Volume 4, Chapter 15 – The Royal Castle

Unlike entering a noble’s residence, the gate guards did not shout for the carriage to halt. Renee, who was driving, simply flashed a token of her status before them, and a soldier stepped forward to take the reins.

It seemed one could not drive a carriage into the Royal Castle.

Seeing the soldier take the reins from Renee, Fia had a thought. She quietly activated her [Mana Vision], only to find that the world behind the city gate was devoid of any elements, a pitch-black void. It was clear that there was either a permanent anti-magic barrier or a wide-area silence spell similar to the [Citadel of Silence]. In other words, no one could use magic within the Royal Castle. If someone were foolish enough to try and invade using [Flight], they would plummet from the sky like an aircraft with a failed engine the moment they crossed the threshold.

The Royal Castle was a city within a city. Not only was it protected by towering walls, but its interior was patrolled by the Imperial Guard, whose combat prowess far exceeded that of Blossom’s city guards. It was both the royal family’s residence and the administrative brain of all of Silvar. The environment was exquisite and quiet; only those of a certain status could set foot inside.

“Will the masters in the carriage please disembark. Carriages are not permitted within the Royal Castle,” the soldier in charge of the carriage called out humbly through the curtain.

Fia and the others, already prepared, exchanged glances and then stepped out of the carriage.

And then.

“Uh…”

The soldier in exquisite armor waiting by the carriage stared with wide eyes. Not only that, but Fia could also hear inarticulate gasps from the other soldiers a few steps away. They were clearly shocked by the appearance of the Eldest Princess.

It took the soldier a long moment to recover. With a look of terror, he immediately dropped to one knee. The other soldiers instantly followed suit.

“We welcome Your Highness, the Eldest Princess, and Your Highness, the Third Princess!”

“Rise.”

Fia waved a hand at the soldiers and led her companions directly into the Royal Castle.

She had no idea how much of a shock this simple gesture had been to the Imperial Guard. As if witnessing a river flowing backward, the kneeling guards’ eyes widened so much they looked as if they might pop out of their sockets. They stared at each other with open mouths, their faces a picture of disbelief.

In the past, the Eldest Princess would not have even glanced at them, let alone told them to rise. This didn’t mean she was spoiled or willful; it was how almost all high nobles behaved. The Imperial Guard, at the end of the day, were just high-class servants, and a master had no need to respond to a servant’s every word.

Coupled with the fact that the Eldest Princess was known to be naturally aloof and taciturn—she barely spoke to high-ranking nobles, let alone members of the guard—for her to actually acknowledge a few lowly guards was practically a hallucination.

“Did… did I hear that right?”

“I heard it too…”

“Her Highness the Eldest Princess actually spoke to people like us and told us to rise! The sun must have risen from the west!”

“So the memory loss is real. Captain Anastasia is in deep trouble this time… His Majesty will definitely not let her off easy.”

“As long as she’s alive. I just hope Her Highness still remembers how to use magic.”

Of course, Fia was unaware of what the guards were thinking. Right now, she was simply maintaining the dignity and majesty befitting a princess while observing the magnificent Royal Castle.

Rеаⅾ oո ΚаtRеaⅾіnɡСαfе

Unlike the three-dimensional, crisscrossing city outside, the Royal Castle was wide and serene. The sky seemed to be within arm’s reach, and the ground was paved with white jade slabs that reflected a lustrous, ivory-like light. As this plaza also served as a gathering point for the Imperial Guard, there were no facilities like flowerbeds. However, in the distance, one could see towering palaces and the tops of trees. That was where people normally conducted their activities; her current location was merely the passage connecting the gate to the central courtyard.

This was far too extravagant.

The plaza beneath her feet alone could hold several moon dragons, to say nothing of the exquisite carvings on the floor slabs.

And a place like this belonged to her.

Although she didn’t feel overwhelmed with favor, she couldn’t help but marvel at it.

“Hehe, when you greeted those guards just now, Sister, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads,” Liti said with a mischievous grin, brushing her purple hair back.

Her words pulled Fia back from her reverie. She tilted her head and asked in confusion.

“Why did they have that expression?”

“Because the old you would have never acknowledged them. In everyone’s eyes, you’re an unsmiling ice queen.”

“I see. They’ll get used to it over time.”

Fia had no intention of living her life wearing the mask of the Eldest Princess. Since everyone already knew she had lost her memory, there was no need to pretend. Living with her original personality, while still maintaining the dignity and bearing of a princess, was the most comfortable way.

“Anastasia, according to elf etiquette, what should I do next?”

