Chapter 371

“Sister is someone trustworthy. But I didn’t know she’d send these kids. More importantly, what about the border?”

Everet responded to Noel’s question as if he just remembered.

He rubbed his cheek, where he’d just received a hit from Noel.

“Euplana, right? Miss Victoria Bennett is heading there now.”

At the mention of the female protagonist’s name, Rieta unconsciously checked Noel’s expression. She knew he didn’t harbor any special feelings for her, so she couldn’t understand why it affected her like this.

While Rieta was grappling with her mysterious emotions, Everet’s explanation continued.

“Anyway, there shouldn’t be any trouble in Euphlana due to Princess Rieta not arriving at the border, unless they want to offend the future Emperor.”

Rieta sighed with relief as she thought of Princess Gabriella’s face. It was worrying enough that the time for her to reach the border was getting closer.

“Thank goodness. I really need to thank Princess Gabriella. How did she know what I wanted and take care of it?”

Hearing Rieta’s question, Everet smiled and extended one arm.

“Princess Rieta will definitely return to the castle, no matter what it takes. It’s inconvenient for something as trivial as marriage to block her path.”

His gesture, seeming like a declaration, unmistakably mimicked Princess Gabriella’s mannerisms.

“Well… that’s too much to say.”

Rieta felt both pleased and a bit embarrassed by the princess Gabriella’s trust. She remembered herself running away a while ago.

“It’s not too much at all. Princess Gabriella speaks only the truth.”

Perhaps Everet had noticed Rieta’s feelings. He reassured her with a gentle smile.

At that moment, Rieta felt a warm sensation spreading throughout her body.

“I’m fortunate that I’m not too far from meeting Princess Gabriella’s expectations.”

If Rieta hadn’t changed her mind, Princess Gabriella would have been very disappointed.

“. . . It would be good if I could properly repay those expectations.”

After muttering these words quietly, Rieta lowered her head. She had to reciprocate Princess Gabriella’s favor. Absolutely.

“But, Everet…”

“Yes?”

“Did you really come here just to scold Noel?”

“Is there another reason?”

Rieta nodded.

“Princess Gabriella wouldn’t have sent you to a dangerous place without any reason.”

Satisfied with her response, Everet smiled.

“Well, it’s nothing much. Princess Gabriella is worried.”

“Worried?”

“Her young cousin has been skipping classes for a few days.”

From his arms, Everett took out a few crumpled sheets of paper and handed them to Noel.

“. . . What is this?”

Noel unfolded the document covered in wrinkles. He looked at it closely and then from afar, then asked Everet again.

“What is this stupid document?’

“If you read it, wouldn’t you know? It’s your field study report. Write down what you’ve done here and submit it to the Academy. They said they’d count it as attendance.”

“. . . So participating in the political struggles of a foreign country counts as ‘field study’?”

“In some aspects, it is indeed in the ‘field.’ Well, if you don’t feel like it, gather some leaves or something and stick them on.”

Everett raised his arm again and shouted solemnly, as if mimicking the Princess once more.

“Whatever the reason, unauthorized absences are not allowed. They say even a man with a bad personality should boast about diligence.”

“What a joke.”

As Noel scoffed at the remark, Everet grabbed his collar once again.

“Dare you respond to the Princess like that?!”

“I was saying that your little joke is amusing.”

Noel, without hesitation, grabbed Everet’s collar again.

“Before making such remarks, show some respect for the Princess’s words!”

“Where is there someone who respects such nonsense?”

“Nonsense! Princess Gabriella only speaks the truth…!”

And so, it took less than five seconds for the two to exchange punches again.

Rieta felt like she should really intervene this time, but seeing how they seemed to enjoy it, she just let them be.

* * *

While Noel and Everet spent time together, Rieta excused herself and went to talk to the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Sir Knox and Elisha, who had met with Emily and returned, joined the gathering.

Rieta conveyed the fact that there was no need to worry about the marriage issue, thanks to the direct intervention of the Empire’s Princess. As they had been concerned about the possibility of Euplana causing trouble, they were all relieved to hear the news.

“And until Sir Knox’s soldiers arrive, we should wait here for now.”

“There’s no need for that! Now that Euplana’s issue is resolved, let’s rush back to the castle!”

“We’ll seize the throne! Princess!”

The soldiers started to rush impatiently, but Rieta shook her head. Their faces showed signs of fatigue.

She heard that they couldn’t even rest properly from the beginning since they came down toward the slash-and-burn village. It was clear that they would be exhausted because they had been traveling along a rough mountain path to help Rieta.

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