A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 52

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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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52.
As our conversation meandered through various topics, I found myself approaching the Harem almost without notice.
The Harem, known as Eros Palace, bore no resemblance whatsoever to the Emperor’s or Empress’s residences.
The walls gleamed as though coated in gold, and the excessively vibrant flowering trees alongside the kaleidoscopic stone pathways exuded an air of extravagant opulence.
Before that very palace, in a sprawling open field, I glimpsed the Emperor surrounded by several women huddled together.
Emperor Yukal and his Concubines.
Noticing our arrival, he ceased his conversation with them and turned his gaze toward us.
“You’ve come.”
“May the radiance of Blake shine upon Your Majesty the Emperor.”
I bowed my head respectfully to the Emperor, offering a formal greeting.
Of course, I did not neglect to address each of the Concubines by name and offer blessings in the name of the divine.
“May the blessings of the divine Elisia be bestowed upon Belandra and Soriel.”
Typically, a Prince’s Consort would regard the Concubines in the Harem with contempt.
Though I myself was far more noble than they in both station and bloodline, I believed such courtesy was merely proper conduct.
The Concubines appeared visibly taken aback, as though encountering a Prince’s Consort of this nature for the first time.
The Emperor himself wore a smile of intrigue.
“Is it affectation or sincerity? The Holy Royal Family has long been renowned for their inscrutable hearts.”
“If you question the truth of my words, Your Majesty, then surely it is sincere. I am not so petty a person as to be incapable of blessing others, even through mere words.”
“…Ha ha ha!”
The Emperor laughed heartily, then turned to regard Leonard Blake.
“I’ve heard of the matter with the Empress, and judging by what you say now, you certainly possess remarkable audacity.”
“The matter with the Empress, you say?”
“Ah yes—the tea party incident.”
The Emperor dismissed the Concubines at a distance, then leaned his body at an angle against the fence.
“I hear the Empress conducted herself with considerable discourtesy? I shall apologize on her behalf. Though I do not support Demian, the Empress is my legitimate consort, after all. Well, I doubt the Princess would accept my apology regardless.”
“Yes, if I am to receive an apology, I would prefer to receive it directly from Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Quite right.”
Emperor Yukal, unbothered by his apology’s rejection, broke into a hearty laugh and gestured toward the horses beyond the fence.
“Princess, you are aware of the custom wherein the bride takes a carriage around the Capital after the wedding ceremony, yes?”
The Emperor then pointed to a silver horse tethered at one side of the open field.
“As a gesture of apology, I shall gift you a horse to draw your carriage. After that, you may ride the horse yourself if you wish. Collecting fine steeds is a hobby of mine, so all the horses here are truly exceptional.”
So that is why he summoned me to the Riding Ground.
Though I found the Emperor’s reasoning difficult to fathom, I decided it was fortuitous and opened my mouth to speak.
“Would it be acceptable to request a different horse instead? One that Your Majesty would have no use for.”
At my words, Emperor Yukal’s expression shifted to one of considerable surprise.
“You have a particular horse in mind? Which horse are you referring to?”
“I have heard there is a wild horse captured from Gigantes Stone Mountain. I should like to attempt to tame it.”
“That horse?”
Yukal’s expression grew grave in an instant.
“I understand that women in Sincester are forbidden from learning horsemanship. Yet you claim you can tame that savage beast?”
“Yes. I am the Princess of the Holy Kingdom.”
“Hmm. Your confidence is quite remarkable.”
Despite his words, Emperor Yukal’s expression was distinctly displeased.
“However, I cannot allow harm to come to the Princess.”
“I won’t be harmed. Besides, if I were injured, the Priesthood could simply heal me. Or perhaps you’re reluctant to part with that wild steed?”
My words struck a nerve, and Emperor Yukal’s brow furrowed.
The “wild steed” I spoke of was Hippolyte, born in the Gigantes Stone Mountain with half-demon blood coursing through her veins.
In the original story, only Demian, the dark mage, succeeded in taming her. Because of this, she became one of Demian’s cheat abilities.
I wanted to seize her for myself.
“…Well, if you truly manage to tame her, I suppose I could give her to you.”
As Emperor Yukal reluctantly granted permission with obvious reluctance, Leonard Blake stopped me.
“Charlotte, surely you don’t intend to tame Hippolyte from the original story?”
