CH 201

“Hey! Hand that over, I say! It’s mine! Her Majesty gave it to me!” Tania cried.

“Now where’s the fairness in that! If you’ve got a conscience. then let’s share some! I saw you eating a whole pie by yourself!” Girgantia retorted. An apple pie was wrapped in the dragon’s tail.

Neither being willing to yield, a brawl soon broke out between the two. The serious ruckus between the two soon resulted in various craters forming in the ground, as they sent stones flying. The bloody combat over an apple pie was so ferocious that the attendants nearby all scattered in fear, trembling as they watched from a safe distance.

‘Did I imagine it?’ Estian wondered, as he watched the dragon and handmaid battle it out. The presence he’d sensed a moment ago, which he was certain was different from usual, had disappeared without a trace. He was uneasy with dismissing the feeling as being the murderous air between Girgantia and Tania.

“Cecile, about the festival. I think it’s better that…” Estian began.

“Yes?”

He was about to suggest that it’d be better for them to not attend the festival, but the sparkling anticipation filling his wife’s eyes made him swallow the rest of his words. Only three days were left open in his schedule, before they’d have to return to the capital.

The trip to Aluna had done wonders for Cecile, who no longer suddenly fell into spells of sleep and was back to being as fit as a fiddle. The purpose of the visit had been achieved, so it’d be best to hurry back. ‘After all, there’s still unfinished business to be dealt with.’

Many things were awaiting his attention. There were still countries that Estian had to exact vengeance upon, and he also needed to hear about the matters which he’d ordered Aled and Richard to look into during the absence. Moreover, he also had to personally investigate the matters regarding the Archwitch and the mysterious books that suddenly appeared before his wife.

‘There won’t be any free time for a while.’ Knowing this, he wanted to fulfil every one of Cecile’s wishes that was possible, at least while they were staying at Aluna.

“Never mind. Have a look at the flyer and pick out the things you want to do.”

“Oh, if that’s all, then…” Cecile pointed from the beginning to the end of the flyer without hesitation and said, “everything from here to here.”

It appeared that Estian would be needing all three days to satisfy Cecile.

* * *

“Tsk, he almost found out. He really would’ve found out if it had been something larger than a bee,” Ruin exhaled slowly, as he hid behind a rock. He was catching his breath, as a small bee circled him. “Good work.”

The bee danced a few times in front of him, as if it understood, before disappearing. No one had ever noticed until now, but the ruler of the empire had immediately caught onto the abnormality. Recalling the conversation he’d overheard, he muttered, “So, she’s attending the festival, eh?”

This was great news for him—dealing with the emperor inside the villa was difficult since he would be noticed the moment he broke in. Moreover, there was no place to hide there. However, the festival was a different story. Hundreds of people would be chaotically wandering the streets. For the empress to come to step out into a place on her own two feet…

“The heavens are aiding my marriage,” Ruin smiled, as he glanced at the festival flyer in his hand. This was an opportunity.

* * *

The festival began with much fanfare. Even the villa attendants were discussing the event excitedly everywhere they went. Meanwhile, there was one person who was pouting and kicking at pebbles while sitting on a bed.

“I want to go play too,” Tania whined.

Girgantia, who was stretching his wings behind the bench, shot an incredulous look at her and pointed out, “Haven’t you been playing all this time?”

“What do you mean I’ve been playing! I’m on a mission! And that’s keeping you under control!”

The dragon clicked its tongue at Tania’s yells. “Learn to have a conscience, will you? Is there anyone in the villa that has it as easy as you do? What’s so hard about riding on my back around Aluna’s skies at set times?”