A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 28

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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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28.
“And since this is your home ground, I was at a disadvantage. If we fought in Blake, I might have won.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his usual grumbling tone.
“There’s no other strong swordmaster in Blake?”
“There’s no swordmaster as strong as that. But there is a powerful mage.”
“Really? Who?”
“…Someone you don’t need to know much about.”
He frowned briefly, then rolled down the sleeves he’d pushed up.
“And earlier, the Maiers Family said they’d provide compensation, but I must repair the barrier in this Training Ground myself.”
“Why? You’re a guest—you don’t have to. The Maiers Family said they would.”
“Even though it was a sparring match, I initiated the cause, so I must take responsibility for the consequences.”
“You initiated the cause? What cause did you initiate?”
Did he strike first?
Given Cedric’s nature, he was absolutely not the type to strike first or pick a fight….
But Leonard, being in the position of fighting for the throne succession, wouldn’t be capable of reckless actions either.
When I stared at him intently, he averted his gaze.
“There was reason enough. Don’t worry about it.”
“Leonard, do you perhaps dislike Cedric? He’ll be going to Blake with us from now on—wouldn’t it be better if you two reconciled?”
I meant it sincerely. But Leonard, seemingly unaware of my concern, waved his hand dismissively.
“Don’t worry. I won’t cause any more problems.”
* * *
The capitals of Sincester and Blake differed even in their landscapes.
While Sincester, fragrant with the height of spring, exuded a fairy-tale-like gentleness, Blake was austere.
Regardless of age or gender, everyone walking the streets carried a weapon, and even those dressed in gowns or formal attire bore no cumbersome accessories or jewels whatsoever.
This culture was not limited to commoners and the lower classes.
A young noblewoman who had just arrived in the capital wore a uniform instead of a dress, claiming it was too difficult to move in.
After all, balls and banquets held little importance for them.
“Look there! That’s the Blackwood Family crest!”
“Yesterday I saw the Redford Family carriage too, didn’t I? What on earth is happening in the capital?”
“You didn’t hear? The Princess of Sincester and the Sixth Prince are getting married!”
At the commoners’ gossip, the noblewoman Hilda openly frowned.
“What is His Majesty thinking, suddenly bringing a bride like this? Wasn’t the purpose to kidnap the Saint from Sincester?”
“Hilda, lower your voice. There’s a saying that fairies hear daytime words and monsters hear nighttime words.”
“That’s ‘birds hear daytime words, rats hear nighttime words.’ Don’t use proverbs if you’re ignorant, Commander.”
Hilda retorted curtly to Nicholas, the knight commander with a cigarette slanted in his mouth.
Nicholas laughed good-naturedly and clasped his hands behind his neck.
“Well, I can’t help being ignorant, miss~ All I know how to do is ride horses and swing swords.”
“Shut up. That’s not what I meant. Don’t you know that kind of talk is forbidden in our Knox Knight Order?”
“But Hilda, I read this.”
Nicholas grinned and held up a newspaper.
The gray paper bore the large imprint of “Madam Newcastle’s Private Gazette.”
Nicholas began reading through the article printed in the newspaper.
“The Princess of Sincester, despite lacking divine power, stubbornly insisted to the King and stripped the Saint of her position as Sacred Relic Custodian. She indulges in extravagance and is frequently embroiled in scandals, leaving the King scrambling to contain the damage….”
“You know Madam Newcastle’s private gazette isn’t trustworthy, right? She’s a woman who profits by tearing others down.”
“My point is, I simply wish to see them soon regardless.”
“Sigh… I long to see Eric and William so badly.”
Hilda shook her head in exasperation.
At that moment, the coachman approached Hilda as the repair of the broken carriage wheel was completed.
“All finished, Miss Prance.”
“Much obliged.”
“Hehehehe. ‘Miss,’ she says~”
“Please, just shut up….”
It was as Hilda, having cursed under her breath, and Nicholas attempted to board the carriage.
