"Young master, this ship is so big and beautiful!"
Upon boarding the Ryuusen, Sayo couldn't help but exclaim.
She had served as a maid in Haruki's household for a long time. Though she was now his woman, she still insisted on calling him "young master." Haruki didn't mind and let her be.
Even for Haruki, who wasn't exactly inexperienced, the real Ryuusen boat was far grander and more luxurious than the one he'd seen in the anime. For someone like Sayo, a country girl unfamiliar with such splendor, it was understandably overwhelming.
The Ryuusen shimmered with golden splendor. Countless rooms of varying sizes filled the deck, making it look like a floating luxury palace.
"Yes, it really is quite extravagant," Haruki said honestly. With his women, he didn't feel the need to always act like he knew everything—keeping up such an act was just too tiring.
"Lord Haruki, ladies, is there anything else I can assist you with?"
After escorting Haruki, Gin, and the other three women onto the Ryuusen, the official asked respectfully.
"No, we're just going to look around. Go take care of your business."
Haruki waved him off casually. It was rare for him to get out with the women, and he didn't want a third wheel tagging along.
"Understood, my lord. If you need anything, the staff know where to find me."
With that, the official left without another word. Though he held a fairly high rank, Haruki was simply too important to the Conscience Faction, which was why someone of his status had been sent to receive him personally.
As time passed, more and more people boarded the ship. Aside from the service staff, most were influential figures from the Imperial Capital.
Nearly everyone recognized Haruki. Because of that, they treated him with great respect, and their courtesy extended to the women at his side as well.
Once all the guests had arrived, the Ryuusen slowly pulled away from the harbor, gliding along the moat that encircled the capital.
As the voyage continued, a banquet began on board. For the aristocracy, this was the most common and effective way to mingle and network.
"Lord Haruki, would you do me the honor of dancing with my daughter? She's admired you for quite some time."
A middle-aged man in his thirties approached Haruki, wine glass in hand, and made the request.
Although he was respectful, he wasn't obsequious like the others. From his demeanor and the air of genuine nobility about him, it was clear he came from a family with a deep lineage.
"Hm?"
Haruki looked around, but didn't see the daughter he was referring to.
Sensing Haruki's confusion, the nobleman stepped aside, revealing a girl of about fourteen or fifteen. She stood around 165 centimeters tall and had long, light-purple hair.
She wore a purple princess dress that matched her hair and a pair of heels, giving her a striking appearance.
"Forgive me, Lord Haruki, my daughter is a little shy."
"Lina, didn't you say you wanted to meet Lord Haruki? You've finally got the chance. Why don't you lift your head?"
The man first apologized, then gently coaxed the girl behind him, who clutched the hem of her dress and kept her head down. It was obvious he cherished his daughter dearly.
Hearing her father's words, the girl slowly lifted her head and looked up at Haruki with large, watery eyes. But as soon as their eyes met, she quickly looked away again. She was clearly very shy.
Still, Haruki wasn't the least bit annoyed by her bashfulness. That kind of charm might just be a pretty girl's privilege. When he first saw those captivating violet eyes, even Haruki had been momentarily taken aback.
"Lina, was it? That's a beautiful name. Would you do me the honor of a dance?"
Haruki extended his hand to her with graceful poise.
"Y-Yes, I'd love to."
Although she still seemed shy, Lina accepted. Judging by her expression, her father hadn't been wrong—this was clearly something she truly wanted.
Despite her timid demeanor, Lina's dancing was refined and skillful. Haruki couldn't help but admire it—she had clearly received formal training from a young age.
"Lina, what made you want to meet me?"
Haruki asked as they danced, still curious.
After all, while he was well known in the capital, it was mostly due to his infamy as the Prince Charming.
"Well... I admire how you killed the former Security Minister for the sake of your woman. A lot of my sisters admire you too."
As she spoke, Lina looked at him with sincere admiration.
What Haruki didn't know was that ever since word spread that he had killed the former Security Minister's entire family for Gin, he had become a hero—and a prince charming—in the hearts of nearly every girl in the capital. No one had ever heard of a man who would risk offending such a powerful figure just for a woman.
This might have been one of Haruki's most unexpected gains yet.