A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 47

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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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47.
Leonard spoke to me without a moment’s hesitation.
“Charlotte, it will endanger your life. Let’s discard it.”
“But Your Highness, it’s a gift from the Sixth Prince, so it feels wrong to simply throw it away. Besides, it wasn’t you who received it—it was the Princess.”
William spoke from beyond the door, sounding troubled.
Leonard then responded in a bestial tone.
“Who doesn’t know that? But the Princess could be in danger because of it.”
“Still, we must consider the eyes of the Empire’s people.”
“Everyone already knows things aren’t good between us anyway. What difference does refusing one gift from that bastard make?”
He resembled a mother beast protecting her young. I quickly rose from my seat and approached Leonard.
“Leonard, let me decide whether to accept the gift or not.”
“But—”
“And don’t worry. My capable mage can verify whether any dangerous magic has been placed upon it.”
The capable mage I spoke of was naturally Sara.
She had only just arrived at the Blake Royal Palace yesterday.
If it were an item cursed with offensive magic, she would detect it immediately.
Yet Leonard remained sharp as a cornered beast. He shook his head, suspicious of everything about Demian and all of it.
“There’s certainly serious offensive magic placed upon it. Checking won’t change anything.”
“Leonard.”
“Discard it, Charlotte.”
Seeing his commanding gaze, I understood.
Those eyes weren’t concerned for me. They were flames of hatred and loathing, incapable of rational judgment.
I roughly shook off Leonard’s arm that had grasped my wrist.
“Is that an order?”
“Of course not. It’s a request.”
Leonard momentarily flustered, raising both hands. Yet I could glimpse a clear light of denial in his eyes.
“Then respect my decision. I must open this gift.”
“…Must you?”
“I must.”
Speaking firmly, his expression darkened menacingly.
“Absolutely not. I cannot permit it.”
He spoke sharply, then rose with considerable force, roughly opening the door and departing.
Even Ignis was startled enough to raise his tail in alarm.
Leonard snatched the blue box being held by the 1st Prince’s attendant from beyond the open doorway.
And then. Good heavens.
“Tell him I received it well.”
With a twisted smile, he drew a magical circle and shoved the box into it.
Shock gave way to a natural surge of anger.
It wasn’t merely anger at him handling something of mine so carelessly.
Half of it was also disappointment that he had told me nothing about the relationship between Demian and himself.
“Leonard!”
“It’s in my office. If you search it, you’ll see I was right. I did it for you.”
Watching him respond so carelessly, fury surged through me. I clenched my teeth.
“No! No one—absolutely no one—can handle me or my belongings carelessly. Not even my brother!”
“Charlotte.”
“Get out of my room… wait, no.”
This isn’t my room.
I strode out of the bedroom, ignoring Ignis’s pitying gaze.
“Have the wedding alone.”
I’d stormed out boldly enough, but I had nowhere to go. We’d been assigned to the same room.
Besides, if I let my anger show and we fought before the ceremony, that would play right into Demian’s hands—something I refused to do.
Fiancés quarreling before the wedding.
Leonard was infuriating, but I wouldn’t tarnish my reputation because of it.
In the end, I…
“Sara, I’m sorry.”
I burst into Sara’s room where she sat alone.
“You shouldn’t apologize for things you’ve done wrong.”
“I’ll forgive 10% of your debt.”
“I shall serve you with utmost care.”
10% of Sara’s debt was a substantial sum, so I was making quite a generous gesture.
Watch how that mercenary Sara did a complete 180-degree turn in attitude.
“Honestly, Sara, you need to change that materialistic attitude of yours.”
“If Your Highness would change her appearance-obsessed attitude toward men, I would be willing to do the same.”
“Good heavens! I don’t discriminate against people based on their faces! I simply happen to like handsome men!!”
That was when I protested my innocence.
A knock sounded from outside Sara’s door, followed by Alex’s voice.
“Sister-in-law, I know you’re here. Would you have a moment to talk?”
I hesitated, but after getting Sara’s permission, I let Alex in.
He flashed Sara his most charming smile and thanked her graciously.
Of course, Sara, who despised anything that shone, looked as though she’d witnessed something repulsive.
