254. Southern Travel (2)
「We sincerely welcome the dispatch of the Hawthorne diplomatic corps.」
The city closest to the Southern Front.
Citizens of Bansk lined up at the entrance to the castle gate.
They welcomed the diplomatic corps by clapping and scattering flower petals from the top of the building.
I had no doubt that this meeting would end the long Cold War system.
Even the dispatch of Princess Leia, who was in charge of most talks in the empire and led them successfully.
The public’s enthusiastic support was palpable.
“You are very popular, Your Highness.”
I spoke to Leah who was entering side by side.
Even though she received the welcome baptism, she had a cool-headed expression, as if she wasn’t particularly happy.
“That’s how anxious the people were.”
Leah elegantly tucked her own bangs behind her ear.
Thanks to this, she was able to see her eyes in more detail.
“Since they had formed an alliance with Bakal in the north, they must have been hoping for peace deep down.”
Unlike when she looked at her other ministers, Leah’s eyes when she looked at her people were very kind.
As if looking at the mother of a family.
“….”
The figure closely resembles her father, Leonhard.
Thanks to you, I was even more confident that she was worthy of becoming the next emperor.
The flower petals sprinkled by the people gently settled on Leah’s shoulder.
Then the woman in the beautiful uniform picked up the petal and looked down at it.
I stared at the princess like that.
She originally thought that she would only be interested in guidance and tactics rather than flowers.
The sight of her blinking her long eyelids and looking at her flower petals with her faint eyes felt somehow different.
“What’s wrong?”
“No.”
I turned my head to Leah’s question as I felt her gaze.
And, looking at the falling flower petals, I also fell into memories.
In her past life, she once experienced a situation similar to the present.
‘It was probably when she first entered the capital after serving on the Northern Front.’
At that time, just like now, everyone cheered.
I too was intoxicated by that ecstasy and shook her hand as hard as I could.
But.
The eyes of the other knights and nobles who were watching me from afar that day were different.
Because they were worried about how to disappoint me who came in after making achievements on the outside.
‘But this life is different.’
The grand official residence of the Southern Grand Duke seen in the distance.
The Archduke Rosetta, who came down from there, welcomed me.
The future has changed.
“Welcome, Your Highness Leah!! “It’s been a while since I said hello.”
The woman with short blue hair smiled broadly and lowered her head.
She welcomed us wearing the leggings and sword uniform worn by knights.
“It’s been a while, Grand Duke. “It seems like my mana has gotten stronger while we haven’t seen each other.”
Leah shook hands with the Archduke in her usual relaxed and dignified tone.
Rosetta also smiled brightly and responded.
“Your Majesty’s magical powers seem to have become more concentrated.”
‘As expected, the strong say hello to each other with their mana.’
I looked happily and nodded to myself.
However, I came to focus again on Rosetta’s words.
“Furthermore, your appearance and mood have changed significantly.”
After hearing the Grand Duke’s words, Leah gave an unexpected look.
“Me?”
Leah pointed her finger at her own face.
Then Rosetta, a woman in her 30s, smiled and answered.
“Yes, my eyes have become softer. “It seems like the previously cold atmosphere has become warmer.”
The archduke’s sensitive blue eyes were filled with sunlight.
Her gaze turned to Leah, who looked quite different from the past.
In the past, he had the atmosphere of a cold soldier who had never received or wanted love and attention from others.
However, now his movements have become a little more flexible and his eyes have become more relaxed.
Especially what it looks like when you hold the fluttering petals and look down.
It seemed like Leah had become so emotional that even Rosetta, who was watching her from afar, was surprised.
“Take it as a compliment. “The capital is more peaceful than here.”
“Well, I heard that a double slope broke out these days.”
The Grand Duke glanced at me and said.
I guess I’ve already heard the news that I was promoted to the rank of First Sword of the Empire.
“Yes, and I am not…” . “The reason we came here is to spread that peace.”
Leah must have felt awkward about the compliment, so she stuttered her words once, unlike usual.
Then Rosetta, her expert, looked at her and me alternately, perhaps sensing something strange about her.
“Hmm-.”
At this, Leah cleared her throat and turned her head first.
I also stepped behind her, ignoring her.
“So, Grand Duke, what is the state of the Hawthorne Kingdom?”
Rosetta smiled as soon as the state affairs were mentioned.
Then, he guided us to the castle walls.
As you climb the stairs, the city of Hawthorne Kingdom comes into view beyond the border line along a long river.
Even in the South, there was no significant difference in architectural style from the Empire.
Perhaps because it is a border that maintains the Cold War system, their walls also looked very high and strong.
“There hasn’t been much response since the Crown Prince came to Bansk. “I’m spending my time very quietly.”
“Yes, I have heard about Leon’s activities.”
The wall on our side was certainly very strong and well prepared.
In particular, the wizards guarding the border appear to have undergone considerable training.
He seems to have followed the teachings of Leon, a powerful archmage.
“How much would they have kept in check, and would they have used their top priority, the Dean of Witchcraft, to try to get them to break away?”
Rosetta raised her finger with the firm gaze of a knight.
