As Zhou Yuang spoke, he took out a ring.
"Do I need to kneel, my queen?"
"I still haven't forgotten our conversation at the Art Museum. You never intended to be a boring servant, did you?"
Takamine raised an eyebrow. She clearly wanted none of that.
She was the first to win the Triple Crown, yes, but that was only a mantle others had draped over her—one she found dull.
She had never carried herself with the same lofty air as Rudolf.
She was Mejiro Takamine. That was all.
She needed neither crown nor subjects. She only needed someone who could love her as an equal and walk beside her for life.
"Now you should tell me you love me as my husband."
Takamine held out her left hand, her tone relaxed yet earnest as she prompted Zhou Yuang to continue.
There was a hint of showing off in front of her younger sisters, but the Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family had always been like that.
Love was what moved people to act. What was wrong with looking straight at what her heart wanted?
"Gladly, my wife... I love you."
Zhou Yuang smiled softly as he slipped the ring onto Takamine's finger. He said nothing more, but the moment she wore it, she smiled too.
From the moment he had picked up the ring, Takamine had not looked at it once. Her eyes had stayed on Zhou Yuang, the husband who was hers.
"I love you too."
Takamine smiled back at him. Their simple, assured exchange put Aldan under tremendous pressure.
They made it look so easy! And they're my sister and my husband. I'm doomed!
What am I supposed to do next?
Silly Aldan watched them helplessly, unsure how to face either of them. She looked toward Bright,