I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 19

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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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After My Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 19
Thieves, accidents, calamities.
The journey from the Capital to the Western Border Region naturally invited countless complications.
Which is precisely why, when she first heard the matter from the head maid, Beatrice had merely accepted it as inevitable.
‘The Knights Order couldn’t possibly fail to handle something of this scale.’
The moment she heard the account, her single concern crystallized: should she attend the meeting following head maid Nao, or should she abstain?
Her hesitation was brief.
“Ria, you—”
“I’ll go with you!”
If she was going to be caught regardless, it was better to be caught first.
No matter how much she’d reduced official contact, she couldn’t simply avoid running into people throughout her stay in the Marquessate.
‘I should verify things, at least casually.’
She had donned thick Glasses layered with Illusion Magic, and her hair—dyed a warm brown—was considerably curlier now. It would be fine.
‘And above all, these are items guaranteed by Her Majesty herself!’
With that thought, Beatrice naturally trailed behind the head maid, weaving through the crowd and settling into a position toward the back.
Visible enough to draw no particular attention, yet not so removed as to seem wholly absent.
But her racing heart soon settled.
As Beatrice observed the faces around her, she realized the situation was graver than she’d anticipated.
“Has the Crown Prince personally confirmed his arrival?”
“Of course. However, the Downer Family continues to maintain their entry embargo.”
“Furthermore, Duke Alec has also sent word requesting reconsideration of joining, given the Crown Prince’s safety. The details remain unclear, but he speaks of unsettling omens gathering along the Western Border.”
“…And the Advance Party? Have they reported in?”
“Only partially. Monsters have been attacking more frequently in the Mountain Range, and supplies are running low.”
……
“Moreover, though they definitely set out following Duke Alec and the monks who joined them, they vanished in the blink of an eye. No contact since.”
At the gravity in the knights’ voices, Beatrice quietly adjusted her thick Glasses, ears perking up.
Since the destination was the “Cursed Downer Marquessate,” she’d expected some irregularities.
After all, no phenomenon erupts without warning.
‘But even so, this seems extreme. They’re already sealing access?’
That hadn’t been the case before.
She distinctly remembered it had been brutally cold—the kind of chill that bit at your nose.
‘Then something else must be exerting influence.’
Beatrice blinked slowly, cataloging what had changed from the past.
The causes of such anomalies often lay in unforeseen factors.
‘Like in mystery novels, where the culprit is someone completely unsuspected.’
All told, three major things differed from before.
‘First: our marriage. Second: Duke Alec and Miss Balloa, who had no prior connection to the Marquessate, being here now. Third: Claude arriving to support the Crown Prince far more swiftly than in the past.’
Hmm……
Beatrice sank into thought, letting the meeting’s faltering progress drift to the background.
‘What could it be? If I had to name the single largest difference from before, it would be the increased number of people coming to the Marquessate. Could the growing numbers be affecting the Curse? For instance, does the Curse intensify with more deaths?’
If the “patient of unknown origin” Her Majesty had mentioned was genuinely connected to this matter, such a hypothesis would be plausible.
‘Or perhaps the princess had a hand in this as well.’
She would certainly know that Balloa Crawford had set out here with the monks.
Resolving the Western Border Region’s crisis would be a thorn in the princess’s side, making this scenario entirely feasible.
‘Either way, I’ll need to investigate inside the Marquessate to get answers.’
Yet the meeting showed no sign of reaching resolution.
Understandably so—the Crown Prince’s safety and friction with the Downer Family hung in the balance.
“However, based on these circumstances, something serious has clearly occurred within. Now, with adequate personnel and resources available, may well be the opportune moment to resolve the situation.”
“I concur. Once such a window closes, these matters inevitably spiral beyond recovery.”
“I understand your reasoning, yet that is precisely why I must oppose it. How could we possibly expose His Highness to such unknown danger—!”
The deadlock between the knights and advisors, each earnestly voicing their positions, hung taut.
‘This looks difficult. Will we even be able to enter?’
Beatrice carefully let her eyes scan the conference room, searching for Claude.
‘There he is.’
The Claude she spotted remained silent, simply holding his seat even in this fraught moment.
His serene face, intent on hearing all opinions, suddenly turned toward Beatrice.
‘Oh no!’
Had she been staring too openly?
Beatrice hastily lowered her head in alarm when a familiar voice cut through:
“Then might the Crown Prince remain here while we assemble an Expedition Party? We won’t need many—myself and a handful of others should suffice.”
“But the Advance Party is already out of contact—”
“Which is precisely why we cannot withdraw. Better to set a time limit.”
“Hmm……”
It was the most concrete answer available under the circumstances.
Every eye in the conference room turned to Crown Prince Crowell. From here, his will was paramount.
He, who had been tapping his fingers against the table, slowly opened his eyes.
“We’ll proceed as Lord Dalton suggests. Decisions made without accurate information inevitably lead to flawed conclusions. Claude, even learning the Marquessate’s situation alone would be sufficient. Don’t overextend yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Truthfully, being newly married, I’m reluctant to risk my life. Since I’ve heard your worry too, if circumstances demand it, I’ll prioritize my own safety over your orders.”
Claude’s light remark softened the atmosphere of the room.
The Crown Prince let out a short, resigned chuckle and nodded.
“Very well. You’ll select the knights yourself, and as for the staff—”
Before the Crown Prince could finish, head maid Nao gently raised her hand.
“I have someone to recommend.”
“The head maid?”
“Yes. I recommend Ria Kruger, who serves at my side.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened in shock at the head maid before deep gratitude washed over her.
‘I honestly thought I might have to climb the mountain alone.’
Some of the advisors flanking the Crown Prince briefly flickered with ‘could it be?’ before quickly composing their expressions.
“That person is—”
Stepping forward at the Crown Prince’s gaze, the head maid spoke on Beatrice’s behalf.
“As I mentioned earlier, this is Ria Kruger. Originally, I brought her as my administrative assistant and investigator. She possesses magical aptitude and has ties to the Downer Marquessate.”
“She’s from the Downer Marquessate?”
“In a manner of speaking. She seems anxious about the gravity of the meeting—hasn’t sat still for a moment. I’d prefer she contribute her part within the Expedition Party.”
“Hmm……”
“Given that I trained her personally, she’ll be of use.”
“Very well. A local perspective, and one with magical sight, is invaluable. With the head maid vouching for her, her background is surely reliable…. Claude?”
“I have no objections.”
“Excellent. Then Ria Kruger, I ask for your service in the Expedition Party.”
“Ah, yes, Your Highness.”
Even as she reflexively bowed in acknowledgment, Beatrice forcibly tamped down her racing heartbeat.
‘I nearly reacted when she mentioned being from the Marquessate. I really am hopeless at this whole hiding business.’
She would have to be even more careful. Truly careful.

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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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