Cuando Andrew llegó a su aula, Manuel Carter y Alejandro Jones ya lo estaban esperando.
—Buenas tardes, mi señor —saludó Manuel con una leve reverencia.
Andrew le hizo un gesto de reconocimiento con la cabeza antes de dirigir su mirada hacia Alejandro.
"¿Ya has tomado tu decisión?"
"Sí, mi señor."
Su voz era firme.
"Acepto su oferta. Quiero convertirme en caballero de la familia real."
Hizo una breve pausa.
"Pero antes, me gustaría hacer una petición."
Andrew arqueó una ceja.
"Hablemos en privado."
Los tres salieron del aula y caminaron hacia un pasillo desierto.
—Bueno —dijo Andrew—, ¿qué es lo que quieres?
Alejandro respiró hondo.
"Quiero que la Corona tome medidas contra la familia Douglas."
Andrew se detuvo.
Lo observó durante varios segundos antes de responder.
"¿Te das cuenta de lo que estás diciendo?"
"Sí, mi señor."
"Entonces también debes saber que eso es imposible."
Su tono se mantuvo tranquilo.
"El Imperio acaba de terminar de absorber el Reino de Sylveria. Todos nuestros recursos se están destinando a prepararnos para una posible invasión."
Miró a Alejandro directamente a los ojos.
"Si la Corona entra en conflicto con la familia Douglas, el reino no se verá quebrado por un enemigo externo."
Hizo una pausa.
"Se romperá desde dentro."
Su expresión se volvió más seria.
"Nadie puede predecir el resultado de una guerra contra ellos... y si la Casa Douglas cayera..."
Dejó que el silencio se instalara entre ellos durante unos instantes.
"El Imperio no tendría que derrotarnos. Solo tendría que esperar mientras nos agotábamos intentando destruir una de las pocas espadas capaces de proteger este reino."
Alejandro permaneció en silencio.
For the first time since the conversation had begun, Andrew's expression lost all composure.
Not everyone knew the truth.
The Crown ruled the kingdom.
But it was the Douglas family that kept it alive.
For generations, they had served as the monarchy's hidden sword, eliminating conspirators, traitors, and any threat—whether internal or external—before it could endanger the kingdom.
Not even the king confronted them without an exceptionally compelling reason.
Andrew reanudó la marcha.
"No confundas autoridad con poder."
"Mi padre es el rey."
"Pero ni siquiera él puede destruir uno de los pilares del reino simplemente porque alguien lo desee."
Alejandro bajó la cabeza.
"Perdona mi imprudencia."
Entonces volvió a levantar la vista.
"In that case... I'd like to ask for something else."
Andrew gestured for him to continue.
"The engagement between Emily Carter and Lusian Douglas."
His voice was much more restrained.
"That marriage was imposed by the Douglas family. I'd like the Carter family to regain the right to decide Emily's future."
Andrew considered it for a few moments.
"That... is far more reasonable."
He sighed.
"I'll speak with my father."
He looked at Alejandro seriously.
"I can't promise anything. The Douglas family's influence is far too great."
"But I'll at least try to find a solution."
Alejandro bowed deeply.
"That's more than I expected, my lord."
Elsewhere in the academy, Elizabeth walked through one of the gardens accompanied by Lorenzo Denisse, who continued following her despite her repeated rejections.
"Princess Elizabeth, I beg you to reconsider my family's proposal. I'm convinced we could be very happy together."
Elizabeth didn't even slow her pace.
"I'm not interested in you. That's the fourth time I've told you."
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"If you continue insisting, I'll have to interpret it as disrespect toward the royal family."
Lorenzo smiled with practiced elegance.
"I'm simply following my heart."
Reject me as much as you want...
Once the Empire crosses these borders, royal blood will no longer protect you.
On that day, you'll be the one begging me for help.
Elizabeth sighed in annoyance.
"Neither you nor your family possess enough prestige to aspire to my hand."
Her voice turned cold.
"Now disappear from my sight... before I lose my patience."
Lorenzo maintained his smile as he bowed gracefully.
"As you wish, Princess."
Only after he had gone far enough away did the pleasant expression disappear from his face.
