Chapter 74

[Translator – Night][Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 74: Tail Cutting (1)

“There’s a limit to charging in blindly. What made you think you could rush into that danger?”

My sister’s glare was sharper than any blade.

“I acted on instinct, feeling the need to intervene, but it wasn’t a calculated decision.”

As I spoke, avoiding her gaze, she let out a small sigh.

“Well, thank goodness it’s just this much. It’s quite remarkable that there weren’t many casualties amidst all this chaos.”

While rescuing Luna, I got grazed by the blade wielded by the villain.

The villain was swiftly dealt with by the knights, and since it wasn’t a major injury, I received simple healing and bandaging.

It might be a bit of a hassle, but it’s better to keep doing it for a while.

“By the way, Cyan, where have you been all this time? I heard there were quite a few ladies looking for you.”

“I wasn’t feeling well, so I was resting in my room. But then I heard screams in the hallway, and assailants were appearing. So I hurriedly ran outside.”

Of course, it’s a lie.

But until I met Emily and her group, I had always worn a mask, so there would be no witnesses to challenge my false alibi.

My sister stared at my face in silence.

“Is there something on my face?”

“No, it just reminded me of someone who felt similar…”

She was smiling faintly.

“Seriously, Cyan, if you had seen it, you would have been amazed. It was a rare sight for one person to stand up against dozens.”

“Did you see their face?”

I asked nonchalantly.

“No, they were wearing a black mask, so I couldn’t see. Maybe they had no intention of revealing their identity from the beginning.”

I secretly thought it was a good idea to change clothes before meeting.

“But still, you were pretty cool when you saved that Luna, right? There wasn’t any knight riding a white horse like that. Usually, I would give you some nagging advice on how to treat women, but I’ll let it slide this time.”

For a moment, a question mark popped up in my head.

Did I do something wrong enough to deserve nagging?

Without showing any signs, I asked.

“What happened to that kid?”

“For now, the people from the Garam Magic Society took her. She’ll probably be investigated by the Empire soon.”

I sensed a somewhat downcast tone in my sister’s voice.

Luna and the Garam Magic Society side might even be imprisoned in this palace if they make a mistake.

Anyway, since the Daze Stone, who played a decisive role in this incident, was found in her hands.

At least Luna’s Stone wasn’t broken.

Since I revealed my face to save her unlike with Princess Arin, I couldn’t act recklessly,

If I had pretended to know about it and broke the stone, I would have been in trouble too.

“She must have been surprised. Coming to another country and getting caught up in such chaos, and then unfairly subjected to an investigation. Comfort her when you see her again, Cyan.”

“Got it.”

Well, assuming we see each other again.

Having saved her life once, I had no intention of getting involved any further.

-Tap Tap

It was a normal knocking sound, but I felt a tingling sensation all over my body for a moment.

As the blood rushed, my heart began to beat anxiously.

I naturally became aware of who was on the other side of the door.

“Can I come in, Cyan?”

It was a repulsive voice that I could never forget.

Eventually, the owner of the voice came through the open door and smiled hatefully at me.

“It’s good to see you’re okay, Cyan.”

It was Vert’s eldest son, Aschel, facing me again after a whopping 2 years.

* * *

Alice’s expression upon greeting her brother was unexpectedly not bright.

It seemed as if she was questioning why he was there.

However, she quickly concealed her true feelings and greeted him with a warm smile.

“Welcome, brother. Isn’t this our first time seeing each other at the imperial palace?”

Aschel, in return, smiled and replied.

“I came to see the prince. I’ve been quite busy with various matters, so I haven’t been able to pay much attention to you all. I’m really sorry about that.”

Was it just my mood that made me not feel his sincerity?

At the moment when Alice briefly avoided eye contact, her gaze suddenly shifted to Cyan.

“…..?”

In that moment when Aschel turned his head briefly to close the door, Alice clearly saw it.

A strong sense of murderous intent emanating from Cyan’s face, as if he was intent on killing the presence before him.

“It’s inappropriate, brother! I should be the one apologizing for causing you concern!”

However, as soon as Cyan raised his head, the hostility vanished without a trace.

Alice, somewhat dumbfounded, couldn’t utter a word.

“Now that I mention it, you’ve grown quite charmingly.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“But…”

As the conversation paused momentarily, an unknown tension filled the room.

“By any chance, did you not receive the gift I gave you?”

“……!”

Alice’s heart sank at the mention of the word ‘gift’.

While she trembled, there was no change in Cyan’s expression.

He hesitated for about two seconds before continuing.

“You mean the bow tie? Unfortunately, the servant that intended to deliver it lost it amidst the chaos. I’m truly sorry for not being able to safeguard the precious gift you gave me!”

As he rose from his seat to bow his head, Aschel interjected.

