For the heart - Chapter 25

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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 25

 

* * *

 

Nina saw the large cart being dragged in by the Monster Hunting Squad.

 

On the cart was a massive monster with its eyes covered and limbs tightly bound.

 

The monster with jet-black, pointed ears standing erect was growling furiously, and though it struggled to free its body tied to the cart, it was useless.

 

Grrrrrr…

 

The menacing aura flowing between its sharp teeth was ominous.

 

“So it really is a Kushis.”

 

Nina watched intently as the Kushis was dragged straight toward the Maryeonso.

 

It seemed Desmorak planned to cast spells on the Kushis as well, following Baraguz.

 

Kushis had different attributes from Baraguz. While Baraguz had the purpose of devouring human hearts, that Kushis existed purely for slaughter.

 

It was an incredibly vicious creature that would tear apart any human it encountered indiscriminately.

 

Releasing a Kushis in the training grounds would be completely different from releasing Baraguz.

 

Nina looked down at the sword in her hand.

 

“Even if the entire continent is unified, you’ll just be Arsed’s weapon. Even without war, you’ll be used for endless monster hunting and suffer for life. Oh, and if Desmorak continues researching spells on monsters, you’ll have to test those too. Unfortunately, since you have no heart, you can’t die even if you want to!”

 

The words Lillien had spat out like curses came to mind.

 

“Other captured monsters will arrive soon. You’ll need to face them too to see if the spells worked properly. All of this is for Arsed, after all.”

 

As well as Desmorak’s sarcastic words.

 

“Now, I think I’ll start not doing the things I don’t need to do, one by one.”

 

* * *

 

Upon entering the Satellite Palace, a rich, savory aroma filled the air.

 

As soon as Nina recognized what the smell was, she quietly smiled.

 

It was almond cream potage.

 

Whenever she returned from the battlefield, Tila would make cream soup by mixing finely ground almonds with milk and boiling it.

 

It was a dish she would always make, even though grinding the hard almonds finely made her shoulders ache terribly.

 

“I know without even looking. You must have used every ounce of strength you had and then some. Meat is good, but first eat this potage heartily and get plenty of sleep. That’s how your body recovers.”

 

Even when she didn’t feel tired, Tila’s fussing would somehow make her body feel weary.

 

After finishing a whole bowl of that potage and sleeping deeply under the covers, her body would indeed feel much more refreshed.

 

Nina believed it was thanks to Tila’s caring heart.

 

That’s why almond cream potage was like soul food to her.

 

“Tila.”

 

“Why are you only coming now! Everyone’s waiting.”

 

“Everyone?”

 

Nina turned her head to look at the dining table at the mention of everyone waiting.

 

The small Satellite Palace only had a bedroom used by Nina and Tila, a modest reception room, a few small rooms, and one small kitchen.

 

At the dining table in that small kitchen, two grown men and one boy were already seated.

 

“Hello, Your Highness!”

 

“Welcome back safely, Your Highness!”

 

Of the two who jumped up, one was the young healer Nina had sent to help Tila, and the other was Emil, Casian’s attendant.

 

And beside them, another person sitting with his arms on the table, chin propped up.

 

“Tila invited me.”

 

It was Casian.

 

Before departing for battle, Nina had told Tila to take care of Emil, Casian’s attendant.

 

She thought that if Casian followed her to the battlefield, things would become awkward between Emil and Arsed’s attendants.

 

Even though Casian came as a hostage, he stayed in the Western Palace with the status of a Prince of the Montregger Empire.

 

But Emil was different.

 

When Casian was present, they prepared meals for Emil as well, but if Arsed’s attendants started bringing meals for just the attendant of Montregger, which was practically a vassal state, there would surely be complaints.

 

‘But why is everyone gathered here?’

 

Emil, noticing Nina’s puzzlement as she silently observed the situation, suddenly bowed his head deeply.

 

“Thanks to Your Highness’s consideration, I’ve been eating hearty meals all this time!”

 

“Emil also fixed all the loose doors in the kitchen!”

 

“Haha! I earned my keep.”

 

Tila drew Nina closer to the dining table and continued speaking.

