159 – Repayment (3)
Fifteen knights of the principality were standing in two rows, showing courtesy to the distinguished guests who boarded the carriage of Eternia.
It was for Silverine, who was heading to the principality at the request of Grand Duke Gainax.
In the midst of the move, Sylverine leaned her arms against the windows of her carriage, resting her chin on her chin, sighing heavily.
The sight of her looking up at the sky with her upset expression and big cat-like eyes, waiting for something, is a little different from her famous name as an archmage, and on the other hand, she is lovely and beautiful, so the eyes of the knights who serve her. I instinctively turned to her.
The junior knights at the back whispered cautiously.
“But… It’s not like we did anything wrong… ?”
“You idiot. “Percival violated Rule 3, Article 28 of the Protocol Rules.”
“Is that why? “It’s still my first year, so I’m a bit confused.”
“It’s suspicious, though. There’s nothing to explain other than that.
Then, the sound of wings similar to a wasp sounded in the sky.
Stitch suddenly flew in front of Silverine.
She quickly snatched it up with her hand and slammed the window of her carriage shut.
“…… ?”
“It’s over for Percival. Are you sure. “I’m trying to contact my superiors.”
A moment later, Sylverine stretched her hand out of her carriage and let her stitches fly.
The Knights’ Guard remained silent after that. The sun was bright and it was hot for a spring day.
One of the minor knights whispered behind her again.
“… “It’s a bit hot for a spring day.”
As time went by, the sun got hotter and the knights were sweating profusely. Even the horses were droopy from the heat.
“Was it always this hot around here…? ?”
***
Gerald was subtly controlling me without forcing me.
He added words as if he could see through my intentions.
“And the Archmage also has a schedule in the principality at the same time. “I heard that they have a special relationship with each other.”
“Is it true that Master is coming to the Principality?”
Gerald nodded his head.
“This schedule was already planned a long time ago.”
Is that really true? Since Sylverin is coming too, it sounds like he’s telling me to stay here and not wander around for no reason.
Good. If you step forward for no reason, you may end up in trouble, so it would be better to wait here. It’s a shame that I can’t find the five rubies that the forest keeper’s spirit mentioned in the castle. When will I be able to find her? During vacation, she has to go to Trisha’s house… It seems impossible to go to Chengdu within this year.
“You can move around freely without worrying too much about handcuffs. “It’s an immature expression of interest from the princess, so I hope you can overlook it.”
I said while massaging my stiff wrist.
“It’s nice to have my freedom after a long time, but I won’t be able to move comfortably because of the nobles who have antipathy towards me.”
Gerald smiled lightly and shook his head as if it was no big deal.
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“Not necessarily. This is a rare opportunity, so why not take a look around? This Cameron Castle garden is so beautiful that even the imperial embassy exclaimed with admiration. And there is a knight training center nearby. You will be able to see Damian and the trainees from Dongnai University. “It’s a good place to pass the time until the trial.”
Is it because I feel like something is being hinted at to me?
“I would also like to say hello to the princess. If necessary, we will provide an attendant to assist you with your visit. “Okay then.”
Gerald nodded like a busy man and walked out of the room.
I came out of my room and took a walk around the courtyard to lightly check my physical condition.
Cameron Castle was indeed as beautiful as Gerald said. This was a unique place where the upper part of a mountain was cut into a flat area and a garden and fortress were built there. The elegance of craftsmanship was felt in the stone sculptures such as walls, stairs, and fountains.
The walking path had a pond, willow trees, and an artificial stream that I don’t know how it was created.
To put it bluntly, it seems like the money was thrown away indiscriminately. In fact, if we collected just one silver coin from each of the magnificent city buildings stretching to the horizon as a tax, we could build dozens of these.
And about twenty steps later, a middle-aged servant wearing glasses follows silently. He walked around me as if he was following me and wrote something down in his notebook every time I did something.
While I was walking for a while to gather my thoughts, Stitch flew by with a letter in his mouth.
Silverine’s reply arrived much earlier than expected. This meant we weren’t physically that far away.
Silverine only left a simple reply to my sincere letter.
[You are dead now.]
“….”
My heart races when I receive strong expressions of affection. It’s an excitement I’ve never felt before. How much is left? Maybe tomorrow, or as early as this evening.
To calm my mind, I put the letter in my pocket and took a deep breath. Then, with a wave of his hand, he called to the attendant who was following behind me.
***
Bibi was still lying on the bed with his back to the door, like a mouse in a burrow.
The servant delivered good news, albeit belatedly.
