< Chapter 63 - Crown Princess #2 >
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“This is Jude Bayer of the Counts of Bayer.”
“I am Cordelia Chase of the House of Chase.”
As Uther and Cordelia bowed in turn, Princess Daphne responded with a faint smile.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Crown Princess Daphne. As I said before, I welcome your visit once again.”
Princess Daphne’s voice was clearly beautiful, but it was not sweet or soft. It was a powerful and sturdy, charismatic voice that captivated the hearts of those who heard it.
‘That’s cool.’
It’s more cool than pretty.
Of course, it wasn’t that she wasn’t pretty. After all, she was Princess Daphne, who was praised for her well-designed appearance in the biographies of heroes.
She is beautiful and elegant, but at the same time, aloof.
It feels like you’re wearing a uniform even though you’re wearing a dress, that kind of cool feeling.
‘Princess Daphne.’
While Cordelia was capturing the sensual aspects of Princess Daphne, such as her ‘wonderful atmosphere’, Uther was examining her sculptural aspects.
Height, weight, body type, level of fitness.
‘First of all, grow tall.’
Almost 170 cm tall. Maybe even closer to 180 cm.
There was a tightly-knit, trained body that was clearly honed through training, reminiscent of a sword.
‘A feline beast······.’
If Cordelia reminded me of an elegant leopard, then Princess Daphne before my eyes was a lion.
Her long, white neck, which was revealed thanks to her hair being tied up, was thin but strong, giving her a straighter look, and her bright, dark blond hair, which seemed to be made of melted gold, was like a crown in itself.
And green eyes.
A strong and vivid color, different from Yuder’s own, as if it were piercing through the opponent.
‘Are you a natural ruler?’
There were these kinds of people.
People who naturally rise to the position of leader when in a group.
Those who make others look at their backs.
Of course, the fact that he was born into royalty and was educated as a royal must have also been a very important factor.
But Uther was sure.
Princess Daphne was born human.
Even if he had been born a commoner and not a royal, he would have captured the hearts of many people with the same charisma as he does now.
“Sit down.”
Princess Daphne spoke, and Uther and Cordelia took their seats.
The table itself was circular, but it was arranged so that Uther and Cordelia sat side by side, with Princess Daphne sitting across from them.
“Arena.”
As Princess Daphne called softly, a maid approached pushing a small cart.
Inside the cart, as befitting a tea party, were various sweets, pretty teacups, and a large, elegant teapot.
“It’s called a tea party. Compared to the snacks in the north, the snacks in the royal capital are a bit sweeter. If it doesn’t suit your taste, tell me right away.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your consideration.”
Cordelia answered elegantly, but inside she was thinking something else.
That would be the case, how could a member of the royal family – and a crown princess at that – be dissatisfied with the sweets given to them?
‘But it still looks delicious.’
Most of the sweets in the North had a rather rustic feel, just like Princess Daphne said.
This was because, compared to modern confectionery that uses sugar liberally, sugar was still considered a relatively rare commodity here.
As Cordelia gazed at the colorful sweets, Princess Daphne waited for Uther and Cordelia’s glasses to be filled with tea, then lightly reached out and took a bite of the sweet.
It was a kind of performance where the host personally confirmed that there were no dangerous substances such as poison in the food, and it was also a very important procedure at tea parties among nobles.
“Hmm… It’s so sweet.”
Princess Daphne, who was muttering softly as if talking to herself, smiled bitterly and offered sweets and tea to Uther and Cordelia.
“I’m just picky, but both are the best that the royal family boasts. Please enjoy.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
After answering without a hitch, Uther and Cordelia each reached for their tea and snacks, and both smiled in satisfaction.
‘Is it good?’
‘delicious!’
Although Yuder was not a big fan of black tea, this was definitely a royal masterpiece.
Because the scent was so good, other things aside.
Cordelia, as Cordelia, was satisfied with the sweets.
Because it was the first truly sweet thing I had tasted in a long time.
‘It’s so sweet, so sweet. So sweet.’
A sweetness that makes you feel like your teeth are going to melt, and you feel like you shouldn’t eat too many, almost like it’s a guilty pleasure.
