After finishing their shopping, the two focused on attending to important matters.
Not long afterward, they arrived before a magnificent yet somewhat dilapidated mansion. Despite its worn appearance, the estate still retained an air of majesty, a remnant of its former glory.
Liser looked up at the manor in curiosity.
"This is the Rothchile estate," Kristina explained. "The current head of the family is a close friend of mine."
Liser was puzzled. No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand how Kristina had become acquainted with the head of such a prestigious military family.
Sensing his confusion, Kristina smiled.
"You'll see."
Liser simply nodded.
Kristina walked forward and knocked on the heavy iron gate.
A maid with long purple hair soon appeared. Upon seeing Kristina, surprise did not appear on her face. Instead, she looked genuinely delighted.
"Lady Kristina, welcome. Have you come to visit Miss Grace?"
"Mhm. Where is she?" Kristina asked.
"Miss Grace is currently training in the practice yard. I'll escort you."
The maid then glanced toward Liser with a curious expression.
"And this gentleman is...?"
Kristina answered proudly,
"This is my fiancé, His Highness the Fourth Prince."
A trace of surprise flashed across the maid's face, but she quickly recovered and performed a flawless curtsy.
"Your Highness, please forgive my delayed greetings."
Liser waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine."
The maid escorted them deeper into the estate.
As they approached the training grounds, a powerful shout echoed through the air. The voice carried strength and determination.
Entering the yard, Liser saw a woman striking a training dummy with a sword.
She possessed long crimson hair and sharp hawk-like eyes. Combined with her toned physique and fierce aura, she radiated a wild, untamed beauty.
In simple terms, she looked absolutely badass.
Sensing visitors, the woman stopped and looked toward them.
The moment she saw Kristina, a warm smile bloomed on her face.
"Kristina? What brings you here?"
Kristina smiled back.
"What? Am I not allowed to visit my friend? How have you been lately?"
Grace sighed.
"Not well. But enough about me. You've caused quite a stir recently."
Her eyes then fell upon the young boy standing beside Kristina. She looked at her friend questioningly.
Kristina smiled proudly.
"This is my fiancé, the Fourth Prince, Liser."
Then she turned toward Liser.
"This is Grace Rothchile, the current head and sole remaining member of the Rothchile family."
A trace of sympathy flashed through Grace's eyes when she looked at Kristina.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Please, come inside."
Though polite, her tone was somewhat stiff.
Kristina chuckled softly and followed her inside. Liser followed behind.
Soon, they arrived at the reception room.
Kristina and Liser sat together on one side, while Grace sat opposite them.
Liser quietly observed the room. The walls were decorated with weapons and banners bearing the Rothchile crest. The rugged decoration perfectly reflected the nature of a warrior family.
Grace was the first to speak.
"So, what wind blew you here today?"
Kristina nodded.
"You've already heard about my situation, so I won't elaborate. I need your help."
Grace frowned.
"Kristina, you know how complicated the politics of the capital are. You shouldn't involve yourself in this mess."
Liser immediately understood the problem.
Just as in his previous life, Kristina was not particularly skilled at negotiations. Walking into someone's home and asking them to risk everything for you was hardly persuasive.
Smiling gently, he spoke.
"Lady Grace, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am curious. How did you and Kristina become friends?"
Grace looked surprised.
Not because of the question itself, but because of Liser's composure. His calm demeanor and mature aura were nothing like those of an ordinary eleven-year-old.
After a brief pause, she answered.
"We met during a royal gala. My father and brother were still alive at the time."
A nostalgic expression appeared on her face.
"Since childhood, I've always loved swords and battle, just like every Rothchile before me. Unfortunately, as a noble lady, I constantly received marriage proposals from young nobles. It became troublesome."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Then eight-year-old Kristina appeared. At the time, she was still the fiancée of the former Crown Prince, so her status was enough to drive those pests away."
Kristina snorted.
"They deserved it."
Grace chuckled.
"More importantly, our values aligned. She was the only woman besides me who truly understood the spirit of the sword."
Her expression darkened.
"I've heard about your situation, Your Highness. However, I cannot help you. My father and elder brother died during the Southern Campaign a year ago. I am the only successor left. I cannot risk my family's future."
She looked apologetically at both of them.
Liser fell silent.
Grace was indeed in a difficult position. Yet that very situation also made her vulnerable. A person cornered by circumstances often became willing to gamble.
After carefully organizing his thoughts, he spoke.
"Lady Grace, your family's situation is already precarious."
Grace frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"The Southern Campaign was not particularly brutal. Yet both your father and brother died. Have you never considered the possibility of conspiracy?"
A dangerous light flashed in Grace's eyes.
"I have. But suspicion alone changes nothing."
Liser nodded.
"Then allow me to be honest."
He met her gaze directly.
"I intend to become king."
Silence filled the room.
Grace stared at him in shock.
Then, a faint sneer appeared on her lips before quickly disappearing.
"Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but what exactly makes you believe you can sit upon that throne?"
Liser answered calmly.
"I intend to develop territories outside the capital. My ideas differ greatly from those of the current nobility."
He paused.
"Tell me, Lady Grace. What do you fight for?"
Grace answered without hesitation.
"For the people of Jiran."
"Exactly."
Liser leaned forward.
"Yet look at the kingdom today. Corrupt nobles exploit the people while an incompetent ruler allows powerful families to control the throne."
Grace remained silent.
"I know."
"My goal," Liser continued, "is to uproot the current noble system and build a nation where talent matters more than birth. A country where every citizen is treated equally under the law."
Grace's eyes widened.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly.
After a moment, she asked quietly,
"Are you truly comfortable telling me this? I am still a noble."
Liser laughed softly.
"The fact that you're asking that question tells me all I need to know about your character."
He continued,
"Your family has shed blood for this kingdom for generations. Yet what have you received in return? Betrayal."
"Those people are not worthy of your loyalty."
"Whether you act or not, sooner or later, the Rothchile family will be devoured."
Grace fell silent.
Deep down, she knew he was right.
Her family was isolated. Powerful nobles already coveted their military influence and lands. Alone, she could not protect her inheritance forever.
Liser struck while the iron was hot.
"With Duke Grayrock's influence and my future plans, we can build something new."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"And when that day comes, I want you standing beside me as my strongest sword."
Grace lowered her head.
This eleven-year-old prince far surpassed anyone she had ever met.
Perhaps...
Just perhaps...
He really could change the kingdom.
After several moments of contemplation, she finally nodded.
"For Kristina's sake, and for the future you speak of... I'll join you."
She looked at him seriously.
"What do you need me to do?"