Chapter 790: Pre-Contest Preparation
Nolan and Eira stepped into the preparation room where Evalyn was getting ready and found her sitting calmly with her eyes closed.
"What’s up? Are you feeling nervous?" Nolan asked jokingly.
Evalyn opened her eyes and gave him a casual glance.
"Nervous? Not really. I’m just thinking about how to beat Nathan as quickly as possible."
Nolan rolled his eyes and said nothing.
"Big Sister Evalyn!"
Eira ran toward her and immediately jumped into her arms.
Evalyn caught her and sat her on her lap.
"Have you had breakfast yet?" she asked gently, stroking her head.
"Not yet..." Eira pouted as she rubbed her little belly. "Master forbids me from eating chocolate. He’s so mean!"
Nolan: "..."
Evalyn chuckled and pulled four chocolate candies from her pocket before handing them to Eira.
"Here, have these."
"Wow!" Eira’s eyes sparkled.
She quickly accepted the candies and beamed.
"Thank you, Big Sister Evalyn!"
Evalyn smiled and ruffled her hair.
"By the way, there’s something I wanted to discuss with you."
Nolan sat down beside her, his face becoming more serious.
Evalyn glanced at him curiously but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
Leaning back in his chair, Nolan said, "In a month and a half, I’ll be leaving for a distant place. While I’m away, can you stay by Elina and Rafine’s side?"
His request caught Evalyn off guard.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Sorry, I can’t tell you. But don’t worry, I’ll only be gone for a short while," Nolan replied, his tone slightly strained.
Evalyn narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him carefully, as if trying to peer into his thoughts.
But Nolan’s expression remained calm and unreadable, making it impossible for her to tell what he was hiding.
"I understand," Evalyn replied calmly, though a hint of frustration lingered in her voice. "Leave it to me."
Nolan smiled in satisfaction. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell Evalyn; he simply didn’t know how to explain it.
In another month and a half, he would return to his original world through the interdimensional teleportation ritual he had obtained during his previous journey through time.
Initially, Nolan had planned to postpone it for another three months. However, he missed Seira too much. In the end, he decided to move the plan forward.
Evalyn naturally noticed the change in his expression. He looked noticeably happier than before.
In all the years she had known him, she had never seen Nolan wear such an expression.
’Does his departure hold such an important meaning for him?’ she wondered.
"It’s time. Let’s go."
Nolan’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Evalyn nodded. Soon after, the three of them left the room.
...
"Welcome, Your Highness."
Nathan greeted Cedric as he entered the room.
Cedric gave a slight nod.
"How are you holding up? Are you ready to defeat Evalyn?"
Nathan smiled confidently. "Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’m ready."
"How confident are you in your abilities?"
"One hundred percent."
After inheriting his ancestor’s fighting style, Nathan became far more confident in his ability to defeat Evalyn.
Moreover, he knew that Evalyn had yet to inherit the legacy of the Hero of Light, making her defeat seem all but certain.
"Very good."
Cedric nodded in satisfaction. Sitting down on the sofa and crossing his legs, he said, "Defeat Evalyn decisively. If possible, humiliate her in front of everyone. Understood?"
His eyes narrowed, a trace of killing intent flashing within them.
Nathan flinched but quickly regained his composure.
He gave a slight nod. "I understand."
A faint smile appeared on Cedric’s face. This match would determine both his and Elina’s standing in the battle for the throne.
After all, the Lionheart and Asbourne families had already chosen their sides in the succession struggle.
Since Elina had become his greatest rival, Cedric intended to humiliate the Lionheart family and strip her of her prestige before the assembled nobles.
That way, the support of those noble families who had yet to choose a side would naturally fall into his hands.
The two chatted casually for a while before Nathan finally asked,
"By the way, Your Highness, how are things on the northern border? Have the troops of the Holy Empire of Valtanir still not made a move?"
Cedric shook his head.
"Not yet. They don’t dare act without orders from their headquarters. Most likely, even their imperial family is facing difficulties right now," he said with a chuckle.
"A difficult situation? What’s going on?" Nathan asked curiously.
"You know, the Church of Light strongly opposes the plan to attack Mount Eldrath. Many of the people are against it as well. Currently, the Valtanir imperial family is facing immense pressure from within the empire. That’s why the invasion has been delayed until now," Cedric explained.
Since his uncle was the prime minister, he naturally had access to a great deal of important information, including details about the situation within the Holy Empire of Valtanir.
As a result, Adalen, his rival in the battle for the throne, found himself in a difficult position as well. Many noble families that had previously declared their support for him were beginning to reconsider their stance, and some had even started quietly withdrawing their backing.
Their actions were understandable. After all, Adalen was the grandson of the Singularity of Light, the nephew of Dariel the Holy Emperor, and a figure with close ties to the Holy Empire of Valtanir.
If war were to break out, Adalen would inevitably become involved, and the noble families supporting him would be affected as well.
"So that’s how it is..." Nathan nodded and said nothing more.
"Alright, let’s go."
Cedric rose from the sofa and stretched his stiff body. A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Today, we’re going to humiliate Elina and the Lionheart family."
Nathan smiled as well. Soon after, the two of them left the room.
...
"Today is the day of the match, isn’t it?" Elina muttered.
She glanced out the window, where the vast sky stretched endlessly before her.
"Elina, I’m back."
Rafine walked in carrying a stack of files and set them down on the desk.
"This is the last batch. I’ve finished the rest."
Elina let out a long sigh.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"You’re welcome." Rafine waved a hand dismissively. "It’s only natural. After all, this is my job."
Her response eased the burden on Elina’s heart a little.
"Oh, right. Did Duke Austin go to the contest between the Lionheart and Asbourne families?"
"Huh? How did you know?" Rafine asked in surprise.
"Your father mentioned it in a letter. He knew I wouldn’t be able to attend, so he said he’d go in my place. The Ashvale family is attending as well, and I suppose he didn’t want to miss it," Elina explained with a soft chuckle.
She deeply appreciated Duke Austin’s thoughtfulness. The issues in Virella Town had yet to be fully resolved, and she simply couldn’t leave them behind.
Although she had sent her brother as her representative, she still felt somewhat guilty toward Luke and the Lionheart family.
Fortunately, Alvaron was perceptive enough to make an appearance as well. That way, even though she couldn’t attend in person, the Lionheart family would still feel respected.
"By the way, once everything in town is settled, let’s go on a vacation."
Elina’s sudden suggestion caught Rafine off guard, but she quickly nodded in agreement.
"Mm! Let’s go!"
