92. The New Year's Party, As Scheduled
Golden hair more radiant and brilliant than any nation's bloodline.
Its intensity and depth made it impossible to easily conceal even with magic. It stood out from afar, making the wearer an easy target for assassins, but at the same time, it became the unmistakable emblem of the Glazer imperial family—one that could never be faked.
Third Princess Helena was a beauty to whom that golden hair suited perfectly.
A stunning woman born from the finest bloodlines, inheriting only the best traits. As royalty, she'd received meticulous care her whole life, and she herself put effort into maintaining her looks. The result was a ripened allure at its peak, one that no man could easily tear his eyes away from.
"I've missed you, Princess."
"M-Miss…?!"
Helena, who had been smiling leisurely, faltered at Han Siu's words, her composure cracking.
"Ah. Um. Ahem. Y-Yes. I… I've missed you… too…."
She quickly schooled her expression under the gazes of those around them, but her stammering betrayed her fluster. To ease her discomfort, Han Siu flashed a gentle smile and spread his arms for a hug.
"……?!"
"We're about to get engaged, after all. This isn't improper, is it?"
"…Not at all."
Even as she denied it, her body trembled faintly.
Perhaps because it was the first time a man had approached her so boldly, Helena often showed her vulnerable side only to Han Siu. Men like him—aggressive and direct—were new to her dictionary, and she was still quite inexperienced in matters of romance.
"Sir Han Siu? Aren't you putting me in a difficult spot?"
She whispered in a voice tinged with irritation, pitched low enough for only him to hear.
"Are you?"
"Of course I am. I have an image to maintain, you know…."
"Then you should get even closer to me."
"……?"
"Your image as the Iron-Blooded Princess is too rigid. It's a strength, but also a weakness. Your factions and support base have solidified as well. At this rate, you won't climb higher no matter how many years pass. What you need, Princess, is… something new."
"Something… new."
She fell silent at his serious advice, which gave her plenty to ponder.
Han Siu's words drew from his memories of the first timeline.
Princess Helena had gathered forces from heroes, nobles, and commoners alike with her unhidden ambition and exceptional talent. But that was her limit. Even up to the final war ten years later, her faction hadn't grown or changed much.
"And the reason you can't grow further is the wariness of the others, right? You need to lower their guards. Our engagement isn't just about benefiting you directly."
"…Sir Han Siu, you have more plans than I thought."
"I've always been a planner."
With that, he lightly kissed her cheek.
"?!?!"
Helena's shock was so evident that even bystanders could tell.
Han Siu pulled back with a beaming grin.
"Shall we head to the palace, then?"
"……Y-Yes… let's…."
On the way to the guest quarters in the imperial palace, Han Siu's smile never faded.
News of Han Siu's visit to the Glazer Empire spread like wildfire.
The imperial family had kept quiet about him leaving after just the first day of the party, deliberately withholding details to feign indifference and preserve their pride—despite sending out invitations.
Thus, aside from imperial personnel, the first to seek him out was, predictably, her.
"My son~♡"
"Mama…!"
Han Siu and Han So-young embraced like long-lost family after years apart, reuniting in a heartfelt mother-son hug.
Han So-young's eyes dripped with honey as she gazed at him.
"Have you been well?"
"Doing my best. Still building from the ground up."
"Hee-hee. My son is always so diligent♡"
"And you, Mama? Preparations for your comeback going smoothly?"
At his question, she slumped back onto the sofa, her voluptuous hips sinking in with a sigh. It was a frustrated exhale, laced with irritation—things weren't going well at all.
"Sigh. I thought it'd take 7-8 months if all went right, but it's dragging on. Maybe a year?"
"A year is still within expectations."
"Even so. After prep, there's the mission itself. That'll take time too, right? And then…."
Han So-young looked up at him with a suggestive glint in her eyes.
Han Siu felt the same. He knew exactly what she regretted missing. Unfortunately, living together would require at least a year. They couldn't always be side-by-side even after, but the regret lingered.
"Hmm. Which part is taking the longest?"
"Overall, but… the comrades, I suppose?"
"Comrades…."
"Yeah. Before I retired, our party had six members besides me. But only one can join now? Can't just toss anyone into an SS-grade hero's party."
"True enough."
He nodded in agreement with Han So-young's words.
Comrades for an SS-grade hero needed to be at least S-grade. Otherwise, the party's capabilities wouldn't differ much from an S-grade one. A good weapon was powerful in itself, but it had to be wieldable.
"At least one showed up right away?"
"Yeah. Shira—she retired with me and went to the countryside to recuperate."
Han Siu knew Shira well.
In the first timeline, when Han So-young was assassinated by demons, Shira had raged the most fiercely, leading the charge against them in the final war. She was also So-young's best friend, always rushing to her aid in tough times.
Mama's other comrades are no slouches either….
Especially noteworthy was Shira's skill.
Within Han So-young's party, only Shira matched her in combat prowess.
With her as the key asset, Shira's return essentially completed the party's reformation. So-young's complaints suggested it had been a given.
They're true ride-or-dies.
"But she didn't come to the palace?"
"Nah. Hates crowds and royals or nobles like that."
"Ah."
The former was understandable, but the latter was common too—among those strong enough to ignore orders.
"Mmm, speaking of which… what a shame…."
"Hm? What is?"
As Han Siu tilted his head, Han So-young licked her lips.
It reminded him of Sharfria's expression before coming to the Glazer Empire.
The look of a lustful, affectionate MILF brimming with desire.
"Time. If only we had some spare…♥"
Her sultry smile made Han Siu straighten up instinctively. A spark from below straightened his posture naturally. Of course, Han So-young's eyes sparkled at the sight.
"Hee-hee. Son? How about a quick bathroom break…♥"
"…If it's quick, sure. …Hilde?"
"Y-Yes. I'll… gu-guard the door…."
"Thanks, dear♥"
Hildear, standing by as Han Siu's guard knight, hesitated before stepping out. Han Siu and Han So-young headed to the bathroom in the VIP room together.
What happened there during the next 30 minutes was known only to the two of them.
Afterward, they chatted a bit more. With reliable Hildear excluded, it was just the two of them. They'd already confirmed no magic devices in the room, making it perfect for private talk.
Soon, Han So-young left the VIP room, and the banquet's start time approached.
"Time to head out, sir."
"Right?"
Han Siu rose from the sofa at Hildear's words.
A maid guided them to the banquet hall. At the entrance waited Helena and her guard knight. Spotting Han Siu, Helena extended her hand with an awkward gesture.
"Shall we? I'll escort you."
"……? Isn't this usually the man's—oh."
"Yes, normally it is."
She smiled triumphantly, as if scoring a point on him.
Han Siu found even that cute and took her hand, letting her lead.
He knew Glazer etiquette and noble customs, but yielding to her here was wiser. It flaunted their intimacy too—signaling her engagement wasn't mere politics.
"Shall we go?"
"Let's."
The poised pair, flanked by their two guard knights, entered the banquet hall.
The herald's announcement of their arrival seized everyone's attention in an instant.
The New Year's party, where new heroes typically debuted en masse, usually spotlighted them. But this Glazer batch was lackluster. Thus, the hottest topic in high society was Han Siu and Helena's engagement.
With both stars appearing together, the reaction was electric.
"No way they showed up together…."
"Guess the engagement is real."
"Oh my. Holding hands so tightly…."
"Letting Princess Helena escort him so meekly—deeper relationship than I thought? Or some ulterior motive…."
Not just a playground for nobles, the party prompted quick analyses from the crowd. Some reacted innocently, but most racked their brains desperately.
"Hee-hee. This is fun. How long since I've felt this vibe?"
Helena, who'd faced only glares and pity at events lately, beamed uncontrollably.
"You'd better brace yourself."
"For what?"
"Even hotter scrutiny. This is nothing, right?"
"I've been ready for that."
Third Princess Helena—the Iron-Blooded Princess—her blue eyes gleamed coldly.
As the two burned with resolve for the future, one woman approached first.
"Out of the way, all of you."
"……?"
A familiar voice.
Turning, Han Siu spotted a short girl with white twin tails.
"Long time no see, you little cum-rag?"
It was SS-grade hero Adlen.