Elizabeth continued walking until she reached one of the academy's private reception rooms.
The knights of her escort closed the doors and stood guard outside.
Inside, a young man with golden eyes was waiting.
Lusian stood with his arms crossed.
"Why did you call for me, Princess?"
Elizabeth smiled mischievously.
"Don't you enjoy being alone with me, Lusian? You're so cruel."
Lusian felt the beginnings of a headache.
Every time she got too close, he couldn't help remembering the Demon Queen from the game.
The woman who, in the original story, would eventually drown the continent in blood.
He pushed the thought aside.
That Elizabeth didn't exist yet.
"Please, let's get to the point," he replied calmly. "If someone sees us together, all we'll accomplish is creating unnecessary rumors."
Elizabeth let out a soft laugh.
"Don't you think that's fun?"
"No."
The answer came so quickly that it only made the princess smile even more.
"What a boring man."
She slowly approached until she stood directly in front of him.
"Anyway, my father is very grateful that you saved my brother's life. He asked me to deliver a gift to you."
Lusian raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And where is this gift?"
Elizabeth closed the distance even further.
She leaned close to his ear.
"Can't you see? Your gift is standing right beside you."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Or am I not gift enough?"
Almost on instinct, Lusian took a step backward.
"That's enough."
He looked away.
"Can we return to the real reason you called me?"
I'm reaching my limit...
Elizabeth covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
"You're adorable when you try to hide how embarrassed you are."
At last, she stopped teasing him.
She took out a finely carved wooden box and placed it in his hands.
"Now then... this is the real gift."
Lusian opened the box carefully.
Inside rested a black ring engraved with delicate silver runes.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Are you proposing to me? You know perfectly well that Douglas and Erkhan bloodlines aren't allowed to mix."
He had intended to embarrass her.
Instead, Elizabeth met his gaze without the slightest hesitation.
"That's... a rule created by people."
A smile curved her lips.
"And rules can change."
A slight chill ran down Lusian's spine.
She's far too serious...
He decided to change the subject before the conversation became dangerous.
He picked up the ring.
"All right... what does it do?"
Elizabeth smiled, satisfied at having regained the initiative.
"It's a mythical artifact specialized in dark magic."
She took the ring from his hand and slowly turned it between her fingers.
"It reduces the mana consumption of dark spells while slightly increasing their power. For someone with your affinity, it's a treasure."
She handed it back.
"You won't be able to use it during classes, but outside the academy it should prove quite useful."
Lusian nodded.
"This gift is far too valuable."
He placed the ring back inside the box and stood.
"Please thank His Majesty on my behalf."
Just as he was about to leave, Elizabeth grabbed his arm.
"Leaving already?"
"Yes."
"How boring."
Before he could free himself, the princess wrapped both arms around his neck.
"Stay a little longer."
Lusian froze.
She's getting worse...
At that moment, the door burst open.
"Lusian Douglas!"
Andrew pointed straight at him.
"Get away from my sister, you scoundrel!"
Lusian turned his head with a weary expression.
"Can't you see she's the one refusing to let me go?"
Andrew completely ignored the explanation.
"Don't make excuses."
He pointed at Lusian with absolute seriousness.
"If you keep taking advantage of her, you'll have to marry her."
Elizabeth smiled mischievously and hugged Lusian even tighter.
"Did you hear that?"
She rested her chin on his shoulder.
"Now you'll have to take responsibility for me."
Lusian closed his eyes.
I need to get out of here. Now.
He whistled once.
A moment later, Umber leaped through the open window.
Without wasting a second, Lusian mounted the black wolf in a single motion.
"Thanks for the gift."
He looked at both siblings.
"See you."
Umber shot through the window before Elizabeth could stop him.
Silence filled the room for several seconds.
Andrew let out a long sigh.
"It's fine if you tease him..."
He glanced sideways at her.
"But try not to overdo it."
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.
"Tease him?"
She smiled calmly.
"Who said I was playing?"
Andrew froze.
She can't possibly be serious...
He stared at her for several moments before asking,
"Are you really planning to pursue a relationship with Lusian?"
