Chaos ensued, and a few days passed. Sylvester lay low for the next two weeks as the entire Marashia was on high alert. The Emperor was furious, as many grand plans had been abruptly ruined. Several scapegoat knights and wizards were executed, but the investigation remained fruitless.
"Today, we will go to the northern administrative city. They have the finest tavern and parks for relaxation," Princess Fernis chirped excitedly while adjusting her headscarf, as the previous one had become sweaty.
In the days they spent together, she had become more open and daring with Sylvester. She cared not about his identity or social status, attempting to be overly friendly. She made him remove his helmet, held his arm, and even surprised him by climbing on his back. It was difficult to determine if she genuinely behaved that way or if it was all an act.
"No helmet today. The administrative city is very secure, and it's primarily inhabited by nobles," she insisted openly. "I will introduce you to my friends today. Let them be envious, hehe! They all have elderly guards."
"..."
'If Cardinal hadn't confessed, I would never have doubted her to such an extent. She's definitely something.'
For the time being, Sylvester followed her orders as he needed to get closer to her in order to eventually approach the Emperor. Furthermore, he often wondered if Princess Fernis was the Shadow of Masan, but ultimately dismissed the notion.
The Shadow of Masan had resided in Jartel County of Gracia for ten years, plotting the downfall of the Gracia Kingdom. However, the princess was merely sixteen years old at present, making it impossible for her to be the Shadow of Masan—she hadn't even been born during that time.
With little enthusiasm, he accompanied her to the administrative city. Miraj, as always, perched on top of his head. The loyal fluffy cat had a purpose this time—to shield Sylvester's bald head from the scorching desert heat.
Thus, the two watched the princess jump around, purchasing items she would never use and dumping them in her carriage. Clothes, daggers, paintings—anything she could find, she felt compelled to buy.
"Maxy, pleeeease..." Miraj suddenly whispered, fixated on a clothing shop displaying a ball of yarn.
'He never makes any demands normally. No harm in spoiling him a little for his amazing help.' Sylvester reckoned and stopped the princess.
"Your Highness, may I purchase something?" he asked her politely.
Princess Fernis' eyes shined with stars. "Finally! What do you want? I will buy you anything you want. Do you want a new armor? Or perhaps a sword? Maybe a leather bag would suit you nicely... No! Let's buy a silky new cape."
"Princess, I'm buying a ball of yarn, that's all," Sylvester informed her and wasted no time flipping a coin to the shop owner and picking the ball of yarn.
Fernis watched Sylvester with her shoulders slowly falling. "Why? Are you interested in sewing? You can tell the royal tailor to do anything you want."
He shrugged. "It's merely a hobby, princess. Let's continue on your journey."
She sighed and headed to meet her friends in the park. It was an enclosed area with a vast area decorated with green grass, small lakes, and many trees with flower beds. There were also a few deer and adorable dogs roaming around, living their best lives.
"We call this the garden of new life," Princess Fernis said. "A few of us noble ladies gather here to get some fresh air and talk about our mundane, boring lives. Daughters of the Magistrate General and Grand Premier will also be here. But, those conniving foxes—be careful of them, Jack.
"And don't be so stiff," she added. "Show me some of your charm and charisma. Let them know you're the best. Maybe challenge their bodyguards to a duel and humiliate them—yes, I'd like that very much."
That was the disguised form of saying she wanted him to do that. Being with her, Sylvester had understood that the princess had some controlling and possessive tendencies that were hard to notice ordinarily.
In silence, he followed her to the middle of the park. There was a white table beside the lake, under the shade of a big tree. A few women sat around it, looking posh in their expensive clothes and jewelry. They drank something while talking and laughing.
The moment Princess Fernis arrived there, they all stood up and bowed from their waists while lifting the hem of their dresses. They were all wives of aristocrats of the highest level, their husbands being men around the Emperor. Likewise, powerful men chose beautiful women, so all five women were great middle-aged brown or dark-skinned beauties.
"Your Highness!"
"How are you, princess?"
One of the women ran to help Fernis sit by pulling her chair back. "Please…"
Thud!
The woman didn't properly push the chair, and Fernis nearly fell from her seat if not for her holding the table for support. She looked back with glaring eyes but said nothing.
"You must be tired. Please have this drink." Another woman passed a glass filled with wine. "And princess, is this the slave everyone's talking about in the castle these days?"
Fernis nearly barked in anger. "He's not a slave! His name is Jack, and he's my most loyal bodyguard. We go into the southern city and frequently apprehend murderers, thieves, and rapists. How about you, Lady Siri? The Magistrate General seems so angry all the time these days. I hope you take good care of Grandpa."
The woman named Siri looked as if she stepped on a dead body. Her face turned ugly with the insult clearly understood. Calling her husband grandpa, while she was still a beauty, hurt all the women present. They were all the same, after all.
"I heard His Imperial Majesty is looking for a suitor for you." Lady Kaeli, the Grand Premier's wife, commented. "I hope they will select a good-looking suitor for you."
