this mean he covets the magical engineering weapons I’ve created that much?’

Having already ascended to the throne, I could not fathom what more he could possibly want.

Seeing my stunned expression and my inability to respond smoothly, Helsion opened his mouth again, as if he had anticipated this.

“The Brellof family, a Grand Noble House of the Arwen Empire, would hardly find it difficult to marry into the Imperial line. I am well aware that even beyond me, many empires covet you.”

That was true.

As the eldest daughter of the Brellof family, a genius in magical engineering, and the continent’s foremost arms merchant, countless suitors desired my hand.

Had I wished it, becoming Empress of a nation would not have been impossible.

Precisely because of that, Helsion’s offer of the Imperial Consort position came as such a shock—yet I felt little real advantage in it.

“You may find the position of Imperial Consort insufficient. But once you hear what I have to say next, your mind may change somewhat.”

What was he about to say?

Caught by curiosity, I found myself staring fixedly at Helsion, who continued speaking, his face still wearing that enigmatic smile.

“If you become my Imperial Consort, I promise to name any child you bear as my heir.”

I was stunned again by such a radical proposal.

Normally, unless extraordinary circumstances arose, the Emperor’s firstborn son by the Empress became Crown Prince. Yet here he was, pledging to make the child of an Imperial Consort his heir.

How on earth?

Was he implying he would eliminate any child born to the Empress?

At first, the thought seemed utterly absurd—but strangely, looking at Helsion seated before me, I felt it might actually be possible.

I struggled to steady my mind.

Helsion’s proposal contained several glaring flaws.

“I understand what you mean. But if I am unable to bear a son—or if I am incapable of bearing children at all—this promise becomes difficult to fulfill.”

I offered this excuse as a gentle way to decline his proposal.

Imperial history was replete with examples of noblewomen attempting to render rivals infertile through clandestine schemes.

In this case, I could not rule out the possibility that Helsion might make me infertile behind my back, even as he made such promises to my face.

Somehow, Helsion’s smile only deepened.

“Such a sharp question—truly worthy of Lady Brellof. I’ve considered that too. If you bear a daughter, I will still name her as heir. And if you cannot bear any child at all, I will designate your adopted child as heir. What do you think? Is that convincing enough?”

I was speechless.

Honestly, judged purely on marriage terms, it was an outstanding offer.

Ordinarily, becoming Empress alone was a great honor. But succession ultimately depended on the Emperor’s will—it was never guaranteed to go to the Empress’s child.

Yet here he was, offering to guarantee that my child would become the next Emperor of the mighty Calua Empire?

That was practically a promise of a smoother, more assured path than even becoming Empress.

Unconsciously, I glanced sideways at Ascan. At first, he had seemed slightly surprised, but now his expression was blank, unreadable.

Still, did he look somehow displeased? Or was that my imagination?

I calmed my startled heart after hearing this unexpected proposal, and spoke in a composed voice.

“The matter of marriage is not something I can decide alone. I must consult with my father.”

Helsion was Emperor of the Calua Empire. Even if I wished to refuse, I could not show displeasure outright in his presence.

“Did you think I hadn’t sent a formal proposal? I consulted Marquis Brellof even before meeting you. His reply was that he wished to respect his daughter’s wishes.”

“Oh…”

I hadn’t known, because Orland hadn’t mentioned it.

In another sense, I was surprised. In this world, marriages were mostly decided by the father’s will rather than the individual’s desire.

Yet despite Helsion’s extraordinarily favorable terms, Orland had prioritized my own opinion—I was touched.

“Of course, I could have written all this in a letter to you. But I wanted to meet you in person, if possible. I’d heard rumors, but I was curious what kind of woman you truly were. And now, having seen you myself…”

Helsion’s speech slowed, and a peculiar gleam entered his deep green eyes.

“In many ways… I find myself wanting you even more.”

I felt the lust in his gaze—and a chill ran down my spine.

When we first met, I’d assumed his compliment calling me beautiful was mere polite flattery. Now, it no longer felt light or casual.

