Chapter 123

Things truly began to go off course as the sun climbed high toward midday.

“Your Highness!”

“…Hm?”

Riana, who had been overseeing the training of Belruum knights alongside Leteum, turned her head at the urgent call.

A knight who had just gone toward the entrance of the training grounds came running back, carefully holding out a glowing communication orb.

“A communication orb?”

“Yes, Your Highness. A servant asked me to deliver it—it is a call from His Majesty.”

“From His Majesty?”

Blinking in surprise, Riana quickly took the orb from the knight’s hand.

It kept flashing insistently, as though urging her to answer.

“I’ll step out for a moment—keep practicing on your own!”

Calling that out to the knights, Riana walked swiftly toward the outer edge of the grounds.

When she felt she’d gone far enough, she tapped the orb twice. At once, the transparent surface shimmered and revealed the face she longed to see.

—“Riana.”

Seeing her appear on his side as well, Ianheart’s slightly tousled hair framed a face that softened visibly.

—“Have you been well?”

“Of course. I was just watching Leteum and Belruum’s training. But more importantly—what about you? How is it there?”

Riana spoke quickly without meaning to. She had been restless all morning since Ianheart had left on troubling business.

—“I arrived and looked around first. No monsters in sight. But the witnesses… their condition hasn’t improved. They’re still trembling uncontrollably and muttering nonsense.”

What on earth had they seen for all of them to end up like that?

Riana’s expression grew grave.

—“Still, don’t worry too much. There’s at least some progress.”

Ianheart’s words brought her a flicker of relief.

“Really?”

—“Yes. We found some strange traces, so I’m investigating further. But it looks like I won’t make it back this morning.”

“Ah…”

Riana sighed softly as she looked at his face through the orb.

The situation was turning out more complicated than expected.

—“Honestly, I wanted to return early, but I may not make it back until evening. That’s why I contacted you.”

So that was the reason for the call.

Swallowing her disappointment, Riana nodded slowly.

Today, she had planned to hand him the dagger she had finally completed, apologize for her delay, and confess her feelings.

But she wasn’t so thoughtless as to cling to her plan when the situation was this dire.

She wanted to ask about the traces, or when exactly he could return, but just then, a faint voice called to Ianheart from his side.

“Someone’s calling you…”

When Riana murmured that, Ianheart turned his head and answered curtly, “I’ll be right there,” before looking back at her with a sigh.

Things must have been urgent.

—“Sorry. I could only spare a short moment.”

“No, I should thank you. You’re busy, yet you still called… just, don’t push yourself too hard. Stay safe.”

Riana forced a smile and waved lightly.

Ianheart, looking tired, still returned her smile.

—“You too, don’t overdo it. I’ll try to come back as soon as I can.”

“Mm, I understand.”

The call ended quickly—an unfortunate update, but seeing his face had eased her heart.

“…There’s still plenty of time.”

If not today evening, then tomorrow.

She consoled herself with that thought.

But only a few hours later—

After lunch, she had cheered up Rune, who sulked about not getting enough attention. Just when she had cleaned herself and dressed anew, she faced an infuriating turn of events.

Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, the Minister of the Interior has sent a message.”

The Minister of the Interior—Count Chadwick, Ianheart’s closest confidant, and Laura Giselle’s father.

What business does he have with me now…?

Puzzled, Riana called out, “Come in.”

A neatly dressed attendant hurried in and bowed.

“I greet Your Highness.”

“Speak. What message did the minister send?”

“A foreign delegation has arrived—two days earlier than scheduled. But with His Majesty absent, the minister asks if Your Highness could receive them in his stead.”

Riana’s brows knit.

Delegations were expected to follow their announced schedule. Arriving earlier—or later—was considered discourteous.

While circumstances could sometimes justify it, this smelled of something else.

“Which country?”

“It is Roan.”

Damn it.

Of course. The ominous guess in her gut was right.

Her homeland.

Suppressing a sigh, Riana realized why Count Chadwick had sent directly to her. If it had been any other country, he would have handled it himself. But since this was her own motherland, soon to become the empress’s family, he had deferred to her.

“Where are they waiting?”

“At Ji-yu Palace, with the minister.”

“Very well. Tell him I will prepare and come shortly. Ask them to wait a little longer.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The attendant bowed deeply and left.

Riana closed her eyes briefly, breathing deeply before opening them again—her gaze now sharp and cold.

The leader of the delegation was said to be Reindel.

“…A person should at least know shame.”

The icy words made the air in the room chill.

“—Hic.”

“….”

Betty and Daisy, startled by her sudden shift, hiccupped softly. Laura, who knew more of Riana’s past than the others, only sighed inwardly.

Then Riana turned back with a serene smile, as if nothing had happened.

“Betty, Daisy.”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness!”

“Put my hair up again. Only one accessory—the most expensive one.”

“…Pardon?”

Betty and Daisy gawked, since her hair was already done.

Riana’s eyes moved to Laura.

“Laura.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring me the dress His Majesty gifted—the one I swore I’d never wear.”

“…You said you’d rather die than wear it.”

“I’ve changed my mind. I like it very much now.”

Laura hesitated, then sighed and went to fetch it.

“Y-Your Highness, really?”

Betty asked, her face oddly bright with excitement.

“That’s the one we begged you to wear once, and you refused…”

Daisy chimed in, equally thrilled, helping remove the jewelry.

The dress Riana referred to was Ianheart’s extravagant gift:

A gown with subtle embroidery and flowing navy silk skirts scattered with top-grade diamonds like a starry sky. Semi-sheer sleeves shimmered faintly, dusted with jewel powder. Its matching jewelry was crafted by a master artisan.

Lavish to the extreme.

And it came with Ianheart’s whisper: “It will suit your hair perfectly.”

“…I’ll wear it just for today.”

Her reply, a beat late, made Betty and Daisy beam. Their mistress was softhearted—if they begged again later, reminding her of today, she would probably relent.

At last, after half an hour of leisurely preparation, Riana left Emerald Palace.

Count Chadwick might have been waiting with Reindel, but she had warned Laura to give him word, so he would understand.

“Her Highness, the Princess, arrives!”

The gown was dazzling—more than enough to crush Reindel’s spirit.

The man always pretended to be gentle, but he was more ambitious than he let on.

“…Riana?”

As the doors opened and Riana entered, Reindel’s eyes went wide, as if they might pop out.