A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 61

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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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61.
A week had passed since Charlotte disappeared.
The Imperial Army, the Blackwood Knights, and the mercenaries Leonard had hired with his own fortune scoured the entire Empire.
The moment Charlotte vanished, they had also called for aid from Sincester.
—If my sister dies, I will not hesitate to wage total war!!
The Young Pope had roared so fiercely that his voice shook the Imperial Palace beyond the crystal sphere, while the Saint stood pale and silent.
Shortly after, the White Owls arrived in Blake.
Yet nowhere could even the hem of Charlotte’s dress be found.
The Imperial Palace grew taut with tension, and everyone’s nerves sharpened to a knife’s edge.
Of course, the worst among them was Leonard.
On the surface, he appeared unmoved, but none dared approach him save William and Alex.
He resembled a starving lion.
His eyes reeked of blood, sharp enough to bite the moment one touched him.
Yet there was only one reason Leonard had not abandoned the Imperial Palace to search for Charlotte himself.
—Your Highness, a ruler does not abandon his post.
He was a prince responsible for countless lives.
* * *
“Your Highness!”
It was the eighth day since Charlotte had vanished.
The door to Leonard’s office burst open.
“We’ve received word from the Princess!!”
Leonard shot to his feet with a thunderous cry.
“Where is she—”
But he could not continue.
Nausea and dizziness washed over him. It seemed the toll of days without proper sleep and food was finally catching up with him.
Yet such moments had been frequent throughout his life.
Leonard steadied himself against the desk and asked rapidly.
“Where is she? Why hasn’t she returned at once? She said she wasn’t injured, didn’t she?”
The Adjutant could not get a word in against Leonard’s barrage of questions. William calmed him.
“Your Highness, perhaps allow him a moment to speak.”
“….”
“Yes, where did the Princess say she is?”
At William’s words, the Adjutant produced a crystal orb from his pocket.
Leonard took the orb. Within it appeared Charlotte, her hair bound tightly in a single knot.
She looked serene. A faint smile played at her lips, and she bore no visible injuries.
That alone seemed to settle every turbulent emotion he had felt until now.
But the moment Cedric came into view beside her, an indescribable displeasure crashed over his chest.
Charlotte had survived because of another man. That fact filled him with no gratitude—only unease.
As Leonard clicked his tongue at his own pettiness, his name was called softly.
His name was called softly.
“Leonard.”
It was a voice I hadn’t heard in eight days.
Yet it was different from the sweet whisper that had graced my dreams. Detecting something resolute in her tone, he suddenly commanded.
“…Everyone out.”
As William tactfully ushered everyone from the office, Charlotte spoke.
“Leonard, I’m at the Silverstone Territory right now. And listen carefully—I’m going to tell you what’s happening in this estate.”
Charlotte explained with remarkable diligence.
After her unbroken stream of words finally ceased, she wore a proud and refreshing smile.
But Leonard’s heart felt otherwise.
Damn it, what did any of that matter?
He already knew the situation at Silverstone well enough.
He had anticipated it and made preparations accordingly.
Of course, he’d harbored doubts about whether they’d actually attack, and while Charlotte’s information wasn’t entirely useless, what mattered most to Leonard now was not the war—it was her.
“I already knew. I’ve devised countermeasures. You needn’t worry—come back to me at once.”
“Really? You’ll use the method I suggested?”
“That’s impossible. It will be an all-out clash between knights. And besides, I’ve already said I’ll kill them all. There’s no reason for you to concern yourself with that battle.”
‘…I don’t want to put you in danger in the first place.’
When he first saw her, he hadn’t cared whether Charlotte lived or died.
But now the words clawing at his throat were: ‘Come back to me.’ ‘Stay safe by my side.’
…’I wish you’d return to my embrace like last time.’
It contradicted their contract from the very foundation.
“Charlotte, I…”
The words that barely escaped were heavy.
But then it happened.
“Leonard, I’m doing this to make you Emperor.”
“What do you…mean?”
Beyond the communication artifact, her grass-green eyes gleamed.
“I can’t let you and your adjutants be driven to the battlefield and injured or killed. The enemy soldiers are the same. They’ll become your future subjects, so I can’t let them be hurt.”
“….”
“Isn’t a ruler someone to be protected, not someone who kills?”
In that instant, Leonard’s eyes widened dramatically.
It was a phrase he remembered all too vividly.
‘How far does this woman intend to mirror me?’
As he stood frozen like a statue.
Cedric, who had been standing beside Charlotte like a stone sentinel, finally spoke.
“Sixth Prince, I too tried to dissuade the Princess, but she’s resolute. So just accept it and entrust her safety to me. I’ll protect her more perfectly than anyone.”
“….”
“You should be monitoring others in the Capital, shouldn’t you? You need to become Emperor.”
Cedric’s eyes, fixed upon him, were like brilliant blue glass. They gleamed with a peculiar arrogance and pride.
It was unmistakably a challenge to Leonard, and satisfaction in standing by Charlotte’s side.
“….”
William’s words echoed through my mind once more.
-Your Highness, those who rule do not easily relinquish their position. Have you forgotten how many people you’ve discarded and trampled upon to climb this far?
A title becomes shackles. That’s why Cedric temporarily abandoned his dukedom to follow me here.
And Leonard himself could never do such a thing, not even if he died and was reborn.
-I’ve always thought you were special.
-Please, do not blame yourself, Leonard.
-There’s no time. Let me entrust my dream to you. It’s my final request.
James’s voice, growing faint like dying embers.
Warm blood soaking through my cloak and palms.
And simultaneously, the unwanted magical power of James’s flame thrust violently into me.
After that, I sank into guilt, having lost even the courage to end it all.
I could never forget the countless tears and regrets I shed that day.
I absolutely, without fail, had to put a period to this cruel story.
“….”
Yet my lips stubbornly refused to move. My foolish gaze clung persistently to the face within the crystal orb.
Humans are inherently selfish—they wish to dream of a happy future.
But I cannot give her that. So this woman would be better off anywhere but by my side….
My gaze shifted past Charlotte to the male protagonist standing behind her.
“…I understand, Duke Cedric Myers.”
“….”
“Please protect Princess Charlotte.”
* * *
The crystal orb’s connection severed.
“Didn’t Leonard seem very strange at the end?”
He looked oddly sad.
‘Could it be that he dislikes not being able to come rescue me if I’m in danger?’
Forgetting the situation of being on the brink of war, my chest inexplicably tingled.
I wasn’t unaware that this feeling was part of happiness.
“But I must do what needs to be done.”
And returning to Leonard with all my limbs intact—that’s exactly what I need to do.
When I reached that conclusion once more, Rosalian entered through the open door.
“The call has ended. Did you explain the situation well?”
“Yes.”
This place is Silverstone.
The territory of the Light Mages.
And one of the magics they’re most confident in is communication magic.
Which meant, conversely, that magic to control communication spells had also developed considerably.
“I told him that all crystal orbs in the Silverstone Territory are likely being monitored, so I couldn’t contact his personal orb. And that I would personally participate in your operation.”
“I heard the Sixth Prince cherishes you dearly, yet he didn’t object. That’s unexpected.”
“I think of it as you trusting me.”
Rosalian handed me the comfortable clothes I’d requested, her smile enigmatic.
“…It seems you’re confident about this fight.”
“Isn’t that why you chose me? And battles aren’t won by confidence alone. They’re won through perseverance and wisdom.”
Good heavens, this is exhausting.
I accepted the clothes, tapping my shoulders in exasperation.
“You said the operation was in two days, right? Before then, I want to know more about Count Pixis. Tell 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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