episode_0329

Episode 329

Princess Licia was smaller than I thought. His eye level was an inch lower than me, who is of average height.

But it is so beautiful that it actually feels attractive. It looks like a doll made with extremely delicate workmanship.

Each and every feature on her small face was a small work of art. Pale blue hair was a color that was not easily seen in this country.

Also, of course, the outfit she wore was very different from our Lustier’s.

The princess was not wearing a dress.

She was wearing pants that you would never imagine a woman of such high status wearing in the kingdom, and short pants at that.

However, it seemed that their values regarding splendor and modesty were fully reflected, just like ours.

The exposure of bare skin was suppressed with a long cape and long stockings that covered the thighs. Although it was unique with its uniform white coloring and gold decorations that added elegance, it was also recognizable as an expression of a high sense of aesthetics.

No, actually, I like things like doubles. Now, the priority is to understand the other person’s intentions.

First of all, the visible magic protection means are not visible even during my magic power. It seemed like they were using a more thorough method than Wihart’s protection ring.

“Welcome to Lustier, Princess Lysia. Through this exchange, the Lustier Kingdom hopes to continue long-term friendship and cooperation with the empire.”

“Friendship and cooperation with our empire… I really hope so.”

Amidst the formal diplomatic rhetoric, Princess Lisia’s mouth forms a quietly provocative smile. For some reason, I thought she looked like me.

“In the letter, you said that the purpose of your visit was to learn about the culture of our kingdom. So, first of all, we prepared a dinner to introduce the food culture. You must be hungry after coming a long way, so hurry up and go.”

“Yes, thank you for your deep consideration. His Majesty King Lustier.”

Fehat stood up and personally led the imperial party to the banquet hall. I also moved along. While moving, Princess Lisia put her shoulder to me and spoke quietly to me.

“It is truly a pleasure to meet you. Are you Princess Sarah Lustier? I know you very well.”

“I also welcome everyone from the empire and the princess. But… you know me?”

“Yes. Of course I know. Very well too.”

The way he speaks and his voice sound so meaningful that it gives me goosebumps. Princess Lisia may have known me more than I knew about Princess Lisia. Those were words that made me think like that.

When visiting a foreign country for exchange purposes, it is natural to know in advance the people you will meet there. But that’s not it. Princess Licia’s words clearly contained a deeper meaning.

“I’m embarrassed, but I don’t know much about the princess yet. I hope this exchange will serve as an opportunity to get to know each other more deeply.”

“Ah, I really think so, Princess Sera.”

Lisia suddenly showed a somewhat defenseless smile. It’s a smile that seems to tug at your heart. But I couldn’t go over there.

What I felt clear from our short conversation was that this was a person who could not let down his or her guard. Lisia definitely seemed to be the person I had guessed.

Soon we entered the banquet hall. As if to show off this country’s craftsmanship, as soon as we entered, a very delicious smell began to waft in the air.

* * *

The dinner ended successfully. Princess Lisia’s companions were not as overbearing as the preconceived notions people had about the empire. They showed a sufficiently friendly attitude, as if exchange was the goal.

But I couldn’t let my guard down. A truly threatening enemy rarely looks like an enemy. Thinking that Iscarade might be mixed in among the Empire’s party, I couldn’t let my guard down even more.

As the dinner was coming to an end, Princess Lisia said that she wanted to talk with Fehat and me alone.

Of course, Fehat agreed. As we entered the secret room, Lisia spoke first.

“Thank you for your kind hospitality, His Majesty King Lustier. The reason I wanted to talk to just these two people is because I have very important business.”

“That’s okay. But the business is…”

The corners of Lisia’s mouth draw an ominous smile. It seems like he was just pretending to be calm so far.

“The real purpose of my coming here is not exchange. It’s a warning. We, the Bamiar Empire, plan to attack the kingdom. If the Empire were serious about taking over, your little kingdom wouldn’t last much longer than a week.”

Lysia looked very happy when she talked about invading another country. The majesty made me want to stick my tongue out.

“What…?”

No matter how good a person he is, Fehat’s expression hardens. I also asked in an uncomfortable voice.

“You are declaring war in a strange way. So, Princess Lisia, why did you come into enemy territory? If it were a national emergency, we don’t know what we would do.”

