The gifts sent by the Red-White Rose Family were the same as always: White Platinum Elixir and Red Dragon Water. It seemed that any other gifts would fail to display the Red-White Rose Family's foundations.
However, Mashu Red-White Rose did not come this year. He merely sent a letter of greetings personally written by his younger sister, Marilyn Red-White Rose.
The letter mainly conveyed Marilyn's greetings to Liszt and A Ke. It also incidentally revealed her admiration for Liszt, mentioned that she had come of age and graduated from a noblewomen's academy in the Iron Ridge Kingdom, and that she had returned to live in the Rose Grand Duchy. She hoped that she could still receive Liszt's birthday blessings next year.
In short.
This was a signal for a marriage alliance. As long as Liszt agreed, the Red-White Rose Family would immediately send Marilyn over to become the Queen of the Flame Kingdom. However, after absorbing the Phoenix Transformation and gaining a lifespan of several centuries, his need for a wife and children had already faded.
In truth, even if that need had been vigorous, he would not marry a woman he had never met.
"White paper and glassware in exchange for White Platinum Elixir and Red Dragon Water—this friendship can continue. But once the Flame Kingdom is established next year, I'm afraid that friendship will fall apart... I really am a terrible man, sacrificing my own charms for the sake of my dragons."
"Tut, tut."
Thus reproaching himself inwardly, he picked up his pen and wrote a formulaic reply without revealing any warmth—perhaps his conscience had stirred. He even hoped that the Red-White Rose Family would notice his coldness and abandon the notion of a marriage alliance. No matter what, he did not want an innocent young girl dragged