Helsion clearly found my appearance pleasing as well.

I steadied my flustered heart and looked squarely at Helsion before me.

Noble marriages were business transactions. And Helsion was explaining his marriage terms to me with ruthless businesslike precision.

That was precisely why he could discuss this so casually over dinner—

without any romantic gestures like bouquets or engagement rings to win my favor.

‘I never thought I’d find myself thinking this way…’

I did not wish to marry someone who held no genuine affection for me.

I already possessed wealth sufficient for lifetimes, the solid backing of the Brellof family, and widespread recognition as the continent’s premier arms merchant with acknowledged talent in magical engineering.

No matter how favorable Helsion’s terms, I did not want a loveless marriage.

‘Even if love has an expiration date, I refuse to be bound by marriage without even that fiery passion.’

As the saying goes, love doesn’t put food on the table, and you can’t see love with your eyes.

Human hearts can change with time.

But…

Unconsciously, I glanced again at Ascan’s face.

Long ago, Ascan had risked his life for me without hesitation. Having once received such fierce, devoted love, no ordinary offer—no matter how advantageous—could satisfy me.

“I understand Your Majesty’s intentions. But Arwen Empire’s marriage customs differ from Calua’s—we practice strict monogamy with one woman only.”

While polygamy was not considered improper in the Calua Empire, the Arwen Empire upheld monogamy as its ideal.

Of course, some Arwen nobles did take mistresses—but such arrangements were unofficial and never openly acknowledged. That difference was significant.

Moreover, the Calua Empire already had Empress Seruna. No matter how favorable Helsion’s terms, I could not avoid the invisible scheming and intrigue that would follow.

Such a marital life? I absolutely declined.

“The position of Imperial Consort is too sudden a proposal for me. I ask for time to consider.”

My intention to refuse was firm, but I could not do so immediately.

After all, this was a marriage proposal from none other than the Emperor of Calua. At minimum, courtesy demanded I feign contemplation before answering.

Perhaps sensing he wouldn’t receive an immediate answer here, Helsion readily nodded.

“Of course. Marriage is an important choice for a woman—you should ponder it thoroughly. If you have further requests, feel free to state them. I await your favorable reply.”

Instead of answering, I bowed gracefully, observing proper etiquette.

I had already known, but once again I felt Helsion viewed marriage as a purely perfect business transaction.

Then, Helsion—who had been conversing with me—turned to look at Ascan, who sat silently, and spoke.

“Count Atreias, I hear Lady Brellof is currently staying at your residence—is that true?”

Until now silent, Ascan replied in a voice noticeably lower than usual.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Since you brought Lady Brellof to the Calua Empire, you must ensure her safety until she departs—only then can your duty be considered fully fulfilled. Correct?”

What did he mean?

I looked between Helsion and Ascan with a confused expression.

Ascan’s gaze darkened. I had no idea what he was thinking, but he clearly understood something I did not.

“You mean…”

As Ascan began to speak, Helsion smiled and continued.

“Count Atreias, protect Lady Brellof. It seems the Empress’s side has caught wind of my marriage proposal.”

This is absurd!

I nearly leapt up from my seat to protest.

If Empress Seruna knew, then the Manoko family surely knew as well.

Seruna and the Manoko family must be seething with betrayal—after all their efforts to install Helsion as Emperor, he was already scheming to take an Imperial Consort.

I hadn’t even accepted Helsion’s proposal yet, but no one could predict how Seruna and the Manoko family would react upon learning of it.

They might even send assassins to eliminate me as early as tonight.

‘Are you kidding me right now?’

The realization that my life had suddenly become endangered—without my even knowing—made me furious.

I had many things I wanted to shout at Helsion, but I bit my thigh and suppressed them. I could not commit such rudeness toward an Emperor.

Maddeningly, Helsion spoke in a dismissive tone.

“Lady Brellof, you needn’t worry excessively. I will ensure your safety.”

