Chapter 90.2 - Interlude - Princess Knight (2)
In the office, waiting were my father, Baron Voltar Toltas, and her brother, Pike. Father had furrowed brows, and Pike, as usual, had his emotionless gaze fixed on Sheila.
Ignoring the heavy atmosphere, Sheela calmly knelt.
"I have returned."
"It seems you've moved the troops without permission again."
"I was just protecting the peace within our borders."
"I heard you hired adventurers as well."
"We needed someone knowledgeable about Pandu."
Toltas sighed deeply and waved his hand as if to dismiss the matter. He bowed, and Pike stepped forward.
"We will discuss your punishment later. But there's something more important to discuss."
Sheila looked up at her brother skeptically.
Normally, he would scold her for her actions. This time, Sheela had taken it upon herself to go after the monster, and although she had a sizable force, no knights were accompanying her, and the adventurers were limited to rank C. If Toltas had issued an official order for the monster's extermination, there would have been fewer casualties.
However, the one in command at the time had been Pike, and Sheela had no role in it.
"There's a marriage proposal for you."
"I decline—"
"Hear me out till the end."
Interrupted, Sheela fell silent.
Unconcerned by her reaction, Pike continued.
"The suitor is the second son of the Kalten Viscount family."
Sheila's expression slowly changed.
"That's in the east…"
"Yes, it is. Viscount Kalten received a letter from the second son, expressing his desire to marry you."
"Why me?"
"I don't know. But even though he's the second son, the Viscounty is not a bad match."
At her brother's indifferent words, Sheela hung her head. A whirlwind of emotions raged within her, rendering her speechless.
Finally, she managed to say, "Please allow me some time to think," and then left the room.
As she listened to her daughter's retreating footsteps, Toltas spoke up.
"What do you think?"
"I heard Kaiten Viscounty is closer to the Emperor's faction. Could this be an attempt to break our alliance?"
"It's possible… Voltar Barony is aligned with Duke Virland. Lately, the conflict between the Emperor's faction, and Duke Virland's faction has intensified, led by Duke Virland, leading to conflicts in various regions. It's not unusual for sparks to fly towards families aligned with the Duke."
"What about Count Rasinrude?"
"I'll leave that to him. He's not fond of courtly affairs."
With that, Toltas sighed and smiled wryly.
The Voltar Baron family's close relative was Count Rasinrude, the powerful noble who led Duke Virland's faction in the west.
Rasinrude was on the frontlines before Semgat pledged allegiance, and Voltar Barony played a part in that encirclement. Despite the arrival of peace, Rasinrude County tradition remained unchanged, and they were known as the Empire's foremost warriors, alongside Duke Blasrad.
"If they're from the Emperor's faction, they won't easily change sides just because they marry off Sheela. Why would they want her?"
When Pike asked again, he pondered for a moment and replied cautiously.
"Perhaps as a military asset."
"A military asset?"
"Yes. She's known among the common folk as the Princess Swordsman. Rumors about her have spread widely."
Hearing this, Toltas frowned uncomfortably.
"She's been doing as she pleases. It's the words of ignorant people."
"Nobody knows the circumstances of others. We can't help it."
"That's true… I misspoke. Forget it."
Pike bowed in silence.
"So, do you think she'll be happy?"
"I can't say for sure. But…"
Cutting his words short, Pike gazed out the window.
The town of Voltar stretched below, and in the distance, the ridges of the Sanok Mountains shone in the green of spring.
"Staying here might be true happiness. She should distance herself from our mother's shadow."
Pike's eyes held a hint of sorrow.
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