That’s why her mood always changed whenever she was around him.
“We meet again here, so I think we really are meant to be, my love.”
How could he be perfectly her taste, even when it came to his scent?
As deep as ever, his dark eyes scanned Reina’s face. He tucked his slightly disheveled sleeves, then he soon shifted his gaze back to the front.
“With that logic, then you must be destined with all members of the nine major households.”
“Oh my? Of course not. The two of us alone are special. You’re from House Liam and I’m from House Chantra, isn’t that right, my love?”
Naturally, there was also an established hierarchy in the nine major households. At the time of the empire’s founding, the Liam household was founded one generation after the Chantra household.
But who was the ruler of this empire, you ask? Of course, it was the dragon tribe.
Dragons weren’t all that shocking considering that this was a fantasy world, right? They were strong entities that no human could beat. The imperial family, including of course the emperor, were the descendants of a mixed bloodline between humans and the omnipotent dragons.
That’s why when they took the throne and ruled over the empire, people would just say, ‘If it’s them, then there shouldn’t be a problem,’ to the point that it was very peaceful.
Conspiracy? Villainous masterminds? Battles for the throne?
It might be a wonder why there wasn’t a dragon slayer in this world. But if there’s someone out there with enough courage to face a dragon, you best believe that their life would soon be extinguished.
During the early days of the empire’s founding, House Chantra played a role in stabilizing the country as they killed many an enemy and spent each day as if they’re in a war. But in the end, after that period, there was no longer a role for House Chantra, which held mastery over the poison arts.
This was because the allied five kingdoms, which charge headfirst into attacking ‘that’ dragon tribe, like a moth to a flame, disappeared.
‘If medical technology was more advanced here, poison-based medicine could be widely used, but…’
Because this world was wholly dependent on magic, the advancement of medicine was medieval at best. That’s why there’s no particular role for House Chantra in the empire.
She wasn’t sure why there was a worldbuilding setup like this, but besides that, just like the previous year, the first-ranked and ninth-ranked families in terms of contributions to the empire were set to join forces in organizing the reunion of the nine major households.
And this time again, the family in the last place was House Chantra, and the unrivaled first place was House Liam. That’s why the heirs of each family were to join hands in announcing the start of the coalition conference.
It’s just that House Chantra’s heir apparent, Scarlet, had just given birth and needed to rest, so Reina was her proxy only for this year.
“As soon as I called you, Ethan, as my love, I was given the chance to work together with you like this. If that’s not fate, then what is?”
Rather than a dream, why did that sound more like an interpretation of a dream.
“That’s a talent, too, I guess.”
“Hm? What is?”
“That you never get embarrassed.”
At Ethan’s words, one corner of Reina’s lips twitched.
‘You think I don’t get embarrassed with this, huh? I’m absolutely ashamed to say things like this, you punk.’
But before prioritizing dignity, wasn’t it better to survive first?
Tilting her head to the side slightly as she let out a half-forced smile, Reina said something completely opposite to what she thought.
“Would I ever need to be embarrassed about my love?”
At that, Ethan paused for a moment and glanced down at Reina with an unreadable expression. Then, he soon averted his eyes and looked to the front again. A business smile tugged up on his lips as though he wasn’t interested in what she said.
“When are you going to stop with that?”
“Oh my, I wonder when. Maybe when ‘my love’ turns to my ‘honey’.”
Reina’s answer was sincere, but the moment she finished saying so, an unfamiliar voice called out to them from a short distance.