Ch.7676. Private Audience (2)

“Before we get into the story, I’ll tell you what we’ve learned since that day’s attack.”

“I’m listening.”

Adelheid began explaining how events had unfolded since the coming-of-age ceremony.

Starting with how they had successfully searched not just the royal palace but the entire capital to catch the culprits’ trail.

She mentioned that wooden boxes were found on the dead Demonkin, and how those boxes played a crucial role in the cultists’ attack.

Various details were exchanged.

While I listened attentively to her words, part of my mind was focused on the new Status Window that had appeared.

‘…This.’

Just as Adelheid had said, a Status Window had appeared even though I’d only been drinking tea.

The quest presented by the Status Window contained utterly ridiculous instructions.

‘Well, I understand that she’s interested, but…’

For some reason, her Dragon Eyes don’t work on me.

Moreover, a few days ago, I briefly displayed my swordsmanship and Mana to kill the Demonkin attacking her.

I know she’s interested in me because she can’t fathom me with her abilities.

‘…In a way, it’s natural interest.’

Men in this world, unless they work in dangerous professions like mercenaries,

Don’t learn swordsmanship or anything that could be called martial arts, instead learning to support their fathers in household affairs.

She must be curious about the swordsmanship she witnessed and the archery skills Ainel would have casually mentioned.

‘Besides, at that time, Adelheid definitely noticed me using Mana.’

I had used Mana at full power to block the Demonkin who dared to aim for Her Highness’s back.

And I showed that sight to Adelheid, right before her eyes.

She must find it quite interesting that I wield power not permitted to men.

Having shown that level of Mana, it’s obvious she’d want to probe what else I might be hiding.

However.

‘Even so…’

I calmly read the words engraved on the Status Window again.

Those words telling me to use all methods and means to win her favor, including elemental magic that Adelheid hasn’t yet noticed.

‘Why on earth would it tell me to go this far?’

I couldn’t understand the quest’s instructions at all.

‘…Mentioning elemental magic and telling me to use every method to win our princess’s favor.’

Quests don’t bring up pointless matters.

If the quest mentioned elemental magic and told me to win her favor,

Then even if I don’t understand the intention, following that path must be the right way forward.

‘This is maddening.’

…Even so, there are limits.

Having already been discovered not just as a man lucky enough to awaken a tiny bit of Mana, but as someone capable of wielding it while fighting with a sword.

Now I’m supposed to reveal that I can also use elemental magic?

“Hmm…”

I picked up my teacup again and took another sip.

The first taste was incredibly sweet, but with a bitter aftertaste.

I savored the lingering bitterness in my mouth as I thought.

‘Is it really right to tell Adelheid about elemental magic too?’

As I set down my teacup again, struggling alone with my deep concerns,

Adelheid quietly observed me before speaking.

“You seem to like the tea’s aroma.”

After saying this, Adelheid uncrossed her legs, then crossed them again the opposite way.

“So… together with your mistress, Lady Sianella, who protected me closer than anyone—”

The smile resting lightly on Adelheid’s lips grew more intense.

“You splendidly blocked the enemy’s blade aimed at my back, protecting me, Adelheid Aicilia. And you gallantly cut down another Demonkin that charged at me. The royal family wishes to honor your merit with a small reward.”

She leaned forward, looking at my face from a slightly closer distance.

“Ray, is there anything specific you would like as a reward?”

I thought briefly about the quest’s content before answering the princess’s question.

“If possible… could I receive an elven bow?”

“An elven bow?”

Adelheid’s eyes widened, as if she hadn’t expected this answer at all. But only for a moment. She composed her expression and put a cookie in her mouth.

Munch, munch.

A heavy silence fell between us until Adelheid finished eating the cookie.

The princess savored the sweet cookie while deep in thought, and I simply waited for her contemplation to end.

“I’ve heard you’re skilled with a bow, and I know many archers fantasize about elven bows. However, unfortunately—”

With the princess’s deep, low voice, she began using her Dragon Eyes more intensely than ever before.

“The true essence of elven bows that’s known to the world cannot be reproduced by anyone other than elves. Elven bows… only respond to the elemental power that elves possess.”

She raised her teacup to her lips as she spoke.

“As such, if you simply want a new bow as an archer, I’d prefer to give you a dwarven bow as a reward…”

After emptying her cup, Adelheid reached out to me.

She fixed my chin with her delicate index finger and thumb.

Led by her hand, I found myself looking at Adelheid’s face up close, and further, into her purple Dragon Eyes.

“Will you accept a dwarven bow as I suggest, or… would you still prefer an elven bow?”

“I—”

Dwarven bow and elven bow.

Both are undeniably excellent bows, but at least for me, elven bows show better performance than dwarven ones.

The quest.

After conquering hundreds or thousands of dungeons, quests have always benefited me.

They’ve never led me down a harmful path.

Since this quest told me to sell my abilities somehow to increase my value and win her favor.

I finally made my decision.

“…I would like to receive an elven bow.”

Deciding to trust the quest.

Whether Adelheid read my intentions in my answer or not.

Adelheid smiled more seductively than ever before.

“An elven bow… I’ll keep that in mind.”

She released my chin.

Sitting back to increase the distance between us again, she closed her eyes and fell into deep thought.

As time passed, whether due to interest or amusement, the curve of her lips grew deeper.

When Adelheid opened her eyes again to look at me,

Her pupils had returned from reptilian eyes to human ones.

It was much more comfortable to exchange glances with her calm violet eyes rather than those intimidating lizard eyes.

I could relax a little.

And finally.

“Well then, let’s end this conversation here. Ray, who became Lady Sianella’s exclusive attendant despite being a commoner. Let’s move on to talk about you.”

Adelheid’s interrogation-like conversation about me began.

Questions like where I learned swordsmanship, where I learned archery and how proficient I was.

Following the quest’s instruction to use all methods to increase my value, I exaggerated my answers appropriately.

And I could see fairly positive reactions from Adelheid.

As we continued the conversation,

Suddenly, Adelheid’s expression turned cold as she began to stare directly at me.

Why would someone who had been talking pleasantly with a smile suddenly change like this?

I stayed as alert as possible while watching her reactions.

Adelheid slowly began to speak.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask all along. Can you answer this question too?”

“What kind of question…?”

“Fate. A question about fate.”

“…I’ll do my best to provide a satisfactory answer, as far as I’m able.”

At my response, Adelheid’s eyes gleamed as she slowly began to stroke her lips.

“Almost everyone in this world shares connections and lives their lives according to their destined fate. There are no exceptions to the predetermined script.”

Her deep purple eyes filled with intense curiosity.

“Yes, there should be no exceptions…”

Adelheid’s fine brow furrowed.

“Since the attack a few days ago, I’ve confirmed this with Lady Sianella, the head of her house, and myself.”

“…”

“Everyone connected to you seems to have their fate twisted and rewritten. It’s quite fascinating.”

Then she smoothed her furrowed brow and smiled with her eyes.

However, this smile wasn’t merely friendly.

“Ray, what do you think about this?”

But why?

Despite the shallow wariness visible on her face,

Why did I sense opportunity and hope in her voice?