As a bright smile appeared on Cordelia’s face, Princess Daphne chuckled slightly and looked at Cordelia as if she was appreciating her.
“You are so lovely.”
“yes?”
“I’ve seen many children in the royal capital… but I’ve never seen one as pretty as you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Cordelia blushed and lowered her head at the direct compliment, and Uther clenched his fists with satisfaction and joy welling up from deep within his heart.
‘Indeed, Cordelia.’
Although I couldn’t achieve my original goal of showing off Cordelia in front of numerous nobles, it was okay.
Didn’t the most important person acknowledge Cordelia’s beauty?
‘Maia and Dahlia should have heard this story too.’
If it had been an ordinary tea party, they would have usually brought one servant or escort, but since Princess Daphne had declared it to be a ‘tea party for only three people’, the two of them were not even allowed to enter the garden. They were probably waiting for them in the waiting room by now.
Anyway, while Yuder was in a state of despair for a moment, Princess Daphne continued speaking while still keeping an eye on Cordelia.
“Are you really surprised that I suggested we have a tea party for just the three of us?”
“Yes? That… a little…?”
When Cordelia answered a little timidly, Princess Daphne seemed to like her timidity and said with a deep smile on her face.
“I wanted to meet them up close and focused, as we first talked about. After all, they are the first people I will be awarding a title to since I was born.”
“What is it?”
When Cordelia asked with wide eyes, Princess Daphne nodded again.
“Yes, the title of Baron will be awarded to both of them. They will not be given any separate lands, but it will have more significance than a simple knighthood.”
After all, he was a baron.
Although it was the last of a series of false accusations, it was clearly a higher rank than a regular knight.
‘I’m excited!’
Cordelia looked back at Uther, who responded with a look before turning his gaze to Princess Daphne.
The excuse that Princess Daphne brought up.
The first title award ceremony held after birth.
Princess Daphne was now exactly twenty years old. She had her coming of age ceremony last month.
‘But is that all?’
As this was his first official duty as a member of the royal family, he must have been very nervous.
But was it really necessary to change the tea party schedule to make room for three people just because of that?
Princess Daphne continued speaking as if answering Uther’s question.
“And… since they are two very famous people. I wanted to meet them in person and hear their stories. I also wanted to find out what kind of children they were. Of course… they are people who will make a name for themselves in the Kingdom of Seilun in some way. Well, it seems like they’ve already made quite a name for themselves.”
Princess Daphne, who spoke a little mischievously, gave Cordelia a look as if to ask, and Cordelia pursed her lips and answered with a small ‘yes’.
“Actually, at first I thought it was a bit nonsense.”
There were so many stories I heard, some of them absurd.
Moreover, what was relayed to Princess Daphne was not a ‘rumor’ like the one Princess Darian had heard.
It was real information that was directly collected by informants from various places and reported to the royal family, including a report written by Count Hresvelg himself as a margrave.
‘Demon Slayer.’
It was the code name that the royal informants called Uther and Cordelia.
As the name suggests, they were ‘demon hunters’ who had already defeated numerous demon followers and minions.
Defeat the mine that attempted to kidnap the children of the 12 northern families in Robust.
Defeat the demons in the Witch’s Forest one after another.
Defeat the mines in the Northern Viscounty.
Defeat demons as well as mines in Frost Anvil.
Up until now, these were achievements that were unimaginable for children of ordinary noble families, and now their activities beyond the border have been added to this.
‘Guardian of the wild lands.’
The people who stopped the large-scale disturbance planned by the ‘Evil Eye’ after defeating the corrupted barbarians and the empire’s minions.
Of course, Count Hresvelg’s report did not fully describe the activities of Juder and Cordelia, but the achievements of the two were more than enough just by looking at the Battle of the Plains, which was the final battle.
‘But it’s not just about my major.’
The reason Uther and Cordelia were called a fantasy couple was not because of their fantastic exploits.
A couple who are not like each other.
These are the unstoppable kids who ran away in the middle of the night for love even though they were already engaged.
And the shameless letters left behind in the process.
It was hard to believe that these were the same people who had accomplished the feats listed above, but they were also true.
‘And the story of Darian.’
Darian was a good kid from the beginning.
