Like the previous Saints, she will likely be granted a vision of one's future that cannot be shared with others.
In other words, once Sun Ruler Sol's rest period ended and the prediction came down, the benefits and gifts her family could obtain from her dowry would become minimal.
“I...how did I raise her...”
When Freydis began to gasp in shock, her son Marven stepped forward: “Mom, I will find her, so don’t worry so much.”
Her eyes turned to him sharply.
“You haven't gone searching yet?
Your only sister is missing, and you're moving so slowly?!”
Marven expected a big spark, so he quickly left the place, and at that moment, her husband, Count Hermann, came over with a cup of honey water.
“My dear, here is honey water.
Drink a warm cup to calm your nerves.”
Fredis pretended that she could not resist him, leaned on her husband's chest and drank the water with light sips.
She continued to complain: "I'm so upset.
Where did this girl go, leaving an important marriage meeting, and not coming back until this night?
Oh, really…"
“Mom!”
Freydis looked with triangular eyes at her son, who came running back.
Under her sharp gaze, Marven stammered: “Y-y-y, Your Imperial Highness is here!”
What?
Crown Prince in the middle of the night?
Freydis blinked her eyes several times and asked: “…Why?”
Count Hermann, his wife, and Marven, in confusion, rushed to the entrance to greet the Crown Prince.
It was very late, but they did not have the strength to block the Crown Prince's steps.
What can they do?
Authority is the strongest.
But why would the Crown Prince visit a lowly count's family in the middle of the night?
Count Hermann's family was not related to the imperial family.
Their lands were very rural, and the goods they paid in taxes were modest.
Their presence in the capital was only due to the high value of Atha's dowry.
Of course, after arranging Atha's marriage and obtaining a fortune, they would liquidate their palace in the capital and return to their lands.
This was to prepare the marriage of their eldest son, who would soon be the heir.
A humble family did not even have a seat at the end of the palace meeting table, so they had to receive the Crown Prince barefoot even if they woke up from sleep.
The main door opened soon, and knights on horses entered the small garden in a line.
They surrounded the palace as if they controlled it, and under the weight of the force of horses and armor, Count Hermann held his wife's hand tightly.
Meanwhile, the knights gradually took up their positions, and a gold-trimmed chariot advanced through the garden.
That was Crown Prince Alisto, the star of the empire and known for his cold cruelty.
***
Count Hermann, his wife, and Marven bowed.
“We are honored to meet His Imperial Highness”
The three saluted the Crown Prince at almost the same time.
Alisto approached Count Hermann and helped him stand up by himself.
Despite the simplicity of the movement, his every action exuded elegance and dignity, with an aura of authority that made others feel in awe.
“A pleasure to meet you, Count.
And you too, Madam Countess.
I was wondering where Atha’s beauty came from, but it seems she inherited it from both her parents.”
Count Hermann's eyes widened in astonishment, and the Countess quickly lowered her eyes.
Alisto didn't care about their reaction at all.
He pointed into the palace as if it were his home and said, “Let’s go in first.
The conversation may take a long time.”
Under the guidance of the servant, Alisto arrived at the reception room and naturally sat down in the main seat, pointing to the other seats.
“Sit down”
The Count and his wife sat down, while Marvin quietly backed away, considering that the place was not his.
The feeling of pressure was great.
After all, the Crown Prince was a figure who wrote a new history in this country.
He obtained the title of Crown Prince at a young age, ending the 15-year border war.
But he had another nickname in secret.
The illegitimate son who broke the will of the Emperor.
Although it was a rumor without clear evidence, it was a story that every noble had heard at least once.
It was a perfect rumor for someone like him, ruthless and pityless.
'I hope it's not something serious.'
Although the Count and his wife sat with the same idea, the Crown Prince did not open his mouth for a long time.
After a long silence, Count Hermann could bear it no longer, so he spoke: “Your Highness, what is the reason...”
At that moment, Gerold Behrens, dressed in a formal uniform, entered and placed some papers on the table.
Alisto held out the paper with an expressionless face and said directly to the matter: “I will pay Atha’s dowry.
Sign.”
Count Hermann looked at the paper that the Crown Prince touched with astonishment, and there were two marriage contract papers.
The Count quietly pulled the marriage contract out in front of him, and held the pen as if he was ready to sign at any moment.
Then he looked at his wife as if asking her permission.
Then, Freydis, who realized the situation, slowly opened her mouth: “Your Highness, it seems that Atha’s value has risen even more.”
The Count opened his mouth in astonishment.
Did I hear wrong?
No, he heard clearly with his ears.
Freydis was trying to bargain with the Crown Prince to raise the value of Atha's dowry.
He knew his wife was bold, but to do that in front of the Crown Prince…
Worried, he grabbed his wife's hand to stop her, but—
“Say what you want”
Alisto spoke kindly, as if he were doing her a favor, and Freydis replied firmly: “Give us a place in the palace.”
The corner of Alisto's mouth rose as if he found it amusing.
“ambitious”
But his voice held no joy.
Freydis stood up, and bowed her head down: “Since Atha has been weak since she was young, I as a mother am very worried.
As you know, Your Highness, it is difficult for people like us to enter the palace.
A mother’s heart wants to see her constantly, so I beg you to take this into consideration.”
She motioned with her eyes to her husband to join her, and Count Hermann quickly leaned down beside her and pleaded: “I beg of you.”
Alisto rubbed his chin as if he was thinking for a moment, then suddenly said, “I didn’t know that Atha was weak.
Well, if her mother visits her often, she will adapt quickly in the palace.
It will be beneficial to her in many ways.”
When the Crown Prince showed a positive reaction, the faces of the Count and his wife lit up.
But Alisto's words did not end there.
"Well, I've come up with a good idea.
I'll set aside a place on the third floor of my palace, so how about we move your residence?
This way, you can see your daughter daily and take care of her."
Countess Freydis's face suddenly changed.
There were seven places in the infamous empire, and one of them was the third floor of the Crown Prince's Palace.
It was known as “the place from which no one comes out alive,” and as the name suggests, disappearances of lower nobility and palace workers were common there.
To suggest moving their residence there seemed as if he was saying he would make them disappear.
Freydis's voice became more cautious: "I apologize, Your Highness, but Marven here is our son and heir, and he will have to prepare for his marriage soon.
So, practically speaking, it is difficult to visit Atha daily.
No need to go to the trouble of allocating accommodation...”
The Crown Prince interrupted her indifferently: “Then, your son can be eliminated.”
“What?”
“You say that having your son makes it difficult to focus only on Atha.
It would be easier if she were your only daughter.
I will help you.”
Regardless of the Countess's stunned expression, the Crown Prince pointed to one of the knights standing at the door of the reception room.
The knight, dressed in uniform and standing firmly, stepped forward, drew his sword and charged towards the Hermann heir.
“Ah, ah!”
The sharp sword sparkled and soared high.