“Ah!”
Xiang Xiang jumped onto the edge of my dining table and gestured towards a cream tart on top, indicating that it wanted some food.
Let me emphasize once again, Xiang Xiang is truly clever. Not only is it clever, but it also knows how to behave properly. Despite being mischievous, it knows its limits and never causes any major trouble, just like those little cats and dogs, engaging in playful antics to a degree acceptable to its owner.
For example, although it occasionally sneaks into the kitchen to steal food, it never snatches food in front of me, especially when surrounded by maids or outsiders.
Now that Violet has left, it’s only this little guy who can still make me feel genuine joy and indulgence from the bottom of my heart.
It’s almost like... it’s our child.
I smiled and picked up a piece of tart with the fingertips of my silk gloves, offering it to Xiang Xiang, who reached out and took it, then sat at the table nibbling away slowly.
I have to say, the rules and regulations of the Human United Kingdom are quite interesting. Although any human, except for the so-called queen and members of the royal family, is prohibited from sharing a meal with me, Xiang Xiang is exempt from this rule.
As my pet, it seems to be naturally considered the private property of Queen Lilya Melchior. Feeding it is like throwing a bone to a dog kept at home during meal times.
Additionally, just like its true owner, Xiang Xiang has a fondness for all kinds of desserts, fruits, and light foods. It even mimics that “troublemaker” personality so well that I often see traces of Violet in it.
Perhaps in a way, Xiang Xiang can indeed be considered Violet’s child.
Does that make me a foster mother? Saying it like that, hehe... hehe...
Ah, no, my thoughts are starting to wander in strange directions.
I quickly shook my head, stifling any signs of a smile that might appear at the corners of my mouth.
“Hm?”
See, even Xiang Xiang was startled. This won’t do, I need to set a good example for the child.
As I finished my lunch, Xiang Xiang had just finished nibbling on the cream tart that was almost as big as it. Once it greeted me with a series of “Ah, ah, ah”s, it wobbled away.
It usually only comes to me during meal times at noon or in the evening, and when it’s time to rest at night. It disappears before dawn, probably wandering around the palace playing. I’m not sure what this little creature does all day.
Everyone knows that this peculiar Xiang Xiang fruit is my pet, and because of its endearing personality in a certain sense, many people indulge it and even secretly feed it sometimes.
How nice, just like its owner.
Like a free-spirited bird, unpredictable yet possessing a charm that naturally draws everyone’s attention towards her.
Next, I have some free time to myself, albeit confined to the palace.
It’s not that I can’t go out, it’s just that if I were to do so, unless I sneak out, the normal procedure would involve rallying a large group of guards, and the whole palace would become bustling.
Unless absolutely necessary, I shouldn’t trouble everyone.
Usually during this time in the afternoon, I would read, catch up on sleep if needed, tend to the flowers and plants transplanted from the Mingluan Hall that I’ve nurtured since childhood, or perhaps meet with some people I want to see and handle unfinished morning affairs.
But today, I choose to practice swordsmanship.
My swordsmanship teacher, named Nicholas, was once known as “The Vicious Wolf” and was once pursued by the kingdom as a wanted swordsman.
Nicholas once resided in the capital for a period of time, but later fled due to his crimes. It is said that it was by a chance encounter with him in his destitution that Violet advised him kindly, convincing him to join my service.
As the candidate she had identified, Nicholas’s abilities and strength are indeed beyond doubt, and the achievements he has made so far have long since offset his past crimes. In my opinion, this guy isn’t actually bad at heart, he’s even a bit naive. It’s just that he was too stubborn in the past and didn’t leave himself a way out, which led him to that extent.
If not for this, even if it were someone brought by Lilya, I would consider whether to entrust him with important tasks.
By the way, Nicholas is now the captain of the palace guard, responsible for ensuring the security of this place. With his legendary level of strength, it’s not just favoritism.
At two in the afternoon, I changed into loose practice clothes, tied up my royal blue hair representing the royal lineage, and entered the palace’s martial arts hall.
Nicholas was already waiting for me there.
Compared to the unkempt appearance when we first met, this guy now looks much more presentable. Not only is his beard cleanly shaved, but his hair is also long, well-groomed, and flowing behind him. He’s wearing a light red armor representing the leader of the palace guards, with a sword at his waist. To be honest, he’s kind of handsome.
I heard that Nicholas is currently dating a baron’s daughter who serves as a maid in the palace. I can only hope for his success. After all, this guy is also one of my capable subordinates.