“That’s exactly what I intend. If I leave her as is, Demian will claim her.”
“It’s still dangerous. That steed cannot be tamed unless one is a dark mage.”
“Leonard Blake.”
I gently grasped the shoulder of Leonard Blake, who stood in my path.
“Don’t worry and trust me.”
“Charl—”
“Trust in my deception skills.”
“…What?”
I smiled mischievously before quietly whispering a summoning incantation.
A faint magical circle appeared in the air, and Ignis materialized with a soft pop.
Of course, no one else would have witnessed this entire scene. A concealment spell had been layered over everything.
Ignis, perched upon my shoulder, pressed my cheek firmly with his front paw.
“Why did you summon me?”
“I remembered that demons won’t approach when you’re around. This steed is half-demon, half-beast. Intimidate her for me.”
“Why?”
“While the steed hesitates, I’ll use my charm ability to tame her gently.”
“Hmm. But even if the steed becomes docile, riding is another matter entirely, is it not? Can you even ride?”
“I can. So you’ll do it, won’t you?”
“Hmph!!”
Ignis snorted derisively but didn’t refuse.
By then, an attendant had brought Hippolyte forward at the Emperor’s command.
The attendant appeared to struggle merely tying the reins to the fence.
“Are you truly certain you can do this?”
“Yes.”
I nodded quietly and approached the tethered Hippolyte with measured steps.
“Easy now—”
Hippolyte, who had been rearing frantically, gradually calmed as she was crushed beneath the dragon’s overwhelming presence.
However, if I relied solely on Ignis’s power to suppress her, I couldn’t claim credit for taming her myself.
Without hesitation, I approached Hippolyte and placed my hands on her cheek and mane.
I suppressed the light that emerged when using holy power.
The people present here did not possess the bloodline of the Holy Kingdom, so they would be unable to sense this force.
Shortly after, Hippolyte, who had been snorting roughly, began rubbing her cheek against my hand.
Like a gentle breeze rippling across a calm lake.
A servant carefully approached and handed me the bridle and saddle.
I placed them one by one on the horse’s back, stepped on the servant’s leg for leverage, and mounted Hippolyte lightly.
“Whoa!”
Hippolyte was larger than any horse I had ever seen. From atop her, my perspective opened to a view that seemed to look down upon the world.
Sitting upon Hippolyte’s back, I straightened my posture and smiled as gracefully as possible.
“Your Majesty, this horse is now mine, is it not?”
Emperor Yukal asked with a bewildered expression.
“How did you… manage that?”
“Well, that would be…”
I smiled and released the invisibility spell. As Ignis, perched on my shoulder, became visible, Emperor Yukal let out a sigh.
“My summoned beast assisted me.”
“But that is—”
“Surely you won’t speak out of both sides of your mouth, claiming you cannot give her the horse because it was the summoned beast’s power? A summoned beast’s strength is my strength as well.”
“…!”
Soon Emperor Yukal burst into hearty laughter.
“That’s true enough! A dragon obeying commands is an ability in itself. Very well. The Princess shall have that horse.”
“I am grateful for your generosity, Your Majesty.”
“But it is strange… Even if you tamed her with the dragon’s power, the fact that she now carries the Princess so docilely suggests the Princess possesses natural horsemanship, does it not?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
Neigh—!
In that moment, Hippolyte cried out loudly, as if she understood the words.
Gripping Hippolyte’s reins firmly again, I adjusted my posture and looked down upon the Emperor.
“The women of Sincester were merely forbidden from learning horsemanship—it does not mean we lack physical ability.”
At my words, Emperor Yukal’s lips curled upward.
“…Even possessing the audacity to speak so brazenly of breaking national law. I find myself increasingly fond of you.”
“It is an honor.”
“But take care. There is a prophecy concerning this horse.”
“A prophecy?”
“This horse is half-human, half-beast. The moment she receives the love of a horse, she is destined to be abducted into the Demon Realm, or so I’ve heard.”
Emperor Yukal then turned away with a hearty laugh.
“Leonard, see that your wife is not abducted into the Demon Realm.”
In an instant, only Leonard and I remained in the open field.
And I… rolled my eyes, gauging Leonard’s reaction.
This was because Leonard had remained silent throughout.
Glancing sideways at him, his expression was filled with displeasure.

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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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