CHAPTER 129……………………………….
Following my gaze, I saw a woman standing among burly men.
Her black hair was braided long, tied neatly, and she wore pants that allowed easy movement.
Her skin was naturally tanned from the sun, giving her a healthy look.
She approached us and stopped.
“I’m Leatrice. You don’t have to treat me like a princess here, so feel free.”
“I’m Marianne Delve.”
She looked a little different from the image I had of a princess in a frilly dress.
She was Princess Leatrice of the Hemel Kingdom.
The crown prince had apparently fallen for her at first sight.
Moreover, I don’t think Leatrice even existed in the original novel. This was the first time I had met her.
She, with her healthy complexion, said:
“You came through the cracks in the rocks? The fact that the rocks moved at all is impressive, but that you got through them… I really like that.”
Unexpectedly, I had earned the princess’s favor.
She went on to explain the current situation.
A messenger bird had been sent to request reinforcements, and the Hemel Kingdom would soon send troops.
Actually, if the Empire, a powerful nation, sent magical researchers or the like, this could have been easily solved.
But the emperor of the Empire not only didn’t help, he even delayed sending the news.
‘What a terrible person!’
“I’ve received a letter of apology. From His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
As she relayed this, Princess Leatrice’s cheeks seemed to blush slightly.
Her faint smile made it look like there was something going on between them.
‘Wait, what? So the crown prince isn’t the only one who likes her?’
I decided to ignore it for now and said:
“From tomorrow, I’ll do my best to help.”
“Ann?”
“Oh, not entirely. I’ll use magic while taking care of my body at the same time.”
I quickly amended my words after sensing Ron’s sharp gaze.
Leatrice looked surprised.
“You’re going to use magic? So you’re a mage?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Oh my!”
Covering her mouth with both hands, she was delighted like a child.
Since the Hemel Kingdom didn’t have mages, seeing one in person—something she had only read about in books—was unbelievable to her.
Watching her bounce around, I scratched my forehead.
‘I think… I just gained another fan.’
And the next day, my prediction proved correct.
Bang. Crash. Boom.
Thanks to the rest, I was able to channel mana into my body and smash several massive rocks.
Princess Leatrice, watching, clapped her hands nonstop like a doll.
The knights, too, couldn’t close their gaping mouths.
As for me, I felt embarrassed.
“Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve used magic in front of so many people.”
“Now everyone will know your power, hoot.”
Cautz crossed his arms and scanned the knights.
Of course, only one of them looked at me sympathetically.
“Ann, are you okay? Your head? Your body?”
“Ron, I’m fine.”
I was about to say this was just a warm-up when Ron spread his arms slightly, saying I should lean on him if I felt weak, so I quickly held my head.
“Hmm. I feel a little dizzy.”
I rested my head on Ron’s solid chest.
Ah… I want to stay like this all day.
Now that I think about it, I really might be a bit sick.
I was just convincing myself that I was okay, that I wasn’t dizzy…
“Ah!”
Suddenly, my body was lifted into the air.
“Ann, you can’t be hurt! Let’s go lie down!”
I felt my ears sting from Ron’s shout as he scooped me up.
“No, Ron, my head’s fine…”
I tried to say, but looking up at his expression, it was extremely fierce.
His bright red eyes glowed like a wild beast.
His dark blue hair whipped in the wind as he ran.
It was as if he’d do anything if the path wasn’t cleared.
Hey, Ron? I’m really not that hurt!
“I can’t hear anyone telling me to get out of the way!”
Whoa… I saw the knights instantly split to either side.
Their faces showed extreme embarrassment.
Of course, mine must have been red too.
Ah. Embarrassment is mine alone.
I had no choice but to hide my face in Ron’s arms.
Yes, Ron. Run. Run wherever you are.
Thanks to Ron, the rest had helped—my condition had improved.
I felt much better than before.
At this rate, I might be able to blow up quite a few rock piles today.
“Miss Delve.”
Turning at the voice, I saw Princess Leatrice.
“Your Highness.”
I bowed slightly, holding my skirt, but Leatrice frowned.
