Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: The Queen's Coronation (3)
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The day before the queen's coronation ceremony.
To welcome the nobles gathered from all over, the girl who would officially become queen the next day, Bernika, made an appearance before them prior to the banquet.
The moment they saw her adorned in splendid pure white ceremonial robes, Kern and all the other nobles bent a knee in respect.
We pay our respects to the princess.
The girl was still being addressed as princess rather than queen.
This was because the official coronation ceremony had yet to take place.
Even so, Bernika didnt seem particularly bothered.
I offer my thanks to all of you who have come from afar to celebrate my coronation. Just as you have now, and in the days to come, I hope you will join me in building a fine kingdom. Lend us your strength together.
Yes!
We pledge our loyalty!
There had once been a time when the royal authority had been greatly shaken.
But thanks to Ailes, the man who was Bernikas uncle by blood, things that had fallen into chaos were now returning to order.
Having finished her congratulatory address, Bernika returned to her room.
The head maid immediately asked her,
Shall I have you change into your banquet attire right away?
First... just a moment.
Bernika asked the head maid for a brief leave.
I need to use the restroom.
Understood.
The head maid gave a glance to the other maids.
As if they had been waiting, two maids moved to follow Bernika.
By custom, the king never attended to such matters alone.
There were maids specifically assigned to handle the aftermath of bodily functions.
However, Bernika personally stopped the two approaching maids.
I want to go alone today.
The maids looked troubled.
The head maid felt the same.
Bernika, that wont do. How could the future queen dirty her own hands?
I used to handle it all by myself before.
But things have changed since it was decided you would become queen. Youre the one who will decide the kingdoms important affairs. You must always maintain a neat appearance, no matter where you go. Your dignity as queen is determined by how the people see you.
That was why she had always been taught not to handle such matters herself.
But.
My coronation is tomorrow. So until today, it should be fine to do it alone, right?
......
Faced with that logic, even the head maid had no retort.
Technically, she was right.
No matter that she was to become queen, until the official ceremony, she remained only the first princess.
In the end, the head maid was the first to raise the white flag.
Very well. But do not forget that once the coronation takes place, you must adhere to protocol.
Got it.
That much was fine.
She was prepared for it anyway.
However.
Just need to be alone today.
Bernika had other plans.
While Bernika was briefly using the restroom.
Outside, her two guard soldiers kept watch.
At that moment, the two soldiers snapped to a salute upon spotting a certain woman.
A beauty with a slender figure.
It was Mion, captain of the Delont Kingdoms Royal Guard.
Is Bernika inside?
Yes.
The soldiers nodded vigorously in response.
I see...
For a brief instant, Mion wore a deeply contemplative expression.
But she quickly reverted to her usual impassive face.
You two, go assist in escorting the nobles.
Yes?
But the head maid...
The head maid had ordered them to stand guard outside the restroom until Bernika finished, then escort her back to her room.
That was why the soldiers were stationed here.
With Mion suddenly appearing and saying this, they couldnt help but be flustered.
Ill take over here. Ill speak to the head maid myself.
......
......
With the Royal Guard captain insisting this much, the soldiers had no choice but to obey.
And if Mion was guarding the spot instead, it was even more reassuring.
So the soldiers headed to their other posts without much suspicion.
Once the soldiers had completely departed.
A deep sigh escaped Mions lips.
Haa...
Mion brushed her long hair back with her hand.
She addressed the firmly shut restroom door.
Bernika, are you finished now?
Then, the restroom door slowly creaked open.
Bernika, who had gone to the restroom claiming she needed to use it.
She emerged with a perfectly fine face and flashed Mion a bright smile.
Thanks, Mion.
As I told you last time, this is truly the last time. You promised.
Got it. Next time, I absolutely wont ask for this.
Though she received the firm promise again, Mions face was still full of dissatisfaction.
Because.
What Bernika had proposed to Mion was utterly absurd.
To sneak out of the palace and see how the commoners live with her own eyes.
No matter how she thought about it, Mion couldnt understand.
Mion hurried along, sneaking out of the palace with Bernika.
