Volume 4, Chapter 25 – A Surprisingly Smooth Start

Translator Note

aah… here we go again with 3,5-4k words… 🙂

Inside the magnificent grand hall, two young women were walking briskly.

The palace corridor had huge, white-latticed floor-to-ceiling windows every few steps. The bright sunlight illuminated every corner of the hallway, making even the contours of each fiber in the carpet clearly visible. The dustless air and the splendid decorations on both sides of the walls created an atmosphere so luxurious that one dared not even speak too loudly.

If one were to also count the knights standing on one side of the corridor, an ordinary person would be filled with awe just by looking from a distance.

But the two young women walking here were clearly not ordinary people.

Instead of her usual black formal dress with a knee-length skirt, Fia had changed into a pleated skirt and short top combination in the Silvar style, with gold, blue, and white as the main colors. These three colors, mixed together, simultaneously displayed both nobility and elegance, the essential color scheme for the elf royal family on formal occasions.

In addition, because the Eldest Princess was petite and seemed to lack authority, Fia had, at Anastasia’s suggestion, draped a white cloak over her shoulders. By Fia’s aesthetic sense, if a crown were placed on her head, it would not be strange for her to be mistaken for a young queen from somewhere. The princess’s cold appearance was too well-matched with this outfit; the wisdom and dignity of a royal princess were fully highlighted.

Of course, this was just her appearance.

“Is Your Highness alright? In my opinion, you could spend a couple more days getting familiar with the Prime Minister and the others before meeting with the rest of the nobles…” Anastasia, with her mithril sword at her waist, said softly from behind Fia.

Like Fia, Anastasia had also changed her clothes. She was no longer in her emerald green windbreaker, but in a formal knight’s uniform—a white knight’s outfit made of soft fabric, divided into a top and a skirt. Because there were no bulky metal parts, her figure appeared taller and more slender. It was worth mentioning that although the formal uniform looked like it lacked defensive capabilities, its actual strength was comparable to armor made of mithril.

Adjusting the blue ribbon on her chest, Fia maintained her expressionless face and continued forward.

“I don’t want to waste time dealing with these nobles. Instead of haggling with them, I’d rather go back to the library and learn a few spells.”

She had to get things in order before her Father returned. Otherwise, if she waited until after he came back to handle everything, the feeling of having everything pile up would be unbearable.

As if remembering something, Fia’s voice paused for a moment.

“Anastasia, did you relay my morning orders to Colita?”

“I have already told her to select suitable people to screen the book collection. It’s just that many of the books in the library are not for circulation, and cannot be read by unqualified people. So even if we widen the selection criteria, we won’t be able to find enough people for a while…”

“It’s like that, is it?”

Fia sighed softly. In order not to miss any clues left by the princess, she had to turn the entire library upside down. However, her own ability was limited, and she had to ask for help. So, she had immediately thought of the maids in the palace. But because of their low status, they had no right to read the books in the library, which made the search extremely slow.

There were over thirty maids in the entire palace, yet less than five of them, including Anastasia and Colita, had the right to browse the less important books. It felt like a never-ending task.

Sensing Fia’s helplessness, Anastasia glanced at the knight on the side of the corridor, then took two steps forward and whispered in Fia’s ear.

“If you don’t limit the selection to people around you, with your permission, the Imperial Guard, represented by Lady Erin Slate, can look up information for you. If it’s your request, Lady Erin Slate will surely not refuse.”

“Erin Slate? Good, she’s the one.”

After a moment of thought, Fia quickly agreed. She happened to have not seen Erin Slate yet. After meeting with the nobles and ministers in the hall later, she would use the opportunity of letting her look up books to explain the matter of the organization to her. Her losing her memory was a major event, yet Colita had acted as if nothing had happened, her reaction too calm. It made one feel that there was a major misunderstanding here.

“By the way, Anastasia, what is the relationship between Erin Slate and me?”

Erin Slate was originally the daughter of a duke. Because the duke’s younger brother became a rebel, she was stripped of her status and exiled along with the duke. In the early days of Anastasia’s exile, Erin had helped her a lot. But later, for some unknown reason, Erin had lost her mind and become a madwoman. It wasn’t until the Eldest Princess found Anastasia and brought Erin back to the palace with her that she gradually regained her sanity and became a normal person again.

Although Fia could imagine that her relationship with Erin was surely very good, if she didn’t grasp the proper measure and accidentally exposed their close private relationship, the result would be very bad. So it was better to ask Anastasia here and have her explain it from an observer’s perspective.

