## Chapter 1290 – The Capital

I need to answer things like this decisively.

No dragging things out or playing games. Even so, the Karga Royal Family is trying to give me all sorts of things and showing their sincerity to keep me, a powerful transcendent, tied down.

That’s why I need to clearly convey my intentions.
That’s just basic courtesy.

“The offer is rejected.”

Upon hearing that answer, Ainfel…

“What…?”

…was visibly shaken. Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, reacting as if she’d heard something unbelievable.

The conditions are certainly good. It’s probably unexpected enough that she never even considered I would reject it immediately. But what can I do? When it comes to things like this, I value…

…love above all else.

Love Demon King Kim Ggat-teu…

…doesn’t acknowledge arranged marriages.

“Why…? No. Why? You don’t even want to consider postponing the decision for a bit?”
“No. It’s polite to answer immediately, not vaguely, in these situations.”
“That’s the right way to… No. Wait a moment.”

Ainfel, who had looked quite flustered, regained her composure in an instant as if she had gathered her body and mind. She regained her diplomatic attitude from before and spoke again.

“I’ll say it again, there won’t be better conditions than this. The status of Grand Duke. Territory the size of a duchy. And even this country comes along with this one-sided deal? Shouldn’t you say there’s only benefit, right?”
“That’s true. I felt just now how much goodwill the Karga Royal Family is showing me with that offer.”
“Then.”
“Arranged marriage.”

I cut off Ainfel’s words.

With both arms resting on the armrest of the sofa, I leaned back comfortably and stared into her eyes as I spoke.

“It’s something that lacks love.”

Love.

It lacks it.

No Love.

“So I won’t do it.”
“…?”

Silence descended.

“…?”

Ainfel continued to look puzzled, as if she had heard something incomprehensible. It felt like she was trying to decipher the meaning of my words.

Of course, I’m a man who does exactly what he says.

After pondering for a long time with question marks floating around, Ainfel opened her mouth again.

“…What?”
“Why?”
“What did you just say…?”
“I said it lacks love.”
“…”
“There’s no way such a marriage could be good.”

There’s no real emotional exchange between Ainfel and me.

Love or anything like that aside, the situation isn’t much different from when I met the Elf Queen Shahran last time. I already rejected the Elf Queen’s proposal, so me having an arranged marriage with a princess?

It doesn’t make sense.

More than anything, Ainfel herself is the same. She’s clearly aware that it’s an arranged marriage. She’s trying to win me over by treating herself as a tool.

There’s no emotion there. This is even worse than Shahran. At least Shahran tried to cling to me, saying she fell in love at first sight or something.

Becoming an emotionless tool and having an arranged marriage?
It’s not good for me, and it’s not good for Ainfel herself.

“Therefore, I won’t do it.”
“W-Wait? Hold on? What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you hear me properly?”
“Love?”

She heard me just fine.

“Yes. There’s no love in an arranged marriage.”
“Huh?”

Ainfel seemed to not understand my words at all. Should I just say she’s not recognizing them properly, so she’s reacting as if she’s glitched out right now?

Then I should explain it properly here.

“A marriage without love is outside my interest.”

ㅡChwaak.

I immediately spread out my hand and put my power into it.

ㅡHwareureureureuk!

White flames immediately blazed.

“What are you doing…”
“Listen.”
“…”
“This powerful force of mine…”

I continue speaking while looking at the flames. I can feel it in my hand. An immense power. This was the ultimate power completed through love and Fusion Confucianism.

“All of it stems from my love. This power is the power of love. I became a powerful transcendent through love. Therefore, I value love very highly.”
“What?”

That’s the Love Demon King.

That’s the ideology of the Love Demon King, who has eight beautiful wives with big breasts.

“Wait a moment. I can’t understand the meaning.”

Ainfel, flustered again, glanced left and right and rubbed her neck with her hand. Her face was slightly flushed, as if she was feeling the heat.

“No. Seriously. So? You mean you won’t have an arranged marriage because there’s no love? Ah, no. I’m not asking in a strange way.”

Is she feeling hot?

She waved her hand like a fan to cool her face and said that.

“It’s just so unexpected. It’s something I’ve never thought about, so I’m just asking. I don’t have any intention of insulting you… I just want you to listen as is. Is love the problem? Is there no other reason?”
“Hehehe, that’s right. You’re starting to understand now.”
“I did hear those words from that person… I never thought I’d be blocked by something like this…”

“That person” refers to the Sword Master. I spouted nonsense about love and whatnot to that old woman too, so of course the princess would know.

“So really. You mean there has to be love for you to get married?”
“Isn’t that obvious? It’s marriage, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think it’s… obvious.”

Ainfel spoke softly, as if she didn’t really know what love was.

“That’s the difference between you and me, Ainfel. What do you pursue while living?”
“The prosperity of the kingdom. And peace. I pursue that.”
“How princess-like.”

A textbook answer.

As a princess, she acts to pursue the prosperity of the kingdom. It’s a kind of noblesse oblige.

She values the kingdom more than herself, so she can unhesitatingly speak of arranged marriage.

“I am a man who pursues the power of love.”
“…”
“That’s the difference in values.”
“…Values.”

It’s a difference in values.

I will spread my love throughout this world. The love of Fusion Confucianism, reaching out to every corner, will eventually benefit this world. Of course, it’s also natural that evil guys will be crushed to death by my strict love in the process.