And, he pointed to the grand official residence in the southern city, which was visible even beyond the high walls.
“I heard that Hodrian’s half-son has arrived to welcome the diplomatic corps.”
“Half-son? “Did the king have someone like that?”
Leah asked, placing her hand on his chin.
Rosetta responded with a very serious expression.
“Yes, he is not the crown prince, but he is 22 years old and is said to be in charge of all military power in the kingdom.”
“If you have military power, you might be interested in the throne.”
As the First Princess of the Empire spoke in a cold voice, the Grand Duke shook her head politely.
“I thought so too, but he said he was satisfied with being commander-in-chief. Ministers also appreciate such humility and are very popular.”
“He looks humble….”
Is it because I have been immersed in the bloody political world since I was young?
Leah laughed out loud.
“I don’t know. “When the king dies, will his mind change completely?”
“….”
Rosetta saw the sharp appearance of the first princess and thought that although she had changed, her wisdom was still the same.
“You don’t necessarily have to be a good older brother to be a dutiful son.”
Even though she developed a feminine side, she was still Leonhard’s eldest daughter.
“We are preparing for a meeting tomorrow, so take a break today. “I will take care of you comfortably.”
Rosetta smiled and spoke to Leah.
She then looked in my direction and waved her hand happily.
“Thank you. “It’s tea time.”
Leah turned her head with her back to her.
Then, she headed to the magnificent main building in front of her.
“Please prepare a room with plenty of sunlight. “I will prepare an operation plan in advance.”
“Yes, please come this way.”
I glanced at Rosetta and her princess who were running ahead.
Then, I quietly approached Leah and whispered.
“I will spend some time separately before dinner. “I also check with the shamans.”
Rosetta’s eyes widened at the sight of me daring to whisper to the famously scary first princess.
But, that was just the beginning.
“Okay, be back by dinner time.”
Because Leah very willingly gave permission.
Blue eyes twitched as he wondered how the two people became such close friends.
It was amazing to see how relaxed we were, as if we had just gone out for a drink nearby, even though we had an important schedule ahead of us.
“Grand Duke, will I come back then?”
“Uh, uh…. Sure. “You just have to continue downtown the same way you came.”
After breaking away from the group, I headed towards Mago, who must have had a hard time watching over the shaman.
She, too, was in town after handing over her captives to the southern wizards.
We reunited on the streets of Bansk.
“What do you think, is this your first time in the South?”
“Yes, it’s definitely still muggy here even in early fall.”
She came wearing a long dress like a great witch.
She felt hot and fanned herself with her open palm.
“But what’s happening downtown? “To get some air?”
I walked alongside her on her stone pavement and clasped my hands behind her neck.
Then, Mago, who carefully held the staff with both hands, answered.
“Yes-. “Emil and Lise wanted to eat fruit.”
“What, are we already friends?”
Is it because of the record of forming a mercenary group?
Margot seemed to easily become friends with others wherever she went.
“They said it was because of you? “When I was imprisoned, they gave me watermelon and I fell in love with it.”
“Ah-. Actually, it was brought from our farm.”
As I listened, I was so happy that the corners of my mouth naturally rose.
“Then, let’s go together. “I’ll shoot the fruit.”
“hehehe, you should do that. “I’m pampering my friend like this…”
Margo closed her eyes and lifted her chin upright.
I poked her cheek and gave her a warning.
“Well. “You didn’t have to go, but you came along.”
“Well, that’s right…” Because the opponent is a shaman! “It’s only safe when a shaman is in charge of it!”
Anyway, the obedience spell was cast on her, so Rize was practically mine.
However, we decided to match it to Margo’s rhythm.
“Yes, yes-. “Thanks to you, we arrived safely.”
I smiled and took the lead.
Then, Margo follows, holding the staff tightly with both hands.
Her short pigtails also fluttered gently.
From Noble mtl dot com
We entered the entrance of the market, which can be seen from the palace, together.
There were children waiting in front while their mothers were shopping.
You can indirectly learn about the security and culture of a city by looking at what children do and play.
And, the children of Bansk mainly played war games.
They enjoyed sparring with each other holding small swords carved out of wood.
“I guess swordplay is popular because the battle lines are close.”
“That’s right, we at Cornell also played like that when molesters were bad.”
The children made cute cheering sounds as they bounced their swords at each other.
Then, the moment when the fragile-looking boy with messy hair loses hold of the knife.
“Ah… !!”
His wooden sword slid down the front of my army boot.
“….”
I looked down at the fallen wooden sword.
Then, when a small child approached hesitantly, I picked up the sword.
“Thank you….”
Is it because of the rough scars on my wrist?
The child seemed scared.
However, soon he recognized my uniform and his eyes flashed through his messy hair.
“Brother, are you a knight… ?”
“What? Article?”
Friends waiting for their child to return from afar.
They showed interest in the word ‘knight’ and came in droves.
‘Oops, another troublesome thing…’ .’
He clearly likes children quite a bit.
However, because of the long distance to be dispatched, I just wanted to buy some fruit and lie down on the sofa and enjoy the sunlight.
“Are you from the imperial family?”
“There is an imperial seal on the uniform. “You don’t know about the Capital Defense Knights?!”