Elizabeth didn't answer immediately.
She simply smiled.
That was enough.
Andrew sighed again.
"You know perfectly well that the Erkhans and the Douglases can't be united through marriage."
His tone became more serious.
"It's not just tradition. Since the kingdom's founding, both families have fulfilled different roles. If their bloodlines were to merge, the political balance could collapse."
Elizabeth folded her arms.
"Lusian isn't the heir."
"But Caleb is."
Andrew shook his head.
"As long as Duchess Sofía lives, she'll never allow anyone else to take that position."
Elizabeth answered without hesitation.
"Then I'll renounce the Erkhan name."
Andrew stared at her in disbelief.
"And I'll become the next Duchess Douglas."
The prince remained silent for several seconds.
She's completely serious...
He decided to change the subject before the discussion went any further.
"Since you're so determined..."
He looked at her.
"I need to ask you a favor."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Do you know Alejandro Jones?"
"The last surviving member of House Jones?"
Andrew nodded.
"He wants to become one of my royal knights."
He paused briefly.
"But he also asked that we help break Lusian's engagement to Emily Carter."
Elizabeth smiled with mild interest.
"I don't know him..."
"But I already like him a little."
Then she shook her head.
"Although breaking that engagement won't be easy."
"I know."
Andrew folded his arms.
"Father can't directly pressure the Douglas family."
His expression turned thoughtful.
"But Mother can speak with Duchess Sofía."
He looked at his sister.
"You're her favorite."
"She might listen to you."
Elizabeth let out a soft laugh.
"Listen to you talking."
"The kingdom's real spoiled child."
Andrew chose to ignore the remark.
"By the way..."
Recordó algo.
"Antes de eso, Alejandro sugirió reunir a un grupo de personas para exterminar a toda la familia Douglas."
La expresión de Elizabeth se volvió fría al instante.
"¡Qué insolente!"
Todo rastro de diversión desapareció de su voz.
"Hablar así de una de las Cuatro Familias Fundadoras ya merece castigo."
Andrew negó con la cabeza.
"No."
"Su talento es demasiado valioso como para desperdiciarlo."
Hizo una breve pausa.
"Además, ya ha derrotado a dos herederos ducales."
Elizabeth sonrió con confianza.
"Lusian lo pondrá en su sitio. ¿Lo viste pelear? ¿Sabes lo fuerte que es? Derrotó a Kara sin siquiera sufrir agotamiento de maná."
Andrew no respondió de inmediato.
Recordaba el duelo del que había sido testigo aquella mañana.
El dominio de la espada por parte de Lusian...
Su control sobre el maná...
Y la facilidad con la que había derrotado a Kara.
"Tal vez."
Su expresión se tornó pensativa.
"Aunque todavía hay algo que no logro comprender."
Elizabeth arqueó una ceja.
"¿Qué?"
Andrew la miró durante unos instantes antes de hablar.
"¿Ya han confirmado la afinidad mágica de Lusian?"
Elizabeth negó con la cabeza.
"No."
"Mi madre se lo preguntó directamente a la duquesa Sofía."
"Ella no negó nada..."
"Pero ella se negó a responder."
Andrew guardó silencio.
Eso significaba que la familia Douglas aún lo estaba ocultando.
Y si lo estaban ocultando...
Tenía que haber una razón.
"Espero que sea Epsilon..."
murmuró casi para sí mismo.
Elizabeth lo miró con curiosidad.
"¿Eso sería realmente un alivio?"
Andrew asintió lentamente.
"Un Epsilon ya sería un monstruo."
Hizo una pausa.
"Pero al menos seguiría estando dentro del ámbito de lo posible."
Su mirada se desvió hacia la ventana.
"Si resulta ser un Omega..."
No terminó la frase.
No era necesario.
Ambos comprendieron las implicaciones.
Un segundo Omega en la familia Douglas destrozaría el equilibrio del reino.
Elizabeth sonrió con serenidad.
"No creo que tengas que preocuparte."
"Los omegas nacen solo una vez cada varias generaciones."
Andrew dejó escapar una risa silenciosa.
"Eso es exactamente lo que espero."