CH 189

“Where are we…?” Princess Lilisain muttered.

“My office. Princess, are you all right?” Luke took the initiative and responded. Although he was now the King of Brantia, he possessed the lowest rank of those gathered here.

Princess Lilisain continued, “I recognized that. But why am I here?”

“Oh, well, that’s…” Luke mumbled while nervously shifting his gaze.

Meanwhile, Eugene and Lanslo whispered to each other.

“I think she might have lost her memory. The impact to her head must have been quite substantial.”

“That’s great. We could pretend that nothing happened.” Eugene had thought about hitting the princess’s abdomen, but he had decided on the back of her head since he suspected she was a woman. Now that he thought back to it, it seemed he had made the right decision.

“Ah, well. T-the thing is…” Luke continued to hesitate, and Princess Lilisain turned her gaze away from him and glanced over at Lanslo and Eugene. Her eyes were still unfocused and blank. Eugene had been adorning a hood attached to his cape when he fought with Princess Lilisain. As such, she hadn’t recognized Eugene right away. It could also be that she truly lost her memories of that time thanks to the blow to her head.

However…

“…?!”

Her eyes, which were dim like a madman, suddenly filled with a brilliant light. She was like a beast who was faced with prey, or a warrior about to battle with their life on the line. Everyone felt anxious about what was to come next.

She opened her lips. “W-Woeo…”

“Kieh!” Mirian trembled like a rabbit faced with a tiger before fleeing in a hurry behind Eugene’s shoulder. Princess Lilisain’s gaze naturally headed toward Eugene.

“You. Evil member of the Dark Clan…” Princess Lilisain called out.

“…”

Unfortunately, it appeared as if her memory had returned.

‘Wouldn’t her memory disappear completely if I hit her just one more time?’

Eugene was tempted, but he suppressed the desire to do just that. Just as he was about to answer her, Luke, his loyal aide, stepped out. “Princess, watch your words. This is my master and the honorable Duke of Batla, His Excellency Jan Eugene Batla. Insulting the duke is no different from insulting me and the entirety of Brantia. Show some courtesy.”

It still felt a little awkward, but Luke had certainly acted in a dignified way befitting the king of a nation.

“…!”

Princess Lilisain’s eyes filled with surprise. She was taken aback by the sudden change in Luke’s demeanor, but her emerald eyes were still fixated on Eugene, rather than Luke.

“You, or rather, Your Excellency. You’re the Duke of Batla?” she asked.

“That’s right,” Eugene answered. Princess Lilisain jumped to her feet after hearing Eugene’s answer.

‘Dammit…’

Eugene swore inwardly when he saw her expression. Judging from her fiery gaze, it seemed things certainly wouldn’t go easy as he had hoped.

‘Even so, she was the one who attacked me out of the blue. If I focus on that fact, maybe…’

Tap, tap, tap…

Eugene tried his best to think of possible countermeasures since Princess Lilisain was now approaching him rapidly. Knowing that he could take the initiative by speaking first, he opened his lips, “I…”

However, Princess LIlisain interrupted his words. “It is an honor to meet you like this.”

Eugene had unarmed the princess to prevent any unexpected situations, but she still placed her hand on her waist as if she had her sword with her when she bowed.

“…”

Eugene wasn’t sure how to respond to the princess’s sudden change in attitude.

Princess Lilisain jerked her head up, then stared directly into his eyes before continuing, “The duke’s brilliant achievements and magnificent performance. I speak from the bottom of my heart, please consider enlightening this young and ignorant knight. I will consider it a lifetime of grace.”

“…”

Princess Lilisain’s words were very courteous and polite. One could even feel respect and awe contained in her tone. However, the fierce, emerald eyes embedded on the expressionless face seemed to burn bright as dark green flames. She was completely serious, and it gave the illusion that she was standing on a battlefield.

“Please, I implore you.” Princess Lilisain bowed once again when Eugene stood still without responding. Of course, he couldn’t respond, as he was simply dumbfounded by the sudden change in her attitude.

Eugene saw the bulge on the back of her head before responding, “I think I have already imparted you a lesson.”

“…!” Lilisain raised her head, although her upper body was still lowered in a bow.

