The air in the Reinhardt estate carried the faint scent of old parchment and polished wood, a lingering reminder of a once-proud noble house now reduced to shadows of its former prestige. Yuuto walked through the halls with Sophia at his side, their steps echoing against the marble floor. The deal had been struck—Sophia Reinhardt would be his wife, legitimizing his rule over Redbrook.
But there were still questions lingering in his mind. Chief among them—how had Sophia remained untouched by Iron Fang during their occupation? He had assumed the mercenaries had taken full control of the town, yet she had been safely hidden in the estate while the rest of Redbrook suffered.
As if sensing his thoughts, Sophia broke the silence. "You're wondering why I was safe when the rest of Redbrook wasn't."
Yuuto glanced at her. "It's a fair question. Iron Fang wasn't known for their mercy. Why would they leave a noblewoman unharmed?"
She smirked slightly. "Because they never knew I was here."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow.
Sophia continued as they entered the study, a large room lined with shelves of leather-bound books. "When Iron Fang invaded, they took control of the town, but they didn't storm the mansion outright. At the time, my father convinced them that we had no real power left and that our cooperation would be more beneficial to them. They accepted his submission and left the estate alone, thinking it held nothing of value."
Yuuto folded his arms. "And you?"
"I was never supposed to be here in the first place," she admitted. "I had been studying at the Royal Academy in the capital for the past four years. I only returned home two months ago when my father wrote to me about the town's troubles." Her expression darkened slightly. "By the time I arrived, Iron Fang had already taken control."
Yuuto studied her carefully. She had been educated in one of the most prestigious institutions in the kingdom, a place where the children of nobles, scholars, and the exceptionally gifted were trained. That meant she wasn't just some pampered noblewoman—she had been raised among the future leaders of the kingdom, taught diplomacy, history, combat, and politics.
"And your father never mentioned you?"
Sophia shook her head. "As far as Iron Fang knew, Baron Cedric had no family left. My mother passed years ago, and they assumed I had remained in the capital. My father ordered the servants to keep my presence a secret, and I remained hidden within the estate."
Yuuto chuckled. "So while the town suffered, you were here in comfort?"
Her blue eyes flashed. "You think I enjoyed it?" she shot back. "Hiding like a coward while the people suffered? Watching as my father—once a respected noble—cowered before those mercenaries?" She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "No. I hated every moment of it."
Yuuto smirked. There was fire in her—good. He needed someone with ambition, not just a noblewoman who would bend to his will without thought.
"And yet you still didn't act," he pointed out.
Sophia's jaw tightened. "What could I have done? Fight them alone? I may have been trained at the Royal Academy, but I wasn't foolish enough to think I could take on an entire mercenary force by myself."
Yuuto nodded slowly. "Fair point."
Sophia's expression softened slightly. "That's why I agreed to our marriage," she admitted. "Not just because it gives you legitimacy—but because you acted. You didn't cower like my father, and you didn't hesitate like I did. You took power while everyone else stood still."
Yuuto smirked. "And now you want a piece of that power?"
Sophia smiled faintly. "I want to make sure it isn't wasted."
Yuuto chuckled. "Then you've made the right choice."
She tilted her head. "And what about you? You could have ruled Redbrook through sheer force. Why go through the trouble of making it legitimate?"
Yuuto's crimson eyes gleamed. "Because I don't just want a town. I want an empire. And legitimacy is a foundation I can build upon."
Sophia studied him for a long moment, then nodded approvingly. "Then we have an understanding."
He liked that about her—she wasn't just a noblewoman to be claimed. She had a sharp mind, and more importantly, she understood power.
"Now," Sophia continued, turning toward the shelves. "If you're serious about ruling, you'll need to understand the structure of the kingdom. I have records from my time at the Academy—political maps, noble family histories, trade routes…" She trailed her fingers along the spines of the books before selecting one. "If you want to expand, you need to know what you're up against."
Yuuto took the book from her, flipping through the pages. He wasn't just here to rule Redbrook—this was only the first step. He would need to understand the kingdom's politics, its power struggles, and its weaknesses if he wanted to expand further.
Sophia smirked. "And while you study, I'll begin preparations for our official announcement. The town will need to see the ceremony if they are to fully accept your rule."
Yuuto closed the book with a smirk of his own. "Then let's get to work."
---
Over the next few days, Yuuto worked alongside Sophia to consolidate his rule over Redbrook. With the town freed from Iron Fang, the people were eager for stability.
Sophia handled the political transition, ensuring the former officials loyal to her father swore allegiance to Yuuto. Those who resisted were swiftly dealt with—stripped of power and replaced with individuals who understood that Yuuto was now in charge.
Meanwhile, Yuuto focused on military strength. He recruited able-bodied men from the town to form a militia, training them with the weapons Iron Fang had left behind. His personal power was growing as well—Selene, his first bound partner, had started assisting with logistics, using her merchant connections to secure supplies.
The town was transforming under his rule, but Yuuto knew this was only the beginning.
Sophia had been right—he needed to understand the larger political landscape. The kingdom was ruled by King Aldric von Rosenberg, an aging monarch whose hold on the land was weakening. Beneath him were powerful noble families, each governing their own territories, some of whom had ambitions that extended beyond their lands.
Yuuto's eyes gleamed as he examined the kingdom's structure.
A weak king. Greedy nobles. A shifting balance of power.
The perfect environment for conquest.
Sophia stood beside him, arms crossed. "So? What's your next move?"
Yuuto smirked. "First, we stabilize Redbrook. Then we expand."
She raised an eyebrow. "And after that?"
Yuuto's smile widened. "Then we take the kingdom."
The fires of ambition burned bright. Redbrook was his foundation. From here, he would rise—one step at a time—until the entire kingdom bowed before him.
And Sophia, with all her noble pride and sharp intellect, would be right there beside him.
Their partnership had just begun.