A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 93

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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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93.
“What did you obtain from Demian?”
-He said he’d tell me if I agreed to it. First, he claimed that merely knowing the details of the transaction would be dangerous….
A sigh drifted through the crystal orb.
-He was so apologetic about it. Truly pitiful. And yet it’s all slander.
Cedric slowly leaned back in his chair, his grip on the sword tightening unnecessarily.
In that prolonged silence, a soft laugh echoed from beyond the crystal orb.
-Ah… Strictly speaking, my Brother wasn’t lying either.
“Cecilia.”
-Yes, yes~ Oh, and I’m not going alone.
“Who is accompanying you?”
-Aurora, the Saint.
“The Saint is leaving Sincester?”
Cedric’s brow furrowed at this unexpected revelation.
-It’s not unheard of for the Saint to travel, so His Majesty granted permission. He was also concerned that there are no noblewomen in Blake whom the Princess knows. Though it will be only for a brief time.
“With the Hunting Festival approaching, having her presence would certainly be reassuring.”
The Hunting Festival.
Cedric rolled the sword in his hand.
Information he had gathered while moving about secretly last night came to mind.
“Cecilia.”
Cedric’s voice dropped lower.
“I have several pieces of information to convey to the Princess. See that she receives them.”
* * *
After releasing Hermes, I immediately contacted Cecilia and requested the use of the Eye of Truth.
Surprisingly, Cecilia agreed without hesitation, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.
The Empress Consort departed Iaphe Castle shortly after. Simultaneously, word arrived that Leonard Blake’s battle had just concluded.
I prepared for the Hunting Festival while awaiting his return.
“I really do love this outfit. Thank you, Sir Galahad.”
“Clothing makes the person, after all.”
I turned a full circle before the mirror.
A black cloak draped across my shoulders over a deep green hunting coat, and the Blackwood crest embroidered in silver thread gleamed softly.
It was both practical and perfectly suited for the Hunting Festival.
“You look ready to claim first place at any moment.”
“I’m still a novice, though.”
“In Blake, appearance is skill.”
Galahad adjusted his glasses.
“Is your mount prepared?”
“I have my beloved steed, so don’t worry.”
“That half-horse, half-dragon creature? It will be perfectly suited for the Hunting Festival.”
At that moment, Alex approached and set down some documents.
“Sister-in-law, here is the list of nobility and royalty attending the Hunting Festival, a map of Witness Mountain’s terrain, and a roster of past champions along with the beasts they hunted.”
He then leaned close, pretending to help me select accessories as he whispered.
“Are you planning to take first place?”
“With so many eyes watching, I need to appear to do my best. Besides, I might encounter Demian, so it’s good to know the Hunting Festival perfectly.”
I took the documents and scanned through them quickly.
“Do we have allies?”
“Yes. After the Hunting Festival, when we enter the Banquet Hall, several nobles will approach you.”
“Thank you.”
Alex truly can accomplish anything I ask of him. How can he be so capable?
Before I knew it, a bright smile spread across my face as I looked at him.
“Your Highness Alex, you’re truly competent. It seems like you shouldn’t be serving under Leonard Blake.”
“…!”
The moment those words left my lips, the air in the room froze visibly.
‘…Why is everyone reacting like this?’
What I had just said was clearly praise. A perfectly well-intentioned compliment.
Yet no response came.
I shifted my gaze toward Thetis. She made no effort to hide her troubled expression.
A chill ran through my chest, but it was brief—the sound of someone rushing toward us echoed through the hall.
Dorothy burst through the open door, her face flushed with excitement.
“Your Highness! The Saint and the Myers Duchy’s young lady have arrived!”
After Alex left on the pretext of preparing the Knights’ Order’s return, I made my way to the Reception Room with a complicated heart.
‘I’ll figure out what that was about later. Right now, welcoming these two is what matters.’
The moment I saw them, I pushed thoughts of Alex aside and devoted myself to catching up on everything that had happened.
“So His Highness left you here alone and departed for monster subjugation the moment he arrived?”
