A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 71

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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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71.
“No Emperor possesses purely noble bloodlines. Several exterminated families are mixed in. Much like how organisms born in barren lands grow stronger.”
“….”
“However, everyone in Silverstone comes from noble bloodlines without exception. Moreover, they are the very executioners who led the annihilation of defeated families. So perhaps it’s only natural that they regard my brother with caution.”
That doesn’t mean they should hate him, though.
As if reading my thoughts, Alex added his own observation.
“There’s also a rumor circulating—unlike those who were forcibly brought into the Imperial Palace, the half-brother of the 3rd Empress became a free knight, or so I’ve heard.”
“….”
“So they say all the illegitimate children in the Imperial Palace looked down upon him.”
As I lifted my teacup in silence, Ignis, who had been lounging beside me, let out a snort of laughter.
“They speak of bloodlines as if it matters, yet they all lost to that fellow anyway. Humans truly are foolish creatures.”
“Wait, Ignis—are you defending Leonard right now?”
“Cough?!”
Ignis, who had been continuously devouring macarons, suddenly sprang up and sputtered.
“Who, who is defending that trash?! I am an omnipotent dragon who speaks only truth beneath the heavens, so I merely stated facts!!”
“Sure, sure. I’ll tell Leonard all about this.”
“No! He’s trash! Trash that won’t even burn!”
I stroked the bouncing Ignis while turning to Alex with a question.
“By the way, Third Prince—does Leonard happen to use recovery magic among his spells?”
“Among flame magic… recovery magic, you say? Hmm.”
Alex stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“My brother rarely uses anything other than teleportation magic in front of others, so I’m not entirely certain, but typically all magic includes recovery spells, so he surely possesses one.”
“Not ordinary recovery magic. I mean something like super-regeneration magic?”
“Super-regeneration?”
“Yes. The kind where even if your abdomen is pierced through, flesh and bone regenerate instantly.”
At my words, Alex’s eyes widened before he laughed.
“Such magic exists? That’s impossible. Even an Archmage couldn’t accomplish that.”
“I see… Then why doesn’t Leonard use magic openly in front of others? He’s called the Mage of Flame, after all.”
“That’s because he uses a ‘flame-wreathed sword’ in battles requiring wide-area attacks.”
I suppose that makes sense. Displaying flame magic in ordinary daily life would be dangerous.
Besides, if he can’t control his mana well, he might end up burning down the entire house while swatting a mosquito.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Leonard had gone on a business trip somewhere today, or so I’d been told.
I couldn’t even open my mouth in front of Alex, who knew nothing of yesterday’s events.
When I returned to my bedroom, I encountered Thetis and Abigail.
Both wore smiles that felt inexplicably unsettling.
“Why… are you two like that?”
“Have you forgotten?”
“Forgotten? What did I forget? I thought I’d completed all my tasks for today.”
At my words, Thetis looked at Abigail with an expression of surprise.
“Good heavens. You truly have forgotten, Mrs. Everhart.”
“That’s precisely what I’ve been saying, Thetis. The Sixth Prince’s Consort simply doesn’t possess such a keen memory.”
Could they really address their mistress in such a manner?
I opened my mouth to protest, then reconsidered my own usual conduct and closed it again.
“Ahem, Abigail. What on earth is this about?”
“Sixth Prince’s Consort.”
Abigail addressed me gently.
“Shouldn’t you now fulfill your duties as the Consort?”
“My duties as the Consort?”
“Traveling to Blackwood Territory. The Sixth Prince will soon enter the succession struggle, so you must familiarize yourself with Blackwood before then.”
“Precisely. You should have gone immediately after the wedding ceremony, but it has been far too delayed.”
“We have completed most of the preparations while you were in Silverstone, so please set your mind at ease.”
As the two of them exchanged words, I found myself unable to speak.
So I’m truly going to jointly govern Blackwood with Leonard now!?
* * *
Beneath soft lamplight lay a secluded space enclosed by double wooden walls that shut out all external sound.
Rosalian, seated upon the sofa, slowly lowered the teacup from her lips.
Leonard, observing her, opened his mouth quietly.
“Prince Servi has sent word that he wishes to protect you and Jack. He will ensure your safe passage to the Kingdom.”
“…But I cannot live in comfort in the Serbi Kingdom while my benefactor perishes.”
Her words dissolved into the air, yet her resolve burned far more vividly than the cold atmosphere surrounding them.
“Then are you planning to take your own life alongside her?”
“How could I? I wish to remain by Prince Benjamin’s and the Princesses’ sides as they grow into adulthood.”
“….”
“Fortunately, the Sixth Prince’s Consort has agreed to forge new identities for all Sirens, myself included. Jack and I are to go to Sincester as tea merchants. Whether this stems from compassion or atonement, I have decided to accept it.”
Rosalian drew a shallow breath and lifted her gaze once more.
“The Sixth Prince’s Consort…. Truly a most extraordinary person.”
“Extraordinary?”
“Yes.”
She nodded lightly.
“From the beginning, I understood what the Consort meant when she called the necklace garbage. It was not because of me, but because of Princess Lilith.”
“….”
“You are not easily provoked by such provocations. And to accept the bargain so readily…. Truthfully, I was astonished. Such a thing would be impossible without a love for the Empire’s people.”
“….”
“You are wasted on this.”
The final words struck Leonard’s chest quietly, yet with precision.
“Do you resent me for using the Empress?”
“That is not what I meant. Besides, it was the Empress’s choice, so I harbor no resentment toward anyone.”
“Then what did you mean by saying such a thing?”
“Do you not love the Empire’s people?”
“….”
Leonard fell silent, and Rosalian offered him a faint smile.
“You are a pitiful man.”
Leonard rebutted sharply at those words.
“No one can judge whether I am pitiful or not. Save for one person.”
“You mean that person who has already passed? I assure you, they surely thought you pitiful. I only observed from a distance, but I knew them.”
“You seem to know quite a lot. Where did you learn all this?”
“I am the star of the night sky, the dawn’s first light. I am Monet Marquis, granted a title by the Emperor. One inevitably learns information one would rather not know.”
“Then you should also know that simply because you possess information doesn’t mean you have the right to spill it all, Miss Cleur.”
The final words carried a chill. As Rosalian closed her mouth, Leonard rose from his seat.
“You may consider my proposal rejected. I shall take my leave now.”
He turned toward the door, then suddenly paused as if remembering something.
“Since you’ve revealed my secret, it’s only fair that I ask you something in return.”
“….”
“You and Jack claim the 3rd Empress was your benefactor. What kindness did she show you? To be honest, she’s not the sort of woman to treat commoners well.”
“I won’t deny it.”
Rosalian nodded.
“But I believe you can understand, Your Highness. Even a fleeting moment of pity can feel like salvation. Isn’t that why I stand here now, dressed in the attire of a prince?”
At Rosalian’s words, Leonard’s brow furrowed with displeasure.
“Don’t be mistaken. What she gave me was not pity. She and the 3rd Empress are worlds apart.”
“Must I really distinguish between your savior and mine?”
Jack and Rosalian had nearly starved to death during a bitter winter when the 3rd Empress happened upon them on the street, took pity on them, and ordered her handmaidens to place them in the Relief Center and care for them.
It was cheap charity, but for the siblings, it was salvation beyond measure.
“…”
Leonard regarded Rosalian silently, then turned away once more. The dry wooden floorboards creaked, breaking the silence.
“Pardon 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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