“Well, well. Who do we have here? Aren’t these the Blackwood dogs?”
It was Axe, the Knight Commander of the Blueheart Family.
Hilda’s brow furrowed sharply while Nicholas merely shrugged his shoulders.
“Dogs? Your word choice is far too pedestrian. How can I even muster the energy to be offended?”
“Nicholas, your vulgar manner of speech and bearing remain unchanged. I suppose it’s unavoidable, given your slave origins.”
While Nicholas’s expression remained utterly unmoved, Hilda was another matter entirely.
A vein bulged across the back of her hand as she reached toward her sword hilt, prompting Nicholas to hastily step in front of her.
“So then, what does this noble-born gentleman wish to say to us?”
“….”
“Surely you don’t intend to fight here? Hilda’s been watching her carbohydrate intake lately—she’s gained weight, you see. Even the slightest stress sends her drawing her blade, so I’d advise you to back off.”
“Shut it!”
“Oof!”
Hilda’s fist drove into Nicholas’s abdomen, sending him sprawling to the ground. The moment passersby’s gazes converged upon them, Axe spoke with unmistakable disdain.
“Hmph, as if I would engage in a fight with such an obvious outcome.”
“Gasp. Hilda, I just got chills. Isn’t that practically dialogue straight out of some third-rate villain’s mouth?”
“And characters who spout such lines always end up defeated.”
“Both of you, pay attention to what I’m saying! This is precisely why the Blackwood dogs are so!!”
As Axe shouted, both Hilda’s and Nicholas’s gazes snapped toward him simultaneously.
“What.”
“What is it.”
“….”
What Axe extended to the two of them was a letter.
“Deliver this to the Sixth Prince… no, rather, to the Princess who will become the Sixth Prince’s consort. It is an invitation written in the Empress’s own hand.”
Axe concluded his words with an arrogant smile.
“It is an invitation to an afternoon tea reception for the prospective daughter-in-law. Her Majesty wishes you to convey this without fail.”
“…What scheme is this?”
Despite Hilda’s sharp question, Axe merely turned away.
“I know nothing about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
As Axe vanished with unhurried grace, both of us stared down at the letter.
A single vein bulged across Hilda’s forehead as though she might crumple it to pieces at any moment.
“Still, we ought to contact him, shouldn’t we?”
“Yes.”
The two of us boarded the carriage in turn. The ornately patterned carriage soon began its journey across the smooth stone road.
* * *
-Don’t worry. I won’t cause any more trouble.
Leonard Blake had concluded with a smile, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe him.
That night, unable to find deep sleep, I eventually asked Leonard Blake to join me for a meal the following day.
I wanted to discuss the sacred relic I’d received from the Vault of Destiny.
When I requested the chef prepare spicy dishes as the main course, Leonard Blake seemed absolutely delighted.
“You’re saying a bow emerged from the Sincestrium?”
Leonard Blake tilted his head as he sliced the beef topped with spicy sauce.
“I’ve heard that women in Sincester aren’t permitted to learn martial arts. Yet the Sincestrium granted you a weapon?”
“That’s why we were all so surprised. But upon reflection, since the sacred relics are bestowed according to the meaning of the mark on one’s hand, it seemed plausible.”
“…’Blake’s Chrysanthemum.'”
In that instant, Leonard Blake’s fork came to a halt.
“It was the mark that would manifest in the Priest from the original work.”
“There’s no setting stating it would manifest only in him, yet it manifested in me—it’s strange. It feels as though the Sincestrium is telling me to protect Blake. But I’m meant to return eventually.”
“…Now that you mention it, how do you intend to return to Sincester later?”
“Obviously through teleportation.”
“That’s not what I mean. You’ll be married to me at that point, won’t you? Yet you plan to return to Sincester.”
“Then we’ll have to divorce.”
As I spoke so naturally, Leonard Blake’s brow furrowed slightly—as though he were someone who disliked the idea of divorce.

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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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