“Even though I’m not a princess here, just call me Lea.”
“Yes. I’ll try.”
She had a cheerful and lively personality.
Even during a short break, she would play, rolling on the ground with the large knights.
If the royal family of the Triya Empire saw her, they might be shocked.
Of course, I personally preferred Princess Leatrice’s side.
“I have something to show you. I thought it would be better to ask you rather than worrying alone.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“Wait, come here.”
Inside her tent, I saw:
“Golden armor, huh?”
Even though sunlight barely reached it, the gold gleamed brightly.
And I knew immediately:
This was custom-made by the Belzure Guild.
‘I remember the crown prince saying, “She approached covered in monster sludge and dirt, and even my golden armor got dirty.”’
He had also said, with a wistful look in his eyes:
“The important thing is that she’s the first to treat me so carelessly.”
Could this be something the crown prince ordered?
He gave it to Leatrice as a gift!
And my guess was correct.
She confessed that she received it from the crown prince when she was in the Loudne region.
“At first, I was so surprised I wanted to refuse, but he threatened that he’d destroy it if I didn’t accept.”
No, what did the gold do to deserve this!
Just imagining the golden armor breaking hurt my heart.
Anyway, the crown prince confessed in such a way to the one he liked.
Next time I meet him, I need to let him know properly.
Princess Leatrice isn’t the type to go crazy over something like golden armor.
‘This kind of thing only works on me.’
I thought so…
‘…Huh?’
Suddenly, Leatrice pressed her cheek against the golden armor, nuzzling it.
“I’ve never seen such splendid armor. I thought any armor would do until now, but precious things really are different. And yet, he even thought I might refuse it.”
“….”
Clearly, Leatrice was the crown prince’s destined partner.
I had thought they would be completely different characters, but they were the same.
“How do you see His Highness, the Crown Prince?”
“He’s like the sun. When I face him, he shines.”
“Indeed… I thought I’d go blind when I first saw him too.”
Because of all those flashy accessories.
Ignoring my sour expression, Leatrice’s cheeks were flushed as she said:
“So I couldn’t give this armor back to him. I always want to be with the sun.”
She’s in love.
At least it was mutual, thankfully.
But even if both liked each other, as the crown prince of the Empire and a princess of a kingdom, it wouldn’t be easy to show their feelings.
Moreover…
“I heard the Empire’s founding festival is next year. Then… I heard there will be a wedding.”
Leatrice forced a smile, trying to hide her sadness.
“I feel like I should sincerely congratulate them. It can’t be helped.”
“Lea…”
“I’m really okay.”
Seeing her smile as she said she was fine, I felt a pang of sympathy.
Next year, the crown prince and Bianca’s wedding, scheduled for the founding festival.
But for now, the crown prince’s heart was with Leatrice, and she liked him too.
I wanted to connect them if I could.
‘The crown prince was also the first to tell me about the landslide.’
Besides, he and I had a special(?) connection.
A deep bond formed through Roro and Poppy’s romance.
I wanted to help, but there were a lot of obstacles.
Among them, especially Bianca.
Even setting aside the Triya Empire and Hemel Kingdom, Bianca was the main concern.
‘A few years ago, she was eliminated from the candidate for crown princess, and it was devastating for her.’
Not only Bianca, but the entire Alter family was shocked.
Of course, her divine power was revealed, and she became the crown princess again.
But if the crown prince married Princess Leatrice, what would happen to Bianca?
‘…Ominous. Scary.’
It felt like something bad was bound to happen.
Moreover, the Empire wouldn’t let go of Bianca with her strong divine power.
Just when I thought there was no choice, Leatrice grasped my hand tightly.
“Please deliver this to him. It’s my last letter.”
“Your last letter?”
“Yes.”
“Why give this to me…?”
A small letter in her hand.
What could be in a letter marked as the last one?
“His Highness, the Crown Prince, mentioned our friendship in his letters. That’s why I’m entrusting it to you. The letter… and my inevitable feelings, all of it.”
“…!”
Sigh. I had ended up receiving both the letter and Leatrice’s feelings.
