Cedric spoke slowly.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but let’s just stay like this.”
“…….”
Cedric’s mind was really hard to read.
‘Maybe Sir Cedric knows everything?’The thought alone put Dalia in a state of turmoil.
Cedric held Dalia to his satisfaction and only let go after a while.
“I feel better now.”
Dalia grabbed his hand in bewilderment. He smiled and pulled the hand she grabbed and kissed the back of Dalia’s hand.
“See you, my dear Dalia.”
Dalia couldn’t bear to refute and let him go.
Watching him leave in the carriage, Dalia thought blankly.‘I can’t keep delaying…….’
Whether it’s the confession or revealing her ability, she has to do it quickly.
‘Next time for sure…….’
Dalia clenched her fists like a villain who failed at every plan and promised the next one.
* * *
At the same time, the townhouse of a Count family.
The man who appeared to be the owner of the townhouse was biting his nails as if he were quite nervous. He was a young man in his late 20s.
“Goodness, the Duke of Blueport is having a ball to commemorate his coming to the capital?”
“Th, that’s what they say.”
“Wow, I thought he wouldn’t do it because the atmosphere in the capital was so chaotic due to the mana explosion of the previous head. How far are they going?”
“From what I’ve heard, people from the Imperial family are going too.”
“He’s the Duke of Blueport who protects Darby. It seems like everyone is going to give him proper courtesy.”
It seemed like a normal conversation at first glance, but the man’s expression was not good.
He turned around and looked at the townhouse butler.
“Then Dalia Pesteros will go too?”
“Probably.”
“Shit. I have too much work to do. I also have to deal with Argel and Kelsion this time.”
“…….”
He was one of the cards the Holy Empire secretly hid in the Frederic Empire.
No one doubted him because he had so far done nothing and was only faithful to the Frederic Empire. He was a card that they had been keeping, and he was also someone who would not be used until the end unless it was really necessary.
But this time he received the order.
Not long ago, His Holiness the Pope and another believer came to visit him. As this was the first time he had met the Great Pope in person, he was somewhat thrilled.
Moreover, this Pope was truly a great man who made the Vatican’s power irreplaceable.
Now that the nobles have fallen into the hands of the Great Pope, the Pope’s fanatics, who no longer have any forces that can keep them in check, grew more and more bold.
They were allowed to do anything in the Holy Empire in the name of God. To them, the current Pope who gave them such power was a God and his words were a scripture. Nothing else mattered.
However, for some reason, he felt a strange atmosphere from the other believer who came with His Holiness the Pope.
He looked disgruntled as if he was dissatisfied with something. Even when he was in front of him, he expressed his blatant dissatisfaction.
“Your Holiness, I don’t understand.”
“I won’t accept any objection.”
“Can’t we just bring Dalia Pesteros by force? If you cut off one of the limbs, that bitch will…… ”
“Are you disobeying the word of the God?”
The Pope’s voice sharpened. Only then did the other believer shut his mouth and lower his eyes.
“You are too impudent.”
Even after speaking so calmly, he smiled back at the young man who clearly looked disappointed. Deep down, he admired His Holiness’s benevolence.
“Instead, you can find and kill Kelsion and Argel yourself.”
A smile crept across the young man’s lips.
Thus, the two conversations were wrapped up, and His Holiness gave him two orders.
The first one.
“Make those who betrayed the Holy Empire pay the price.”
This was acceptable. He was also a member of the Holy Empire, and he thought that traitors must be dealt with at all costs.
However, the second one.
“Give this to Dalia Pesteros.”
What he received was a semi-solid object that looked like a sundew. There was no message on why it was given or how it should be delivered. However, he could feel a subtle holy power inside. (*t/n: the object that he received might not be properly translated. But dictionary and google said sundew, so sundew it is haha)
‘His Holiness must have a plan.’
He just has to obey. It’s not that hard to approach a girl.
‘I have to kill Kelsion first.’
Recently, Kelsion, who had been pretending to be an old loyal subject next to the Emperor, was too irritating. He had prepared it in advance, and was going to finish it all at once at this ball.
* * *
It was already almost the day of renewal of the treaty three weeks later.
It wasn’t long before Aceras officially entered the Frederic Empire for the signing of the Darby-Gatran Treaty. At the same time, the ball to commemorate Lewayne’s return to the capital is just around the corner the day after tomorrow.
