“Hello, Prince Edric. My name is Adeline Crow, daughter of Earl Crow.”

  “Earl Crow?” Edric allowed a flicker of surprise to cross his face.

  The Crow Family was one of the three great Earl houses of the Eldoria Imperium.

  In Eldoria, the rank of Earl was the highest noble title attainable outside the imperial bloodline. Only three houses possessed such authority—the Crow Family, the Ravelle Family, and the Carmell Family.

  The Ravelle Family, led by Lord Theodore Ravelle, held deep ties with the military. Edric’s stepmother, Isolde Ravelle, was the sister of the current Ravelle patriarch.

  The Crow Family, however, operated differently. They were deeply embedded within the empire’s political and academic foundations. Ministers, scholars, strategists—many owed quiet allegiance to them. Yet strangely, no direct Crow member occupied a visibly dominant seat of power.

  As for the Carmell Family, they guarded the borders against the Beastmen Alliance and rarely interfered with imperial court intrigue.

  Edric studied the pale girl before him.

  He had heard rumors of Earl Crow’s sickly, white-haired daughter who seldom left her estate.

  He hadn’t expected to meet her like this.

  “I’ve heard of Earl Crow’s beautiful daughter,” Edric said smoothly. “But it seems the rumors were modest.”

  Adeline giggled softly, her crystal-like eyes curving in amusement.

  Beside her, Miriam Crow’s fingers twitched faintly near the hilt of her sword.

  “Prince Edric is quite charming,” Adeline replied sweetly. “I also heard you were refined and handsome. It seems those rumors were accurate as well.”

  Edric bowed his head slightly. “You honor me.”

  Adeline gently squeezed Miriam’s hand.

  “This is Miriam Crow, my knight and guardian. She can be… overly cautious.”

  “My duty is to ensure the young miss’s safety—from anyone,” Miriam replied coldly.

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  Edric smiled faintly. “A loyal knight is never a fault.”

  Miriam’s expression did not soften.

  Adeline quickly shifted the conversation.

  “It is rare to see a prince walking alone in the capital. Are you headed somewhere?”

  “I am visiting my aunt, Valeria Kainridge,” Edric answered calmly. “I preferred discretion over ceremony.”

  Adeline’s eyes gleamed faintly.

  “You seem to value independence.”

  “Sometimes,” Edric replied.

  They conversed lightly for several minutes—trade, the recent banquet incident, shifting court dynamics. The exchange was polite, layered with subtle probing.

  Adeline was not na?ve.

  She was measuring him.

  Eventually, her tone shifted.

  “I heard about what happened at your banquet,” she said gently. “I am… sorry.”

  Edric lowered his gaze slightly.

  “The emperor’s words merely clarified what many already believed.”

  Adeline watched him carefully.

  Then she hesitated—deliberately.

  “Prince Edric… if you wish, I could speak to my father. Earl Crow’s voice carries weight in the council. Perhaps he could ease your current position.”

  Miriam immediately stiffened.

  “Young miss, that would involve the Crow Family in imperial succession matters.”

  Adeline waved her hand lightly. “Father can afford to offer a few supportive words.”

  Her eyes returned to Edric.

  “Well? What do you think?”

  Edric remained silent for several heartbeats.

  Then he shook his head gently.

  “I am grateful for your kindness, Lady Adeline. But I would not trouble you or Earl Crow on my behalf.”

  A faint shadow of disappointment flickered across her face—followed by a smile.

  “As you wish. But the offer stands.”

  Edric inclined his head.

  “I appreciate your goodwill.”

  They exchanged a few final pleasantries before he stepped out of the carriage.

  As he walked away, his thoughts sharpened.

  Interesting.

  Very interesting.

  Inside the carriage, Adeline’s expression shifted the moment the door closed.

  The innocent smile vanished.

  Her gaze turned analytical.

  “What do you think, Miriam?”

  “I sensed nothing overt,” Miriam replied carefully. “But I do not like him.”

  “You rarely like men,” Adeline murmured.

  Miriam did not deny it.

  “He refused assistance,” Miriam added. “Most princes in his situation would have seized it eagerly.”

  Adeline rested her chin on her hand.

  “He is cautious. Perhaps more than he shows.”

  The carriage door opened again as the elderly butler stepped inside—Steward Aldric.

  He closed the door softly and spoke in a low voice.

  “Young miss, I advise distance.”

  Adeline glanced at him.

  “You sensed something as well?”

  Aldric nodded faintly.

  “I cannot see fate like you. But my instincts—honed through countless battles—warn me that the young prince is dangerous.”

  Adeline’s brows furrowed.

  “His fate was average,” she murmured. “Unremarkable.”

  “And yet,” Aldric replied, “my instincts screamed otherwise.”

  Silence filled the carriage.

  Adeline turned her gaze toward the street where Edric had disappeared.

  A curious light flickered in her pale eyes.

  “Was I mistaken…?”

  Miriam crossed her arms.

  “Regardless, we proceed carefully.”

  Adeline smiled faintly.

  “Yes… carefully.”

  Outside, the wheels of the carriage began to turn.

  And in the capital of the Eldoria Imperium, new threads of intrigue quietly intertwined.