Chapter 148: The Introduction Meeting 1

Regarding her master Soule’s words about an important event, Freddy – or rather, Queen, the eldest daughter of the Bohemian lord – expressed her profound unease:

“An important event, you say… Might I inquire as to what it entails?”

“From what I’ve heard, the lord’s daughter will be holding her wedding ceremony. The emperor himself has graced the capital for this joyous occasion. As my disciple, you should attend, should you not?”

“Hmm…”

A pensive look crossed Queen’s features at Soule’s words.

Naturally, having fully concealed her true identity within the Dragonian Empire, she wished to avoid external contact whenever possible.

While part of her desired to focus solely on her training without distractions, minimizing the risk of her exposure took precedence.

If someone were to recognize her face within the Dragonian Empire…

And her identity was revealed, reaching Bohemia…

She would be compelled to immediately return, or worse, become a captive of the Dragonian Empire, unable to continue as Soule’s disciple.

For Queen, who had found profound fulfillment as Soule’s student in a way she had never experienced before, such a future was utterly unacceptable.

Hence, Queen’s instinct was to avoid this event if possible. However, it seemed unlikely she could evade it this time.

As an influential figure wielding immense power within the Dragonian Empire, Soule’s sole disciple abstaining from such an official ceremony could potentially bring harm to her master.

A fact Queen, as the daughter of a lord, was keenly aware of.

Thus, Queen began to sense the necessity of accompanying Soule at least once to this formal gathering, as her master had suggested.

However…

‘But no matter what… I cannot risk revealing my identity at such a perilous cost.’

Contemplating her next course of action, Queen steeled her resolve for a choice no woman would readily embrace.

Yet, to her, it was preferable to the misfortune of her former life.

‘No matter what, I cannot allow my identity to be exposed… This happiness I now enjoy must be safeguarded by my own hands.’

After their lengthy journey, the carriage finally arrived at Sophia Castle.

Cazeros and I carefully disembarked from the carriage.

‘So this is Sophia of the Dragonian Empire… Our original intended destination…’

Initially, after being stripped of my knighthood, I had planned to journey here with Cazeros, passing through Bohemia and the Repsodi region.

However, due to my true identity as ‘Santana’ being revealed in Bohemia, I had remained there, briefly parting ways with Cazeros.

Ultimately, though, we had arrived here together as intended, albeit with changes to our identities and ages along the way.

‘In any case, we have arrived in the end. One could consider this fate.’

With that thought, Cazeros, Polena, and I followed the servants’ guidance into the lord’s castle.

Beholding its immense scale, incomparable to Bohemia’s, I couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

‘Truly, the disparity between a ducal and a count’s domain is considerable… Though our Bohemian territories are no meager force, the sheer difference in grandeur here is staggering.’

Even accounting for Sophia Castle’s former status as the imperial capital of the Dragonian Empire, the sheer majesty it exuded, from the mere corridors, left me slightly humbled.

‘To think she was a princess of such a realm… While recalling her demeanor as a knight makes it understandable, it is still remarkable.’

Cazeros, who had always found joy in humbly serving others, must have found such opulence, which inherently separated her from the common folk, profoundly discomfiting.

‘Indeed… As I had sensed since her time as a knight, such trappings do not suit Cazeros well. Concerning oneself with status and the like…’

Lost in thought, I found myself, accompanied by Cazeros and Polena, standing before the chambers of the lord – the duchess and Cazeros’s mother, who awaited us.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes. I shall announce our arrival.”

With those words, the attendant cautiously knocked.

Shortly after, the door to the lord’s chamber slowly opened, and I swallowed hard, gripped by profound tension.

‘From what I’ve heard, Cazeros’s mother does not regard me favorably… For now, it would be best to tread carefully and observe the situation.’

Despite ultimately granting her approval for our marriage, the prospect of future difficulties weighed heavily upon me.

Bearing that in mind, I slowly entered.

And then…

“You have arrived, Lady Cazeros.”

“Yes, thank you for your guidance.”

After exchanging a light greeting with the attendant, the duchess turned her gaze upon us.

In that instant, one fact became glaringly apparent to me:

‘…Truly… she appears more like an elder sister than a mother…’

The duchess possessed an extraordinarily youthful countenance, far too young to be considered a mother-in-law by conventional standards.

Simultaneously, her appearance suggested that Cazeros would resemble her in a few years, their features nearly identical save for the duchess’s crimson eyes.

Recognizing this, I respectfully knelt before the duchess.

“I am honored to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. My name is Santana Andreas.”

“Raise your head.”

The duchess addressed me in a quiet tone as I displayed my reverence.

She then spoke in a composed manner:

“I am Catlena Sophia Reymond. The mother of Cazeros, who stands before you. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, to be granted such an audience, Your Grace.”

“Hmm…”

My words elicited a slight clearing of her throat and a momentary stiffening of her expression.

In that first encounter with my rather unwelcoming ‘mother-in-law,’ I sensed a more tense atmosphere than anticipated, automatically becoming enveloped in profound unease.

Doubtless, the formidable aura of my wife’s family played a role, but the duchess’s demeanor itself left much to be desired.

Realizing the need to tread carefully while observing her disposition, I waited as the duchess addressed me again in a composed tone:

“I have been informed of the circumstances. It seems you hold deep affections for our daughter?”

“Yes, that is correct. Though embarrassing to admit… I truly love Cazeros.”

While making such an ardent declaration in this situation, I had no room for evasiveness.

Given the duchess’s evident disfavor towards me, a direct approach was wisest to avoid further offense.

And regarding my candor, the duchess fixed me with an enduring, uncomfortable gaze as she spoke:

“Love, you say… A fine word. But I wonder… Can the affections of one who was previously betrothed to another woman truly be considered sincere toward our daughter…?”

In that moment, the duchess abruptly trailed off, as if interrupted.

Her expression then shifted from discomfort to profound shock.

“What… What is this… Why… Why are you here?”