For the heart - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15

* * *

Nina returned to the Satellite Palace, unable to sleep as she fell into deep contemplation alone.

The more she mulled it over, the only fact she had learned was that the oracle was false, and everything else remained unclear.

“Just know that if the last oracle is revealed to be false, everything we’ve worked for over the past 20 years will be finished.”

Everything would be finished.

What exactly had they been working toward for those 20 years?

Just as Nina’s thoughts were deepening further, a tapping sound at the window made her jump up and throw it wide open.

Flutter.

A small bird flew in and circled around the room.

When Nina extended her hand, the bird landed on her palm, a small piece of paper tied to its leg.

[I still miss you. To not forget the path to you, I light a fire in my heart again today.]

Though it sounded like a message to a lover, it was a disguised letter encoded in romantic language.

The report from the guild she had secretly asked to search for someone meant they still hadn’t found them, but were continuing to follow leads.

‘Where on earth could Master have gone…’

If only Master were here at a time like this, some of her questions might have been resolved.

She had been searching for her suddenly vanished Master for three years now, but it remained a complete mystery.

* * *

Nina left the Satellite Palace early in the morning dressed in the formal uniform signifying the Imperial Knight Commander.

The red jacket over a thin shirt suited to the season had a stiff collar, golden epaulettes positioned symmetrically on both shoulders, with densely hanging tassels woven from gold thread at their ends.

It was a splendid look that suited Nina’s form perfectly.

Though it was for an official report, today when she would face the father who had raised her with a false oracle, she didn’t want to appear slack in any way, so she had dressed with extra care.

With each step toward the Main Palace, she felt heavy breaths forming.

‘He won’t tell me even if I ask. I must uncover the secret of the oracle myself.’

The thought that this was definitely something she needed to know for certain had solidified through her night-long contemplation.

“Your Highness.”

When Nina, who had been looking down, raised her head, Casian stood before her.

It seemed he had come to the Satellite Palace to attend the audience with the Emperor together with her.

Approaching Nina closely, he was momentarily speechless at the sight of her in formal uniform.

Regardless of country, a knight commander’s dress uniform was on a different level from ordinary knight attire.

It was clothing that had to visually embody the dignity, responsibility, and honor of the position.

The knight commanders from various countries he had seen while studying abroad in the past had left quite an impression, but Nina Arsed before his eyes was overwhelming among them.

Though she had a slender woman’s body, grace and majesty flowed from her.

She radiated not as the Imperial Knight Commander, but with the dignity of her very existence, an undeniable nobility.

Would it be an exaggeration to think that even her naturally flowing short blonde hair was imbued with grace? He even let out an inward chuckle at the thought.

But Casian deliberately erased what he had felt from facing Nina.

Even if the oracle was false, the Emperor of Arsed would never pass the throne to Nina.

So he had to run toward his goal of marrying Lillien and claiming the position of consort.

The fact that the oracle was false and that Nina had learned this truth was actually favorable for him.

Now she would have no guilt about going against the oracle, and would try by any means to escape her life of suffering.

“Before we have our audience with His Majesty, let me ask one last time.”

Only after hearing Nina’s calm-toned question did Casian meet her eyes.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Your intention to go to the battlefield with me remains unchanged?”

“Yes.”

A firm answer came immediately.

Nina also answered with a brief nod.

* * *

Passing through the corridor of the Main Palace and entering the Audience Chamber, the Emperor, Empress, and Lillien were already there.

Lillien clenched both fists at the sight of Nina entering.

A height at least 10cm taller than her own. The strange dignity felt from her stride with those long legs. And that white face she always wanted to ruin.

Everything was irritating and disgusting to look at.

Moreover, seeing Casian entering with Nina made her insides twist until her stomach ached.

Lillien glared at Nina as she came before the Emperor and knelt on one knee in greeting.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor, the light of Arsed and glory of this land.”

Beside Nina as she greeted the Emperor, Casian naturally offered the same greeting.

Satisfaction spread across the Emperor’s face.

“Yes, how did the military advance preparation meeting go?”

“The remaining countries are the most troublesome Six Small Nations and the Kingdom of Nortanica. Yesterday, an informant we had planted in Nortanica returned and attended the meeting, reporting that internal division has intensified due to Montregger’s fall. As expected, we plan to march on Nortanica first and conquer it.”

Nina presented the Emperor with a report summarizing yesterday’s meeting.

The Emperor who received it stroked his chin.

“When is the departure date set?”

“We plan to depart as soon as the inadequate preparations are completed. The estimated date is ten days from now.”

The Emperor nodded silently.

“And from this campaign, I will take Duke Montregger as my dedicated healer.”

“Absolutely not!”

Lillien, who had been holding back until now, shrieked as soon as Nina finished speaking.

At this sight, Emperor Rayner pressed his forehead and made a groaning sound.

“Father, you absolutely must not allow this. If Prince Casian were to die on the battlefield, no matter that he came as a hostage, it would give the living imperial authority of Montregger cause to hold us accountable!”

Ridiculous nonsense. Casian sneered inwardly.

Montregger’s imperial authority was already as good as dead, and even if he died here today, Montregger would be unable to lodge any protest.

No, his brother Evan Montregger who had ascended to the throne and Empress Dowager Serena Montregger would actually welcome it.

“Don’t worry about that. Even if my body were torn into a hundred pieces, I would protect Duke Montregger.”

“What?”

Lillien couldn’t hide her bewildered expression as she looked at Nina.

The look in Nina’s eyes as she stared directly at him, declaring she would protect Casian, was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

“You are destined to become Emperor, Lillien. You must always maintain superiority over Nina.”

“You must never yield anything of yours to Nina. Do you understand?”

“How can you let your skin become duller than Nina’s after she returns from the battlefield? There must be no shortcomings in your care.”

Empress Catalina’s endless demands were always based on comparisons with Nina.

Mother fretted over Nina’s every move, but even after Nina rose to the position of Imperial Knight Commander and became known as the Cold Blade, an object of reverence, she remained powerless before her.

So she had always believed that she held the upper hand.

Today was the first time Lillien felt fear toward Nina.

She sensed something was wrong, but couldn’t even begin to fathom what it was.

After watching Lillien’s expression for a moment, Nina turned her head back to address the Emperor.

“If you permit Duke Montregger to accompany me to future battlefields as my dedicated healer, I will certainly conquer the Kingdom of Nortanica and return victorious from this campaign.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened at Nina’s words.

The Kingdom of Nortanica was not a nation that could be conquered in a single campaign.

If that place were conquered, the remaining Six Small Nations would feel tremendous pressure. Perhaps they could even secure surrenders without war.

The Emperor felt as though the unification of the entire continent was drawing very close.

Lillien’s heart grew urgent seeing the Emperor’s eyes shake violently.

Knowing how strong her father’s desire and obsession for continental unification was, she shot up from her seat.

“Lies! That’s a shameless lie to take Duke Montregger with her, Father!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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