The current emperor, Ian Aragon, strongly recommended as many as three girls as the matchmaker for the king of Valvas. Although was only loyal towards the king of the Pendragon Kingdom, Alan pendragon, but he could not reject the goodwill of the emperor.

As such, he left Valvas and returned to the Pendragon Kingdom for the first time in half a year to decide on a marriage partner.

“All of them are women from prominent families who grew up with strict education, so I am sure they will be to Sir Isla’s liking. I am certain that you will definitely find a lady who captivates your heart.”

“Yes. I hope so as well.”

Isla responded in a subtle voice, then smiled. However, Lindsay noticed the bitterness that fluttered in his eyes.

‘Ahh, yes. Sir Isla has yet to forget that person.’

Lindsay’s heart felt heavier as she recalled. Although she wasn’t a conspicuous beauty, her clear eyes had been soft and pure. She had been innocent, but upright.

Her name was Serin Reiner.

Isla had chosen her to be his bride seven years ago. However, her body and soul were encroached upon by Elsaroa, the extraordinary, but evil witch. She eventually died at Isla’s hands.

“Phew…”

Lindsay let out an involuntary sigh as she recalled the terrible memories of that time. Even if seven years had passed, it would be very difficult to shake off such memories. No matter how considerate the emperor was being, it was completely understandable that Isla felt skeptical towards marriage.

“Baroness Conrad?”

“Ah, yes.”

Lindsay gave up on her thoughts at Killian’s call, then hurriedly raised her head.

“Since Elkin is here, I think we should go see the regent first. Would you join us as well, my lady?”

“No. Such important matters should be left to His Excellency the regent and the various sirs. I will go watch over my children’s studies.”

Though she was still a concubine in name, she was already the official queen of the Pendragon Kingdom, Alan Pendragon’s mistress in the hearts of the people. If he were here, she would have been declared as the official lady a long time ago.

In addition, no one in the castle was crooked enough to look down on her just because she was still a concubine. No one would raise any objection even if she became involved in political affairs with the authority of a queen and the Pendragon Kingdom’s first lady.

Even the former duchess, Elena Pendragon, who was now a queen, carefully suggested for Lindsay to study up on political affairs.

Nevertheless, she always refused.

She stated that her role should remain as the wife of the king and the mother of two children. If she hastily intervened in political affairs without knowing anything, she would trouble the people who were responsible for such matters.

“Understood, my lady. Then, please excuse us.”

“I will see you later, my lady.”

Although she was formerly just a maid of the duchy, she was a woman accepted by their lord. In addition, the passing years caused her to become more benevolent and wiser. The two acclaimed knights bowed politely.

“Yes. See you both at the dinner banquet.”

Lindsay slightly raised the hem of her skirt, then left under the escort of her maids and knights.

“Phew! She is truly an amazing person. She must be feeling the most troubled and lonely out of all of us, but she never shows it.”

“Baroness Conrad possesses a strong will. Moreover, she is wise. She is truly a match made in heaven for the lord.”

“Hehe! Is it not your turn now? Wow, how nice must it be? Getting to choose between three stunning girls! I’m jealous, jealous!”

Killian patted Isla on the shoulder while smiling insidiously. Isla stayed silent, then suddenly looked elsewhere and gave a polite greeting in a knightly manner.

“Ah, Viscountess Killian. It has been a long time.”

“Uagh!”

Killian parted from Isla’s side at the speed of light, then spoke while smiling awkwardly.

“Honey, you should have told me if you were going to come. In your current condition… Huh?”

He became wide-eyed. He feared his wife the second most in the world. But instead of her, he could only see a few maids giggling.

“Hey, Elkin! Isn’t this too much? How could the king of a country act in such an undignified manner? Joking like this… Hey, wait for me! Wait for me!”

Who was the undignified one…?

The knight commander of the Pendragon Kingdom quickly waddled after his companion, who was already a distance away.

***

“The regent of the Pendragon Kingdom, Vincent Ron, greets the King of Valvas, Your Majesty Isla.”

Although both of them were similar in age and knights serving the same lord, Vincent greeted Isla with courtesy that seemed somewhat excessive.

“Sir Ron.”

Contrastingly, Isla greeted Vincent with a light nod. It was a rather awkward scene considering the relationship between the two, but there was a reason for their behavior. They weren’t the only ones gathered in the palace of the Pendragon Kingdom’s castle. There were a number of castle nobles, vassals of the royal family, and a few nobles from the Aragon Empire.

Regardless of how close they were, they needed to act polite in a place like this. Above all else…

“Have you been well, Your Majesty? Knight of Pendragon, Elkin Isla, respectfully greets Your Majesty.”

“It has been a long time, Your Majesty Isla. It is good to see that you have been doing well.”

In lieu of the one that everyone was waiting for, Elena Pendragon, the former duchess of the Pendragon Duchy, sat at the highest throne in the palace of the Pendragon Kingdom’s royal castle.

