Chapter 30

Translator and Editor: Lea and Ishy

Chapter 30

Now, I was really curious about the contents of the letter in question.

I didn’t dare ask, but…

Then Lennox, who was watching the blazing fireplace, turned his nuclear frame.

“Olivia.”

“Y-Yes?”

The voice towards me had become softer before I knew it, but I stuttered without realizing it.

“Do you really want to go to the imperial palace?”

I swallowed as the eyes stared at me.

From his reaction, I thought I should say I wouldn’t go, but I couldn’t.

‘I need to meet the Crown Prince in person.’

At least to know if he was an ally or enemy.

I looked at his face and asked carefully,

“Can I be honest?”

Lennox eased his momentum, perhaps because he noticed my tension.

“Sorry. Did I surprise you?”

“A little. But it’s okay.”

I waved my hand, expressing that I was alright. Only then did his hardened mouth loosen up.

“Don’t look at me and tell me what you want. Are you forcing yourself to go because of your obligation or do you truly want to visit the imperial palace?”

“I want to go.”

Even though I knew he wouldn’t like my answer, Lennox nodded calmly.

“Okay.”

Then he looked back at Nishir.

“Deliver it to the Crown Prince. I’ll enter the palace with her tomorrow.”

***

The next day, Lennox, Ash, and I were together in the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace.

He was brought along because he said he would hide well without being noticed.

Sitting on a fluffy seat, I fiddled with my first expensive dress.

The dress, made of dark green soft silk, went quite well with the color of my eyes. I also wore colorful ornaments on my ears and neck.

They were all given by Lennox.

“I don’t have clothes to wear to the Imperial Palace, what do I do?”

I escaped from the Viscounty empty-handed, so I had no money or valuables with me. Let alone a formal dress to greet the Crown Prince.

Then Nishir, instructed by Lennox, brought some large boxes.

Although the color of the surface was a little faded, the box was even beautifully packaged with ribbons.

Somehow, I felt like I was receiving a precious gift, so I carefully untied the ribbon and opened the lid.

I was then speechless at the feast of dresses and jewels inside the boxes.

“Oh my… Where did you get all these dresses and jewelry?”

“A warehouse.”

“There are things like this in the warehouse?”

“Tell me if you need more. There’s a lot.”

It was a trivial reaction, as if he simply took candy out of a pocket full of it.

Anyway, thanks to this, I was able to visit the Imperial Palace in perfect attire.

‘When the original Olivia first met the Crown Prince, he gave her a dress as a gift.’

At that time, the color of the dress she received as a gift was pink.

Luckily, there was a difference.

-Olivia, are you nervous?

Ash, who was glancing at Lennox, spoke to me in my head.

-It’s my first time seeing His Highness. I’m worried that I might make a mistake.

I was on my way to meet a main character from the original story, so I was bound to be nervous.

-Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll do well. And the Duke is also with you. You don’t have to worry.

He pointed at Lennox with his beak.

Perhaps Lennox noticed the irrelevant gesture, because he tilted his head.

“It’s like you’re having a fun conversation.”

-Eek!

Ash hurriedly hid behind my back.

You fool. If you act like that, he’ll get more suspicious.

“You look very close to the pet bird, Olivia.”

Lennox blinked as he looked at me. His chuckle was creepy, yet attractive.

“Hahaha…”

I tried to avoid the gaze, but his persistent stare caught me.

I quickly changed the subject and asked a question.

“By the way, what kind of person is he?”

“Do you mean Edwin?”

His name came out of Lennox’s mouth so naturally. For a moment, I hesitated. I wondered if I could call the Crown Prince’s name at will.

‘No way. Lennox is in a position to call him like that.’

Quickly convincing myself, I nodded.

“Yes. I thought if I knew beforehand, it would be helpful when I greet him.”

The more information about the Crown Prince, the better.

Without thinking hard, Lennox said as he frowned,

“An annoying idiot.”

-Oh my God…

Ash opened his mouth wide. I didn’t say it, but I felt the same.