“Hmm… we returned to the capital in secret, so the people in the castle don’t know we’ve arrived yet. You won’t be disturbed by any nobles for a short while. Next, I must first report to the Imperial Military Headquarters to debrief Lady Erin Slate on the events in the Milcandis Holy Kingdom. I also need to take Euphimilu to the Head Maid to be registered. Your Highness can return to your palace to rest first. Around noon, the Prime Minister and the others will likely come to visit you.”

As if remembering something, Anastasia’s expression shifted, and her voice became a little delicate.

“If you wish, you could go see Queen Veronica. Ordinarily, you should see His Majesty first, but since he is absent, you are free to do as you please. You are the Eldest Princess of the kingdom. Besides His Majesty, you have the most authority in the Royal Castle. As for the location of your palace… let Her Highness Liti take you there.”

“Won’t the people at the military headquarters give you a hard time, Anastasia?”

She had suffered a grievous injury and lost her memory, yet Anastasia was completely unharmed. As a guard, Anastasia had committed an unforgivable error. Fia was worried she would be thrown in a dungeon after her debriefing.

Her gaze lowered, Anastasia hesitated.

“Well… I don’t know. I did indeed commit an unpardonable crime during this campaign. It is only right that I be punished. I am already mentally prepared. Your Highness need not worry.”

“No. I’m going with you.” Fia grabbed Anastasia’s wrist, her ruby eyes full of determination. “No one can punish you without my permission.”

Anastasia gave a wry smile.

“That is the Imperial Military Headquarters. If His Majesty learns that you caused a scene there, he will surely be angry. Besides, people outside already know you’ve lost your memory. To protect your own people immediately upon returning will open you up to criticism…

Lady Erin Slate has always been just. If she knows it was the Milcandis Holy Kingdom’s national treasure, the Unsinkable Moon, that caused this result, she probably won’t punish me too severely.”

Reaԁ оո ΚаtRеaԁіոɡCаfе

“Even so, you can’t go alone. Someone must accompany you.”

She didn’t know how the people in the Imperial Guard viewed Anastasia, and with the Sinner’s Mark on her face, Fia found it hard to believe they wouldn’t discriminate against her or bully her for her “lowly status.”

“But what Big Sis Ana says is also true.”

Biting her lip, Liti tugged at Fia’s sleeve and whispered.

“If Big Sis Ana had also been injured, it would be one thing, but she’s completely unharmed. It’s difficult to shirk the blame for failing to protect you. The people at military headquarters will definitely punish her. If you go, Sister, you’ll certainly clash with them… The military isn’t like the civil administration. Causing trouble there will change the entire military leadership’s perception of you.”

“Even so, I can’t let them do as they please.”

“I’ll go with Big Sis Ana. If Sister doesn’t mind, I’ll give her the credit for ‘rescuing me from the hands of the Milcandis Holy Kingdom.’ We might be able to muddle through. Although it definitely won’t be enough to completely offset the demerit, it will surely lessen the punishment a lot. In the eyes of everyone at the military headquarters, I’m still a child. As long as I exaggerate a bit, they won’t suspect me.”

As she spoke, Liti let go of Fia’s sleeve. She straightened the hem of her dress and stood with her toes pointed inward.

With just that single action, Liti seemed to transform into a different person. Her aura instantly changed from that of a savvy advisor to that of a pitiful, young princess. The combination of her white over-the-knee socks and round-toed leather shoes gave off an air of pure innocence.

Just like the first time Fia had met her, the current Liti looked like a simple, guileless little girl from any angle.

It was indeed very convincing.

However, Fia was still a little worried.

“Won’t this cause trouble for you, Liti?”

“It won’t~ Everyone is very lenient with me. If you go, Sister, they will definitely see it as a confrontation. But if it’s me, it’ll just be seen as me stating the facts and pleading on her behalf.”

As if to emphasize her cuteness and youth, Liti placed one hand on her chest while speaking, the other reaching behind her back.

Her movements were so fluid they seemed to have been practiced countless times.

If everyone in the Royal Castle saw Liti as the simple, kind, and innocent princess that Fia had initially believed her to be, she might actually be able to make the military leaders back down.

“Her Highness Liti…”

“You don’t need to look so guilty, Big Sis Ana. I’m helping you of my own free will.”

Giving Anastasia a reassuring look, Liti took her and Milu’s hands and said to Fia with full confidence.

“Then Big Sis Ana and I will head to the military headquarters. As for you, Sister, you can just grab any maid and ask for directions to your palace. Wait for my good news~”

“If you can’t handle it, come find me immediately.”