Around the same time, the Pesteros mansion received an unexpected guest.
There were few people who could suddenly come to the Ducal family. However, none of them bewilder Dalia and Hikan as they do now.
Dalia hurried down to the drawing room upon hearing the news.
Hikan had already arrived, and he had a look on his face as if he really didn’t want to be here.
His complexion brightened as much as fingernails when he saw Dalia who had arrived.
“……Dalia.”
But Dalia was so surprised and perplexed that she did not dare to look at him even at his desperate call.
Dalia called the guest absentmindedly.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
Sitting across from Hikan and waving casually to Dalia was Leonard, who had already turned 20.
He smiled and happily greeted Dalia. He was still not very handsome, but he was much taller and his freckles was much lighter, and he was quite presentable now.
“Oh, Dalia. It’s been a long time. You’ve grown up a lot.”
“Is, is that so?”
Dalia felt a little better.
Because Leonard was the only one who told her that she had grown taller as soon as he saw her after a long time.
However, even at the age of 20, he hadn’t changed at all from when they first met, and he was still busy finding his own happiness regardless of how the Imperial family was going.
For one thing, he still had a crush on Adrisha, surprisingly. What a great tenacity.
Dalia thought about the future of this Empire when he became the next Emperor and became a little distant.
Leonard waved at Hikan, not knowing what Dalia was thinking.
“Ah, Hikan. You can go now. I have something to talk about with Dalia.”
Hikan looked at Dalia behind him, gritted his teeth, and shook his head.
“……No, it’s okay. I’ll stay here with Dalia.”
“Well, if you insist.”
Leonard seemed to not mind. Dalia tilted her head with a puzzled expression as she sat next to Hikan.
“You have something to tell me?”
“Well, you see.”
Leonard grabbed his knee with a serious look and leaned his upper body forward.
“Do you know anything about the person next to my father these days, Kelsion or whatever his name is?”
“Huh? Pardon?”
Dalia tilted her head at the completely unexpected question. Leonard waved his hands.
“Oh, I guess you don’t know. Then it’s all right.”
“What happened?”
If he said it like that, of course she would be curious. Dalia tilted her head.
“Ah, that……”
Leonard, who was light-mouthed, spilled it out as soon as he was asked.
“You know, it’s actually been bothering me for a while. For some reason, those dull eyes don’t look human. You realized that too, right?”
It has been almost half a year since Kelsion has been by the Emperor’s side. It has been bothering Dalia, so obviously Leonard did too.
“But I overheard my father said that he was still hiding something. He won’t say anything until the end.”
“Aah……”
She had never heard of such a matter.
‘As expected, even brainwashing can’t bring out everything in his mind?’
How big is the secret that he still hides it even after his mind was taken control?
Dalia pondered for a moment and realized something strange.
But why would he tell this to her now?
Perhaps he read the question, Leonard said.
“It’s just that, when I look around, everyone is good when talking to you. Is there anything you can do?”
“……I apologize, but I don’t have any.”
‘So it’s because of that simple reason……’
As expected, it was too much to think that Leonard had some great reason or driving force. Leonard shrugged his shoulders as if he had been expecting it.
“I see. That’s too bad then.”
“…….”
“These days, I often go for night walks, and the same person keeps walking back and forth in front of the room. Although my father is my father, I felt sorry for that person because he was trying so hard.”
“…… What did you say just now?”
Hikan, who had been listening with his forehead leaning on his hand, removed his hand in response to those words. Leonard stared blankly at him as if asking why.
“Someone keeps wandering in front. But these days, he’s not there anymore. Why? Is it a big problem?”
“Is it someone you know?”
“No. Maybe it’s someone that my father had invited?”
“…….”
“…….”
“Why did you only talk about that now…….”
Hikan trembled as if he was going to explode at any moment.
“Did you see his face?”
Leonard just tilted his head, as if he couldn’t understand his reaction.
“No. He was wearing something over his head. But what’s the problem?”
Leonard was indeed Leonard, no matter how much time had passed. Dalia truly felt his true power.
Translator Note: Oh dear…Leonard!!!! *facepalm*
++I will tl another chap either tomorrow or monday
