Chapter 122

“I see. But why do the ministers believe in the Crown Prince’s words?”

Luciel tilted her head in a strange way.

“It is a matter between countries, so it may be because you think that verifying each other’s will lower the prestige. They also believe that if you suspect someone for no reason, you won’t be able to succeed.”

“But the more important it is, the more sure you have to be. It’s a matter of national importance.”

“I completely agree with your thoughts. But there a lot of people over there who are stuck in such notions.”

Ellington shrugged his shoulders and Luciel asked.

“If it’s common not to keep promises before marriage. Is there any promise you can’t break?”

“Oh, there was a tradition in ancient empires to share oaths.”

“Tradition?”

“The first emperor tried to conquer the plains and take the daughter of a barbarian as a bride, but the chieftain kept lying and refused to give his daughter. That’s why they made a pact at the risk of each other’s lives. As a token of marriage, he wore a crown made of white laurel leaves, and in the Empire, white laurels are used as a symbol of an eternal oath.”

“…Oh, there was such a thing.”

‘That’s right. I think it would be better to present the White Laurel Oath under the pretext of tradition and try to understand the true intentions of Maynard Kingdom.’

The Maynard Kingdom will not give up the Maple estate.

Taking a hint from Ellington’s answer, Luciel drank the juice while thinking about what to write to Princess Claudia.

“But what are you talking about? Who is getting married?”

It wasn’t something to be kept secret from Ellington, but it wasn’t something to be talked about in public.

“I will tell you about that later. But Ellington, there… Can I pack this crepe cake, a big whole cake, please? I want to share it with my family.”

He heard the sound of his wallet getting thinner, but when Luciel looked at him with big eyes and asked for a favor, he couldn’t help but give it to her.

“Of course. Anything more?”

“Then, two cakes?”

“…….”

“It’s just a joke. I will buy the whole cake.”

“No. How can I let the Little Madam waste her money like that? This is no big deal. I will buy you something better.”

Ellington stroked Luciel’s fluffy hair as if looking at a cute niece.

By the way, with Ellington’s help, the glass craft was also going well.

“Thank you for taking me to the studio today. I think it can be completed sooner than expected.”

“It’s nothing. It’s only natural to care about what Little Madam thinks is important. Those two seem to fit better than I thought, so I’m also looking forward to it. Even if Count Gallius is strict with people, he will enhance Mr. Max’s abilities.”

“That’s right. By the way, Ellington.”

Luciel smiled and held out a small pocket of hers to him. Ellington’s eyes widened slightly as he guessed what it was.

“What is it, strawberry candy?”

“Yes, a bribe. Eat it when you go home.”

She actually put in the jewel she had made, if he really did bite it his teeth would come out.

He won’t think it’s really candy and bite it, will he?

Luciel was worried for a moment.

* * *

Upon hearing the report of Princess Claudia’s arranged marriage, the Duke touched his chin and said:

“He’s moving too hastily. If it’s to focus the attention of the ministers, it’ll be quite a success. But they shouldn’t go over there. It’s not so easy to obtain the Maple State this easily……”

“Maybe he was trying to pressure Princess Claudia. In any case, I think Maynard’s true intentions will be revealed when talks about the laurel oath happens, convincing the ministers as well.”

“The Laurel Oath is a good idea. Because old-fashioned ministers are weak at such things.”

At the Duke’s words, Luciel went on after discussing what Ellington had told her.

“Next is the Mukas tea leaf trading rights. Traces of toxicity were discovered after some time. Long-term use can be dangerous.”

“It would be difficult to prove that risk in a short period of time.”

“Yes. It will be difficult for even a person who is good at herbal medicine to know. So I think it would be nice if there was something to replace Mukas…”

“I think you should ask mother.”

As Luciel narrowed her eyebrows to the point of contemplation, the Duke glanced at the plate of crepe cake.

“But did you buy that for me to eat?”

“Yes, it is soft and sweet.”

The Duke, who was sitting in a relaxed posture, reached out to the cake. He put the sweet thing in his mouth. After it melted slightly he ate it and muttered with a strange expression.

“Luciel, it was the first cake that caught my fancy.”

It was the first time he had eaten a cake and praised it.

* * *

The crepe cake Ellington bought for Luciel had an explosive response from the family.

When they heard that it was Luciel’s dessert gift, everyone ate the crepe cake as if they had become cake addicts.

“So yummy. It’s angel cake! nom, nom” (Leoni)

“You are not supposed to eat something like this during training…” (Rizef)

Leoni, whose mouth was covered in whipped cream, said so while eating, and Kizef said no initially, but after emptying the plate, he wiped his lips with a napkin and stood up.

“Oh really? I’m sorry. But isn’t it amazingly delicious?” (Luciel)

As he watched Luciel clasped hands while speaking with gleaming eyes, Kizef softly patted her head and muttered in a tiny voice.

