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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Her Highness is currently resting by the lake.”
I had found one of Aria’s attendants and asked about her whereabouts. I hesitated.
Was it appropriate to visit the princess unannounced? She was still the heir to the throne.
‘Oh, whatever.’
Aria wasn’t one for formalities. And this way, I could speak with her privately. There were some sensitive matters I needed to discuss, things that shouldn’t be overheard.
There was no guarantee that there weren’t spies among her attendants.
“Emilia, could you wait here for me?”
“Yes, Mr. Hainkel.”
I found Aria. She was sitting alone on a red chair by the vast lake. The chair looked out of place against the backdrop of the tranquil water.
I walked across the grass and stood beside her.
“Hmph. You’ve become quite bold after earning some merit. You dare to stand beside me?”
“Should I stand facing you?”
“No. You’re blocking my view. Just stay there.”
Aria’s demeanor was different today. Subdued. Melancholy.
“I have a request, Your Highness.”
“A request? What is it?”
“There was an incident at my residence. Would it be possible for me and my attendant to stay at the palace for a day or two?”
“Schlus Hainkel… Do you think the Imperial Palace is an inn?”
“There is no safer inn than the palace. I am requesting your protection.”
“Hmm…”
Aria’s eyes finally showed a flicker of interest.
“Very well. There are guest rooms in the annex. You may use one.”
“May my attendant stay with me?”
“No. There are plenty of attendants in the palace. They can take care of—”
“Then I will also have to decline.”
“W-What?!”
Aria looked at me, startled.
“If my attendant cannot stay with me, then I will not impose upon your hospitality.”
“Ugh… Fine. Your attendant may stay with you. But you must leave within three days.”
“Understood. Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Is a common maid so precious to you?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll change your mind once you learn the truth about her…”
Aria muttered something under her breath and turned away, her gaze fixed on the lake. It was a still, empty lake. No fish jumping, no birds flying overhead.
We stared at the tranquil water in silence.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“No, Your Highness. I was simply curious as to what you found so fascinating about this view.”
“It’s not fascinating.”
“Then perhaps you have fond memories associated with this place?”
“You…”
Aria glared at me.
I had misspoken. I had pushed too far. She would start to suspect I could read minds.
“Your intuition is unsettling.”
“Was I correct?”
“Yes. This is where I spent time with my father. Whenever I skipped my studies, he would be sitting here, gazing at the lake. I didn’t understand why, so I would sit beside him and stare at the water as well… I still don’t understand.”
Aria chuckled sadly.
To her, the Crown Prince was a kind and loving father. That image had solidified within her. The fact that the Crown Prince had so much free time to spend idly by the lake should have been a red flag… but Aria’s fondness for her father had blinded her to such obvious flaws.
“It’s a quiet lake.”
“Indeed. A pleasant view. Like a painting. But staring at it for too long… it’s like watching a still image. There’s no meaning. Perhaps I lack artistic appreciation?”
“I’m not an art connoisseur either, but I agree with you.”
“Ha. Are you saying my father wasted his time?”
“I wouldn’t presume to say such a thing.”
“Ha ha ha! I was joking.”
Aria leaned her head against my arm and laughed. She was laughing at her own joke. She seemed to be in a strange mood today.
“I will contemplate the meaning of gazing at this quiet lake.”
“It’s pointless. If even I couldn’t understand my father’s thoughts, how could you?”
“I can still try.”
“I see… Do as you please.”
I already knew the answer. I knew why the Crown Prince had been so fond of this lake. But I decided to keep it to myself.
I would simply stand by Aria’s side. Her image of her father would never change.
It hadn’t been a problem until now.
There was no contradiction in the tragic story of a kind prince being assassinated.
But what if there was a flaw in the story? What if the father in her memories and the father in reality were different?
I intended to exploit this.
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Our stay at the palace was short-lived. As soon as word of my presence reached the university, they had expedited the repairs to my residence.
The construction company had initially estimated three days, but they had finished in a single day.
I wondered how much pressure the university had applied…
I entrusted the design of the new barrier to Erica. Ludwig had offered to create it, but I had refused. Even if Erica’s barrier was slightly less effective, I trusted her more.
If Alexia had been here, I wouldn’t have hesitated, but Erica was the next best option.
I also scheduled a meeting with Julia while I was at it. Erica had requested at least three days’ notice. And today was the day.
“Are you nervous?”
“N-No? Not at all?”
Erica, sitting opposite me in the carriage, was fidgeting. She was acting unbecoming of a noble.
“I trust you, Schlus… But… could you tell me how you intend to cure Julia’s nightmares?”
“…”
“Ah, never mind. I won’t ask.”
“Erica.”
“Yes?”
“You told me to trust you more, didn’t you?”
“Did I?”
“Yes. I will trust you, Erica. So… you can be more honest with me.”
Erica had decided to trust me, putting aside her doubts and misunderstandings. It would be a betrayal of that trust if I didn’t reciprocate. Trust had to be mutual.
“I can’t reveal the details, but let’s just say I have an item that can perform miracles.”
“An item that performs miracles…?”
“The miracle of calling the dead.”
“What?! That’s impossible!”
“Not resurrecting, but calling. I acquired this item and used it to call someone I had been longing to see. But there was an accident. The soul I called…”
“Don’t tell me… it went to Julia?”
“You catch on quickly.”
“…”
Erica’s jaw dropped.
I had omitted some details, but I hadn’t lied. I had told her everything I could within the limits of confidentiality.
“Then…!”
“Yes. I could have cured her at any time. If I wanted to, I could have sent the soul back to the underworld.”
“You’ve been lying this whole time…? You wanted to see Julia because you wanted to meet the soul you called?”
“That’s about right.”
“You…!”
It was time to pay the price for my honesty. Erica lunged at me, grabbing my collar.
I braced myself for a slap, but she simply hung her head, tears dripping onto my shirt.
“You… you should have told me sooner… Why did you keep it a secret?”
“Because I accidentally put someone else’s soul into your sister’s body.”
“You said it was an accident! Or was that a lie too?”
“No.”
“Then it wasn’t your fault! You should have told me! If you had, I wouldn’t have worried so much! I could have… I could have helped you meet the person you were longing to see sooner…”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. It makes me feel worse. I feel terrible for preventing you from meeting the person you missed for so long…”
Her kindness was… overwhelming.
Even after learning about my deception, she was more concerned about my feelings than her own.
She was blaming herself for something that wasn’t her fault. She was inherently kind.
I let her cry, her tears soaking my shirt.
“Why are you so calm? We’re going to send that person away, aren’t we? Just thinking about it makes me so sad… Why don’t you seem to care?”
“I’ve already made up my mind.”
“You… you’re infuriating. You keep everything bottled up inside and only tell me when you’re about to be caught.”
“I’m reflecting on my actions.”
“Good… Reflect on them. Tell me more. Trust me more. Rely on me more…”
Erica buried her face in my chest and sobbed.
I instinctively stroked her hair. After a while, her sobs subsided.
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