Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: The Princess's Pledge
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“Where... is this...?”
“My office, Princess. Are you alright?”
Even as the king of Brantia, Luke—lowest in rank here—took the initiative and approached Princess Lilisein first.
“I see. But why am I here?”
“W-Well, that is...”
The man who was a king of all people was hemming and hawing, glancing around nervously.
Meanwhile, Eugene and Ranslo quickly whispered to each other.
“Looks like she’s lost her memory. Must’ve hit her head pretty hard.”
“Perfect. If we’re lucky, we can just pretend this never happened.”
He’d considered punching her in the gut but went for the back of her head instead since she was a woman, and it had clearly been the right call.
“R-Right. Well, you see...”
Princess Lilisein, turning her dazed gaze from the flustered Luke, slowly scanned Ranslo and Eugene.
During their scuffle, Eugene had pulled his cloak’s hood low over his face. She didn’t seem to recognize him right away.
Or maybe the blow had really wiped her memory clean—a lump the size of his fist throbbing on her skull.
But then.
“...!?”
Her previously vacant eyes suddenly ignited with fierce intensity.
As everyone tensed at the princess’s predatory glare—like a mortal enemy or a beast eyeing prey—she spoke.
“Ch-Chu-Chu-Chuuu...”
“Eek!”
Mirian shuddered like prey facing its predator and hurriedly hid behind Eugene’s shoulder.
The princess’s gaze naturally settled on Eugene.
“You. Vile spawn of darkness.”
“...”
Unfortunately, her memory seemed intact.
*One more hit and maybe it’ll be gone for good?*
Resisting the temptation, Eugene opened his mouth to respond when Luke—loyal servant before king—stepped forward.
“Princess. Mind your words. This is my master, the honorable Duke Yan Eugene Bartla. Insulting His Grace insults me and all of Brantia. Show some respect.”
It was still a bit awkward, but there was a kingly dignity and confidence to it.
“...!”
Surprised by Luke’s sudden shift in demeanor, Princess Lilisein’s eyes widened slightly.
Yet her deep green gaze remained fixed not on Luke, but on Eugene.
“You... His Grace the Duke Bartla?”
“That’s me.”
At Eugene’s reply, Princess Lilisein shot to her feet.
*Damn it.*
Seeing her expression, Eugene clicked his tongue inwardly. That murderous glare said things wouldn’t go smoothly.
*Still, she attacked first. If I hammer that point home, maybe I can...*
Step, step, step.
As she strode toward him while he mulled countermeasures, Eugene preempted her with a preemptive strike.
“Uh...”
“It’s an honor to meet you like this.”
They’d disarmed her to prevent trouble, yet she placed a hand at her waist as if gripping a sword hilt and bowed deeply.
“...”
Eugene was at a loss for words at the sudden change.
Princess Lilisein snapped her head up, locking eyes with him squarely.
“Your Grace’s shining achievements and blood-stirring exploits fill me with heartfelt admiration from the depths of my soul. I beg you to bestow your teachings upon this young, clumsy knight—I would consider it the greatest grace of my life.”
“...”
Her words were exceedingly polite and deferential, laced even with respect and awe.
But those blazing emerald eyes and emotionless face made the room feel like a battlefield, fraught with tension.
“Please, I beseech you.”
Eugene stood dumbfounded as she bowed sharply, folding at the waist.
Seeing the swollen lump protruding from the back of her head, he said,
“I’ve already... given you some teachings.”
“...!”
Still bowed, she whipped her head up, and Eugene continued.
“You came at me first, Princess, and I took you down. On a battlefield, you’d already be dead. Isn’t that right?”
“...Indeed, wise words. You baited my desires to expose an opening—a cunning yet brilliantly timely tactic. My respects once more.”
Princess Lilisein saluted crisply in knightly fashion.
Eugene watched her, then glanced at Luke staring blankly and Ranslo turning away to stifle laughter. He was certain.
*This woman is trouble. Got to avoid her at all costs.*
Alliance with Elrand be damned—he had to keep her away from both himself and Luke.
Come to think of it, clocking her on the head first thing had been a stroke of genius.
“Ahem! Cough! Anyway, Princess Lilisein.”
Ranslo cleared his throat to suppress his bursting laughter and addressed her.
“I’d like to know why you attacked His Grace. You don’t usually venture out much, do you?”
“I realized my shortcomings in a duel with Master Frabow and was studying swordsmanship during a walk. Then, I sensed a stealthy presence infiltrating my aura. I judged it a malicious intruder into the royal castle, so...”
Her explanation genuinely surprised Eugene.
This bizarre elf princess—not just unusual, but outright weird—had detected his presence?
*Even purebloods differ? Frabow’s a Sword Master, though. Impressive.*
As he pondered, gazing at her, she seemed to feel his eyes and fixed those burdensome green flames on him.
“I am pureblood of Elrand’s royal line. That’s why I sensed Your Grace’s presence. Purebloods, born but once or twice a generation, detect mana flows exceptionally well.”