"There are many." Lady Siri interrupted. "There are so many princes. Marrying half-siblings is not frowned upon in our lands. What do you think, slave Jack? What are the customs in the East?"
Sylvester could see Fernis's sweaty palms and uncomfortable demeanor. She was being bullied by all of them, and there was nothing she could do as it was her duty to mingle with them. Being the youngest, she could not go against them either, for their husbands held too much power in the Empire combined. All she could afford was a little retort, but even then, she could not take on five experienced vixens.
Sylvester nodded his head. "In the East, only distant cousins are allowed to marry. Brother and sister copulating, even if half-siblings, is frowned upon."
"What about you? Were you married before being enslaved?" The woman asked, and even Fernis looked at his face upon that question.
Sylvester found the proof he was looking for. 'She is actually romantically interested in me! But why? We only met a few times! Who falls for a bald slave?'
"No, I had taken a vow of celibacy as a Knight to serve my oath with a pure heart," Sylvester answered.
"Oh!" Lady Siri smirked. "So you're a virgin? My, we can't have an untamed bull walking so close to the princess. We should find you a suitable wife."
Sylvester looked down, glancing at the princess once. "I'm afraid my oath as a Royal Bodyguard does not allow me to marry or have a family, my lady."
"Hmph, this is getting boring," the woman scoffed at his answer.
"Perhaps a friendly duel between us knights will entertain my ladies," Sylvester offered, much to Fernis's delight, as it was what she desired the most.
"Yes! Let's do that," Fernis exclaimed, beaming with a big smile. "Ladies, instruct your personal knights to step forward without swords."
But to the rich, the lives of anyone lower meant nothing. The women refused to let them go unarmed and instead ordered them to use their swords only. The duels would only end when one drops their sword.
Sylvester complied and faced the other knights. They were all either middle-aged or old-aged knights with decades of experience under their belts.
Clank!
Woosh!
Thud!
Three distinct sounds resounded in the garden before each duel ended. The swords clashed, and the knight lost his sword and fell on his back. Each time, Sylvester emerged as the victor, while Princess Fernis enthusiastically clapped and taunted how feeble the knights of other women were.
But from Sylvester's perspective, he didn't take pleasure in defeating the men. They were merely fulfilling their duties, and they would likely be replaced after their defeat.
"Ah! I must return for dinner with my brothers!" Fenris suddenly leapt to her feet as the hourglass on the table appeared nearly empty. "I will see you later, ladies. Let's go, Jack!"
'This girl… she truly is a little girl seeking acceptance from other women. But why did she demand human faces from the Cardinal then?' Sylvester felt nothing but increased confusion.
After their long day of activity, they returned to the castle. Sylvester trailed behind her until midnight, by which time she had finished her dinner with her two brothers. Naturally, Sylvester was not allowed inside that room, so he remained standing outside, idle.
However, it was not going to be a simple night. Once he returned to his room after sending the princess to sleep, he changed his clothes, donned tightly bound robes, concealed his face, and hurried out of the castle, heading south.
"I can't wait to meet Rawra again!" Miraj chirped. "I miss everyone! Felix, Big Mum, Dol Dol!"
"Me too, Chonky." Sylvester broke through the reconstructed boundary runes between the city walls. The city was still on high alert, but things had started to normalize by then.
He made his way to the poorest section of the southern city. The buildings there were so crowded that only two people could walk side by side on the streets. With the extremely high population density, it was easier to live there in disguise.
That was where Hozin, Kimino, and Xylena resided together. From there, they carried out Sylvester's plans of public propaganda, sowing chaos throughout the entire city and provoking the population against the royal family. They even placed the blame for the attack on the Monastery on the nobles, distorting a few facts.
Knock Knock!
At last, Sylvester reached the unsuspecting ordinary building and knocked. Soon, Hozin opened the door and bowed his head. The man looked the same as before, with pale skin, white hair, and an impassive face.
But Sylvester was more eager to see his sister, Aurora. So he strode in with great enthusiasm and turned to the living room, almost sprinting through the door... only to halt at the sight.
A broad, wistful smile spread across his face the moment he caught sight of the same free-minded woman—the same chestnut hair, gray eyes, and a tall figure dressed in disguised commoner's garments.
"Been a while, my dear sister."
As his voice echoed in the room, the pottery glass slipped from her hand and shattered. Her gaze met his and remained fixed on Sylvester's face. Her mouth trembled in wordless astonishment, her eyes flickered with welling tears, and deep emotions poured forth from cherished memories of the past.
"I-Impossible…S-Syl…"
She hesitated to utter that name, fearing it would prove to be a mere illusion. Her world had been turned upside down since Sylvester's demise. The Lord Inquisitor had departed, the church had fallen apart, corruption had risen, and internal strife had reached its peak—she felt utterly lost as never before.
But no matter how strong she was, she could not contain the tears cascading down her cheeks.
"Sylvester?... Is that really you?"
Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.
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