Chapter 77
All those chattering noisily were people who lacked the courage to speak directly to Kashmir Crisis, who exuded an eerily dominating presence every time she made an entrance.
Clack.
And amid the commotion, a carriage carrying the source of the uproar appeared.
"......It's the Chrysis Ducal Residence's carriage."
Everyone tensed up.
The only carriage arriving just before the delegations from the Atara Kingdom, the imperial family, and the temple were due was the Chrysis family's.
The carriage door opened at the servant's hand, and the first to emerge was Kaiser Crisis.
Awe-inspiring beauty overlaid with indifference, charisma that overwhelmed with a single glance, an aura of color flowing through his entire body. The black harness worn over the white shirt beneath his black uniform jacket created an otherworldly atmosphere simply by existing.
Next to step down was Kal Crisis.
Beauty mirroring his father's to stunning effect, a raw, beast-like sharpness. An arrogance that wafted as if nothing stood above him. Compared to Kaiser's impeccably formal attire, Kal wore only a light black shirt, with a black harness draped over it just the same.
The next to appear was Aria Crisis.
The complete opposite vibe from the father and son ahead, yet equally awe-inspiring beauty, a pure aura reminiscent of a fairy, laced with an underlying strength. She radiated a sharp charisma at odds with her looks, dressed in riding breeches and a tailcoat, her hair pinned up. Beneath the tailcoat gleamed a body chain woven with pink diamonds.
And then, the star of the controversy made her appearance.
"Ah."
Gasps leaked from here and there the instant her chillingly flashing fluorescent pink eyes swept over the crowd.
It wasn't something you could judge as simply 'beautiful' or 'not beautiful.' It was intensely powerful.
The vicious pressure that crushed all around her from the moment she appeared left no room for anyone to appraise her looks—they hurriedly averted their eyes.
If you barely withstood that pressure and cautiously looked again, the first thing that caught your eye from afar was the perfectly still fluorescent pink irises, without a ripple.
A color so artificial and unique it defied comparison.
Similar to the Crisis men's indifferent gazes, yet unlike their lightless eyes, these true pink ones glimmered faintly. They would flash with an eerie glint in sunlight and glow fluorescent in darkness—eyes that chilled you just to look at, while seizing your gaze.
After staring entranced for a long while, as you slowly took in the rest of her, your mouth fell open on its own.
A crisp white bishop shirt. Suspenders hooked to the shoulders connected to knee-baring shorts. White knee socks covering the calves below. Black shoes adorned with longsword-shaped ornaments. A sheathed sword at her waist and a bow slung over her shoulder.
Clearly an ordinary outfit. Ordinary to the point of being overly simple and safe.
And yet.
An uncanny allure overflowed from her entire body.
The complexly laced harness cinched over the bishop shirt outlined Kashmir's lean yet sturdy upper body. Between the shorts and knee socks, her scar-covered knees were crossed by black sock garters in an X-shape.
Dressed like a prim young noble boy, yet bound in black straps across her body, Kashmir Crisis evoked a bizarre sense of dissonance in whoever beheld her.
Clack.
Her glossy black shoes stepped from the carriage onto the grass. Even her small footsteps seemed to make the earth tremble amid the spreading pressure.
She lifted her head and gazed toward the forest beyond the grassy field. Her pupils rapidly scanned it in detail.
How long did those true pink eyes, holding their strange light, observe?
"It's been a while."
Kashmir murmured softly, smiling with the satisfaction of a beast returned to its territory.
"Excuse me. Are you Lady Kashmir Crisis?"
Soon after, with Kaiser grinding his teeth and vanishing at the emperor's summons, and Aria heading out at the young ladies' call, while Kal and I were enjoying tea in the tent, someone called me from outside.
I soothed Kal, whose face crumpled at the interruption of our tea time, with a look, and rose from my seat.
"What is it?"
The man standing outside the tent was a young fellow in imperial servant uniform. He bowed politely.
"I apologize for disturbing your personal time, my lady, but Crown Prince Diego has summoned you to his tent."
Diego?
I tilted my head, wondering why he'd call me, but since it was an official summons from the crown prince, I had no choice but to go.
"I'll get ready right away. Wait just a moment."
The servant nodded, and I turned back into the tent, leaving him behind.
"What's going on?"
"Crown Prince Diego summoned me."
Kal's face fully soured.
"Do you have to go?"
"You know I do."
"You've been going to the palace so often lately anyway..."
His face fell. I blinked at his sullen expression, then carefully stroked his hair.
