Chapter 100

Haqab had not considered Dimla’s existence until now because it had been decades since she’d retired, and since then, she had not touched the kingdom’s affairs.

The legendary Baiferm was now an old story, a character from the past. Haqab wasn’t the only one puzzled by the current situation of a legend from the past suddenly popping up and becoming a living person.

She beat down Ploeto, and Lagos welcomed a new Baiferm. The young queen, Guandite, was the niece of the ousted Ploeto, making her the great-granddaughter to Dimla. Dimla stepped up as regent after retirement to protect the still-young Baiferm. Even as a decrepit queen who had retired a few generations ago, her power still stretched across every nook and cranny of Lagos.

Baiferm— no, Dimla, the regent, walked forward leisurely. The young Baiferm followed her with quick steps. They headed towards Haqab.

Haqab: the one who had twisted her blood relative every which way and caused confusion in Lagos. One could roughly predict Dimla’s feelings for him. Even a Lagos brute would not strike his head with a cane, so one couldn’t imagine a scene where they greeted each other gently.

The people watched the Lagossian delegation without blinking an eye. Dimla stopped in front of Haqab.

Haqab and the nobles of Balta stood in confrontation against Dimla and the girl. The cold north wind of Lagos seemed to blow in the banquet hall.

Haqab broke the silence first with a smile.

“It is an honor to see the new Baiferm of Lagos at this delightful event. I am Haqab Hwi Livita, Balta’s first son.”

Baiferm Guandite greeted him with a lifted chin as if looking down at him, despite her height being about half that of Haqab’s.

“Hiksala’s first son. I’ve heard stories about you. I am also happy to meet you on a day full of blessings.”Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

It didn’t sound like a friendly greeting. Haqab smiled and turned to Dimla.

“And how should I address this royal one in order not to be rude?”

“The title of the past has faded. Now I am satisfied with ‘Regent’.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Regent Dimla.”

She smiled brightly enough to lift her wrinkles.

“I also looked forward to meeting the prince very much. It’s a pleasure.”

Ricardis felt a chill and rubbed his arm. Beside him, Lewon tapped his chest. He seemed to have heartburn from what he ate.

“If it were me, I would cry right on the spot,” Isserion said with a determined expression.

Ricardis smiled and crossed his arms. It was a convincing smile. Haqab probably had similar thoughts to Isserion, so Ricardis felt endlessly happy. Ricardis took a sip of champagne, not paying attention to the people around him frozen with tension. It tasted sweet.

“Oh dear, Prince Haqab. You don’t have a good expression on your face. Was there someone else you wanted to meet separately?”

Even Ricardis almost spat out his champagne. I didn’t know she’d say it so openly.

After a two-second pause, Haqab answered with a smile. Ricardis had a rough idea of Haqab’s thoughts in those two seconds.

“How could it be—”

Even if you’re truly, genuinely, very confident— You can’t be this bold! Ricardis hesitated and let go of his wrist. Calyx began moving again and faced Dimla without any disturbance.

How on earth can I not worry...?

Only one person leisurely walked in this static space, where everyone’s feet seemed stuck on the floor. People began to pay attention to Calyx and were startled when they noticed him approach Dimla.

The character of the Radwiells passed down from generation to generation was famous. The Radwiells would break rather than bend, unable to say sweet words to gain money or power. Inflexible, stubborn, and prideful.

Why would the successor of Radwiell County have access to the famous and influential royalty from another country? Nobody dared to guess. While the people were confused, Calyx arrived before the delegation of Lagos.

Ricardis crossed his arms and tapped his arm with his finger. Just because he didn’t have to deal with the accident himself didn’t mean he could take his eyes off it. Perhaps he was taught by experience with Rosaline.

Calyx first greeted Baiferm Guandite politely. The young Baiferm spoke a few words with him, and then she smiled broadly like a child her age.

No, what are you two saying?

Everyone was curious and slowly took a few steps toward them.

Calyx soon knelt down and lightly placed his forehead on the back of Dimla’s hand. It was the traditional greeting children of Lagos gave to adults.

“Gala-Zertaye, I am Calyx, Sabek’s son.”

Clink.

A fork someone dropped hit the marble floor, making a sharp sound. Everyone in the hall opened their mouths in astonishment.

Another great-grandson has appeared! The heir of Radwiell on top of that!

C-Come to think of it, Countess Radwiell is from Lagos, isn’t she? Didn’t they say that she was a royal? So, is Dimla the Countess’ elder? If you ask anyone from Lagos’ royal family, they’re all Dimla’s grandchildren or great-grandchildren. The hall became noisy as they asked and answered questions among themselves.

Ricardis narrowed his brow as his mind raced. Isserion and Lewon also had similar expressions on their faces. The fact that Regent Dimla was the great-grandmother of Calyx was terrifying and surprising, but they were more concerned because of another great-grandchild within the castle: Rosaline.

Wasn’t she also a child of Countess Radwiell? Due to Dimla’s appearance, they had to prepare for the situation surrounding Rosaline before any incidents happened.

While rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache, Isserion said, “Isn’t it rude not to welcome a relative from another country, Your Highness? If that’s the case, Regent Dimla’s and Sir Rosaline’s relationship could actually be meaningless. The Lagossians have not been very fond of Illavenians for generations, so towards this mixed-blood great-grandson...”

The moment Isserion said that Dimla gave Calyx a deep kiss on his cheek as he knelt. Then she stroked Calyx’s head with her wrinkled hand, stroked and pinched his cheeks, kissed the other cheek, and smiled broadly. She was very friendly towards a blood relative she had never met before.

Calyx was very bewildered by her attitude towards children, but in the end, he softened his face and fully accepted her affection.

“...She might like him very much. It doesn’t look like she minds the little Illavenian blood mixed in. I think she’s someone with a big heart.”

Lewon still tapped his chest to make sure the heartburn stayed away.

Staff’s Note

Iris: Happy 100 chapters, General!

Wook: It’s been a long war, Lieutenant, and the end is still not in sight!