Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 125

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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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Ch 10. Misfortune’s Timing
Auredhian Belgot departed the Lebovni Royal Palace somewhat earlier than planned. Given the lax security, no one found it suspicious as he crossed the main gates without hesitation, despite wearing a robe emblazoned with Lebovni’s crest.
“This is rather excessive, isn’t it?”
Auredhian Belgot let out a hollow chuckle as he slipped past the Main Fortress. Lebovni was indeed nothing more than a royal palace version of Yerenika. The entire nation was somewhat careless overall, yet possessed an uncanny perceptiveness in the strangest places.
For instance, in situations like this.
“W-where are you headed, Knight?”
The Gatekeeper, who had been dozing at the castle gate, removed his hat and waved it toward him.
“I’m on my way to carry out the Princess’s orders. Is there a problem?”
His tone carried considerable weight for a mere knight, yet the Gatekeeper showed no sign of suspicion. The bearded man chuckled heartily.
“Ah, you must be referring to Princess Yerenika. I hear she’s been cooped up in the Western Palace lately.”
Auredhian Belgot stopped in his tracks and studied the Gatekeeper carefully. The Gatekeeper, unaware of his scrutiny, continued rambling on without hesitation, having casually used the Princess’s full name.
“Nothing’s amiss, I hope? Goodness, there are stacks of letters piled as high as my hand asking me to deliver them to the Princess, but she hasn’t shown her face in ages.”
“Letters?”
What letters? The moment the question formed in his mind, Auredhian Belgot found himself standing directly in front of the Gatekeeper.
“What letters are you talking about?”
“What letters? Love letters, of course. Sent to our precious Princess.”
Love letters. Auredhian Belgot exhaled a breath of exasperation. His suspicion had been correct. Over the two years they’d been apart, his rivals had multiplied infinitely.
“Though even with mountains of them arriving, the Princess doesn’t spare them a glance.”
Auredhian Belgot found some consolation in that. So she hadn’t accepted all of them. Still, he couldn’t help but feel his spirits dampen.
“You mentioned you were heading to carry out the Princess’s orders, Knight? While you’re at it, would you deliver these for me?”
“….”
“I’ll feel better if I at least try to deliver them. I’ve eaten quite a bit of the contents under the pretense of delivering letters.”
Moreover, it seemed the benefits were going to someone entirely unexpected. Auredhian Belgot clicked his tongue inwardly as he accepted the bundle of letters the Gatekeeper offered. While he found them thoroughly unwelcome, the thought of Yerenika receiving such things when she left the palace that evening was even more unbearable. What on earth was packed into these letters? They were all bulging as if ready to burst. If he exaggerated slightly, they were thicker than the letters Yerenika had sent to him.
Auredhian Belgot muttered to himself.
“Coming here in person was the right call after all.”
“Pardon?”
“Has this happened often before?”
The Gatekeeper tilted his head but answered readily enough.
“Often? It’s overflowing. Don’t the knights serving the Princess know about this?”
“I was only recently assigned to the position.”
“Ah, well, that would explain your ignorance then.”
The Gatekeeper shrugged.
“How is the Princess faring? I used to see her face at least three times a week.”
“Where has she been traveling to so much?”
“Oh, here and there. She visits the Temple without fail once a month, frequents the city often, and makes particularly frequent trips to the Lebanon Duke’s Residence.”
It seemed her restless nature had manifested fully even after returning to Lebovni. Once she returned to Belgot, he would ensure she remained so devoted to his side that her gaze would never wander elsewhere. Auredhian Belgot reaffirmed his resolve. Surely she wouldn’t turn her eyes away even with him right beside her. The fact that Yerenika had remained quietly at his side during those ten days he’d been half-imprisoned in the Lebovni Royal Palace was his only consolation. The thick bundle of letters in his hand crumpled slightly. His lips twisted into a crooked smile.
For now.
“Once we’re married, no one will dare prod at her like this.”
The Gatekeeper was now regarding him with a distinctly odd expression. Then, as if sensing something amiss, three creases appeared between his brows.
“By the way, did the Princess recently take on a new escort knight?”
The Gatekeeper muttered with suspicion.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing… Say, Knight, what’s your affiliation- huh?”
But the man in knight’s armor, already pulling the robe down low over his head, had vanished before his eyes.
* * *
“You’ve arrived, Your Majesty?”
Aiven Count bore the countenance of one who fared quite well even in his lord’s absence.
“Lebovni has such pristine air—it’s wonderful. And there’s so much delicious food. My wife and I are already eager to return for vacation next year. It’s a small kingdom, but truly pleasant to live in.”
Having been consumed by duties, his recent respite had proven as sweet as honey. Auredhian Belgot clicked his tongue.
“A vacation, of all things…”
“Did you also have a pleasant time, Your Majesty?”
His expression seemed somehow hopeful. Auredhian Belgot offered no particular objection to his words.
“Pleasant hardly begins to cover it. We haven’t seen each other in a full two years.”
“Oh. Then when shall the wedding be…?”
The Count’s kind eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“Shall we begin preparations immediately upon our return?”
“The desire burns as fiercely as a chimney.”
Auredhian Belgot sighed and pushed the hood back from his head. In truth, the timing of the wedding mattered little if Yerenika was content—any moment after all threats were completely eliminated would suffice. Silver strands of hair tumbled loose from beneath the hood. He ran his fingers lightly through his locks and asked.
“The letter?”
“Ah. Here it is, Your Majesty.”
Aiven Count retrieved a tightly rolled missive from his breast pocket.
“The purification operations in Kelkita have been completed in their entirety, it seems. Deputy Archbishop Schmart is personally conducting a thorough re-examination of the entire region.”
“Anything of particular note discovered?”
“It appears to have been the Black Mages’ final stronghold. Traces of dark magic are being discovered in succession throughout the area.”
The letter contained detailed accounts of the Kelkita purification operations. It was written by Diego Schmart himself. The initial purification work had concluded, and given the possibility that magically concealed locations might remain, mages were being deployed to conduct final sweep operations.
Once the final operations were complete, the purification of all Belgot would be finished. Precisely two years and one month later. A formidable achievement. Of course, to Auredhian Belgot, who had issued the orders, it had felt terribly slow.
“But where is the Princess?”
“She left at dawn. She said she needed time for farewell.”
“Ah. I see. Since you’ll be unable to return for quite some time once you depart… or rather.”
Aiven Count trailed off mid-thought, his expression shifting to one of alarm.
“Wait, at dawn, you say? As if you were abducting her in the dead of night…?”
“Precisely. An abduction.”
“I beg your pardon?”

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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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