episode_0045

Suddenly appearing Princess Dominique had just presented a white horse to Eleanor a few minutes ago.

From early morning, the front yard of the townhouse was bustling with people coming and going.

Servants moving back and forth around the mansion were transferring their belongings from the luggage carts covered with tents.

The men, who made creaking sounds with each movement under their white robes, adorned with golden lion embroidery on their chests, gathered in groups discussing today’s journey.

Amidst the bustling crowd, a sturdy man clad in black leather armor, emphasizing his broad chest under the open shoulder pauldrons, dismounted from his black horse and walked towards the mansion’s entrance.

Originally a renowned warrior, the Baron of Baern was now overseeing the western regions of the empire, displaying a somewhat complex nature. Even as a mere baron, he had lost his life to the scimitars of heretics during battles beyond the borders.

Thus, it was inevitable that people’s gazes naturally turned towards the unfamiliar man with each step he took.

Especially considering that the man was none other than Duke Dimitri Blanshard Verbrecht, known as the Empire’s foremost warrior.

Albrice, who had been conversing with the steward for a while, hastily ran towards him and politely greeted, “Thank you so much for coming today, Your Grace.”

With a charming smile, Dimitri replied, “It’s nothing. I am merely in a position to receive kindness. I should lend a hand at least a little. Besides, my only talent lies in such matters.”

Behind the black greaves, a longsword hung down the Duke’s back, swaying slightly. Amidst the cold friction of the sword handle and decorations, the Duke spoke softly.

“Moreover… I inadvertently invited uninvited guests.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Looking at the bewildered Dimitri with a smiling face, Albrice continued the conversation, “I cannot express how relieved I am that Your Grace will participate in this journey.”

“No need for flattery. If your knights are present, they can manage just fine without me.”

Dimitri glanced uncomfortably at the knights behind him, whose eyes were fixed on him almost oppressively.

Standing behind the Duke in pristine white robes, they appeared to be more than eight in number.

After the suppression of the soldiers, all that remained for the nobles were the knightly orders permitted by courtesy of the noble families.

Consequently, the value of knights naturally increased while their quality decreased.

To have only eight knights, especially ones who did not seem like ordinary mercenaries standing behind, was quite remarkable.

With their body lines revealed under the robes, their gazes, occasional gestures displaying unique martial postures, these knights were capable enough to entrust their backs to them atop the northern barricades or in the peaceful capital devoid of any visible threats.

Summoning eight such knights meant that even a band of thieves eyeing the lady of the house would find it impossible to approach easily.

However, judging by Albrice’s face and his anxious tone, even those eight knights seemed insufficient for him.

“Your Grace, if anything happens to Ellie on this journey, if even a scratch appears on her lovely face, I swear I will meet my end not as a father but as Obert Blancbaek. I’m not joking, I mean it.”

Dmitri nodded slightly at Albriss’s urgent plea.

Albriss’s voice, uttering those words, was quite serious without a hint of playfulness.

He had witnessed firsthand just how exceptional Overt Changebeck’s daughter, Love, truly was.

“Worry not. No matter what happens, I will ensure your sister returns as she was when she set off.”

“Thank you… Thank you so much, Your Highness.”

Dmitri flashed a warm smile at Albriss, who once again bowed deeply.

“So, where is our lovely Eleanor now?”

And the protagonist is here.

“S-stop! S-slow down! Viola! Too fast! Stop! Save meee!”

Contrary to that voice, a brown horse approached slowly from afar.

Upon the saddle of the slow-moving brown horse, Eleanor screamed in terror, though Dmitri only nodded in response to Albriss’s worried voice that pierced through her screams.

#.

“So, Domi. What’s happening here?”

Like a large python cradling its prey in its coils.

With Dominique embracing her tightly from behind, resting her head on her shoulder, Eleanor asked, inhaling the refreshing scent of her citrus perfume.

“Hmm. Well, I heard about our cousin’s story. Eleanor followed because she thought Eli was up to something fun.”

“C-cousin?”

Wait… Did she have a cousin?

At Dominique’s awkward word mixed into her voice, Eleanor chuckled as usual.

However, unlike usual, something sweet and gentle, carrying the scent of citrus, lingered on her shoulder. Beyond the ticklish voice, their foreheads gently touched.

Startled, Eleanor jerked her body, but Dominique calmly enclosed her in her arms, trying to escape.

“Not exactly a cousin. More like a distant relative. Anyway, I heard it from the mouth of that tall, dark-haired man over there.”

As Eleanor neatly tucked her hair back to prevent it from blowing in the wind, the voice that tickled her ear continued.

“Still, among this cursed lineage, only Dmitri bothers to seek me out. Of course, he always comes with tales of hardship up north, begging for help. What can an untrusted princess do.”

With a wry smile, Dominique carefully released Eleanor from her embrace.

“Anyway! That’s why I decided to come along today!”

Behind her cheerful laughter, Albriss, whose face had soured at the uninvited guest, approached the two women and bowed deeply.

“Your Highness. How did you end up in this humble place?”

“Oh, if this is humble, what about my palace? Lift your head, Albriss de Beaurne. Today, it’s not Princess Dominique, but Eli’s friend Domi who has come.”

Answering cheerfully, Dominique moved closer to Eleanor.

“I heard from Dmitri. If Eli is heading to the outskirts to cool off, can I come too as a friend?”

“To host you prop-”

“Right! Even if it’s not Your Highness today! Really. If you’re going to treat me like a princess. Hmph.”

Her expression changed in an instant. She cleared her throat and changed her tone, placing her hand delicately on her slender waist above the long white trousers.

“Being the first princess of the Galatea Empire, I, Dominique Ayla Galatea, ask Albrice Raul de Beaune, a loyal subject of the empire, if it would be acceptable for me to accompany him on this journey.”

Her tone and voice were solemn, but her expression remained as before.

Eleanor struggled to suppress a laugh trying to burst out. Of course, Albrice, unaware of the true nature of the princess, simply continued to nod his head.

“Well, I will serve you with all my heart.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that level of dedication. As long as I’m by Eli’s side, it’s enough.”

Returning from a serious tone to a girlish manner, the cross-dressed woman chuckled and promptly pulled Eleanor’s right arm into her embrace.

“But Dominique.”

Following beside Albrice, Dmitri spoke up.

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay leaving the palace empty like this?”

People ready to seize any flaw in the princess’s actions were scattered throughout the empire.

However, Dominique casually replied to Dmitri’s concerned tone as if it were nothing to worry about.

“Well, it should be fine, shouldn’t it? Unless we get caught.”

Sticking her tongue out beyond her lips, Dominique spoke. Her demeanor resembling that of a mischievous boy, Eleanor couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Caught? Wait, did you sneak out without permission?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I told them I was going to the temple to pray for a few days.”

“No matter what, still. What about Cyril? Your bodyguard?”

“Haha. I told you. Princess Dominique went to the temple to pray.”

“You’re up to no good again with that child! Oh, I don’t understand. A princess indeed.”

In response to the playful answer, Dmitri raised his hand to his forehead and shook his head. Whispering softly in Eleanor’s ear, Dominique said,

“You see, Eli, Cyril is my bodyguard. By the way, he’s a man. A very beautiful knight, and I’ll make sure you meet him later.”