The Ancient Imperial Calendar Year 1822
After the birth, everything seemed as it was before.
Ricardo was busy during the day with state affairs and at night with bed affairs.
One day, two unexpected guests arrived.
The door of the study was knocked several times.
"Enter," said Ricardo.
When the doors opened, two people entered the study.
"It has been a long time, Dynasty Lord."
When Ricardo lifted his head, he saw Arlek and Arnheid.
"It has been a long time, Arlek, Arnheid. Sit."
Arlek and Arnheid sat down in front of Ricardo.
Arlek began speaking with a smiling face.
"Congratulations, Dynasty Lord. Your first son has been born."
Arnheid spoke with the same smile.
"I also congratulate you, Dynasty Lord. If you allow, I would like to meet with Marilin and congratulate her as well."
"Of course, you can meet with Marilin, Arnheid."
Arnheid was happy. Arlek decided to get to the point.
"Dynasty Lord, with your permission, there is something I wish to ask you."
"You may ask, Arlek."
"Will you take my sister Arnheid as your wife again?"
If not for the Spirits' attack, Arnheid would have been Ricardo's first wife. However, with the Spirits' attack and Ricardo's curse, their marriage had been annulled by the former Dynasty Lord, Orsman IV.
Ricardo did not want to take many wives because, in the Western Lands where the Heirs' War tradition was still active and a new one was expected, more male heirs could be born.
Due to Dilara's damaged womb and Meiran not wanting a third child, Ricardo had thought that all his future sons would be born only by Marilin.
If all his sons were born by a single wife, assassinations within the palace would not occur, and it would be easier to implement the new system.
However, not taking Arnheid as his wife could cause greater problems.
Arnheid, like Marilin, had not married for years despite Ricardo's curse.
She had clung to the dream that Ricardo, who had saved her from Xanros and accepted her with love despite her feeling defiled, would one day break free from his curse and marry her.
"It's a difficult decision, but I cannot leave Arnheid like this. Not accepting her would both make her a laughingstock among women and make me look like a scoundrel who mocks a woman's loyalty," thought Ricardo.
Silence had taken over the room. After a while, Ricardo gave his answer.
"Arnheid, I do not want more wives. However, I will not leave your loyalty unrewarded. Women like you are rare in these times."
Although Ricardo said this outwardly, inwardly he wanted to take responsibility because of the pains and traumas his half-brother had inflicted on Arnheid.
Additionally, he wanted her as his wife because she was a relative on his mother's side, came right after Marilin in terms of beauty, and was an ice mage on par with his mother, Seliarnevre.
"Not taking Arnheid as my wife is an impossible situation. At least in the Western Lands, as a wife, Arnheid is the last candidate. After my curse, all my other wife candidates were married off to others, so I won't have another wife."
Arlek and Arnheid were very happy to have received a positive response.
"I will give the order to begin the wedding preparations. You may go."
Arlek and Arnheid stood up, bowed their heads in salute, and left the room.
As they walked through the palace corridors, Arnheid felt like she could fly with joy.
"Brother, I'm so happy. I never expected him to accept me."
"Me too. Everyone kept saying the Dynasty Lord was in an obsessive love with Lady Marilin and didn't see anyone else."
Arnheid slightly lowered her head and smiled.
"I was so afraid of being rejected, but he accepted me."
A fear gripped Arlek's heart.
"I hope you never have a son, Arnheid."
Arnheid nodded with a somber expression.
"Yes. Marilin is the strongest and smartest woman of our age. Perhaps the only person in the Western Lands who could rival her in power and intellect is the Dynasty Lord."
Arlek was lost in thought.
"The most handsome, intelligent, and powerful man, the Dynasty Lord, and the most beautiful, intelligent, and powerful woman, Marilin. The children born from the union of these two will possess unparalleled beauty, intelligence, and power, regardless of whether they are boys or girls. The next Dynasty Lord will definitely be one of Marilin's sons. This is inevitable. That's why Arnheid must never give birth to a son. Never."
The Western Lands began preparations for the new wedding of the Kislavein Dynasty Lord.
One month later, Ricardo and Arnheid were married.