212. Blood Festival (1)
I’m sorry—!
Odelia exhaled.
That noble, perfect, and flawless princess, in front of so many people, behaved like that!?
This was truly a rare misfortune.
The ladies-in-waiting who stood by the shocking situation quickly became contemplative.
‘It’s not unusual for Odelia-sama to make such a mistake… … The thought of ‘!’ dominated my head, and I immediately moved my body.
“Wow, Princess!”
“What are you doing! Hurry up, don’t bring the councilor and the priest!!!”
“Yes Yes… … !”
The cadets, who had been quietly eating, wondered what was going on, got up and walked around Odelia. The floor was like a thorny road.
I came to enjoy dinner, but if something serious happened to the princess, it would be a headache.
“Aren, what happened all of a sudden? Will the princess be okay?”
Sianna held Aren’s arm tightly and worried about the princess. Aren was looking towards Odelia with a pale face.
The shock was so great that he seemed unable to speak.
“Um, ah, no. It’s okay, I am.”
Odelia came to her senses.
The ladies-in-waiting did not take a break, covering Odelia’s mouth, clothes, table, etc. The traces of black tea were completely erased.
The cadets pretended not to see him and slowly returned to their seats.
“Are you really okay!?”
The servant bent down to his knees and met his gaze. Odelia blushed as if she was embarrassed and waved her brush saying it was okay.
“Princess!!!”
Odelia’s ordeal did not end here.
It was because the courtiers and priests who had heard the news and rushed to arrive sweaty feet.
“Ahh.”
Odelia couldn’t raise her head. Above the head, steam bloomed. I thought I’d rather die.
At the end of the humiliation, the situation was somewhat settled.
“I’m sorry to see you like this. Well.”
Odelia even bowed her head and apologized as a princess.
I’ve gone this far, and I’m going to be angry with anyone who mentions this more or even laughs.
The cadets also knew this well, so they tried hard not to think of the tea-scented rainbow.
The dinner continued in a quiet atmosphere.
While Vemilion was talking hard and trying to lead the atmosphere, Odelia was deeply troubled.
‘How… … .’
Did that specter casually join the dinner!?
It was because the person who looked just like the ghost I met in the basement of the castle last morning was sitting at the table as if he were a real person.
Odelia, who had been trembling at the sight of the ghost, was shocked as soon as she saw Aren and spewed black tea.
‘I’m not leaving.’
Odelia fretted as she bit the tip of her thumb nail.
It was believed that a ghost had a grudge and chased it all the way here.
‘That silver-haired girl is in danger because of me.’
The ghost is sitting next to a cute silver-haired girl and behaving calmly. You don’t know what the ghosts will do if you leave it as it is… … ?
‘Well?’
As I cooled my head and organized my thoughts one by one, only then did strange things come into my eyes.
To be called a ghost, he is chewing food and holding a glass. The girl also turned her head to the ghost and said something.
Odelia swallowed dryly and observed his behavior.
‘You mean you’re not a ghost?’
Odelia felt dizzy. If that is truly a person, then at dawn, what the hell is that ghost you saw underground?
Rather, the fact that an academy cadet who knew nothing was in the basement at that time was more terrifying. If it had been a ghost, it wouldn’t have been so scary.
Click, click.
Odelia’s hand trembled as she put down the cup of tea. This is because the aftereffects of the trauma have not yet gone away.
Odelia swallowed and made up her mind.
‘I’ll check.’
I can’t give in to fear like this.
Amidst the shimmering sounds of knives and forks, Odelia finally opened her mouth.
“What is your name?”
The people who had been chatting all turned their heads in unison. Attention was drawn to where Odelia’s gaze was heading.
“Did you call me?”
Aren, who had been quietly listening to Sianna’s chatter, raised her head and answered calmly.
It was a very relaxed and graceful accent. Among the people Princess Odelia met, he was one of the few gentlemen.
“It is.”
So I have to be even more shocked. How could anyone but a ghost maintain such an undisturbed attitude?
‘He’s not an ordinary madman.’
Above all, her special eyes were telling. That Aren’s soul is different from others.
“Aren. This is Aren Blackfire.”
Odelia raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard his name. It was a name that could be heard often even in the royal castle.
I heard a lot of gossip about him. I had a hunch that the gossip would not stop as a mere rumor.
He was even more difficult to pass up.
“Aren. Please talk to me for a moment.”
Odelia cast ‘Follow me to the roof’.
At the same time, question marks were placed above Siana and Cain’s heads.
.
.
.
.
.
The first time Odelia sipped black tea, I was contemplative.
It was no different, because he had heard the conversation between the pope and Hera at dawn.
‘Poisoned.’
I thought Odelia drank poisoned black tea.
However, after thinking about it for a bit, it couldn’t have been. If they had tried to poison themselves, they would have done it on the last day of the festival.
There was no need to cause a fuss beforehand by poisoning the princess or the academy cadets. If that happens, I’m not sure how it will turn out.