It was impossible to believe that she was a middle-aged woman over 40. Rather, she maintained the appearance of a woman who might barely be over thirty. As a woman inheriting the blood of the Wiland royal family, she was elegant and noble. Her beauty was truly outstanding, that it created the illusion of a brilliant light emitting from her figure.

And a girl in her late teens sat in a chair right next to her. She looked down at Isla and the other nobles with calm eyes.

The girl’s appearance was stunningly similar to Elena Pendragon. It was as if a younger version of the queen was by her side.

The only difference was that unlike Elena, who maintained a gentle, but serious disposition, her eyes were filled with calm, but a brilliant glint. Along with her splendid beauty, she exuded a mysterious charm like a goddess of dreams.

“Knight of Pendragon, Elkin Isla, greets Princess Mia Pendragon.”

“Hello, Your Majesty.”

She beamed in response to Isla’s words, and some of the younger nobles unknowingly let out captivated sighs.

Mia Pendragon – the third child of the Pendragon royal family and the youngest sister of the king. She had turned 18 this year, and she was famous for her outstanding beauty. Rumors had it that her looks were comparable to her older sister Irene Pendragon, or rather, Irene Aragon when she had been of similar age.

Young nobles from all over the world, including the Pendragon Kingdom and the Aragon Empire, dearly wished to meet her once, and ever since she turned sixteen and held her coming-of-age ceremony, proposals and courtships of prominent noble families had been unceasing.

However, Mia Pendragon firmly rejected all of the offers.

Her reason was simple.

She could never marry a man that her older brother, King Pendragon, did not acknowledge. Alan Pendragon was believed to be missing in the Pendragon Kingdom, but people from other areas considered him dead.

It was impossible to receive permission from a dead man.

In the end, her suitors were largely divided into two groups. Some became dejected and gave up, believing that she would spend the rest of her life alone, while others simply accepted that they could never be her man. Instead, they chose to remain by her side as knights, to never give up on their hopes.

Most of the sighing men fell into the second category.

Mia rarely spoke with them. Even if they were lucky enough to receive her greeting, she would simply acknowledge them with an expressionless face. But now that she was smiling so beautifully at a man, they felt as if their hearts were being pierced by a thousand needles even while their hearts trembled with awe.

There was no need to mention that the man was a knight with strength comparable to the legendary King Alan Pendragon, as well as the Knight King of Valvas. He was someone who was courted by numerous women.

They stand absolutely no chance against him. Nevertheless, the young nobles and knights were not discouraged. It was widely known that Elkin Isla did not regard Mia Pendragon as a woman.

It was partly because he had known her ever since she was a child, but also because he was a knight among knights who offered his life without hesitation for his monarch. It was certain that he would not try his way with her while his monarch was absent.

Moreover, the reason for his visit was…

“The youngest daughter of the Lindegor Duchy, Joshua Lindegor. Anne-Marie Elven, the younger sister of Viscount Elven, the Governor-General of Edenfield, and Fiona Mirin, the daughter of Mirin’s lord. Is that correct? Are those the ladies that King Isla will meet?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

Isla replied in a rather blunt voice.

He only knew them through their names and portraits. His reaction was rather natural, since he had never met them in person.

“I have seen Lady Joshua and Anna-Marie a few years ago. Both are truly gentle and outstanding beauties. I do not think they are lacking to become Your Majesty Isla’s companion. But the daughter of Mirin’s lord…”

Elena expressed puzzlement.

Mirin was a vast but rather barren land located at the eastern end of the Aragon Empire. The lord of Mirin was a viscount, but because of the peculiar characteristics of the land, he held the status of a margrave.

It maintained a system similar to the independent lands, such as the Kingdom of Valvas or the great territories.

“They should not have much of a relationship with His Majesty the Emperor, so it is indeed a little strange. Of course, a lady recommended by His Majesty is sure to be flawless.”

Elena was quite knowledgeable regarding Ian, the current emperor of the Aragon Empire. As far as she knew, Ian had barely any connection to the lord of Mirin, who rarely came out of his territory.

But he was recommending the daughter of Mirin’s lord as a candidate for Isla. Not anyone else, but Isla. This was certainly strange.

Even though she was wise, she could not understand the emperor’s thoughts.

“I am only following His Majesty the Emperor’s suggestions, my queen.”

“Right…”

Isla’s attitude remained impassive, and Elena responded in a slightly disappointed voice. Along with Regent Vincent and Knight Commander Killian, she also knew all too well why he acted so aloof towards marriage.

But Serin was already dead.

And Isla was still alive. Moreover, he was considered one of the best marriage candidates in the empire. He deserved to form a happy family.

In order for him to continue the royal family of Valvas, he needed to marry a lady from a good family and produce offspring.

That was one of the most important responsibilities he held as the king of a nation.