A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 53

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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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53.
“Well, I learned about it when I asked the White Owls to investigate the most prized steed, but I didn’t expect there to be a prophecy attached to it.”
As I spoke timidly, Leonard’s expression grew even more menacing.
“That was far too reckless. You know what happens when hooves trample you, don’t you?”
“My skull could have been crushed.”
“You acted despite knowing such dangers?”
“How else would I obtain a prized steed?”
“It’s merely a horse. I could have procured another magnificent steed for you easily enough.”
“The truth is, it’s not just about Hippolyte. Did you see the Emperor’s attitude? He treated me like a child.”
That was likely an instinctive behavior stemming from the perception that Sincester was a weaker nation than Blake.
“I needed to demonstrate boldness and strength to the Emperor. To show that I alone could succeed where no one else could. And the people of this Empire needed to see that image of me as well.”
Though no one yet knew who I truly was, I needed to gradually reveal my nature from within the Imperial Palace so that rumors would spread outward.
I wasn’t certain whether those rumors would be unfavorable or favorable, but in this brutal world of Blake, it would be advantageous for the newly arrived Prince’s Consort to be known as someone not to be trifled with.
“Since I’ve married into this place, I will play the role of the finest Prince’s Consort of Blake until our contract concludes successfully.”
Before a new Empress arose, there would be a Prince’s Consort from Sincester.
That is what would be recorded in the history books.
With a cunning smile, I called to Abigail, who stood behind me.
“Abigail, I have a saddle among my sacred items, don’t I? Place it on Hippolyte. I won’t ride her immediately, but having it there will help Hippolyte’s emotions synchronize with mine.”
“Understood.”
“Sister.”
It was then that Alex approached hurriedly, his face dark.
“Lilith has arrived.”
Princess Lilith.
Leonard’s—no, the original James’s younger sister!
* * *
Though it’s somewhat belated, let me now clarify the hierarchy: Emperor Yukal has one Empress and four Empress Consorts.
The Empress’s child is the 1st Prince, Demian.
The 1st Empress Consort’s child is the 2nd Prince, Chris. His younger brother, the 5th Prince, died of plague.
The 3rd Empress Consort’s child is the 4th Prince, Benjamin.
The 4th Empress Consort’s child is the 3rd Prince, Alex.
The 2nd Empress Consort’s child is the 6th Prince, James—or Leonard.
The princes’ order follows the order of their imperial designation.
James was hidden and raised for certain reasons, so he appeared last and became the 6th Prince.
It’s quite complicated, but in any case, Leonard was the son of the 2nd Empress Consort.
And the 2nd Empress Consort had another child of the Emperor besides Leonard.
That was Lilith Blackwood Blake.
A princess.
* * *
Princess Lilith was extraordinarily beautiful.
Her undulating hair cascaded like a chestnut waterfall, and her violet eyes above her delicate features gleamed as smoothly as grapes.
“Brother!”
The moment Lilith Blackwood Blake saw Leonard Blake, she embraced him warmly with genuine delight.
To anyone watching, she appeared to be a devoted younger sister who truly adored her brother.
…But was it really necessary?
Did she have to go that far when they didn’t even share blood? It was rather excessive!
All the surviving members of the Blackwood Family knew that Leonard Blake stood in James’s stead.
So there was no need for such an elaborate embrace, was there?
Leonard Blake’s expression was rigid as stone…wait?
“Lilith, it’s been a while.”
“!?”
That wasn’t a rigid expression at all.
True, he wasn’t smiling as broadly and embracing her the way my brother Erdan would, but it wasn’t his usual impassive demeanor either.
The corners of his mouth had risen to a twenty-five-degree angle—that was unmistakably a smile!
As my face twisted, Alex chuckled softly.
“Surely you’re not jealous of your future sister-in-law? Of course, Princess Lilith is quite fond of and devoted to Leonard, but they are blood relatives after all.”
“Ah—yes. It’s a lovely sight, isn’t it?”
“Haha… Your words and expression don’t quite match, Your Highness.”
Hmph.
I let out an internal scoff, then approached Princess Lilith with the most graceful smile I could muster.
“Princess Lilith, how do you do?”
“Oh my. Your Highness.”
Princess Lilith glanced at me, then smoothly linked her arm through Leonard Blake’s.
“I’m Lilith, Leonard’s one and only younger sister.”
