Chapter 67

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 67

Chapter Title: Five Knights and Roxiana Franche (1)

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As early April arrived, spring breezes began to blow through Gania as well.

The holy knights dispatched from the Grand Temple to Kanta had finished subjugating the magical beasts. All that remained was for the priests to purify the land contaminated by demonic energy. The new rift that had appeared in Kanta still lingered, but once the purification was complete, it wouldn't spit out any more beasts for a while.

The governor appointed for the colony of Kanta was Count Casar Hugh Pellur, the official second son of King Joseph V. Regardless of how Casar felt about suddenly being sent off to Kanta as governor, celebrations were held to bid him farewell and welcome the spring festival.

Elise had come to the capital city of Atanta to enjoy Gania's festival and attend the palace party.

Once again, Elise's lodgings were in the Jade Palace within the royal palace.

Now that she was the lord of Kinteren, she could have rented a mansion elsewhere. But she wanted to stay close to Lucas, and she also wanted to keep an eye out for any women approaching him in the meantime, so she deliberately chose the Jade Palace.

Fortunately, the Jade Palace still housed only the king's mistresses as before, with no women brought by Lucas in sight.

"The women in the Jade Palace are spreading nasty rumors about you. I want to kill them all."

Hunter growled after circling the Jade Palace and returning. Elise furrowed her brow slightly and gently stroked his cheek.

"Don't do that, my love. I already knew people would talk badly about me. I'm from the colony of Kanta, and my father died under false charges..."

She trailed off as if on the verge of tears, and Hunter pulled her waist toward him, unable to hold back.

"Just give the order, Elise. My sword exists for you."

Dragging Hunter into the bedroom had been the right call. The rigid man had sworn loyalty to the one woman he'd been intimate with, and he was incomparably hot and passionate in bed. His rough scent and movements, unlike anything with Lucas, brought Elise ecstasies she'd never experienced before.

He desired her every day, and she didn't mind his voracious appetite. He took her whenever the urge struck, but without excessive obsession, so he understood when she pulled other men into bed to achieve her goals.

He was a lovable, clever man—one she'd want to keep closest even after becoming queen.

"We have to be careful while we're here. You know we can't let the crown prince find out about us, right?"

"Of course, my lady."

As he replied playfully and devoured her lips, a knock sounded at the door.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

At the maid's announcement, the two sprang apart in a hurry.

Before Elise could even respond, the door burst open and Lucas strode in. He didn't spare a glance at the guard knight standing in the corner. After all, the crown prince of this kingdom had no need to pay attention to a mere guard.

And so, Lucas failed to notice the lingering intimate scent in the room as he embraced Elise and kissed her greedily. As Elise received his kiss and shot Hunter a look, the knight slipped out silently.

After the long kiss ended, Lucas stroked her cheek and said,

"You have no idea how worried I was about you. But it seems you're doing wonderfully. Everyone in Kinteren is singing your praises... How on earth did you win over those stubborn folks?"

Elise snorted inwardly.

'Of course they'd praise me. After all the hustle I've put in for that.'

But without showing a hint of her thoughts, she clung to his neck and spoke in a frail voice.

"What method? I just worked hard thinking of Your Highness. They must have pitied me and looked favorably on me. Even though I'm still so lacking..."

"Lacking? You've created jobs with the road construction, cut down surveying costs, and you're importing materials at incredibly low prices. Even Father was very pleased when he heard."

Joseph V's satisfaction pleased her more than a hundred praises from Lucas. Elise widened her eyes in feigned disbelief and asked,

"Really?"

"Yes. He said he was right to appoint you to Kinteren. He might even grant you a title soon."

There were various types of lords, the most prominent being those who owned territories and held rights to govern and manage them. Of course, even they paid taxes to the king, but otherwise, all authority rested with the lord, so they didn't need to report every little thing unless a major war broke out.

Elise was not that kind of lord.

She was merely a lord entrusted by the king with management rights—able to run Kinteren, but all revenues from it went straight to the crown. What she could use personally was just her salary from the king and the occasional bribes people offered on their own.

