A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 97

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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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97.
“Why?”
Looking at Leonard’s smile, my answer seemed correct.
“You mustn’t be deceived by the phrase ‘King of the Forest.’ You said they fight for the throne without drawing a sword—that means they lack sharp, weapon-like body parts such as claws or fangs.”
“And?”
“Offering their bodies before the starving suggests they are mostly herbivores that become prey. Burning eternally like flames refers to their red fur.”
“And the last one?”
“Each year they shed themselves and return as if reborn—this describes animals that molt or shed their skin annually. Considering all of this, the only creature famous on Witness Mountain is the red deer.”
Since they called it a ‘king,’ it must be the leader among them.
“Your thoughts align with mine.”
Leonard laughed with satisfaction.
“Shall we go claim the throne now?”
* * *
I couldn’t help Leonard.
If I participated in the process of him capturing his prey, someone could find fault with his qualifications.
After parting with him, I slowly wandered Witness Mountain.
Neigh—
“Hippolyte, do you dislike walking slowly?”
At the leisurely pace, Hippolyte lifted his tail once and dropped it. His forceful snort made me laugh.
I gently stroked Hippolyte’s mane.
“I’ve felt sorry for keeping you tied up in the stable all this time anyway. How about we run a bit instead of heading down right away?”
The moment I finished speaking, Hippolyte rolled his legs once.
As soon as I pulled the reins, a fierce wind brushed my ears and the landscape changed rapidly.
I rode thoughtlessly for quite some time.
When I came to my senses, I was in an unfamiliar place, though I was certainly far from the mountain’s entrance.
“I should head back now.”
“Your… Highness?”
At that moment, a low, steady voice rang out from directly behind me.
“Cedric?”
I turned my head and saw deep blue eyes gazing at me beneath black hair.
Refined features and an unwavering posture.
The same upright and virtuous man stood before me.
“…You must watch the path ahead. One moment of carelessness and you’ll fall from your horse.”
He seemed slightly startled, but quickly continued in his usual measured tone.
“Ce…dric, it’s been so long. Have you been well?”
“I’ve been well, thanks to you.”
Thanks to me—those words.
A sudden wave of guilt washed over me, and I quickly dismounted.
Cedric approached rapidly with a surprised expression.
“You dismount quite skillfully on your own.”
“It’s partly due to the holy relic. So you needn’t bend your knee like last time. Using a handsome man as a foot stool—it’s absurd.”
“…Do I appear handsome to Your Highness?”
“You are handsome. Surely you haven’t forgotten you’re popular? That’s what they call the halo effect.”
The halo effect is more than enough with the heroines of those eye-candy novels.
Cedric furrowed his brow as if he didn’t understand what I was saying, yet he extended his hand toward me.
“Please give me the reins. I shall lead.”
“Hippolyte is a half-human, half-horse. He’ll buck under Cedric’s hand.”
“Then is there nothing I can do for Your Highness now? I cannot lead the horse, carry anything, or offer my arm.”
“I have all my limbs intact, so there’s no need to help.”
In that instant, Cedric’s eyes widened, and a hollow laugh escaped him.
Since he was always expressionless, I was quite taken aback.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You truly are consistent, Your Highness. You are not one to rely on others.”
“That’s….”
Perhaps it’s because I lived so fiercely in my past life that it’s become ingrained in me?
Though a princess was taught from childhood never to lift anything heavier than chopsticks, I would unconsciously fold blankets and clear the table.
Of course, I barely do that now.
But meeting Cedric inevitably brings Sincester to mind.
The place I wish to return to.
Away from Leonard Blake.
“….”
Without realizing it, my grip on the reins tightened as that scene felt increasingly like reality.
‘No, this isn’t the time to think about such things.’
I shook my head and looked back at Cedric.
“Cedric, but why are you here now?”
“I became an inspection inspector and have been patrolling the mountain. The Imperial Army must guard the Imperial Palace, so they couldn’t come.”
“I see…. Then Cedric, you’re aware that a Succession War is happening on this mountain right now?”
“Yes. I heard the Emperor posed a riddle.”
I told Cedric everything that had happened in the Reception Hall earlier.
At that, Cedric’s footsteps halted.
“Your Highness, the hunting grounds for the nobles and the hunting grounds for the princes are in different zones. However, no orders have been issued to strictly monitor each zone.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means the nobles could invade the princes’ hunting grounds.”
“Why would they do that? What’s the purpose?”
“There are various reasons, but typically they would cross zones to either aid the prince they support or eliminate a rival prince.”
Cedric’s voice was calm, yet his words pierced straight through my chest.
In other words, this wasn’t merely a hunt for beasts—it could become a group battle between factions.
Lives could be at stake.
‘Leonard Blake….’
Without a word, I tightened my grip on the reins.
Cedric, who stood beside me, quietly asked.
“Are you concerned about the Sixth Prince’s wellbeing?”
“D-does it seem that way?”
I quickly waved my hand.
“It’s not just that. I do hope he wins the Succession War. That way, I can return to Sincester.”
“I hope so too.”
“For what?”
“…That the Sixth Prince wins this Succession War. And that he becomes Emperor safely, so the Princess can return to Sincester quickly.”
“…”
His earnest expression and tone left me speechless.
Cedric clearly did not like Leonard.
Yet his hope that he would win the Succession War meant he was truly thinking of me.
And here I was, not even considering Cedric…I felt a wave of guilt, and my head naturally bowed.
“Cedric, I’m truly sorry.”
“Whatever for?”
“You came to Blake because of me, and were even driven out to the Holy Knight Order.”
“As I have said, it was my choice. When the Princess departed to protect her homeland, I could not simply remain idle as Duke.”
“But honestly, I wish the Duke would take the Duchess and return immediately. She’s in pain, and above all, you shouldn’t be treated this way here.”
A surveillance patrol officer taking orders from someone else.
Cedric was meant to give orders, not receive them.
“Princess.”
Cedric, who had been walking, came to an abrupt halt.
“Do you remember when I said long ago at your birthday celebration that I had something I wished to tell you?”
“Yes.”
-Just tell me now.
-No, I’ll come again next time.
Ah, was that when I thought handsome men had simply traded their beauty for their manners?
“I remember. What was it?”
“I intended to tell you after I returned to Blake with the Princess, and after holding a formal celebration at the Duke’s Residence.”
“Was it something so momentous? I’m sorry.”
“Yes. I would appreciate your apology.”
“…”
In an instant, my guilt evaporated. Why must handsome men always speak like that?
“Ha…ha. Yes. I’m truly sorry. Is there something you want? I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Charlotte.”
“Yes?”
Then Cedric withdrew something from his pocket.
It was a silver ring.
‘No, do I really have to see someone else’s wedding ring three times? Why on earth?’
Just as my head was about to ache, Cedric uttered words similar to those from before.
“When I return… would it be permissible for me to place this ring on your left ring finger?”
“When you return, it won’t be necessary anymore. Why would you ask?”
“….”
“Why are you silent, Ced….”
As I watched him offer me the ring without a word, Leonard’s words came flooding back to me.
-He loves you.
Just as my mind threatened to go blank, Cedric’s voice struck my heart like thunder.
“I was trying to tell you then that I love you. But in the end, I couldn’t say it.”
“….”
“For a Holy Knight, patience is a virtue, and waiting is hardly a difficult task.”
Cedric was gazing at my left ring finger, where a ring already sat.
The ring Leonard had placed on me—the one from our contract marriage.
“However, when you return, I would hope you would remove that false ring and wear one from my House instead.”
“….”
“I will always be waiting by your side, Princess.”
What could I possibly say?
I had no answer.

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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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