Anya was the first to step forward after the princess had exged words with one of the guards.

  With fident steps and a bearing that reflected the discipline of her nation, she positioned herself right in front of Non and looked him straight in the eyes.

  "Non Rook," she said in a firm tohough with a slight curve of her lips that almost resembled a smile. "May I ask for a bit of your time ter?"

  Before Non could even respond, Cassiel advanced without aation and positioned herself at his side—as if Anya weren’t even there.

  "That's exactly what I wao say," Cassiel ented with a tilted smile. "I’d like to speak with you ter, if you have a moment."

  Non blinked.

  'What?'

  It retty obvious that both were ign each other, even though they were essentially asking for the same thing. There seemed to be no coordinatioween them, and the ck of subtlety was all too evident.

  Emily, atg from the side, squinted with a mix of fusion and disbelief.

  '...Aren’t they even going to pretend?'

  No all the nearby gazes fixed on him, but he remained as impassive as ever.

  "I ’t promise anything," he replied, his voice g much emotion. "I’ll be spending plenty of time with the princess."

  Ah on sense would have uood that this meant he had no iion of giving them any time.

  Yet her Anya nor Cassiel seemed fazed.

  "Alright, if the opportunity arises then," said Anya with a slight nod of her head.

  "Yes, we’ll see what happens," added Cassiel with a pyful smile.

  No a slight headache f.

  'Are they always this persistent?'

  Finally, both walked away, leaving Non with a mild feeling of disfort.

  Princess Iris, who had been the iion with a smile on her face, waited until the two had disappeared among their panions befiving Non a curious look.

  "Tell me, have those guests been b you?"

  Non turowards her, noting the casual tone in which she spoke.

  "It wasn’t anything," he answered simply.

  Iris maintained her charming smile while holding his gaze.

  "If you wish, with just one order from me, both of them could be thrown in jail for attempting to harm the hero of this nation."

  Emily felt as if her soul was leaving her body.

  'W-what did she just say?!'

  Non looked at her ily for a moment, assessihere was no threat ione or expression. It was as if she were him a favor with the same ease that someone might offer a cup of tea.

  "That won’t be necessary," said Non, keeping his tone calm.

  Iris let out a soft ugh.

  "As you wish, but if you ever ge your mind... don’t hesitate to ask me."

  Her voice was soft and elegant, yet something in her look made Non uand that this wasn’t just a joke.

  Without saying another word, the princess began walking toward the door, and with a slight nod, signaled for Non to follow her.

  Non obeyed without further questions.

  They walked in sileil they reached a baly an impressive view of the city.

  By that point, the noise of the party had dimmed slightly.

  Several people in the crowd began to notice their presehere and gradually fell silent, watg expetly.

  '...Is she about to give a speech?' Non thought, realizing the silehat had spread through the hall.

  Iris, with the grace of a perfectly trained princess, took a gss of wine offered by a servant and raised it slightly.

  "I appreciate that you all have e to my birthday celebration," said Iris elegantly, her clear voice resonating through the enormous hall. "I want you to know that my itment remains firm: I will maintain peace among our three nations t prosperity to all."

  A murmur of approval swept through the guests.

  But the hing she said made Non pause for a moment.

  "And I will do this... with the help and support of our hero, Non Rook."

  Non did not ge his expression, but in his mind, a simple thought formed.

  'Ah... so that’s your pn.'

  He didn’t have much time to process it, as the princess made a subtle gesture with her hand for him to e closer.

  He obeyed without showing aion, but as soon as he did...

  The hall erupted in murmurs.

  "Is it really him?!"

  "It’s Non Rook!"

  "It ’t be, he’s far too young!"

  Some people jostled one another just to get a better look. Others were pletely shocked, their preceived notions about his appearaerly shattered.

  And then, the fshes began.

  Several media photographers took advantage of the moment and whipped out their portable cameras.

  Although photography teology was still retively he most important nobles and neers already used it to capture historients.

  And at that moment, everyone wanted a picture of the hero.

  Non squinted against the sudden fshes, but remained impassive.

  People began g and shouting.

  "Long live Valenfort!"

  "Long live Princess Iris!"

  The enthusiasm alpable, and although Non didn’t react much, Emily watched him with wide eyes.

  'Non... now the eion is watg you.'

  When the excitement subsided a bit, a journalist stepped forward with his notepad in hand.

  "Yhness," he said in a cautious yet anxious tone, "could you firm that the young man beside you is truly Non Rook?"

  A brief silence fell over the room.

  Iris turowards Non with an inscrutable expression before looking back at the journalist.

  Then, a slight smile appeared on her fabsp;

  "Tell me... do you doubt the word of the future queen?"

  The journalist paled instantly.

  No one in the hall dared say another word.