“You came at me first, Princess, and I defeated you. If this were a battlefield, you would already be dead. Wouldn’t you agree?” Eugene asked.

“You are completely correct. I think it was a really sly, but explicit, timely tactic that stimulated the opponent’s desire, making them reveal an opening. Once again, I am humbled and amazed,” the princess said before bowing again in a knightly manner.

Eugene turned his head and saw Luke staring blankly at her, as well as Lanslo desperately holding back his laughter with his head turned to the side. He was once again convinced.

‘I have to avoid this woman, no matter what...’

Eugene decided that he would keep this woman away from himself and Luke, regardless of the alliance he had formed with Eland. Now that he thought about it, striking the back of her head during their first meeting had been an excellent choice.

“Kehm! Ehem! Anyway, Princess Lilisain,” Lanslo smothered his laugh with a cough before continuing, “I would like to know why you attacked the duke. You don’t even go out very often, do you?”

Princess Lilisain replied, “I had realized my shortcomings during my bouts with Master Pranbow. I was studying the way of the sword while taking a stroll. But just then, I felt an inconspicuous energy. I judged that it was an enemy infiltrating the castle, so…”

Eugene was surprised by her explanation.

The elven princess, who couldn’t simply be described by the word ‘weird,’ had actually noticed his presence.

‘Even if they are both pure-blooded, is she different from Pranbow? Even so, Pranbow is a swordmaster, right? Whatever the case, she’s amazing...’

Eugene’s eyes naturally headed toward Princess Lilisain as he pondered. As if feeling his gaze, she fixed her burdensome eyes on Eugene before speaking, “I am a pure-blooded member of Eland’s royal family. That is why I was able to sense Your Excellency’s presence. There are one or two individuals every generation who are born with pure blood, and they are very perceptive to the flow of mana.”

“Oh, interesting. Does that mean you are able to notice the presence of magic before it is activated?”

“Possible... I can catch the fluctuation of mana that accompanies the beginning of a spell,” Lilisain responded. It seemed that she possessed useful, mysterious abilities as a pure-blooded elf. Although Eugene’s intuition warned him to stay away from her, in all honesty, he was quite impressed by her abilities. As such, he stared at her with slight admiration.

Unfortunately, Princess Lilisain’s cheeks turned red when she noticed Eugene’s eyes, and Eugene felt as if a sudden chill was permeating his body.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” It suddenly became noisy outside, and Pranbow rushed into the room in a hurry. It was a rude gesture, even for a swordmaster of Eland, but no one blamed him for doing so. It was obvious why the always gentle and dignified Pranbow was acting like such.

“The princess! Princess Lilisain has… No, what is the princess doing here?! Your Excellency? When did you get here?” The shock on Pranbow’s face magnified as he looked around after bursting into the room.

Princess Lilisain responded with a bow, “Sorry for causing you to worry, Master Pranbow. However, there is a compelling cause and reason for the current situation. Let me explain...”

“Huh? No, forget the explanation. Princess, the back of your head is…” Pranbow said with disbelief as his eyes stopped on the back of the princess’s head.

“Let me explain…” Eugene quickly interjected.

However…

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” Once again, an urgent voice rang out, and several nobles rushed in through the open door.

“Your Majesty! There’s trouble… uh?! Your Excellency the Duke?!” one of the nobles exclaimed in shock.

“Never mind that. What’s going on?” Eugene waved off the nobles, then beckoned them to continue.

The nobles didn’t even hide their excitement as they responded, “Distinguished guests have arrived at the castle!”

“Distinguished guests?” Eugene asked.

“Yes, yes! Well, it’s the imperial prince of the Roman Empire! An imperial prince of the Roman Empire has personally come to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty Crawlmarine! He has traveled a long way!”

“What did you say?!”

“Wow…”

“Huh!”

“Amazing!”

Luke, Lanslo, Pranbow, and Princess Lilisain expressed their astonishment.

“…” Eugene was also surprised, but in a different way.

‘I never thought that talkative brat of a prince would barge in after revealing his identity.’

Eugene felt that he had to hurry.

“Lu—No, king,” Eugene called out.