At least until the day of the festival, there is no chance of being poisoned. In fact, it was confirmed that the food was not poisonous.
… … That said, Odelia recognized my face.
In that darkness, it is really commendable that a subject who had mistaken me for a ghost recognized me.
‘My memory is damn good.’
She called me a ghost and tried to kill me.
It must have been like a ghost sitting at the table and eating.
It is understandable that he was startled and spewed a fountain of black tea. It’s rather surprising that he didn’t collapse after biting into crab foam.
Odelia went deep into the garden. Then we stopped in front of a pretty flower field. She was holding her hand behind her back.
I felt like I had to kneel down at that majestic figure.
‘Odelia likes things like this.’
It doesn’t have to look bad. Like a faithful servant, I knelt down and waited, even though she wasn’t looking.
You don’t have to go this far, but it’s a good way to clear up misunderstandings.
“you.”
“Yes.”
Adelia turned around and said.
“What did you do last night?”
“Last night, after dinner, I stayed for a while at the inn.”
Of course, I had no intention of answering straight away when Odelia questioned me.
To the person I met for the first time today, the resurrection of the devil, the conspiracy of the pope, I can’t help it because I’m actually a possessor… … Even if I say the same boring and unbelievable things, it will only hurt my mouth.
Above all, Odelia is a princess. Unlike Siana, Cain, and Bell, he was a really burdensome partner to associate with.
Other friends said that they were involved in eating mustard while crying after entering the academy, but Odelia is a person who has no contact with me.
Besides, I don’t know what effect getting close to Odelia will have on the story damage rate.
It’s something that the damage rate might pierce the ceiling after mixing words once. Now, too, he was answering nervously.
“you. Do you know who I am?”
“This is Princess Odelia.”
“okay. I mean royalty. It’s really dangerous to lie about someone like that.”
Odelia also has her own convictions.
The ‘sage’s eye’ that sees the truth was her characteristic.
Because I have these eyes, I must be able to see through things like the fact that I have two souls and that my soul is dirty.
Even if I pretend, she knows I’m lying.
Still can’t help it. Confession usually won’t be a headache.
“I don’t know what you mean. I did not lie in front of the princess.”
“… … Calm.”
Anger was felt in Odelia’s voice.
The first meeting with the heroine candidate became strange again, but it can’t be helped.
I’m sorry, Odelia! I’m not doing this because I want to cheat.
I kept my mouth shut.
I played a cadet who really knew nothing.
It was then.
“… … ?”
Squeak, squeak.
The moment Odelia started stroking my cheek with her little hand.
“King, lady?”
“Please stay still for a moment. I have something to check.”
“yes… … ?”
squat.
Pinch your cheeks, turn your eyelids over. Pull your ears and smell the top of your head. Fumble your arms and bend your fingers.
hard. The jaw was also opened once.
“Princess, sir?”
“See you soon.”
Her odd eye ran over every nook and cranny of my face in a very serious way.
‘This feels a bit… … .’
Embarrassed, ashamed. In the meantime, why are the palms so soft?
Anyway, Odelia is a great beauty. It was impossible for me to keep my cool if I could smell the breath so close.
In addition, there was even a faint scent of black tea, which made me laugh out loud. I sang the national anthem with all my might.
“Wow, my dear?”
“Huh. It must be human.”
“… … .”
Odelia held me under my chin with one hand. got very close She is a very powerful princess.
Our eyes met in a strange atmosphere. The golden sage’s eyes pierced my inner being.
“Did you say Arren Blackfire?”
“… … Yes.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
It seemed that the storm had passed.
* * *
The dinner schedule with the princess came to an abrupt end.
The male cadets didn’t know what they were expecting, but they showed clear signs of disappointment.
After dinner, Odelia shot me a stinging glance and disappeared.
Somehow, Cain followed straight after Odelia as she left the garden.
I had something to tell Siana and Cain urgently, but things went wrong.
‘Can’t I help it?’
Let’s persuade Siana first as soon as possible.
What the pope is up to, what’s going on in the royal palace.
The next schedule is dinner time.
On the day of the festival, the representatives of the academy cadets participated in the parade, and at that time, I decided to match the traffic line.
In other words, the time was empty until evening.
As soon as Cianna heard that her schedule was empty, she grabbed my arm and dragged me somewhere in the garden.
“Aren. What did you and the princess talk about?”
“uh… … ?”
This was the sound that had been dragged along for a while.
Shiana puffed out her cheeks and put her hand on her waist, frowning as if scolding me.
no big deal… … It’s not true.
Odelia was touching my face with both hands.
That may not have been the intention, but the appearance was certainly misleading.
Hmmm, for some reason, I feel like I should never tell Shiana about it. The performance of the crisis detection sensor has improved day by day.
“There seems to be some misunderstanding.”
“misunderstanding? You better let it go!”
In any case, it was Siana-like to be angry. It was cute in its own way that if I had a little bit of contact with another woman, I would first be on my guard and get angry.
