CHAPTER 176
“It’s time. Everyone, please gather!”
Village Chief Helione’s shout made the air of the square tremble.
The residents of Dandelion stopped what they were doing and flocked to the square.
Eve also came out of the barracks. Mikael stood guard at her left and right, and Peony stayed close to attend to her.
“Where’s Rosie?”
Eve asked Peony.
Just then, the entrance curtain of the barracks across from them fluttered. Rosenitte was in the middle of stepping outside, receiving Sylvestian’s escort.
It had been a long time since Rosenitte had shown herself outside the barracks.
As if the afternoon sunlight were dazzling, she frowned—then her eyes met Eve’s.
“We pay our respects to Your Highness the Seventh Imperial Princess.”
“We pay our respects to Your Highness the Eighth Imperial Princess.”
The retainers on both sides bowed first and observed proper etiquette. Since they had run into each other head-on, they at least had to exchange greetings. Eve spoke first, dry though it was.
“It’s been a while, Rosie.”
“It has.”
“Are you going to the square too?”
“Isn’t that obvious? It’s time to confirm how valuable I am as a hostage.”
Her sharp reply contained a rather accurate grasp of reality.
That was right. Today marked exactly four days since Eve’s party had entered Dandelion.
In other words, it was the time Brigitte had promised to open the gate.
“Confirming it again is unnecessary. Betty Noona will keep her promise.”
“Yes, she had better. Do you know who I am?”
At the mention of Brigitte, Rosenitte’s eyes took on a glow befitting the Belladonna of the Empire.
It was a gaze that brought Eve’s previous life to mind.
Eve felt a slight chill crawl up her spine and averted her eyes. Then, unintentionally, her gaze met Sylvestian’s—who stood beside Rosenitte.
Sylvestian immediately lowered his eyes as if to avoid her gaze.
Was it just her imagination? The pale blue eyes that were usually clear like a water mirror seemed, today, a little clouded and dull—as though they’d sunk into murk.
Eve stared at the uneasy-looking Sylvestian for a brief moment before she spoke.
“You look tired, Sir Millard.”
For an instant, Sylvestian’s lips parted slightly, then closed. He was choosing his words.
“I’m fine, Your Highness.”
“Then that’s a relief. I’ll see you later, then. You too, Rosie. And you as well, Sir Millard.”
Eve didn’t dig any deeper. She turned away, leading Mikael and Peony with her.
But the moment they’d put enough distance between themselves, she spoke with a grave face.
“Mikael.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Before the sun sets today, thoroughly investigate the Punishment Knights and the Baekya Knights to see if there are any who are having nightmares. I’ll hear the report directly from the knight-commander.”
“Yes. I’ll also relay it to Sir Millard and carry it out without any issues.”
Mikael’s eyes, as he answered, were sunk in thought as well. He, too, had found something unsettling after seeing the whites of his friend’s eyes reddened.
Peony, noticing it as well, added her opinion.
“He didn’t deny Your Highness’s question, and he answered that he’s fine. As expected, a knight’s virtue is honesty.”
In his own way, Sylvestian must have thought he was hiding it—hiding it as best he could. But from sharp Peony’s perspective, it must have looked like he was broadcasting it loud and clear.
And Peony had noticed something about Eve as well.
“By the way, you’re going to take care of it yourself without telling Your Highness the Eighth Imperial Princess?”
“Rosie is the kind of child who suits being cared for by others more than caring for others.”
Eve gently turned what she really meant into a polished remark: that dragging Rosenitte into this for no reason and making Sylvestian’s mind even more troubled would be unfortunate, if anything.
Peony, who’d briefly worried about propriety, quickly accepted it.
“It’s the Savior-nim!”
When Eve arrived at the square, Dandelion’s residents cheered her warmly.
Eve raised a hand in reply, then looked toward the gray wall.
The massive gate remained tightly shut, looming over everyone—Eve included.