“Damian was thinking alone and exchanging letters with someone. “Looking at his expression, it looks like something bad has happened with the other person.”
“Tell me more.”
“And… “They say they are coming to say hello to the lady.”
Vivi stayed still for a moment and then she answered.
“Call the palace hairdressers and maids.”
“I understand.”
As soon as her order was given, managers dedicated to maintaining Bibi’s dignity came in.
Vivi slowly raised her body and got out of her bed. Her face was slightly flushed.
And she sat down on the dressing table.
“It’s a light tangent, so I hope it doesn’t come across as a big deal.”
Some of the maids nodded and left for the dressing room. The hairdresser hurriedly combed her messy hair and the remaining maids trimmed her nails.
After changing into her simple white dress, Vivi sent all her servants away.
And she lingered in front of the mirror, checking her grooming, until Damian came. Hair tied up elegantly. Boldly exposed shoulder line. Light pink lips. An emerald necklace the size of a pebble. And finally she sat back on the bed with her pillow on her back.
The promised time came and someone knocked on her room.
Vivi squeezed and opened her hand a few times and she wriggled and said.
“Come in.”
Then the door opened and Damian entered.
He came in without saying hello, grabbed a chair from the small table, and sat down in front of Vivi’s bed.
Vivi looked at Damian’s face with her hands neatly gathered on top of her danjeon.
Damian gave a mischievous first word that was completely different from what was expected.
“Why did you decorate it like this?”
She felt feverish for a moment, but she held back and answered.
“This is my usual appearance.”
“….”
“Didn’t you just see me living like a primitive person? It would be worth seeing like that. “Unlike commoners like you, I must always maintain the dignity of a monarch.”
“Um…. Are you feeling well? “Your complexion looks good.”
“Everything is fine, but you seem to have a bit of fever in your body.”
“Let’s see. “I thought you were dressed coldly.”
Damian placed her palm against Vivi’s forehead. Her eyes widened momentarily in confusion, but she soon calmed down and accepted it.
“… “This body has more heat on the cheeks than on the forehead.”
“Um….”
Damian placed his palm on Vivi’s cheek and briefly checked her temperature. She lowered her gaze, probably because Vivi was embarrassed to have said it herself. For a moment, he felt a strange flow of air and took her hand away.
Bibi said, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
“Why are you doing that? “You’re unusually cautious.”
“Isn’t this a principality? “If anyone sees it, they will lock me in the dungeon.”
“What’s the point in worrying about such things now? We went through life and death together. Is there anything more bonding than that? “In addition, didn’t you see my naked body, touch my body, and even sleep with me?”
“… “I guess that’s enough justification to put him in jail.”
“Don’t worry. A trial is simply a place to judge merits and demerits. In addition, I will keep it a special secret from your fiancé.”
“Why do you care so much about my fiance?”
“In Barbisia, we were so close that it was safe to call us husband and wife. Of course, it was not selfish, but if your fiancé found out about this, wouldn’t her heart break?”
“It wasn’t even a couple.”
“We were close enough to be considered a married couple.”
“The talk about keeping it a secret is significant. You’re talking as if you’ll find out my fiancé’s identity someday.”
Bibi tried to speak calmly, probably because he was upset.
“I admit it. I was just curious about what kind of woman a reckless person like you would choose. Instead of doing that, how about you let me know first? “I also showed you my secret, and our bond is not so weak that it cannot do that.”
Damian thought for a moment and then opened her mouth.
“I don’t have a fiancé.”
“… “What does that mean?”
“I never said I had a fiance.”
Bibi’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Then Lee… no. I get it. “It was my mistake.”
Bibi quickly agreed without making a fuss. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she shouldn’t ask any further questions.
“And… “Can I ask you one favor?”
“… You did everything you asked for and it was no big deal. “Tell me.”
Damian shows signs of hesitation. She somehow seemed like a person suffering from pain.
“If I end up in prison… “Can you please take it out?”
“… Are you really worried about the trial? A principality is not a place with messy laws like a barbarian tribe. “It is a place to discuss your compensation.”
“…… No. I’m just saying this. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Who could put a strong man like you in prison?”
Damien took a deep breath as if he was confused and returned to his usual relaxed self.
“I want to eat apple pie when I can see the sunlight. “You don’t seem to have a fever. Would you like to take a walk with me?”
Vivi responded to her sudden suggestion in an excited tone without realizing it.
“It’s really good… ! Ah, that’s a good suggestion. Since this is your request, I will personally grant it.”