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Aiden had only just learned that the bond in the Weaver of Fate could change forms, but more than that, what shocked him was something else entirely. 

– Additional copyable skills will be unlocked!

This phrase was what stood out. Aiden had glanced at Katia’s skill list before, but after hearing this statement and looking at it again, he was left speechless.

“… Seriously?”

He muttered under his breath without realizing it, as he watched the skills pour down the list. He had only checked to see what new skills were added, but…

‘Are all classes available now?’

In the game, the main characters each grow along different paths, and the road they walk differs accordingly. Whether it’s Noel or Katia, or the staggering power they display now, it’s all just the starting point for these humans. As the main scenario progresses, their specialties shift depending on the path they choose.

Take Noel, for example. There’s a swordsmanship-focused path, a physical enhancement focus, or a hybrid with magic to specialize as a magic swordsman. But now, the skills added to the list seem to cover every possible specialization.

‘Once you pick a specialty, you shouldn’t be able to learn anything else…’

The Weaver of Fate Aiden possessed could only copy the skills the target already had. But now, just from changing the bond, the pool of skills he could copy had drastically increased. It felt like…

As if he could copy these people’s entire “future.”

“Your Highness, so…”

“I’m not going back.”

“Also, give me the lieutenant position.”

Before he could continue his thoughts, a curt voice interrupted right in front of him. Not only did Katia refuse to return to the Holy Kingdom, but her next demand left Noel clutching at his own throat. She had found out the lieutenant position, always present at public events, was vacant, and her request was relentless.

This led to a rather awkward standoff. Although calling it a standoff is a bit much, as it was mostly Noel desperately trying to persuade Katia, who just listened with one ear and let it go out the other.

“A royal of one country behaving like this in another is simply unheard of, Your Highness. It’s unacceptable, both traditionally and administratively…”

“Lieutenant.”

“I’ve been saying it all along. This isn’t just difficult for the Empire; it also puts the Pope of the Holy Kingdom in an awkward position—”

“Lieutenant.”

“Lieutenant.”

“Just endure it.”

The last comment was from Aiden, who had noticed Noel subtly reaching for her sword hilt. It was almost serious enough that Aiden thought she might actually go through with it, seeing as the woman wouldn’t die anyway.

“Compared to the brawl we had not too long ago, this isn’t so bad.”

In contrast to that previous tension, this situation seemed mild. Still, it was fortunate Noel had a good temperament, now handling the person who had once driven her mad with minimal resentment.

“To begin with, doesn’t the current situation seem a little odd?” Katia said nonchalantly, interlocking her fingers behind her head.

“You two will soon be appearing together at various official events as a couple, so how did you plan to handle all those without a lieutenant?”

“Well…”

Now that she mentioned it, Noel had promised to appoint a lieutenant before but delayed it, saying he wanted to choose someone exceptional.

“It’s strange. The way servants are managed is one of the best ways to showcase one’s status. At your rank, not having one would draw negative attention.”

“Is it really that big of a deal?”

“It’s common knowledge in high society. What, are you treating your husband, Lionheart?”

Seriously, the fact that the word “common sense” came so easily from her mouth was one thing, but Noel’s embarrassed cough in response was equally odd.

“Before official events, I can handle the minor tasks, so it’s just a matter of finding the right person,” Noel said.

“Well, whatever the circumstances, not bringing one will make it hard for you to be viewed positively.”

Katia tapped her cheek and continued, “As I said earlier, showing up alone to such events is a great way to damage both your and your husband’s reputation. You know that, right?”

Noel pursed his lips, unable to argue against that point.

“All I have to do is not bring Aiden to such events.”

“If you don’t bring your future husband to social gatherings, do you realize the rumors that’ll spread? People will go wild with speculation about your relationship.”

“I’ll handle that. Neither I nor Aiden wants him entangled in major affairs.”

“Seriously…?”

Aiden stared at Noel with an almost dumbfounded look as she stubbornly held her ground. 

“I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

Looking at her now, Aiden wondered if she was too rigid for her own good. But Noel, hearing this, softened her expression, her eyes rounding as if she’d just heard something completely unexpected.

“What? But…”

“You could just go with me to those events. Isn’t that why you married me in the first place, so it wouldn’t be difficult for you in such situations?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then you should make use of it. I need to do my part as well, don’t I?”

Even though their marriage had started almost like a kidnapping, Aiden could always feel how sincerely Noel tried to help him. Whether it was financially or for convenience, Aiden could sense that Noel always went above and beyond what their contract stipulated. Returning that effort wasn’t too difficult.

Besides, Aiden had heard that the official reason for their marriage was to avoid the complications that come with having the “husband’s position” vacant in such circumstances.

“…Ah.”

However, hearing this, Noel hesitated, her lips twitching as she seemed to think hard about what to say.

“…Thank you.”

Her reaction, as if kindness toward him was unfamiliar, left Aiden speechless for a moment. It wasn’t even kindness; it was just common sense, and yet Noel seemed uncomfortable with it, which Aiden found bewildering.

“How did you end up with this kind of personality?” Aiden thought. For someone with such capabilities and position, having such low self-esteem was almost incredible to him.