‘No matter how many times I see it, it really is a door like a wall.’
Despite the large crowd, it was quiet as time passed.
It was when the minute hand on the pocket watch Peony had taken out ticked from one number to the next.
Drrr—drrrk!
A vibration climbed from her ankles and shook her body. A gap began to open slowly between the doors.
Eve spoke as if it surprised her.
“I thought even if they opened it, they wouldn’t match the exact time.”
“Her Highness the Third Imperial Princess is meticulous about keeping time promises, after all.”
“Well, yes. That’s one of the few admirable points Betty Noona has.”
While Eve and Peony traded words, the gate opened fully.
Half of the dispatch party entered Dandelion.
“Pay your respects to Her Highness Brigitte Agnes Hadelamid and His Highness Derrick Montreal Hadelamid!”
Pwooo—!
As expected, Brigitte was the kind of royal who only felt satisfied when she was revered wherever she went.
A commanding shout and the blare of a horn proclaimed their entrance.
Despite being the ones who’d avoided the battlefield, they were putting on a victory parade all on their own.
Eve pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling ashamed on behalf of her half-sister’s arrogance.
In the meantime, the dispatch party—having completed their entry—stopped at the center of the square.
Under everyone’s gaze, Brigitte stepped down from her carriage. Even without explanation, the arrogant, oppressive aura she exuded made it easy to guess who she was.
The residents of Dandelion immediately offered the commoners’ bow: kneeling on one knee, placing both hands on the ground, and lowering their heads.
Brigitte swept her icy eyes across the village.
Being subjected to the gaze of a power-holder who seized the atmosphere so frighteningly could not be good for the residents’ hearts.
Eve stepped forward at once, as if shielding the residents, placing herself before Brigitte.
“Betty Noona.”
Chilly pale-blue eyes fixed on Eve.
“Ah, Eve. You’re safe.”
“Yes. I’m glad to see you again.”
The greeting was restrained, but the eyes with which they stared at each other were deep and dark.
It was as though they were conversing with their eyes—like this:
‘So it’s credit rather than trust, after all. I didn’t expect you to even match the time.’
‘Was the collateral you took so precious? It’s practically a national treasure.’
‘Looks like I’ll need to make use of it from time to time.’
‘Do as you please.’
Eve and Brigitte smiled in their own ways.
They looked like a pair of affectionate sisters straight out of a painting.
But it didn’t take long for Brigitte to refresh the atmosphere with a cold voice.
“I’m truly relieved you were able to rejoin us safely. Now there won’t be any misunderstanding that I tried to bury my younger sister alive along with honor.”
At a glance, it could have sounded like she was pleased her honor had been restored.
However, was Brigitte the kind of person who spoke such gemlike words without intention?
Eve interpreted Brigitte’s meaning correctly.
‘Ah. So from now on, you really do have a plan to bury me alive, and you’re preparing your alibi nicely.’
It was effectively a warning of a sinister scheme.
Therefore, it wasn’t mere imagination that Brigitte felt more threatening now—here together—than she had when she’d been locking the gates from outside.
“Betty Noona.”
At that moment, Rosenitte approached.
Her face was heavy with resentment and looked ominous, but Brigitte responded as if it were trivial.
“Welcome, Rosie. You carried out your role well at the outpost. You’ve truly worked hard.”
Praising her for doing nothing was practically mockery of Rosenitte’s situation.
“…I’ll be sure to remember this.”
“Yes, do. For you, who are still young and don’t yet know how the world works, it must have been a deeply memorable experience.”
Ruby-colored eyes carried a poisonous sheen.
‘Huh? The two of them are fighting?’
Watching an enemy and a rival trade barbs, Eve felt a strange kind of mood.
Meanwhile, Brigitte didn’t indulge Rosenitte for long.
“I need to receive a report on the situation so far. Guide me to the strategy meeting room, Eve.”