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“Lady Erin Slate’s relationship with you?”

Anastasia’s azure eyes widened slightly.

“Lady Erin Slate is your close friend. It would not be an overstatement to call her a ‘childhood friend.’ It was under your guidance that she made a breakthrough in the field of magic. However, Lady Erin Slate is a person of high integrity and distinguishes between public and private matters. If you were to have a conflict with a noble or a minister, she would probably not help you directly… Normally, you only need to treat her like an ordinary noble, accepting her greetings and salutes, without needing to return too many courtesies.”

In other words, she and Erin were on very good terms privately, but would set aside their personal feelings when it came to official business. Compared to the princess’s dealings with several other southern nobles, this relationship was simple and easy to understand.

“These are things I should have explained to you on the road. To have dragged it out until now, making you stay up all night to catch up… Lady Yulisha’s admonition was absolutely right. After you lost your memory, I have become too lax…”

“Huh?”

Fia, who had been in thought a moment ago, jolted. The reaction was so strong that she almost lost her footing. Her delicate, doll-like face showed clear signs of wavering.

“Wait, Anastasia, how did you know I was studying all night?”

She had indeed not fallen asleep until the latter half of the night, but that was not something Anastasia, who was sleeping next door, should know. And she wasn’t really studying noble knowledge; she had already memorized the information about the nobles’ relationships before sending Milu back to her room.

Faced with Fia’s surprised expression, Anastasia returned an even more surprised look of confusion. She even tilted her head in puzzlement.

“The light in your room wasn’t extinguished until the latter half of the night. I was sleeping next door, so of course I knew. You are the future of the kingdom; you should rest earlier.”

“B-but, doesn’t that mean you were also up until the latter half of the night?”

Thinking of what she had done last night, Fia couldn’t help but feel that Anastasia had been doing the same thing. Her cheeks flushed red. She thought Anastasia was tactfully reminding her not to indulge too much.

Admittedly, she had pressed her ear against the wall to check, and it had been quiet on Anastasia’s side. But that could have been because of a soundproofing barrier on the wall, or the wall itself could have had very good soundproofing. Realizing this, Fia’s skin tensed, and a strange feeling shot up her spine.

I don’t even know if you could call this sisterly telepathy. If so, both Anastasia and I are perverts… And for her to remind me with such a serious expression, how many times has she done it that she’s treating it as a daily routine?

While Fia was thinking this, Anastasia continued on her own.

“The room next to yours was originally reserved for guests like Lady Erin Slate. The bed was too soft, and I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night, which is how I discovered that the light in your room wasn’t turned off until the latter half of the night.”

“It’s not just me. The two servants who were on guard outside your door last night also know you studied until midnight. I heard them mention it this morning when I woke up. You even locked the door so you wouldn’t be disturbed, so much so that they didn’t know how to wake you up when they wanted to come in.”

“Uh…”

Considering that Anastasia might be lying, Fia couldn’t help but take another look at her. However, there was only a gentle smile on her mature face, with no trace of a lie.

In an instant, Fia understood. Anastasia had indeed been sleeping soundly last night. She had thought too poorly of her.

Not only had she done such an embarrassing thing, but she had also thought Anastasia was the same as her. She was terrible, judging a gentleman by her own petty standards.

While reflecting on herself, Fia’s back began to sweat slightly. Not only did Anastasia know she had stayed up late, but even the maids at the door knew. Fortunately, the room’s soundproofing was good, and she had locked the door. Otherwise, if a maid had walked in and caught her, she would have had to use the ‘Great Memory Loss Spell.’

Secretly relieved, Fia raised her head and forced her expression to become “expressionless,” awkwardly changing the subject.

“The hall is just ahead. Although I can’t yet match the nobles’ names with their faces, it’s enough to handle some situations. Anastasia, you will follow my lead in a moment. Do not act on your own.”

“Understood. I will wait for you outside the hall.”

“Outside the hall?”

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Fia knew what Anastasia was trying to say. Although the hall was not as formal a place as the audience chamber, it was not a place that someone with a Sinner’s Mark could enter. Anastasia was tactfully refusing her suggestion to enter, so as not to cause her trouble.

Normally, Anastasia’s action was indeed for her own good. But the current situation was that she had lost her memory. Without Anastasia by her side to supplement the information not written in the books, things would become complicated. As for the questions the nobles might throw at her, as long as she used the excuse of having lost her memory and needing someone to help her remember, Anastasia’s presence would become justifiable.