A pure child who is affectionate, bright, and doesn’t yet know the fears of the world or the filth of people.
But that doesn’t mean he was stupid.
Darian also had an eye for people.
Moreover, the abilities that Darian had awakened as a member of the royal family were related to the eyes.
But Darian praised Uther and Cordelia so highly.
He even used the terms “sister” and “oppa” without hesitation.
‘The final blow.’
Activities at the Sword Banquet.
The duel with the Sword of Light clearly revealed how powerful Yuder’s current military power is.
‘Too strong.’
It was a skill that couldn’t even be compared to that of his peers.
It was a strength that overwhelmed even Lucas Hresvelg, formerly known as the Giraffe of the North.
‘The more I listen to them, the stranger they feel.’
Characters that arouse curiosity, making you ask yourself over and over again whether the main characters in all these stories are really the same person.
Of course, there was one really important reason added here, but even if it weren’t for that reason, Princess Daphne would have been in the same position as she is now.
“Anyway… I think I did a good job of making room. At least I was able to confirm one thing right away.”
What is the story?
Are you referring to the rumor that Uther and Cordelia themselves are in love with each other?
Cordelia, who had become nervous without realizing it, felt the air near her thigh, and Uther held her hand still.
Although they were both wearing gloves and so could not feel the warmth, Cordelia felt much better just from the fact that they were holding hands.
‘It’s sturdy.’
Should I say that I feel a sense of stability?
Cordelia, who found comfort in Uther’s firm hand, faced Princess Daphne again, and Princess Daphne suddenly got up from her seat, approached Cordelia, and spoke.
“You are truly beautiful, Cordelia.”
She spoke in a whisper, reaching out and caressing the side of Cordelia’s head, then slowly moving her hand down her neck. She continued speaking while gently placing her hand on Cordelia’s chest, who was tense and unable to move.
“Your scarf is crooked.”
A white scarf attached to the chest of a pink dress.
Princess Daphne took care of the scarf herself, and Cordelia bit her lip without realizing it.
‘What, what is it? Why am I feeling nervous?’
Why does my heart race so much when the same woman, a woman wearing a dress at that, fixes my scarf?
Cordelia, with a blush on her face, looked at Princess Daphne as if she was slightly possessed, and Uther squeezed her hand slightly but firmly to bring her back to her senses.
“Hehehe, so cute.”
Cordelia.
No, including Yuder.
Princess Daphne smiled slightly at the two of them, then instead of sitting back down, she placed a hand on Cordelia’s shoulder and looked down at Uther.
“Juder Bayer. The second son of Count Bayer, the swordsman.”
Just looking at the profile, it was obvious that he was strong.
That is because he must have trained in martial arts continuously since childhood.
But Princess Daphne had already reviewed Uther’s records several times.
Everyone knew that Yuder was born with a nine-syllable pulse, and that, because of that, he had been unable to do even basic physical training, let alone martial arts, until just half a year ago.
“What happened?”
It’s only been half a year.
What on earth have you been through in the meantime to become so strong now?
Princess Daphne gently wrapped her arm around Cordelia’s shoulder.
He looked straight into Yuder’s green eyes, which were the same color as his but different kind, and asked.
“Can you explain what makes you so strong?”
Princess Daphne’s eyes were cold and chilling.
That’s why Yuder answered plainly.
“I had many opportunities.”
A necklace of the sun that contains the power of Solari.
Meeting the Fairy Queen.
Consumption of sunflowers, etc.
Uder didn’t bother to list them all.
In fact, it was very strange that one person experienced all these coincidences in a short period of time.
“Coincidence.”
Princess Daphne smiled brightly. She patted Cordelia’s shoulder and continued speaking softly.
“Isn’t this some kind of contract with the devil?”
How to become strong in a very short period of time.
A pact with the devil.
Offering your soul to the overlord of hell and being reborn as a mine.
Suddenly, Cordelia raised her head and was about to say something in suspicion, but Uther tightened his grip on her hand as if to stop her.
Because I could tell because we were looking into each other’s eyes.
What Princess Daphne just said was not sincere.
“Well, that can’t be happening. You are none other than the disciple of the Paragon hero, Iron Man Landius.”