Aurora set down her teacup and narrowed her eyes.
She seemed quite displeased at being left alone in Iaphe Castle.
In truth, this attitude had begun after the Silverstone incident.
Aurora had blamed Leonard harshly, claiming he was responsible for putting my life in danger.
“It was a matter where the lives of the territory’s people were at stake. I pushed him to go.”
“Yet Erdan can use holy power freely even while sitting in the castle. Can’t he do the same?”
“Brother is the Pope. He’s the royal with the most holy power in history.”
“Regardless, he can’t do it.”
Cecilia interjected smoothly, lending her support.
“The Holy Knight Order led by our brother is the natural enemy of monsters.”
“My, the Duke must have finished his tea by now?”
“It probably didn’t take even a week?”
Both their gazes turned toward me simultaneously. I added reluctantly.
“Still, it’s all finished now. Without holy power, this speed is practically miraculous, you know?”
“…I came rushing over to help, but it seems there was no need.”
Aurora muttered petulantly.
“Anyway, aside from that matter, has anything else happened? His Majesty worries about you quite a bit.”
I exhaled with relief—the subject had shifted away from the dangerous topic.
I responded with a bright smile.
“That’s what I should be asking you, Aurora. Has anything unusual occurred in Sincester?”
“According to the Moonlight Shadows, there have been no monster sightings.”
“Exactly! Leonard has been working so hard that the rifts aren’t opening in Sincester anymore. Last time, he even fought Demian fiercely and got injured.”
“Hmph.”
Aurora scoffed at my words.
“That’s simply what he ought to be doing.”
Oh dear, Leonard. Your reputation with her has truly hit rock bottom. What am I to do?
As I sighed, Cecilia spoke in a hushed voice.
“Your Highness, please tell us now.”
“Tell you what?”
“About your dealings with Hermes.”
I glanced around the room. There were still many people nearby.
After dismissing all the servants, I recounted my encounter with Hermes in the now-quiet reception room.
Once Aurora had heard everything, she blinked slowly and deliberately.
“You want me to use the Eye of Truth to locate the body of a priestess named Aria….”
“Yes.”
At my response, Cecilia’s expression grew somewhat troubled.
“Your Highness, wouldn’t directly involving yourself with Demian be dangerous? And that informant seems rather suspicious.”
“But I want to learn about this woman named Aria. Hermes said something that intrigued me.”
—Demian surely has a reason for possessing Aria’s corpse.
“If I understand who Aria is, I might be able to uncover Demian’s weakness.”
“….”
“But using the Eye of Truth is entirely your choice! I won’t force you.”
“What are you saying! I am also a citizen of Sincester. It is only natural that I use my holy power for Your Highness.”
“You’re right. I’ll help too.”
“I’m so grateful to both of you…!”
My heart swelled as I tried to embrace Aurora, but she deftly evaded me.
So I embraced Cecilia instead. Fortunately, she accepted the embrace obediently, though she fumbled and withdrew something from within my arms.
“In exchange, I have one favor to ask of you.”
It was the sacred treasure of the Myers Family—the Ring of Silver.
“As you know, my brother serves in the Holy Knight Order. However, my brother has been commanded by His Majesty the King to become your guard knight, and he should have remained by your side.”
So that’s why Cedric was reluctant to leave.
Now I understood.
“But I cannot ask my brother to return to your side. So I hope you would wear this ring.”
Cecilia’s voice grew softer.
“The Ring of Silver allows us to know each other’s location. If my brother cannot remain at your side, then at the very least, he should know where you are and be able to come to your aid in times of danger.”
“But my lady, isn’t this the betrothal ring of the Myers Family?”
“It won’t show on the surface.”
“Even so, I cannot participate. Didn’t you say so last time?”
“We cannot leave a record that the Myers Duchy was absent from the Princess’s side. It is our pride.”
In that moment, Aurora snatched the case from Cecilia’s hands.
“Lady Cecilia. No matter how much I dislike the Sixth Prince, this doesn’t seem right.”

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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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