For the heart - Chapter 39

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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 39

 

* * *

 

The final preparations for the expedition to bring down the Six Small Nations were nearing completion.

 

Everyone knew it would be different from Nortanica, which had fallen quickly thanks to various strokes of luck.

 

The rough mountain terrain and distance even farther than Nortanica, especially Hamer’s small but powerful forces as the main axis of the Six Small Nations, made the knights who had already experienced several battles tense up.

 

But unlike the knighthood facing the expedition, the empire was bustling with activity for today’s Lantern Festival.

 

The town square was crowded with people buying masks and colored lanterns, and street stalls selling food and miscellaneous items were lined up in abundance.

 

Even within the Imperial Palace, preparations were underway to welcome the ministers and major nobles invited to the commemorative banquet.

 

“Some are preparing to risk their lives, while others are preparing to make eyes at each other today.”

 

Bern spoke in a dejected voice beside Nina, who was inspecting the maintained weapons.

 

Nina let out a light snort of laughter.

 

At that laugh, Bern stared intently at her profile.

 

Lately, Nina had definitely been smiling more than before.

 

Even so, it was only faint smiles or hollow laughs, but previously even those were something you might see once a year at most.

 

“Did you just smile?”

 

“Isn’t your sister among those ‘others’? Ivana Hydrick.”

 

“That’s exactly why it’s more frustrating. Yesterday she was practicing dancing with father in a new dress. And she demanded I give her money to buy a mask. She’s no different from a bandit. She doesn’t even listen to what I say…”

 

“You two seem close.”

 

“Close? I just put up with her because we’re bound by blood. Your Highness, are you also attending the Lantern Festival banquet being held at the Imperial Palace today…”

 

Bern answered halfheartedly while casually bringing up what he really wanted to ask.

 

In fact, he had also been invited to the banquet.

 

If Nina wasn’t coming, there was no real reason for him to attend. No matter what young ladies were there, his eyes would only seek out Nina.

 

“Where would I find such leisure? The reconnaissance team I sent to survey the detailed terrain of the Six Small Nations returned yesterday. Soon I’ll be entering a staff meeting that won’t end until late at night.”

 

“I see…”

 

Even though he knew all this, Bern couldn’t hide his disappointment.

 

Nina gave Bern’s shoulder a light tap and then focused again on inspecting the weapons.

 

“Commander.”

 

“What.”

 

“Count Puaco’s movements seem quite unusual.”

 

“…I know.”

 

Nina took a deep breath and answered briefly.

 

The count who had lost his daughter was determined to bring Nina Arsed to court on murder charges.

 

Being such an influential figure, he seemed to be pressuring people everywhere.

 

For now, I had cut my hair and sent it to the Magic Forensics Institute, so once the results came out, his fervor would die down.

 

By then, I would have already departed on the expedition.

 

“The slander against you, Commander, is going too far.”

 

Count Puaco was claiming everywhere he went that Princess Nina had harmed Michelle Puaco, and that if the princess had committed murder, she should receive appropriate punishment.

 

In Arsed, intentional murder was punishable by death.

 

A bitter smile spread across Nina’s face and then disappeared.

 

‘Even if they sentence me to death, I can’t die. If it’s revealed that Lillien was the one who ordered the murder, I wonder how father will react… It would be interesting to see.’

 

Father had even thrown an inkstone at me, saying I had offended Count Puaco.

 

I became curious about what expression he would make when he couldn’t even imagine that Lillien would do such a thing.

 

* * *

 

In the evening, Lillien was having her corset tightly laced with help from Ivana and the maids.

 

“Is this tight enough?”

 

“No! Tighter! Ugh… Prince Casian was invited today too.”

 

Gripping a pillar while taking the deepest breath possible, Lillien had them lace the corset even tighter.

 

The dress she would wear today emphasized the waistline more than any other day.

 

She had chosen this dress because there would be dancing time at the banquet.

 

Perhaps he might ask her to dance.

 

Since there was a waltz scheduled where partners place their hands on each other’s waist, Lillien wanted her waist to look more slender than ever.

 

‘After the banquet ends, I should ask Casian to go up to the rooftop garden of the banquet hall together. We’ll watch the lanterns rising simultaneously from the town square together. It’ll be incredibly romantic.’

