— — — — — —
When he heard that La Folia had requested an audience, Ryo's eyes flickered with brief confusion.
Sooner than I expected. Has she already guessed that I intend to take control of the Rihavein family?
He frowned slightly, then turned toward Yukina outside the door. "Let her in."
Less than a minute later, the door opened.
A woman stepped inside—long silver-white hair cascading down her back, pale blue eyes clear and bright. She wore the formal knight attire of an Aldegian woman, tall boots hugging her legs, a light green gemstone at her collar that echoed the color of her eyes. Elegant. Composed.
"Good day, Your Majesty."
La Folia stopped at the entrance and offered a graceful bow.
Behind her, Yukina gave her a brief look before closing the door.
Ryo nodded and studied her for a moment before gesturing toward the sofa across from him, "Sit."
La Folia's lips curved faintly. With a sweet smile, she crossed the room and sat down, one leg angled neatly over the other.
Her gaze drifted to the half-empty glass of red wine on the table—left there by Aswad. Lowering her eyes, she asked in an almost innocent tone, "Is there any wine?"
Ma'am… alone in a room with a man and you want to drink?
The corner of Ryo's mouth twitched.
"Help yourself."
La Folia smiled and reached for the bottle.
The moment her fingers brushed it, her eyes went unfocused for an instant.
A vision.
Someone sitting where she now sat, holding a wineglass, sipping lightly, wearing a captivating smile. Purple hair tied into twin tails. Red nail polish. A youthful face, stunningly beautiful.
The Second Primogenitor. The Fall Gazer. Aswad Guul Aziz.
The revelation faded.
La Folia's smile remained, but inside, her thoughts were in turmoil.
The Second Primogenitor had been sitting here not long ago, drinking with Ryo?
That's… not exactly what I'd call a normal alliance.
Her heart pounded, but outwardly she remained the picture of refined composure. Only her tone grew bolder.
"Your Majesty, have you ever heard something?"
"What is it?"
Ryo lifted his eyes to her, curious what game she was playing.
La Folia tilted her lips upward and lightly shook the wine bottle in her hand. "Wine isn't something that truly gets people drunk."
You want something stronger? …Wait. Are you implying I should get you drunk and then—?
He gave her a strange look. After less than a second, he said calmly, "What a coincidence. I also heard a saying?"
She smiled, adopting the attentive posture of a good listener.
Ryo's voice carried a faint hint of amusement. "Wine doesn't intoxicate people—people intoxicate themselves. Ever heard that one?"
"A saying from Japan."
La Folia sighed softly, then smiled again. "Come to think of it, Your Majesty, weren't you born there?"
"Something like that."
Ryo had no intention of elaborating. Instead, he cut straight to it. "Princess, you came to see me. What exactly do you want to discuss?"
"Just call me La Folia."
She looked at him sincerely. After a moment, she lowered her eyes slightly, her cheeks flushing pink.
"I believe, given the relationship between us, we can use something more… intimate."
Ryo's eyelid twitched. He feigned surprise. "And what relationship would that be?"
La Folia avoided answering directly. In a gentle, roundabout way, she said, "Have you forgotten? The thing you left inside me a year ago… I can still feel its warmth."
Ryo's mouth twitched. Miss, please don't describe sealing your spiritual power like you're pregnant.
"You specifically requested an audience just to talk about this?"
"Ah? Your Majesty, what exactly is 'this'?" she asked, widening her eyes with innocent confusion.
But the glint beneath that innocence was unmistakably mischievous.
Ryo sighed. "If you keep this up, I guarantee you won't be able to walk out of this room today."
It wasn't a threat. It was a warning.
He had no desire to see headlines the next morning about the Aldegian princess limping out of his room, clinging to the wall. That would spark an international incident.
"I can take that as a threat?" La Folia's expression grew more serious.
"You may."
She straightened slightly. "In that case, I accept such an outcome. I have no experience, but if it would satisfy you, I'm willing to learn… P-Please be gentle."
"…"
Ryo stared at her eager expression in silence.
For a moment, it felt like his room had turned into some brothel, and La Folia was the one doing the picking.
This was absurd.
Still, he had to admit she had seized control of the conversation.
When this woman decided to flirt, she really didn't hold back.
"If you continue like this, I may have to consider negotiating with someone else," he sighed.
"Someone else? Who?" she asked, feigning curiosity.
"Your mother."
"Ah—" La Folia's composure cracked for a split second. "Perhaps you should reconsider?"
"Oh?"
A bad feeling crept up on him.
"You see… Mother hasn't finalized her divorce yet… Or are you into married women? Because if that's the case, then I—"
"Stop. Right there."
Ryo raised a hand sharply, glaring at her.
"Could you keep your mind out of the gutter for once?"
Switching negotiators and she jumps straight to that? He wasn't that deranged.
"I'm relieved to hear you say that."
La Folia broke into a bright, cheerful smile. Whether it was genuine or not, Ryo couldn't quite tell.
"Can we discuss actual business now?" he said with mild exasperation. In private, he really wasn't used to putting on airs.
Maybe authority required the right setting—and the right audience.
For a fleeting moment, he found himself missing Aizen. At least Aizen had been meticulous, eloquent, and able to command any room. Not to mention their perfect understanding—he had been the ideal partner.
"Of course."
La Folia smiled sweetly. "Do you happen to have any vodka?"
"… "
Ryo went silent.
Seeing his expression, she stuck out her tongue apologetically.
"Ah, sorry. You know how Aldegians are. We prefer a few bottles of vodka when discussing serious matters."
"Riiight," Ryo drawled, his eyes rolling with mock disbelief.
.
.
.