Part 2 Chapter 109
***
“Let’s see how he feels when he comes home and I’m not there!”
With that fiery determination, I packed my things and ran away from home.
…Only to end up at—
“Bania?”
—the Duke’s mansion, just ten minutes from the palace.
Yeah. Where else would I even go if I ran away?
So sad. Truly pathetic.
“I was just about to go see you at the palace!”
A familiar voice called out—Krista, loading things onto a carriage, rushed over and hugged me.
“Go? Go where?”
“To the main estate! The Duke called us.”
“Huh?”
Ryan?
He’s in Belzer right now.
And currently, only three members of our family were in the capital: Krista, Richard, and Prince Marchen.
“I figured you hadn’t been contacted, so I was going to leave without you and the prince.”
Krista pulled a letter from her pocket.
All members of House Belzer are to gather immediately for an urgent family meeting concerning a matter of grave importance.
—Head of House, Ryan Belzer.
“What! Why didn’t I get one?”
“Well, you’re a Valencier now, right?”
Wow…
Betrayal!
Shock!
“What kind of nonsense is that?! I’m a Belzer by blood! Why am I being left out of something this important?!”
“Haha, you’re busy moving into the Grand Duchy soon. We can’t just drag the Crown Princess around.”
“Ughhh!”
As I fumed, Krista’s eyes flicked toward the palace guards behind me, carrying all my luggage.
“…Did you run away from home?”
Sharp as always.
“Yup.”
“Why?!”
“What do you think?”
“No idea, but I’m sure it’s your husband’s fault. Want me to rip him apart?”
Sniff. This is why I came here.
Family—always on my side.
“No ripping! Okay, so here’s what happened…”
“Vania?”
Then Richard appeared, surprised, with Marchen behind him.
“Oh no, wait, wait…”
Of all times—they were just about to leave for Belzer.
Marchen was the only one staying, likely because as a regression ability user, I needed him nearby.
Krista frowned, conflicted.
“This is serious, I really should go.”
I held my stomach and thought hard.
‘Long-distance travel might be risky…’
…But?
‘I’ll be fine!’
I’m the all-powerful wielder of the Fountain of Purification, Restoration of Light, and Chrono Reversal!
I can handle anything.
“Your Highness! Get ready—we’re going too!”
“Huh? Bania, you’re coming?”
After a short internal debate, I told the sleepy, bed-headed Marchen:
“Guards, load my luggage into that carriage!”
Pointing to the Belzer family’s carriage.
My runaway plans were definitely escalating—but whatever.
Since it’s come to this, I’ll just go see my dear lion and give him the good news.
Let’s go see Uncle, baby bunny!
***
Meanwhile, in Belzer.
Inside the room of genius magi-engineer Rivan.
After a year on research leave from the Academy, his invention was finally complete—a power suppressor.
A transparent, cube-shaped magic crystal shimmered faintly white, with a single switch on top to turn powers on or off.
“Brother, did it work?”
Alexander asked excitedly.
“Dunno. We’re about to find out.”
Just as Rivan was about to flip the switch, he paused.
“If this thing actually works, everyone will freak out if I suddenly lose all power. I’ll test it for one second and turn it off fast.”
“Yes, sir.”
“So when I turn it on, you check if your power still works.”
“Uh…?”
Alexander blinked.
“You mean, die?”
“Oh. Right.”
Rivan clicked his tongue.
Alexander’s ability: Blood of Immortality.
It only activates when he dies.
“Guess you can’t test it.”
Then the door flew open—Ryan walked in.
“Hey, perfect timing, bro!”
Rivan grinned and reached for the switch.
“Try using your ability and—wait.”
Pause.
Ryan frowned.
“You want me to kill someone? Who, you?”
“…Right.”
The two brothers sighed.
No one available who could safely test it.
“Why rush?” Ryan said, picking his ear lazily.
“I just sent out a summons. Everyone will be here soon. Wait and test it then.”
“Good idea.”
Rivan nodded, then looked at him curiously.
“You’re really not telling Bania?”
“What, about the meeting?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s the point? She can’t come anyway.”
“Still, shouldn’t you tell her you’re leaving?”
“Hmm.”
Alexander added, “You’ll be gone half a year. Just invite her.”
Ryan scratched his cheek.
“Hmmm…”
Truth be told, Ryan really missed his sister. But she’s married now—and to the royal family at that—so he restrained himself.
“…Yeah, guess not.”
He swallowed the regret.
***
Outskirts of the capital, at a flower farm.
Third Prince Nike Valencier’s aide and commander of the Royal Knights, Liner Kruetz, stood waiting.
When the carriage stopped, Nike stepped out—alone.
“Your Highness! Seriously?”
Liner sighed.
Married or not, at least pretend to be a gentleman!
He turned to the young lady inside.
“Allow me, Lady Lena.”
She smiled softly, taking his hand.
“Thank you, Sir Liner.”
Beautiful, too. He blushed a little.
“Liner, wait.”
Nike’s voice stopped him.
“What—huh?”
Two familiar figures blocked their way.
White-haired knight Carly, and her partner Max.
“Her Highness’s personal guards?” Liner thought, puzzled.
Why were they here?
“Stay in the carriage, Lady Lena,” he whispered, already uneasy.
Nike, meanwhile, frowned.
Carly was always at Vania’s side—why was she here, armed and glaring?
Her eyes were cold, hand ready to draw her sword.
A bad feeling churned in Nike’s gut.
“Answer me. Why aren’t you guarding the Princess?” he demanded.
“Are you worried about Her Highness?” Carly shot back sharply.
His heart dropped.
Carly and Max—he knew them well.
Agents who’d once infiltrated Bassenberg to eliminate an ability user—unyielding, disciplined, terrifyingly loyal.
So if they were here now…
“I trust you remember,” Carly said evenly, “that I once risked my life infiltrating the enemy. It means I’ll do anything to protect what I must.”
“…What are you implying?”
“It means even though you’re a prince, I won’t hesitate to draw my sword. So answer honestly.”
“What insolence—!”
Liner began, but Nike stopped him.
“Quiet!”
If something had happened to Bania, he couldn’t risk it.
If Carly was rebelling—or worse, if Bania was in danger—he had to play along.
“…Fine. Ask your question.”
“Who is the woman inside that carriage?”
“…What?”
He blinked.
“What do you—”
“We know your ‘training trips’ were lies. Tell us exactly where you’ve been these past two months and what you’ve been doing with that woman.”
“WHAT?!”
Liner gaped.
Nike let out a slow, incredulous laugh.
“So… you tailed me?”
Carly nodded silently.
Of course. What wife wouldn’t suspect after repeated absences and bad excuses?
‘So she did doubt me.’
His lips twitched.
If Bania had sent her guards to follow him, that meant she still cared—worried enough to be jealous.
The realization made his chest warm.
“She really…”
He exhaled in relief.
Suspicious? Possessive? Obsessive?
Perfect.
He’d never be bored with her around.
“Ha… wow. Unbelievable,” he muttered, grinning like a fool.
“….”
“….”
Max leaned toward Carly and whispered,
“He’s… enjoying this.”
“Yeah,” she sighed.
