A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 30

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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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30.
I had meant to tell Cedric we should reconcile, but I couldn’t even find him. What on earth had happened?
Lost in thought as I walked through the Corridor, I spotted Cedric in the distance.
‘Wait. If I can’t tell Leonard right now, I can just tell Cedric instead, can’t I?’
The thought struck me like lightning, and I quickly called out to him.
“Ced….”
No, wait. This is a public place.
“Cedric Myers! Could you come over here for a moment?!”
At the sharp ring of my voice, Cedric turned his head toward me.
He approached me with quick strides.
“I was looking for you as well, Princess.”
“So was I. But why were you looking for me, Duke? Is something urgent?”
Cedric paused briefly before speaking quietly.
“It would be difficult to discuss here. Could we go to my room?”
“Yes, of course.”
I followed Cedric to the guest quarters he occupied in the Royal Palace.
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes fell upon several boxes and a beaming young woman—Cecilia, the Cedric Myers’s daughter.
“Princess!”
“Cecilia, what brings you here? You said you were unwell and couldn’t attend the Banquet tonight?”
“I had to come. I heard you’re marrying someone you don’t even like.”
Cecilia’s face twisted with displeasure as she poured out her grievances.
“How could you possibly consider marrying a man you don’t love? I absolutely cannot accept this.”
“It can’t be helped. I am the Princess, and Sincester faces a crisis of annihilation.”
“But Princess… I actually thought that after this Ballroom tonight, you would become part of our House…”
“Don’t say such useless things, Cecilia. Show me what you’ve brought.”
Cedric’s hand came to rest gently on top of Cecilia’s head.
Cecilia, who had been about to say more, wore a sullen expression as she ordered the Handmaidens to open the boxes.
The Handmaidens placed several objects wrapped in luxurious fabric onto the table.
The moment the cloth was removed, I could identify what they were.
“Cedric, these are the sacred relics of the Myers Family, aren’t they?”
“Yes, I heard from the King that your holy power has awakened. That is why I have come to offer the sacred relics of House Myers.”
“But I cannot use any sacred relics other than my own.”
“They will be returned anyway. Rather than a gift, consider it a temporary loan—as equipment for your Guard Knights during a brief visit to Blake and back.”
“These are far too precious for that. My Guard Knights’ equipment will be separately prepared by my Brother.”
“House Myers is the sword that protects Sincester. I assure you these are of comparable quality to what the King himself would provide.”
My exchange with Cedric resembled an uncompromising clash between spear and shield.
‘Why is he so insistent on giving me these sacred relics?’
I glanced subtly at the sacred relics on the table. Each one was precious, playing a significant role in the original story.
But what confused me most was the final sacred relic.
A black, gleaming box.
I was so flustered that I recoiled from the sacred relic as though it were something terrifying, shrinking back into my seat.
“Cedric? Isn’t this sacred relic something that the Duchess of House Myers passes down through generations? And this is….”
“Yes, your thoughts are correct.”
Cedric lifted the case with an impossibly serene expression, then opened it gently to reveal its contents.
A pair of wedding rings! The Silver Rings of Fate.
“They are rings that allow two people to sense each other’s location. It matters not if only one possesses holy power. I believe they are most fitting sacred relics for me to protect you as your Guard Knight.”
“These are wedding rings that Cedric should give to someone he truly loves in the future!”
“For now, they are sacred relics befitting the Princess. I wish to present them to you.”
Was this truly the consequence of my matchmaking Aurora with the Pope?
Something had to be wrong with Cedric’s limbic system. Or perhaps his prefrontal cortex.
I turned to look at Cecilia beside me. Surely you should talk some sense into your brother.
Yet Cecilia wore an expression of quiet satisfaction.
Cedric withdrew the ring and extended his hand toward me.
“I believe it should fit your left ring finger. Would you wear it?”
“How could you possibly know that?”
“Your left ring finger size has been circulating among your suitors. I’m not certain which handmaiden let it slip, but I came to know it naturally.”
Even as my mind spun in confusion, my mouth continued to speak with rational precision.
“But regardless, a wedding ring should be worn on the left ring finger.”
“Then, have you received a wedding ring from the Sixth Prince?”
At Cedric’s words, I faltered.
“Since it was a false marriage, he would not have prepared one.”
“….”
“I heard about the Red Dragon’s incident. They say it was dangerous, and it appeared he showed no consideration whatsoever for your safety.”
I had meant to ask that he get along well with Leonard, but it seemed this approach was also mistaken.
When I said nothing, Cedric returned the ring to its case.
Though his expression remained composed, the chill that descended was unmistakable—he was displeased.
“If my words have offended you, I apologize. But as a Duke of this realm, I cannot abide how he neglects you so.”
“…Thank you for thinking of me, Cedric. But if others see me wearing the wedding ring of House Myers, they’ll misunderstand.”
“The Silver Rings of Fate change their appearance to suit whoever wears them.”
Cecilia answered swiftly.
“I’m not certain what form they would take if you wore them, but no one would know they belonged to our house until we revealed it.”
Everything seemed to favor me, and I hesitated for the briefest moment, but I shook my head.
“It’s also for Cedric, who will find true love someday. So I absolutely cannot accept.”
“…Princess, do you remember what I tried to tell you in the Ballroom last time?”
“Oh, that’s right. What was it?”
“You had forgotten.”
Oh no, how could I refuse when he spoke with such a forlorn voice and expression.
“I’m truly sorry. Could you tell me?”
“It is a matter of great importance to me. I cannot speak of it in such humble attire.”
What did clothing have to do with any of this?
I gave up trying to guess what Cedric wanted to tell me.
He was far too stubborn anyway. No matter what I did, he wouldn’t speak now.
“I suppose there’s no helping it. But promise you’ll tell me when the time comes. I’m curious, after all. You know what they say—there are two ways to irritate someone.”
“What are they?”
“One is to start speaking and then stop mid-sentence, and the other is—”
Oops.
As I covered my mouth with my hand, Cedric smiled faintly, as if he understood.
“You certainly are curious.”
“Not irritated?”
“I could never be angered with you, Your Highness.”
True enough. I was the Princess and Cedric was a Duke—no matter how exasperated he might be, he could never openly display his anger.
While entertaining such trivial thoughts, Cedric extended his hand to me. I quickly placed mine in his.
The moment his soft lips brushed against the back of my hand, my heart fluttered and my face flushed crimson.
“You’ve been kissing my hand rather frequently lately, Cedric. You needn’t uphold chivalry every time we meet. Even Lucas doesn’t do this.”
“I am of House Myers. Please allow me to observe the courtesy of a knight.”
“….”
Truly, he lived up to his reputation as a stubborn man.
Suddenly feeling warm, I raised my fan to conceal my face.
I felt a gaze upon me and turned my head. There stood Cecilia, beaming with amusement as she observed us both.
“W-what is it, Cecilia? Do you have something to say?”
“Not at all.”

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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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