He cursed at the Crown Prince when he’s not around. But still, this is a little…

Shrugging, Lennox added when he noticed my freaked out expression,

“It’s true.”

And after a while, I realized that Lennox’s immortality—which I had just peeked at—was just the tip of an iceberg.

***

The parlor of the Crown Prince’s palace was a luxurious room decorated with all kinds of expensive items. Everywhere my eyes touched, there were so many colorful decorations that my eyes were spinning.

Sitting on a luxurious couch covered with gold velvet cloth, I waited nervously for the Crown Prince.

Of course, Lennox next to me drank tea in an elegant posture without an inch of disruption.

Not long after, I heard a voice.

“Your Highness will be arriving shortly.”

Calmly taking a breath, I tried to stand up.

“Just stay seated.”

Lennox held my hand softly. The cool temperature of his large hand was conveyed right through my bare skin.

I snapped, trying not to be conscious of our touch,

“Your Grace, you can sit down, but I have to greet him properly.”

“No way. Did you forget that you’re the only one who holds Kravant’s name besides me?”

“It’s not yet– What?”

While bickering with Lennox, I suddenly found something unexpected.

“It’s not coming out anymore?”

Though Lennox touched my hand, blue smoke was no longer released out of it.

I gently squeezed his pinky with my other hand. There was still no response.

“I think you can handle the energy now. You won’t be able to use your abilities yet, but I don’t think your energy will be released at will all the time.”

“Really?”

Lennox nodded as he explained,

“Think of what you felt when you were losing your energy. Then imagine how you sent me your energy.”

I closed my eyes and recalled that moment.

My first meeting with him was when he saved me.

‘At that time, I thought you were a real messenger of God.’

I shook off my fear of losing my life and caught him.

“Focus.”

As if to encourage, I heard his low and serious voice. I was sitting right next to him, but his voice felt distant for some reason.

‘…Ah.’

Slowly, but clearly, I felt the pulsating power deep in my body.

It was very warm. No wonder I missed it.

Gradually boosting up my energy, I focused on his fingertips.

Soon, my body was filled with energy. A subtle warmth lingered throughout my body and gathered at my fingers.

The moment the built-up force exploded, I opened my eyes.

Before I knew it, Lennox and I were surrounded by a sparkling blue haze.

“You did it.”

As the released energy melted into Lennox’s body, his grip on my hand tightened a little.

He looked like he was trying to endure something.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

Did he absorb too much energy at once? I anxiously looked at Lennox.

His black eyelashes were trembling. I grew nervous as my eyes flitted to his tightly closed lips.

Finally, his thin lips opened and he let out a long exhale.

“You are…”

“Wow,” came a stranger’s voice along with the sound of a hand hitting the wall.

“I didn’t expect to see the power of an Epure in person, which I only heard as a legend. It’s an honor.”

Blonde hair like honey, blue eyes like sapphires.

Edwin Roam Balkan. He was the Crown Prince.

I got up in a hurry, correcting my posture as I greeted him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet Your Royal Highness, the future of the Empire.”

Perhaps because of the tension, my hands were clenching my skirt.

In the original, the Crown Prince fell in love with Olivia at first glance, but I couldn’t guarantee it would be like that in reality.

“I should have come a little later for the two of you. I was surprised that the way you used your abilities was much more intimate than I thought.”

His tone was teasing. At the same time, I could read a strong curiosity in his eyes.

However, I did not feel any special feelings other than goodwill.

When I realized that, I felt relieved.

“You are here at the right time, Your Highness. The tea hasn’t cooled down yet,”

I answered mildly. The Crown Prince obediently followed my intentions.

It wasn’t long before he sat across and sarcastically looked at Lennox.

“The Duke doesn’t speak much, huh?”

“You’re here.”

It was a very concise answer. It reminded me again that even the imperial family could not be reckless in front of him.

And what surprised me more was,

“Is something wrong? The Duke spoke formally to me.”

Far from being embarrassed, it was the reaction of the Crown Prince who replied as if he was already familiar with it.