“Yes? Ah, yes, Master!” Luke answered. His face was dyed crimson with shock and excitement. He had never imagined himself coming face to face with a member of the Roman Empire’s imperial family.

“I’m not here…” Eugene stated.

“Huh? What do you mean by that…?” Luke asked.

“I haven’t returned from my mission yet. If the prince of the empire looks for me, tell him that,” Eugene said.

“Your Excellency! That cannot be! It’s an imperial prince. As far as I know, this is the first time that the Roman Empire has included an imperial prince in their delegation to congratulate the coronation of another country’s king. It’s only natural for you to attend such an event!” Even Pranbow couldn’t help but show signs of intense excitement.

But Eugene was the only person here who knew of the imperial prince’s true self, so he remained adamant about his demand.

“We still haven’t solved the issue with the Bayman Orcs. Lanslo, call the knights and the beowulf warriors here,” Eugene ordered.

“Hmm. I understand,” Lanslo answered. Having been with Eugene for a long time, Lanslo quickly noticed that something was suspicious. Nevertheless, Lanslo agreed that the invasion of the Bayman Orcs had precedence over the visit of an imperial prince, so he conceded.

Thud.

Eugene placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder. It was an incredibly profane action, but everyone knew Eugene’s place in the Kingdom of Brantia and the relationship he shared with Luke. As such, the others simply watched.

Eugene said, “King.”

“Yes, Master…” Luke answered. Eugene was acting much more serious and solemn than usual. Luke awaited his master’s next words with both curiosity and nervousness.

Eugene continued, “The king is the face of Brantia. And I am Brantia’s sword and her shield. As such, you should fulfill your duties as a king, and I will fulfill mine as a knight of Brantia. The peace and security of the nation comes first for me.”

It was an inspiring speech, something befitting the brave, honorable knights depicted in old fairy tales.

“Ahh… Master…”

“Keugh…! Your Excellency! To think that you would throw yourself in the fire once again, even though you’ve just returned…”

“This is our blessing! Brantia is blessed to have His Excellency Duke Batla serving as the patron of the king and the royal family!”

The king and the nobles expressed their emotions as they were overcome with awe and wonder. This was the advent of a true knight who pursued perfect chivalry. The hot wave of emotions even spread to some unexpected figures.

“A-Amazing! Respect! Honorable! Respect!” The elven princess’s voice stood out among the many men, and all eyes turned toward her. Princess Lilisain’s eyes burned even brighter than when she looked at Mirian, and she even started to tremble. All of a sudden, Princess Lilisain collapsed at Eugene’s feet.

“Ah! P-Princess?” Pranbow shouted with surprise.

However, Princess Lilisain disregarded the swordmaster’s shout and bowed her head before speaking in a desperate voice. It was as if she were a knight waiting to be sworn in. “I, Lilisain Marl Eland, am still sorely lacking, but as a knight of honor, I request my sword to be drawn with the duke’s army.”

“…?!”

Everyone’s expressions stiffened at the elven princess’s sudden declaration, as she was scheduled to become the nation’s queen.

‘I have to say no!’

Eugene instinctively sensed an imminent crisis by the princess’s sudden declaration. He attempted to step out and reject her plea, knowing that the princess would bring as much trouble as the talkative prince. However…

Fwoosh!

Princess Lilisain raised her head and turned her burning eyes toward Luke.

“Your Majesty. I sincerely hope to observe His Excellency Batla’s glorious honor and noble chivalry by his side. If you consider Eland a true ally and want to give me a chance to make amends for my mistakes, please allow me,” she asked.

“Ki…” Eugene started.

However, he was never given a chance to continue speaking.

“Of course! Your insight is certainly extraordinary! I will accept your request, Princess!” Luke nodded with an elated expression without giving Eugene any time to respond. He was already quite moved by Eugene’s words, and the princess, whom he wasn’t very happy with, had apologized sincerely and had finally recognized his master’s true face.

As Eugene’s number one fan, only one decision made sense.

“…”

“K-kieee… Sir, what do I do now?”

Everyone’s faces were full of joy and glee. Everyone, except the duke who had found himself in a pit of dung while trying to avoid a bucket of it, and the spirit, who had finally met her match.