Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 78

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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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Chapter 78
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My conversation with the Lebovni delegation stretched on for hours.
It turned out the Lebovni Delegation had arrived somewhat earlier than scheduled. Father had apparently been pestering them to depart immediately, even before they’d finished their preparations. So instead of arriving the day before the welcome ceremony as planned, they’d arrived four days early.
No wonder they seemed to arrive so quickly.
The conversation finally reached a lull around the time every topic, no matter what we discussed, seemed to end with “So, are you truly all right, Princess?” Of course, Sergei Lebanon showed no signs of letting me go.
“Where are you going? You need to stay with us.”
Sergei Lebanon stopped me just as I was trying to return to the Temple, and before I could protest, he dragged me along with him.
“Wait, no, that’s….”
I glanced desperately to either side with a look that screamed for help, but even Duke Lebanon and Fernandis wore expressions of perfect innocence. Then again, they’d come all this way to reclaim their princess—it would be unreasonable to expect them to part with me again so soon. If I mentioned returning to the Temple, I was certain all their faces would crumple with sorrow once more. So I resigned myself to being dragged along by Sergei Lebanon without further resistance.
The Lebovni Delegation was escorted to Bellirook Palace. I recalled how the garden had been completely overturned just weeks ago, but I felt relieved to see it had been meticulously restored. The reconstruction seemed like it should have taken much longer, yet it had been completed so swiftly. That was impressive in its own right.
However, my subtle plan to quietly settle back into Bellirook Palace was quickly thwarted when Auredhian Belgot, with his characteristic perceptiveness, came directly to the palace and seized me, his tone brooking no argument.
“Absolutely not.”
“But it’s only for two days.”
“Still no. If you return, you’ll see those faces so often you’ll grow sick of them. There’s no point.”
“But… the welcome ceremony….”
“You don’t need to attend the welcome ceremony.”
Auredhian Belgot spoke with absolute finality.
“You’ve already seen the delegates’ faces anyway. There’s no need to attend the ceremony itself, is there?”
“Hmm….”
Now that he mentioned it, he had a point. Since the Lebovni delegation had arrived early and made such a fuss about seeing me, I’d already met them. There was no real need to attend the welcome ceremony. Auredhian Belgot gently kissed my cheek and soothed me with tender reassurance.
“It’s a dangerous place for you. Soleia Elad will be attending, and the mages of Azekhien are scheduled to be present as well.”
“Hmm….”
“If anything were to happen to you, the King of Lebovni might actually blow up Glucaman. So no, you’re not going.”
He spoke as though joking, but it didn’t sound like a jest to me. Somehow, there was an unsettling ring of truth to it.
In any case, it seemed my attendance at the welcome ceremony would be cancelled.
Without any excuse to offer the Lebovni delegation, I had to return to the Temple. When I explained the situation to Clarisse, who had come to the Temple as expected, she looked quite disappointed.
“Oh my, I’d already selected a dress that would suit you perfectly.”
“Ah, well… I’m afraid it’s not something I can decide for myself. But I’m truly grateful for your thoughtfulness, madam.”
“What a shame… Everyone was looking forward to it so much.”
What exactly were they expecting?
It didn’t seem like anything good for me. Standing in the center of countless gazes had never been particularly appealing, so I made my decision firmly at that moment.
No, I’m not going.
[It might be fun if you went.]
Raulus spoke in a tone that seemed to be subtly tempting me. I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’m not going, I’m not.”
[Isn’t that what human parties are all about? Couples pairing off and doing ridiculous dances….]
Where did you see that? I waited until Clarisse had completely left before looking up at the sky with suspicious eyes. I could hear Raulus chuckling. I clenched my teeth and gave him what must have been my hundredth warning.
“You need to watch carefully. Keep your eyes peeled to see if that woman Soleia Elad tries to approach him.”
[Yeah, yeah, I got it. I’m watching with my eyes wide open. Besides, I’ve been feeling a bit itchy lately, so my mood isn’t great anyway.]
“Why does your mood seem off…?”
[Well, that’s true.]
Raulus spoke in a casual tone, but I found myself suddenly gripped by tremendous anxiety. No matter how trivial Raulus might appear, wasn’t he the absolute being beyond Udeta? The fact that his mood felt off wasn’t something I could simply brush aside.
“Why? What’s the reason?”
[I’ve been hearing some irritating sounds lately. How annoying.]
Along with those words came a rustling sound, as if he were scratching at his ears. Raulus spoke with indifference.
[Don’t worry about it, little one. After all, I can’t even perceive magical power. Even if my mood is off, there’s nothing I can do about it. It would be far more effective to pay attention to your own keen senses instead.]
Oh, this really isn’t helpful at all….