Princess Daphne tilted her head slightly as if to say, “Isn’t that so?” and gave him a playful look, and Uther responded with a small smile.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Because it wasn’t really a big secret.
This was a fact that was immediately known to all the knights of the Counts of Bayer and Hresvelg who were staying together in the Northern Viscounty.
“But even considering all of that… it’s true that it’s too strong. That’s why it’s good.”
Princess Daphne, who had been saying things that seemed like she knew something but didn’t, smiled gently and pulled up a chair and sat down next to Cordelia.
“So Cordelia, are the fairy stories true too?”
“Yes? Uh… yes. It’s true.”
I don’t know about anything else, but the story of meeting Paul Fairey was famous.
As Cordelia added the story of the Winter Fairies and the Wild Fairies she met in the Wild Lands, Princess Daphne stroked her chin and said:
“Hmm… That’s right. It’s not like there are any special conditions….”
“Your Majesty?”
“Actually, there is a place like that in the palace. There is a legend that fairies come out there… But I have never met a fairy there. Maybe it is because I am not pretty enough?”
When Princess Daphne, who had finished speaking mischievously, gave Cordelia a mischievous look, Cordelia was momentarily speechless and was dumbfounded, and Princess Daphne laughed as if she found Cordelia cute.
“Okay, I’ve decided. I’ll try the experiment with Cordelia.”
“An experiment?”
“Okay, experiment. Come back two nights later. We’ll take a bath together.”
“That place where fairies come out?”
“Yes, there. I’m also curious about the secret behind this wonderful hair.”
Princess Daphne, looking at Cordelia’s flowing hair, then turned her gaze to Uther.
“Juder Bayer, can you lend me your fiancée?”
“If Cordelia accepts, I’m fine with it.”
“-They say?”
Princess Daphne looked at Cordelia again, who fidgeted with the hand she was holding with Uther before answering.
“I… will go.”
“Hehehe, thank you for accepting. I look forward to that day.”
Princess Daphne, who had been getting closer to Cordelia, straightened her posture again and suddenly asked with narrowed eyes.
“It feels like you’ve done some kind of magic to my head… Can you tell me the secret?”
“How about leaving it as a curiosity for two days later?”
Princess Daphne smiled again and nodded as Uther responded gently.
“Okay, I’m looking forward to the night after two more days.”
And that was it.
Princess Daphne, who had spent some time chatting about the events that had occurred in the wild lands, personally helped Cordelia to her feet and said her goodbyes.
“Well, I look forward to meeting you in two days. Of course, today’s meeting was also enjoyable.”
“We had a lot of fun too.”
“I appreciate your time.”
After Cordelia and Uther answered in turn, Princess Daphne allowed them to leave, and the tea party came to an end with Uther and Cordelia leaving the garden.
And then about ten seconds later.
After some time had passed since Uther and Cordelia had left the garden, Princess Daphne sat down on her chair and raised her voice.
“What do you think?”
A firm answer came in a much softer and more comfortable voice than when he had spoken to Uder and Cordelia.
“Not bad.”
A very handsome blond young man walked out from a corner of the flower garden where the arrangement of flowers and trees formed a sort of barrier.
Prince Dion, Princess Daphne’s strongest ally and trusted companion.
Princess Daphne slumped her shoulders at his assessment and asked again.
“It’s not that bad?”
“For now. They seem like good guys, but the time we spent with them was too short. However… I think their abilities are certain.”
“Why?”
“You noticed me.”
“Landius’ disciple?”
“Landius’ disciple too.”
Princess Daphne frowned slightly at Prince Dion’s answer. It was an inevitable story.
“Are you saying Cordelia noticed you too?”
“Oh, actually, faster than Landius’ disciples.”
The reason Cordelia was flustered when she first encountered Princess Daphne was not simply because she was overwhelmed by Princess Daphne’s charisma.
Because I noticed the presence of Prince Dion hiding in the corner.
Princess Daphne asked again, her brows furrowed.
“Because you’re a wizard?”
“I didn’t use any exploration magic. Furthermore, this garden is my magical territory. Any clumsy tricks would be immediately obvious.”
