Just half a day later, Bianca's maid returned with a response from the Third Prince. He had agreed to the secret meeting.

He asked her to come and meet him during the nighttime within his personal manor just outside Mesenana City.

'It seems that he has agreed. Since he has secretly invited Bianca to his personal mansion, he will have few subordinates stationed there. They would all be his loyal subordinates, and they wouldn't easily divulge this information.'

Edwin had already asked Bianca to message the third prince that meeting him there won't be an issue.historical

When the third prince received this message, he was feeling rather excited. With that, the time and location had been decided.

Now, he had to handle Sophie. This wasn't a hard task, so he remained calm.

Since he was in an 'official' relationship with her, he amused her a bit. With this action, he would also accomplish another objective.

That was a public appearance with Sophie. Naturally, the two would be a little disguised to hide their identity, like wearing a hat and sunglasses to hide their hair and eyes that would attract the most attention.

This sort of disguise won't fool the people actually keeping an eye on them. Edwin wanted to tell them that Sophie was secretly spending her time with a guy of her age.

Sophie woke up just half an hour later. She was rubbing her eyes while walking out of her room. She was still in her red nightgown as she walked inside the dining hall to ask for breakfast.

When she entered the dining hall, she paused as her mouth was left agape. She saw Edwin sitting on the chair, eating an omelet.

Internally, Sophie panicked as she thought 'Oh right. How could I forget that Edwin wakes up early?! I should have brushed my hair at the least!'

"You woke up really late. Were you studying array formations last night?" Edwin asked while staring at her.

Sophie was a little surprised to hear him ask that question. But she quickly understood that it was probably her mother who blabbered about it.

Seeing that Edwin hadn't commented on her appearance right now, she calmed down and sat on the chair ahead of her.

"I was bored, and you were sleeping, so I thought why not study array formations," Sophie replied.

"..I see," Edwin replied as he took another bite of his omelet.

Sophie was surprised he wasn't saying anything to her.

"I thought you would nag me like my mother does about spending not too much time on it," Sophie spoke.

Edwin shrugged in response, "Giving you that advice would be meaningless unless you realize why your mother wants you to relax. I am not your superior, so I can't order you."

"Mistakes are a part of life. Your mother and even your master probably wish that you won't commit any mistake, but in my opinion, it's wrong for them to do that. Even a genius commits mistakes and learns from them. Without committing mistakes, his experience would be greatly lacking."

"So, Sophie.. Do whatever you believe is right. Ignore the academic suggestions you have heard before. I believe that when the time comes, you are smart enough to make the right decision," Edwin spoke.

Sophie was absolutely shocked and amazed when she heard Edwin's words. She could feel her heart beating quickly.

"..Thank you. I won't ever betray your trust in me, Edwin," Sophie replied shyly. She was truly touched right now. And her love for Edwin had become even deeper.

At this moment, Bianca appeared in the dining hall, "So what are you lovebirds talking about?"

Edwin calmly looked in her direction while Sophie's reaction was the exact opposite. With a large blush on her face, she tried to speak out, "N-Nothing, mother."

"Oh right, I want to have oatmeal. Also, some milk as well," Sophie quickly gave her order to the maid who accompanied her mother.

The maid immediately replied, "Alright, young miss."

Edwin asked Sophie with a smile, "Weren't you going to show me the capital? Let's go out in the evening."

Sophie was instantly scared as she looked in her mother's direction. However, there was not much reaction from other than a raised eyebrow.

"Oh right. I do remember Edwin mentioning yesterday that you promised to show him the capital. Since you did promise it, you can't back out now, daughter. Don't spend too much time outside, though," Bianca spoke while staring at her daughter.

Sophie was elated to know that her mother wasn't opposed to this. She nodded quickly, as if she was afraid her mother would immediately take back those words.

"We won't need any guards, mother. Edwin is a 5 Star Warrior, after all!" Sophie proudly declared.

Bianca had been ordered to act naturally. Thus, even though she knew this information, she looked at Edwin with a shocked expression, "Edwin is a 5 Star Warrior?! He is a 5 Star Warrior at such a young age?!"

"Yup! Edwin doesn't want to gather a lot of attention, so he never publicized it! In fact, when he became a 5 Star Warrior, he wasn't even 19. He has definitely broken the record set by Shun Gordon!" Sophie proudly told her mother.

She knew that the more she revealed such information about Edwin, the greater the chances her mother would allow her to marry him.

"It's just superficial strength. I can't be compared to a true 5 Star Expert," Edwin replied humbly.

Bianca spoke, "Regardless, the fact remains that you are the youngest 5 Star Expert of this Kingdom,"

She then turned towards Sophie, "Convincing your father would be much easier..."

"Hehe.." Sophie laughed happily.

After having breakfast, Edwin talked to Sophie for a bit before returning to the guest room. Bianca soon returned to her room as well.

An hour later, the door to Edwin's room opened. It was Sophie who entered his room.

She was no longer in her nightgown and was instead wearing a beautiful white-colored dress.

Edwin smirked as he saw her. He wasn't surprised at her entrance. He was the one who whispered to her to come to his room after having breakfast.

He didn't think she would come after changing clothes and brushing up her hair.

"You are wearing a beautiful dress, Sophie," Edwin spoke while walking towards her.

Sophie hugged him as she greedily ingested his scent. She missed this so much, hugging him and being in his arms.

Edwin's arms moved around her waist as he hugged her tightly as well.

"You wasted your time in changing your clothes, Sophie..." He spoke as he loosened the strings of her dress.

Since the last time she met him, she felt he was slightly different. His aura had become more oppressive. It would dominate any bits of her proud aura and force her to be docile to him. She loved every bit of this.

Sophie began to speak up, "We can't do it here.. Not in this house at least. If my mother finds out, it will be troubl-"

Edwin sealed her lips with his own, and his hands continued to remove the clothing on her body.

Once his kiss ended, he spoke, "Shh.. Don't be so worried. No one will find out anything. I checked earlier that there are no guards stationed here."

Sophie let go of the last bit of her restraint as she fell into the ocean of pure pleasure.