Cornelia's grip on Lin Cuo's collar abruptly tightened, nearly tearing it open.
"Say that again. What did Euphemia agree to?!"
"A date, Your Highness. Incidentally, she specifically told me not to wreck the machine again or leave anyone else to clean up after me. What a gentle, considerate, and understanding princess."
"That's not what I'm asking!"
"Then what would you like to ask? About the possibility of long-term friendly relations between our royal families? I have indeed begun discussing that with the Son of Heaven of Great Han, but I am still seeking Her Majesty's opinion. No formal decision has been reached yet."
Cornelia's hand froze.
"What... are you discussing with the Son of Heaven of Great Han?"
Lin Cuo blinked.
"A marriage alliance."
The Guren's cockpit suddenly fell silent.
Kallen had been adjusting the machine's right-side sensors. At those words, her movements paused for an instant too.
Cornelia could hardly believe her ears.
"You're already engaged to the Son of Heaven of Great Han, yet now you intend to propose marriage to the Britannian royal family? And you actually have the nerve to tell me to my face that you're persuading your own fiancée to agree?!"
"Your Highness, there is a serious misconception in that statement. Relations between nations are one thing; personal relationships are another. I would never casually confuse the two."
"You were just bargaining with Euphemia over rescuing me!"
"Which is why I am now voluntarily disclosing the relevant arrangements of interests to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. You see? This is highly transparent diplomacy."
"Highly transparent?!" Cornelia finally could not help raising her voice. "Do you think that as long as you tell people about your shameless behavior in advance, it stops being shameless?!"
Lin Cuo thought for a moment.
"At least it doesn't constitute concealment of