“then?”
“I have a good feeling.”
Almost to the level of wild animals.
Closer to a beast than a human.
“Should I have just come out and met you?”
“No, there are things I have gained thanks to observing while hiding. Furthermore… the more careful I am, the better, right? These two people may determine our fate… and even the fate of the Kingdom of Cailun.”
Two people of destiny.
Princess Daphne nodded slowly at Prince Dion’s words.
Uther and Cordelia stared blankly at the door of the flower garden.
&
Outside the flower garden.
Cordelia, who came out into the hallway guided by the palace staff, immediately turned her gaze to Yuder.
‘Hey! What if I allow it!’
‘What? A bath?’
‘Oh, bath. It’s kind of scary!’
Princess Daphne.
She was clearly a beautiful, cool, and charismatic queen, but somehow she also gave off a scary vibe.
‘What could happen? And it’s an opportunity.’
‘A chance to become friends with the princess?’
‘An opportunity to actively promote shampoo and conditioner.’
Cordelia rolled her eyes at Uther’s answer, and Uther coughed again before speaking with message magic.
[And if you do well, you might even be able to meet a fairy. If there’s a fairy in the royal palace… it’s likely to be a summer fairy, right?]
[Oh, maybe. Wait, you didn’t just tear the scroll, did you? You just used magic?]
[Message magic is simple.]
Cordelia frowned as Uther shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.
[Anyway, this is why talented people have no luck.]
[Hey, you also mastered the lightning-quick Whirlwind?]
[That is that and this is this.]
[Your conscience still has hairs on it. Is that why you said it was warm?]
[Yeah, it’s so warm. I love it.]
[Good. Anyway, you noticed it too, right?]
[Prince Dion?]
[Oh, we were watching from a hiding place.]
[Ugh… Do we look bad?]
[I don’t think so… I feel like there’s more reason to be cautious.]
Something that Yuder himself doesn’t know.
Information that only Princess Daphne might have.
[Haa… Anyway, I have to come back in two days.]
[Don’t worry, I’ll decorate it properly then too.]
When Uther smiled and gave him a look, Cordelia responded with a look that said that was worrying.
But that was just then.
Uther and Cordelia suddenly straightened their posture and looked straight ahead.
Because someone was taking steps towards this side – or more precisely, towards Princess Daphne’s garden.
Gray hair that reveals one’s age.
But with a body that is incomparably neat and sharp, and with fierce eyes.
Uther and Cordelia knew who he was.
‘National Defense Merit.’
The mastermind behind the massacre of the royal family, and the final boss who must be stopped in this battle in the capital.
Originally, it was the law that a person of lower status could not greet someone before a person of higher status spoke to him.
Because of this, the palace staff stopped walking to wait for the Duke of Hoguk to speak, and so did Yuder and Cordelia.
However, the Duke of Hoguk did not speak to Uder and Cordelia. He simply looked at them with cold eyes and passed them by, then went to the flower garden.
[Nothing will happen… right?]
Because the mastermind behind the royal family massacre was on his way to meet Princess Daphne.
Uther nodded in response to Cordelia’s worried question.
[Because it’s not the National Foundation Day yet.]
The Duke of Hoguk was a leader of the royalists, and as such, he was in frequent contact with Princess Daphne, the next king.
Perhaps today’s meeting was not of that great significance.
[Well then, that’s fortunate······.]
Cordelia bit her lip slightly, then grabbed Yuder’s hand, which she had been holding tightly since the tea party began.
One of the Ten Swords, the Guardian of the Nation.
An opponent that we will have to fight directly in about two weeks.
[It’ll be okay. Because I have the best sword.]
Uther said, and Cordelia nodded again.
I took a step forward, suppressing my ominous feeling.
&
At the same time, in a place far from the capital.
A man frowned at an old temple located on the border between the center and the north.
I spoke out loud without realizing it.
“Pink…bomb?”
A name so strangely unique that once you hear it you will never forget it.
And now, four words you absolutely must remember.
The man, the necromancer Belkian, folded the letter with his long, thin fingers and looked up to the northeast.
It was the direction where the royal capital was located.
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< Chapter 63 - Crown Princess #2 > End