 

“This is the first time Your Highness has returned so quickly. You conquered Nortanica in less than a month and returned safely, so how could I, Tila, just sit still? A party among ourselves! We need to have a party. We have new family members too!”

 

Tila vigorously ruffled the hair of the young healer beside her.

 

“Your Highness, thank you so much for sending me to the Satellite Palace.”

 

The boy approached Nina and greeted her politely.

 

Nina looked down at the boy quietly.

 

His face, which had been a mess from being beaten by the Prison Warden, was now completely healed. His cheeks, which had been pitifully thin with dry patches, were now plump with healthy flesh.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Pierrot! Pierrot Jen!”

 

“Don’t use your healing power until you become an adult. It’s illegal. If you break the law, I’ll kick you out of the Satellite Palace.”

 

Though her tone and expression were emotionless and impassive, all three adults there understood.

 

That these words were for the boy’s sake.

 

“Yes! Absolutely! I absolutely won’t use it!”

 

“Oh my, Your Highness. Now we can’t do without Pierrot in the Satellite Palace. He says he’ll handle all the heavy work since he’s a man. He carries grocery baskets in effortlessly.”

 

The boy proudly puffed out his small chest as if pleased that he had done his part.

 

Then Emil affectionately ruffled the boy’s short hair, making it even more disheveled than he had done to Tila earlier.

 

“Please sit down quickly. I’ve prepared plenty. Soon there will be tender veal that this Tila has skillfully prepared. It’s our Princess’s favorite dish.”

 

Middle-aged Tila smiled brightly as if she was simply happy doing things for Nina.

 

Seeing this, Nina also sat down at the dining table.

 

“I really think I won’t be able to eat any food other than Tila’s from now on. It’s on a completely different level from the food served at the Imperial Palace! Ah, can’t I come here every day? I was full of worry until His Highness arrived. He should have just come a bit later.”

 

“Maybe I’ll take you on the next expedition too.”

 

“There, there, our Prince is being contrary again. I can’t even swing a sword properly, so I’d just be baggage if I went. I’d die quickly from a blind attack, wouldn’t I?”

 

“Would you die just from getting stabbed a few times? Your master is a healer, so you’re worrying needlessly.”

 

Tila and the boy burst into laughter at Emil glaring at Casian.

 

Nina also let out a small “pfft” and laughed.

 

Everyone’s eyes widened as they watched her.

 

“My goodness. This is why you need family. With several people here, I get to see our Princess’s smiling face.”

 

Suddenly Tila lifted her apron to dab at her tears.

 

“For the past 20 years, it was just me and the Princess alone in the Satellite Palace, but now it finally has the atmosphere of people living here.”

 

“I really should come often then. That’s the right thing to do. I’m really good at making people laugh. Princess! I’ll come every day to make you laugh!”

 

Casian shook his head as he watched Emil jump up and shout again.

 

Tila, who had been dabbing her tears, burst into laughter again at the sight.

 

It had been a truly bright dinner table after a long time.

 

* * *

 

Late at night, Casian and Emil returned to the Western Palace, and Pieruto went to his bedroom.

 

Tila attended to Nina’s bath while chatting about various things that had happened.

 

Most of the stories were about the admirable Pieruto, and there were also stories about Emil, who was good at telling jokes.

 

And.

 

“Prince Casian also had quite a lot of ups and downs, such hardships.”

 

Nina, who was soaking in the warm water, turned her head to look at Tila.

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“The Prince studied abroad in various countries from when he was young. That was all deliberately done by the current Empress Dowager of Montregger, you know? She made him wander from country to country under the pretext of studying abroad, and then made him do diplomacy when needed. They used the Prince however they pleased. When there was no diplomatic purpose, they wouldn’t give him a single penny, so Emil and the Prince often went around looking like beggars.”

 

This was the first time she was hearing this story.

 

She had no idea Casian had lived such a life…

 

Suddenly she recalled how he looked when she first met him. His unkempt hair and shabby appearance that made it impossible to imagine he was a prince.

 

So it wasn’t intentional.

 

“I see. I didn’t know.”

 

“Moreover, that Empress Dowager apparently had the Prince’s mother killed right in front of him when he was young. How could anyone be so cruel?”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

The blue pupils in her eyes, now wider than before, shook violently.

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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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