Losing one’s memory was not entirely a bad thing. If used properly, it could also be a convenient tool. She could not let the unfair treatment of Anastasia continue.

Fia waved her hand.

“No, you will enter the hall with me. The books only wrote about the family histories of these nobles, not my past interactions with them. You will explain them to me one by one.”

“Her Highness Liti can also—”

“That would just push the trouble onto Liti. Don’t forget her original position.”

Although Liti supported her, only a few of them knew about it. The face Liti was known for was that of an innocent, cute, and pure-hearted princess. Her relationship with her older sister was not bad, but it was not so close that she could follow her around and explain things at any time, not to mention that the former princess had always been distant with Liti.

To act so intimate with Liti right after returning to the palace would drag her into the vortex of power struggles.

Anastasia’s eyes lowered slightly.

“But if His Majesty finds out that I have entered the hall, he will surely be furious with you…”

“I don’t intend to let the past injustices continue just because my Father will be furious. Some conflicts have to be faced sooner or later; it’s just a matter of when. Besides, my Father was in the wrong in the first place. Alright, since you can understand my meaning, quickly put away that expression. If a noble who dislikes you sees you acting weak, they will only target you more aggressively. Be more confident.”

If not for the elf knights standing in the corridor, Fia would have wanted to stand on her tiptoes and pinch Anastasia’s cheek. This self-deprecating, unconfident look was infuriating to see.

To help Anastasia cheer up, Fia added another sentence.

“Or are you unwilling to accept my feelings, Anastasia?”

“I…”

The hesitant words had just reached Anastasia’s lips when they were glared back by Fia’s slightly angry eyes. At this moment, she finally understood that she had no room to refuse. All she could do was accept reality.

Gradually, a bit more determination appeared in her azure eyes, and she finally lowered her head.

“I understand.”

“As long as you understand.”

In less than a minute, Fia and Anastasia arrived at the entrance to the hall of the Gray Palace.

Even without reaching the doorway, Fia could hear the noisy chatter from not far ahead. The level of noise was reminiscent of a bustling subway station in the morning; it was impossible to hear what anyone was saying.

“Your Highness, the Eldest Princess.”

Seeing Fia arrive in her formal attire, the male soldier on guard at the entrance slowly lowered his head in a salute. This man was clearly different from the knights Fia had seen along the way. His hands were resting on the hilt of a greatsword, its blade plunged into the ground before him. His body was covered from head to toe in black armor, giving him a solid and powerful impression. His aura was incredibly calm, like an unshakeable mountain.

Fia’s gaze couldn’t help but linger on this soldier for a moment.

Seventh Rank.

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The same level as the former princess.

Not only that, but Fia could also feel the steady temperament that only a battle-hardened warrior possessed. A name gradually appeared in her mind, and she gave the man a slight nod in return.

“General Greyan, good morning.”

Greyan Dritch, the founding marshal of the kingdom, had rendered meritorious service to Silvar and had saved the founding king from peril on several occasions. He was known as the Last Shield of Silvar.

Even the current Elf King, Yelido, had to address him as General with great respect. Although Greyan no longer involved himself in political affairs due to his advanced age, he had not given up his former duty of guarding the hall’s entrance and monitoring the coming and going nobles.

Greyan, under his armor, was silent for a moment, then chuckled.

“Haha, to think Your Highness still remembers this old bag of bones. That boy Kalsey just told me that you couldn’t even remember him, and to not be offended when I saw you. Yet you called out my name right after. It seems that boy’s status in your heart is not as good as mine.”

“General Greyan has rendered meritorious service to the kingdom. How could I forget you?”

“Hmph, no need for flattery. I can see you don’t remember me. The battlefield is ever-changing. As long as you come back alive, there is still a chance. The others are already waiting for you in the hall. You should go in quickly. Forgotten things can be picked up again slowly. You must not be impatient.”

He was a surprisingly lenient old man.

The tension in Fia’s heart eased a little. Since the records stated that Greyan belonged to the military, she had thought he would look down on her or give her a hard time because of her memory loss.

“Thank you, General Greyan.”

With that, Fia led Anastasia towards the entrance of the hall.

However, before she could step inside, Greyan suddenly reached out and blocked her path, his gaze under the armor sweeping towards Anastasia behind her.

“Those who bear the Sinner’s Mark are not allowed to enter the hall.”

Although it was the same gentle and lenient tone as before, it now carried a hint of command.

I just praised you, and now you’re causing trouble.

Fia secretly clicked her tongue. She put on the gentlest expression she could muster and said with a wry smile.