“Yes. I hadn’t heard a word about it.”
“Oh my. I hadn’t heard anything about Your Highness either. I was quite shocked, truly. My brother went ahead and arranged an engagement without consulting the family, and with a foreign princess no less. It was rather unexpected and, I must confess, disappointing.”
The way she tucked her hair behind her ear was the practiced seduction of someone with considerable experience.
Alex beside me murmured quietly in admiration, “So she really is the social circle’s rose.”
“Alex.”
At that moment, Leonard Blake called to Alex.
Alex stepped forward and, like a relay baton exchange, took Lilith’s hand from Leonard Blake.
Throughout this maneuver, Lilith had no say in the matter. In fact, she even tried to hold onto Leonard Blake.
“Brother?”
But Alex was faster. He grasped Lilith’s waist and pulled her firmly to his side.
“Half-sister. What’s wrong? You already know I’m a reckless fool—isn’t it more fitting for you to play with a scoundrel like me?”
“…Brother Alex!”
“Lilith.”
Leonard Blake silenced Princess Lilith’s sharp protest with a single word.
“It is true that I arranged the engagement without consulting the family, and for that I apologize to the House. But surely you don’t believe I owe you an apology for that.”
“B-brother.”
“In return, I shall find you a suitable husband as well.”
Leonard’s sharp refusal made Lilith Blackwood Blake’s beautiful face contort slightly.
Her jewel-like eyes transformed into something venomous, turning toward me with calculated malice.
“I see. I’m truly grateful for your kindness. Oh, and I’ve brought a gift for my future sister-in-law.”
“Oh, th-thank you.”
“You know I came here as the representative of the Blackwood Family for this Imperial Palace wedding, yes? So I do hope you’ll wear my gift to the ceremony.”
“Of course I will.”
What did it matter what the gift was? Leonard was already handling everything so well anyway.
I nodded readily, unaware that Leonard’s expression was growing progressively darker.
“Then I’ll escort Lilith Blackwood Blake to the Guest Chamber myself.”
“Yes, Alex. I’m counting on you.”
I only understood why Leonard’s complexion had darkened after the two of them had left.
“What? Lilith Blackwood Blake is skilled in self-harm magic?”
“Necklaces, rings, earrings—she’s quite adept at inscribing magic that wounds herself through such items. And she has a habit of deliberately wounding herself that way, then either transferring the injuries to other ladies or disguising them as accidents to gain attention and support from gentlemen.”
“How could such behavior possibly be overlooked?”
“She’s the Princess born of the Blackwood Family and my younger sister, and apparently she was captivating enough that such things didn’t matter.”
Captivating.
I deeply disliked the word Leonard had chosen.
I forced my lips upward and irritably shook the gift Lilith Blackwood Blake had offered me.
“Let me see what this gift is.”
When I unwrapped it, it was a necklace.
Notably, it was a deep rose-pink pearl necklace that seemed to complement my hair color perfectly.
Moreover, when Leonard used a simple spell to examine it, there was no self-harm magic attached to it whatsoever.
“What’s the probability of dark magic being placed on it?”
“Surely not. If that were the case, it would not only disgrace the Family’s honor but could result in her becoming a criminal imprisoned in Tartaros. Lilith Blackwood Blake would never do such a thing.”
“Still, just to be safe, I’ll have Sara examine it once more right before the wedding.”
I felt uneasy about it.
“Can’t you trust the necklace I gave you instead? The one I presented to you?”
“Ah.”
I touched the tear necklace of Deliño hanging around my neck.
Deliño’s tear gleamed elegantly against the rose-gold chain.
It was so beautiful that nowhere about it suggested it was a magical stone.
“My gift is far more beautiful. And safe.”
“But you said you gave it as the representative of the Blackwood Family. Or perhaps… could your intention be to steal my magical stone?”
After all, I needed a magical stone to use magic. At this, Leonard stroked his chin with a hardened expression.
“It’s true… the women around me have always suffered harm.”
“My? Yet you’re aware that your younger sister is obsessed with you.”
At my words, Leonard coughed awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.
“It’s not of my own will. I’ve never been warm toward that Princess even once.”
“What? What was that smiling face just now? It was practically radiating spring breezes?”
“Spring breezes? If I showed you even a hundredth of what I’ve done for you—”
Leonard Blake, who had been about to speak, clamped his mouth shut.

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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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