Once Sara left the room and we were alone, Alex spoke.
“Since my brother won’t be here, I’ll be taking over his guard duties. I wanted to tell you that I’ll be by your side whenever you need me from now on.”
“…Leonard said he’d be by my side whenever?”
It was obvious.
As I blurted it out, Alex waved his hands in flustered denial.
“He didn’t say it so directly. He just said to watch over you.”
“He doesn’t seem interested in apologizing.”
Sharp words escaped me, but my heart wasn’t in them.
Leonard had mostly yielded to me since we’d made our contract marriage, after all.
‘But when it comes to Demian, he won’t budge, is that it?’
I bit my lip, and Alex offered a gentle smile.
“Perhaps your sister-in-law might find it in her heart to forgive Demian. As for me…”
Alex paused, choosing his words carefully, then exhaled a long sigh.
“He’s like a reverse scale—a source of great sensitivity.”
“….”
“I cannot presume to speak of what manner of person he truly is, but at the very least, before you came into his life, Demian was the only one capable of moving my brother.”
…So it was Demian who had kindled those sparks of passion.
I found it difficult to name this emotion that suddenly surged within me.
“Don’t use that word—sister-in-law—again.”
The words came out sharper than intended, and I felt a twinge of embarrassment, but Alex merely smiled knowingly.
“I’ve known a few women in my time, and I’d wager you’re not truly angry right now—you’re hurt, aren’t you?”
“What are you talking about? If you’re going to say such things, then leave.”
“Ha ha ha. In any case, know that I shall remain by your side. Farewell.”
With those words—more a declaration than a farewell—Alex rose from his seat.
Left alone, I sipped my tea and found myself repeating the words Demian had once spoken to him.
-Be careful not to lose this time either.
* * *
“Wake up, come on. Wake up.”
“…Ignis.”
I opened my eyes once more, my cheek throbbing with pain.
The only difference from yesterday was that I now lay in Sara’s Bedroom.
“How did you manage to summon yourself here? Are you truly my summoned creature?”
“This is all thanks to my ever-growing, magnificent magical prowess, thank you very much. And how dare you leave me beside that Leonard fellow!?”
I brushed away the red dragon’s rear end as it pressed insistently against my face, as though clearing away an object, and rose from the bed.
My mood was thoroughly foul.
Part of it was due to the Red Dragon’s pestering, but…
It was because Leonard had not come all day yesterday to apologize and seek my forgiveness.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“You should be! Of course you should be sorry! You’re my subordinate, after all.”
“Why would I be your subordinate? I’m your summoner.”
“It’s the same concept.”
I would need to have a serious conversation with Ignis about his definitions one of these days.
As I heaved a deep sigh, Ignis pressed me further.
“When are you going to make up with him, hm?”
“Why? Does it matter to you if I don’t reconcile?”
“That fool is radiating such murderous intent that the very air of the Imperial Palace feels suffocating! You soft-hearted types wouldn’t notice, but I, a magical detection apparatus, sense it immediately!”
Ignis pressed his foreleg against my cheek once more, but I remained unmoved.
“Honestly, didn’t Leonard do something wrong? Leonard should be the one coming to apologize!”
“True, he did make a mistake. But considering the danger Demian poses, abandoning you wasn’t entirely wrong either. Just pretend you can’t help yourself and go to his bedroom. Foolish men are always stubborn.”
“Are you saying Leonard is foolish?”
“Exactly.”
“Indeed. The way she gets lost so easily makes her seem rather dim-witted.”
But I couldn’t afford to lose so easily.
I too was raised with distinction in Sincester. I was no blade of grass to bow my head first.
“Well… I suppose I could pretend to give in around 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Why such a specific time?”
“After breakfast, when the mind naturally begins to feel refreshed and at ease. It’s the perfect moment for reconciliation.”
“Your Highness. It’s Dorothy.”
At that moment, Dorothy’s voice came from outside. Judging by her listless tone, my instincts screamed that something was amiss.
* * *
“Why have they come to me?”
“They are candidates for lady’s maids sent by the Empress for ‘wedding preparations.'”
The Empress’s Court attendant offered a peculiar smile before gesturing toward ten noblewomen before me.

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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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