“As you can see, General, I was injured by the Unsinkable Moon and have lost my memory. Having Anastasia by my side can help me get to know the people around me more quickly. This is official business.”

“I understand Your Highness’s predicament, but the rules set by the former king cannot be broken. If you are confused about the nobles in the hall, after you enter, how about I explain their identities to you one by one?”

His words were firm and left no room for negotiation.

If he had only refused Anastasia entry, she could have tried to reason with him. But to even offer to personally explain the identities of the nobles, there was little room for discussion, not to mention that Greyan was a founding general with great prestige.

He was giving her a big gift right from the start.

If she backed down here, for Anastasia or the other nobles, it would just be business as usual. But for her, it would be a declaration of failure before she had even taken a step forward.

However, if she were to defy Greyan’s will, it would only put her, who had lost her memory, in a more unfavorable position. Then she would not only have to fall out with the military, but even the nobles and ministers who were originally on her side would be disheartened, and everyone would feel insecure.

While Fia was thinking, Greyan snorted heavily through his nose.

“As Her Highness’s guard, to let her be seriously injured while you are unharmed, and now you still have the face to follow behind her. As expected of a human’s spawn.”

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That was going too far. Fia’s brows furrowed. If he had only accused Anastasia of failing to protect her, it would have been difficult for her to argue. But to target her origins was something she could not ignore.

Anastasia, with a look of shame, was about to retreat, but Fia grabbed her wrist and faced Greyan with a calm expression.

“General Greyan, did Kalsey not explain to you why I was injured by the Unsinkable Moon?”

If her younger brother had told him that she had been hit on purpose, he probably wouldn’t be so harsh.

“Why?”

Greyan, under his armor, raised an eyebrow. He could already sense the tense atmosphere around Fia.

It seemed the Second Prince had not told him her explanation from yesterday. Of course, it was also possible that her younger brother had found her explanation unbelievable and had therefore not said anything.

“Because—”

“Her Highness Dofilia, Lord Greyan, and Captain Anastasia, good morning.”

Before Fia could finish, a light and cheerful female voice, like a mountain stream, sounded in her ear. Following the pleasant tone was a woman with green hair tied into twin tails, wearing a black gauze dress, and with an impressive figure.

On her head were two black horns, like those of a demon. Coupled with the elegant aura surrounding her, the woman standing here was like the night queen of the demon race, exuding an astonishing charm, as if she could steal one’s soul with a single gesture.

Erin Slate.

Fia immediately realized who the person before her was.

Erin’s gaze did not linger on Fia for long. She just gave her a knowing smile, then naturally circled around to Greyan’s side like a fairy.

“Lord Greyan, why are you blocking Her Highness from entering? The nobles in the hall are all looking at you.”

“You’ve come at a good time, Erin Slate. You can guide Her Highness for me. She insists on bringing Anastasia into the hall. Those who bear the Sinner’s Mark are not allowed to enter. That is the rule.”

“Oh my…” Her moist red lips parted slightly in surprise. Erin wore a look of “this is bad.” She frowned slightly, her right hand pinching her chin in thought. “But I also think it would be better to let Anastasia in.”

Greyan’s shoulders twitched, and a clear sound of displeasure rumbled from his throat.

“What, even you, who is known for your impartiality, are going to help a sinner?”

“It’s not because of that. I was just thinking, according to Prince Schain’s words, Her Highness lost her memory after being injured by the Unsinkable Moon. Then Her Highness will surely have to talk about what happened in the month after she was injured. Without Anastasia to supplement the details, Her Highness, who has just lost her memory, might be very troubled. Besides, we also need to know the process of how she was injured to decide on further punishment for the Holy Kingdom. This is something only Anastasia knows.”

“Of course, I could also read out the report Anastasia submitted to the military yesterday, but I think it would not be as genuine as her saying it herself. Captain Anastasia will not be entering as Her Highness’s attendant, but as a guilty witness. In this way, it will not conflict with the rules set by the former king. After all, there have been many precedents of criminals being brought into the hall in the past. What do you think, General Greyan?”

Her bewitching, charming face was full of smiles as Erin asked obediently.

“Mmm…”

Greyan fell silent. Although he felt that today’s Erin was a bit too lively compared to usual, she was right. To have Anastasia enter as a criminal would both explain how Fia was injured and not conflict with the rules. It was the best option in every aspect.

After considering all sides, Greyan lowered the hand that was blocking Fia, resumed his proper standing posture, and said slowly.

“…We welcome Your Highness, the Eldest Princess.”