In the far reaches of the western continent lies a kingdom. Setus, renowned for its numerous academies and scholars, a place for students and thinkers alike to gather and further their minds. Its secularity and non-reliance on religion had gathered opposition, specifically from the neighboring kingdom, Ortensia.

However, rather than the tension between the two kingdoms rising, they formed a powerful alliance instead, on account of the First Prince of Setus—Key—along with the First Princess of Ortensia—Munith—announcing their love for each other.

Key, the Bright Sun of Setus. Munith, the Silver Mind of Ortensia. Their engagement was met with applause even by the kingdom’s greatest minds. There weren’t any reasons to raise a voice against this union, but that didn’t stop some from trying.

One of those voices belonged to a certain prince of Setus. 

Julient, the Third Prince of Setus, more well-known as the Scholar Prince.

…

Julient’s golden-blonde hair fluttered in the wind as he sat in his private study at the top of the castle’s western tower. The wind carried the unmistakable smell of fresh-cut grass. He reclined in his ornate chair with his legs crossed, analyzing a small sheet of paper. He gave a satisfied nod and gave the paper to the butler standing beside him.

“Is that all, Your Highness?” the butler asked, taking the document with a bow.

“Yep, that’s all.” Julient stretched his arms high, pushing his chest up with a long sigh. “Aaaah~ Man, finally I’m free!”

The butler gave a deep bow. “Good work for today, Your Highness. Would you like a snack to relax?” 

Julient yawned as he finished his stretch, his leaf-green eyes narrowed at the sight of the sun. “Ah~ Yeah, a cake sounds nice right about now.”

“I shall bring you one right away.”

The butler left the room quietly, leaving Julient alone with the piles of paper scattered across his desk. He was told multiple times to organize his files by his brothers, but he never felt the urge to. Among the scattered documents was something he had been reviewing for the past week: Karvin’s report regarding the potential “proof” of his theory.

Karvin’s handwriting was as elegant as ever, but that wasn’t the reason he continued to read it over and over again. It was the name etched into the paper.

Carine Sareid.

She was the sole child and future heir of the Sareid Family. Karvin had said in his reports that her wisdom had potential, and she had a strict scheduling given to her by her mother. She was the perfect “proof”, something he had been searching for years to further his theory.

Yet… there was an unease gnawing at him.

His finger traced over the source of that unease, the word located next to Carine’s name.

“Sareid…” he mumbled.

The Sareids were a puzzle. Only ever having one potential heir each generation, it was something unthinkable for a family as large as theirs. Yet, Julient understood the reason for that irrational tradition very well.

Ambition. Ambition flowed strongly in the Sareid blood. This burning ambition had once split the family in two when twin heirs fought over the title of successor. The entire kingdom had teetered on the brink of civil war due to this conflict. After the near-war, the family vowed never to have more than one child again to prevent this from happening in the future.

In a way, this tradition was their apology and also their self-imposed punishment. 

But Julient knew, ambition doesn’t die that easily.

Even now, almost a hundred years after that vow, members of the Sareid family strive to further their ambition. From spreading their legacy sword style throughout the entire kingdom, to holding massive trade routes through negotiations and coercion.

Their ambitions knew no end. And that was why Julient was worried.

Carine Sareid… Did she hold the same ambition as her predecessors?

She was the “proof”—that’s what Karvin had said. Proof of potential far beyond the limits Setus had ever seen. And if that was true, she needed a mentor, someone to guide her, mold her. 

Julient’s lips twitched into a small smile. He had always fancied himself a teacher. He was called the Scholar Prince, after all. Perhaps this was his chance to truly leave a mark in this kingdom.

No, it wouldn’t be that simple. If Carine’s ambition was anything like that of her ancestors, mentoring her would be like taming a wild storm. A part of him even wondered if it was worth the risk. Ambition was dangerous, a double-edged sword, especially in someone so young.

Julient knew ambition better than most. He had felt its pull, too, as a prince of Setus, though he’d mastered his through study and intellect. But Carine? She came from a line of people who had fought wars over ambition.

There was so much potential in her, yes—but potential for what? That was the question.

The butler returned with a tray, a delicate slice of cake resting on fine porcelain. He placed it on the desk beside the reports and offered Julient a respectful bow.

“Your cake, Your Highness.”

“Ah, thank you. Just what I needed.”

Julient took a forkful of the cake, the sweetness pushing his eyes awake, but his mind lingered on a certain name.

Carine Sareid. He would have to meet her soon, that much was sure. He had to see her eyes in person. How strong was her ambition? How deeply did it burn within her? If her vision turned out to be grander than life, could it be guided? Could it be tamed?

Whether this would mean the beginning of something remarkable, or the birth of a disaster, Julient, the Scholar Prince, was never one to leave such things to chance.

“Her birthday party’s in a few days, huh?” Julient rubbed his chin, a small smirk creeping in. “Bastion.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Clear my schedule for the 43rd. I have a party to attend.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

—

Cosence 43rd. Inside the Sareid Family’s Capital Mansion Ballroom. 

Julient had entered the ballroom unannounced, his presence felt immediately by all in attendance. Had he revealed his plans to attend this party even a day earlier, a certain someone would have surely acted to beat him to the punch. But not this time. Julient intended to get to Carine first.

And there she was. The girl with the emerald green eyes and dark mesmerizing hair, sitting alone on her throne whilst others had knelt before him.

This girl in front of me… She is the “proof” I need?

Julient could see it. The potential Karvin mentioned. Her eyes were powerful, they pierced him without hesitation. Even he couldn’t comprehend just how much it had seen. 

Her unflinching nature, was she just stiffened by his presence? No, surely not. A girl with such eyes wouldn’t cower in the face of a single royal.

No, this was proof of her ambition. Her vision for her own future.

He first thought he wouldn’t dare mentor someone with such eyes. But leaving her to her own devices? That sounded even worse.

Sareid… Truly, a troublesome blood… But this potential cannot be ignored.

He had his servant throw away the box of emerald earrings meant for his Plan A. Julient had resolved himself for Plan B.

I hope I won’t regret this in the future…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep