The Seed Planted in Princess Arian
It was unexpected. Princess Arian couldn't help but think this as she looked at the heir of Yucheon Group, whose face was now revealed. 'He's handsome? He looks far more attractive than any movie actor. Why on earth has he been hiding that face?'
The face of the Yucheon Group heir named Cheon, now free of the mask, was strikingly handsome—enough to overshadow even professional actors. She wondered why he had gone to such lengths to conceal it, but she didn't ask. It would have been rude, and it might have caused discomfort to the heir of Yucheon Group.
Beyond mere etiquette, there was also the matter of national interest. Yucheon Group held a position of great importance to the Liberin Kingdom—so much so that her father, King Royus, had personally invited them. The artifacts produced by Levia, president of Yucheon Artifact, far surpassed the capabilities of the kingdom's renowned manufacturers. They posed a potential threat to the artifact industry, which the Liberin Kingdom had long regarded as its most vital sector.
Fortunately, they had established roots in the Liberin Kingdom and were said to employ local artifact craftsmen while implementing special measures to enhance performance. Still, these people could succeed spectacularly no matter which country they chose to align with. The kingdom had to ensure they remained here permanently.
'They must not become competitors. They must continue as partners.' This wasn't strictly Princess Arian's domain, but given her position, she had overheard enough to understand the stakes. For the Liberin Kingdom, it was essential that Yucheon Artifact of Yucheon Group stayed.
"Hah, the man is far more impressive than I expected. I never imagined he would be such a clean-cut, handsome young man."
At her father King Royus's words, Princess Arian found herself nodding slightly in agreement without realizing it. It was a tiny motion, but it showed how much she concurred. Honestly, she had even wondered whether the heir named Cheon might have some scar on his face.
"Thank you for the compliment."
The Yucheon Group heir responded with a calm expression to the praise about his appearance, then introduced himself.
"My name is Seo Moon-jin. I have no connection whatsoever to the Seo family of Korea, so I would appreciate it if you didn't associate me with them."
The heir of Yucheon Group had finally revealed his surname. Seo Moon-jin. Unusually, if written in the Korean style, the surname consisted of two characters and the given name was a single character.
'Koreans usually have a one-character surname and a two-character given name. I heard that among those with the surname Seo who are mana awakeners, very few are not from the Seo family...'
Princess Arian had studied Korean and taken an interest in Korean culture, so she found Seo Moon-jin's name distinctive. Korea, a powerhouse nation that produced many outstanding mana awakeners, had academies that attracted awakeners from around the world. The Seo family was one of Korea's prestigious houses known for producing exceptional mana awakeners. However, he had stated he was not from the Seo family, and in reality, there were far more people named Seo who did not belong to it. It was simply that mana-awakened Seos were rare. Because the Seo family came to mind first whenever someone named Seo appeared, people tended to automatically link them together.
It was no surprise that the Yucheon Group heir named Seo Moon-jin was a Seo who was not from the Seo family.
'The Seo family members are said to have blue hair. And blue eyes, too.'
His jet-black hair, completely different from the Seo family's blue, made it clear he was not affiliated with them. His eyes were also black, unlike the blue that was standard among the Seo family.
'He doesn't seem much different in age from me, either.'
Arian felt a personal curiosity about the man named Seo Moon-jin. With his hood down and mask removed, his face didn't appear significantly older or younger than hers.
"Let's save the detailed discussion for after the meal. Come, eat your fill."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Before any further conversation, the meal began. King Royus and Arian ate with their usual familiarity, wielding forks and knives, but Seo Moon-jin did not use them. He simply held a pair of chopsticks.
'It must be difficult to cut meat with chopsticks...'
That question arose in her mind, but Arian's curiosity was quickly resolved. Wrapping magic power around the tips of his chopsticks, he lightly touched the meat, and it sliced apart as cleanly as if cut by a knife. The neatness of the cut surface revealed that his skill was anything but ordinary.
"Your command of magic power is excellent."
"It's nothing more than a trivial trick. Thank you for the generous assessment."