Aiden sighed deeply and continued, “If you’re not comfortable with the princess acting as your lieutenant, can’t you just assign anyone temporarily to that role for now?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Yeah, that’s absurd.”

Both of them immediately dismissed the idea without any hesitation.

“The lieutenant is someone who’s always close to you. No matter how much you vet them, it’s never enough. There’s a reason no one’s been appointed so far.”

“Isn’t it said that the best roles for an assassination are chef, tailor, or secretary or lieutenant?”

This was the first time Aiden saw them in agreement. It seemed clear now just how dangerous the position was.

“So, appointing just anyone as lieutenant isn’t an option,” Aiden said.

“That’s why I’m saying I’ll do it. What’s the holdup?” Katia remarked, prompting Noel to shoot her a sideways glance.

“Are you not taking this job too lightly?”

“Well, the regular royal banquet is coming up soon, right? No matter what, you’ll have to attend that, won’t you?”

“Even so, having Your Highness act as Aiden’s lieutenant is a completely different matter.”

“…No.”

Aiden interrupted Noel mid-sentence, stroking his chin as he contemplated, looking as though he was doing mental calculations.

“Actually, it might not be such a bad idea.”

“…What?”

Noel stared at Aiden, looking as if she’d been struck on the back of the head.

“What do you mean by that—”

“If the issue is that she’s a royal, we can just hide that.”

“Excuse me?”

“As long as she’s not caught, isn’t that enough? We can figure something out. She could even just cover her face.”

“Oh, now you’re making sense,” Katia said with a grin, while Noel sighed and rubbed her forehead before responding.

“…Aiden, it seems like your attitude has changed.”

“No, I’m just saying we need to leave a good impression on people.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s the first event we’re attending together, so we should do it right, don’t you think?”

…

Noel widened her eyes, staring at Aiden in disbelief. It seemed she hadn’t expected such words to come from him. Aiden, who had always avoided troublesome things, now seemed to be welcoming this challenge.

However, Aiden couldn’t ignore what Katia had just brought up. This wasn’t just any event—it was the royal banquet.

“A royal banquet…”

In the game, it had just been a checkpoint mentioned in passing, but digging into the details revealed its significant importance. Not only were members of the royal family and influential nobles present, but key figures from foreign nations also occasionally made appearances. It was an event where the central characters of the main storyline were likely to show up, which made it quite crucial.

After all…

-Skill Info

<Weaver of Fate>

-Only you know the truth of this world. Build bonds with key figures in the main story to gain new rewards!

This means he’ll be able to use this quite effectively. Now that there’s a real need to get involved in the main scenario, collecting useful abilities as quickly as possible has become even more important than before. And he already knew who his first targets should be.

‘The Priestess. And the Imperial Prince.’

The priestess from Urgan, who likely came from the tribal alliance, and the legitimate heir to the imperial throne. And, of course, the suitor clinging to Noel—the reason Aiden found himself in this situation. These are major figures who greatly influence the main scenario.

“…Aiden.”

Noel, clearly feeling a headache coming on, spoke up again.

“I trust in your abilities, and I appreciate your concern for me. But the aristocratic social circles are, in many ways, not unlike a battlefield. Even the smallest misstep can be used against you, so I’d recommend reconsidering this carefully.”

“What do you mean by ‘used against me’?”

“Things like etiquette, customs, and even the smallest gestures or looks can be twisted to bring you down. For someone who’s never been to such gatherings, it’s hard to have a positive experience.”

Noel, speaking as if spitting the words out, caused Aiden to tilt his head in curiosity. It wasn’t often that Noel expressed such a negative opinion so openly.

“…Forgive me for asking, but do you have any bad experiences with that?”

“I wouldn’t say I have any good memories.”

Hearing Noel’s stiff response, Aiden chuckled dryly. Of course, given Noel’s nature, it seemed likely that she had kept her distance from backroom dealings, subtle politics, and the delicate web of personal relationships.

“So, let me boost your confidence.”

“…What?”

“I’ll make sure no one can look down on you.”

It was Aiden’s turn to offer Noel some support. After all, he’d have to stay on good terms with Noel moving forward.

‘It’s not like I see her as just a skill vending machine, but this relationship is going to be a key pillar for my survival as well.’

In that sense, helping her was far from a bad investment.

When it comes to etiquette, customs, and reading the room? If this were a place where violence clashed head-on, that would be different, but in an environment where those things are considered ‘weapons,’ it’s practically Aiden’s home turf.

After all, what had been his livelihood until now?

‘And besides…’

Aiden knew of a skill that would add wings to his talent.

Skill Info

<Weaver of Fate>

『Lionel XIII』

-Bond: Level 1  

– You may copy one skill.  

It was time to use the copying rights he’d previously received from the Emperor.  

[Copying special skill: Royal Bloodline.]  

***

In the endlessly tumultuous world of the social elite, rumors spread like a tangled web of threads. Especially in grand events like the imperial banquet, which attracted people from all over the empire.  

Gossip spread like wildfire: A certain noble lady dumped someone, a high-ranking noble had an affair somewhere… These kinds of rumors filled the air, but today, one particular topic was heating up the banquet even more than usual.  

