Theo's gaze softened when it fell on her. "Because of a law forged in blood, long ago."
Aria tilted her head.
Theo leaned back in his chair and began explaining. "The North was once a sovereign kingdom. When it was annexed by Arcanthas centuries ago, it was under one condition: the ruling family of the North would retain absolute autonomy over its succession. The emperor could not name or dismiss the North's Duke. That right was earned by generations of sacrifice."
"And protected by their blood," Abigel added quietly, remembering the old texts he had studied.
"It's the only reason the North still survives with its identity intact," Theo finished. "We are loyal to the Empire, yes—but we are not owned by it."
Aria nodded slowly, absorbing each word. The weight of history, power, and promises lay heavy on her young shoulders.
Then she looked at Abigel—not as a strange boy from another country, not even as Theo's chosen heir.
But as a person carrying a burden older than himself.
"It's because the North was one of the duchies that helped the first Emperor establish the kingdom's system," Theo explained, resting his arm on the chair's armrest. "And the only condition we asked for in return was independence in handling our own matters."
His crimson eyes settled on Abigel.
"When my grandfather named me heir, no one dared to question it. And the same will be true for me and my chosen successor."
Abigel lowered his head in silent acknowledgement. Even though Caisson still didn't fully accept it, he came to the North every week without fail. Sometimes he watched Aria train from a distance. Sometimes he simply sat with Theo, neither of them speaking much.
As the Emperor's visits to the North continued, the rest of the kingdom began to stir. Nobles, merchants, even distant royals started paying attention. Gifts poured into the Northern duchy, each one laced with hidden intentions.
Theo, unimpressed, ordered Sir Alwin to burn most of them.
One snowy afternoon, as Caisson sipped tea in the drawing room, Theo finally asked, "Father, don't you think you're overdoing it? Why not stay in the capital instead of coming here every week?"
Caisson narrowed his eyes and snorted. "Don't talk to me like you are my father."
Theo raised a brow but didn't argue. He merely sighed and surrendered with a shake of his head.
Just then, Aria walked in, carefully balancing a tray with tea and snacks. Abigel followed behind, quiet as ever. Aria placed the tray down and poured tea for everyone, determined to maintain a moment of peace. If it meant keeping these three from arguing, tea time was her secret weapon.
Caisson didn't say anything. He just took his tea and drank in silence.
Aria let out a small breath of relief.
Then—
{System Alert: Curse detected nearby.}
Her eyes snapped to the screen.
Nothing.
She frowned.
"Can you tell me the radius?" she whispered to the system.
{System: Request denied by GF.}
Her eye twitched. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
Three heads turned in unison.
Silence.
Caisson blinked slowly. "Are you learning that kind of language from the knights?"
He turned to Theo with a shake of his head. "My granddaughter used to be so perfect before she came to the North. What happened to her?"
Aria bit her lip, flustered. "I—it was just—ugh."
She was frustrated with the system, not them, but she could already feel her punishment creeping in.
"Aria…" Theo said calmly, setting his teacup down. "Fifty laps."
Her jaw dropped. "What?! Uncle—no! That's not fair!"
"Sixty."
"Wha—nooo—!"
Before she could dig herself in deeper, Abigel quietly covered her mouth and gently steered her toward the door.
She bit his hand.
"Ow," he winced, but didn't let go.
"That's not fair! I didn't do anything! It was an accident!" she kept mumbling as they walked to the training grounds.
"Better get it over with now," Abigel said. "If you finish quickly, Father might pity you a little when he comes around."
"Pity?" Aria scoffed. "Uncle never pities anyone!"
Still grumbling, she began to run arms flailing like a child throwing a tantrum. Abigel leaned back against the fence, watching her with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
After Emperor Caisson returned to the palace, Theo made his way to the training grounds.
The night had cooled, but Aria was still running. Her hair was damp with sweat, cheeks flushed, but her strides were steady.
Theo watched in silence for a moment, arms crossed.
"…That's enough," he finally said, his voice even.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away. Abigel, who stood nearby with a towel in hand, met Aria's eyes.
"You heard him," he said with a subtle lift of his brow.
Aria didn't respond. She just marched up and punched him square in the stomach before stomping off toward the mansion.
Abigel doubled over slightly, coughing, but let out a quiet laugh.
As the moon rose high above the Duchy, casting silver light across the snow-laced rooftops, the North fell into stillness.
But not everyone was asleep.
A shadow moved.
Draped in black, a figure leapt silently from the mansion's rear balcony, landing with precision. Every movement was quick, deliberate—carefully avoiding the guards' lines of sight.
They moved like they knew the patrol routes by heart.
A gust of wind swept past, and the figure vanished into the forest's edge, leaving no trace behind.