Chapter 2
I feigned complete ignorance. "Will Aleron be returning to the elven forest, Emma? The Interracial Alliance Council hasn't issued a recall order, though."
Her sense of superiority swelled at the sight of my confused expression. "What would you know? The Royal Academy of Magic is about to open up a new round of student admissions.
"Once Aleron passes the exam, he'll be able to get a teaching position in Empiria and move into the Mages' Tower. He'll even be able to apply for a magic airship!"
"I see. How enviable."
I gazed at Emma's closed room door and laughed to myself. Would Aleron really be able to pass the exam this time?
On the day of my wedding, the great hall was filled with the gifts. The gifts hadn't been prepared by my family, of course. The dragon clan's leader, Igor Redburn, had delivered these gifts ahead of time to be displayed as dowry to the guests.
20 tables had been set up for the banquet. The banquet spread wasn't just limited to ordinary fruit wine and pastries either. Unicorn cheese and fae wine had also been prepared.
My parents handed out gem-encrusted souvenirs to each guest, and Father positively glowed at the nobles' compliments.
After being escorted into the dragon clan's territory by the wedding entourage, I finally met with a stern-faced Matias.
He looked nothing like Aleron. While Aleron was slender and elegant, Matias was tall and burly. Matias had bronzed skin over muscles that looked as hard as rock. I'd personally seen him tear apart a monster that attacked him with his bare hands.
I was a little scared and completed the blood oath ceremony stiffly.
"Kiss the bride!"
"You're so lucky, Your Highness! Your bride is as beautiful as the Moon Goddess!"
The heckling made my cheeks grow warm, but the great hall quickly fell silent.
Matias' icy gaze swept over the crowd, and nobody dared to continue making a ruckus.
He then stared intently at me. "I'm going to leave Northia and venture into the giants' territory to establish a trade route. Are you willing to go with me?"
Matias had never thought about getting married at this time. Ever since he met with the giant clan's merchants, he'd been eager to open up new trade routes. However, his clan was strongly opposed to his plan.
"Are you insane? That goes against all traditions!"
"If you dare take a single step outside Northia, the dragon clan will no longer recognize you as heir!"
The new concept of trade had yet to spread to these more conservative dragons. As such, the dragons still believed that they were right to protect their rights to the ore veins, and that any change meant a betrayal of their ancestors.
As the dragon clan's only heir, Matias had always been beloved by his clansmen. He hadn't expected to be placed under house arrest in the palace. Igor hurriedly arranged this wedding with the intention of tying Matias down with familial responsibilities.
I knew that so long as I turned him down, he would leave by himself tomorrow.
"I won't go," I said.
I still turned him down anyway. Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy some princess treatment in Northia?
When Matias heard me answer without hesitation, he pursed his lips and turned to leave.
I thought things over for a moment, then spoke up again. "Please wait."
He stopped but didn't look back.
I couldn't help but tug at a corner of his cloak, upon which he finally turned around.
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