“I hear the prince is attending the banquet tonight?”

“We’re so lucky to be able to see his face again!”

There are many types of men admired in social circles, but none as flawless in every aspect as the prince. His status, ability, appearance, and even his youth made him a rising star in the royal family with a strong foothold in power. It was no surprise he became a hot topic just by attending.

Just the mention of his name brought a lighthearted atmosphere and bright laughter among the noble ladies.

“Oh, and there’s something else interesting,” someone added.

“What is it?”

“It seems the ‘Lionheart’ is also attending with her partner tonight.”

“…Oh, really?”

In contrast to earlier, a strange tension began to circulate around the table.

“Lionheart… She’s quite the knight.”

“Indeed.”

They exchanged pleasantries, but the smirks and awkward expressions said otherwise. Lionheart was certainly impressive. At her young age, she had built her own reputation through her own strength, which was undeniably remarkable.

But…

“…So she really does have a husband. I’d heard about the marriage but thought it was just a rumor.”

“I mean, who would want to marry someone so aggressive? But I guess there’s someone out there with unique tastes.”

Among the noble ladies, who generally cared little for complex political affairs, there wasn’t much respect for Lionheart, despite her status as a national hero. Even though she had earned great military achievements in the war that had torn the continent apart, it didn’t really resonate with them.

Despite all she had accomplished, Lionheart was seen in social circles as stiff, old-fashioned, and closed-off, giving her a solid reputation as “arrogant.” From Noel’s perspective, she simply tried to remain neutral and avoid being swept into any faction. But that wasn’t something they cared to understand.

And, above all…

“Shall we see just how impressive her husband is? I mean, what could he have that made her reject the prince’s proposal so boldly?”

One of the noble ladies, without realizing it, voiced her true feelings, and immediately shut her mouth as she felt the sharp gazes from those around her. Everyone here knew that saying such things aloud was far too conspicuous, no matter how much they might agree. However, seeing that no one was actively voicing disagreement, it seemed they all shared the same sentiment. 

To them, it was infuriating that she had turned down the prince’s proposal—something they could only dream of.

“Presenting Lord Noel Astria Simus of the Imperial Command!”

As the saying goes, speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The subject of their conversation made their entrance. The ladies all raised their fans to cover their mouths, casting condescending glances at the person walking through the entrance.

The first to catch their attention was Lionheart, who entered the hall with her usual emotionless expression.

“…Another uniform, again?”

“Her lack of fashion sense has been obvious for a while now, but she could at least make an effort.”

The fact that she couldn’t even bother to follow basic dress codes further cemented her arrogance in their eyes. The noble ladies shared their opinions, then turned their attention to the person beside her.

And…

The sight of her groom, arm in arm with her, instantly silenced the ladies who had been mocking Lionheart moments earlier.

They were all likely thinking the same thing.

‘Her standards are high, after all.’

Had any of them had the chance to marry such a man, they might have been similarly selective. Just by appearance alone, he was someone who could easily be regarded highly.

He wasn’t a strikingly handsome man carved out of marble, nor was he draped in luxurious items like a wealthy magnate. Such men were commonplace in these social circles.

Rather, the man standing beside Lionheart might typically be dismissed as a nobody—someone who didn’t even belong in such a place, someone to be ridiculed.

But…

He had an “aura” similar to what they had just been discussing about the prince. There was a “nobility” that only royal family members possessed, and it radiated from him. It was clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person.

“Well… his first impression is… quite decent,” someone finally muttered, breaking the silence.

“Hmm,” another cleared their throat in agreement.

Though hesitant, they all nodded in reluctant approval. However, their evaluation was far from over. A refined appearance alone didn’t guarantee a man’s status. Without proper abilities or lineage, it was all just for show.

As they pondered this, the guards in the hall moved to block their entrance.

“The person beside you… may we know their identity?” one of the guards asked.

While Lionheart’s well-known lieutenant, Stella, was her usual escort, the figure beside her wore a full suit of armor, complete with a visor that obscured their face, leaving their identity a mystery. Naturally, the guards had to intervene.

“Lieutenant,” came the short response from Lionheart’s groom.

Immediately, the armor-clad figure exuded a presence that served as undeniable “proof of identity.” A small, colorless flame flickered—an ability no one could mistake for anything else.

Those who wield divine power fall into two categories: royalty and Paladins bound by sacred oaths. Clearly, this person wasn’t royalty, which meant they had to be a Paladin.

And as soon as that realization dawned on everyone, the hall fell into a sudden, palpable silence. Not only the noble ladies at the nearby table but also others in the room who had been observing closely were taken aback.

“…Divine power…”

“A Paladin… serving as a lieutenant?”

Paladins were the most important and powerful warriors in the Holy Kingdom, typically assigned only to guard members of the royal family. For Lionheart’s groom to have one as a lieutenant meant that, at the very least, he was treated on par with royalty from the Holy Kingdom.

Such a privilege was something even the most powerful nobles rarely experienced.

The sound of someone swallowing nervously echoed clearly in the hall.

In that moment, it became obvious to everyone. The man standing there, perhaps, was the most “important” person in the room.

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