“Oh? So you can sense spells before they’re cast?”
“Yes. The mana fluctuations make it detectable.”
As expected of a pureblood elf, born with mystical gifts.
Though his instincts screamed to steer clear, her ability was undeniably impressive. Eugene looked at her with faint admiration.
At that glance, Princess Lilisein’s cheeks flushed pink, sending an inexplicable chill down Eugene’s spine.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
Noise erupted outside, and the door burst open as Frabow rushed in.
Rude for Elrand’s Sword Master, but no one blamed him.
They could guess why the usually composed, dignified Frabow was acting this way.
“The princess! Princess Lilisein suddenly disa—wait, why is the princess here? And Your Grace! When did you arrive?”
Frabow, barely containing his excitement and worry, gaped at the sight.
Princess Lilisein straightened crisply.
“My apologies for worrying you, Master Frabow. There were extenuating circumstances. Allow me to explain.”
“Huh? No, explanations later. Princess, the back of your head...”
“I’ll explain.”
As Frabow’s eyes went to the bulging lump on her head, Eugene quickly intervened.
He was about to recount the incident between them when—
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
Urgent voices rang out again, and several nobles rushed through the open door.
“Your Majesty! Disaster str—Gasp!? Duke Bartla?!”
“Never mind that. What’s wrong now?”
Eugene waved off the nobles, who reacted much like Frabow had moments ago. They replied breathlessly.
“Nobles have arrived at the castle!”
“Nobles?”
“Yes! The prince of the Roman Empire himself has come to visit! To congratulate Your Majesty on your ascension, the prince traveled all this way in person!”
“What?”
“Whoa...”
“Huh!”
“Amazing!”
Luke, Ranslo, Frabow, and Princess Lilisein all exclaimed in unison.
“...”
Eugene was surprised too—for entirely different reasons.
*The chatty prince actually revealed his identity and showed up?*
His heart raced.
“Lu—er, Your Majesty.”
“Yes? Ah, yes! Master!”
Luke, flushed and buzzing with excitement at meeting actual royalty, looked to Eugene.
“I’m not here.”
“Pardon? What do you...”
“I haven’t returned from my mission yet. If the imperial prince asks for me, say that.”
“No, Your Grace. It’s a prince. This is the first time the Roman Empire has sent royalty in a delegation to celebrate an ascension. You must attend such an occasion!”
Even the usually laid-back Frabow was thrilled.
But Eugene, the only one who knew the prince’s true nature, was firm.
“The Vaiman Orc issue isn’t resolved. Ranslo, summon the knights and Beowulf warriors immediately.”
“Hmm. Understood.”
Having traveled long with Eugene, Ranslo sensed something off but acquiesced—the orc invasion trumped an imperial visit.
Pat.
Eugene placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder.
An irreverent gesture, but everyone knew Eugene’s status in Brantia and his bond with Luke, so they merely watched.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Master.”
Luke awaited Eugene’s solemn words with curiosity and tension.
“The king is Brantia’s face. I am Brantia’s sword and shield. So do your duty as king. I’ll fulfill mine as a knight of Brantia. This nation’s peace and safety come first.”
It was as if a brave, honorable knight from legend had appeared!
“Ahh... Master...”
“Sniff! Your Grace! So soon after your return...”
“What fortune. Duke Bartla as guardian to the king and royal family is Brantia’s greatest blessing.”
The knights and nobles were swept in waves of adoration at this true paragon of chivalry.
And that fervor spread to someone Eugene hadn’t anticipated.
“Awe! Respect! Admiration! Reverence!”
Amid the men, the elf princess’s voice rang out prominently, drawing all eyes.
Trembling from her shoulders, her gaze on Eugene hotter than when facing Mirian, Princess Lilisein suddenly prostrated at his feet.
“Gah! P-Princess?”
Ignoring the stunned Frabow, she bowed her head like a knight awaiting dubbing, her voice fervent.
“Lilisein Mar Elrand. Though still lacking, as one who knows a knight’s honor, I request to add my blade to Your Grace’s army.”
“...!?”
Everyone froze as if on cue at the future queen of Elrand’s bombshell declaration.
*I have to refuse!*
Sensing crisis from this headache-inducing figure—rivaling the chatty prince—Eugene moved to intervene.
But—
Snap!
Princess Lilisein lifted her face, her burning eyes turning to Luke.
“Your Majesty. I yearn to witness Your Grace’s shining honor and noble chivalry up close. If you truly see Elrand as an ally, if you wish to give me a chance to atone, please grant this.”
“Yo—...”
“Of course! Your insight is as sharp as they say. I accept the princess’s request.”
Without giving Eugene a word in, Luke nodded gleefully.
Already moved by Eugene, and with the princess he’d disliked finally seeing his master’s true colors and sincerely apologizing, he had no choice but to approve.
“...”
“Eeeek... M-Master, wh-what now?”
Amid the joy and emotion enveloping all but the duke who’d dodged shit only to step in it and the spirit facing his true nemesis, the scene continued.
(To be continued)