However, I had already learned countless times that Raulus couldn’t offer me direct assistance, so I simply sighed and nodded. Still, if I could just endure a few more days at the Temple, I’d be free from Belgot for at least several years. Just hold on a little longer, just a little!
That busy day somehow managed to pass. I thought the next day would go smoothly too. If only the Lebovni Delegation hadn’t raised objections about my whereabouts and my absence from the welcome ceremony. If that were the case, I could have stayed quietly in the Temple throughout the entire tripartite renegotiation. Unfortunately, things didn’t unfold according to my wishes.
* * *
“…You really are determined to kill me.”
“What did I do.”
His nonchalant response was infuriatingly irritating. I ground my teeth and glared at Sergei Lebanon sharply.
I had returned to the Imperial Palace just a day and a half after going back to the Temple. It was the day right before the welcome ceremony began. The culprit was none other than Sergei Lebanon and the Lebovni delegation led by him.
“You are the Princess of Lebovni, Yerenika. We barely found you again after three months. If you knew how much His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen, and Princess Tezebia worried about you, you couldn’t call what we’re doing excessive, could you?”
His tone was unusually serious and stern. His hands gripped my shoulders firmly as he spoke, and his face was filled with genuine concern for my wellbeing. But still. I know that! I clenched my teeth.
I couldn’t tell the Lebovni delegation everything about my condition, so naturally I was constrained in persuading them. I couldn’t explain how much strain staying in the Imperial Palace placed on my body, or how nervous I had to be about possibly encountering Soleia Elad.
Fernandis added his words carefully from beside me.
“It’s strange that you’re insisting on going to the Temple. We have the duty to protect you at any time. The Emperor’s intention to separate you from us is also suspicious….”
If Auredhian Belgot had heard this, he would have laughed bitterly several times over. I could only sigh heavily at the frustration that choked my throat. No, if you only knew how many times that suspicious Emperor has saved my life, you wouldn’t be able to say such things….
“And you’ll have to attend the welcome ceremony tomorrow anyway, so there’s no reason to go so far away.”
“Ah, I don’t think it’s necessary for me to attend that welcome ceremony.”
“My goodness, Princess. Did the Emperor say that?”
This time it was my brother-in-law, Duke Lebanon, who was taken aback. What was he talking about?
“Rumors have spread across the entire continent that the Emperor of Belgot suddenly attacked Lebovni and abducted the Princess. We ourselves worried countless times whether you were injured anywhere, but for the Emperor to refuse your attendance even at a gathering where all the nations’ dignitaries are present….”
“No, wait. Just a moment. Brother-in-law?”
“Surely the Emperor of Belgot has no intention of returning the Princess-.”
“No, no. His Majesty didn’t refuse. It was my own decision.”
“Have you been compromised somehow? Princess!”
My head throbbed. I pressed my forehead and let out a deep sigh.
No, that’s not it. You people….
In essence, the situation was this: rumors had spread across the entire continent that the Emperor of Belgot had abducted the Princess of Lebovni, and if I didn’t show my face at either the welcome or farewell ceremonies, it would only fuel the rumors.
While a peaceful treaty was being negotiated, it was certainly not favorable for Belgot that the Emperor was still not returning the Princess of Lebovni. After all, I was a hostage brought here by force, and I was living proof that Belgot had exercised military power against Lebovni.
In truth, no matter how I looked at it, this was a problem that would be resolved if I simply showed my face for a moment. Besides, I couldn’t understand how Auredhian’s image was being formed. It seemed Lebovni had already branded him a scoundrel, and even if I said otherwise, they simply wouldn’t believe me…!
“Well. I understand why they think that way.”
Surprisingly, instead of laughing bitterly, Auredhian Belgot said that. I stared at him with my mouth wide open. After sunset, I had come to his office and was just pouring out my complaints. Auredhian flipped through documents and continued speaking casually.
“After all, it was I who abducted you to Belgot. I pulled the trigger. Why should I blame anyone for my sins.”
“Ha.”
Now it was my turn to laugh bitterly. In the first place, Auredhian’s reason for abducting me wasn’t because of Lebovni’s arrogance, was it? Besides, I had to be hidden away in the Imperial Palace against my will because of my constitution. I finally let out a long sigh.
“I apologize. Lebovni can be a bit… overly zealous.”
“They must have felt they’d lost a precious princess. It’s only natural they’d be oversensitive.”
Now I understood why this man had earned such renown across the continent for his magnanimity. I found myself impressed anew. Yet it seemed his generosity did not extend to the matter of my residence within the Imperial Palace.
“Still, Bellirook Palace won’t do.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Auredhian Belgot spoke as though making a vow to himself—his words barely more than a murmur.
“We cannot share the same palace.”

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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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