Chapter 75 …
“My life is in danger, but I must never show panic.”
The weak are easy targets.
Fortunately, maintaining composure was not difficult.
It matters where you swim. Having spent so much time dealing with deranged people in this place, I could remain calm even with a sword pointed at me.
To avoid showing weakness, I deliberately spoke to Bons in a more overbearing tone.
“Rude. If you want to avoid bringing shame to the name of the Erin-dor Divine Kingdom, perhaps cleaning this up should come first.”
I glanced at the dagger pressed to my throat, but Bons’ hand didn’t move an inch. At first, it seemed like a refusal, but having faced Shadows several times, I could read the subtle currents of thought.
Even a moment of reflection would reveal that Bons had more to lose than gain by killing me now.
Moreover, if I could read his intentions, he would not think I had summoned this meeting for no reason.
“……”
As expected.
Given a moment to think, Bons’ dagger soon dropped from my neck.
I wasn’t entirely pleased, but it would be troublesome if something like this happened again.
“Just this once.”
Scritch!
I left a small warning across Bons’ cheek.
“There won’t be a next time.”
“……So you’re a villainess after all, unlike the rumors.”
Bons muttered to himself loud enough for me to hear and picked up his glasses from the floor. His hand had gripped harder than intended, leaving one side of his face red and swollen.
Yet, he looked at me with dry eyes, as if such a wound meant nothing.
“You’ll soon see whether my nature is good or evil.”
“Then let’s hear what tricks you have in that head of yours, to add to my knowledge of Levieta Grimlaw.”
“Tricks? You make it sound like I’m planning something bad.”
“Well, hitting someone doesn’t count as a crime, so that fact is already proven. Isn’t that right? You femme fatale who tried to sell your husband.”
Ha! I laughed and grabbed the tip of Bons’ chin.
“Was my warning insufficient? Be careful. If your tongue gets too smooth, you’ll pay the price.”
“Now I’m curious what that price might be. But first, we should get to the purpose of this meeting.”
Bons stepped back from me and crossed his arms. Even like that, overpowering me physically would take only seconds, but what mattered was that he officially signaled he had no intent to attack.
“This should be polite enough. Now, answer me. Why did you approach me? How did you find out I am a spy inside Grimlaw? Tell me everything you know, leaving nothing out.”
“Oh my. You’re very interested in me, aren’t you?”
“……”
“Alright. Since you said you hate wasting time, let’s stop joking. You should know I recognized the disguised Shadow. You were so perceptive that even the suspiciously clumsy Caulen’s secretary drew my suspicion.”
“There’s some strangeness there, but let’s move past it. So?”
“The reason I risked myself to act like I knew you is because I wanted to meet the Saintess.”
“I have nothing to say. Is that even a reasonable thing to say?”
“Impossible, perhaps. But once you know the card I hold, your thoughts might change.”
Bons nodded as if willing to listen, albeit cautiously, and I was certain of victory.
The outcome of this duel went exactly as expected.
A windowless room. The suffocating darkness was only broken by a lonely candle.
After the black cloth covering my eyes was removed, I blinked several times, unable to endure the flickering light.
Eventually, I adjusted to the dim glow, but I had no idea where I was, or whether it was day or night.
“If I hadn’t known, I’d think I’d been kidnapped.”
Blindfolded and with ears covered, I was quietly led by Bons. At some point, someone else replaced him as my guide. Now, upon opening my eyes, I was alone in the room.
Beyond the heavily closed door, no sound indicated life. The more I breathed deeply and surveyed my surroundings, the more the silence seemed to swallow me.
“How long will I have to wait?”
Endless waiting was a fight against anxiety. I tried to steady myself and adjusted my posture, but the hard backrest was uncomfortable.
As I grew weary under the pressure of time, finally the footsteps I had been waiting for reached my ears. Light, yet deliberate, they sliced through the air.
Clack.
The door opened, and she appeared. Knowing her identity, I swallowed hard without realizing it.
“The Saintess protagonist is right in front of me…!”
Her soft pink hair reflected the light gently, cascading like waves. Her clear, transparent eyes were like the purest jewels in the world.
She closed the door and walked lightly to sit across from me.
“You had a hard time coming here, didn’t you?”
Her voice was so clear it felt purifying. But it was not merely gentle; the firmness within it hinted that she was no ordinary person.
“Indeed.”
If Rosinante was the least ordinary person, she would be second.
I nodded carefully, careful not to show my nervousness.
“No, it was nothing. I arrived in the blink of an eye.”
She seemed to read my thoughts because she smiled faintly.
“I’m glad it wasn’t uncomfortable for you, but I should tell you the truth: this territory belongs to the Erin-dor Divine Kingdom.”
“……What?”
In other words, I had crossed the border without realizing it. Even if my senses were blocked, is it really okay to bring in someone from an enemy nation so easily? And I am the daughter of a duke and the current imperial princess consort; if something went wrong…
“It’s safer this way than letting the Saintess appear.”
Since she merely smiled without explanation, I drew my own conclusion.
She spoke again.
“I’m late with introductions, aren’t I? I am Serael, the Saintess of the Erin-dor Divine Kingdom.”
“Ah, I am……”
“I know. You are Levieta Grimlaw, the 13th princess consort.”
My favorite character knows I exist.
That I’m talking to her on equal footing!
This must not be a dream.
My heart, already racing when I met Serael, now felt like it would explode.
Ah, Serael. I love you! I read the original novel to the very end all because of you.
Just as my words of devotion were about to slip out, Serael spoke meaningfully.
“I also know you used the Apostle of Light to meet me.”
“……”
It hit me like a blow to the head. I had momentarily forgotten in my excitement at meeting my favorite, but as the Saintess of the Divine Kingdom, Serael and I, a princess consort of the Empire, were clear enemies.
All the feelings I had for her were one-sided. Even confessing my heart immediately would not convince her.
Of course. And yet, I almost ruined the negotiation after finally meeting her.
Fan love is terrifying.
“Using someone… isn’t wrong. I had to do anything to meet Saintess Serael.”
“I’ll thank you in advance. From now, you’ll explain in detail why you wanted to meet me so desperately.”
Serael answered skillfully, a mask-like smile on her face. Her gesture, tapping the table lightly, drew my eyes.
Her demeanor suggested someone familiar with negotiations. She continued speaking.
“According to Bons’ report, this is a negotiation for mutual healing, but I came to meet directly because of it. Tell me, is his statement true?”
“Mostly true.”
Control of the conversation shifted to me. Knowing that Serael, despite her delicate appearance, was not someone easily swayed, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
I quickly, but carefully to avoid appearing anxious, got to the point.
“My family… or rather, someone as close as family, is gravely ill. If you heal him with your divine power, I promise resurrection as compensation.”
“Resurrection? Who do you mean to resurrect…?”
Before I could even answer, Serael already knew.
Her face, previously showing only a gentle smile, instantly became one of shock.