Thin, soft strands wove between my fingers.
"I'll be back soon. Just wait a bit."
I smiled at him. He gazed at me intently, then sighed.
A pitiful look crossed Kal's face.
"I don't have any friends, so if you're gone, I'll be alone the whole time. I wish you wouldn't leave me so lonely."
His once-keen eyes drooping pitifully tugged at my heartstrings. I stroked his hair again, lips pursed.
"It won't take long. I'll be right back."
Kal weakly waved as he accepted my touch gladly. I glanced back at him several times—his forlorn figure stirring my sympathy—before leaving the tent.
Bang!
Just two or three steps out, a massive explosion made me jump and whirl back toward the tent.
Something had definitely shattered.
Did Kal drop the cup...?
I worried whether to go back, but figuring a mage of Kal's caliber wouldn't get hurt by this much noise, I calmed myself and urged on the servant, who wore an equally startled expression as he peered at the tent.
"Looks like the young master dropped his cup. I'd appreciate it if you could guide me now."
"Ah...... Yes."
Following the servant's lead, I passed between the tents. I ignored the stares trailing my every step as usual and headed toward the grandest, most ornate imperial tent.
"We've finally met."
I'd just reached right in front of Diego Solatine's tent when a low, sweet voice caught my ankle.
I turned my head, noting the servant's body tense up instantly.
Lilac-scented pale lavender hair. A sweetly melting impression on a refined beauty. Honey seemed about to drip from his downturned eyes.
The large hand gripping his sword showed he'd swung it plenty—rough enough. Meeting his eyes, a paler, misty blue compared to Diego's, I bowed politely.
"Greetings to the Second Prince."
It was Serenon Odyssey de Helios Solatine, Second Prince of the Solatine Empire.
"Yes. Lady Kashmir Crisis, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Serenon hopped down from the rock he'd been sitting on and strode toward me. With each step, the tip of the sword he held dragged across the grass, carving furrows.
Serenon's right on the cusp of Sword Expert, wasn't he?
Serenon was twenty this year. With so many geniuses around me making young Sword Experts seem common, it was still an impressive feat for someone from the imperial family—who learned swordsmanship only as a hobby—to be on the verge at his age.
He's participating in this hunt too. Pretty popular with the young ladies.
By rumor, Serenon was quite frugal. Yet here he was, decked out in so many accessories it was hard to believe for someone attending the hunt—must've received quite a few gifts.
I pieced together rumors and original story info, slowly dissecting the approaching man.
If Diego resembled a bright sun, Serenon was like the moon casting soft light at night. His overall pale tones and languid air attested to it.
Objectively brilliant, with ample qualities for kingship—only a step behind Diego.
In Fairy Night, the description of Second Prince Serenon ended there.
I narrowed my eyes, lingering on his whitish pale lavender hair.
Not the imperial family's signature blonde.
Generation after generation, the imperial symbol was golden hair. Diego had it, Emperor Helios I had it—both gleaming.
Nobles prized appearances and formality, so Serenon's hair color was no small obstacle to his claim on the throne.
First time seeing him this close...... Fascinating.
For eighteen of my nineteen years, I'd lived as a commoner who couldn't even glimpse his shadow. Even after joining the Crisis family, my training left little chance to meet Serenon face-to-face.
"Don't be so guarded. I mean you no harm. I was just curious about you since you're so close with my brother."
Doesn't seem like a bad guy.
I blinked slowly at his gentle smile. Even I, adept at reading malice, sensed none from Serenon. Just sparkling curiosity.
Not wary of me, someone close to the crown prince, despite competing for the throne.
I frowned faintly. An alliance between the Chrysis Ducal Residence and the crown prince was plenty threatening, yet he showed no wariness.
As I stared at him, trying to gauge his intentions—
"Second Prince. I hate to interrupt your conversation, but Lady Crisis has been summoned by Crown Prince Diego."
The tense servant slipped between us and bowed. As Diego's right-hand man, he seemed wary of throne-rival Serenon.
Serenon scratched his head, frowning. Unlike Diego's perfectly poised every move, it came off casual.
"Oh dear. Summoned by my brother, huh. I wanted to chat a bit...... Shame."
Hmm......
I narrowed my eyes at Serenon, who feigned regret yet seemed ready to let me go easily.
Serenon had the status to continue our talk despite the servant. But at Diego's name, he backed off without a hint of displeasure.
Doesn't hate Diego, then.
I'd assumed he'd loathe his throne rival, but this attitude was unexpected.