For the heart - Chapter 33

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

Chapter 33

 

* * *

 

The atmosphere of the banquet was brighter than any other day.

 

The Emperor also attended the banquet to commend his advisors, and the families of the advisors who had been invited to the Imperial Palace after a long time were exchanging greetings and actively mingling with each other.

 

Among them, the most popular person was Casian.

 

Though he was a prince from a foreign country who came as a hostage, his outstanding appearance captivated the gazes of all the young ladies.

 

Moreover, when it became known that he was a capable person with tremendous healing power who had become Knight Commander Nina’s dedicated Healer, the fact that he was a hostage didn’t seem to be much of an issue.

 

Lillien, who had been watching several young ladies coming and going to the table where Nina and Casian sat under the pretext of greeting them, finally stood up.

 

“I can’t stand looking at any of this.”

 

Because Casian and Nina were sitting at the same table, even if their purpose was Casian, once they came to that table, everyone was first greeting Nina, who was a princess, to show proper courtesy.

 

Though rumors had spread that anyone who touched Nina would die, not everyone believed it.

 

And there had always been a small number of people who had harbored feelings for Nina, who was the Frost Blade and Knight Commander from before.

 

Since it was extremely rare for her to show herself at such occasions, the faces of those approaching Nina were full of curiosity and delight.

 

What Lillien couldn’t bear was not the young ladies’ interest in Casian, but the increasing number of people who held goodwill toward Nina.

 

When Princess Lillien, who had been emanating only cold energy, left the banquet hall, the atmosphere became much softer.

 

It was proof that everyone had been watching her reactions.

 

* * *

 

On the way back to the Satellite Palace after finishing the banquet.

 

Nina turned around to face Casian who was following behind her.

 

“The Western Palace is that way.”

 

“I’m escorting Your Highness so you can safely enter the Satellite Palace. The night is deep, and you’ve had some drinks.”

 

“I’m the Frost Blade.”

 

Having drunk quite a bit of champagne for once, she was slightly intoxicated.

 

Though it was a serious answer regardless of her intoxication, Casian burst into laughter.

 

“Right now I’m escorting Your Highness, not the Frost Blade.”

 

“What kind of escort does a Healer provide? Just go back. I’ll be fine going alone.”

 

“Then let’s call it an escort. As a dignified man, I cannot send Your Highness alone into this night.”

 

Casian slightly bowed his head as if he would formally escort her and even extended his hand.

 

“…I’m going.”

 

But Nina looked at the hand he extended for a moment, then turned around.

 

It was the first time someone had extended their hand to her, saying they would escort her.

 

She had never had occasion to walk while holding someone’s hand and being protected either.

 

It was unfamiliar and embarrassing, and since he seemed to be teasing her, she didn’t want to respond.

 

Casian, who watched Nina heading toward the Satellite Palace with steady steps, let out a shallow sigh while standing behind her.

 

‘It’s hard to hold her hand even once.’

 

Huh…? Did I want to hold Nina’s hand?

 

At the thought that came without him realizing it, several scenes quickly flashed through Casian’s mind.

 

The face of Bern Heidrick who had walked alongside them through the Imperial Palace corridors looking flustered, and the gazes of the nobles who had approached Nina to greet her.

 

Without exception, they were all enchanted by Nina’s beauty and couldn’t hide anything.

 

He had ignored the strange displeasure that had been spreading.

 

‘Ha, no. It would be troublesome if Nina Arsed suddenly got married or something.’

 

For him to gain the position of consort, Nina was absolutely necessary.

 

That must be why he felt that way.

 

Casian quickly erased the disappointment that had spread across his face and strode toward Nina’s side.

 

“Watching you go in is my own decision. So don’t tell me to leave anymore.”

 

“…”

 

Though it could be called impudent, Nina just walked her own way regardless.

 

Then, a small bird flew around Nina with a flutter.

 

Nina and Casian’s eyes followed the bird’s movement.

 

Nina immediately recognized the bird.

