A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 27
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
27.
A bow, arrows, and a saddle for a horse.
It was nice to receive three items, but I couldn’t fathom why he’d given them to me. I had no idea how to shoot a bow.
Moreover, Sincester was an ultra-conservative nation that didn’t teach women combat, making it difficult to find someone to instruct me right now.
Upon returning to the Princess Palace, I quietly hid the sacred relics in my study.
Following Erdan’s advice, I revealed to Abigail and Dorothy that my holy power had awakened.
-It would be best to tell Mrs. Everhart and Dorothy. They’ll follow Blake anyway.
As expected, both women were delighted, even shedding tears.
“Shall we secretly throw a celebration party among ourselves?”
“Just for today, I’ll turn a blind eye to you having three types of cake.”
“Don’t get so excited. Everyone will notice.”
I scolded them to be quiet, but honestly, my heart was fluttering with joy.
‘No matter that the pattern on the back of my hand depicts Blake’s chrysanthemum, the color is the same pink as Brother’s.’
I smiled softly, trying to calm my soaring emotions.
“Eating cake is fine. Should I send Aaron to Jayret Shop right now?”
“Please don’t send Aaron on such a task.”
“Oh, what’s the harm?”
It was just as I was about to call Aaron with a laugh.
As the saying goes, speak of the devil—there came a knock on the study door followed by Aaron’s voice. But it sounded terribly urgent.
“Aaron? Is something wrong?”
“Your Highness, the Deus Training Ground has been completely destroyed.”
“What did you say?”
The three of us cried out simultaneously as if we’d rehearsed it.
The Deus Training Ground.
That place was built for knights’ sparring matches among all the training grounds in the Singchester Royal Palace and boasted the most powerful barrier.
For it to be completely destroyed.
That couldn’t happen unless the Servi Magic Tower unleashed thunderstorm magic three times in rapid succession.
“What on earth happened?”
“It’s the result of a sparring match between Duke Cedric and the Sixth Prince.”
“Did you just say the training ground was destroyed from a mere sparring match?”
“It appears that both their sword auras were so formidable that the barrier shattered and the training ground was destroyed simultaneously.”
“Good heavens.”
Abigail covered her mouth with her hand.
“Aaron, the Duke is one thing, but are you saying the Sixth Prince is capable of such a feat?”
“Ma’am, didn’t you know? The one rumored in Blake as the ‘Heir of the Dragon Slayer’ is the Sixth Prince himself.”
When Dorothy interjected bluntly, Abigail’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“The Heir of the Dragon Slayer? How could the Sixth Prince of Blake, who carries dragon blood, earn such a title?”
“It must be proof of his strength. A sparring match between the Heir of the Dragon Slayer and the Genius of the Holy Sword—naturally the training ground would be destroyed.”
Embarrassing epithets for someone from the modern era kept flying back and forth.
I held back the urge to ask who had created those titles and why, and turned to Aaron again.
“So how badly are the two of you injured?”
“Fortunately, both of them managed to avoid each other’s attacks, so neither sustained injuries. However, given their noble status, the Saint has gone to the Training Ground. She instructed me to inform the Princess of this matter, which is why I came in haste. Will you come with me?”
I deliberated for a moment before nodding.
The distance from here to the Training Ground was considerable.
I retrieved a purple magical scroll from the bookshelf drawer.
It was a teleportation scroll that only royalty could use, functional only within the Royal Palace.
“Lord Aaron, it would take too long for me to follow you on foot, so I’ll arrive ahead using the scroll.”
“Understood.”
After Aaron left the room, I went to an empty space in the Study with Dorothy and Abigail.
“Very well, I’ll tear the scroll now.”
The moment I tore it, a purple magical circle materialized beneath our feet, and we arrived at the Training Ground in the blink of an eye.
Contrary to my expectations, there weren’t many people at the Training Ground.
“Charlotte.”
Aurora approached me, apparently having just finished her treatment.
“What happened?”
“As you’ve heard. They were sparring and destroyed the Training Ground.”
“Setting aside compensation, could this become an international incident?”
“That shouldn’t be an issue. It was merely a sparring match, and no one was injured. The real problem lies between those two individuals themselves.”
Just as Aurora said, the two men appeared considerably uncomfortable with each other.
They were supposed to depart together soon—this wouldn’t do.
Determined to reconcile them, I approached the two men.
However, as I drew closer to them, doubt crept in.
‘Who should I approach first?’
I found myself stopping mid-stride.
‘Should I go to Leonard first since he’s my fiancé? But then Cedric, the Duke of House Myers, would seem neglected. Yet if I go to Cedric, it might appear as though I don’t care much for Leonard.’
While I was still deliberating, both men suddenly rose to their feet.
Cedric spoke first.
“I apologize for causing trouble during the banquet. House Myers will handle the compensation.”
“Don’t worry about it, Cedric. Were you hurt badly?”
“Thanks to the Saint’s treatment, I’m fine.”
He answered lightly, then suddenly grasped his shirt collar and pulled it open as he asked me a question.
As his pristine skin became visible beneath the collar, not only I but all the handmaidens behind me held our breath.
“Would the Princess care to inspect as well?”
“That’s… not necessary…”
“I think it’s best to refrain from exposing yourself before another man’s fiancée, Duke.”
In an instant, a shadow fell before me—a broad, stone-like back. Leonard had positioned himself between me and Cedric.
“Rumors could spread, and as the commander of the Holy Knight Order, you should maintain a spotless image, shouldn’t you?”
“I’m not sure what you’re implying, but I was merely showing my wounds to the Princess as I did with the Saint.”
“…Hmph.”
I thought Leonard would say more, but he simply shook his head once.
Why? I tilted my body to the side and looked up at him.
Leonard appeared exhausted. The slight furrow of his brow and twisted corner of his mouth conveyed deep fatigue rather than mockery.
Had he lost the sparring match? Was he injured? Was that why he looked so tired?
It was possible. Cedric was the male protagonist of the novel, so the possessed Leonard might not be able to defeat him.
“Hey.”
At the sound of my sudden voice, he turned to look at me.
“Leonard, are you alright?”
“…I’m fine.”
“You really don’t look fine. Aurora did treat you, didn’t she?”
“There wasn’t a single injury from the start. If you don’t believe me, ask the Saint.”
“But then why—”
Just as I was about to continue, Cedric approached me.
“Your Highness.”
“Oh, Cedric. I’m sorry.”
The realization that I’d been neglecting him made me flustered.
I laughed awkwardly and turned my attention away from Leonard.
“You must be tired. Why don’t you head back to your room and rest? We can discuss this matter with the King later.”
“Are you telling me to leave right now?”
“Yes. Is there something else you wanted to tell me?”
“…No.”
Though it seemed like he wanted to say something more, Cedric left without another word.
As I watched him disappear with an uneasy feeling, Leonard tapped my shoulder lightly.
“You’re staring quite intently. Are you really that worried about the Duke?”
“That’s not what I was looking at.”
Of course I wasn’t unconcerned, but we weren’t that close either.
Rather, it was Leonard who worried me more… though I couldn’t quite say why.
“Are you really sure you’re fine? You look terrible.”
“Are you asking because you hope I lost?”
“I’m genuinely curious! Why are you being so difficult?!”
In the end, I spoke loudly, my voice tinged with frustration.
Both the handmaidens behind me and the attendants behind him widened their eyes in surprise.
Leonard seemed equally taken aback. His lips parted slightly before he let out a soft laugh.
“I’m not injured. It was a draw. Thank you for worrying about me.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————