Ch.35Status Window-Viewing Princess (3)

The evening was illuminated by the brilliant lights of the palace.

A lavish party was held to welcome Serin and her companions amid the goodwill of many people. The nobles of Carnar Kingdom whispered among themselves about how long it had been since they’d attended such a grand banquet.

It was excessive luxury for what should have been a mere friendly nation. However, there was a plausible motive behind it.

The king of Carnar Kingdom was a fellow alumnus who had studied at the same Academy as the Emperor of the Empire. In other words, the heads of both countries had a close personal relationship. So it was inevitable that relations between the two countries had rapidly progressed after the former emperor was deposed.

From the Carnar King’s perspective, Serin was the daughter of a close friend. The elaborate welcome ceremony was only natural.

“Are you really sure about me?”

“I never even imagined it wouldn’t be Rian.”

We were discussing who would be her partner for the banquet.

I tried to dissuade Serin. Even if she was an Imperial Princess, bringing along a suspicious man wearing a mask would surely cause gossip. Still, Serin stubbornly linked her arm with mine.

“When are you going to fix that low self-esteem? You’re afraid of causing me trouble again, aren’t you?”

“It shows, doesn’t it?”

“Not at all. But now I can read your thoughts just by looking into your eyes.”

“…”

“Wait, are you closing your eyes now? Don’t you know that each of your small, precious actions stamps an imperial seal on my heart?”

How can someone be so innocent…

That was Serin’s quiet mumble.

Unable to find a suitable response, I averted my eyes and reminded her of the time.

“…We’ll be late at this rate. Let’s go, Serin.”

“Finally. Honestly…”

Though she teased me, Serin deliberately leaned her weight toward me. The scent of wildflowers wafted from her silk-like hair. Despite having bathed and prepared for hours for the party, her wildflower scent remained unchanged.

Serin was definitely a wolf.

A wolf that roams freely across fields, its body infused with the scent of grass.

Suddenly embarrassed by this thought, I felt shame wash over me.

If she knew I was sniffing her scent and indulging in such fantasies, I can’t imagine how disgusted she would be.

‘What is Serin thinking?’

I stealthily rolled my eyes toward her profile. But the result I harvested was utterly pathetic.

To think I had the impression that Serin’s eyes were like those of a hungry beast. Not only was it far from the truth, but it was also disrespectful and rude.

“Rian? Why are you suddenly shaking your head?”

“I wanted to shake off my pathetic thoughts.”

“Can I pick up the pathetic thoughts you’ve shaken off? Even those are small and precious to me.”

“That’s… that’s filthy.”

“Me?!”

“No, no. I meant that I’m filthy.”

“Didn’t you bathe?”

“Of course I did…!”

“Then it’s fine.”

I see. So that’s how it works.

Something felt off, but it was difficult to trace where things had gotten tangled. At the end of the path I walked in a daze, with my energy suddenly drained, was a scene that evoked a strong sense of déjà vu.

A space once marred by tragedy, turned into chaos by an attack.

The banquet hall.

The doorkeeper, after confirming our identities, flung open the large doors and announced loudly:

“The Ambassador of the Bellonin Empire – Her Highness Princess Seriniel, and the Knight Commander Rihart, are entering!”

The eyes of the guests immediately turned to us. Since Serin was clearly the main figure of this banquet, this attention was not surprising. However, the inevitable whispers followed.

“The Imperial Princess is so beautiful.”

“But that man escorting her is a bit…”

“He’s rather unsettling, isn’t he?”

“If she chose him to keep others away, I’d understand…”

I didn’t care about their comments about me. Having never heard kind words my entire life, it didn’t bother me. I was just relieved there was no disparaging talk about Serin.

Serin, on the other hand, seemed indignant and spoke to me in a voice only I could hear.

“Such ill-mannered people. I don’t understand how they can’t recognize Rian, officially certified as beautiful by Tiel.”

“Please don’t bring that up. It’s very embarrassing…”

“I swear, if you took off that mask just once, people would surround you like a donut.”

“How would you know that?”

“Trust me. I’d bet on it. Someday, Rian will be loved by everyone.”

“Love…”

A concept that seemed unlikely to be associated with me. Even Serin would find it difficult to make such a guarantee.

Yet when I mulled over the word “love,” something in my mind felt blocked, as if I were constantly searching for something I had forgotten.

Serin broke me out of my contemplation of that strange feeling of constriction.

“But I’ll be number one among them. Just wait and see. I’ll become Rian’s number one.”

“Haha…”

Serin is good at joking.

Is this how much someone can boost your spirits when they consider you ‘their person’?

I feel like even nonexistent energy would surge, making me daringly want to monopolize it.

While I was berating myself, Serin spoke:

“Rian. Did you just laugh out loud?”

“What?”

“You laughed. Audibly. Right?”

“Did I… do that?”

“I may not know everything, but I don’t talk nonsense when it comes to you.”

“I see…”

Could I really have laughed aloud? I found it hard to believe, but Serin was usually right. She wasn’t the type to embarrass me with such lies.

If it was true, it was solely thanks to her.

“Thank you.”

“Suddenly?”

“When I’m with you, even familiar experiences always feel new. If I laughed out loud, it’s surely thanks to you. So… I wanted to express my gratitude.”

