Chapter 214
“She seems to be getting restless.”
Sebelia said, tilting her head. Claude appeared out of nowhere and snatched the envelope from Dehart’s hand.
“It’s scheduled for four days from now. Quite a tight timeline. Well, I suppose they’re desperate. If their goal is regime change, there’s no better card than you.”
“Claude!”
“No, it’s the truth.”
Dehart flinched at Claude’s blunt words, but Sebelia quietly accepted them. Dehart frowned at the sight, but what could he do? Even Sebelia herself had to admit her abilities were quite compelling.
Especially as a useful tool to achieve the imperial power change without bloodshed.
“I probably wasn’t part of their plan from the start. But now that they know someone as convenient as me, they won’t just let me go.”
Whatever the First Queen’s original plan was, it was clear she would never give up once she realized Sebelia’s usefulness. If she couldn’t have her, she would at least prevent others from taking her.
No choice. I can’t refuse the invitation sent directly by the First Queen.
Once in their sights, there was nowhere to hide. Or rather, she had no intention of running anymore.
Just as Sebelia was about to say something to Claude, who was struggling to remove the small jewel affixed to the envelope…
“…Ugh.”
Something pale and faint suddenly brushed past her eyes. Sebelia instinctively recognized it—it was the spying illusion attached to Nelia.
It’s restored.
The feather attached to Nelia was a minimal-power illusion designed to avoid detection by tracking or someone with highly sensitive senses. Once it used its power, it needed time to recover.
It had been two days since eavesdropping on Nelia and the servants…
“Bella?”
“Just a moment.”
Calculating the time, Sebelia felt her vision blur again and sat down. She clasped her hands and concentrated, and both men immediately fell silent—they knew what she was trying to do.
Tschut.
Through her closed eyes, new colors filled her sight. Soon, a dazzlingly bright room came into view.
A parlor? Judging by the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like Marquis Wheddon’s mansion.
The hazy image grew clearer—the porcelain and the painting on the wall, the lined-up servants behind, until the fog lifted from the face of the person sitting opposite.
…!
Sebelia clenched her teeth unconsciously.
The man had soft brown hair, stubborn green eyes, and a defined face—it was none other than Prince Delion Belkram, the First Queen’s legitimate heir.
So she was meeting the First Prince!
Since they were engaged, she had expected them to meet eventually, but not this soon. Before she could swallow nervously, Delion’s voice, sweet but at odds with his stern face, spoke:
[My little nightingale, today your beautiful eyes seem hard to see. What worries you so?]
A fitting line and tone for a fiance. But for Sebelia, overhearing it was utterly chilling.
“Ugh.”
As she shuddered with a pained groan, Dehart, who was watching seriously, sprang up. Claude forcibly sat him back down, telling him to stay still.
Thanks to that, Sebelia could focus on Nelia and Delian’s conversation.
[I’m sorry, Your Highness. Lately, I’ve been troubled and showed a less graceful side without meaning to.]
[Don’t say that, my little bird. What troubles you troubles me as well. Let me guess… that illusionist girl has been tormenting you.]
[Oh my, how did you know that…]
Delion tilted his head and chuckled. He seemed to want to show a playful atmosphere, but his harsh features made it ill-fitting. He shrugged his sturdy shoulders and joked as if surprised she didn’t know.
[If that’s the case, don’t worry. It’s the men’s job to solve the ladies’ worries. I’ve already spoken with your brother, so sleepless nights are behind you.]
[Truly, Your Highness, you’re the only one in the palace so considerate.]
[Just wait four days, my love.]
Four days—the day of the art exhibition. As she realized this, her vision fragmented roughly.
Tschut.
“Ugh.”
The connection was cut. Faster than before, Sebelia realized the spying illusion’s lifespan was nearly over.
Just one more time.
She pressed her throbbing head and groaned. Dehart quickly knelt before her. Sebelia no longer tried to stop him.
“Bella, are you alright?”
“Just a moment.”
She needed time to gather her thoughts—and to recover from exhaustion.
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