"Extra, extra!"
Fame is never something one simply chooses.
It follows achievement.
And as long as achievements shine brightly enough, even those who avoid the spotlight are inevitably pushed into it.
[The Jewel of the North, Alice Draken — Defeats a High-Ranking Demon]
The news of a young lady, not yet of age, bringing down such a formidable demon spread like wildfire.
That alone was enough to turn her into a living legend.
"Alice again?! The harder I train to catch up, the further she gets!"
Some, feeling jealousy burn in their chests, threw themselves into even harsher training.
"How can the journalist write so poorly?! Her beauty, her power—how can they reduce Alice to a handful of clumsy sentences?!"
"Keep your fuss to a moderate level. Remember—she’s your magic mentor. Though... yes, it’s true. She does embody both beauty and strength."
Others praised her endlessly, to the point it resembled borderline worship.
"Ha! To think the girl I’m taking as my daughter-in-law would accomplish something so extraordinary!"
And naturally, the news reached the highest seat in the Solhaven Empire.
"Tsk. Lighten up. Shouldn’t you be happy?"
"I haven’t even spoken to her once. Why should this matter please me?"
The Emperor let out a sigh so deep it echoed through the chamber.
"You will meet her soon... Try not to make such a grim face in front of your fiancée."
"I’ll consider it."
Among all citizens of the empire, the Crown Prince, Elric Solhaven, was the only one who could respond so casually to the Emperor’s words—much to the Emperor’s growing frustration, which carved yet another wrinkle on his forehead.
The Emperor pressed his fingers against his temples, massaging the tension away.
"Honestly... this is why I wished you had inherited even a fraction of your mother’s social grace."
Elric merely shrugged.
"I inherited her looks. Isn’t that enough for political engagements?"
"It absolutely is not!!
The Emperor slammed his hand on the armrest, his exasperation reaching a breaking point.
"Rumors are already circulating. Ministers are pestering me daily to hurry the engagement along. And now—now Alice Draken becomes a hero of north! Soon enough all empire will consider her as hero. Do you have any idea how many nobles are now eyeing her?"
"...All of them?"
"Exactly! And you say you’re not pleased?"
Elric’s expression remained unreadable, but his hand, resting on his knee, tightened for a fleeting instant.
He knew the Emperor caught that.
"See? Even you feel something," the Emperor murmured, eyes narrowing.
Elric lowered his gaze, lashes casting a faint shadow across his eyes.
The Emperor waited for some verbal acknowledgment—anything—but none came.
"...Elric?"
The Crown Prince finally stood, movements as quiet and precise as clockwork.
"I should return to my duties."
"That’s all you have to say?"
Elric paused mid-step.
His voice, when he spoke, was cool enough to frost glass.
"What else is required of me? You’ve already decided my fiancée."
"It wouldn’t kill you to show a bit of interest."
"I will show interest when I meet her. Not before."
The Emperor stared at him, stunned by the blunt dismissal.
"Elric, she just defeated a high-ranking demon—"
"That is her achievement," he cut in, tone calm but edged. "Not mine."
The Emperor’s jaw tightened.
"Are you jealous?"
"No," Elric answered immediately. "But I see no reason to celebrate someone I have not even spoken to."
"...Even if she becomes your wife?"
"Titles don’t change my temperament."
He turned again.
The Emperor clenched his fist. "At least admit you’re curious about her."
Elric halted.
A beat passed.
"...Curious?" His expression didn’t shift, voice flat. "Perhaps. But curiosity is not enough reason to smile."
The Emperor exhaled in disbelief.
"Elric—"
"I’ll meet her when formality demands it," the Prince said, offering a faint bow. "Not because of rumors. Not because of pressure. And not because everyone else is excited."
His eyes, cold and steady, lifted to meet the Emperor’s.
"When I decide to acknowledge her, I will. Until then..."
He stepped toward the exit, cloak brushing lightly behind him.
"...she is a stranger. Nothing more."
The doors closed quietly, leaving the Emperor alone with his frustration.
Here is the next part, continuing the flow, tone, and momentum of the scene:
---
The Emperor leaned back in his throne, rubbing his forehead as the heavy doors shut behind Elric.
"That boy will be the death of me..."
A long, weary sigh escaped him.
Meanwhile, far from the imperial palace, the subject of the empire’s uproar was completely oblivious to it all.
---
"Lady Alice! Another congratulatory letter has arrived!"
A maid hurried toward Alice with a stack of envelopes, nearly tripping over the hem of her skirt.
The young lady blinked at the pile with quiet despair.
"...Please send them to Father. I have no intention of reading ten more letters praising my ’radiant beauty’ or ’glorious victory.’"
"Yes, my lady!"
Alice pinched the bridge of her nose.
She didn’t particularly dislike attention.
She simply disliked useless attention.
And right now, the North was swarming with it.
Everywhere she passed:
"Lady Alice!!"
"Please, a moment—just one question!"
"No pushing—no pushing! Let the lady through!"
If she stopped walking for even a heartbeat, a crowd gathered instantly.
It was exhausting.
"I should’ve just stayed home today," she muttered under her breath.
Because naturally, the moment word of her stepping outside reached the public, half the North decided it was a festival.
Her guard knights formed a strict line, keeping distance between her and the flock of admirers.
"Alice Draken-sama! How did you defeat such a demon?!"
"Is it true you blocked its final spell with one hand?!"
"Lady Alice! Your dress today is stunning—!!"
Alice’s eye twitched.
"...Let’s handle the demon rumors one at a time. But the dress comment was unnecessary."
The knights exchanged sympathetic looks.
This was the fate of a rising legend.
---
Back at the palace—
A knock at the Emperor’s study door broke his quiet suffering.
"Your Majesty," a minister called, voice brimming with urgency. "New reports have arrived from the North!"
"What now..." the Emperor groaned.
"The people have begun calling Lady Alice—"
The minister cleared his throat.
"—the White Rose of the Empire."
The Emperor froze.
"...White Rose?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"...And how does the Crown Prince react to this?"
"He... has isolated himself in the training grounds since hearing it."
The Emperor slumped forward.
"Oh, for heaven’s sake."
What is he going to do about the crown prince?
----
End Of Volume 2