Chapter 512: Handling
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 512: Handling
Streets and alleys.
A lady strolled with measured grace, shielding herself with a parasol.
Her skirts fluttered and her steps were elegant. In normal times, she would have surely drawn the gazes of many passersby, stopping them in their tracks to admire her.
Yet, in this dim street, no matter how many sharp eyes swept like hawks from the shadows, not a single one lingered on the figure beneath the parasol.
It was as if, in their field of vision, that figure simply did not exist.
The girl gently twirled the parasol in her hand. She walked straight through the street, stepped through the courtyard gate, and traversed the long corridor. She brushed past several squads of cautiously patrolling knights, finally reaching the deepest part of the courtyard.
Knock, knock, knock.
She tapped on the door.
"Get lost."
From inside the room came a cold, indignant voice:
"Haven't I said enough? I’ve been in my room the whole time and haven't gone anywhere. Do not disturb me!"
"..."
Hearing that familiar voice, Celicia raised an eyebrow slightly. Then, using a cold tone identical to the one inside—one that no outsider could possibly distinguish—she said:
"Open the door. It’s me."
There was a brief silence inside, followed by a chaotic clatter of chairs and the sound of something hitting the floor. The cold, solemn atmosphere from a moment ago vanished instantly.
The door creaked open, revealing a sneaky, round "bun" face.
After confirming that the icy figure outside was definitely the real deal, the sneaky bun-faced girl finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"President, you’re finally back."
"Mm."
Celicia closed her "Single's Resentment" and stepped into the room.
"A fine disguise."
"Hehe, it was alright. It’s only enough to fool outsiders who aren't familiar with the Princess."
Wei'er scratched her head sheepishly.
"Any anomalies?"
"Anomalies... I think there were some."
"You think?"
Celicia looked at Wei'er.
"Yeah. I don't know what those guys from the Royal Knight Order were thinking, but they came by several times in the middle of the night to ask if I was in. They even wanted me to come out and see them in person."
Celicia’s eyes flashed at those words.
"Did you take note of which knights they were?"
"I did!"
Wei'er puffed out her chest proudly.
"How could I not pay attention to something so obviously suspicious? I secretly left an Imprinting Magic spell outside. Their faces should be recorded. I’ll get it for you right now."
Wei'er trotted over, circled the area outside the door, and handed a tiny, inconspicuous magical tool to Celicia.
Celicia infused it with mana, and several images quickly appeared. She recognized them all as Royal Knights stationed to guard this courtyard.
"Mm, you did well."
Celicia flipped through the images, memorizing the faces before nodding in satisfaction.
Though her secretary was lazy, a shut-in, and a hardcore fujoshi obsessed with forbidden romance, she was remarkably reliable at critical moments. Otherwise, Celicia would never have felt comfortable entrusting her with such an important task.
"But speaking of which, President..."
Now that Celicia was back and she felt safe, Wei'er rested her bun-face on the table, looking like a decadent, salted fish.
"Why did you take so long to get back? I almost got exposed just now. It was terrifying."
"I was just handling some business."
"Was it really just business? What kind of business requires being out so late for so long?"
A sharp glint of gossip ignited in Wei'er's eyes, and a flame of curiosity began to burn fiercely in her heart.
"President... you didn't go on a date with that Muen Campbell, did you?"
"..."
Celicia looked up silently. She didn't say a word, but the blade hidden within the handle of her parasol suddenly slid out a few centimeters.
Snap.
Before Wei'er’s stunned eyes, the limited-edition "Prince × Evil Villain Leader" photo collection she had just placed on the table to pass the time was instantly shredded into fine confetti by a flurry of sword light.
"No—!"
The girl desperately grabbed at the fragments, trying to piece them back together, but it was futile. She could only choke back her tears in silence, wishing she could travel back thirty seconds and slap her own big mouth.
You knew exactly what kind of tsundere the President is, so why did you have to say it?
Damn it, my photo collection!
"Enough. I know you have more than one copy of that thing. Stop acting."
