Seru Declares Her Feelings; Civil Unrest in the South Sea

"Lord Chiyo, you're truly captivating..."

Seru spoke without thinking, then froze.

Her face flushed crimson.

What—what had she just said?!

Her voice had been very soft. After saying those words, she immediately lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly as she dared not look at Chiyo's reaction.

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the jade slip.

For a moment, the Library Pavilion was so quiet that they could hear the faint sound of drifting clouds brushing past the eaves outside.

Sunlight streamed through the carved wooden windows, scattering dappled shadows across the floor and enveloping them both in a warm, peaceful stillness.

Chiyo looked at the Eastern Country's princess, who stood before him with her head lowered.

Her attire today was softer and more graceful than ever before. The pale purple court robes made her fair skin appear even whiter, stripping away the sharp competence she displayed as an envoy and strategist and revealing a woman's natural gentleness and...

A trace of barely perceptible nervousness.

He fell silent for a moment.

That silence made Seru's heart sink bit by bit, her fingers nearly digging into the jade slip.

Yet the clear rejection or awkward evasion she had expected never came.

Chiyo reached out and gently took the jade slip, which she had squeezed slightly out of shape, from her hand.

His movements were natural, carrying a soothing air.

"The demon race certainly has a future."

When he spoke, his voice was calm and gentle. There was little emotion in it, yet it dispersed much of Seru's panic.

"And that future needs eyes and minds like yours—people who can see it and are willing to work toward it—to build it."

He walked to the window and set the jade slip on a low table beside it, his gaze