 

Filled with thoughts of spending the Lantern Festival with Casian, Lillien didn’t mind that her tightly laced waist made breathing difficult.

 

She hadn’t had much time with him lately due to expeditions and such, but today she might be able to get a little closer to him.

 

It was when Lillien, having finished all her preparations, was looking in the mirror with a satisfied smile.

 

Knock knock.

 

“Your Highness, please head to the banquet hall. It’s time.”

 

Lillien and Ivana headed to the banquet hall in the Main Palace.

 

Since all the major families that moved the empire had gathered, the banquet hall was more luxurious than ever.

 

As they entered the banquet hall, Ivana whispered quietly to Lillien.

 

“Your Highness, Duke Montregger is coming this way.”

 

“Yes. I see him. He must be coming to me.”

 

Dressed impeccably, he approached Lillien and extended his hand.

 

“May I escort you, Your Highness?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Lillien blushed and took his hand.

 

Everyone’s eyes were directed toward Casian and Lillien.

 

Especially the faces of young ladies and unnamed nobles were filled with disappointment.

 

There wasn’t a single unnamed noble from any notable family who didn’t covet the position of consort, and the young ladies had already lost their hearts to the incredibly handsome Casian long ago.

 

Casian led Lillien to a table.

 

“Thank you for inviting me to the banquet, Your Highness.”

 

“Of course I had to invite you. It’s one of Arsed’s major events. Wouldn’t it be good for Duke Montregger to become familiar with Arsed’s events for various reasons in the future?”

 

Casian faced her with a painted smile, receiving Lillien’s subtle voice and gaze.

 

Thump thump, just his smiling face alone made Lillien’s heart go wild, and her gaze toward him was even slightly unfocused as if completely enchanted.

 

The two sat at the same table and had their meal.

 

The nobles sitting together showed endless interest in the Healer Prince who had come as a hostage from Montregger.

 

Judging by Lillien’s attitude, they calculated that he might become the future consort, so they were trying to make an impression on him.

 

The music that had been flowing softly throughout the meal was now changing the atmosphere to dance music.

 

One by one, couples began heading to the center where they could dance.

 

“Duke Montregger, didn’t you escort Her Highness today? The one who escorted her should be the first to ask for a dance.”

 

A middle-aged noblewoman of considerable age added her words while looking at Lillien, who was subtly waiting for Casian to ask her to dance.

 

Casian had long since noticed the current flowing through this table.

 

He could clearly see the expressions of the unnamed nobles who wanted to become consort and the inner thoughts of those who judged him to be the most likely candidate to become consort.

 

If he danced with Lillien, who already had eyes completely fallen for him, there would be no need to keep the nobles aiming for the consort position in check in the future.

 

It was a very good opportunity, but strangely he didn’t feel like dancing with Lillien.

 

His mind had been filled with other thoughts all day.

 

Casian smiled at the people looking at him like soft cream.

 

The men’s faces hardened at his overwhelming beauty that was no match for them, and the women all blushed without exception.

 

“I’m so sorry to Your Highness. Unfortunately, I think I need to return first.”

 

“What do you mean…?”

 

“Isn’t there going to be an expedition to conquer the Six Small Nations soon? I’m expecting it to be the final expedition. I believe I must strive to do my best for His Majesty the Emperor’s unification of the entire continent. So until the expedition, I’m putting all my effort into maintaining my healing power in optimal condition by sleeping and waking at regular hours.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Admiration flowed from among the people simultaneously.

 

To think that a prince from another country who came as a hostage was making such serious efforts for Arsed.

 

Only Lillien had an unpleasant expression.

 

‘I was going to dance, and when the lantern festival starts, go up to the rooftop garden together.’

 

She felt like all her plans had turned to bubbles.

 

But if she clung to him when he said he was managing himself for the unification of the entire continent, she would not only look foolish but also be gossiped about by the nobles behind her back.

 

“…It can’t be helped.”

 

“Thank you for understanding. Then I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the banquet.”

 

If his smile earlier was like acting, this time Casian showed a genuinely refreshing smile that spread across his face.

 

He immediately stood up from his seat and strode out of the banquet hall.

 

Attendant Emil, who had been waiting nearby, followed behind him and lifted his upper lip.

 

‘Ugh, what bullshit.’

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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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