“Ahaha, be scared. But there seems to be a misunderstanding, Princess Sarah Lustier. The reason I came here is, in no way, out of good will towards you. Because only I can stop this war.”

“What does that mean?”

“The one leading the invasion of the kingdom is my brother, Tyr Matue de Bamiar, the second prince of the empire. I don’t want to use this expression to describe my relatives, but he is crazy.”

I have heard of Prince Tyr. He is a person who contributed greatly to the expansion of territory to the west.

“His Majesty the Emperor is secretly eyeing the First Prince, Brother Oren, as the next Emperor. But Brother Tyr doesn’t seem to understand that. So they were so anxious that they were planning to attack the Lustier Kingdom… Well, when I first heard that story, I had the same expression as you.”

“So, Princess Lycia, are you saying that you can persuade Prince Tyr?”

“Yes, I’m good at pleasing people. My relationship with Brother Tyr is amicable. Moreover, if you have my support, you will have an advantage in the battle for succession to the throne rather than going through the trouble of taking over the kingdom. Well, you all in the kingdom will have to pay tribute.”

These words make it seem as if it is natural for a kingdom to be subordinated to an empire. Although they said they came with good intentions, Lisia’s attitude was not like that at all.

Rather, it seemed as if he was expecting the highest ranking people in other countries to be embarrassed by him. A happy smile never left Lisia’s mouth, as if she were telling the plot of an interesting play.

Fehat spoke in a voice filled with faint anger.

“Our Lustier Kingdom will not fall that easily. Until now, we have not been maintained by the mercy of the empire. If you make a really foolish misjudgment, you have no choice but to show the power that the kingdom has built up.”

“What a wonderful spirit. But those words should be addressed to Brother Tyr, not to me. And it may be presumptuous to say this, but that bastard is famous for treating the occupied territories harshly. Raping a married woman is also common. If the empire takes over this country, Princess Sera and Queen Carmel, famous for their beauty, may become targets of plunder.”

“Shut up.”

I have never seen Fehat so angry. It was well past the time of the Laurentian rebellion.

Fehat, who was always gentle, looked like he wanted to twist Licia’s delicate neck at any moment. But even resisting like that might be Lisia’s ploy.

I spoke in a relatively calm voice.

“Princess Licia. The reason you came to the kingdom and told such stories is because you want something in return for stopping Prince Tyr. I’d like to ask what that is.”

The corners of Lisia’s mouth showed a slightly different kind of smile. It was the face he showed me on the way to the banquet hall.

“Coincidentally, Princess Sarah Lustier, you are the one asking this. Ha, then I guess I should tell you. What I want is you.”

“No way, send Sera to the empire as a hostage…! Such nonsense…!”

“No, no, Your Majesty. You must listen to the end. When I said that I wanted Princess Sarah Lustier, I meant something more personal.”

Lisia felt like this whole situation was unbearably enjoyable. I knew the way Lisia looked at me. A gaze full of desire. This is the way they see me as a ‘woman’.

Right now, behind that cute face of Licia, he may be having all kinds of delusions about how he can violate the princess of this unfortunate country.

“I happened to see a portrait of Princess Sera. It was a sight that made me wonder if there could be such a beautiful person in this world. However, from what I heard, the portrait didn’t even capture half of its real beauty. Now that I see it in person… I know it was real.”

“Huh…?”

Fehatman seemed to be unable to keep up with the situation. Lisia shook her head and spoke in a more clear manner.

“So, Tyr, I am saying that I will stay here to prevent that crazy guy from starting a war. However, while I am in the kingdom, Princess Sarah Lustier will have to attend to me. From morning to night. Hehe, wouldn’t it be much better than having the entire country engulfed in the flames of war?”

Fehat’s face looked like it was about to explode at any moment. I spoke first before Fehat started screaming in anger.

“Father, is it okay if I talk to Princess Lisia alone for a moment?”

“Sera, this is nonsense you don’t need to hear! There is absolutely no reason for you to endure such humiliation!”

“It’s okay, father. Please believe me. You know me, right?”

Fehat was about to say something, but then sighed deeply. And after glaring at Lisia fearfully, he nodded.

“Phew… Yes, I understand.”

Licia was just looking at Fehat and me with a grin on her face.

Lycia and I followed my suggestion and moved the conversation to my room. Of course, Lisia accepted it with great joy.