The children were amazed at the Knights of Light, as if they were some kind of legendary monster.
Big eyes sparkled on the medal attached to my chest.
“Veil, are you okay? “You don’t like being bothered.”
Margot, who knows my personality well, poked my side and asked.
And, besides her, there was another person who was watching me surrounded by her children from afar.
Leah was planning the content of the meeting in advance at the window of the official residence.
Because sometimes she was watching me through a small telescope.
「――――――」
“You are surrounded by an unintentional ambush, Bale.”
Lea, a man alone in a private room, smiled and looked down at the Imperial First Sword.
With curious eyes on how to deal with the children.
“I’ll see how you, the troublemaker, will overcome this.”
Leah seemed to have found something nice to see and immediately poured tea into a beautiful teacup.
And then, with her eyes half closed, she sipped and looked down at me.
“A-. But it’s a pity. “The strongest group in the imperial family is the Imperial Knights.”
“No-. “Don’t you know that the Knights of Light are popular these days?”
The children openly ignored her man even when he was right in front of her.
As he was listening to this, he grinned with sly eyes, probably feeling playful.
“hehehe…. Don’t you guys know that the hidden powerhouse these days is Subangsa?”
“What? “We also know that defense engineers are of low rank, right?”
Children who did not know the news from the capital refuted.
Well, it was enough to see that the man in front of him didn’t know that he was the first sword.
“Do you guys know that the two best knights in the capital this time are both from Subangsa?”
“Yes… ?”
“That’s right, now that I think about it, I think I heard that the winner of this competition was a defense engineer….”
The knowledgeable child agreed and said.
Then, the boys began to focus on the man again.
“I’m his closest classmate-?”
Veil pointing at himself in a sly voice.
Leah looked at him with sensual eyes and nodded.
“As expected, you are hiding your identity well, just as I ordered.”
She had a smile on her face, satisfied that the man outside her window was listening to her commands.
And, she observed with amusement the fox-like knight who spoke brilliantly to the children.
“You treat children so well and have fun playing with them….”
When Leah saw the domestic side of her man that she didn’t know about, she started to feel strange.
She swallowed deeply and was lost in her delusions alone.
How I felt when I read The Grand Duchess of the North and the Slave Knight.
“He will be a good father.”
She mumbled without realizing it and covered her lips with her palm.
And then, the words that Rosetta had mentioned earlier about becoming softer suddenly came to mind.
“Hmm.”
The princess steadied her voice and looked out her window again.
And, with soft eyes, she looked happily at Bale teaching the children swordsmanship.
However, she soon caught sight of a petite woman smiling next to the veil.
Mago joined the dispatch under the pretext of being a shaman.
In the past, I would have treated it as a cute cat, but I started to notice it more and more.
Even after teaching the children, they did not enter the market and continued to hang out at the entrance.
As if lovers were having a secret chat.
“….”
Leah’s expression soon changed to a cool-headed expression.
Then, she worked hard to organize the contents of the meeting and left the room.
“Your Highness, is there anything you need?”
The knights of light waiting outside asked.
They wondered if they should call Richard and go out for an inspection.
However, Leah shook her head resolutely.
“No. “If drivers flock to the country in times of uncertainty due to the Cold War, the people will be scared.”
Leah shakes off the knights with sound logic.
After making them retreat with her characteristic cold eyes, she left the Grand Hall alone.
“I’ll come back alone, so don’t worry.”
The princess took off the lion medal symbolizing the imperial family from her uniform.
Then, she hid it in her pocket and leisurely headed towards the market entrance.
―――――.
She approached the knight and witch who had been waiting at the entrance for a while.
Then, I noticed this and greeted him politely.
“Ah, isn’t it your highness? “What’s going on here?”
“I went out for a short walk.”
As Leah, who was behind her back, spoke in an angsty voice, Margo snuggled up next to me.
And then, he quietly bowed his head and said hello.
“Are you two taking a walk too?”
“No. “I went out to buy some fruit.”
I smiled calmly and pointed to the fruit vendor near the entrance.
Then, Leah slightly frowned her beautiful eyebrows.
As if he knew that I didn’t buy fruit even though I had a lot of time.
“Is that so? “Then you should hurry up and buy it. Why are you waiting here?”
Is it because Margo is in front?
Leah asked in a noble tone befitting royalty, unlike usual.
At this, I swallowed deeply.
And then I glanced at the fruit vendor with a slightly nervous look.
“I guess there was a ‘special’ reason?”
Leah asked back, crossing her arms alone.
The voluptuous skin was supported by both of her arms.
“That…” .”
I quietly scratched the back of her head.
Then, he secretly approached Leah.
The princess looked at me with cold eyes.
However, the moment I heard my whisper.
“… !”
The sharp eyes soon turned into shame.
“If you wait until 6 o’clock, they sell fruit cheaply. “I guess it’s discount time before work.”
Leah’s face turned red at the unexpected answer.
She must have realized that she had become increasingly jealous these days and turned her head away.
“The car is truly economical….”
I guess I was having all kinds of delusions at the sight of my vitality, so I just kept hiding her face.