“I’m telling you it’s harmful to the teeth…….eat in moderation, Luciel.”

“Yes. Good luck on training!”

Luciel waved her hand at Kizef, who was already running far away.

Gillard went out, and she was told by the employees that Soliaphe had yet to come out of the bedroom.

“I have to bring it to Grandma, I also have a question about Mukas.”

Luciel took the cake and went to Evelyn and soon the maids set up the tea table.

The teapots and teacups that reflected Evelyn’s taste were as elegant as her. Wavy lace-like tableware was as pretty as the dress she was wearing.

“Thanks to my grandchild-in-law, I can eat all these things. Oh my, it’s soft and delicious. It goes perfectly with milk tea.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Seeing Evelyn deliciously eating the cake, Luciel felt proud. Evelyn watched Luciel quietly sipping tea, and asked.

“Luciel, do you have any worries?”

Luciel nodded her head and explained the whole story. Evelyn must have heard of the situation by now. From the time it was revealed that she was a Cristal Fairy, it seems that family meetings were often held among adults.

“Grandma, isn’t there a better treatment for depression than Mucas tea leaves? If there’s one. the ministers of the Imperial Palace will understand.”

“Well, I think that the best antidepressant, in my opinion, is someone to listen to me. Even dragons who live for a long time feel emptiness, loneliness, and depression. The situation may be different with humans, though.”

“Ah……I think I know what you mean.”

Luciel from the past was always lonely and in pain. If there had been someone to listen to her at that time, it might have been a little less difficult. She thought about the past, a time when she had no one to whom she could confide her own story.

‘Everything I could do was talk with an imaginary partner.’

In fact, people suffering from depression must have troubles that would be difficult to tell anyone.

‘Then it would be nice if there were people or tools to listen to someone’s concerns. Healing a broken heart. A doctor or a solver.’

Of course, it is not a simple treatment method like Mukas, but in the long run, it was a much more natural and healthy method.

Having found her answer, Luciel greeted Evelyn, then returned to her room and diligently wrote down a letter to Claudia.

‘I hope this can help her.’

But even before she could hear from Claudia, something happened that shook the quiet Duchy.

* * *

“Sir, this is a big deal. It is said that a huge monster was discovered near the village that borders the northern snowfield.”

Jarga’s expression as he delivered the report of the scouts to the Duke was also unusual.

If it was a normal monster, there would be no need to even report it. Besides, in the middle of the night like this only emergency reports were received.

“A giant monster? What’s the kind that’s been discovered?”

“…It’s a fox-like monster. It’s not exact, but it’s most likely Munraken.”

“Isn’t Munraken a very powerful monster? Are there victims or casualties?”

“Four civilians and one former Freedom Guild Union subjugation member died.”

“Well, that’s a big deal. But didn’t you say that the guild was disbanded?”

“Yes, maybe it’s a solo act.”

“Right. We need to get rid of it as soon as possible. Call upon the elite Black Wings Knights and depart before dawn.”

“Yes, sir.”

After letting Jarga go, Louivid hurriedly walked to the bedroom where Soliaphe was sleeping.

If it was the Freedom Guild Union subjugation squad, it was the guild that Soliaphe was a member of. He wished that it didn’t get it in her ears, but it’s unlikely.

He hurriedly knocked on the door that was locked trying to open it with an anxious mind. He had a tensed heart that she would once more disappear from his side.

“Soliaphe, please open the door.”

When there was no answer for about a minute, he approached the door with the intention of destroying it, but it clicked and opened.

She draped a shawl over her pajamas and came out with a blank face.

“……Louis?”

“Why did you lock the door?”

“I thought you wouldn’t come today because you said you had to stay up all night. Besides, you have been busy these days.”

“…….”

Louivid was at a loss for her words and could not even say sorry. Soliaphe smiled at him and said.

“I know, you are busy with work. You don’t have to make a sorry face like that.”

“…Thank you for understanding.”

After he entered the bedroom for a moment, Soliaphe quietly followed after him.

“Have you come to rest for a while?”

Louivid, who nodded his head lightly, answered.

“I have to go to the snowfield tomorrow.”

“The snowfield? What brings you there?”

“There seems to be a troublesome monster.”

At Louivid’s words, Soliaphe’s eyes fluttered. She, too, had heard of it through a hawk from one of her former subjugation teammates.

‘I thought we had killed all Munraken in the past, what happened?’

In addition, she was told that Marcus went alone to deal with them. This was also the responsibility of the subjugation squad that did not properly deal with it.

Soliaphe bit her lip. Lifting her chin, Louivid whispered in a small voice.

“I’m saying this just in case.”

“…What?”

“You can’t disappear without a word again. So, if you’ve made up your mind, give up now. If you don’t want to see someone go crazy.”

Louivid’s red eyes stubbornly clung to her, while pulling Soliaphe into his arms.

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