Celicia glanced at Wei'er, who was resentfully biting her handkerchief.
"Go pour me a cup of coffee."
"What do you mean more than one copy..."
Wei'er grumbled something about "one for missionary work, one for the collection," but she moved nimbly to brew the coffee for Celicia nonetheless.
Soon, a cup of coffee—still with an extremely high sugar content—was placed before Celicia.
Accompanying it was a freshly made cream cake topped with a single cherry.
"Go get some rest, Wei'er. You worked hard tonight."
"...Oh."
Wei'er had wanted to ask more, but she noticed that deep within Celicia’s expressionless, beautiful face, something different seemed to be hidden. She gave a polite bow and obediently returned to her own room.
Celicia sat upright at the table, silently staring at the delicious-looking little cake.
Though she was under house arrest, her status remained. She could still easily enjoy the finest, most delicious desserts in the city.
In fact, as long as she sat here obediently, none of the storms raging in this city could affect her in the slightest. No matter which sun hung in the sky after the clouds cleared, she would remain one of the most high-ranking individuals in this country.
Yes, as long as she stayed here obediently.
"Is this the real reason you suddenly put me under house arrest, Father?"
Celicia murmured, the memory of that nonsensical argument with the Emperor surfacing in her mind.
Then the images shifted, turning into the horrific sights she had witnessed not long ago.
Her fingertips still seemed to hold the lingering, warm sensation of lives fading away.
It was nauseating.
"It really... makes one lose the appetite for sweets."
Threads of light filtered through the cracks in the window, illuminating Celicia’s exquisite yet emotionless face.
Dawn had arrived.
She gazed at the light.
Soon, Celicia pushed aside the dessert she usually loved most. She drained the coffee in one gulp to sharpen her spirits and then rang the bronze bell.
"Someone, come!"
"Your Highness."
The sound of scale armor rubbing together came from outside, followed by a respectful voice.
"Prepare the carriage. I am going to the Imperial Palace."
"This..."
The voice sounded hesitant.
"What?"
Celicia’s voice turned cold. "I may be under house arrest, but have I lost even the right to see my own father? Do you truly intend to imprison me? Who gave you such audacity?"
"Yes... Yes! Forgive me, Your Highness! I shall prepare it at once!"
The footsteps receded. Celicia pushed open the door and walked out. No one stopped her.
When she reached the main gate, a black carriage without any markings was already waiting quietly.
"Your Highness."
Kylos, the Vice Commander of the Thorn Legion, whose armor featured distinct golden patterns, bowed respectfully.
"Please allow me to escort you personally to ensure your safety."
"Mm. Thank you for your trouble."
Knowing that this man’s task was not just protection but also surveillance, Celicia said nothing more. She gave a slight nod and stepped into the carriage.
However, before the carriage could move, Celicia suddenly pulled back the curtain. Her cold gaze scrutinized the Vice Commander of the Royal Knight Order's Thorn Legion.
"Mr. Kylos."
"I am here."
"You... will always be loyal to Father, won't you?"
Kylos was startled by the question and quickly dropped to one knee.
"What does Your Highness mean by this? As a member of the Royal Knight Order, I will naturally remain loyal to His Majesty forever!"
"Very well. Then these few people... interrogate them thoroughly yourself. I expect a satisfactory answer."
Celicia handed the Imprinting Magic tool to Kylos.
Kylos examined it, his face showing confusion.
"These are indeed my subordinates, but a sudden interrogation... May I ask the reason? Without a cause, it will be difficult for me to..."
"Is that so?"
Celicia gave him a chilling look. "Were the orders last night issued by you?"
Orders?
What orders?
He hadn't issued any orders last night.
Could it be...
Kylos suddenly snapped awake, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He pressed his head even lower.
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will personally conduct the interrogation and provide you with a satisfactory answer!"
"I hope so."
Celicia pulled the carriage curtain shut again.
Everything returned to silence. Under Kylos’s lingering, apprehensive gaze, the carriage moved forward steadily, heading toward the most important center of the Empire.