“…Is there no way?”

ㅡTsupat.

Ainfel’s energy suddenly sharpened.

But it was only for a fleeting moment. It didn’t seem like she was showing hostility, but was she a little annoyed? Seeing that she hid it right away, she’s still a princess after all.

“Even without that love.”
“No.”
“…”

When I answered firmly, I caught a glimpse of an emotion similar to anger flashing across her eyes once again.

“I never thought I would really be blocked by something like this.”

Ainfel is frustrated.

From my perspective, it seems like she’s a bit upset right now. That’s only natural. As a princess, she probably never even imagined she would be rejected.

Should I give her some good advice as an elder?

“Ainfel. Be honest. Your royal family just wants to tie me down like that because I might be a dangerous element, right? Me, who has been confirmed to be stronger than the Sword Master.”
“It’s not exactly that…”
“Don’t hide it.”

Ainfel lowered her head slightly at my words.

“You’re trying to have an arranged marriage for something like that? That’s not good.”
“…”
“Ainfel. It might sound strange for me to say this to you, who was born a princess, because our positions are different. But when a man and a woman live together… love is important.”
“U-Uhm…”

There’s nothing more important than love…!
The most important thing in this world is love!

When people abandon their love for others, the world falls into ruin.

“There’s nothing good about living together recklessly when you don’t really want to. There’s no happiness. Because happiness isn’t something you just get supported from somewhere.”

There’s no happiness support system in this world.
You can’t receive a special happiness for free.

“You make it yourself. So an arranged marriage that you do not of your own will is not happy. That’s why I won’t do it.”
“Love and… happiness are important, huh.”
“Yes.”
“I’m surprised. I never imagined I would hear these words.”

ㅡHaa.

Ainfel, with her hand on her chest, let out a breath. A deep breath taken as is. Ainfel closed her eyes and calmed her breathing.

“Do you know anything about love?”
“…I don’t know.”
“I know it damn well.”

Did Ainfel grow up without receiving love?

Actually, it might be absurd to say that someone who was born into the royal family and lived there all their life grew up receiving love.

In the first place, the upper classes in this other world all grew up like shit when they were young. A happy family full of love is rather rare. The world itself is just like that. The image of a happy family is just a modern thing.

“Anyway, it’s a rejection. Arranged marriage is a no-go.”
“…”

Ainfel stared at me intently.

“Haa.”

And then she said with a sigh.

“The conditions are this good. And my beauty should also be objective. But you still reject it because there’s no love… Hehe, interesting. I feel like I know a little more about what kind of values you pursue.”
“It’s not ‘feel like,’ I just told you everything. I told you last time too, accept it as is.”
“Okay. I will.”

Please understand what I’m saying.

“If I were to be rejected, I thought it would be for some other reason… I misjudged the information that you like women. Really. It’s a really unique thing. It’s too unique. No. Is it natural for someone with that much power to be unique…”

ㅡTaktaktak.

Whether it’s a habit or something, Ainfel continued speaking while tapping the armrest with her fingers.

“Love is more important than beauty and conditions, huh.”
“Yes. How many times do I have to say it?”
“It’s that shocking. At the same time, my pride is a little hurt too. I thought you would definitely accept it.”
“What’s there to be proud about?”
“No. Never mind. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay. Then what. Is the story over at this point?”

The story with the princess is over. Actually, I didn’t really want to receive anything. Why would I bother receiving something? I can do everything myself. Still, I should keep in mind that they’re trying to show me goodwill.

Just as I stood up from my seat.

“Wait.”

Ainfel raised her hand.

“Wait.”
“Why? Is there something more to say?”
“Yes.”

I sat back down.

“Then tell me.”

I have plenty of time today anyway.

“First of all, I understand that you don’t like arranged marriages. It’s too unexpected, but it’s true that there’s no love. We haven’t met much either. Right?”
“Yes.”
“That means… you value a kind of romance? Something like that?”
“Should I call it romance? Well, it’s similar. Anyway, that also needs love.”
“It’s something I’ve only seen in books. Things like that.”
“That’s because you’re royalty. This kind of love is common outside the royal palace.”
“I see.”

Ainfel continued speaking while gently stroking her lips with her finger.

“Then what if.”
“What if?”
“If you could get that love, would you consider marriage?”
“Is that how the conversation is going?”

She’s going to get love from me?

That’s an extremely difficult thing.

My love is infinite, but there are very few women who can properly receive it.

“I’m sorry. It’s an order I received from the Great King. I want to carry it out if I can. And… I myself want this marriage. No. I want to do it.”

What do you mean you want to?

“Then since this is a marriage I want to do, wouldn’t it not be an arranged marriage?”
“You’re playing with words.”
“I personally had a great interest in you. I was able to accept it because I generally have a good feeling about you.”

So what are you trying to say?

“Whatever it is, you’re saying I just need to get that love, right?”
“Can love arise for someone who approaches you saying that?”
“I wonder?”
“Give up if you’re thinking of conquering me.”

I stood up from my seat again.

The story should be about this much. I’m going to hear something again for being courted outside. More than that, I feel like I know how Claudi will react, and I hate things like this. Of course, Claudi will affirm me.

“Uhm… it’s a shame. Hey. There will be many more offers like this in the future. You’re not feeling bad, are you?”
“It would be bad if you keep doing it when I say I don’t like it.”