Lilith, who had been summoned, arrived not long after.

She looked puzzled at being suddenly called by her father, the king.

When she saw Richard, her confusion turned to shock and then to interest.

She immediately realized she had been called because of Richard, but she couldn't guess what he was doing there.

She approached them with a constantly questioning expression, glancing back and forth between Richard, the King, and the Empress.

However, both the King and Empress still looked thoughtful.

"What is it that you called me for?" Lilith finally asked.

Of course, her gaze was fixed on the King as she asked, since it was he who had called her.

"Ehmm…" The King cleared his throat, seeming to decide that he would speak, because the relationship between the Empress and Lilith was somewhat awkward.

"Lilith, Richard says he wants to be engaged to you. What do you think?" the King said bluntly.

Lilith froze instantly, so stunned she didn't immediately show her surprise.

While frozen, she touched her ear and turned her head toward Richard.

Now it was clear she was questioning what she had just heard.

Maybe she thought she'd heard something utterly ridiculous.

She had teased Richard several times before, yet the boy always acted as if he were innocent—although sometimes he couldn't hide that he was attracted to her.

But to Lilith, that was normal. Children older than seven already begin to feel some interest in the opposite sex, so it wasn't surprising some would be infatuated with her.

Now this eight-year-old had actually come to the palace and asked to be engaged to her. What was wrong with his head to think of such a thing?

Lilith then looked at Lisa instead of asking Richard directly.

But Lisa also looked full of confusion and helplessness.

Lilith began to show an odd expression, staring at the King and Empress and wondering whether this was their arrangement, not Richard's idea.

But she saw that they looked equally surprised.

"Boy…" Lilith finally called to Richard.

"Sister Lilith—no, I mean Your Highness Lilith—I'm serious… I want to be officially engaged to you…" Richard spoke before Lilith could say anything.

Lilith was even more shocked.

For the first time, she truly didn't understand what was happening.

"Boy, what do you mean?" she asked.

"Aren't we going to be lovers when I grow up? You said that before, so I just want the betrothal status from now," Richard replied casually.

"What?" Even the King and Empress were astonished, not to mention everyone else.

They looked at Lilith with curiosity, wondering if what Richard said was true.

When everyone looked at her after Richard spoke, Lilith blushed slightly, still embarrassed that she had once said such a thing to a little boy.

Unfortunately for her, she actually had said it.

"Ehmm…" She coughed instinctively, which practically confirmed Richard's words.

"This is crazy," one official muttered.

"Does Princess Lilith really like what adult Richard would be like?"

"It appears so…"

"But he's still a child. We don't know what he'll be like as an adult—his personality isn't yet formed."

"Perhaps Princess Lilith is very optimistic about Richard's future."

"Still, it's strange to be closely involved with someone who's a child while already being familiar with their adult self."

"…"

The officials eventually couldn't hide their commentary, and Lilith looked increasingly awkward.

"Lilith, you decide," the king said again.

Lilith rolled her eyes.

Then she sent a message to Richard via their mental link.

(Boy, what exactly do you want?) she sent.

(Sister Lilith, this is what I want.), Richard replied casually.

(I mean, what's your purpose? Don't think I'm unaware you have a special reason.)

(There is a special reason, but I don't think it's important to say—this is my personal wish.)

(Are you aware this'll make people think poorly of me? You should wait till you're grown before trying something like this. Who would expect a little boy like you to ask for betrothal to me?)

(Sister Lilith, if you refuse, I might be ridiculed by everyone. Please just agree. Don't you want me anyway?)

Lilith, "…"

(Are you playing with me, boy?) she asked.

(No, of course not.)

(Why should I agree?)

(Sister, you can ask me for a favor.)

Richard knew he couldn't force her. It was impossible. The only way was to fulfill whatever she asked.

(Ohhh…) Her words this time grabbed Lilith's interest, and Richard grew a little worried she might ask something cruel—like killing the little prince, the Empress's son.

Even if the Empress disliked him, it would be hard for Lilith to go that far and kill an innocent child.

But in fact, the Empress had treated him kindly, so that possibility seemed unlikely.

(Forget it. You know what I want, but you won't do it.), Lilith answered.

(Sister, please ask for something else.)

(There is nothing else.)

Richard felt awkward and found it hard to say anything further.

(How about this: use your Slave Seal on the King, then give it to me.), Lilith proposed.

Richard, "…"

(Sister, are you insane?) Richard asked with wide eyes.

Everyone knew they were communicating silently, though no one could hear their words.

But Richard's expression made the others wonder.

If they had heard what Lilith wanted, they would have been even more shocked.

(This is the only thing I want.), Lilith replied.

(The King is very powerful; that's not something I can do.), Richard protested.

(That's why you must think of a way.), Lilith said.

(This is a serious crime.), he objected.

(Don't worry—I won't use the King for anything bad. Once I get what I want, I'll free him from the bondage. Don't think me so wretched as to enslave my father forever.)

(Boy, you certainly can't do it alone, but what about that dangerous being behind you? They should be capable of it.), Lilith added.

When she said that, Richard immediately remembered the Fire Spirit Queen, who was practically under his control. Of course, he could order her to carry out such a task.

The King, who was supposedly only at the Grimoire Realm, was nothing more than an ant in the eyes of the Fire Spirit Queen. It would be no different even if the King were at the Lord Realm.

Even though the King possessed many trump cards, if the Fire Spirit Queen made a surprise move, he would likely still be powerless to resist.

However, it still wouldn't be easy to pull off such a thing within the capital.

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