 

It seemed the bird had recognized her heading toward the Satellite Palace.

 

A faint smile spread across Nina’s face, and as soon as she extended her hand, the bird with a letter tied to its ankle landed on her fingertips.

 

“How clever. You recognized me?”

 

Nina stroked the small bird’s head with her fingertips.

 

This was the creature that had been pecking at her bedroom window for three years, so she had thought it just remembered the location and delivered letters.

 

Nina untied the small letter bound to the bird’s ankle and read it.

 

The small bird was chirping and moving around Nina’s arm, shoulder, and on top of her head.

 

[I heard the news that you have returned. Surely God has heard my earnest prayers.

 

I will wait at our usual meeting place.

 

I am tormented by my inability to contain my desire to see you as soon as possible, even if just for a day.]

 

Casian’s eyes, who had been standing behind Nina and reading the letter with her, hardened stiffly.

 

Her face grew brighter as she read through the letter, and it even seemed like a blush was rising on her cheeks.

 

She was clearly looking forward to meeting whoever was asking to see her.

 

Only then realizing that Casian was beside her, Nina quickly folded the letter and put it in her pocket.

 

“Peeking at someone else’s letter seems far from being a dignified man.”

 

“…I thought you were only thinking about continental unification and had no interest in other things, but it seems you’ve made a lover at some point.”

 

At his somewhat sulky tone, Nina glared at Casian.

 

The way he crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked down at her with just his eyes was extremely insolent.

 

“Mind your own business.”

 

Nina glared at Casian and started walking back toward the Satellite Palace, with Casian immediately following after her.

 

“How can I not be concerned? We’re allies, aren’t we? What if Your Highness suddenly decides to get married?”

 

“What?”

 

“If you suddenly marry that lover and leave the Imperial Palace, how will you be able to help me?”

 

“I won’t get married until everything is finished, so don’t worry.”

 

“Ha.”

 

So she is planning to get married.

 

Why am I getting so irritated? Not just Bern or the nobles I saw today, but there’s actually a real lover whose face I don’t even know.

 

Since it was something I never even considered, it felt like I’d been punched hard in the solar plexus.

 

Casian bit his lower lip hard and approached Nina’s side again.

 

“I should meet him too.”

 

“What?”

 

“When you go to meet that lover, I’m coming with you.”

 

“Don’t say such ridiculous things.”

 

“Why is it ridiculous? Suspicious behavior breeds distrust in one’s ally, and eventually we’ll only accumulate suspicion without trusting each other, leading to catastrophe.”

 

There was no unreasonableness quite like this unreasonableness.

 

* * *

 

The next day in the early afternoon, Nina eventually headed to the Capital Square together with Casian.

 

Casian, who was following Nina as she went deeper into the alleyways, let out a shallow sigh.

 

Even if she was a princess, there was no reason to meet a lover in such a secluded place.

 

What could be found deep in alleys like this was obvious.

 

“So it was a secret message from the Guild in coded language.”

 

“Just know that I had no intention of exposing which Guild I use.”

 

Casian felt embarrassed about yesterday when he had stubbornly followed along, going on about alliances and marriage.

 

Nina stopped at a bookstore with an old wooden sign that read 【Livre Edma】.

 

When they went inside, a man in his mid-thirties wearing glasses and a black high-collar shirt that covered his entire neck gave them a short bow.

 

He had been transcribing something at his desk, but put down his pen and took out a thin book from a drawer to hand to Nina.

 

When Nina held out coins on her palm to pay for the book, the man glanced at Casian.

 

He only took the coins after Nina nodded to him. Then he drew numbers on Nina’s palm with his finger.

 

“A Guild disguised as a bookstore.”

 

Nina, who had come outside, opened the thin book to page 16.

 

It was the number the owner had written on her palm earlier.

 

“Yeah. That man earlier was Edma. He can’t speak, but no one can match his information network.”

 

Nina quickly checked the contents of the page, where the ink color and handwriting were subtly different, then suddenly looked up at Casian.

 

“He says he found the Saint.”

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