“Okay. I will explain.”
“Say it.”
Siana staring at me with her arms folded as if she was ready to listen. Looking at his expression, he didn’t seem that angry.
Yeah, it was a waste of time getting mad at such a beautiful place.
“It was a big deal.”
“Big deal? Aren! you! What did you do with the princess!?”
“Not that… … .”
Instead, I should tell you a rather depressing story.
I spent 30 minutes explaining the conspiracies of the Pope and the terrible things happening in the palace.
“Huh… … .”
Shiana opened her mouth in disbelief.
You’ve probably already heard all sorts of strange things from me, but it would be shocking to hear that the devil’s egg is in the basement of the royal castle.
“Really?”
“yes. I’m not lying about this.”
“That’s it, but… … .”
It was said rather calmly, but it was a really serious situation.
Because it was a matter directly related to the existence of the kingdom.
Nana Siana. As a member of ‘Crusaders’, I’ve experienced a lot of shocking things, so I guess this is the reaction.
“Anyway, the situation is much worse. That’s why you must dispel the enchantment spell as soon as possible. Especially the side of Cain’s father.”
“ah! So… … .”
Shiana took over my words with a worried face.
“That seduction magic. Have you been looking for me?”
“yes. By the way?”
“I just can’t break this.”
“What are you talking about?”
Shiana let out a small sigh and explained softly.
“It is said that magic spreads according to the heartbeat of the head of the Magic Association… … ?”
“Yes.”
The reality of the magic of deception was astonishing.
There are no clear boundaries, and I only knew that magic was manifested somewhere in the center of the royal castle.
As it turned out, I thought it was magic that spread around Hera’s heart.
“So, you mean you have to kill to unlock it?”
Shiana nodded her head as if indignation. Stopping the caster’s heart was the only way to dispel the magic.
“It hurts.”
The more I thought about it, the more cautious they were.
It was because the target he had to kill was one of the strongest in the world.
“What do we do?”
Siana’s bright eyes wavered. He seemed to regard all of this as his own fault.
“don’t worry.”
I stroked Siana’s head and reassured her. Shiana was shy, but smiled as if she was feeling good after being stroked for the first time in a long time.
“Maybe it’s a better situation.”
“yes?”
If the heart is the source of magic, it was said that those who escaped from Hera would be freed from the enchantment.
That meant that on the last day of the festival, when Hera carried the demon king’s egg, at least the people of the royal castle were free from the delusion.
and… … .
“Because the person to take will be decided.”
fewer people to care about It was rather good news for me.
* * *
“What are you doing? Cain Abella?”
Stairs with light filtering through circular windows.
Cain caught Odelia as she was about to go to her bedroom.
Cain begged with impeccable courtesy, as he had learned.
“I have a favor to ask of you. Princess.”
“… … Request?”
It is Odelia who is still disturbed by Aren.
I definitely checked that it was human, but it’s because the aftertaste is still not good.
I am in the mood to refuse any request with a single knife. Even if it was the only child of the Royal Knight Commander.
“Yes.”
Cain closed his eyes and waited for an answer. The silence didn’t last long.
“… … what is it?”
Odelia came down one flight of stairs and stood in front of Cain. Still, it was the duty of the royal family to listen and see.
“Would you give me the honor of escorting the princess during the festival that starts tomorrow?”
Cain’s request was completely unexpected for Odelia.
Because of her status as a princess, escort knights always followed her wherever she went.
So, the concept of ‘escort’ was not particularly in her head, but Cain’s suggestion opened her eyes to something new.
“Can I take this as meaning that I will become my own knight?”
Yes.
Speaking of escort knights, they are all loyal to their father.
Odelia had never had her own exclusive article.
This fact came across as quite interesting. It was a mouth-watering proposition.
Accompanying an exclusive knight increases one’s nobility, honor, and power. It was not at all a losing trade for Odelia.
‘It just went well.’
Just like Aren’s work, he was also concerned about the Pope’s work. Cain made this suggestion at a time when he was worried about his safety.
At least during the festival, if accompanied by an escort knight, there would be less to fear.
‘Anyone who can be trusted… … .’
Together with Cain, you will be able to uncover the secrets of the castle.
The worry didn’t last long.
Odelia asked one last question.
“Will you devote allegiance to me for three days? Cain of Abella.”
Cain’s heart burned hot.
Cain was a knight to the core.
“Yes Yes… … !”
Cain replied with a fresh smile.
“Good. my knight I will give you the first mission.”
“What is it?”
Even if it’s passed on, Aren seems to have something to hide. Investigate him, and you might be able to figure out a connection with the pope.
“Aren Blackfire. Are you friends with that man?”
“yes?”
Cain wondered why he was talking about Aren, but he nodded.
“Ah, yes, but.”
“Good! Tell me everything about that man!”
“Ah, about Aren… … ?”
A misunderstanding has begun.