“Thank you for your reassurance, Your Majesty.”

Though internally I felt like a volcano erupting with rage, outwardly I maintained the calmest expression I could muster.

Ascan glanced sideways at me and replied softly.

“My duty was to escort Lady Brellof to the Calua Empire. Her safety thereafter does not appear to fall under my responsibility.”

I knew Ascan had lost his memories, but hearing him so bluntly declare our irrelevance stung.

Those golden eyes, once brimming with love for me, now looked utterly indifferent.

Today, that difference felt especially stark.

Helsion opened his mouth with an expression of mild discomfort.

“Must you be so cold? Even if you wish to rest, you must see your duties through to the end. I assumed you’d grown quite close, since she stayed at your residence.”

“I carried out the task assigned by Your Majesty. I provided protection only because Lady Brellof preferred lodging slightly more accessible than the Imperial Palace. There are no personal feelings involved.”

Helsion gave Ascan a look of regret at his robotic reply—but somehow, the corners of his mouth remained curved in a smile.

To my eyes, he seemed quite satisfied with Ascan’s answer.

After all, since Helsion had proposed the Imperial Consort position to me, it was better if Ascan and I did not appear overly close.

But still!

‘What? No personal feelings? You mean you don’t care whether I’m safe or not?’

I was the continent’s foremost arms merchant. Truthfully, I wasn’t particularly afraid of anyone targeting me—but the more I heard, the more resentful I became.

Ever since arriving in the Calua Empire, I’d been wondering how I might stay closer to Ascan. Perhaps I could even use this situation to my advantage.

“Your Majesty, frankly speaking, as the continent’s top arms merchant, I’m not particularly intimidated by the Manoko family. I don’t need Count Atreias’s protection. But since you’ve proposed the Imperial Consort position to me, what matters is how the public perceives this affair.”

I shed my initial meek, obedient demeanor and looked challengingly at Helsion.

I had originally wanted to reject his proposal quickly and decisively, but hearing Ascan’s callous words made me reconsider.

Helsion had proposed marriage as a business transaction. Then perhaps I, too, could test how much sincerity he was willing to show.

Helsion’s gaze instantly turned serious, clearly grasping my intent.

“Didn’t I say earlier? If you have any further requests, feel free to make them. Speak—what is it you want?”

“If Your Majesty’s personal guard protects me, it would establish not merely my safety, but also my prestige. It would also more forcefully convey Your Majesty’s intentions to the Manoko family.”

I deliberately avoided mentioning Ascan. I calculated that if the Imperial Guard were mobilized, he would inevitably be drawn in.

Helsion nodded readily, as if he needed no further explanation.

“A reasonable request. If you become Imperial Consort, you will need my favor to secure power. I shall issue an Imperial decree ordering the Imperial Guard to protect you throughout your stay in the Calua Empire. Is that sufficient?”

Ever since he proposed the Imperial Consort position, I’d sensed Helsion was quite eager to obtain the magical engineering weapons I had created.

I smiled faintly and bowed to Helsion.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Helsion’s expression shifted to one of satisfaction. Somehow, he seemed to prefer my bold, assertive demeanor over my earlier submissive attitude.

Ascan stared blankly at me. Judging by the slight furrow of his brow, something clearly displeased him.

But unless he immediately withdrew from his position as Captain of the Imperial Guard, he could not defy the Imperial decree issued to his own troops.

Reluctantly, Ascan replied.

“…I shall obey the order.”

Then, as if to shift the suddenly serious atmosphere, Helsion spoke in a bright tone.

“Well then, since the important matters are settled, shall we continue the rest over dinner?”

With a light wave of Helsion’s hand, the servants who had earlier withdrawn reappeared and began bustling about, serving the food.

Though every delicacy imaginable now covered the table, this was still unmistakably not a relaxed, casual dinner.

Ascan had been staring at me with an intensely piercing gaze ever since a moment ago.

Seizing a moment when no one was looking, I teasingly stuck out my tongue at him.