A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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17.
When I arrived, the Office was teeming with people.
Aurora’s Priestess Attendants and Holy Knights, Blake’s Guard, and even Cedric’s advisors.
I could guess what this was about.
As the door opened, I found Aurora, Erdan, Cedric, and Leonard inside, just as I’d expected.
All of them wore grave expressions.
“Come here, Charlotte.”
I obediently approached the King’s desk where they had gathered, following Erdan’s command.
“This morning, the Prince of Blake explained to me everything that has transpired. Tell me if it is true.”
Immediately after, Erdan recounted in detail what Leonard had said.
“Yes, it’s all true.”
“Your Majesty, I shall go.”
The moment my words ended, Aurora’s predictable declaration spilled from her lips.
The problem with female leads is that they’re far too self-sacrificing at critical moments. Act lazy and calculating as usual.
“That won’t do. There’s no need for the Saint to go herself. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
“I sent the White Owls this morning to investigate Flite Forest. The situation was dire. If Blake orchestrated this, then I must go to Blake to ensure no more monsters emerge from Sincester. Moreover, all contact with the Moonlight Shadow operatives who went to capture Evelyn has been severed. This is not something we can overlook lightly.”
Aurora’s expression was more serious than I’d anticipated.
But Erdan’s eyes had turned equally sharp. Those gentle green eyes were completely frozen over.
“You are the Saint of Sincester. I cannot possibly send you elsewhere.”
“Your Majesty, precisely because I am Sincester’s Saint, I must go. Besides, it was the Princess who stopped Knox Glaston before. I have done nothing for the Kingdom thus far. So this time, it should be my turn.”
Such devoted words left me speechless and breathless.
While I exhaled deeply, Erdan and Aurora clashed in heated argument.
The other two men remained silent.
Cedric maintained his usual unreadable expression, while Leonard looked somewhat embarrassed, as if he felt guilty.
Though whether that expression was genuine or an act, I couldn’t say.
“Your Majesty, I’m telling you I’ll go.”
“Absolutely not.”
This wasn’t a matter of spear versus shield—this argument seemed destined never to end.
Finally, I clenched my fists and shouted the conclusion I’d reached after thinking all night.
“I’ll go!”
Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise at my declaration.
Surprisingly, Cedric showed the most startled reaction. He uncrossed his arms and straightened his posture.
Erdan was the first to speak.
“What are you saying, Charlotte?”
“I stepped forward when we dealt with Knox Glaston. I’m not lacking in confidence to face Prince Demian.”
“This isn’t a matter of confidence or lack thereof. The Prince said nothing about you. You have no divine power. Isn’t that correct?”
Erdan looked to Leonard as if seeking confirmation.
Leonard, equally flustered, hesitated and couldn’t answer immediately.
Well, it made sense—a woman who’d been loudly refusing just yesterday had suddenly changed her mind like flipping her palm.
But it was the result of my deliberation throughout the entire night.
“First, there are many reasons why Aurora cannot go to Blake.”
“What reasons?”
“You and Aurora care for each other, don’t you? Aurora must become queen—she cannot possibly go to Blake.”
“What? Ch… Charlotte, what are you saying?”
“That is… well.”
Both the Pope and Aurora’s faces flushed crimson in an instant.
They looked so adorable that I wanted to tease them, but this was hardly the time.
“And Aurora is the Saint of Sincester. If we sent her to Blake, Sincester’s royal family would be criticized for failing to protect the Saint. Or Aurora herself might be criticized for abandoning the royal family. But… I am fine. Because.”
My lips sealed shut of their own accord.
I didn’t want to say it. Even if it killed me… I never wanted to resort to this method.
“I love the Sixth Prince!”
My head dropped of its own accord. Without even looking in a mirror, I was certain my entire neck had turned crimson.
Silence filled the King’s Office and then some. No one dared speak carelessly; everyone merely observed the atmosphere.
It was Aurora who broke the deafening quiet.
“I… I didn’t know. So that’s why you wanted to spend time with him despite my warnings?”
Aurora then turned to Leonard, flustered and bewildered.
“Your Highness, I am truly sorry. I had no idea of your situation and was trying to keep Charlotte away from you.”
“….”
Not a word came from Leonard. What expression could he possibly be wearing?
Still, he was a man with the grand ambition of becoming emperor. He would surely play along with the lie.
I lifted my head slightly to glance at Leonard. And my goodness.
“Oh my. Your Highness, your face is far too red!!”
The serious atmosphere vanished as Aurora laughed brightly, her crystalline laughter cutting through the office. Erdan’s awkward cough followed a moment later.
‘Is he actually embarrassed right now?’
I never dreamed he would feel shame over a lie. How am I going to fix this later?
In that instant, our eyes met.
Goodness!
I whipped my head to the side. I turned so quickly that my neck ached.
“Everyone, please compose yourselves for now.”
A sharp voice brought us all back to our senses.
It was Cedric.
His blue eyes swept calmly over the four of us before turning back to Erdan.
“Whether or not the Princess cares for the Sixth Prince is irrelevant. It does not justify her going to Blake.”
This man certainly knew how to embarrass someone. I stole a glance at Erdan, who kept coughing awkwardly.
“Duke Myers is right, Charlotte. Blake is not a place one can reach through love alone. Moreover, the Sixth Prince is not looking for a wife.”
“If I marry the Sixth Prince and go to Blake, Sincester will be seen as supporting him, which would aid his claim to the throne. Demian won’t act rashly either. Additionally, the priests and Holy Knights under my command will accompany me to Blake, which would naturally be of great assistance.”
“M-marriage? You mean to marry and go there?”
“Yes. Then what role would I have in going otherwise?”
I answered lightly, and Erdan staggered back in shock while Aurora barely managed to support him.
“I… I see. If that is your intention, it will be difficult to dissuade you. But surely the Sixth Prince must share the same thoughts, must he not? Is that not so, Your Highness?”
Erdan smiled awkwardly, his gaze fixed on Leonard.
He was clearly desperate for Leonard to deny the rumors about his younger brother.
“That’s precisely what I’ve been waiting to hear.”
Unfortunately for Erdan, Leonard mercilessly shattered his expectations.
His face flushed as he stammered through his words.
“That’s why I desire Charlotte and have come to Sincester to propose. Though truthfully, I would have loved her even if she possessed no abilities whatsoever.”
How ridiculous. I stifled an internal laugh, but outwardly I performed the role of a woman in love with perfect conviction.
I stepped closer to Leonard and took his hand.
He flinched like a startled rabbit, and though I was taken aback, I concealed it.
“Brother, I’m sincere. Please grant me permission to go to Blake.”
“Charlotte, wait a moment. This is quite a shock for me. I think I need time to process this.”
“How long? As you know, my patience is rather thin.”
“W-would until the banquet ends be acceptable? That’s when the Sixth Prince will be leaving anyway.”
“That’s too long. What about tomorrow?”
“What?”
Erdan cried out in shock.
“You’re in such a hurry?”
“You decided about Aurora in mere seconds, yet you need days for me? Isn’t the difference in treatment between a lover and a sibling too great?”
At my final words, Erdan flinched as though struck by a bullet.
“Grant me four days. Will you?”
“Is that a promise?”
Erdan barely managed to nod, and I smiled brightly.
Then I immediately seized Leonard’s hand and dashed toward the door.
“We’ll go for a walk then! We have so much to discuss about our bright future together!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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