Read οո ΚаtRеαdіոɡСafе

“Don’t worry, I always remember to rely on you for help, Sister. Hehe, I’m a clingy elf you can’t get rid of.”

Was that something to be proud of?

While Fia was smiling wryly, Liti had already led Milu and Anastasia off to the left.

She should probably just head straight forward.

Fia looked at the towering palace at the end of her vision. Renee had already parted ways with her at the gate. Now, she was all alone in the plaza paved with white jade, the air so quiet that the only sound was the distant chirping of birds.

“Hah, why do I feel like I’m the only one who’s been left behind?”

Fia couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. She had rarely acted alone. She had always been accompanied by Anastasia or others she had met on the road. Now, suddenly idle, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. The Royal Castle was nominally her home, but she had no memories of it. All she felt was a sense of unfamiliarity.

“That being said, I don’t feel nervous, surprisingly. In any case, I should move forward.”

Muttering to herself, Fia checked her attire, confirmed that it was fine and befitting the elegance and dignity of a princess, then patted her cheeks, trying to make herself look a little more imposing. Then she started walking towards the palace.

◇

Just as she entered the central courtyard with its gardens, Fia immediately felt several gazes fall upon her. It was already ten in the morning, and there were only about a dozen elf maids in the courtyard, carrying bamboo baskets. They were the gardeners responsible for trimming the flowerbeds, and their baskets were filled with various gardening tools.

“Look, it’s the Eldest Princess.”

“Why is she alone? Where are her guards?”

“Is the Milcandis Holy Kingdom that strong? But Her Highness doesn’t look like she’s been defeated.”

“Maybe she didn’t lose her memory at all. Look, even the way she walks hasn’t changed, and her expression is still cold. Ahh~ So cold and so cute. I haven’t seen the Eldest Princess in two months; my heart was about to wither. Tonight, I can think of her again… ahh~”

“You’re the same as always, getting all hot and bothered the moment you see Her Highness.”

“I only work here because I can see the Eldest Princess every day! I don’t want a promotion! Besides, aren’t you the same, Nilu?”

“H-how can you lump me in with a pervert like you! Mine is a pure and noble love—”

“Excuse me, where is my palace?”

“Who?”

The elf maid, who had been tapped on the shoulder, turned around. When she saw who had asked, the indignation on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile like a blooming flower. She even blushed slightly, like a girl in the throes of first love.

“Your Highness, the Eldest Princess!”

Reаⅾ οո ΚаtRеaⅾіոgСafе

“There’s no need for formalities.” Fia held a palm up towards the two maids who had just been arguing. Her question was ridiculously stupid, but since everyone knew she had lost her memory, it was fine to just ask openly. Fia patiently repeated herself. “Excuse me, where is my palace?”

“Uh…”

As Fia had expected, the two maids, who were about as tall as Claire, looked hesitant. One of them managed a strained smile.

“Your Highness is too kind to joke. Your room is in the most conspicuous palace to the east.”

“I see, thank you. You may continue with your work.”

“Yes…”

Having gotten her answer, Fia turned and left, leaving the two maids to stare blankly at her elegant back.

“Her Highness not only approached me, but she also said ‘thank you’…”

“She said it to me! I was the one she asked! And she even touched my shoulder—Hey, what are you doing? Stop licking my clothes!” ¹ fr…

“The fresh scent of the Eldest Princess~ Ehehehe…”

“Pervert!”

…

After asking for directions along the way, Fia soon arrived in front of her own palace.

It was a pointed-roof palace that could be described as both exquisite and luxurious.

The buildings within the Royal Castle were already stately and grand, but her own residence surpassed all the others she had seen. The exterior alone was the size of a castle. Fia had learned from the last maid that this entire palace was for her exclusive use; no other royals lived here.

Needless to say, it had a bathhouse and luxurious bedrooms, but it was also equipped with a large library, a training ground for practicing magic, and even a rooftop garden.

When Fia first arrived, she thought she had gone to the wrong place and had ended up at the royal library.

Just the cleaning work for a place this large would require dozens of maids.

The Elf King had truly doted on his daughter.

As Fia had expected, she had only just stood in front of the palace for a short while when a senior maid in a long maid’s dress ran out to welcome her.

No wonder nobles didn’t speak much to their servants. If they had to say “no need for formalities” dozens of times a day, it would surely become incredibly tiresome. Having had some experience now, Fia had grown somewhat accustomed to the maids’ humility. She waved her hand and said coolly.

“Take me to my room.”

“Yes.”