Eirik could hear the truth hidden beneath Zion's lighthearted answer.
After what had happened at the imperial banquet, offending the royal family was practically unavoidable. Zion had openly rejected Vanessa, publicly refused to submit to the General's Residence, and then accepted an engagement with Callista instead. Whatever the Emperor's personal feelings toward him might be, there was no doubt that the situation had become complicated.
After a brief silence, Eirik asked carefully, "Then... are you really willing to marry Princess Callista?"
There was genuine concern in his voice.
Eirik had seen Callista visit Origin Medical Hall more than once. He had also noticed how naturally the two interacted with each other. Their relationship was clearly not as distant as an ordinary political engagement.
From the outside, the marriage looked entirely forced.
But Eirik could not be certain that was the whole story.
Zion considered the question before answering calmly.
