Chapter 55

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 55

Chapter Title: The Dead Forest and the Fairy Garden (12)

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"Is it really that bad?"

"It's enough to cook up something tasty for you, Princess. No need to worry."

"It's not that I'm worried about..."

"I know. But you don't need to fret over it either, Princess. It's just a little short, and subjugating the magical beasts is just an annual event anyway."

As expected, Floyd gave no opening. Roxiana wanted to help, but he shut down the idea completely before she could even voice it.

"When do you leave?"

If that was the case, she at least wanted to show him something before he departed. She couldn't remain just a fragile woman who only received.

If the Grand Duke is being kind because he wants something from me, then I can't keep just taking his favors here.

He wanted to use her to sour Lucas's mood. Her mere presence was enough to achieve that, but Roxiana wanted more than that.

To get it, she had to pay an equal price. She needed accomplishments that would make her feel no shame in accepting from him. Only then could she stand tall and make demands before him and his retainers.

"It'll take about four or five days to prepare for departure. Ah, of course, there's no question of taking you along, so let's skip talk of swords or shields. It puts me in a real bind every time you bring it up."

"You don't look all that troubled."

"I am, deeply. I just can't say no."

It was absurd hearing that from someone who seemed the most capable of refusal in the world. Roxiana pursed her lips to keep from retorting further, and Floyd, watching her, spoke up.

"Around summer, birds come to the island beyond that harbor over there. Concave-eyed little things—have you ever seen them?"

"No."

"Tiny and adorable. Seeing you pout like that right now reminds me of them. Cute."

Roxiana's expression faltered in flustered surprise.

The last time she'd been called small and cute was around age ten. After that, she'd shot up, always taller than her peers.

"I'm not small. Or cute."

"To my eyes, you're plenty small and overflowing with cuteness."

Her embarrassment shifted to mortification in an instant. She couldn't tell if it was a compliment or teasing, but her cheeks still burned red.

"Your Highness is truly... beyond comprehension."

Floyd laughed.

"Guilty as charged. I'm a hopeless case. Rest well, Princess."

Even after Floyd left, the burning sensation lingered. Roxiana pressed her hands to her cheeks, trying to cool them as she replayed their conversation.

She'd thought he'd come for some grave matter, but their talk had been nothing but idle chatter. Elise's situation mattered to her, but to him, it was probably trivial.

Then why did the Grand Duke really come?

After agonizing all night, Roxiana hardened her resolve.

I have to do it today.

The sky was an excruciatingly clear blue.

One or two more days of practice won't make me leaps and bounds better than now.

After Floyd left yesterday, she'd asked the servants and learned they were heading to the Kingdom of Enilta for the magical beast subjugation. Enilta was far north from Torkan, bordering the northwest of Kanta Kingdom.

It would take ages just to get there, so who knew how long until they returned after the subjugation.

At least two or three months, probably.

She couldn't wait for his return. Before he left, she had to show results and claim her due.

I need to erase the slave brand and gain a proper status.

He'd grant it if she asked now, but she didn't want to keep receiving without giving. She didn't want to be shackled by more of his debts. She wanted to demand it boldly and leave unburdened.

Elise had become the lord of Kinteren.

And I have to start from commoner status.

The road ahead was long. She didn't want to rush, but now was the time to hurry a little. She couldn't just wait idly for his return.

It might be a bit dangerous.

She wouldn't die. The spirits had said that method could kill, but listening to their chatter had revealed it wasn't truly fatal.

Life force would drain, the soul would shatter—that was all. Side effects might leave the body rigid for months, a breathing corpse unable to move.

When treating the corrupted victim, Floyd hadn't needed to send his heat; she wouldn't have died regardless, as the spirits' talk confirmed.

It's worth a few months rigid.

Better to stiffen while he was away than wait for his return and lie immobile then. By his arrival, she'd be mobile again.

With her resolve set, Roxiana went about her routine: washing, eating, spending time in the garden. She kept up appearances so Petria wouldn't suspect.

Sneaking out at night would draw more eyes.

Floyd hadn't forbidden her from leaving the grand ducal palace. She'd received visitors and even visited Head Maid Elledrun's mansion.

A daytime outing to a nearby place would arouse less suspicion.

"I'm stepping out for a bit."

As noon approached, Roxiana told Petria.

"I'll visit Sir Lenadro's estate."

"Shall I not accompany you?"

"Yes, it's just a quick trip, so I'll ride."

"My, you can ride?"

"A little."

She really only knew a little. She'd ridden often as a child but switched to carriages later, so she worried if she still could. But carriages couldn't reach the forest, so she saddled up after years.

Fibbing to Petria pricked her conscience a bit, but Roxiana brushed it off, left Lily Palace, and headed to the stables.

The stablehand panicked at the rumored Lily Palace VIP's personal visit but recalled the Grand Duke's order: grant the princess whatever she wished.

"A horse? Not a carriage?"

"Yes, I feel like riding."

"Ah, I see. This one's gentle and obedient, so take her. One moment."

Roxiana waited quietly as the stablehand saddled the brown mare. Then Lion, who'd followed her, tugged at her skirt hem.

"Can't come with today, Lion."

She patted his back, but Lion wouldn't release the fabric. Even after the stablehand brought the ready mare, Lion kept pulling, as if trying to stop her.

Roxiana was puzzled by the clever wolf's uncharacteristic stubbornness but couldn't back out now.

"I'll play when I get back. Okay? Be good."

She yanked her skirt free.

Riiip—the tear at the hem made the stablehand flinch and bow, but Roxiana ignored it and mounted. Lion tried to block but yielded, fearing startling the horse or being trampled.

"Sorry, Lion. See you later."

Roxiana gave the young wolf a gentle farewell and nudged the horse's flanks. Watching her recede, the pup's jaws parted.

"Damn it."

The stablehand jumped at the sudden gravelly voice, glancing around. Only horses and one small wolf inside.

He blinked, chalked it to wind, and walked off. But the wolf stayed rooted, glaring where Roxiana had vanished.

The nearby chatter made the wolf's ears twitch. He wrinkled his muzzle and growled.

"This is all because of your loose lips. I warned you to watch your mouths, but you wouldn't shut up."

The wolf sighed. He understood the spirits' helpless attraction to her. The problem was Roxiana.

She'd survived against odds, and Floyd protected her—why not just live comfortably?

Roxiana didn't grasp what soul-shattering meant. Overusing power like this would fragment it repeatedly. Fine now, but after death, no rest—scattered pieces meant eternal wandering to reclaim them.

An unimaginably vast time, haunting solely to gather soul shards. Horrific.

The wolf wrinkled his muzzle again, and the ground quaked. The stablehand heading to the kitchens felt it; nearby horses panicked, whinnying and kicking.

As chaos erupted, the wolf bowed his head, took a deep breath. The tremors subsided.

"No helping it."

Muttering softly, the wolf bolted toward the training grounds.