When Andrew arrived at his classroom, he was greeted by Manuel Carter and Alejandro Jones.

  "Good afternoon, sir," Manuel said respectfully.

  Andrew turned his gaze toward Alejandro, known as the academy's second-strongest student, and asked, "Have you given my proposal any thought?"

  "Yes, my lord," Alejandro replied firmly. "I have decided to accept. I want to become your royal knight. However, I would like to make a request, and I hope you will consider it."

  Andrew furrowed his brow slightly, intrigued. "Very well. Let's find a private place to talk."

  As they walked away, Andrew asked, "What is it about?"

  Alejandro didn't hesitate. "If possible, I would like to organize a group to eliminate the Douglas family. Their influence has brought nothing but harm to the kingdom, and it must end."

  Andrew stopped, turned to him, and looked at him with disdain. "Listen. Right now, starting a conflict is impossible. The Empire has already taken full control of the kingdom of Sylveria, and their eyes are on our territory. Any rash move would put everything we defend at risk."

  "I understand, my lord," Alejandro replied respectfully, bowing his head. "I apologize for my audacity. In that case, I would like to request your help in annulling the engagement between Emily Carter and Lusian—a union imposed by the Douglases that forced the Carters to comply with their demands."

  Andrew sighed, carefully weighing the situation. "I will speak with my father to see how we can intervene, but I cannot promise anything."

  "Thank you, sir. I appreciate your willingness," Alejandro said. "Even so, I remain very eager to join your ranks and serve you with loyalty."

  Elsewhere in the academy, Elizabeth walked alongside Lorenzo Denisse, who courted her with relentless persistence.

  "Princess Elizabeth, please, accept the proposal my family has made. I promise we will be very happy together," Lorenzo pleaded.

  Elizabeth frowned, visibly irritated. "I am not interested in someone like you. This is the fourth time I've told you. If you persist with this useless insistence, there will be serious consequences," she warned firmly.

  "Oh, my beloved princess, please, give me a chance to win your heart," Lorenzo insisted desperately. (Just you wait, arrogant princess. Sooner or later, the Empire will destroy this kingdom, and when that day comes, you will beg me for help. I will make you my slave… and do with you as I please.)

  "I do not see you as worthy, and your family lacks the prestige necessary. So disappear from my sight, or I will make you regret it," Elizabeth declared sternly.

  When Lorenzo finally retreated, Elizabeth entered a room and instructed her attendants to ensure privacy. Inside, a young man with yellow eyes waited, watching her with a serious expression.

  "Why did you call me, Princess?" Lusian asked.

  "Don't you like being alone with me, Lusian? You're so cruel," Elizabeth teased with a playful smile. (God, he's starting to annoy me, and I have very little resistance to his charm.)

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "Please, get to the point. If we are discovered, we'll be in trouble," Lusian replied curtly.

  "But isn't it fun?" Elizabeth joked.

  "No," Lusian responded, showing no emotion.

  "You're boring. But if you want to know, I will tell you. My father is very grateful because you saved my brother's life. He asked me to give you a gift," Elizabeth explained.

  "Oh, really? Where is this supposed gift?" Lusian asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Elizabeth leaned close and whispered into his ear, "Don't you see? Your gift is right beside you. Am I not enough of a gift for you?"

  "That's enough. Let's get to the point. Why did you summon me?" Lusian insisted. (I think I'm reaching my limit.)

  "Oh, look at you, so adorable when you try to hide your embarrassment," Elizabeth teased, producing a delicate box and handing it to him.

  Lusian opened the box cautiously, suspicious. "Are you proposing marriage? You know perfectly well that the bloodlines of the Douglases and the Erkham family cannot mix," he said, fixing his gaze on her, attempting to counter and embarrass the princess.

  Elizabeth did not look away. "That is something we might be able to change together."

  "Damn it… what does this ring do?" Lusian asked, touching it carefully.

  With a victorious smile, Elizabeth explained, "It's a mythical artifact that enhances the dark magic you use. It reduces mana consumption and increases the damage of your attacks. It's a shame you can't train with it at the academy, but you may test it whenever you wish."

  Lusian stood, ready to leave, but Elizabeth did not let him escape. She continued teasing him until Andrew burst into the room.

  "I've caught you, Lusian Douglas! Hands off her, you scoundrel!" Andrew exclaimed.

  "Don't you see? Your sister is the one harassing me," Lusian replied with a sarcastic grin. "That makes you a useless prince."

  "Don't make excuses. Keep this up, and you'll have to marry my sister," Andrew threatened.

  Elizabeth tightened her grip on Lusian's collar. "See, Lusian? Now you'll have to take responsibility for me," she said with a defiant smile.

  "Enough! Umber, get me out of here," Lusian pleaded, quickly mounting his steed and escaping the room, leaving Elizabeth and Andrew alone.

  "Playing with him is fine, but be careful not to go too far," Andrew advised with a sigh.

  "Playing? Who said I'm playing?" Elizabeth replied with a challenging smile.

  Andrew glared at her. "Do you really intend to pursue a relationship with Lusian? You know the Douglas and Erkham families cannot unite by marriage. That rule has existed since the founding of the kingdom, and breaking it would interfere with the roles each family fulfills."

  "But Lusian isn't the heir," Elizabeth argued. "Technically, it's possible."

  (Is she seriously considering this?) "You know perfectly well that Caleb is the obstacle. The duchess will never allow anyone but her son to inherit the duchy," Andrew said.

  "Then I will renounce the Erkham name and become the future Duchess Douglas," Elizabeth declared, without a hint of doubt.

  Andrew blinked, incredulous. *(…) If you insist on this madness, help me with something, sister. Do you know Alejandro Jones?" he asked.

  "The survivor of the traitor family?" Isabel replied, raising an eyebrow.

  "The same. He wants to become a royal knight, but he also requested the annulment of the engagement between Lusian and Emily," Andrew explained.

  Elizabeth smiled with interest. "I don't know Alejandro personally, but I already like him. Still… it won't be easy to break that engagement."

  "My father cannot intervene directly against the Douglases. I need you to ask Mother to speak with Duchess Sofia and try to cancel the engagement. You are her favorite, after all," Andrew said.

  "Look who's talking: the kingdom's spoiled prince," Elizabeth retorted.

  "By the way," Andrew added calmly, "I forgot to mention that Alejandro initially proposed a crusade to eliminate all the Douglases."

  Elizabeth's eyes glinted with a mix of surprise and disdain. "That insolent fool doesn't know his place. We should kill him before he causes trouble."

  "There's no need. He's a talent worth using. Keep in mind, he has already surpassed three ducal heirs," Andrew pointed out.

  "Two," Elizabeth corrected proudly. "Lusian will put him in his place. Did you see him fight? Do you know how strong he is?"

  "Yes, I saw," Andrew admitted. "And to be honest, I could lose in a duel against him. I'll have to make it clear that he must not challenge me until I finish the academy. At least I want to graduate as number one."