“I will share the situation in my barracks in twenty minutes. Please allow time for a brief reunion with Viscount Lucchiad.”
“Fine.”
Eve entrusted Peony with guiding Brigitte and Derrick.
Since it was a meeting royals had to attend, Rosenitte was no exception.
Once all the royals had been sent off and the space around Eve became sparse, Anais approached.
“My liege, you have no idea how worried I was.”
“Viscount Lucchiad, I’m sorry for causing you worry.”
“You must preserve your precious body for the greater cause. Please don’t do this again.”
“I’ll try.”
Of course, it wasn’t a firm promise.
Anais let out a sigh, as if lamenting.
She also exchanged greetings with Mikael beside Eve, speaking with him as well.
“Thank you for protecting Her Highness. As expected, with Sir Agnito’s ability, I believed nothing would happen.”
“I’m grateful for your trust, but saying I protected Her Highness is imprecise. It is more accurate to say Her Highness protected the knight order and Dandelion.”
“What? My liege did?”
“Yes. She swept away the monster legion. Because of that, Her Highness has secured Dandelion’s public sentiment decisively, so all the residents will cooperate with the reconstruction.”
“She swept away a monster legion…?”
A light of doubt rose in Anais’s sky-blue eyes. Eve smiled, looking a little embarrassed.
“Ahem. I would like to brag about my heroic tale, but it’s regrettable that time isn’t on our side.”
“Please finish the meeting quickly and return. I’ll be counting the moments.”
“Yes. I should give you something to occupy yourself so you won’t find the waiting dull, Viscount.”
Just then, Eve confirmed that Peony had returned after guiding the three royals, and she spoke.
“There’s a lot I want to show Viscount Lucchiad. We’ve procured lumber and waterproofing agent locally—please take a look. Peony will guide you.”
“Ah, perfect. I also had feelings I needed to resolve with Lady Graniche.”
Anais smiled faintly at Peony.
Of course, her eyes weren’t smiling.
Like liege, like vassal—hadn’t she even followed her liege and infiltrated a cart into the heart of the battlefield on her own?
Anais had plenty to say to a young girl who’d done something so dangerously reckless.
“Now then, Lady Graniche. Come here.”
“Eek…”
Already trying to avoid Anais’s gaze and hiding behind Eve, Peony looked close to tears.
Anais’s temperament was the most similar of all people to the Third Empress Consort Filinelli—the one Peony had the hardest time with.
“Your Highnessss…”
Eve couldn’t ignore the look in Peony’s eyes begging to be saved.
“I already scolded her sharply, so please don’t do it too, Viscount Lucchiad.”
“How could I possibly reprimand Lady Graniche, who is Your Highness’s maid?
I have no intention of behaving so presumptuously.”
“Viscount Lucchiad…”
“Lady Graniche is a precious companion who rides in the same boat as us. As a companion, please allow me at least to voice a bit of disappointment, my liege.”
Judging by Anais’s stubbornness, it didn’t seem like words alone would stop her.
Eve decided to use the card she’d been keeping hidden.
“Anais.”
“Please don’t scold her too harshly, for my sake.
She is a loyal subject who willingly took the risk for me—if I can’t even praise her, should I really be crushing her spirit instead?”
“…Understood.”
Anais retreated as if she couldn’t win.
But even in a moment like this, it seemed her instincts as a businesswoman still shone. Anais didn’t forget to slip in the conditions she wanted.
“Ah—going forward, you can simply give me orders.
And… if possible, using informal speech would suit your dignity more, my liege.”
Anais, it seemed, was quietly envious of Eve’s relationship with Alven.
“Will do.”
Eve answered with a small laugh.
And so, Peony’s successful rescue was concluded.
“Then I’ll go and return quickly from the meeting. Walk around the village and the materials storage, and listen to the explanations.”
“Yes, my liege.”
Eve headed for the barracks where the royals were waiting, together with Mikael.