Half an hour earlier, within the grandeur of the Royal Palace, maids bustled about the garden, their arms laden with laundry. One maid, her eyes sparkling with gossip, turned to her companions. “Did you hear about the Marques?” she asked, her voice hushed.

The question was met with a confused tilt of a head. “What about that scoundrel?”

The gossiping maid leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Last night, he met his end at the hands of The Diark.”

A satisfied smirk spread across the third maid’s face. “Good riddance. That man was despised by all, but without proof of his misdeeds, he always slipped through the fingers of justice.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the hurried footsteps of a fourth maid. She was panting, her face flushed from running. “Hey, what’s wrong?”, “Why the rush?”, the three maids asked her when she shouted, “The Second Princess has arrived!” she exclaimed, her voice echoing in the quiet garden.

The news sent a jolt through the maids. They exchanged glances before hurrying back to the palace, their gossip forgotten.

Inside the palace, a figure strode down the hallway. Workers bowed their heads in respect as she passed. The figure, a girl with fiery crimson hair and emerald green eyes, stormed into Maximus’s study room. The door slammed open, startling Maximus. The girl, dressed in royal attire, marched up to his desk and slammed her hands down. “DAD!!” she shouted.

She was the second Princess, Montina von Lunaris. Her beauty was renowned, but her reputation was less than stellar. She was infamous for her troublesome antics, both in the palace and at the Magic Academy. Her exploits ranged from burning her professor’s hair out of spite to swapping a noble lady’s juice with wine at a banquet, all for a moment of praise from the young noblemen. Also, to a surprise, she was the one who Kai saw back then giving foods to the young kids in the streets.

Maximus, taken aback by his daughter’s sudden entrance, composed himself. “What is it, Mono?” he asked, his voice calm.

Her face twisted in frustration. “Is what Mom said true!?”

Maximus’s lips curled into a smile. “Ah, so you’ve heard. That’s good.”

Her irritation flared. “Good? I don’t want to get engaged!”

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Maximus sighed, about to reply but before he could respond, a voice echoed from the doorway. “You shouldn’t behave like this, Mono.”

She turned to see the voice. It was her sister, Niatina von Lunaris. The first Princess standing at the entrance. “Nino…” Montina whispered, her voice irritated.

Niatina, the first Princess, stepped into the room, her emerald green eyes reflecting the room’s grandeur as her crimson hair described her elegance. Unlike her sister, she was known for her grace and poise. She was the perfect image of a royal princess, always composed and respectful.

The second Princess’s anger changed to irritation at the sight of her sister. Maximus watched the exchange, his eyes filled with worry.

“Nino. What business do you have here? I have an important thing to discuss with Dad here.” Montina responded in a cold tone, her gaze hardening as she turned towards her sister. Niatina, however, remained silent, her eyes meeting her sister’s.

“Is it about your engagement?” she asked. Montina flinched at her words, her eyes widening slightly.

“I understand your feelings, Mono,” she finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm. “But this is not just about you. It’s about our kingdom, our people.”

Montina looked taken aback. “But I…”

Niatina interrupted her, “Mono, we are princesses. We have responsibilities towards our empire. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good.”

Montina fell silent, her eyes welling up with tears. “If only you were in my place,” she whispered to herself as she turned her gaze towards Maximus, her father, hoping for support. But he simply nodded, agreeing with Nino.

“Your sister is right, Mono,” he said, his voice gentle.

She felt a lump in her throat. She knew her father and sister were right, but the thought of marrying a stranger for political reasons was too much for her to bear.

“But!” Maximus spoke up, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “I am not asking you to get married to another Empire’s Prince or so.” Both sisters looked at him. “Our Empire is in no need for support from others. Also, I won’t send off my daughters to just anyone. Like I choose Ray for Nino, I also found someone suitable for you.” He declared pointing towards Montina. Hearing so, she balled her fist as she stormed out of the room.

As the door slammed shut, the room fell into silence. Maximus sighed, running his hand through his hair. “She’ll understand in time,” he said, more to himself.

Niatina simply nodded, her heart aching for her sister. She knew Montina was not ready for this, but she wasn’t able to do anything. “Umm… Dad?” she looked towards Maximus, who turned towards her. “What is it, Nino?” he asked to which she responded, “Who is Mono going to be engaged to?” She had a worried tone to her voice, to which Maximus smiled. “Someone who will make her happy.”

He stood up from his seat, looking out the window. “You will meet him soon.” She tilted her head in confusion, to which Maximus patted her on the head, while in the hallway, Montina was running to her room, with tears in her eyes.

Back in the Archduke’s mansion, the class just got over where Elysia is asking Ray questions, while Kai is wheeling himself back to his room.