“Your Majesty.”
Upon seeing me, that individual immediately gave a slight bow as a gesture of respect. According to protocol, given the difference in our statuses, he should have performed the act of kneeling to show deference. However, considering the inconvenience it would cause each time, I granted Nicholas permission to simplify the gesture during our private meetings.
Indeed, to avoid suspicion, I typically do not bring many attendants when practicing swordsmanship. Currently, the only one accompanying me is Emily.
Of course, there are surely hidden guards nearby. It is a necessary arrangement that accompanies me wherever I go. Nonetheless, they are my loyal soldiers and will never divulge any secrets.
“Let us begin.”
Without much preamble, I slowly drew the wooden sword from my waist, and Nicholas did the same.
Our method of sword practice is straightforward: spar and use our actions to comprehend the mysteries within the swordplay.
Nicholas’s Swift Wind Style is a secret technique not to be divulged without permission. However, as someone who possesses magical abilities learned from Violet, I see no necessity to delve into it. What I need to practice is solely my control of the sword and combat skills.
Originally, I was incapable of combat. Though born into the royal family, like my sister Menna, I lacked any magical talent, and my physical constitution was naturally frail, making it difficult for me to train in martial arts.
Therefore, I chose to spend a considerable amount of time reading books, studying various knowledge and strategies, honing the etiquette of royalty, governance, and worldly wisdom, opting to make wisdom my weapon.
However, the stigma of being both magically and martially inept always lingered in my mind, and there were indeed people who gossiped behind my back.
I am aware of these things, and what they say is indeed factual, leaving me with no means to refute.
It was Violet who changed everything.
She responded to my plea, bestowing upon me a miraculous spiritual treasure, the “Casket of Ascension,” whose value cannot be measured. It transformed my physique and, through a means yet incomprehensible, bestowed upon me a power that seems entirely foreign to this world, a power unheard of.
This should be a secret of considerable importance to her, yet Violet still chose to share it with me. The thought of this trust fills my heart with infinite sweetness and warmth.
I can sense the expectation emanating from Violet. By aiding me, she must want to verify something through me. Even to respond to her, I must become stronger.
My power is called “Aeromancy,” a miracle similar to the Swift Wind Style but fundamentally different.
I can feel the warm flow that constantly envelops my body, bringing me the lightness I could never comprehend before.
Swords constantly clash, and in battle, I imitate, learn, comprehend, and innovate.
Creating a new path that belongs solely to her and me.
Just like during the court meetings, whenever I immerse myself in something, time seems to pass quickly. In the blink of an eye, the sky darkens.
I sheathe my sword, drenched in sweat, and look at the sword instructor, whose condition hasn’t improved much, with a satisfied smile.
“Nicholas, now I can keep up with your full-speed swordplay. Next time, you’ll have to step up your game, or perhaps soon, you’ll need a new sparring partner.”
He chuckles in resignation.
“Your Majesty, in terms of physical prowess alone, you have long surpassed me. It’s just your grasp of this power that is still immature. I must say, your progress has been truly remarkable in this time. It seems that, given time, our country will witness the birth of a new legend.”
“Perhaps.”
I don’t explain too much to him. The existence of the Cascet of Ascension is a secret known only to very few. Its true effects are only clear to me and Violet. I won’t divulge it to anyone.
After changing out of my training attire, I quickly took a shower, relieving the hunger pangs that had built up after a vigorous afternoon exercise session. Together with the enticing aroma that seemed to appear out of nowhere, I dined in the “Queen’s exclusive” restaurant.
Next, came the time I had been eagerly anticipating: the medicinal bath.
Not only does it alleviate the fatigue of my mind and body after a long day, but more importantly, during this leisure time, I communicate with the delegation visiting from the Azure Sky Kingdom.
In other words, I can learn about Violet’s news.
As I lay in the warm water, feeling my entire body relax, I leaned back on the luxurious cushion of the elastic royal bath and retrieved the communication stone from my spatial ring.
This magical item, made from special high-grade magic crystals, allows direct communication between parties thousands of miles apart. However, due to the extreme rarity of its raw materials and the need for specialized magic research to adjust the contact frequency and charge different communication stones, its application is not widespread.
But of course, I have no issues with it.
After activating the fully charged communication stone in my hand, accompanied by a slight static noise, the voice of my appointed delegation representative, Felina Trollope, came through.
She’s a capable woman, just a few years older than me, loyal, versatile in both literature and martial arts, and comes from a respectable family background. The only downside is her rigidity, which is somewhat related to Felina’s family environment.