At my words of thanks, Serin’s brow suddenly furrowed. She seemed to doubt my sincerity.

“Really?”

“I mean it.”

“Hmm.”

Step!

Serin thrust her head under my chin.

“More than Knight Commander Ruslet?”

“Why bring him up…?”

“I overheard a little. That day, when you two were talking, you said something that sounded like thanks. Just that much, so I don’t know anything else… anyway, that’s it.”

Serin briefly seemed to be interrogating me, then suddenly switched to an apologetic tone. She appeared to be regretting having eavesdropped unintentionally.

Before her expression could darken, I casually told her:

“I’m always grateful to you, Serin. And it’s far greater than you could imagine. This too is sincere.”

Serin brightened at my confession.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then.”

“I still can’t take off my mask.”

“You’ve become quite skilled at this!”

How could I not know when she’s always looking for an opportunity?

Serin has a habit of slightly biting the corner of her lip when making an unreasonable request. It’s a bit mischievous, but I’ve decided not to tell her about it.

In truth, Serin makes various expressions depending on her mood and topic. Broadly categorized into three: her wolf-like eyes, her pale pink lips, and her slightly dimpled cheeks. Each beautiful on its own, they harmoniously change like musical chords from time to time.

If I were to point out one of these harmonies, I had a vague fear that I might never see it again. So I resolved to keep Serin’s secret harmonies to myself. It was quite a selfish and self-centered thought.

“Still, your appearance might be an advantage right now. People don’t easily approach us.”

“I don’t think it’s an advantage.”

“It is. I quite enjoy talking just the two of us like this.”

“Serin, you always make it difficult for me to find words.”

“That’s because it’s fun in its own way. Especially now, watching you try to come up with some polite response.”

“…”

Fortunately, Serin’s wish soon lost its effect.

One of the most distinguished guests approached us from a distant table.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman.

That was my first impression as I watched them approach.

Moreover, the quality of their attire and their dignified demeanor enhanced their nobility.

Before I could deduce the man’s identity, he approached without hesitation and revealed himself.

“Pleased to meet you, Princess Seriniel. I am Second Prince Luca Ioreen, who sent you the letter previously.”

Second Prince Luca Ioreen of Carnar Kingdom. I had heard about him sending a letter to Serin. I still don’t understand Serin’s attitude when she confessed about it, as if making an excuse.

Anyway, the reason Serin was chosen as ambassador to Carnar Kingdom was because of the Second Prince’s letter.

He had written that she was essential for planning the kingdom’s future.

Since Serin was neither someone who could be threatened nor someone who could be manipulated, the Emperor had sent her without much concern, he said.

Second Prince Luca stepped aside and introduced the lady he was escorting.

“This is Lady Kanarin Rupenter of the Rupenter Ducal family.”

“Pleased to meet you, Princess Seriniel. I am Kanarin Rupenter.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Rupenter.”

Serin received the greeting with a kind smile.

This side of Serin was unfamiliar to me.

As she herself says, I’m used to witnessing her beast-like desires dripping from her eyes daily. But occasionally, when Serin puts on the guise of a proper lady in social settings, my cheeks would somehow burn.

Bewitched would be the accurate description for this feeling.

“Ahem, actually, I have something to tell you.”

The Second Prince interrupted with a fake cough.

“It’s about the letter… In truth, I only lent my name. The person who truly wanted to meet you, Princess, is Kanarin.”

“Lady Rupenter? I don’t think we’ve had any connection before.”

“Well, she suddenly read a newspaper article and insisted we must invite this person…”

“Luca.”

“Alright, alright.”

When the lady called his name sharply, the Second Prince raised both hands in jest. This seemed to be a familiar situation for them. The intimacy between the two appeared considerable.

“As this fool mentioned, I wanted to meet you, Princess Seriniel.”

“I’m curious. Why would a ducal lady like yourself want to see me so badly that you’d make me an ambassador?”

“First, I’d like to have a private conversation…”

Lady Rupenter glanced at Serin, then suddenly gave me a sidelong look. She seemed to want me to step away during their conversation.

Since I was merely serving as a guard, it would be proper for me to withdraw when Serin engaged in diplomatic activities.

So, I was about to excuse myself from Serin and step away for a moment.

That’s when it happened.

The anomaly occurred in an instant.

“Just for a moment, just us… ugh, kuhh…?!”

The moment Lady Rupenter’s eyes met mine.

She clutched her head with both hands as if about to tear her hair out, writhing in agony.

At first, I thought she might be trying to frame me. But the cold sweat streaming down and her lips turning blue testified to the truth.

For unknown reasons, the lady’s condition had rapidly deteriorated.

The suffering lady screamed as if in her death throes.

“Y-you…! What on earth have you brought?!”

The woman’s hysterical scream scattered in all directions.

“Why, how, this person…!!! Kuhk…?!”

Lady Rupenter’s breach of etiquette soon ended.

Suddenly, she staggered as if dizzy, then collapsed on the banquet hall floor, unconscious.

“The world… will… perish…”

Serin and I, standing nearby, heard it clearly.

Lady Rupenter’s final, significant murmur.

World destruction.

A term more preposterous than a joke, yet heavier than a mountain.

Watching the Second Prince desperately carrying the lady out, we followed his footsteps as if by agreement.