The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

On the day of the dueling tournament.

Banesion Hashir arrived at the Sorcery Office early to welcome the guests.

Per Laria’s request to gather a large audience, he had mobilized his connections to assemble people.

His intention was to show them Laria Rohan’s miserable defeat.

It was also an opportunity to flaunt his extensive network. The caliber of the guests was a direct reflection of the host’s status.

Surveying the surroundings, Banesion curled his lips into a smirk.

While a considerable number of spectators had already gathered, most were those he had invited.

‘She acted so confidently, but it seems she lacks people to invite.’

Imagining Theodore Rohan’s dejected expression upon witnessing this scene amused him.

A newly arrived guest handed Banesion a red invitation.

“Thank you for the invitation. A rare opportunity to witness such a spectacle.”

Admiring the surroundings, the man attending as Banesion’s guest marveled:

“It’s like a palace banquet revisited.”

He complimented the high caliber of the invitees.

Banesion struggled to suppress his rising ego.

As they exchanged niceties, a carriage raced in from afar. Its modest appearance made it stand out amidst the flamboyant carriages.

‘Did I send out too many invitations?’

Assuming it was someone insignificant, Banesion paid no heed until the carriage halted right before him.

The man who alighted had braided dark brown hair, an eyepatch over one eye – a distinctively peculiar appearance impossible to forget.

Banesion instantly recognized him as the Golden Crow, the most renowned information broker in the capital, whose services he had previously utilized.

Though a commoner, countless individuals coveted connections with the Golden Crow.

Prompt, quality information inevitably translated to power and wealth.

‘What brings him here? I heard he doesn’t move unless money is involved.’

Many onlookers cast furtive glances at the Golden Crow.

Though he could not recall personally inviting him, Banesion greeted him with a smile:

“Welcome.”

Instead of returning the courtesy, the Golden Crow abruptly produced an invitation.

Upon seeing the white invitation, Banesion’s brow furrowed.

The Golden Crow was Laria Rohan’s guest.

‘He must have acquired one of Laria Rohan’s invitations circulating in the city.’

Banesion assumed the Golden Crow had brought a random invitation from the streets.

As Banesion made to address him, the Golden Crow brusquely walked away in another direction.

Feeling slighted, Banesion could only purse his lips in displeasure.

‘Insolent commoner…’

However, Banesion had no time to dwell on the Golden Crow, for a succession of renowned figures began arriving.

Not only high nobles but also luminaries from various industries.

Most were Banesion’s invitees.

When they had accepted, he had expected them to bring the invitations he provided…

The issue was that they all carried white invitations.

‘What is the meaning of this?’

Did Laria Rohan truly wield such extensive connections?

“The Rohan family’s guests are all quite remarkable.”

“Does the Countess Rohan not host social gatherings? I’d love to attend.”

As the crowd’s interest shifted toward the Rohan guests, Banesion’s expression hardened.

‘At least my side has greater numbers…’

Even as he attempted to reassure himself, a dazzlingly golden carriage glimmered in the distance.

Its brilliance was so blinding, it seemed like the sun itself approaching.

When the carriage halted before Banesion, all eyes instantly converged on the spectacle.

Servants hurriedly set up stairs and rolled out a red carpet.

Finally, as the carriage door opened, a golden-haired man emerged, grumbling in displeasure.

“Ah, I said such extravagance was unnecessary.”

Muttering about the needless carpet, the man was none other than Crown Prince Ishel.

Soon after, the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Princess revealed themselves.

The entire imperial family had arrived in procession.

Too stunned to react, Banesion belatedly composed himself and paid his respects to the Emperor.

Though he had sent them invitations, he never expected them to actually attend.

Ishel extended the invitation as if presenting an amusement park ticket.

“Four of us, so four invitations, correct?”

Stiff white invitations were placed in Banesion’s hands.

Upon seeing the white invitations, the onlookers’ expressions changed.

“I knew the Rohan family had ties to the imperial family, but…”

“For the entire imperial family to attend a private event is unprecedented.”

Banesion caught the whispers rippling through the crowd and nearly crumpled the invitations in his grasp.

Despite having sent them invitations as well, the imperial family had chosen the Rohan family.

‘Perhaps it’s for the best.’

If Sienna crushes Laria before the imperial family, the Emperor himself would lose faith in the Rohan County.

“This is my first time at the Sorcery Office. Will there be souvenirs?”

“Crown Prince.”

At the Emperor’s chiding use of his name, Ishel fell silent.

Yet he soon pestered Banesion with more questions.

“It’s my first time watching a duel. How far can I go in cheering? Can I call out names? Wave banners?”

Overwhelmed by the barrage of inquiries, Banesion could only remain mute.

Pausing briefly, Ishel glanced around and muttered as if belatedly realizing something:

“But I don’t see any Rohan family members.”

Not only the Rohan family but also Laria Rohan, the tournament participant, had yet to arrive.

Exceeding the time limit would result in an automatic forfeit.

Inwardly, Banesion scoffed.

‘She must be terrified.’

She had brashly accepted the dueling challenge, only to deeply regret it later.

After all, Laria Rohan stood no chance of defeating Sienna.

Checking his pocketwatch, Banesion noted the minute hand nearing the appointed hour. Only a minute or so remained until the dueling time. Yet no carriage appeared headed for the Sorcery Office.

Banesion smirked.

“It seems she won’t be coming.”

Just as he made to declare Laria’s forfeit to the assembled guests, a brilliant light erupted in the air.

With a flourish of her pale white hair, Laria manifested.

At last, the protagonist had arrived.

* * *

On the morning of the dueling tournament, the Rohan estate was much the same as usual.

Laria rose leisurely, had her meal, and prepared to depart at a relaxed pace.

The tournament venue was the Sorcery Office.

Though Marquis Hashir had unilaterally set the date and location before notifying her, she had raised no objections – it was as she had wished.

After deliberating over her attire, Laria donned a robe with numerous inner pockets.

Stuffing it full of gems made it quite weighty.

Heading to the receiving room, she found her family already gathered.

“You’re all here early?”

Sitting on the sofa, Herdin immediately scowled upon noticing the ring on Laria’s left hand.

A few days prior, Herdin had been unable to accompany her to the North due to work commitments.

Already in a foul mood from missing out, the sight of the ring prompted an onslaught of questions.

-We’re dating again.

Upon hearing Laria’s response, he had fumed in solitary outrage.

Since then, the mere sight of the ring had provoked his irritation.

-I even drank with you over your breakup, and in the time I was at work, you got back together?

Initially sympathetic, his persistent behavior had become wearisome after several days.

Anticipating another ring-related confrontation, Laria feigned ignorance about his vacation, despite being aware.

“Aren’t you going to work, brother?”

“I took time off!”

As Herdin acted as if suffering a tantrum, Laria realized she should cease provoking him. Inquiring about work to someone on vacation was apparently taboo.

Observing the bickering siblings, Semela and Theodore approached Laria with cautionary words.

“Take it easy. You’ll exhaust yourself.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

They remained overprotective, despite her inadvertently demolishing the roof during magic practice.

Instead of retorting, Laria simply nodded obediently.

‘Well, I can probably afford to take it easy.’

She had ample gems prepared…

Checking the time, Laria suggested:

“Shall we depart?”

As she cast her magic, a brilliant white light enveloped the four of them.

Instantly arriving at the Sorcery Office, Laria scanned her surroundings.

Her gaze met Marquis Hashir’s contorted expression. Laria greeted him first with a smile:

“It seems my presence has disappointed you?”