However, it doesn’t affect her work efficiency.
“Good evening, Your Majesty. Felina Trollope humbly wishes you peace.”
“Very well. How are things?”
Although I was eager to immediately learn about Violet’s current situation, I couldn’t show it too obviously. I needed to make Felina feel that I was more concerned about the delegation, otherwise, she would surely nag me endlessly.
“Very smoothly, Your Majesty. Tonight, we have reached a location less than five hundred kilometers from the southern border of the Nobos Iron-blood Empire. It is likely that within another half-month, we will be able to enter the Spryce Island, on the border of the Azure Sky Kingdom. However...”
Felina explained to me about their encounter with Abyssal Beasts nearby, specifically how Violet and others, who had gone out without permission, had fought against them.
“To think such a thing happened...”
Although the description of the Abyssal Beasts in her account made me furrow my brow in concern, the deepest feeling in my heart was actually...
That Violet, she really can’t stay still for a moment.
Just recently, she caused a sensation in the Bolt Kingdom, and even here in the Courage City, we’ve been hearing rumors about various “miracles” lately. It seems even the upper echelons of the Holy Empire have been alarmed and have dispatched personnel to investigate.
I’ve been trying hard to help her conceal it, but it’s really giving me a headache.
But... this is indeed how Violet should be. It’s also the aspect of her that is most enviable, admired, and even jealous.
Free-spirited...
“Yes, I am aware of this matter. It is not to be underestimated. Our country will take the opportunity to probe the attitude of the Azure Sky Kingdom and seek further cooperation. For now, focus on completing your mission.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After chatting about some other matters, especially after tactfully obtaining quite a bit of information about Violet from Felina, I hung up the communication satisfactorily.
“Abyssal Beasts... the Abyss, huh...”
Lying in the warm bath, my mind drifted to the “Great Catastrophe” that Menna mentioned to me some time ago.
That little brat, she suddenly came to me and talked about being a “Revelator,” and went on about a bunch of incomprehensible things like the original future, the present, and the Descendants.
Although it seemed absurd at the time, upon calm reflection, it appeared that everything she said matched the facts, and some of the puzzling points I couldn’t understand became clear.
Menna’s words reminded me of a phenomenon in this world called “Divine Favoured,” lucky individuals whose appearance has no signs or trends, completely random, a special phenomenon whose principles remain unexplained to this day.
For example, Farnell Stephens is one such individual. Could my sister Menna be the same?
In other words, the destined encounter I believed I had with Violet might have just been a random occurrence driven by external forces. It’s quite discouraging...
However, I am still very grateful for what Menna did. Meeting Violet has indeed changed my life, and I have never been so fortunate to have the chance to meet someone in this lifetime. [1]
But...
If all of this is true, then the prophecy about the “Great Catastrophe”...
Was it a mistake to advise Violet to go south?
Originally, I just wanted an excuse to know her whereabouts. I never expected something so terrifying to actually emerge from the Abyss. Will Violet be okay?
Ah, my stomach hurts.
Tomorrow, I’ll summon those old geezers to discuss and take the opportunity to see Menna. Since ascending to the throne, communication between us sisters has decreased significantly.
With things reaching this point, I had no inclination to continue soaking in the bath any longer, so I promptly summoned the maid waiting outside the door and ended tonight’s medicinal bath.
Passing by the dressing room, I glanced at a corner where Violet had set up a strange magic called the “Invisible Space Portal” before leaving. It seemed to allow her to return directly here from elsewhere, but so far, I hadn’t seen it actually work.
It seems she won’t be appearing tonight either. Honestly, what was I even expecting? Violet clearly said she didn’t plan to use it in the near future before leaving.
Returning to the bedchamber, it was almost nine o’clock at night.
In my nightgown, I spent over an hour dealing with the paperwork accumulated today, drank the warm milk Emily brought me, and when I turned around, I noticed Xiang Xiang had returned at some point and was peacefully snoring on her own little bed.
This little rascal, always appearing and disappearing like a ghost...
It’s quite late, so it’s time to rest. There are still many things to handle tomorrow.
As the royal maids pulled the curtains on both sides and exited the room, I lay back on the soft, newly changed sheets of the large bed.
The room was empty, devoid of any presence.
I closed my eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.
[1]
Don’t be grateful for what your sister did. She was literally the mastermind behind hundreds of thousands of living creatures who got killed, some of whom were merely victims of scapegoating.
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