Chapter 23: Sheltering the Princess

"We're still too weak."

"Both me and Frostwolf Ridge."

David exhaled deeply. Whether it was his own cultivation or the development of his territory, both needed to progress rapidly.

"Lord David, your strength…" Grey Wolf Knight hesitated, his voice low.

"Yes, I've broken through to Tier 3," David replied candidly. He would soon need Grey Wolf Knight's help to gather materials for the Tier 4 Frostwolf Elixir.

However, he withheld the fact that he had already condensed battle energy.

Even this revelation left Grey Wolf Knight stunned, his face full of disbelief.

Though he had speculated about this possibility before, hearing it confirmed from David's own mouth felt surreal.

Tier 3!

In just three months, David had reached Tier 3?

An average of one tier per month—this wasn't just fast; it was unprecedented.

Grey Wolf Knight couldn't help but wonder if David had secretly awakened his bloodline long ago, only now revealing it.

Regardless, this was undoubtedly great news for Frostwolf Ridge.

If David could break through to Tier 4 as an Earth Knight, Frostwolf Ridge could solidify its place in the North and begin to rise again.

Grey Wolf Knight's eyes grew moist with emotion. Since the death of the old lord, the Frostwolf family had been in decline. Now, for the first time in years, there was hope.

If David could become a Tier 4 Earth Knight and produce heirs for the family, the Grey Wolf Knight could finally rest in peace, knowing he had honored his late lord.

---

As the morning sun rose, David made his way toward Princess Rena's thatched hut.

It was time for her to make a choice.

Rena greeted him with a calm expression, though her eyes betrayed her unease.

"I'll agree to your terms," she said at last. "But you must promise me this: if I bear a child with the Crystal Song bloodline, you'll help them reclaim the Crystal Song Kingdom."

David studied her resolute face, knowing she viewed this as a transaction rather than a partnership.

Marriage meant recognizing her as his legal wife, but in a world resembling medieval Europe, even kings were allowed only one lawful spouse.

David's unique circumstances—his system and destiny—meant he would never have just one partner.

He couldn't make a promise to her or anyone else. But he vowed to treat every woman who joined him as an equal, deserving of care and respect.

He nodded. "I'll protect you. Come back to the castle with me."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked out of the hut.

"Your Highness…" Knight Roman hesitated, his expression conflicted.

Rena gave him a bitter smile and shook her head. She had no other choice.

To preserve the Crystal Song bloodline and ensure her family's legacy, she had to make this sacrifice.

---

At Frostwolf Castle, Lya and Amy were anxiously awaiting David's return.

The sound of the alarm horn from the night before still lingered in their minds, and David had been gone all night.

Their worries were finally assuaged when they saw David entering the estate with a woman dressed in tattered clothing.

"Lord David!" Lya rushed forward to greet him.

David gave her a reassuring smile, patting her head. "Don't worry, everything's fine. This is Miss Rena," he said, turning to Fire Dance. "Take her to freshen up."

"Yes, my lord," Fire Dance replied stoically, gesturing for Rena to follow.

"Who is she?" Lya asked quietly, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"You've always said you wanted a sister," David replied with a teasing smile before explaining Rena's situation.

As his first wife, Lya deserved to know the truth. Her understanding and mediation had been instrumental when integrating Amy into their lives, and he trusted she would play the same role with Rena.

"I'll do my best," Lya said with quiet determination. She could feel David's trust in her, and her heart swelled with gratitude.

David bent down to kiss her forehead. "Thank you. I knew I could count on you."

---

When Rena emerged from her bath, the transformation was stunning.

Her alabaster skin gleamed like polished jade, her snowy white hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her deep blue eyes sparkled like starlit lakes, and even dressed in a simple white gown, her regal bearing was unmistakable.

David found himself momentarily lost in her ethereal beauty.

"Where's my room?" she asked, her tone reserved.

David suppressed a sigh. He knew her compliance was born of necessity, not willingness.

For a princess to trade her body for protection was a cruel twist of fate.

She had likely dreamt of marrying someone she loved, a union born of mutual affection. Instead, circumstances had reduced her to bargaining with her most precious asset.

If the situation were different, this proud woman would never have chosen such a path.

"Follow me," David said, leading her to his chambers.

Once inside, Rena began to disrobe without hesitation, lying down on the bed with her eyes tightly shut.

"I'll protect you," David said softly. "And I'll help you reclaim the Crystal Song Kingdom."

She opened her eyes, her gaze searching his for sincerity. Seeing none of the expected ridicule, she nodded faintly before closing her eyes again.

A quiet gasp escaped her lips as the ritual began.

Her brows furrowed in pain, and a single tear slid down her cheek.

---

System Notification:

You have completed a special cultivation session. Snow Siren Spirit activated.

Snow Siren Spirit: Tier 1 (1/100)

---

As David felt the surge of energy within him, a vision filled his mind.

A faint howl echoed as a shimmering figure of a Snow Siren materialized. The ethereal form then merged with the phantom of an icy wolf, becoming one before fading into his consciousness.

For a fleeting mo

ment, he felt the potential of combining these two powerful bloodlines—a union that could reshape the balance of power in the North.