But if she received a title, her authority would expand. Someday, Kinteren itself might fall into her hands.

'Even if it's not Kinteren, having a territory would strengthen my position.'

Elise was already thrilled as if she'd acquired land, but she buried her face in his chest without showing it.

"Knowing His Majesty views me favorably makes me want to work even harder. I'll keep pushing until I'm truly recognized."

"Don't push yourself to the point of hurting your health. Above all, don't forget your well-being matters most."

His warm reassurance comforted her.

Thank goodness. Lucas still loves me. In this man's beautiful eyes, I'm the only woman reflected.

'My way was right. If I'd stayed in the Jade Palace fretting, he surely would've grown tired of me and turned to another woman.'

Becoming lord of Kinteren had been Retrochica's advice, but Elise had long forgotten that. It all felt like her own clever doing.

"Oh, the envoy from Knaipe has arrived. He's coming to the palace tomorrow—want to meet him together?"

'Knaipe?'

Elise racked her brain and recalled it was the name of the king of Hoban Island, where Roxiana had been sold.

Knaipe Jeron.

A perverted old lech infamous for his insatiable lust despite his age.

She nearly burst out laughing but suppressed it and feigned sadness.

"I'd love to if I can. I'm curious if Her Highness is doing well."

"You still call that woman princess, even after all she's done to you..."

"But... if I don't call her princess..."

"No one's left to abuse you now. Stop acting like they brainwashed you."

"But... Her Highness is still..."

"Who knows if that woman's even alive. From what I hear, Hoban's king is truly brutal to women. Does things you can't even imagine."

Elise nearly laughed out loud again. She barely hid it by bowing her head, but she couldn't stop her shoulders from shaking.

Lucas stroked her shoulders pityingly.

"Don't cry, Elise. No need to shed tears for a woman like that. She's just getting back what she dished out to you."

Lucas believed Roxiana and her family had treated Elise cruelly. He hadn't seen it himself, of course, but Elise had always slyly steered his thoughts that way.

For instance, bursting into tears if she ran into him leaving Roxiana's room, or sniffling near him as if she'd heard something awful from Roxiana.

With a few simple tricks like that, Elise had captured his heart. And because of those few simple tricks, the Franche royal family had been executed.

'My sweet, easily handled prince.'

Unaware of Elise's inner thoughts, Lucas simply stroked the back of the woman in his arms, finding her both worrisome and utterly adorable.

Elise couldn't get enough of his tender touch. The reality that this man—revered by all in the kingdom, desired by every woman—was cherishing and comforting her like this was pure bliss.

'But not you, right, Roxiana? I'm curious. Are you alive, or dead? Ideally, still alive and suffering.'

The envoy from Hoban Island would bring news of Roxiana too. Elise was eager to hear it—how she was enduring hellish torment, or if she'd died.

Wishing tomorrow would come quickly, Elise let Lucas push her onto the bed.

Today, the two knights on duty guarding Lily Palace were crouched in the garden with Roxiana. She dug into the soil with a small trowel and said,

"It's raining again today."

Torkan in April was already starting to heat up. Rain fell frequently, and on days without it, thick clouds blanketed the sky, making everything muggy. The air was so humid it carried a strong sea scent, forcing anyone who went outside to change clothes upon returning.

"Yes, the rainy season will end soon. It usually lasts about two or three weeks."

Matteo Selgd, vice-captain of the Golden Lion Knight Order, replied. Seated to Roxiana's left, he held an umbrella over her.

"What are you planting, though?"

The one who asked in a bright voice was Errun Fix, a young knight from the Red Spider Knight Order. Floyd had taken the Spider, Bear, and Eagle Knight Orders on the expedition, but not every knight from those orders had gone.

"Herbs. There are herbs that thrive in this weather. They have a nice aroma, and adding them to drinks enhances the flavor."

"Oh!"

When Roxiana shared what she'd learned from the earth spirits, Errun and Matteo nodded in admiration.

Lately, Roxiana had grown popular among the knights remaining in the grand ducal palace. One of her pastimes was cooking, and among those efforts, the beverages she made herself had become a sensation among the knights.