Viviana was no fool. On the contrary, her keen intellect had long since identified the root of her strained relationship with Faust.
Her very existence threatened his claim to the throne.
Thanks to the magnanimous attitudes of the older generation, both Count Roselyn and His Majesty the King weren't fixated on whose bloodline would rule. As long as it benefited the Kingdom of Aurum, either would do.
That's why the King had granted his old friend's family tremendous authority, practically guaranteeing that military command would pass to the Roselyn descendants as a tribute to their friendship.
This wasn't something Viviana could avoid by simply pledging loyalty.
Even though the knight had zero interest in power, the mere fact that she possessed such capability made her a threat.
On the other hand, Faust had no intention of accepting a marriage alliance with her. After all, he made no effort to hide his desire to marry into a foreign royal house.
His ideals and ambitions centered on conquering the world. If Faust said he'd give up the throne, how could I possibly have such dreams?
Honestly, even though she desperately wanted to know Faust's true intentions, Viviana had never expected His Highness to say something like this.
Faust let out a long sigh.
"Viviana, I understand your frustration, your resentment, your unwillingness.
I've understood it all along. It's just that back then, I was already trapped in my own foolishness and arrogance."
"So you did know..."
The knight brushed aside the hair clinging to her cheek, her long lashes fluttering as she murmured softly.
What Viviana found most unbearable about Faust was that he knew full well how she felt, yet deliberately ignored it, even using those feelings as leverage to manipulate her at will.
Honestly, the fact that Viviana had endured this for years before finally snapping basically made her a saint.
"I used to scorn romantic entanglements, believing that only power and authority mattered, that everything was merely a bargaining chip to be traded."
Faust spoke with unprecedented sincerity.
"But now, because of you, I've changed my mind."
"When did I become such a power-hungry beast? It shouldn't be this way. People shouldn't live like this."
Viviana gazed quietly at Faust, her melancholic eyes studying the prince's handsome face.
Faust continued with mounting fervor. "Am I really such a heartless, ungrateful person?
No. It's just that to achieve my ambitions, I resolved to sacrifice everything else, all personal desires. Looking back now, I can see how twisted that was."
The Prince of Aurum declared resolutely, "Now more than ever, I understand that the crown doesn't matter at all. What matters are the bonds and emotions between people!"
"Your Highness, look at me."
Viviana's voice rang out. Faust realized his childhood friend wanted to verify whether his words were genuine.
She could absolutely do that.
Whether he was telling the truth or lying, the pale-blonde girl could tell at a glance. She was practically a lie detector custom-built for Faust.
If he'd been making excuses, Faust would've been checkmated right there. Fortunately, this time he was serious.
So His Highness met her gaze without hesitation.
"...!!"
Completely unlike all the sweet nothings he'd uttered in the past, Viviana found no trace of deceit or falsehood in the prince's reddish-brown eyes.
Only unprecedented sincerity.
Her clear pupils trembled slightly. The pale-blonde girl grasped the Prince of Aurum's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Your Highness... have you been suppressing your true nature all this time?"
"You could say that."
Faust smiled bitterly.
"Being so fixated on the throne was utterly foolish. Even if I'm starting now, from this moment forward, I want to live more freely, to fully enjoy the beauty this world has to offer. Is that okay?"
"Your Highness, it's not too late."
Viviana was nearly convinced.
She pressed the prince's palm against her delicate cheek and whispered, "Starting now, we can correct past mistakes.
Our relationship, our feelings, our future, we can start over!"
"I understand your resolve now. If this wish is true, I will do everything in my power to help you fulfill it. I swear this on the name of Viviana Roselyn!"
With that, the girl closed her eyes and knelt on one knee with solemn dignity, as if taking an oath on her declaration.
She really is easy to win over, Viviana.
Seeing this, Faust knew he'd passed the test and breathed a sigh of relief.
Under the constraints of fate, Faust couldn't reveal the truth about the Witch's Feast to her, so he couldn't say things like "I was deceived too" or "It's all fate's fault!"
That meant he needed a different reason. And he couldn't lie—he had to be completely sincere.
So his words weren't just empty flattery. If anything, he'd held back a bit.
Faust had indeed been moved by Viviana, his perspective dramatically transformed—but not because he'd been melted by his childhood friend's burning devotion.
Rather, he'd been awed into submission by the Witch's Feast's overwhelming power to twist hearts and fate itself at will.
[Now that you know fate's might, do you plan to submit? For a child of man, that would be the wise choice.]
"Submit? You've got to be kidding!"
Faust immediately denied it. "I'm just being flexible."
In an ordinary world, his previous mindset wouldn't have been wrong. To achieve great ambitions, you should cast aside romance and avoid indecision!
But here... this was a fairy tale world dominated and controlled by fate. You couldn't apply common sense.
Under fate's manipulation, even the highest royal authority was nothing but a toy to be played with.
No matter what fairy tale it is, no matter its foundation, direction, or how it's been altered, they all generally celebrate beautiful human emotions.
In the fairy tale world, characters who are calculating, obsessed with schemes, and ruthless always end up as stepping stones for those driven by love.
I'm saying being lovesick is a top-tier attribute. Anyone getting this?
Whether it's genuine emotion or deliberate performance, Faust had to appear loyal and devoted!
Besides, who says giving up the throne means giving up power?
In the fairy tale world, "Prince" was far more prestigious than "King." No matter how much of a tool he might be, a "Prince" at least had a role in fate's script.
If he ascended the throne and lost his "Prince" attribute, who was going to make up for the buffs I'd be missing?
Ever since learning the truth about this world, Faust had been planning to maintain his "Regent Prince" status indefinitely. Now he was just going with the flow, fully acknowledging it in front of Viviana.
[Oh, so that's your thinking. That's truly... quite perceptive.]
After hearing Faust's true thoughts, Mephisto gave a meaningful laugh and offered what was clearly praise.
[In just a few days, you've grasped the essence. Most children of man, even after awakening from fate, could spend their entire lives without seeing through it.]
Faust chuckled.
"Of course. Otherwise, how would I be qualified to be your contractor?"
[I'm increasingly glad I formed a contract with you, Faust. You bring more than just interesting stories. Perhaps you can truly help me accomplish that matter...]
What matter?
Mephisto's whisper gradually faded. Faust was about to ask when Viviana, who had been kneeling for some time, stood up.
Whatever she'd been thinking, she looked refreshed, and even the lingering melancholy in her brow had dissipated somewhat.
"Your Highness, please forgive my offenses during this time. Allow me to release your bonds."
Faust shook his head. "I should be thanking you. Otherwise, I'd still be deluded."
He really did have to thank Viviana!
Watching the guard dissolve the binding spell on him, as the spiritual chains shattered, the Prince of Aurum stretched lazily.
"All right, time to get out of here."