At the back gate, a carriage Mion had prepared in advance waited.
Bernika boarded the carriage and quickly began changing clothes right there.
While she did, Mion took the drivers seat and gripped the reins herself.
Have you finished changing, Bernika?
Yeah. All set. Lets go.
Bernika had changed into easy-to-move-in clothes.
She sneaked a peek out the window.
Mion warned her.
Bernika, if you stick your head out like that, the guards might spot you.
That could ruin the whole outing.
Seeming to accept Mions advice obediently, Bernika quietly lowered her posture.
Just bear with it until were out of the palace.
Got it. I will.
It had taken dozens of days to persuade Mion.
Now that she had finally swayed her, there was no choice but to obey.
If Mion changed her mind midway, it would be disastrous.
The carriage reached the palace entrance.
The guards at the gate stopped Mions carriage.
Recognizing her, they saluted just like the other guards.
Do you have business outside, Captain Mion?
Yeah. Picking someone up briefly.
You could leave the carriage with a coachman, but for you to drive yourself...
Circumstances. No time, so skip the inspection and let us through.
Normally, anything entering or leaving the palace had to be checked for potential issues.
The carriage interior needed thorough inspection too.
No one knew what might be inside.
But since it wasnt entering, just leaving, and Mion herself was driving, there was no cause for suspicion.
Understood. You may pass.
Thanks.
Thus, Mion and Bernika safely exited the palace.
Mion parked the carriage near the palace entrance, then cautiously opened the door.
Bernika, now in commoners attire, stepped out.
Holding Mions hand, she slowly descended and asked,
How do I look? Like a commoner?
No way.
She didnt look like one at all.
Bernikas very speech and mannerisms were far removed from an ordinary commoners.
Not to mention her appearance and the aura she exudedall screamed high status.
Should I have wiped off more makeup?
Theres no need to go that far, Bernika. More importantly, times short, so we should move quickly.
Were taking the carriage, right?
No. A carriage is too conspicuous. From here...
Mion unhitched the two horses from the carriage.
She retrieved two saddles hidden in a compartment beneath the carriage.
Well ride horses. That way, you can see the commoners lives in the nooks and crannies you want.
Mion herself was a commoner by birth, not nobility.
A war orphan, she had met her master, the previous Royal Guard captain, and risen to her current position.
Having a painful past, she knew better than anyone the realities of commoner life.
You can ride, right?
Of course. Im pretty good at horseback riding, you know.
Still, be careful. The horses you rode in the palace were all gentle ones.
Shed likely never ridden a rough horse before.
At Mions warning, Bernika looked slightly frightened.
Roins speed picked up as he entered the alleyway.
No speed-boost buff magic or anything, yet Roin was achieving superhuman velocity through pure physical ability.
Even Helond following behind was struggling to keep up.
Roin finally came to a stop.
Helond brushed back his disheveled hair, straightening it.
Lord Roin. Could you spare a thought for this old man?
Id like to, but.
Roin surveyed the surroundings of the wide space enclosed by buildings.
Those guys dont seem interested.
The moment Roin finished speaking, something began slowly revealing itself from the darkness.
Moving like shadows, it swiftly circled around Roin and Helond.
Roin slowly drew a long sword he had prepared.
He asked Helond, who stood behind him,
Helond. Howve things been lately? Got a chance to loosen up?
Well.
Helond reached behind to his belt.
He pulled out what looked like a small metal rod, then pressed the button at its end.
Clang!
Metal parts unfolded into the form of a sword.
A rounded cup guard formed at the boundary between blade and hilt.
Drawing his folding fleuret, Helond clicked his tongue briefly and answered Roins question.
These should be manageable enough.
Then I dont need to worry? Wont save you even if you beg.
One of the whirling shadow monsters opened its maw wide and lunged at Helond.
But Helond calmly thrust the fleurets tip precisely into its forehead.
Stab!
A single strike.
The shadow monster dissolved into black powder, scattering in the air.
Sheathing the fleuret again, Helond added to Roins earlier comment.
Probably wont need to.