“It’s okay. I had prepared something that would suit you well, but it couldn’t be helped. I’ll make sure to give you an even better gift next time.”

As their conversation continued, Alice’s anxiety grew.

It felt like she was looking at two ticking time bombs.

She couldn’t understand why she felt this way.

“I’d like to spend more time with you, but I should go now. Don’t worry about the aftermath. I’ll take care of everything to ensure your comfort.”

With those words, Aschel stood up and Alice hurriedly escorted him out.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

“Take care, brother!”

Aschel replied with a smile and left the room.

Alice quickly turned to Cyan.

“…?”

Cyan’s expression was simply impassive.

* * *

“I’m truly relieved to see you unharmed, Your Highness! I can’t express how worried I was thinking something terrible might have happened!”

Ressimus seemed reluctant to leave Arin’s side.

“I’m, I’m fine, Ressimus! Why are you like this today?”

Unable to enter the banquet hall due to her status as a maid, Ressimus couldn’t stay by Arin’s side even after the incident occurred.

Perhaps she feared the princess might be in trouble when she couldn’t protect her.

Being unable to do anything when her mistress was in danger was akin to the worst situation imaginable for a servant.

To see Arin, who was usually strict during sword training, in such distress made her realize how precious she was to her.

As time passed and the situation ended, Arin’s face didn’t ease up.

With so much going on, her mind naturally became cluttered.

Yet, one scene kept replaying in her mind: Cyan holding Luna.

People tend to add elements of imagination to repeated thoughts.

While Arin knew Cyan had simply jumped in to save Luna, her mind kept adding strange elements to the scenario.

‘Obviously I was right next to you, but am I not even paying attention?’

Hours of effort seemed futile.

However, feeling pathetic for having such thoughts amidst the current crisis was embarrassing for Arin.

‘Who was that person?’

The mysterious man with the black mask.

He appeared in the midst of danger, saved them, and then vanished.

Arin couldn’t forget him, especially considering he destroyed the pendant she carried, which held the dangerous artifact called the Daze Stone.

It seemed like he approached them knowing about the pendant, and in other words, he could be seen as someone who saved them from the assailants.

Who could he be?

Arin couldn’t see his face due to the mask, but his presence felt familiar, like meeting someone you know well.

Just then, the princess’s door suddenly opened, breaking her thoughts.

Opening a royal family member’s room without notice was a grave offense.

Yet, the person who entered was none other than the first prince of the empire, Louisnel Sevellerus.

“B-Brother Louisnel……?”

While it was technically his sister’s room, it was still a girl’s room, a princess’s room.

It was an uncomfortable situation for Arin, but as per her position, she couldn’t show her discomfort and greeted him respectfully.

“Welcome, Your Highness. It’s an honor to have you here…”

Despite the courteous welcome, the prince’s face wasn’t bright.

He sat down without replying.

“I’ll be direct, Arin.”

The prince’s tone was indifferent and stern.

“Did you receive a pendant from my assigned maid before the banquet?”

While she did receive it, it wasn’t in the same state. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ n0vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Arin suppressed her trembling heart and calmly replied.

“Yes. As it was a gift from Your Highness, I intended to cherish it, but unfortunately, it was damaged during the recent turmoil.”

“Hah!”

Seemingly displeased, the prince let out a hollow laugh.

“Pathetic.”

“What?”

Arin blurted out unintentionally.

“You must have heard. That pendant contained an artifact called the Daze Stone.”

“Yes, but…”

“I never instructed anyone to give you that pendant. Naturally, I’ve never seen it either. That maid’s actions were entirely her own fabrication.”

Although the prince had presented her with the pendant as a gift, in reality, it contained the mesmerizing power of the Daze Stone. As a result, Arin became a target for assailants and their summoned creatures, facing a significant threat to her life.

Although she managed to overcome it safely, it could be interpreted that Prince Louisnel intentionally orchestrated the tragedy to kill Princess Arin, making it seem like a mere scheme.

However, the prince immediately cut off any association with himself.

“So don’t even think about linking that pendant to me! Do you understand, Arin?”

Arin couldn’t offer any rebuttal. She could only nod in affirmation.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The prince, after finishing his business, immediately stood up from his seat.

“I wondered if you had grown a little, but you’re truly foolish. Did you really think I would send you a gift?”

Was there any doubt?

Only the faint remaining affection of family covered it up.

Yet, at this moment, the lingering thought that the prince considered her family was shattering into pieces.

“Don’t forget! Your foolishness, without a trace of doubt, played a part in today’s tragedy!”

With those words, the prince left the room.

No one, including Ressimus, dared to speak to her.

“… ”

All that could be heard was the desperate attempt to hold back tears, spreading a sense of pity.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]