Though brief exchanges occurred throughout, they focused primarily on the meal. The food was delicious, but Arian's mind was occupied less by the taste and more by what conversations would unfold once the meal ended. This was a table where a single word could determine national interests and economic outcomes—a seat she would one day have to take responsibility for herself.
'I wonder what they'll discuss...'
After finishing the dessert that followed the meal, the attendants began clearing the table. Seo Moon-jin, once again wearing his hood and mask, quietly watched as the dishes were removed. With the meal concluded, it was time for discussion to begin.
"I had many questions for President Levia beside you... but the decision-making authority rests with you now, doesn't it?"
King Royus shifted his gaze from Levia back to Seo Moon-jin as he asked. It was not Levia but Seo Moon-jin who had attended as the representative of Yucheon Group, which meant all decision-making power lay with him.
"That is correct."
Seo Moon-jin affirmed the king's words, and Levia nodded slightly as well.
"As he said, all authority rests with this gentleman. His will has always been my will."
At Levia's statement, King Royus looked at her with mild surprise. The fact that her will was always aligned with Seo Moon-jin's implied that she would follow him regardless of the occasion.
"I... may I ask what kind of relationship the two of you share?"
When King Royus fell silent for a moment, Arian sensed he was yielding the floor to her and cautiously posed the question.
"You may think of this gentleman as the heir to Yucheon Group, to whom I have sworn my loyalty."
Arian had wondered whether the two might be lovers, but Levia's mention of loyalty alone made it clear their relationship was simply that of lord and subordinate. From Levia's demeanor, Arian sensed a loyalty similar in direction to that shown by the Liberin Kingdom's royal knights.
"I see."
Arian felt a quiet disappointment at seeing Seo Moon-jin wearing the mask again, but she didn't mention it. It was merely the trivial regret anyone would feel upon seeing a handsome face covered once more.
"Um, may I call you Mr. Seo Moon-jin?"
Arian asked Seo Moon-jin in Korean, her pronunciation slightly unsteady. Until now, the entire conversation had been in Liberin, but she had switched to Korean because she had been studying the language and wished to converse with him more familiarly. The important matters would be handled by King Royus, but as someone of similar age, she wanted to build rapport so the discussion could flow more easily. She was also personally curious about the man named Seo Moon-jin.
"You've learned Korean. Are you planning to enroll in Korea's National Hero Academy?"
Her use of Korean had the desired effect; an interested response came immediately. Arian smiled softly and nodded.
"Yes. That is the plan."
She hadn't made an official announcement, but since there was no need to hide it, she readily confirmed.
"I see. I also plan to enroll in three years."
"Oh! Are we the same age, then?"
In three years, she would be twenty-one—the age at which one could officially enroll in the National Hero Academy. Academies for mana awakeners like the National Hero Academy required a minimum age of twenty-one, and she wondered if Seo Moon-jin might be the same age as her.
"Not quite. In three years, I will be twenty-two. There's no rule saying one must enroll exactly at twenty-one, is there?"
Unfortunately, they were not the same age. Rather, he was a year older.
"Is that so?"
Seo Moon-jin spoke to Arian, who looked slightly disappointed.
"And you may call me however you like."
* * *
Seo Moon-jin noticed King Royus watching his conversation with Arian with interest. According to the original story, the king would allow Arian to marry whomever she desired, but he would naturally hope she married someone beneficial to the nation. In that regard, even without displaying his overwhelming power, the mere fact that he was the heir to Yucheon Group would be more than sufficient.
"Then I'll call you Mr. Seo Moon-jin. And please, call me Arian when we're speaking privately."
The sight of Princess Arian speaking with a gentle, smiling gaze was quite charming. The combination of her naturally pure aura and the dignity of a princess created a beauty that was both innocent and captivating to men.
"I will do so, provided you grant me one request."
"A request?"
Surprised by his unexpected words, Princess Arian's expression showed a hint of bewilderment. Seeing the confusion in her pink eyes, Seo Moon-jin removed his mask and offered a soft smile.
"Yes. I would like to witness your abilities firsthand. Would you allow me that?"